Not if you look at history. The presidential election typically is a referendum on the incumbent or his party, not on the individual challenger. However, not many grasp this concept so your ignorance is excused.
B.S.
Squeaker elections aren't referendums at all.
1960 was a squeaker, still too close to call today.
1964 was a referendum on Barry Goldwater, not LBJ.
1968 was another squeaker, not a referendum at all.
1976? Another squeaker...Carter by 2 points...but none of this is the point:
The point is that Ted Kennedy couldn't have beaten Gerald Ford; Phil Crane, Howard Baker or GHW Bush could not have beaten Carter; and Alan Keyes and Orrin Hatch would have lost to Al Gore.
It is your ignorance and your stupidity which are excused. LOL.