IL-GOV 2018: Fmr. President Obama (D) vs. Governor Rauner (R)

[Lord Admirale]

Former President Barack Obama decides to run against incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner for the governorship of Illinois in 2018. Discuss.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

Obama wins by 10-15%.

[Kingpoleon]

Barack Obama/Scott Drury: 63.6%
Bruce Rauner/Kristina Rasmussen: 34.9%

I could also see Obama running with Tio Hardiman, Daniel Hynes, or Alexi Giannoulias.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

Barack Obama/Scott Drury: 63.6%
Bruce Rauner/Kristina Rasmussen: 34.9%

I could also see Obama running with Tio Hardiman, Daniel Hynes, or Alexi Giannoulias.

I'm not so sure he does that well, but I suppose it's possible if Rauner really screws up.

[Kingpoleon]

Barack Obama/Scott Drury: 63.6%
Bruce Rauner/Kristina Rasmussen: 34.9%

I could also see Obama running with Tio Hardiman, Daniel Hynes, or Alexi Giannoulias.

I'm not so sure he does that well, but I suppose it's possible if Rauner really screws up.

I’m pretty sure he has ~60% favorability in Illinois and similar approval ratings.

[America's Sweetheart ❤/𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖙𝖞 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗]

Barack Obama/Scott Drury: 63.6%
Bruce Rauner/Kristina Rasmussen: 34.9%

I could also see Obama running with Tio Hardiman, Daniel Hynes, or Alexi Giannoulias.

I'm not so sure he does that well, but I suppose it's possible if Rauner really screws up.

I’m pretty sure he has ~60% favorability in Illinois and similar approval ratings.

Approval ratings don't always translate into actual votes. Trump won in 2016 with a 36% approval rating.

[OBD]

Approval ratings don't always translate into actual votes. Trump won in 2016 with a 36% approval rating.

Running against someone with an approval rating of about 40% or less.

[bagelman]

If Obama really wants the govenor's mansion, it's his. I think he would underpreform lavish expectations but still win in a cakewalk.

[The Govanah Jake]

If Obama really wants the govenor's mansion, it's his. I think he would underpreform lavish expectations but still win in a cakewalk.

^

A 55-44% or 56-42/43% would seem likely

[libertpaulian]

He'd be able to beat Jim Edgar or Jim Thompson at this point.   Rauner is just easy pickins.

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama would win...but there's no way he'd run. After all, being Governor of any state is a huge step down from being President.

Now if we're talking about Michelle Obama, that's a different story.

[libertpaulian]

Obama would win...but there's no way he'd run. After all, being Governor of any state is a huge step down from being President.

Now if we're talking about Michelle Obama, that's a different story.

I would apply my above statement to either two.  Actually, I think it would be easier for Michelle.  She's beloved among most, if not all, demographics.  She'd clean house with the moderate suburban soccer mom demographic, for one thing.  Rauner can say bye-bye to Lake and DuPage, as well as the northwestern cities and villages in Cook.

[Dr. MB]

Safe O for any IL election which he enters. He'd perform similar to how he did in Illinois in '12.

[America Needs a 13-6 Progressive SCOTUS]

Am I the only person who thinks Obama would under perform, and make Rauner re-election more likely?

[NewYorkExpress]

Am I the only person who thinks Obama would under perform, and make Rauner re-election more likely?

Barack would underperform but win because Chicago would outvote the suburbs/downstate. Michelle, on the other hand would win in a landslide...however she's not interested.