wow great post! you hit the nail on the head.
You know what I would have included here:
5. Romney
Romney was just more of the same old, same old , been there done that republican candidates put forth. I think a lot of registered repubs sat it out, disgusted at the Bush presidency (nice guy but caved on everything) and what was happening in the USA. How much worse could it get? Which ha ha of course, way worse. Anyway! I wonder if a lot of those types are Trump supporters today ?
From Real Clear Politics, Nov 9, 2012:
Romney received around 57.8 million votes in 2012. In 2008, John McCain received 59.9 million.
Romney got over 2 million fewer votes than McCain!
I can't believe that any of the TOP Republicans running, and I mean Trump, Cruz and Rubio getting LESS than Romney. Kasich, JEB and Carson, yes, but not the top three.