FIVE BEST AND WORSE THINGS FOR MCCAIN

HALPERIN’S TAKE: The Five Best Things That Just Might Come Out Of St. Paul for John McCain


1. Base and independent voter enthusiasm from Palin pick and media bashing locks up most or all of the Red states – allowing McCain to focus on Michigan.

2. The negative frame on Obama –- not-ready elitist hippie –- was burned in –- or, at least, a significant foundation was laid down.

3. Donors and grassroots activists have permanently put aside their doubts about whether McCain can win –- at least through Election Day.

4. Questions about Palin’s vetting or qualifications for the job of vice president will be drowned out by the debates, etc.

5. The national press will cast the race for the foreseeable future as a virtual tie –- not Obama’s to lose.

HALPERIN’S TAKE: The Five Worst Things That Just Might Come Out of St. Paul for John McCain.


1. McCain’s disorganized acceptance speech might have been his last best (failed) attempt to connect to voters on the economy and personally.

2. Palin’s star turn might turn out to be her best day as a national candidate.

3. Relations between the McCain campaign and the media have been permanently altered in a way that does not work to the campaign’s advantage – despite the base-rallying benefits.

4. There was not enough explicit separating from President Bush.

5. There was not enough reaching out to independent and swing voters.