Can McCain defeat Obama?

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

If McCain pulls off an upset and wins the Republican nomination, and if Obama pulls off an upset and wins the Democratic nomination, can McCain defeat Obama?

Please discuss.

[Lief]

Yes. Obama isn't a very strong candidate.

[NDN]

If McCain pulls off an upset and wins the Republican nomination, and if Obama pulls off an upset and wins the Democratic nomination, can McCain defeat Obama?

Please discuss.

No, unless Iraq is somehow neutralized as an issue.

[Secretary Polnut]

Yes. Obama isn't a very strong candidate.

[agcatter]

Absolutely.  McCain sweeps the south and if you'vr followed the polls, Obama has not been as strong as Hillary in Ohio.  I don't know if it is the black thing or what it is.  With Ohio and Florida, Republicans hit the magic 270 just like 2000 and 2004.

[Padfoot]

If McCain pulls off an upset and wins the Republican nomination, and if Obama pulls off an upset and wins the Democratic nomination, can McCain defeat Obama?

Please discuss.

No, unless Iraq is somehow neutralized as an issue.

From the front page of the Columbus Dispatch:

War in Iraq no longer the primary concern

And i agree that Obama is a weak candidate especially against McCain who is probably the strongest Republican.

[Aizen]

McCain can beat any of the Dem candidates

[JSojourner]

McCain can beat any of the Dem candidates

I'm tempted to agree.  A lot depends on how successful McCain is at distancing himself from the Bush Administration.  If he can craft a "I support the war in Iraq, but unlike Bush, I will get it right" message -- then he's in.  (Barring a major scandal or stumble.)

[auburntiger]

Yes he can and probably will. The map might look something like this:



McCain takes PA a la Florida 2000 (margin of victory that is), minus the fiasco. For his own sake, Obama would be wise to wait until 2012, so that he doesn't become a defeated candidate.

[Reaganfan]

People like McCain because he was hurt or something in Vietnam. He's older and wiser, too. I think McCain might win but it would be close because Obama is new.

[So the Heroes Fall]

Back when McCain was the frontrunner, he didn't poll so hot in the GE. That's because he was getting bashed nonstop over Iraq. Now he does better since he isn't getting thrashed.

Nominate him, and he'll get thrashed again, and his numbers will sink like a stone. I remember when Democrats here considered him less of a threat than Romney or Thompson. That's amusing in retrospect (Thompson being a stronger candidate than McCain is the type of thing that makes you want to burst out laughing now), but still shows more evidence toward the above theory.

[HardRCafé]

People like McCain because he was hurt or something in Vietnam.

Feed the troll, folks!  Then complain about it.  Then feed it some more.

[Reaganfan]

McCain WAS hurt in Vietnam and people like that he served. What do trolls have to do with that?

[Nutmeg]

Yes. Obama isn't a very strong candidate.

Unlike yours, who blew his chance in 2004 as a presidential candidate and then again as a vice presidential candidate.  That was quite a performance.

[So the Heroes Fall]

People like McCain because he was hurt or something in Vietnam.

Feed the troll, folks!  Then complain about it.  Then feed it some more.

Listen to HardR folks, he's actually got a point for once.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Yes: McCain is by far the strongest candidate: the only question is whether or not the Republicans will have enough sense to nominate him.

[Secretary Polnut]

A McCain-Obama race is the one that makes me the most queasy.

I just have this vision of Reagan/Mondale all over again.

[jeron]

A McCain-Obama race is the one that makes me the most queasy.

I just have this vision of Reagan/Mondale all over again.

I don't think it's going to be that bad.

[Prez Duke]

The independents would have a hard time deciding, but if McCain can make an issue out of Obama's youth and inexperience, then it may be a comfortable win for him.

[MarkWarner08]

A McCain-Obama race is the one that makes me the most queasy.

I just have this vision of Reagan/Mondale all over again.

Huh? When did Obama become a boring old Minnesotan with a penchant for telling the truth about fiscal realties? I also don't remember McCain defeating a Democratic President in a landslide...

[Nym90]

Very unlikely, but it could happen if Obama were to fall victim to some scandal or other skeleton from his background, or makes some major gaffes.

My prediction map would have all of the Kerry states going to Obama plus Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Missouri.

[phk]

Yes definitely.

Hold all Bush states barring Iowa.

[angus]

If McCain pulls off an upset and wins the Republican nomination, and if Obama pulls off an upset and wins the Democratic nomination, can McCain defeat Obama?

Please discuss.

People seem to want to get away from the Bush era, and he's even Bushier than Bush, but many Republicans seem to like McCain.  I have a hard time understanding why anyone except the hard-core foreign policy neoconservatives like him, but many centrists seem to like him as well.  And if things go well in Iraq, it will vindicate what may eventually become known as the McCain Doctrine.  Also, if McCain's age is fair game, then so is Obama's.  There's a big difference between them, and some will see McCain's age as much more appropriate for a US President's.  McCain also can claim bragging rights to much legislation.  I don't agree with lots of it, but some folks will.  So, yeah, I think he can defeat Obama.

I'll admit that if it comes down to McCain versus Obama, I'll probably vote for Obama. 

[J. J.]

Very unlikely, but it could happen if Obama were to fall victim to some scandal or other skeleton from his background, or makes some major gaffes.

My prediction map would have all of the Kerry states going to Obama plus Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Missouri.

Obama, right now, will look too left wing and too inexperienced against McCain.  Think 1988.

[Mr.Phips]

If McCain pulls off an upset and wins the Republican nomination, and if Obama pulls off an upset and wins the Democratic nomination, can McCain defeat Obama?

Please discuss.

People seem to want to get away from the Bush era, and he's even Bushier than Bush, but many Republicans seem to like McCain.  I have a hard time understanding why anyone except the hard-core foreign policy neoconservatives like him, but many centrists seem to like him as well.  And if things go well in Iraq, it will vindicate what may eventually become known as the McCain Doctrine.  Also, if McCain's age is fair game, then so is Obama's.  There's a big difference between them, and some will see McCain's age as much more appropriate for a US President's.  McCain also can claim bragging rights to much legislation.  I don't agree with lots of it, but some folks will.  So, yeah, I think he can defeat Obama.

I'll admit that if it comes down to McCain versus Obama, I'll probably vote for Obama. 

Obama would likely beat McCain, but McCain will probably beat Clinton.  The charisma gap would be in McCain's favor with Clinton.