Obama vs McCain Tough call, but I agree with the pundits who think that there's a higher probability that the Democrats with Obama will lose, rather than the Republicans with McCain will win it. Every week there's yet another Obama soft spot discovered and Hillary can't, or won't, use them to maximum advantage. Other than the fact that he's the most liberal Senator out there and quite inexperienced, we just don't know enough about the guy yet. First, stupid things that his wife, Michelle, said that offended many Americans, especially whites; then his association with Rev Wright and his vile sermons was a major blow to Obama's head; and now this Weather Underground terrorist connection... The list has just begun to be formed but, at this rate, it looks long anough to ruin his chances. McCain is not going to attack him directly, it's the PACs and SIGs that will do the dirty work a la "Swif Boat" sort of thing, in the summer. That's what the Clintons are arguing about and that's the reason many Democrats would rather have Gore run this time with Obama as a VP.
Dole vs McCain There's a huge difference between these two men, in terms of character, personality and style. Dole was never known as a "rebel" or "independent" or even as a true "centrist." These are McCain's personal traits and major assetts this time around. I think the Republicans have chosen, not perhaps the "best" candidate, but the one that's most likely to win this fall. After all, the lessons learned from the Dole failure are available to their strategists to help them avoid similar mistakes - one can only hope.
You couldn't have found a more biased author working for a more liberal rag if you tried. The argument can be easily made that any economic "troubles" that we have (and I'm not sure they are real, other than normal business cycle fluctuations) began just after the Democrats took over Congress 16 months ago. The Republicans can take credit for taking us out of Clinton's (almost) recession and the huge expansion until that point, early 2007. Plus, don't forget that a large part of those respresented by his title's word "Many" don't usually get up and go out to vote. Other than any major disaster, this is largely irrelevant as Americans understand that Presidents have limited power in this matter. Personality, character and security are larger issues in current Presidential campaigns. Yes, the war is unpopular, but "security" is very popular - people are scared and, when voting in private, will opt for more safety, favor the candidate they feel they can trust more.
Look at all these Reps getting out of Congress the last 18 mos. Why? Because they know they can't win this fall and they need to get their 2 years out/ethics clocks running. Now look at Romney, Thompson, and Rudy. What happened there is simple. The problem wasn't beating McCain - he was a non-issue then. And the problem wasn't the nomination - somebody will win it afer all. The problem was they can't win the election, and they saw that, and I'll bet their wives told them just so. And in the case of Romney, she'd have been berserk - you spent 25M of our fken money on this and you cant win - they dont want us! I'm the one that told you all McCain was the only candidate 9 mos ago when everyone here had him dead from old age or broke or both. The reason for that is that deep down the party knows it can't win - and consistent with the tenor of this thread and the tenor of McCains character - this great and worthy public man is going to lie down on his last shield. So stick with me on the calls.
That may have been slightly true, if it weren't for the stupidity of the Democrats who are choosing a guy who clearly can't win in a general election.
Sacrificing McCain for the good of the party, sparing Romney and Rudy the embarrassment sounds like a Karl Rove plan...
Who is his optimal running mate? Does he want Bush to be an active participant in the campaign next fall or not?
Does he want Bush involved? I think a bond this deep can't be quit... <img src=http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/X/e/1/mccain_bush_brokeback.jpg>
=================== Mr Yannis had some excellant points against Senator Clinton,congenital liar. But frankly Senator Dole's wife, Senator Elizabeth Dole ,Red Cross worker/exec; got more votes than mr McCain's millionaire wife /beer bucks, with all due respect. And mr Yannis had another good point against Senator Barak Hussein being the number 1 liberal, more of a liberal than Senator Clinton, with her huge negatives. Its cool but think all 3 of those''hot air'' Senators are wrong on ''global warming''; name changed recently to ''climate change'', to protect the guilty. Teddy Roosevelt , not a Republican or Democrat,said ''ride hard, shoot straight, speak the truth.''.John McCain is much closer track record wise to'' Teddy Bear'' nickname Roosevelt than other 2 Senators.
Good points murray. I think the Teddy Roosevelt point will be crucial. Voters tend to go with the more manly candidate. Maybe it's changing as America becomes increasingly feminized and multiple generations have been indoctrinated with political correctness, but McCain was clearly the manliest of the republicans and he won. Obama is an effete wimp and will look like a girl next to McCain.