UNELECTABLE !!

[denem]

I know this is an liable thrown by one Dem at group another, at best an insult. Here is what I heard from the a McCain strategist on the BBC World Service. McCain would unify the Republic base on:

i) SCOTUS (Constructionist judges opposing Roe v Wade)
ii) Taxes - Democrats will raise your taxes
iii) Strong on Defense - stay the course for the 'progress in Iraq' we have fought so hard to 'win'.

I believe The Democrats will campaign on

1. The economy - Save your job and your house
2. Health Care - Insurance costs are out of control
3. Iraq - End the financial bloodshed, that America cannot afford. (Sadly the human cost seems to mean little outside military families)

And counter points
(a) Tax cuts to the middle class. The "Bush Tax" cuts to the wealth will 'lapse'.
(b) Stronger defense: Iraq means 'fighting terror' with one hand behind your back.
(c) McCain is Bush 3rd Term.

We have got too defeatist about Switfboats - 2000, a good ecomomy - 2004 - the illusion of an improvement. What about 2008 when the swiftboat on the horizon is coming at your own job.

It is the economy stupid. If economic conditions are bad or trending down enough, American will vote on fear - economic fear.

Republican or Democrats? Who has the strongest hand?

And for one further thought, whats the betting that some Iraqi's might be looking to October to start their own Tet Offensive.

[Fovea]

1. $5/gal gas this summer

should slam the economic cost of Iraq and lack of energy conservation home.

[denem]

2. You post something positive, with no attacks on Hillary or Obama

and it sinks like a stone. Maybe we just want to yell unelectable at each other, or perhaps (quite justly) I am on too many ignore lists by now.

[phantom power]

3. The GOP has one other high card:

the MSM will campaign for McCain, and they will campaign against the Dem candidate.

[denem]

4. Yes ofcourse - but 'one pay check away from disaster'

when your friends and family are worrying about pink slips?

[phantom power]

6. But will they blame the republicans for their predicament?

What if the GOP mounts a campaign that blames Democrats (those elitists who don't understand the common man) for our economic problems? And what if the MSM allows that GOP narrative free air-time, without any basic sanity checking?

In other words, what if what usually happens, happens again?

[denem]

10. What 'usually happens' isn't fearfully bad economic times.

Even Reagan in 1984 could say the economy was improving. The last election with the economy on the skids was 1980. It killed Carter as easily as it killed Hoover.

The Dems will be campaigning on the economy. McCain on extending a financially ruinous war.

[boobooday]

5. I think the Tax Cuts battle cry has run out of steam

The GOPs in power have proven to be wildly undisciplined spenders, and we've all lived for years under Bush's tax cuts and know exactly what they haven't done for us (the mostly most of us).

Roe v. Wade -- they can't win a general election on that

Iraq? Definitely not a winning issue for them. Linking that to the economy -- to national priorities, infrastructure, education, health care, will be crucial.

These GOP issues are tired, tired horses, and I just don't think they can get that old fossil over the finish line.

[denem]

7. It struck me how the Republican stategy was so threadbare

Unless them Dems take a shotgun to the head - 'Riots in Denver', the nominee must be favored to win big.

A 'kinder, gentler, more compassionate' economic and foreign policy disaster is not exactly a winning ticket.

[ej510]

8. A one term McCain is more dangerous than Dubya.

[Toucano]

9. "Are you better off than you were 8 years ago?"

And "Is America better off than it was 8 years ago?"

It's as simple as that.

[denem]

11. Kick for a postive post

[Quixote1818]

12. Great Post. I agree, if the economy stays in the tank then McCain is toast

especially since the stats came out yesterday showing the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer and the middle class is shrinking. Dem's need to hammer that home. I am surprised they didn't even bring that up yesterday.