If Republicans 'Hate' McCain - why is he so competitive in the polls?

[denem]

Hillary or Obama - there's only a few points in the match ups. And this is the guy who is going to 'Win' Iraq? I don't get it.

[Selatius]

1. The Christian Right hates McCain. Other Repubs, I dunno. n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. The polls are meaningless & are supported by journalists

who are projecting their own opinions as facts.

[gateley]

3. I've always wondered the same thing about Hillary -- nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Polls can't adequately measure voter turnout.

And all signs point to the GOP turnout to be very, very depressed this year.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Dunno, but this seems to summarize:

[Alhena]

6. Not many are turning out to vote for him or donate to him, though

[Happyhippychick]

7. Excellent question. My opinion is that the loud Republican base isn't

nearly as big as they believe. I think most Republicans are moderates. Also, add to that, many Republicans are not voting in the primary because they are disgusted with their choices.

[Drunken Irishman]

8. Independents, for one.

Just as it was in 2004, the Democrats and Republicans will fight for the independent votes. Unfortunately, the Democrats are at a disadvantage here because many still believe McCain is a maverick, who bucks party affiliation and tells it like it is. At this moment, it's enough to offset the Republicans who don't want to support him, namely the far-right. In a close election, if the base does not vote, McCain will struggle, even with the independents. The Republicans know this and the Democrats know this. But he's also probably the most effective candidate from their side because of the fact he can garner support of the independents.

If we're going to win in November, we need a candidate who can draw from the independents at a greater level than McCain -- something Kerry couldn't do in 2004.

Can Clinton do that? Can Obama do that? That's the burning question.

Remember, it only takes a few points to dramatically shift an election. Had Kerry finished 2 or 3 points higher than Bush, he would be running for reelection right now. And it may again come down to a few points that ultimately swings this election. McCain has a built in advantage of drawing independent support, now the Democrats need to get them to come over to our side. If they do that, then it will put more pressure on McCain to shore up his base, which could require him to look even more out of mainstream than he currently does, which could turn off independent voters. However, if the Democrats fail to grab a large number of those voters, McCain won't need to draw from his base and he'll win.

[TwilightGardener]

9. He's a famous war hero/POW. He ran for President before. He has

a good reputation (faux-maverick though he is) and good name recognition. Come on, this is so obvious.

[mohc]

10. Maybe I am paranoid

But I think McCain is and will do well BECAUSE of the "hate" directed at him by the far right, not in spite of it. The Republicans enter this election cycle at a strong disadvantage. Sinking economy, unpopular war, disastrous Republican administration, the list goes on. They are still reeling from their losses in 2006, the retirements are mounting, and their prospects look grim. At a time when no one wants to vote for a Republican, how do you get the independents and moderates to vote for one?

Simple, you nominate someone that the media has believed to be a moderate, "maverick" independent. And then you spend as much time as possible claiming they are not a true Republican, not a true conservative, and that their election will fundamentally change the Republican party as we know it. Then independents can feel ok voting for the Republican, because they aren't a "real" Republican.