grass-roots favorite Pat Buchannan
And how many others did he win?
And how many others did he win?
None. The point being that the Republican Party leadership wanted Bob Dole, even though he could not win the general election.
In other words; a parallel situation could be developing as we write.
Even though Pat was hugely popular with the more conservative members, our "leadership" preferred to nominate Dole, even though the outcome was easily predicted (by myself, and probably many others).
Now we see another under-appreciated candidate, Ron Paul, with support by some in the Party, but not the Republican leadership.
FYI: In case anybody is at all interested; a RINO cannot win the general.