McCain’s & Obama’s greatest weaknesses?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The game is on. And voters have two very different candidates to choose from to be our next president. John McCain and Barack Obama presumably won because they were the strongest candidates of their respective parties, but both men have issues they'll have to overcome if they want to win.
Exit polls from the primary season show that both candidates' problems start with the economy – the number one issue for voters this election. McCain and Obama failed to get even half the votes from people worried most about the economy.
When it comes to Republican John McCain, he has his work cut out for him. He never got strong support from the traditional Republican base – people who strongly oppose abortion, are born again or evangelical Christians, or support tough actions against illegal aliens.
Also, even though McCain gets high scores for "experience" – a quality only about 25% of Republicans were looking for, more want a candidate who shares their values – and McCain only managed to get a quarter of them.
As for Obama, he hasn't scored well among working-class whites and Hispanics – getting only about 1 in 3 of each of those group's votes. He also has to get the backing of white Democratic women who heavily supported Hillary Clinton. And, there's the question of race, and whether it will keep voters from supporting Obama. As for voters over 65 years old, that's the age group where Obama was the weakest in the primaries and where McCain did best.
Here’s my question to you: What are John McCain’s and Barack Obama’s greatest weaknesses?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Roy from Idaho writes:
Obama's weakness is 20 years of Rev. Wright and McCain’s is his age.
Darren writes:
Sen. John McCain: too rigid with his warmongering. Sen. Barack Obama: not enough experience, but a well-selected staff could go a long way to bettering that small cloud over the Obama administration.
Keith from Irving, Texas writes:
Unfortunately, Barack's greatest weakness is some Americans will never get past the color of his skin. McCain’s greatest weakness is some Americans will never get past his age.
Kevin from Massachusetts writes:
McCain has his age and his ties to 8 years of a Republican in the White House. It is hard to propose change when you have been in the system for years. Right now, Obama has the Hillary albatross around his neck. Once you get past that, he still has race and limited time in office against him.
Michael writes:
Jack, McCain’s biggest weakness is supporting the war in Iraq and flip-flopping on the Bush tax cuts... His temper and age don’t help either. Obama will appear very weak if he gives into Hillary Clinton and her supporters by putting her on the ticket. Bill Clinton will also be lurking in the shadows. Obama's campaign of change will be a joke!
M. writes:
McCain's greatest weakness is his inarticulate manner of speaking. He misspeaks too often and will do poorly in the debates. Obama's greatest weakness is his articulate manner of speaking. It makes him appear elitist.
Joe from Canada writes:
McCain’s biggest weakness is the current president. Americans want change. I am sorry to say, but Obama’s biggest weakness is the American people. They want change, but not enough.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
1. McCain is too old.
2. Obama is too young.
Me, I prefer the weakness of young.
Mc Cain – suppor of Bush & age. Tndency to make over-the-top statements.
Obama – his freinds and associates Tendency to make statements. to indicating under-lying bias.
Barack strength is Hillary , Veep or Some major role.
She is strong: 1 Million voters stronger than Barack. Yes he got the educated vote, Yes he got the Black vote, yes he got the White voters who have a misguided ax to grind against the Clintons, however she still got more votes than Obama. Oh I forgot She won NY, CA, PA, FL and OH, the Major population areas of this Country. Go ahead and be delusional, Hillary has nothing to loose, Barack advisers better wise up, look at Puerto Rico, NY, Florida and California and the western states as far as Hispanic voters go.
Obama weakness will be to Ignore the obvious
McCain is Just week
McCain's weakness is himself! That rally yesterday was the most absurd thing I have ever seen. He kept batting his eyelashes and winking meanwhile sweat was pouring down his face. The Dems draw thousands and McCain could only muster about 150 people who looked like they were extras in the 'Mummy'. Are you kiddin me? He kept repeating the slogan from Obama's campaign and even the people present there stopped applauding because it was so ridiculous. This man wants to run for President? Instead of President of the United States, he might want to reconsider and run for condo president of Del Vista Boca in Florida.
Wildwood Crest, NJ
McCain... Bush & Flip Flopper
Obama... Clinton, Apalachia, Repub Smear machine, Ignorance of Other people.
Mcain's weakness is that EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE OF THE OPINION THAT IF ELECTED. "HE WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER G.W. BUSH!", thats so unfare, the man has a record of fighting against bushes policies since 2000.
