What hurt McCain?

[maymom96]

In your opinion, what hurt McCain?
I think it was Sara Palin. If he had picked a better running mate, I think maybe the results would be different.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

For once, it really was Bush's fault.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I think this election was bigger than anything any Republican candidate could have overcome. Too many factors played against the incumbent party retaining control of the Presidency.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Most likely the choice of Palin as VP was what hurt McCain the most.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think this election was bigger than anything any Republican candidate could have overcome. Too many factors played against the incumbent party retaining control of the Presidency.

I agree, but I think Palin was the last nail in his coffin.

 

[Stacerita]

It was like the perfect storm.

 

[AuntieM03]

I think if we say anything we will just be accused of making excuses. So i'll just say congratulations to the Obama supporters.

 

[Tink888]

Bush

 

[Chicago526]

McCain had an uphill battle due to Bush. I think the economy was the nail in his coffin. I think Palin was a wash, she brought in as many people as she turned off.

McCain's a good man, I only ever disagreed with him on the issues. I hope he continues in the Senate, we need moderate Republicans willing to work across the aisle and with the White House. There's a lot to get done!

 

[corndog]

The exit polls indicated that Palin was a net boost to McCain. Not a negative.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

According to the news reports of the exit polls, over 60% said they did not vote for McCain because of Palin. Pennsylvania was very vocal on why they did not vote for McCain and most of it was because of Palin.

Another poll showed that only 12% of voters thought she was ready to be president, while 88% thought Biden was ready.

She really did go rogue and hurt McCain. And it is a shame because he would have been a phenomenal president, as will Obama be.

 

[mrs_hower726]

I think 75% was Bush and 25% of Palin.

 

[corndog]

According to the news reports of the exit polls, over 60% said they did not vote for McCain because of Palin.

She really did go rogue and hurt McCain. And it is a shame because he would have been a phenomenal president, as will Obama be.

That's obviously not true. McCain got more than 40% of the vote.

 

[bsnyder]

I've seen some discussion of the exit data that indicates Sarah Palin was a net positive for McCain.

 

[Master Mason]

For once, it really was Bush's fault.

Bingo give the lady a quipy Doll

 

[DawnCt1]

Actually the exit polling showed that Palin was a net gain; perhaps not a big one, but she wasn't a detractor. She also energized the base, which McCain frankly hadn't done. There was excitement after the selection of Palin and McCain was up in September and could have won. What happened? The financial collapse of the financial markets, lead by Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac; clearly a democratic cause, which they so unfortunately and unfairly benefited from. I also think that the news media absolutely fell down in getting out the news. The "bankrupting the coal industry" was an interview from last January. We heard it this week! The video that the LA Times had since June. We heard about it last week. Obama was sheltered and exhalted by a fawning press.

 

[ptrbryant]

Like others have said, it was Bush and Palin.

 

[LukenDC]

McCain had a number of shake-ups in his campaign team during the primary and that did not bode well for his campaign. It probably contributed to the disatrous decision to add Palin to the ticket.

 

[pearlieq]

My opinions only:

1.) Ties to/association with Bush.
Things aren't going so great. Bush's approval rating, which can be loosely interpreted as a referendum on people's satisfaction with their current situation, is in the 20%. People aren't happy with what they've got now and they want something different.

2.) Lack of novelty.
McCain has been around the block many times and hasn't been able to close the deal. He's known and therefore not that exciting. If he were a truly exciting candidate, he would have been elected by now.

3.) Losing touch with what made him attractive/caving to pressure to move right.
McCain could have offered a very attractive option as a truly moderate, center-right politician. Unfortunately, either due to fear, pressure, or his actual beliefs, he drifted right during the campaign, alienating moderate voters.

4.) Palin.
She may actually have been a wash. Many found her completely repugnant and became very concerned about her actually assuming office given McCain's age. But others found her novel and attractive. She hit a nerve for a certain demographic (I'm remembering a picture of Spencer Pratt in a "Palin: Guns, God, and Glory" t-shirt)

That's my take on it anyway.

 

[Cindy F]

I can only speak for myself, the reason I did not vote for McCain was his selection of Sarah Palin.