One of the reason’s McCainiacs site for supporting him is electability. When discussing electability it is important to look at the background of the candidate, specifically whether they are a senator or governor.
Since 1900 there have been 8 open presidential elections (non-incumbent.) Senators have won twice and a governor once. Both victories by senators were pre-1964. The gubernatorial victory was post 1964.
Since 1900 five incumbent presidents have been turned out of office by a challenger (1912, 1932, 1976, 1980, and 1992.) All five challengers were governors.
Since Senator Kennedy’s win in 1960 there have been 11 presidential elections. Five of the losers in those races were senators (1964, 1968, 1972, 1996, and 2004.) Only one of those who lost was a governor (1988.) Two other losers were Vice Presidents and former senators (1984 and 2000.)
This is an overwhelming trend that governors have the advantage when the country is in the mood for change and that senators have an overwhelming record of losing elections since the beginning of the television era.
The Democrats are going to nominate a senator. The Republicans have a choice whether to nominate someone who has been in Washington since 1982 or someone who has served as an executive of a state. If the GOP goes with the senator then we surrender an advantage over the Democrats. If we go with a governor then we can credibly run a Washington outsider against the Democrat insider.
That would have some ground if it were truly a reflection of our choices today. What was the overall experience and history of those candidates?
Mitt Romney is devoted to his family and by all accounts has proven to use his God given talents in very special ways. He is a hugely successful venture capitalist. One venture after another, he would carefully plan, pick, and choose. Along the way, he ran for the Senate and lost in a Kennedy owned state. That effort offered a Mitt Romney with a very different message than now.
He returned to the private sector until the governor’s seat was open. Another opportunity to add elected office to his resume’ and, of course, offer his talents to the public. Again, his message was very different than it is now.
Only one term as governor. Because, there was a vacancy in another venture…the presidency. A new message for a new venture.
Was convenience or conviction the cause?
It is very easy to take shots at McCain, and not because he has so many failures but he actually has a record to look at. He was serving the public, creating a record, and sent back time and again by huge majorities while Mr. Romney was amassing his fortune. With only one term as Governor, how much is there too judge?
One term. Hardly enough to validate him as the superior candidate base on historical preferences.
Here is a speach that McCain can never give:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/22832077#22832077
Excellent speach. I sure hope Mitt can pull this out. I cannot support a buddy of Kennedy’s, and their goals of providing amnesty to illegals…
Bettina,
Great story. If you can’t stand the facts, tell a good story.
McCain/Feingold, McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Lieberman, “Alito too conservative”, “Juan and Hillary close friends”, a flood of endorsements from the moderate establishment, lies about Romney’s record.
Not so many failures???
Wrong, way, way too many failures to be a conservative Republican candidate.
Ben,
Will you please tell me who Bettina is? I promise you, I am not her.
“One of the reason’s McCainiacs site for supporting him is electability.”
Whatever.
I backed McCain when he was un-electable. I like John McCain because he served his country. I don’t care what any of you say about him being a liberal. I KNOW BETTER!!! I served on his staff in the Senate in 1995. He has been our Senator for 20 years and I KNOW HIS POLICIES. Most of you HATERS don’t even cite your facts:
Tax Policy
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/0b8e4db8-5b0c-459f-97ea-d7b542a78235.htm
Pro-Growth Tax Agenda
John McCain believes taxes should be low, simple, and fair and has a track record of commitment to these principles.
Cut Taxes On The Middle Class
Cut Taxes For Middle Class Families: Hard-working American families need lower taxes. John McCain will permanently repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) — a tax that will be paid nearly exclusively by 25 million middle class families. John McCain will repeal this onerous tax, saving middle class families nearly $60 billion in a single year. Under McCain’s plan, a middle class family with children set to pay the AMT will save an average of over $2,700 — a real tax cut for working families.
Pro-Growth Tax Policy
Keep Tax Rates Low: Entrepreneurs are at the heart of American innovation, growth and prosperity. Entrepreneurs create the ultimate job security — a new, better opportunity if your current job goes away. Entrepreneurs should not be taxed into submission. John McCain will make the Bush income and investment tax cuts permanent, keeping income tax rates at their current level and fighting the Democrats’ plans for a crippling tax increase in 2011. Left to their devices, Democrats will impose a massive $100 billion tax hike, almost $700 per taxpayer every year.
Make It Harder To Raise Taxes: John McCain believes it should require a 3/5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes.
Reward Saving, Investment and Risk-Taking: Low taxes on dividends and capital gains promote saving, channel investment dollars to innovative, high-value uses and not wasteful financial planning. John McCain will keep the current rates on dividends and capital gains and fight anti-growth efforts by Democrats.
Pro-Innovation Tax Cuts
Ban Internet Taxes: John McCain believes we must make a farsighted, robust, and fervent commitment to innovation and new technologies to sustain our global competitiveness, meet our national security challenges, achieve less costly and more effective health care, reduce dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil, and raise the quality of education in the United States. John McCain has been a leader in keeping the Internet free of taxes. As President, he will seek a permanent ban on taxes that threaten this engine of economic growth and prosperity.
Ban New Cell Phone Taxes: John McCain understands that the same people that would tax e-mail will tax every text message — and even 911 calls. John McCain will prohibit new cellular telephone taxes.
Permanent R&D Tax Credit: Innovation is fueled by access to sufficient risk capital, a light regulatory burden, skilled workers, and good incentives to pursue new ideas. John McCain will reform and make permanent the research and development (R&D) tax credit to keep America competitive and provide a stable environment for entrepreneurs.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm
“John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states.”
Border Security
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm
“the federal government has utterly failed in its responsibility to ensure that it is secure. If we have learned anything from the recent immigration debate, it is that Americans have little trust that their government will honor a pledge to do the things necessary to make the border secure.”
Iraq
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm
“Iraqi and American forces must not only use force to clear areas occupied by insurgents but to stay and hold these areas to deny them as a base for insurgent forces and allow economic and political development to occur in a secure environment. By emphasizing safety of the local population, this strategy will create strongholds in which insurgents find it difficult to operate.”
What pisses a lot of you people off, is he does not kow tow to the same childish schoolyard rules of politics of “he hit me first.” GROW UP!