What hurt McCain?

[shasess]

First and foremost he ran against a better opponent. Second.....he ran a very poor campaign
Third........Palin

 

[MorKat]

McCain's biggest problem was McCain himself.

He was a RINO - and effectively alienated himself from the base over the last 4 years. Most conservatives I knew were planning on sitting out the election and hoping for a Hillary victory. A bad loss in the general election to a moderate democrat would be the tool we need to reclaim the Republican party and purge it of McCain liberals.

Sarah Palin did not hurt McCain - she was the only thing that held the base and encouraged us to vote for him. We are counting on her as the party leader and our best hope to reclaim the White House in 4 years.

Other things that hurt McCain:
1. Incessant lies/half-truths/slander from the main stream media. Why did Palin's approval rating drop so fast? The lies told by the left wing media desperate for an Obama victory.

2. Illegal fundraising by Obama

3. Voter fraud permeated by ACORN and covered up by crooked liberal officials

Given how close it was considering the demonization of Bush, a fair media, even fundraising and a clean election would have gotten McCain elected.

 

[Tigger2252]

I am a republican, but after this election I will become an independent. If the Republicans do not get off the Roe vs. Wade and anti-gay (fear and hate) they will become a dying breed. The world is changing, the old are dying, the younger and new voters are more tolerant and accepting. As a fiscally conservative party, it has become as spendthrifty as the Dems.

I have been a Republican for the entire 28 years I have been a registered voter. However, I completely agree with you and will also be changing my party affiliation to Independent as well. I believe that McCain fell victim to the RNC machine and it cost him the election. His choice of Palin for a running mate sealed it for me. For me personally, the Republican Party has gone too far right. I see them as narrow minded, malicious, and hate-spewing. Hopefully, they will get the message that the center Republicans sent this election but I doubt it.

 

[Galahad]

Given how close it was considering the demonization of Bush, a fair media, even fundraising and a clean election would have gotten McCain elected.

I disagree. Nothing could have gotten a Republican elected this time. I think Senator McCain knew it weeks of not months ago.

 

[Holly]

I keep seeing the mainstream media blamed for McCain's loss.


Did anyone stop and think that they are called the mainstream media because they project the views of average, "mainstream" Americans?


If you're views are closer to that of Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, then maybe you aren't mainstream, but extreme.

 

[Geoff_M]

Did anyone stop and think that they are called the mainstream media because they project the views of average, "mainstream" Americans?

If that's the proper function of "mainstream media", then our nation is in trouble. It's not the job of the "mainstream media" to parrot what the "mainstream" thinks. The job of the "media" should be to report the facts and provide reasonably objective analysis... however the chips may fall.

 

[whjoyjr]

If that's the proper function of "mainstream media", then our nation is in trouble. It's not the job of the "mainstream media" to parrot what the "mainstream" thinks. The job of the "media" should be to report the facts and provide reasonably objective analysis... however the chips may fall.

Fair and Balanced?

 

[ReneeA]

3. Voter fraud permeated by ACORN and covered up by crooked liberal officials

I agree that there were some fraudulent activities...however, NOT 7 1/2 million votes worth.

 

[Geoff_M]

Fair and Balanced?

I don't care who we're talking about. Why should that matter?

 

[Geoff_M]

3. Voter fraud permeated by ACORN and covered up by crooked liberal officials

I agree that there were some fraudulent activities...however, NOT 7 1/2 million votes worth.

I agree... Bush Derangement Syndrome shouldn't morph into Obama Derangement Syndrome.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

Sarah Palin--- the woman who didn't have a passport until 2007 and never read a newspaper.

Bush--the most incompetant president in recent history.

Joe the Plumber--the only person in Ohio who had anxiety about becoming richer instead of poorer.

Sarah, Joe and George... if we never hear from any of them again---it will be too soon for me.

 

[HOGFAN]

1. his age
2. IMO, he is a Democrat in Republican clothes. not conservative enough.


mostly #1, he is too frail looking

 

[John Smith1]

Sarah Palin--- the woman who didn't have a passport until 2007 and never read a newspaper.

Bush--the most incompetant president in recent history.

Joe the Plumber--the only person in Ohio who had anxiety about becoming richer instead of poorer.

Sarah, Joe and George... if we never hear from any of them again---it will be too soon for me.

Man, what SHE said!!

 

[scrump]

Palin.

That's why I didn't vote for him.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Palin

The economy's downfall and the resultant blame on Bush

Whatever this "joe the plumber" crap was about

His taxing the health plans. Not that I have health insurance but if I did, I certainly didn't want it taxed too...

McCain just seemed so out of touch with the populace, especially the younger voters.

I voted for Bush the past 2 elections but am ready for something different.

 

[whjoyjr]

I wonder if the negative and false ads took a toll on the more moderate members of the party? I just believe the calling him a terrorist or Muslim or not being born in Hawaii left a bad taste in the mouths of some members. Maybe that is why they stayed home?

 

[richmond282]

I believe there are many who voted for Obama who truly think they are going to get large amounts of entitlements from an Obama presidency, with no regard to how the country is suppose to pay for it.

I don't think the next 4 years are going to be anything as positive that so many Obama supporters think it will be.

I second this. I don't think the economy helped or Bush. How quickly the public forgets that they voted Bush into office though not once, but twice.

I think McCain lost b/c (I'm going to get blasted for this, but...) he's an old white guy. Period.

I don't think the younger generation feels like they can relate to him. Forget whether they even know what the politcal issues are or how this decision will effect them or their parents. McCain reminds them of grandpa who is old fashioned and out of date.

I think the black community as a whole voted for Obama b/c, well, he's black. Again, who cares what he stands for or supports.

 

[corndog]

I wonder if the negative and false ads took a toll on the more moderate members of the party?

I think you are probably right. The volume and ferocity of the negative attacks on McCain were unprecedented in American history. It's extremely likely they were successful in supressing Republican turnout.

 

[Rella Bella]

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!

I agree.
McCain proved what a great statesman is was with his above and beyond gracious concession speech.

 

[Goofycampers]

Well the major polls were showing a very tight race until the economy imploded. Even though both Dems and Repubs are to blame I think alot of people just blamed Bush and hince wanted to vote out that party.