The Climb and Decline of the Ancient Mariner: The McCain Encore

hughhewitt.townhall.com ^ | 01/11/2008 | Hugh Hewitt

[justa-hairyape]

But when this nation faces perhaps its greatest threat since the Civil War, I think it's completely irresponsible to say you'd prefer to have Hillary, Obama or Edwards as Commander-in-Chief.

There is no way in the world McCain would ever beat Obama in the general. An Old DC centrist-liberal lacking strong conservative base support against the first Black Candidate with strong liberal base support running on a Change platform. The Iraq Police Action would be a non-issue by then, which is a good thing. There is no way McCain could beat Hillary in the general. Dole could not beat Bill even after the 1994 revolution. Now we have a Dole retread running up against the First Woman President in our History. Hillary would not have strong liberal base support and McCain would not have strong conservative base support. Hillary has large negatives, but so does McCain. The race would break on the 'First Woman President' issue. So to nominate McCain is to elect either Obama or Hillary. The Republican nominee has to have strong conservative base support if winning is the goal. IMHO.

[lonevoice]

*

[Norman Bates]

You are quite off. Hillary has the worst negatives of any candidate running. But on the other hand, John McCain has the highest net favorability rating (consult Rasmussen).

The 1996 comparison is bunk for three reasons: Dole was running against an incumbent during a booming peacetime economy, McCain is a very energetic campaigner sometimes holding six or seven town halls a day tirelessly taking questions with a press meeting after every event (his staff literally needs to pull him on the bus to get to the next event he is so engaging), and Ross Perot siphoned off a lot of votes that would’ve went GOP that year.

Here’s the key to Hillary and there’s no way around it. I’ve cited her negatives and McCain’s favorables. But put simply independents loathe her and like (even love) McCain. Every occupant of the Oval Office is the one who wins independents.

As for Obama, I don’t expect he will win the nomination but if he were he would also be quite open to the charge that he does not have anything close to the experience needed to be POTUS. Never in recent times (going back many decades) has there been a nominee as inexperienced as Obama. McCain on the other hand is very much experienced would provide a stark contrast. We are at War lest we forget - the voters won’t forget either.

Finally, some polling to chew on...

Ohio (Survey USA 1/7):

McCain 50
Obama 43

Romney 39
Obama 51

[justa-hairyape]

Why would anyone even look at a poll after New Hampshire ?

[justa-hairyape]

Here’s the key to Hillary and there’s no way around it. I’ve cited her negatives and McCain’s favorables.

No, you have cited polls. McCain will have huge negatives that will be capitalized on during the Generals. He has frequently gone on rants and rages, he has ties to the Keating 5 and so on and so on.... Many on Freerepublic think he is nuts. How do you overcome that ?

[Norman Bates]

Because they have been generally proven fairly accurate.

[Norman Bates]

I cited one specific poll (Ohio) and Rasmussen to identify favorability (which is the only way to guage nationwide without an election). I also gave you plenty to chew on - plenty. If you wish to ignore it that’s your perogative. But the information is out there.

[AndrewB]

"Obama's staggering, run-away win in New Hampshire"

?

[Hattie]

I hope this article is right but if it is, then all the polls I am seeing right now are wrong.

[ParaVet93]

>>Many on Freerepublic think he is nuts. How do you overcome that ? <<

For every conservative who is so angry at McCain that they would rather have Hillary as president there are 5 independents and a democrat or two who would vote for him instead of Hillary. Remember the Democrats who voted for Reagan by the millions?

McCain can get all the votes he needs from the center, not the hard right, so that we don't have to deal with socialized medicine, cancellation of Bush tax cuts, cut and run from WOT, universal pre-k, and the most repulsive aspect of a hillary presidency... Bill wandering around the white house as 1st husband with his bathrobe hanging open hitting on interns.

[justa-hairyape]

Obviously, you have not been around here long.

[yellowhammer]

Bump

[justa-hairyape]

I cited one specific poll (Ohio) and Rasmussen to identify favorability (which is the only way to guage nationwide without an election).

Taking a poll or survey does not illustrate the negative characteristics a person has that can be exploited and illustrated. The poll tells you about the negative characteristics that HAVE BEEN exploited and illustrated. Or as Hillary will probably respond to them during the campaign, 'well, that is old news'. What will be McCain's rebuttal after the public is shocked to see tapes of him ranting and raving ?

[BlueDragon]

"What will be McCain's rebuttal after the public is shocked to see tapes of him ranting and raving ?"

More tapes of him ranting and raving, but at members of the Jackass Party, when they were trying yet again to pull a fast one? Or him ranting and raving about the thievin' goin' on in military procurement, etc? I just hope for all of us, that if he wins the nomination, [and lacking having a baton-toss maneuver to Thompson available] that his staff has old CSPAN tapes. To fight back with.

[BlueDragon]

Maybe they [his staff] should strike the first blows. Have him ranting and raving, right out of the gate. Heck. Start doing it now, heheh...

[billmor]

whew...This seals it for me...no vote for McCain...He really is a loose cannon, just as i have suspected all along....lying, untrustworthy, a social liberal, and all for John McCain...

In another thread John Kerry- if you can believe him- said that McCain’s people even approached him about becoming a Democrat to be the VP under Kerry...

He is too weird...looks like a duck..quacks like a duck...is a BLUEbird at heart...no thanks...

Go Fred...

[billmor]

Yep...In Georgia, it’s Huck 31%, McCain 18%, Romney 14%, Giuli by 9% and Thompson 8%, that’s according to the Mason-Dixon poll, a widely respected nationalpoll, as of Jan 11, 2008..Here is the URL

http://www.presidentpolls2008.com/

[Norman Bates]

Anything that’s going to appear like a hit job is going to backfire.