One analysis out this morning from the AP spells out the popular assumption that the prolonged Democratic nomination process is upping McCain's chances in the general:
"Every single day, McCain has an opportunity to present himself to the American public as someone with leadership, experience and statesmanship," said Kevin Madden, a veteran of Republican Mitt Romney's 2008 campaign. Meanwhile, he said: "Negative attributes being aired every day are becoming ingrained in people's perceptions about the Democratic candidates and could hurt them in the fall."
I don't like the party infighting any more than the next guy. However, I say never underestimate the short attention span of the average voter. Those of us fully engaged in the race and following the details day-to-day may expect and/or fear the current scandals du jour will stick. However, once we've finally got a nominee, I suspect the superficial wounds will heal quickly, and the party will be just fine.
Let's assume Obama comes out on top. Head-to-head, McCain's going to look old and stale and tired compared to his younger, more vibrant counterpart. We've already seen a preview of how that match is going to play out on TV and online. If Clinton somehow manages to eek (thanks ed) eke out the Democratic nomination, I have no doubt even she could trump McCain. Even the Democrats who claim to hate her may be willing to come around in the privacy of the voting booth faced with the alternative of McCain in charge. Plus, we've now seen her machine in action, and it's vicious.
I think there's a lot of huffing and puffing going on, but come the general - faced with 4 more years of the status quo - Democrats and disgruntled Republicans will hone in on the future and vote with their gut.
I may be naive and doling out too much credit (open can...exit worms), but it is such a long process overall that I can't help but consider that some - if not all - of the petty nonsense swirling around now will be long forgotten by November.
