SoldierDad, Reagan DID lose the nomination, twice! He actually had the highest popular vote total in 1968, but was crushed by Nixon in primary delegates. I think what that shows is that sometimes the really good ones take some seasoning. Look at Lincoln, for example, who thought he was finished after the 1858 defeat.
Yes, I’m well aware of Reagan’s first two attempts at running for President, and what the outcome was. I didn’t realize I would need to specify that I was speaking about his 1980 campaign. It’s also important to differentiate the differences between 1968, 1974, and 1980 with respect to the party machine in place for the GOP candidates who won those primaries. Reagan didn’t have the organization in those first two tries that he had in 1980.