[TomGuy]

The best hope is that McCain selects a staunch conservative...

[Doubtful, however. McCain accused Alito of wearing his conservatism on his shirt sleeve. It would appear hypocritical for him to go with a staunch conservative.]

and that Providence would step in (soon) and allow that conservative to head the ticket.

[But alas, that is wishful thinking.]

I just don't see McCain winning in November. Not unless OBL/al-Qaeda commit a major terrorist action or release a tape just prior to the election. And that is doubtful, as they did in 04 and Kerry lost.

Obama is bringing in new voters, young voters. And his message of 'change' is resonating with those young, new voters.

McCain represents OLD. Old Washington, status quo, more of the same. And McCain has already shot himself in the foot. His frequently repeated debate position that "Washington is broken" doesn't bode well, because, McCain was in Washington about 25 years -- he helped break it, and he has done little to fix it. Add to that McCain's admission that he knows little about economics.

[mathluv]

'Obama is bringing in new voters, young voters.'

Was it not reported that the girl who did the 'I love O' song on Youtube did not bother to show up to vote form him in the primary?

[mtnwmn]

“he helped break it, and he has done little to fix it.” In fact, he helped legislate much of it!

[aligncare]

... but, don’t forget McCain’s national image as being outside the Republican establishment.

Democrats and Republicans both have poor favorability ratings with the public.

A centrist is well positioned to win in November.

[rodguy911]

I Know what you are saying Tom,the rock star factor,(since there is absolutely no substance or accomplishments) but you are assuming that the rats can assemble a 50% plus 1 stupid vote, and while it’s possible, I hope the country has not sunk that low.

[CZB]

I just don’t see McCain winning in November. Not unless OBL/al-Qaeda commit a major terrorist action or release a tape just prior to the election. And that is doubtful, as they did in 04 and Kerry lost.

Obama is bringing in new voters, young voters. And his message of ‘change’ is resonating with those young, new voters.

McCain represents OLD. Old Washington, status quo, more of the same. And McCain has already shot himself in the foot. His frequently repeated debate position that “Washington is broken” doesn’t bode well, because, McCain was in Washington about 25 years — he helped break it, and he has done little to fix it. Add to that McCain’s admission that he knows little about economics.

---

Agree with you. McCain will likely get trounced in November by Obama. He is in the same position as Hillary vis a vis Barack. There isn’t enough dispute on issues between them to raise the contest above the level of a beauty contest. Anytime McCain tries to advocate a conservative position, it will be easy enough for Obama to say, “Yes, John, but you VOTED with our side on [taxes, immigration global warming, Feingold-Feingold, etc.]” Obama is gonna win a beauty contest going away.

The fact is, we’re stuck with a pathetic candidate and need to brace ourselves for a pitched battle with an Obama administration and the DIRE NEED to identify ONE conservative candidate to get behind for 2012.