[Thane_Banquo]

It is delusional to believe that Sarah Palin has a national political future if she loses this election.

Yeah, I wonder if people were saying the same thing about Ronnie after he lost to Ford in '76.

[napscoordinator]

Yeah, I wonder if people were saying the same thing about Ronnie after he lost to Ford in ‘76.

That was primary not presidential.

[chimera]

The only loser in a Presidential race to come back and win in recent history is Richard Nixon, and he had two terms as Eisenhower's VP to build national recognition on. Before that, you have to go back to, who, maybe Grover Cleveland?

National politics is a strange animal. You generally get one shot, and that's it. Comebacks are pretty rare things. My sense is that if McCain/Palin lose, they're going to fade away into the shadows. McCain will finish out his term as Senator, then retire. Palin will likely go back to AK and finish her term, then spend time with the family. This is probably the best fit for the runners-up.

Before the flames start, I'm not throwing in the towel, we can still do it if McCain pushes hard enough in the closing weeks (just doing well in the debates isn't going to do it, although he has to do that, too).

[WHBates]

If I recall correctly they were saying that two weeks (maybe a week) before the 1980 election.