John, I too was less than impressed last night with John McCain. But I think it has a lot to do with hopes and expectations. Most of the mainstream media has completely written off John McCain and long ago stopped giving any credence to the substance of his arguments. When McCain came out swinging and at least listed the arguments for his candidacy they, I think, were hearing something “new.” At least they were hearing a newly forceful presentation of several of McCain’s best arguments, especially on taxes.
Did McCain press his points to their logical conclusion and make the most of his opportunities? Probably not and he’s simply not the best politician at connecting the dots. That said, he did finally make the arguments on taxes, trade, healthcare, spending and abortion so there is material for the MSM to write about. More importantly, there is something for voters to finally latch onto.
What is shocking is that the race is not over. Gallup (traditional model), Rasmussen, Zogby and IBD/TIPP polls all show the race remarkably competitive. I do think that if McCain spends the next two and a half weeks pressing on taxes, judges, spending and national security the race will get even tighter. The darnedest thing about McCain: he’s never out of it.
