What is Cruz's realistic ceiling?

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

Much has been written about Cruz's limited appeal. Let's assume that everything goes right for him, he has three reasonably successful debates against Clinton, he deflects the allegations that he eats his own boogers etc. I'd wager Bush '04 minus NM.

[JonathanSwift]

274-264

[Virginiá]

I'd say 2012 map (and by that I mean his ceiling is still a large loss). Cruz is unelectable. His radical, ultra-conservative appeal/agenda is simply not palatable outside of the bible belt / rural states, and on top of that, he has absolutely none of the appeal that Trump has.

The only way I can see him doing better is if his opponent absolutely bombs in one way or another, which in that case isn't something I would factor into his ceiling as that can happen with any candidate.

[Ronnie]

Couldn't Cruz appeal to the more moderate wing of the party by selecting someone like Kasich as his running mate?  Just food for thought.

[The Other Castro]

Couldn't Cruz appeal to the more moderate wing of the party by selecting someone like Kasich as his running mate?  Just food for thought.

Running mates don't matter if they're good, only if they're bad.

[Maxwell]

At this point? I think his absolute ceiling is Romney 2012 + Ohio

[Vosem]

Cruz is no further right of the median in this country than candidates that have been elected in the past. His ceiling is probably slightly lower than a "typical" GOP ceiling; he might be a tad weaker in the Great Lakes states. So, 2004 plus PA, minus NM. A more typical Republican ceiling might also include NH and WI.