Final answer:
A candidate cannot win without regional support due to the need for electoral votes in the U.S. system. Strategically focusing on swing areas and addressing the nuances of the Electoral College are key to a candidate's success. Past elections have shown the complications of a two-party system and the importance of broad coalitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can a candidate win if they had no support in any regions? The simple answer is no; a candidate needs at least some regional support to secure electoral votes. Candidates must allocate their efforts strategically to win over swing states and swing districts that could tilt the balance in their favor. Understanding patterns of support is crucial for any political campaign, as noted in Election Day Activities, which focuses on identifying strong support areas, opponent's strongholds, and swing areas.
Moreover, the U.S. Electoral College system allows a possibility for a candidate to win the presidency without a popular vote majority, provided they secure enough electoral votes. This was the case in past elections where some presidents won despite not having the popular vote.
In a geographical district-based system, a candidate must gain a significant number of votes to win a seat and make an impact in the elections. The failure of third-party candidates, as exemplified by the Green Party's impact on the 2000 election, highlights the risk of splitting votes in a two-party system. Additionally, in a complex political landscape, with varying political differences and issues between states and local areas, candidates must form a coalition wide enough to win while also cohesive enough to enact policy.