Here is my problem with Hugh’s otherwise “fair enough” reasoning:
Historically, the perceived “winner” of most early delegates (and McCain has a plurality, if not “most”) IMPROVES HIS STANDING in the remaining states. For some reason, people want to vote for a winner ... which is silly, perhaps ...
Point is, if history is a guide, McCain is likely to improve his “numbers,” absent some new, hard-hitting attacks on him by opponents or the media — or a gaffe/ scandal not previously known.
I wish it were otherwise, Hugh, but ...
The bizarre scenarios facing the voters of both parties are perhaps a reflection of our shattered culture.
On the Democrat side (largely unnoticed by the ordinary Republican voters), the voters are splitting between Clinton loyalists and anti-Clinton voters. Obama just happens to be the leading alternative to the Clinton machine. Although I don't care much for Obama's message (whatever it is), the willingness of large blocs of Democrat voters to revolt against a Clinton dynasty is encouraging news for the nation. At this point, Obama is a suspected bad character; the Clintons are known poison.
On the Republican side, most of us who have supported Hunter, then Thompson, and now Romney, see McCain for his notable willingness to betray his party and his legal constituents on the most critical issues, and therefore as an entity to be defeated, preferably in the primary.
Maybe the "good of the nation" has no viable candidates this cycle. Maybe the best that can come of this election is the cleansing of both these corrupt parties, maybe even the prospect of new parties with acceptable candidates.
I will vote for Romney, if he's still an option in May. Romney would probably manage the business of the country satisfactorily, if he wins. If the choices in the general election are Romney vs. Obama, I see sufficient reason to go vote for Romney, even if just for his better economic and business perspective.
Concerning Huckabee, I'm not sure which one to believe -- the Huckabee from last July, or the one from August, or the one from September, or the one from last week. This guy is just unbelievably flexible on who he really is.
If the choice is McCain vs. Obama, my choice will be "NOT McCain". I won't vote for Obama, but I also won't vote for McCain. I just don't see that Obama could possibly betray the citizens of the U.S. any worse than McCain already has. And I don't discount the possibility that Obama is a "sleeper" agent for a violent Muslim takeover plot. If so, they'll slaughter the self-anointed elites first. Too bad.
If the choice is McCain vs. Hillary, I see no reason to vote for either. Neither will be good for the country, and both have amply demonstrated their antipathy for U.S. citizens. There is no "lesser" of these two evils, IMHO. That the voters would have to choose between them is a fraud itself.