[tabsternager]

“But McCain runs 4-5 points ahead of Mitt in head to head match ups against Hillary and Obama. He draws more independents, always has.”

That’s only because many voters, especially independents, don’t even know who Romney is. It’s “name recognition” right now, which means nothing.

[kgrif_Salinas]

Latest:
U.S. President

Romney 21755
McCain 17937

[JasonC]

Very likely Romney can improve as he reaches more people. But still needing to do that at this stage is not meaningless. It means something. Among other things, that the press and Obama are going to have about as much say in what the public thinks of Romney, as Romney is.

I'd rather have Romney. But he represents a higher "bid", a longer shot at a better policy outcome. I don't have to like this for it to be true. The fact is, the reason McCain draws more independents is exactly the same reason he alienates many conservatives - because his policy positions just aren't that conservative (the war excepted). Neither is the country. In case nobody noticed, that is why the Dems pull half the votes all the time.