Does anybody else find it ironic how the Mccain of 2000 probably could have won?

[Clintonista2]

The guy totally gave up his principles in order to win, yet that's exactly why he will lose.

[LaurenG]

1. Yes - even the republicans are mad at him this time. Thank goodness for decent

people on the right.

[Wapsie B]

2. Yes I sure do.

He very well could have won in 2000. Now after sucking up to the Bush's he's outted himself as a mere political whore, willing to sell his soul to achieve his goal.

[Kajsa]

3. Yes, it is ironic and sad that he sold

his principles( and soul) down the river to
employ the exact same people who swift-boated
him in 2000.

I don't know if he would have won this election, but
his chances of winning would have been greater.

[InvisibleTouch]

4. Not against Obama, I think. Not fairly, anyway.

Obama is running such a perfect campaign, and the country is in such a mess, that he'd still win in a fair election. But McCain would have come a lot closer, and he'd have come out with his dignity and people's respect intact. I admit that I actually liked him in 2000. Not enough to vote for him, of course, but as an opponant worthy of respect. Guess I didn't know him very well at the time!

[Brotherjohn]

5. That's why they ran him... hoping that "Maverick" image of him would resonate.

Problem is, to gain their support, he had to move to the right and to Bush in particular. He has been doing so for the past 2-4 years, but has always been especially hawkish on Iraq.

I think it would have served him better in the general election to stay the old "maverick" McCain. But honestly, he never would have even won the nomination then. And the nominee that would have won would likely have been even more conservative and end up losing by an even greater margin than McCain is likely to.

He was basically their closest thing left to an "outsider" and a "maverick". So in this environment, they had to run him. But he long ago ceased to be that person.

[Goat or Panic]

6. McCain

Simply Tragic or
Shakespearean Tragic?

I can't wait for the Oliver Stone movie version.