True enough. I see that you are from Ireland , so I will point out some details which you may or may not already know.
The election in question is a special (read: out of sync) election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. Only Massachusetts state residents may vote in this election. As such, the two major candidates are only locally known. However, the winner will be elected to the U.S. Senate, which is why it has national implications.
Massachusetts is (rightfully so) known as a bastion of extreme liberalism in this country, which is why many conservative Americans are less than enthusiastic about any Massachusetts candidate.
However, a GOP victory in Massachusetts would send a message to the rest of the country that the Dems are extremely vulnerable.
On a national level, I believe that we Americans learned our lesson with McCain (the RINO of all RINOs). In my opinion, the GOP has no choice but to offer up a true conservative in 2012. If they don't, then the party will be as dead as disco, and they know it.
I wasn't even going to vote in '08 until McCain picked Sarah Palin as a running mate. Make no mistake about it; I voted for Sarah as much as I voted against Obama, but I never voted "for" McCain.
If Sarah Palin runs in 2012, I will vote for her with no reservations, and it will be the first time I ever voted for somebody rather than voting against somebody else.
If the GOP offers up an "across the aisle/big tent" type, I'll either sit it out or write in Ronald Reagan.