[TWohlford]

From the top...

SENATOR McCain will have difficulty winning the election if he indeed is the nominee because he is a SENATOR.

The last Senator (or former Senator) who won an election against a non-Senator was Truman, who obviously had the power of the incumbency behind him, in the infamous "Dewey Wins" election.

Before that, you need to look at Warren G Harding in 1920 for a sucessful run for POTUS by a Senator or former Senator.

The reason McCain matches up well against Hillary is that... drumroll please... SHE'S A SENATOR!!!!

The raw data from the last 100 years:

* * *


Harding - Senate to POTUS, 1920

Truman - Senate to VP, POTUS via death, last POTUS to win vs non-senator Dewey in 1952.

Kennedy - Senate to POTUS, 1960 (ran against Senator Nixon)


Johnson - Senate to VP, POTUS via death, (beat Senator Goldwater in re-election)

Nixon - Senate to VP to unemployment to POTUS, 1968 (lost to Sen Kennedy, beat Senators HHH and McGovern in elections)

---

Failed:

Kerry, 2004
Gore, 2000
Dole, 1996
Mondale, 1984
McGovern, 1972
Humphrey, 1968
Goldwater, 1964
Nixon, 1960 (ran against Senator)

---

Last POTUS w/ Senate experience - Nixon
Last POTUS w/ Senate experience to gain office via election - Kennedy
Last POTUS to win as sitting Senator - Kennedy
Last POTUS w/ Senate experience to win in election against non-senator - Truman

[John Lenin]

I agree, I don't like voting for Washington insiders who have already done enough damage to the country. I will hold my nose and probably vote for Rudy.

[justiceseeker93]

Truman defeated Dewey in 1948, not 1952. But your point is well-taken, though hardly original.

[Fiji Hill]

Kennedy - Senate to POTUS, 1960 (ran against Senator Nixon)

Correction: Kennedy ran against Vice President Nixon.

[Fiji Hill]

A senator seeking higher office might find his paper trail to be a major impediment to his aspirations. Opponents can point out, for example, when he voted for something before he voted against it.