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CAN MCCAIN OVERCOME THE TRIPLE WHAMMY?
Center for Politics ^ | May 29, 2008 | Alan I. Abramowitz

Posted on 06/01/2008 4:14:04 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

With the long and contentious Democratic nomination race finally winding down, the attention of media and the public is beginning to shift to the general election. In November, voters will face choice between two rather atypical presidential candidates. For the first time in over fifty years, the party that controls the White House will not be represented by either the incumbent president or the incumbent vice-president.

Instead, the Republican Party, which has seen its popularity and electoral fortunes plummet since 2004, will pin its hopes on John McCain - an individual who has frequently clashed with his own party's leadership. And McCain's Democratic opponent will be Barack Obama, the first African-American ever to receive a major party presidential nomination.

The unusual characteristics of the two major party candidates have led to considerable uncertainty among political observers about the outlook for the November election. While President Bush's low approval ratings and overwhelmingly negative perceptions of the economy suggest a very difficult political climate for Republicans, John McCain's reputation as a maverick and Barack Obama's problems uniting Democratic voters behind his candidacy have led some analysts to suggest that a Democratic victory in November is far from certain.

Polling data seem to support the conclusion that despite the unpopularity of his party, John McCain has a realistic chance of keeping the White House in Republican hands. McCain has been running neck-and-neck with Obama in most recent national polls. In the May 21st Gallup tracking poll, for example, Obama held a narrow 47 to 44 percent lead over McCain.

The problem with such early horserace polls, however, is that they are not very accurate predictors of the actual election results. Polls in the spring of 1988 showed Michael Dukakis with a comfortable lead over George H.W. Bush and polls in June of 1992.....

(Excerpt) Read more at centerforpolitics.org ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; larazarino; mccain; mccain08; rino
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To: kellynla
> McCain has plainly said that the troops will remain until the mission is complete. PERIOD

What happens in your scenario if a veto-proof Dem Congress decides to no longer fund the war, or to otherwise slash the DoD budget?

21 posted on 06/01/2008 4:30:32 PM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: kellynla

Obama has run out of steam, it’s all downhill for him. All McCain needs to do is stay alive. The Muslim militant is unacceptable to mainstream America and he will not win the general election.


22 posted on 06/01/2008 4:35:07 PM PDT by 1035rep
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To: 1035rep
McCain is ahead in every National Poll by 1 to 5 points.

This lead will evaporate once the MSM focuses its attention on the general.
23 posted on 06/01/2008 4:36:07 PM PDT by WackySam (We Conservatives must return to voting for those who share our values- not against those who don't.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

“What happens in your scenario if a veto-proof Dem Congress decides to no longer fund the war, or to otherwise slash the DoD budget?”

the ‘Rats have had plenty of opportunities to defund the war since the war began and have refused to do so...

next...


24 posted on 06/01/2008 4:36:19 PM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

“Instead, the Republican Party, which has seen its popularity and electoral fortunes plummet since 2004, will pin its hopes on John McCain - an individual who has frequently clashed with his own party’s leadership.”

And base. On numerous occasions.


25 posted on 06/01/2008 4:36:55 PM PDT by Grunthor (The GOP would be better off LOSING then electing McCain. - MNJohnnie)
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To: kabar

I’m afraid that I agree with you. I don’t take any pleasure in saying so, either.

The base will not turn out for McCain because he is continuing to insult them and kick them in the teeth every chance he gets. And the independents and leftists will not vote for McCain because the MSM will use his support of the war (assuming he doesn’t change his mind on that, too) as evidence that he is a crazy, old, right-wing Nazi war monger. Plenty of people will, I’m sorry to say, believe that.

The press will persuade the average, unthinking voter that McCain is Dr. Strangelove, and they won’t have all that hard a time doing it, either. And they will also portray him as doddering, senile, and likely to die any minute. And they won’t have a hard time doing that, either. Because McCain will be short of money, and Obama will have a billion dollars in free publicity, with McCain having no way to counter it.

Saying that a cat would be a better candidate is a joke, but not that far out. At least the cat would have less against it.


26 posted on 06/01/2008 4:37:15 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: snarks_when_bored
McCain is only slightly less unelectable.

Bob Barr for Prez...

No... I'm not joking.

27 posted on 06/01/2008 4:38:13 PM PDT by Dead Corpse (What would a free man do?)
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To: Grunthor
Photobucket
28 posted on 06/01/2008 4:38:15 PM PDT by 1035rep
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To: Marie2

>I prefer a slow death. If I’m still alive, there’s hope.<

I was referring of my beloved country, not myself. All three presidential candidates are one worlders, more commonly called globalists.

As a believer, I do not think death is the end. As long as God lives, there is hope. But how wretched it is to have watched His amazing country disintegrate through all these years!


29 posted on 06/01/2008 4:40:28 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( on the cutting edge)
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To: Dead Corpse
McCain is only slightly less unelectable.

That's all it takes for him to be elected, thankfully. McCain has his flaws, but he stands above both Obama and Hillary.

And there's this: McCain will probably be our last chance to elevate a real hero of Vietnam to the Presidency. It's past time for that.

30 posted on 06/01/2008 4:42:23 PM PDT by snarks_when_bored
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To: kellynla

With McDemorat they have a kindred spirit that is used to giving them their way. It will be no different on the war.


