I think both parties are suffering from the same problem (no message), but Democrats now have their leader. I don't view this election the same as 94. Republicans actually had a theme and ran on that theme. This election was all about running against Bush, with a huge boost from the war (in 06) and the economic meltdown in 08.
This election was a referendum on Bush -or- Obama.
McCain lost because he had no message to promote other than to vote against Obama which isn't a message at all.
I honestly believe that if he'd ran as the McCain of '00, he'd have had a much better shot.
When he sold his soul to the Republican base, he already lost the election.
Independents and Reagan democrats loved the McCain who bucked the establishment but once he BECAME the establishment there was nothing to run against, therefore he lost whatever edge he had.
He tried to run as the change agent in a year against the ultimate change agent in Obama and it was a failed strategy.
The selection of Palin was the final nail in his coffin.
Initially she boosted his candidacy, but she also failed miserably among suburban whites which is the main reason why Obama won the battle ground states.
I cannot think of a worse candidate than Palin in terms of experience for VP with the exception of Dan Quayle.
McCain ended up looking senile, having to clean up his mess......
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