I've been thinking a lot about McCain 2008 vs. Dole '96.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

I don't recall the specific polling, but I remember a definite sense that Dole was not going to win the election. Especially as it got late in the race.

However, unlike McCain, there wasn't, if I remember correctly, anything resembling this incredible desperate flailing about to latch onto any gimmick that might POSSIBLY help. The gimmick VP pick. The gimmick suspension, and now the gimmick fucking around with the bailout accords in order to assume the "fixer/leader" mantle.

I get the impression that, at this point, if Karl Rove told McCain that dressing only in a G-string and walking down Main Street would grab him a few votes in Ohio, he'd do it.


Dole was also an older war veteran with a record of major sacrifice through military service, who was looking at his last and only shot at the brass ring.

What's the difference between Dole and McCain?

Is it the difference between the men? Is McCain's ambition, his hunger for the presidency that much different in nature and degree from Dole's that he wouldn't balk at trading in every last shred of dignity and reputation for a chance at it?

Is it the difference in the Republican Party of the 90's and now? Are they that much more desperate to hang onto power?

Is it because running against the young black candidate means you've always got a shot, no matter what, and drives Obama's candidates to do crazy desperate measures they'd never try against any other candidate?

What? :shrug:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. McDouche hasn't fallen on his ass in public............yet. nt

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I have no answers

But you made a hell of a point . . . I think deep down - McCain is feeling VERY inadequate. As well he should. But for a white man of his age, with his BACKGROUND of 'petty bigotry' - he's not going to admit he's getting beaten by a 'black man'. He's arrogant and thought the Presidency was his for the taking. Eh - not so much. ;-)

[Drunken Irishman]

3. A lot of it was because Dole knew he had no chance.

McCain still has a chance.

This time in 1996, Clinton was leading Dole by nearly 30 points nationally. In fact, the race was never consistently close. Even before the GOP convention, when he chose Kemp, there was a huge gap in the polls. Dole knew he couldn't do anything to really get back in the race outside of going negative, which he did.

McCain, though, chose Palin knowing it could get him back into the race, it did, temporarily. Dole was too far behind for even anything like that to work.