Trump at the moment is seen either favorable or very favorable by 87% of republicans.
Thanks for gathering the numbers Perotista! they further bear out the lack of any need to have primaries.
A serious challenge to a sitting president has been harmful in the general election. If the best challenge to Trump is Weld and Walsh, they're not serious challengers. Regardless, here's the history.
Estes Kefauver challenged Truman in 1952, Truman withdrew with the nomination going to Stevenson. Stevenson lost to Eisenhower.
McCarthy challenged LBJ in 1968, LBJ withdrew with Humphrey receiving the nomination. Humphrey lost to Nixon.
Reagan challenged Ford in 1976, Ford won renomination, then lost to Jimmy Carter.
Ted Kennedy challenged Carter in 1980, Carter won the renomination, then lost to Reagan.
Pat Buchanan challenged G.H.W. Bush in 1992, Bush defeated him winning renomination, but lost to Bill Clinton in the general.
History hasn't been kind to sitting presidents who receive serious challenges to their renomination. Usually the reason they do receive a challenge is the sitting president is seen as weak and likely to lose the general. Which has happened 5 times since WWII.
