The most unpopular election in recent history

[DS0816]

I want to highlight this section from the Monomouth national poll release yesterday:

"'The number of voters who cannot bring themselves to voice a positive opinion of either presidential nominee is more than three times higher than in any other election in recent memory.  This is unprecedented," said Murray.'"

http://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/MonmouthPoll_US_082916/

It's undeniable that both of these candidates are at record lows in favorable ratings. Some people point to polarization for this. However, I argue that in a perfectly polarized environment, both candidates would be at 50/50. In addition, 21% of voters have expressed a dislike for BOTH candidates - another record high.

I have two questions for the minds here:

1. Would other candidates, for example Sanders and Kasich, have favorable ratings more in line with norms for presidential elections? Or are Hillary and Donald's ratings more indicative of a general dissatisfaction in America?

2. How were two candidates that are so generally unpopular able to win their respective nominations fairly easily?

1. Yes

2. Incompetence