Yes, and like we know, moderates like Ford and Dole are more electable as rightwings like Reagan and Bush II.![]()
That being said, 1976, if not quite a democratic year, certainly tilted their way. Ford was a moderate, more or less clean president (in a cycle where that was crucial), and with a few exceptions ran a nearly flawless campaign, and still lost. I suppose that a best-case scenario for Reagan might have him improve on Ford's performance a bit, but Carter still has an edge, and even best-case scenario for the GOP is a rather slim margin of victory.