BTW, what were Reagan’s poll numbers in January 1979 as well? Carter was polling 54% in ‘79. Gee, how did Reagan manage to get the 270 in ‘80, LOL? You are a defeatists of the lowest order who would of justified sucking the Crown in 1774. “We can’t win General Washington, the numbers say so...”
I have a better question.
Could Reagan win California if he ran for president in 2016?
The answer is no.
In the 1980 presidential election, Reagan got just 52.7% of the vote in California.
In 1980, about 20% of California voters were non-white.
In 1980, almost 70% of non-whites voted against Reagan.
In 2016, almost 50% of California voters are non-white.
In 2016, if Reagan won the same racial percentage he won in 1980, he would lose California by at least 5 points.