Yes, I know the conventional Dem wisdom is that a guy like McCain simply couldn't win the Republican nomination because he's not sufficiently Fundie-friendly and has tweaked the party on some issues, but I hate to think we're laying all of our eggs in that optimistic basket. To do so is to assume that an otherwise weakening party will simply turn it's nose up at a guy who looks like a winner, and I'm not sure that's a wise assumption to make.
Simply put, he is a very popular guy (
http://www.mydd.com/...), even among independents and many Dems. The media loves him and he's earned an enviable reputation as a no-BS straight shooter, whether earned or not. A reputation like that is always beneficial, but I suspect it may represent an overwhelming positive in the wake of the current and impending scandals to hit the scene (there's a reason why the pious Jimmy Carter emerged in 1976 - Watergate).
He would represent a significant challenge to any potential Democratic nominee. Indeed, I find it hard to believe that a conventional pol, like HRC, Kerry, or Edwards, would have much of a chance against him.
My question is: What would be our strategy against A McCain candidacy? Are there particular messages that would hit paydirt? Is there a particular candidate or type of candidate that would fare well against him?
I believe the party needs to start thinking about this now before it's too late.