4 Reasons Why McCain Might Win

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...losing candidates find their voices at the end of their campaigns. McCain dillied and dallied and seemed unable to focus until the Joe the Plumber opportunity, combined with his approaching demise, seemed to concentrate his mind. Every stump speech I watched in the past two weeks had fire, passion and even a few ideas. You couldn't help but admire the man and imagine yourself following him into combat.
I'm not at all surprised that McCain has almost caught up with Obama. Of all possible scenarios, I would be most surprised by an Obama blowout, based on the past two weeks. It wouldn't shock me if McCain's surge puts him over the top just barely. But thrilling as that might be for his followers, I hope it doesn't happen. I don't think we want a president who only rises to the occasion. We need someone who will pursue goals steadily and thoughtfully. We don't need a president with ADHD. We need a phlegmatic executive who elevates reason above personal pique.

Vail Beach of CA 11:50AM November 04, 2008

The notion that Palin didn't help, or even hurt John McCain is ludicrous. This was a year where any Democrat should have been 20 points ahead of any Republican, including McCain. Palin brought a wary and disinterested Republican base roaring back to McCain's side. I can't think of any other running mate that could have done nearly as well at that. And without the base, McCain would be down 30 points right now.

J. Travis of WA 11:40AM November 04, 2008

I stood in the longest line I have ever seen in Chicago this morning. You don't need to be a mind reader to know when you're surrounded by Obama voters. I have to take a different route home to avoid the "victory celebration". Anyway, Obama will win handily in NY, CA and IL. The big turnout will make them feel confident. But they are over-confident. Those extra votes in blue states won't matter-it is the battle ground states that will matter.
All that said, I think Obama wins. McCain lost it in the debates. Just look the poll numbers that folowed. He lost each and every one-badly. The stock market fell hard after each round. Palin did not help but she was not the drag on the ticket that many portray. Just one more small mistake out of so many made by McCain. How did the GOP let this "RINO" deny them a solid chance to defeat a naive, inexperienced radical socialist extremist?

Pat D of IL 11:33AM November 04, 2008

...he simply took averages of the latest polls and assigned states based on who led. Not a very sophisticated approach for one of the pioneers the use of internal research to engineer of strategic "breaks" among undecideds.

Andy of IN 11:09AM November 04, 2008