Sunday, November 22, 2009

Opinion

Is John McCain Doomed to Lose to Barack Obama?

October 02, 2008 05:18 PM ET | Bonnie Erbe | Permanent Link | Print

Of course, it's not over 'til it's over, but is this a sign it might be nearly over? Check this Associated Press filing from today:

"Obama hammered McCain's economic record during a rally in Michigan, a state struggling with the country's highest unemployment rate. The Illinois senator's speech came several hours before knowledgeable Republican officials said McCain's campaign has given up trying to win Michigan and is shifting resources from there to other states."

Then there's electoral-vote.com's calculation that shows Obama at 338 in the Electoral College and McCain at 185. I've seen Obama slightly above 300 on electoral-vote.com before. But just a week or two ago, McCain was ahead in Electoral College votes, and I've not seen the tally this far skewed in Obama's favor before.

What could be McCain's game-changer during the next four weeks? It's not likely to be tonight's vice presidential debate, given the contestants. A sudden turnaround in the economy? Also dubious, given that Goldman Sachs is forecasting no growth this quarter or in the first quarter of '09. A slam-dunk victory in one of the next two presidential debates? Again, less likely than the boost he might have gotten had he bested Obama in the first debate. Palin dropping off the ticket? Boy, would he anger the conservative base if he took that turn in the road. An October surprise? By my calculations, it would take nothing short of Russia invading yet another former satellite nation or an unimaginable terrorist strike. Neither of those things is anything anyone should hope for.

Tags: presidential election 2008 | Barack Obama | John McCain

Tools: Share | | Comments (19) | Print

Reader Comments

From Europe

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans are naive and idiots, at least this is what we think in Europe. This is the reason why we love BHO: He is not american, but african, he is radical, he is a socialist and......America will be doomed with him as President! What a joy! We hate America and hope BHO will destroy it!

RE: If that's the best you got

Reality check - yes the repubs have been scewing things up over the past 8 years but they weren't alone.. the dems have had congress for the past 2 years and they have done nothing.. apparently you don't know anyone with the last name of Frank (head of the Financial Services Committee) or Pelosi (house majority leader), Dodd (Chairman of the Senate Banking and Housing and Urban Affairs committee) , we can't forget Reid (senate majority leader.)

I think what we need is more democratic in-action that'll move the country forward.

It's over for McCain and Palin

McCain and Palin are sinking and are so desperate that they have gone so low to now claim that Senator Obama is a terroist? They should talk about the economy and what they will do for the country and how they are going to do it instead of name calling and smear speeches. I guess they don't have anything good to say because they have no real plan.

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Now

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

About Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

advertisement

NEWSLETTER

Sign up today for the latest headlines from U.S. News & World Report delivered to you free.

RSS FEEDS

Personalize your U.S. News with our feeds of blogs and breaking news headlines.

U.S. NEWS MOBILE

U.S. News daily briefings are also available on your mobile device.

FAVORITES

advertisement

People who read this also read ...

Thomas Jefferson St.

Healthcare Deals Hurt Middle Class

Lawmakers' votes should not be based on the government equivalent of a bribe.

It's Not About Race, Jesse

With a changing African-American electorate, Jesse Jackson's comments can be overlooked.

GOP Aims at Moderate Dems

Votes in favor of healthcare might hurt more moderate Democrats.

Sarah Palin's a Quitter and a Whiner

A 20-city book tour and an appearance on Oprah hardly qualify as public service.

The President and the Rogue

They're about as far apart as the states that produced them.

Jobs Take Back Seat to Healthcare

Try as she might, Pelosi can't change the subject that fast.

Women Still Need Mammograms

Is this the start of rationing healthcare coverage?

The Scope of the House Healthcare Abortion Ba

Stupak-Pitts Amendment would be far-reaching.

Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

Political Cartoons

Check out our most recent cartoons.

Public Opinion

Should the FCC Regulate Web Fair Play?

The government may step in to prevent traffic-speed shenanigans.

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.