Is it just a Democratic year, or would another Republican candidate be doing better than McCain? That's the question posed by Politico.
"Yes, there is someone who could have done markedly better: the other John McCain, the one we thought was real, the one from 2000, the one who refused to mouth tired right wing clichés about economics and dared to oppose the 2001 Bush economic plan," opined Robert Shrum, the historically unsuccessful Democratic presidential strategist.
Gary Bauer opined, "No. McCain is the only GOP nominee that could have run 25 points above George Bush’s approval ratings."
That was pretty much the consensus.
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McCain's probably the best the GOP could have come up with. Name recognition is very important, for one thing, which is one reason Hillary was such a great candidate. And McCain had the hero thing going for him--while few really remember his Keating 5 activities several decades ago. Obama is a rare exception in that regard, being young, black and formerly not too widely known. However, once getting past Hillary in the black-vs.-woman confrontation, he had the bumbling record of the inefficient Bush administration going for him--with the domestic/world economic crisis emphasizing things late in the campaign. And yes, the "other" John McCain, the honorable one, would have been closer in the race right now. His low-road campaign developed into a total disaster; it epitomized the type of thing Americans are sick and tired of in election campaigns. The disintegration of the McCain campaign was exacerbated when Palin came aboard. It appears that character is the main factor, and it appears the Republicans were unable to come up with a candidate who had much of that. Joe Biden on the Obama side may drop a gaffe or two, but his underlying character more than makes up for any damage that might do. Hillary, too, was long on character; and she also would be leading McCain in the polls right now, had she been nominated.--Tom Camfield— TomCamfield- Another Republican couldn't possibly have done any worse. A younger more dynamic candidate, or a republican hillary clinton might have done a whole lot better.— david wayne
The GOP should have gone with Mitt Romney, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas as VP. Romney was a successful Governor in an overwhelmingly blue state and brings executive experience that only Palin has of the four contenders. Romney was a successful politician and businessman whose strong point is the economy. Vigerous, well spoken and presidential in appearance, his more youthful image (sadly, a good percentage of voters base their vote on image, rather than policy) and polished public speaking skills would be a great asset. McCain, an honorable old war horse thought his centerist stance would bring in votes, but the media, which formerally saw him as the one Republican they loved, turned on him, demonizing McCain just as they turned on Hillary, abandoning her overnight, when the Leftist Press ( almost all the press meets that definition) decided to back Obama. Now, the fix was in. (That the media is so biased at this time is an outrage in itself) That Romney is 'outside' the Beltway, he can't be tarred with the same brush that Dems do now with McCain, viz. making McCain seem an extension of the failures of Bush. McCain isn't a first rate mind, but is a tough stalwart soldier. Romney does demonstrate skills McCain lacks. Somewhere in those backrooms, the deal was cut, and McCain was trotted out. One year ago he was the dark horse. Romney's Mormon church membership was his albatros, because the Evangelical wing of the party decided to embark on some assinine campaign of internacine warfare to exclude his kind. Now, a man of little experience with questionable associations, who claims to be a uniter, but all his past spoken and written material clearly demonstrates a Marxist/Socialist agenda, will very likely take the reigns of the highest office in America..possibly the world. In a repudiation of Bush, the 'soft middle' of the US who are largely apolitical, are empowering a son of the Radical Left, which is in itself, a frightening thing to ponder.— Yermak29- After eight years of neocon/religious nut cases rule give me a democrat to clean up this mess. We don't need McCain (let's stay in Iraq for 100 years) or Palin (dinosaurs and man existed at the same time). Enough of these right wing luny tunes!— mindstorms
- McCain had been around in the Senate for 30 years when illegal war was proposed, and it didn't stop him from supporting it. He knew or must have known what Bush Cheney and Rumsfeld would do, must have known the tactics they'd employ. The US started the war on false pretenses, rolled back the constitution, killed women and children--a fact warmonger still doesn't appreciate-- tortured innocents and ignored international law .— glenbc
- Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) lowers Obama's threshold for "rich" again. Now families earning under $120,000 will get a tax hike. Plus, when the Bush tax cuts expire, taxes on everyone will go up.— Betweenthelines
- 20 years is a long time, and it's how long Obama sat soaking hateful, anti-American, anti-Semitic poison from Rev. Wright -- who Obama called "the best the black church has to offer."— Betweenthelines
- Obama's buddy, William Ayers, dedicated his 1974 book to Bobby Kennedy's assassin Sirhan Sirhan. Same William Ayers who hosted Obama's Illinois campaign kickoff at his house.— Betweenthelines
- “YOU SHOULD NOT JUDGE A MAN BY THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Obama’s supporters are voting for RHETORIC, for REDISTRIBUTION of WEALTH and Entitlement, for registration FRAUD, for RADICALIZATION Of AMERICAS with Rev. Right, Ayers, Farakkan, Khalidi. They think it is O.K. to HANG a WHITE WOMAN as a Halloween decoration, just because they disagree with her politically. They believe in larger government. ------------------------------------------------ I am voting for Integrity, Character, Experience. Judgment. I believe, you cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves. I am voting for John McCain.— LostDemocracy
- “YOU SHOULD NOT JUDGE A MAN BY THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Obama’s supporters are voting for RHETORIC, for REDISTRIBUTION of WEALTH and Entitlement, for registration FRAUD, for RADICALIZATION Of AMERICAS with Rev. Right, Ayers, Farakkan, Khalidi. They think it is O.K. to HANG a WHITE WOMAN as a Halloween decoration, just because they disagree with her politically. They believe in larger government. ------------------------------------------------ I am voting for Integrity, Character, Experience. Judgment. I believe, you cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves. I am voting for John McCain.— LostDemocracy
Comment removed.- BOTTOM LINE: NO TAX CUT BY OBAMA OBAMA's PLAN MAKES ALL AMERICANS PAY HIGHER TAXES Senator Obama is not being truthful when he says only Americans earning $250,000 will get a tax increase. Senator Obama plans to let the current 2007 rates lapse. The rates under Obama will return to the higher 2000 level. Senator Obama claims that letting a tax cut lapse is not a "tax increase." But requiring Americans to pay more taxes than in 2007 amounts to a TAX INCREASE. For a married family, filing jointly and earning $75,000 a year, this INCREASE will be $3,074. For a married family, filing jointly and earning $50,000, this INCREASE will be $1,512. Even struggling American families making just $25,000 a year will see a tax INCREASE-- they'll pay $715 more in 2010 than they did in 2007. Across the board, ALL WORKING AMERICANS WILL SEE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES in their taxes with Obama's plans. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/10/senator_obamas_four_tax_increa.html— Betweenthelines
- Ron Paul is the only one with real answers for real change!!— joeolive
- “YOU SHOULD NOT JUDGE A MAN BY THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Obama’s supporters are voting for RHETORIC, for REDISTRIBUTION of WEALTH and Entitlement, for registration FRAUD, for RADICALIZATION Of AMERICAS with Rev. Right, Ayers, Farakkan, Khalidi. They think it is O.K. to HANG a WHITE WOMAN as a Halloween decoration, just because they disagree with her politically. They believe in larger government. ------------------------------------------------ I am voting for Integrity, Character, Experience. Judgment. I believe, you cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves. I am voting for John McCain.— LostDemocracy
- Comment removed.
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About Inquirer political writers
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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