As 2014 midterms race to their nail-biting conclusion, many Democrats are already setting their sights on 2016, when they hope Hillary Clinton lifts all ballots and leads the party back to the White House. But will 2016 be like 1988, when George H.W. Bush won a third straight term for the Republicans? Or will it be like 2008, when George W. Bush’s unpopularity helped sink John McCain—and elect Barack Obama? Some of 2016’s key factors, like the crafting of a winning message and the selection of the nominees, will be in the hand of the campaigns and the voters. Others, like the president’s popularity and the state of the economy, will not. With that in mind, here’s a visual look at what matters going into another presidential marathon—and what doesn’t.
Source: 16 Charts That Explain 2016 - Kyle Kondik and David Foster - POLITICO Magazine
