2008 presididential election analysis: what went wrong?

Sigaba · 11-04-2008, 22:49

The intent of this thread is to share thoughts, opinions, and feelings on what went right and what went wrong for McCain during the campaign.

I believe that this would have been a very difficult election for the GOP to have won given the unpopularity of the sitting president, the views toward GWOT, the state of the economy, and the likelihood that Senator Obama befitted from the best-run campaign in American political history (it sure as heck wasn't the candidate, dammit).

Defender968 · 11-04-2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaba

The intent of this thread is to share thoughts, opinions, and feelings on what went right and what went wrong for McCain during the campaign.

I believe that this would have been a very difficult election for the GOP to have won given the unpopularity of the sitting president, the views toward GWOT, the state of the economy, and the likelihood that Senator Obama befitted from the best-run campaign in American political history (it sure as heck wasn't the candidate, dammit).

My first thought would be McCain didn't talk for the past 2 years like he did in his speech tonight, had he, maybe we wouldn't be facing the next 4 years. My wife and I both said to each other it was the best and most heartfelt speech we've heard him give in 2 years.

cornelyj · 11-04-2008, 23:03

People correlate lack of fiscal responsibility (greed) within the higher echelon of the population with lack of national leadership. Higher costs and lower markets made the Reps. look bad to the people who don't read good or read at all for that matter.

And the liberal biased media did not help McCain's case at all.

TR was right again. It'll be 4 years before change and 6 before it is fixed and people will learn soon he made way too many promises that will not be kept.

So on good news I ordered some kydex for PS0076

::lightening mood::

Sigaba · 11-04-2008, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defender968

My first thought would be McCain didn't talk for the past 2 years like he did in his speech tonight, had he, maybe we wouldn't be facing the next 4 years. My wife and I both said to each other it was the best and most heartfelt speech we've heard him give in 2 years.

Sir, I've respected and admired Senator McCain since I read The Nightingale's Song many years ago.

While I have not seen tonight's speech, I agree that the man got away from some of those core traits that make him so admirable.

FMF DOC · 11-04-2008, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornelyj

People correlate lack of fiscal responsibility (greed) within the higher echelon of the population with lack of national leadership. Higher costs and lower markets made the Reps. look bad to the people who don't read good or read at all for that matter.

And the liberal biased media did not help McCain's case at all.

TR was right again. It'll be 4 years before change and 6 before it is fixed and people will learn soon he made way too many promises that will not be kept.

So on good news I ordered some kydex for PS0076

::lightening mood::

Though I agree with some of the other comments I feel McCain surely would not have turned this country around any sooner(4-6 yrs) if at all and they all make promises they don't keep. And if we don't get behind this admininstration and change our attitudes it'll be alot longer before this country gets back on it's feet.

Sdiver · 11-04-2008, 23:36

What went wrong.....

Fred dropped out.

That's it in a nutshell.

Sigaba · 11-04-2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdiver

What went wrong.....

Fred dropped out.

That's it in a nutshell.

Senator Thompson seemed to lose steam from the moment he announced his candidacy. I never got the sense he really wanted to win the nomination.

Sdiver · 11-04-2008, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Senator Thompson seemed to lose steam from the moment he announced his candidacy. I never got the sense he really wanted to win the nomination.

Exactly.

Had Fred stayed the course, and really, I mean REALLY, put his full effort behind his announcement, we'd be looking at a different map tonight.

Sigaba · 11-04-2008, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdiver

Exactly.

Had Fred stayed the course, and really, I mean REALLY, put his full effort behind his announcement, we'd be looking at a different map tonight.

I preferred Senator McCain over the other candidates. Senator Thompson and Mayor Giuliani could have gotten my attention had they run better campaigns. After it was all over, I warmed to Governor Huckabee. I was never fond of Mitt Romney until after Senator McCain got the nomination and Romney offered to help.

Do I sound like a broken record when I say "J.C. Watts should be McCain's running mate"?

Guy · 11-04-2008, 23:51

Politicians now have too play up/to the media...

Ronald Reagan was a "master" craftsman in front of the cameras.

Stay safe.

HOLLiS · 11-04-2008, 23:54

We had 8 years of 5 major networks promoting their world view. Blame has been focused on President Bush and the Republicans. Senator McCain had only one some what supportive network.

Senator Obama out spent Senator McCain 2 to 1.

Then we had the little financial mishap.

It is amazing that Senator Obama did not win by a land slide.

IMHO, we can second guess what McCain campaign should have been done differently and discussed the errors, it would not matter. Especially the way the media is.

Sdiver · 11-04-2008, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Politicians now have too play up/to the media...

Ronald Reagan was a "master" craftsman in front of the cameras.

Stay safe.

Reagan had MANY years of practice at it, working in the entertainment business, so when he went into politics, working in front of a camera was second nature to him.

I think BHO will fit right in as well. I mean after all, he's been ACTING (pretending) to be a Senator, now he's going to be ACTING (pretending) to be POTUS.

It's that duck to water scenario.

Sigaba · 11-04-2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

It is amazing that Senator Obama did not win by a land slide.

Sir, that is a great point and one I'll use in response to the taunting I'm sure to receive at the office tomorrow.

I would argue that FNC didn't support Senator McCain--the network did its job by asking the questions a professional news outlet is supposed to ask.

The only measure of comfort is that the MSM are jackals and they'll turn on their guy once he makes it clear that he has no use for them.

Sigaba · 11-05-2008, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdiver

Reagan had MANY years of practice at it, working in the entertainment business, so when he went into politics, working in front of a camera was second nature to him.

I think BHO will fit right in as well. I mean after all, he's been ACTING (pretending) to be a Senator, now he's going to be ACTING (pretending) to be POTUS.

It's that duck to water scenario.

A key difference is that President Reagan believed what he said and said what he believed: nothing less and nothing more, every time.

Can the same be said of the president elect?

Sdiver · 11-05-2008, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaba

A key difference is that President Reagan believed what he said and said what he believed: nothing less and nothing more, every time.

Can the same be said of the president elect?

Yep.

He believes in his Socialist agenda, and his Socialist agenda, is EXACTLY what we're going to get.