31 posted on 06/01/2008 4:43:19 PM PDT by Grunthor (The GOP would be better off LOSING then electing McCain. - MNJohnnie)
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To: kabar

“McCain is going to get trounced?”

Steak dinner says you’re wrong, Marine!

I like my steak medium-rare. BIG SMILE

Semper Fi,
Kelly


32 posted on 06/01/2008 4:44:03 PM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: Grunthor

“It will be no different on the war.”

Steak dinner says you’re wrong too!

Man, at this rate, I’m gonna eat steak all next year for free! LMAO


33 posted on 06/01/2008 4:45:32 PM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

One would think that with all the animosity for Senator McCain right here on FR, that his chances would be limited.

Note, that he still leads either Democrat candidate. Regardless, of the complaints about his being a RINO, favoring Amnesty and so forth, he still remains competitive to dominating on the national stage.

One would also think, those who really despise him would give some thought as to why they are wrong. Perhaps it is as simple that Senator McCain is an example of the power of the “second choice syndrome.” Seemingly, he gets ahead in spite of not being first choice of very many voters.


34 posted on 06/01/2008 4:45:38 PM PDT by shrinkermd
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To: snarks_when_bored
you are in denial

Obama is very electable, and he has just brought Hillary Clinton to a stunning defeat. - some no republican could have done.

Credit your enemy his strengths and get ready for his campaign to go into high gear, along with his PR machine, the MSM.

35 posted on 06/01/2008 4:46:33 PM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: kellynla

I give you his track record of selling out to the (other) Democrats. Selling out his principles, selling out his partys’ base, and if you want to get technical about it and look into the Vietnam MIA’s and his actions on the comittee in ‘96, he sold out the troops as well.

You don’t have to like it, you don’t even have to agree. That’s just his record.


36 posted on 06/01/2008 4:48:54 PM PDT by Grunthor (The GOP would be better off LOSING then electing McCain. - MNJohnnie)
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To: kellynla
We’ll see how happy those Marines are after the next four years.  (properly updated)

It is not a matter of how “happy” we are.  It is a matter of completing the mission.  Yes, John makes a big show of explaining he will stick it out for a "Victory with Honor".  You'll have to forgive me for thinking that sounds very similar to "Peace with Honor", something else we were guaranteed over the years.  John also said the border would be secured before he provides a path to citizenship to the illegals in our nation.  Then he said those illegal aliens should be processed right along with those who have gone through the proper channels.  Our borders are not secure.  I can't trust what John says.  I'm not convinced you should, but that's your choice.  If he waffles on one important issue, what proof do I have that he won't waffle on another?

What's your take on John removing our tactical nuclear warheads from Europe?  What's your take on closing Gitmo?  What's you take on John granting Geneva Convention status to the terrorists at Gitmo?  What's your take on John's intention to forbid water-boarding?  Each of those things could impact the Marines on station.

Geneva Convention status alone, you'll have to forgive me for pointing out that in no way supports our troops or citizens.  Geneva Convention status provides refuge for those who refuse to answer questions.  All that is required is name, rank, and serial number.  Isn't that a betrayal of our troops who are subject to terrorist attacks that aren't detected in time?  Aren't our citizens in the same boat when it comes to domestic attacks?  How are those Marines going to feel about these terrorists being refered to as simply POWs?

And McCain, being a fellow Viet Nam war veteran knows, the Viet Nam war was lost in America not Viet Nam.  I agree.  So are a lot of battles.

And he has repeatedly stated that he does not want a repeat performance in Iraq & Afghanistan. The mission will be completed before we leave.  Perhaps so.  I have no confidence in this man whatsoever.

For the record, we capitalize Marine here on FR.  For the record Kelly, you've been here long enough to know that I always capitalize the word Marines, so cheap shot accepted.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

37 posted on 06/01/2008 4:50:03 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Ooo what's that terrible smell? Oh, I stepped in a big pile of 'lesser of two evils'. Careful...)
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To: Grunthor

Does that mean we have a bet or not?

don’t have time to respond to a lot of woulda, couldas & histrionics...


38 posted on 06/01/2008 4:51:22 PM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: snarks_when_bored

What keeps Barack Mohammed (since we are no longer to refer to his given middle name) Obama, Jr., the charismatic, messianic Magic Negro in there, is that John McCain cannot or will not run any kind of effective or meaningful campaign against him. Not on the issues, not on fitness to serve, not on American values.

It is all about “reaching out” in the normanrockwellian concept of “We’re all in this together, why can’t we just get along?” Sure, the poised forces that have in mind to trade away the very sovereignty of America will be thunderstruck at their good fortune, but only momentarily while they consolidate their very real gains.

The RINOs shall have delivered their last, best gift to the resurrection of the socialist state as the paradigm for the world.


39 posted on 06/01/2008 4:53:03 PM PDT by alloysteel (The Obamajesty exerting its Obamagic. What nirvana, what bliss!)
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To: snarks_when_bored
Barack Hussein Obama is unelectable. End of story.

He's electible where I live in PA...In fact, I think there will be a landslide here for him. I talk to democrats all the time, and they are furious with Republicans.

40 posted on 06/01/2008 4:53:32 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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