Worst political candidate in recent history?

[JJC]

Who do you think was the worst candidate to run for office? Consider everything from political ineptitude, personal likability, and being out of touch with his/her constituencies.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Christine doesn't belong here. Unlike the others, she never had a chance to begin with.

[Torie]

Christine O is really hard to beat. What a freak show she was.

[7,052,770]

Easily Coakley for losing as a Democrat in a very blue state twice

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Coakley is a genuine black swan of a terrible candidate. No one else comes close.

[Free Bird]

Write-in: Buddy Banjo (Bruce Braley). You don't insult your state's bacon bringer or be a snob about chickens in Iowa and expect to win.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Yes, Bertie Boodally was a pretty appalling one. Of these candidates, probably Mark Udall.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Worst from the perspective of qualifications and apparent (in)competence? Trump

Worst as in least effective candidate and worst campaigner? Clinton

[OSR stands with Israel]

Hillary Clinton

[pbrower2a]

Other -- Sharron Angle. She ran against Harry Reid in 2010 and talked about "Second Amendment solutions"... and lost.

Carl Paladino is another possible "other".   

[The Other Castro]

Bilbo Baggins.

[Lothal1]

I'd argue Anthony Brown had he not ran (and won) for election to the House of Representatives. his 2014 was on a next level terrible.

[Figueira]

Easily Coakley for losing as a Democrat in a very blue state twice

Her second loss made sense given the general pattern of recent gubernatorial elections in Massachusetts. If there's no incumbent running and it's not a super-Democratic year, the Republican generally wins.

I'm tempted to vote for her purely for the Senate race, but I think I'll go with Todd Akin.

I don't think O'Donnell did that badly for a conservative Republican in Delaware (although she should have done better given it was 2010 and Coons was not an incumbent); I think the awful candidate was Castle for losing to her in the first place.

[hopper]

O'Donnell

[Hermit For Peace]

You did say "candidate" and so I vote for Ben Carson as being the worst.

[I’m not Stu]

David Duke

[angus]

Ross Perot's running mate, Admiral Stockdale.  Anybody remember that guy?  May he rest in peace.  I don't wish to impugn dead people, but he always came off confused and stoned, even more than Gary Johnson.  

[The Arizonan]

One question: how did Martha Coakley get elected to statewide in the first place?

[Kingpoleon]

Ross Perot's running mate, Admiral Stockdale.  Anybody remember that guy?  May he rest in peace.  I don't wish to impugn dead people, but he always came off confused and stoned, even more than Gary Johnson.  

Stockdale was a national hero worthy of respect. Besides his debate performance, his habit and manner of speech was uniquely military. Unfortunately, his debate performance has caused the most lasting impression.

[Miles]

I think HRC's margin in Iowa sort of vindicates Braley - maybe we need to reconsider if he was uniquely bad.

[Figueira]

One question: how did Martha Coakley get elected to statewide in the first place?

I think anyone with a D next to their name automatically wins any statewide office in MA aside from Governor. Plus it was 2006.

[Mr. Smith]

Tom Corbett or Mark Kirk oh, or Pat McCrory.

[Skye]

I think HRC's margin in Iowa sort of vindicates Braley - maybe we need to reconsider if he was uniquely bad.

Though the guy looked like he was actively trying to lose.

My vote goes for Coakley. It's Massachusetts, of all places.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

What about Colleen Deacon? She was the Democratic nominee in a D+5 district, NY-24, and lost by 21 points.

[Beet]

I don't know if this counts but the worst politician is easily Anthony Weiner. He managed to lose himself and/or his party a House seat, two mayoral chances, and the presidency... and he only campaigned in one of those elections.