Which of these Loosers to A 2 Term President would have been better? Vol 1

[Dancing with Myself]

Figured I'd start a new series here and do this with every major party candidate that lost to an incumbent. I'll do them at random depending on how I feel.

First is our two recent elections with McCain and Willard. Yes it's kind of early for Romney but not for John.  Which of these two would you believe to have done a better job in the long run?

[Mr. Smith]

Lean McCain.

Romney was a flip flop afraid to show any vulnerability, I've met the guy...he lacks the stomach to do the figure-head part of a Presidency, and ultimately comes off as a flip-flop.

Also what about one-termed presidents such as Carter or Bush Sr?

[Sumner 1868]

Romney. McCain is obsessed with war.

[Dancing with Myself]

Lean McCain.

Romney was a flip flop afraid to show any vulnerability, I've met the guy...he lacks the stomach to do the figure-head part of a Presidency, and ultimately comes off as a flip-flop.

Also what about one-termed presidents such as Carter or Bush Sr?

Where did you meet him? I always got that vibe myself from him.

And I guess I'll DQ from these them since we know how they were. I'll include the guys they beat in polls though. I may do one series like "Who would have the better second term?" though.

[SATW]

Romney

[Goldwater]

McCain

[Dancing with Myself]

BTW I forgot this earlier but I'm going with the 2008 nominee McCain and not the 2000 independent and younger McCain. Two different guys really.

Romney's just Romney..

[Murica!]

Romney. McCain is obsessed with war.

[TheElectoralBoobyPrize]

Without knowing the circumstances each would face and just assuming a blank slate for the next four years, I would say McCain. However, knowing what actually happened in those years, I'd say Romney. McCain would have had a very difficult presidency with Congress so overwhelmingly Democratic and with the financial crisis dominating his term. The economy would've been improving when Romney took office, and he could've taken the credit, and he at least would've had the House on his side (possibly a narrow Senate majority as well).

[Dancing with Myself]

What significant accomplishments do you all believe both could have gotten in?

McCain would have had to compromise due to Congress, Romney had a 50% shot of passing what he wanted due to the house.

[Mr. Smith]

What significant accomplishments do you all believe both could have gotten in?

McCain would have had to compromise due to Congress, Romney had a 50% shot of passing what he wanted due to the house.

But Romney and his stiff nature would've probably struggled with it all. He'd probably take a Richard Nixon approach to compromise.


Whereas McCain had a record for good compromises and probably would've had a situation like a flipped Bill Clinton.


Really the only reason I can see for Romney is that McCain is old and thanks to Presidential aging could've died in office, leaving it to Palin to finish the term and attempt re-election.

[Dancing with Myself]

I'll stretch this for another day. The winner advances, I may make a tournament out of it.

Volume 2 will be up in a few once I decide who it will be

[ElectionsGuy]

Romney, easily (and I think Romney would be terrible)

[Dancing with Myself]

I'll do this another day before I'll end it. I'll have the winner advance in a tournament like deal.

I'll have the next macthup up in a few.. 

[Dancing with Myself]

Well match up one's done. Here's how I tabulate the votes:

-The Poll itself counts for one set of numbers.
- I also include comments into the numbers.


McCain won the poll itself 21 to 15, but Romney won the comments 6 to 2 so the final results are:

McCain 23, 52.27%
Romney 21, 47.72%


So the original Maverick lives to fight another day, while Romney returns home to iron his sleeves for a while. Closer than I figured though, I figured Mittens would take off.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Looking back on how much the GOP has destroyed its own brand since Obama's first election in 2008, I'd have to say McCain.  I wish more than anything that he'd won, because he could have saved our party.