Of course it did. That's why I referenced the two elections. A deflated base nearly cost him everything. And the lead didn't just evaporate over time. It was done in one fell swoop with the DUI story. They came out of the conventions tied, then Bush opened up a very slight lead through the debates, into November. Then the bottom fell out, and undecideds broke about 3:1 for Gore.
I never said the base alone would win. Of course not. Neither will the "middle" without the base win.
By the way, those self-identified Pubbie numbers have improved lately, and they will almost certainly continue to improve given the Palin selection and McCain going after lightweight Obama.
I'd rather have a fired up base and hope for the very unreliable mushy middle than have the mushy middle sewn up with a very deflated base.
“Neither will the “middle” without the base win.”
Of course not, and I’ve never said it will, although you continue to argue against an assertion I’ve never made.
McCain has had the votes of the base for quite sometime. He needs the votes of the middle.