As it stands the qualifications are determined by both major parties. Since the advent of the modern primary system in 1976, by those who belong to both major parties via their primary vote. Pre-1976, the national and state party leaders held one heck of a lot of influence in determining who their party’s nominee was as there were just 10-15 primaries nationwide and some of them weren’t binding.
Who did we get under the old system since WWII FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon. Carter was the first president elected using the modern primary system. He was followed by Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, G.W. Bush, Obama, Trump and now Biden. Looking at how historians ranked the presidents, FDR, Truman, IKE, LBJ are top ten presidents, JFK number 13 and Nixon 33rd. Not a bad job under the old system. No top 10 presidents since the modern primary system began, although 2018 was the last historian rankings available. Reagan at 11 and Bill Clinton at 13 are the only top 20. Obama and Trump were rated as the historians stated not enough time had passed since they left office in order to evaluate the long-term effects of their policies on the country. Although a CSPAN poll in 2021 had Obama 10 and Trump 44. But C-Span’s was a public opinion poll.
The bottom line as to qualification is determined by people’s vote in each major party’s primaries.
As for Trump losing some supporters, I'll give you his favorable rating among Republicans which may or may not be the same.
Nov 2020 Very Favorable 78% Somewhat Favorable 14%
Today Very Favorable 58% Somewhat Favorable 24%
Last edited by perotista; 03/23/22 08:39 PM.
