I believe the Democratic candidate is likely to thrash John McCain, no matter who it is. Hillary Clinton would beat Senator McCain handily, mainly because of Senator McCain. He has tied himself to this Iraq War and is telling anyone who'll listen that he plans to stay in Iraq for another hundred years. It's hard to imagine a more unpopular position to base your campaign on in the general election.
Though Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would score easy points against McCain on this count, Obama has an advantage here. Sen. McCain can turn around and accuse Sen. Clinton of being just as complicit in the drive to war because she also voted for the resolution that authorized the Iraq War. Whereas, Obama can say McCain showed poor judgment in going into Iraq in the first place and McCain has no defense to that. He could argue that the Iraq War has gone great, and I hope he does. Good luck with that strategy.
Why would Democrats want to neutralize this obvious advantage they have by picking a candidate that also voted for the war?
Secondly, the right-wing base is very displeased with John McCain. Conservative talk show hosts, pundits and bloggers have spent the last couple of months pummeling McCain. The only thing that can re-energize them to back his candidacy is -- Hillary Clinton.
Now, this is a little unfair to Sen. Clinton because I don't think she has done anything to earn that animus. She's polarizing only because they have spent the better part of two decades attacking her and her husband, and trying to turn the American people against them. Barack Obama might seem polarizing after eight straight years of right-wing attacks, too.
However, fair or unfair, the right-wing can't wait to go to war against Hillary. On the other hand, if it's Obama versus McCain, I think they might dislike McCain more. This has got to be a major liability when you are trying to rally your own side in a general election.
Finally, according to the polls, voters are overwhelmingly in favor of change this election cycle. If Obama is running, he is clearly the candidate of change. If Clinton is running, McCain could almost make an argument that you would get more change from his presidency than you would under another Clinton administration. I think that argument would be wrong, but why open the door?
Overall, Democrats can make it easier or harder on themselves this year by picking one of the two remaining candidates. I'm confident they'll win either way, but why take the risk? Obama is the better candidate to run against McCain, who looks like he is going to be the Republican candidate in the fall. By picking Obama the Democrats can make a strong and persuasive case that there is only one candidate who can bring real change to Washington -- Barack Obama.
Watch The Young Turks Here
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
Obama More Likely to Beat McCain
Posted Feb 5th 2008 12:02PM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Young Turks, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama
Mo's Video
The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Lisa on Meet Thomas Beatie, The First Pregnant Man
- Mokele Mbembe on Did 'Sesame Street' Ruin Generation X, or Save It?
- MI on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Jerry Brown on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Edward Baker on Catholic Church Releases Pedophile Coloring Book
- Botts on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Vikki on Did 'Sesame Street' Ruin Generation X, or Save It?
Mo's Bio
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- NY-23: The Loss That Could Propel a Conservative Surge
- John Allen Muhammad Executed for 2002 Beltway Killing Spree
- How Right-Wing Talkers Crassly Exploited Ft. Hood Tragedy
- Bart Stupak, Who Just Might Have Saved Health Care Reform -- and the Democrats
- Overheard at the Korean War Memorial: Thank You Anyway!
- Schwarzenegger & Shriver's Daughter Leaves Dressing Room 'in Shambles'
- Labor Unions Move To Reform State Laws
Reader Comments ( Page 47 of 47)
691. My family of 3 moderate republicans and 3 moderate democrats will vote as follows: 1 vote McCain/5 votes for Hillary. If its Barack, its 6 McCain/0 Obama. If people want change, lets vote for a DC insider. It is an asset to know how the game is played up front. It makes you a realist instead of an idealist. Carter, reagan, clinton and bush 2 were all DC outsiders and have governed for 28 of the last 32 years. I'm no math wizard, but having someone (whether it is Hillary or McCain) who has been in the trenches, would be a meaningful change.
kendallini at 5:12PM on Feb 12th 2008
692. My new book "Move Beyond the Colored Line"; was released on Monday, January 22, 2008. It acknowledges and recognizes the fact that racial discrimination is a prevalent and consistent part of America's political culture, but it encourages African-Americans to push the boundaries. To not only dream of that higher mark, but to press towards it with deliberate and conscious vigor and persistency.
I love the editorials and blogs about Barak Obama and the sharing of personal political conflicts. I am an adjunct lecturer of American Government and I've seen and heard the moans and groans about politics and politicians. Yet, I've stood committed to teaching and encouraging students to recognize the fact that change has only been achieved through the action of "revolutionary thinkers and participants".
For far too long, messages of despair, distrust, hopelessness, and the struggle have reign supreme in the psyche of many African-Americans' minds...binding and sentencing them to life with boundaries. For far too long, the historically privileged have reign supreme in their own minds…blinding and sentencing them to life with both blatant and suppressed prejudices. I stand boldly and proudly saying...MOVE forward!
Move Beyond the Colored Line and be apart of the revolution of change. I remember the conversations I had with Americans from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds about Barak Obama last year; many of those people's conversations have changed. Their attitudes have changed! I’m loving it, because it is a recognition and realization that Americans come in many shades, colors and ethnicities, and thus an viable and responsive American President could very well be a Black person!
I'm loving it, because I recognize, realize, and teach what our ancestors knew and understood long ago: Education and the Vote are the two most fundamental; yet POWERFUL tools that separate the haves and the have-nots.
Thanks for sharing and hopefully our friends will take time to read between the lines of racist overtures in their responses.
Jacquelyn Rochell
www.jacquelynrochell.com
"Move Beyond The Colored Line: The Problem is YOU".
Jacquelyn Rochell at 9:11PM on Feb 12th 2008