The F-22 and F-35 won't be facing each other in combat. Comparing what they do an how that perform in that respect....it doesn't make much sense. I look at it this way: Our previous air superiority fighter, the F-15 whipped its comtemporaries. While the F-16 and -18 (originally the -17) were developed as LWFs, they transistioned well into the multi-role niche and could still take their adversaries in the air to air arena.
Considering we took aircraft originally designed for air combat and made them successful in other areas, I am confident we've learned a thing or two and will make a fine true multi-role fifth generation model. If Lockheed/Martin brings us another multi-role aircraft as "poor" as either the -16 or -18, I think we'll be just fine.
History is full of dead aircrew because some congresscritter said:
"The Japanese couldn't make a quality fighter. They only used our scrap steel and beercans."
"The Germans couldn't shoot down a B-17...It's a flying fortress with 13 .50 calibre machine guns."
"What's a MiG-15?"
"We don't need guns on the F-4 those missiles will never let the enemy get close enough."
"Russian SAMs can never shoot down a high flying plane."
We won the cold war, we are in danger of losing the peace that follows. Whenever we are not prepared to fight the next war, we pay the price in blood.