I wonder about that sometimes. Why would someone go to all the trouble of running for president, just to “tank”, to use a sports term,, tank in the election campaign?
So his place in political history becomes that he lost to Obama as the highlight? Really, that’s what someone wants to be remembered for?
I don’t believe the theories that Romney or McCain purposely tanked, or sacrificed themselves as designated losers for the deep state.
They wanted to win but when the rabid Leftist press attacked, they tried to play the middle and wound up flip-flopping and looking weak. When you try to appease both sides, both sides can see that you are just another spineless politician.
Donald Trump didn’t make that mistake in 2016 - he picked a position on every issue (the right position IMHO) and stuck with those positions even when the rabid press attacked him unmercifully for it. He built a strong coalition of pro-constitution America First voters. That’s what put him over the top and won him the election in 2016.
When the deep state tried to impeach him for it, he still didn’t fold - he doubled down. That original voter coalition appreciated his fortitude during the 2016 campaign but will appreciate it far more in 2020, now that he’s proven to be a promise keeper as POTUS.
It is very hard to imagine ANYONE who voted for him in 2016 not voting for him in 2020. I would bet there are quite a few #neverTrumpers, Cruz or Bush supporters, or even disenfranchised Democrats, who had their noses out of joint but who now see that Donald Trump is the real deal.