I think I said magical candidates or special circumstances. Earlier I said WWII but I think it’s more appropriate to do he 1960s since that encompasses more of the modern times( civil rights etc)
Carter- slow economy, fall of Vietnam( first US lost in a war) Ford pardoned of Nixon for Watergate were all special circumstances.
Clinton- Magical candidate but like you said he still needed a 3rd party candidate to siphon off Bush votes.
Obama- Magical candidate but still needed a major recession to help him.
Gore and HRC won the popular vote but they still lost under the election rules. The popular vote is cool but there have been a handful elections throughout American history like that. I wouldn’t call it “scammed”
There is no Democratic magical candidate this election , that’s why I’m saying the Dems will lose.
I think you are misinterpreting what I’m saying or maybe I wasn’t clear.
This is my point , due to build in disadvantages relative to the Republican Party, Democrats need very charismatic candidates or special circumstances such as horrible economy, unpopular war or Presidential misconduct to win Presidential elections without an incumbent.
Unless the economy turns or the impeachment inquiry sticks to Trump, I think Trump will win in 2020.
I don’t want this to happen but I also want to be realistic. The Dems have a major uphill battle.