I believe the timing of the Republican debates has been a huge advantage for John McCain.

Here's what I mean:

The previous debate was 5 days before the Florida primaries. By all accounts, Romney cleaned up. He drubbed McCain and came out with big MO.

Unfortunately, we still had 5 days to go. McCain used the media he's been spooning with for 20 years to drop a bunch of lies and misleading interpretations of Romney quotes on the voters and that was enough to get Florida.

Last nights debate. Same thing. Romney cleans up by all accounts. But its still 6 days to Super Tuesday. Six more chances for McCain to drop the lie bomb on Romney without any real ability to respond.

And a media that will run with any such comments.

I honestly believe if both debates were the night before the primaries, Romney wins in Florida. Then HE gets Arnie's support in California instead of McCain and he wins Super Tuesday.

Thoughts?

Well really, is Arnold's support any different then Rudy's? They are both Liberal Republicans. Might as well get Old Teddy to endorse McCain, the New York Times did...lol.

Nah. The debates aren't a huge deal, maybe good for a couple of points. About as much as good endorsements are worth.

The fact is, Romney has a ceiling lower than McCain's. The people that support Romney are primarily Bush supporters. McCain is the most credible candidate for those dissatisfied with Bush. Debates aren't really going to change that dynamic at this point.

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chicken butt

Well really, is Arnold's support any different then Rudy's? They are both Liberal Republicans. Might as well get Old Teddy to endorse McCain, the New York Times did...lol.


This is, among the 40% of Republicans who identify themselves as moderate, those endorsements help a lot.

Conservatives who think the Republican party is their property are just as delusional as liberals who think the Democratic party belongs to them.

This is a two party system, so both parties have a lot of moderates. They get to vote too.

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chicken butt

OK, maybe, but floating lies for 5 days to discredit your opponent, that's a lot harder to do if the debates are the night before.

I mean if you look at the poll numbers, Romney gets a spike after each debate and then McCain eats away at him until the primaries.

If McCain is smart, (OK, his advisers) he'll play the same game with Hillary. Make sure the last debate is at least a month before the election. This will allow any embarrassing gaffs to be drowned out with incessant attacks. Of course, this time, the press will not be aligned with him so it will be tougher.