Still, the eight Republicans listed here either qualify as relatively unknown or relatively unpopular. For Rubio and Walker, who at least have break-even favorability ratings so far with a lot of room to define themselves, that isn’t too much of a problem. For Bush and Christie, though, it could be. Both are fairly well-known to voters, and yet both have net-negative favorability ratings.
This is unusual because normally candidates who are closer to the center of the electorate, such as Bush and Christie, fare better among general-election voters. It’s possible that some of Bush’s poor ratings have to do with his last name; some voters may even confuse him with former President George W. Bush. As Jeb Bush becomes better known, voters will have new information with which to evaluate him and may find him more likable. Christie’s problems may be a little more intractable.
But either way, Bush and Christie are going to have more trouble making the electability argument than relatively moderate candidates usually would. Christie, in particular, is close to being the worst of all worlds, viewed as an ideological misfit by Republicans while being among the least popular Republicans with general-election voters. On the Pareto chart, Christie and Bush are at more risk of being dominated than dominating other candidates.
Rubio and Walker, being lesser known, have more chance to shape their image.
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