Tonight, we will know who our adversary is.

[RDANGELO]

Mitt Romney or John McCain will win tonight and then will probably go on to take the nomination. Here is an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses.

Romney
strengths: Good looking. Successful businessman and organizer at a time when the economy is the strongest issue. Takes hard stance on illegal immigration which will make it more of an issue in the general election. Is currently more in line with the Republican base on issues, which will give him more of an ability to energies it.

Weaknesses: Doesn't seem like a regular guy you would sit down and have a beer with. Little foreign policy experience. Just two years ago, you could have called him a liberal; he has completely transformed himself changing views on issues such as abortion rights and homosexuals, and it appears that he could say anything to get elected. Is connected to businesses that have thrived by doing things such as outsourcing and moving offshore to avoid taxes. Is a Mormon.


McCain
Strengths: Image as straight shooter and pragmatist, which will help him appeal to a broad base and independents. Foreign policy and defense experience. Regular guy you would want to have a beer with.

Weaknesses: Old and looks it. On record as saying that the Iraq War was not a mistake and could be linked to a war with Iran or as being too much of a hawk. Sponsored comprehensive immigration bill that his own base views as an amnesty bill, which means Illegal immigration will be less of an issue. Is not viewed as a pure conservative by his own base meaning that they will be less energized.


Note: Personally, I have nothing against Mormons, but polls have shown that a substantial number of people are reluctant to vote for a one.

[FSogol]

1. McCain's image as a straight shooter is undeserved.

For McCain, steroids in baseball is one of the most terrible things in our country today.
But that hypocrite has no hesitation in reveling in the endorsement of his campaign by steroid abuser Sylvester Stallone.

[Angela Shelley]

2. Be careful, polls have shown that a substantial

number of people will vote for a good-looking idiot.

[beyurslf]

3. I would add that McCain is seen by many as a moderate and bi-partisan Senator.

We know this isn't true, but this is how he is perceived by many and will work to his advantage.

[SoCalDem]

4. All republicans are chameleons..but unlike the cute little lizards,

republicans are no fun to play with..

[pacalo]

5. I hear you about the Mormons. They do have unconventional beliefs.

Before we entered the media's Twilight Zone where they shape opinions toward the unbelievable, I would have thought a Mormon wouldn't have gotten through the first primary. Judging from all the hype, I think it has been predetermined by the powers that be that our candidates will be Romney & Obama. I've been around long enough to know that Mormons have an uphill battle with public perception, that Romney is favored by Cheney&Co, & they've decided to equal the playing field with a Democratic candidate with his own uphill battle.

[dysfunctional press]

6. and who rudy's running mate will be.

nt.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. i hope its romney.

[brazos121200]

8. Looks like McCain has a slight edge. I hope McCain is the repub nominee,

I think he will be easier to beat in the long run. Many voters will pick a pretty face (Romney) over an old face (McCain) every time.

[winter999]

9. It looks like whoever is their nominee will be smashed come

November. The best of them can't stand up to the worst of us. Like I said in another post, the President will be decided at the National Convention.

[RedShoesBlueState]

10. McCain's POW credentials

McCain's military credentials go beyond having merely served. For a large segment of the population (baby boomers) who remember Viet Nam and the images of the POWs, he has heroic stature. Don't understestimate how much the Repugs will play that up. (And honestly, although I don't like the way he votes, he still has my respect, for what he had to endure, and the scars he still carries.)

[RDANGELO]

14. Yep

He's a war hero. I forgot that one.

[bryant69]

11. I hope it's McCain - the Republican Base hate's the socks off of him.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[napi21]

12. I'm not so sure. If there's any trruth to the polls in Fl, the win

tonight will be so small, we'll still have to wait until Feb 5th.

[Marr]

13. The one thing I think Karl Rove was right about was

you should turn your opponent's strengths into his weaknesses. Both those candidates' strengths could easily be turned into weaknesses in this climate.

Romney's made a lot of money in business, yep. But in this post-Enron, Bush-era, robber baron economy, rich businessmen could just more easily be portrayed as the CAUSE of this mess as the cure for it.

McCain's own record disproves his "straight-talk" marketing. Make him defend this unpopular war, while pointing out all his previous phony Iraq predictions. CALL him a liar, and suggest he's lost his mind. People will stop seeing him as a "straight-talking defense expert" real quick.