Here are a dozen,
guaranteed, money back reasons why John McCain won’t be the next
president. (I can only offer a limited-time, money-back guarantee,
since unfortunately I can’t control world events.)

1. The McBush factor. McCain’s support of the Iraq War will make it
impossible for him to break from Bush, the most unpopular president in
living memory. The photo of McCain hugging and being kissed by Bush
will become increasingly embedded in the collective consciousness of
the American people as the months roll on.

2. The Republican factor. Yes, McCain is a Republican. He will not
be able to deny this fact. Currently, this is not the best party to
have behind you in a push to the White House. Witness the recent loss
of three traditionally Republican congressional seats and the declining
number of Americans willing to identify themselves as Republicans. And
then there are the comments of Congressman Tom Davis. “The political
atmosphere facing House Republicans this November is the worst since
Watergate and is far more toxic than it was in 2006” (NY Times, May
15th, 2008).

3. The Last War Syndrome. McCain and the operatives running his
campaign are like generals fighting the last war. They are still
convinced that negative advertising will be as successful against Obama
as it was against Kerry. However, “The Times They are A-Changin.” And
this leads to the next factor.

4. The Change Factor: Hillary tried experience, but this race is
about change and the future. McCain appears to be operating a time
machine that has only a reverse gear.

5. The Money Factor: Obama can raise a lot more, and a lot more quickly…..enough said.

6. The Age Factor: McCain’s age will hurt him. (I am not claiming
that this is fair, but seems to be a fact. Older voters are especially
concerned about McCain’s age.)

7. The Not So Straight-talk Factor: McCain has built his reputation
on being a man of principle. This has two features: he believes in
something and he sticks with what he believes in. McCain has recently
begun to backpedal on principles and commitments. He is vulnerable to
being viewed as a flip-flopper, if not dishonest, which will undermine
his hitherto greatest strength.

8. The Organizational Factor: The evidence thus far suggests that
Obama has a far better campaign organization. There will be a volunteer
gap, that is, Obama will have a lot more of them and they will be more
enthusiastic than McCain’s campaign workers.

9. The Skeleton Factor: The Keating Five and lobbyists, need I say more.

10. The Anger Problem: It’s real.

11. The Crass and Crude Comment Problem: A corollary to the anger
problem. He has made outrageous, crude, sometimes vile remarks, and
most Americans don’t know about them, yet. For examples, see
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/8/17456/91972/887/492360

12. And last, but not least, The Lack of Background in Economics
Factor. McCain has acknowledged that he needs to read up on economics.
Not great for building confidence in a candidate in the midst of a
recession.

Okay, that’s twelve. But let’s make it a baker’s dozen.

13. The “My Friends” Factor. I don’t believe that Americans will be
prepared to live with four or eight years of being addressed by John
McCain as, “My Friends,” especially when it is followed by that rather
strange little grin.

http://msa4.wordpress.com/