Obama's weakness is that he has absolutly no experience running anything!. if he were a business owner operator that would provide some credentials. he's only been in the senate a couple of years and hasnt done anything exept vote on some issues, and make some poor decissions at that.
sorry Obamaites 😉
McCain's greatest weakness re: election is his age and perhaps not really understanding that times have changed and honor needs to be restored to D. C. Obama has no weaknesses. It seems that there are some U. S. Americans not able to accept the idea of an African-American President. That is a weakness of those people and is unfortunate. If they want to stay poor, they should vote for McCain.
McCain's weakness is himself and his lack of knowledge on the economy. His strength, mmmmmmm, I just don't know.
Barak's strength is his leadership and his ability to recognize goals. His weakness, perhaps he belives people are as forward thinking as he when most are not.
Jack
John McCain and Barack Obama have several weaknesses and not all policy. Let's do personality flaws today. McCain has a strange laugh and personality and you're never sure if he's angry or just laughing at you. Hard to figure out which leaves you with some distrust.
With Obama gaffes or "misstatements" by him, his wife and pastors leave you with an uncomfortable feeling that maybe HIS change is NOT what you may want.
Both candidates need to instill a feeling of TRUST which is currently NOT there. Suspicions still reign high.
McCain- too old and out of touch, no vision for the furture.
Obama- no weakness's to date.
Obama's greatest weakness is that he hasn't told hillary off yet.
mccain's greatest weakness is that he cares nothing for the average american or their struggles.
McCain:Clueless and stuck in his ways.
Obama:Inexperienced and cocky.
McCain's greatest weakness is his constant up hill struggle with the English language.
McCain's also having trouble getting his facts right next to having a firm stand on issues and policies.
Obama's greatest weakness are not having enough seats for everyone one of his supporters going to his rallies.
To gary lee, from sanl is obispo, ca – Obama is a Harvard educated Constitutional Scholar. He gave up a lucrative career to work as a community organizer. He was an Illinois Senator for 4 years and a US senator for 2. He has co sponsored and or authored hundreds of bills. He ran a BRILLIANT positive campaign. Has shown proven sound judgement. He ran against two so call more experienced and known people. He deserved and earned the nomination and no one can take that from him.
McCain's weaknesses: The Bush albatross hanging heavily around his neck and the fact that he can't speak coherenly. He can't even go two sentences without saying "my friends." It drives me crazy to listen to him.
Obama's weaknesses: Hillary Clinton's failure to realize that she LOST the primaries and the bigots who may crawl out of their caves to vote against him. Hopefully, they aren't smart enough to know there is an election going on.
Anne
Texas
Obama .... He has energied this election with change.I believe that he is the one that can reach accross perty lines to get something done in washington.Obama has not/is not corrupted by washington politics like McSame and Clinton has.Obama wants to take this country in a new direction...Bush/McCain's way is not working
McCain ..... he has turn out to be McSame. He is the worst flip-flopper that I've seen ,since GWB. He has been a maverack in his party for years,yet since his win in the GOP race he has embraced most/all of Bush's agenda.This is a concern,for me and should be for america.
Obama's greatest weakness is his lack of experience. McCain's greatest weakness is that he still believes the invasion of Iraq was a good idea.
Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX
McCain greatest weaknesses: Boring,economic policy, boring, weak public speaker,boring, supporter of War in Iraq, boring, Republican, boring, age....and boring!
Obama greatest weakness: Hillary Clinton!
It will depend on who their VP choices will be. McCain's biggest weakness is the War in Iraq. For some reason he just won't let this war go away and he will suffer in November because of that. Obama's biggest weakness is that he is very naive and thin skinned. I am not sure that he can withstand the attacks of the Republican war machine. It will be very interesting and let's hope that whoever is the right person for our country is elected.
McCain's worse quality is his always thinking of everything from a military standpoint which tends to make him a warmonger in my opinion. Example, the 100 years comment. Anyone who likes war is not pro-life as far as I'm concerned, even if they profess to be "pro-life." Pro-life in its true sense means consideration of life from its beginning to its end at death.
O'Bama's greatest weakness, although I hate to criticize my candidate, is that he needs to hit harder against the Republican attack machine. They are going to lie, make up stuff, and do everything to criticize him so he needs to be ready.
McSame’s weakness is his name: McBush. Obama’s weakness is his lack of experience, his untested governing ability and his absurd baggage, which some idiots still think he is carrying, like a certain minister.
McCain needs to stop talking like an old man and trying to use the fear factor in his campain like Bush did.
Obama needs to get with Hilary to fine tune the health care situation and the actual way to get out of Iraq and give them back their own problems so we do not stuck in a civil war.
Paul Austin Texas
McCain's biggest weaknesses are his stance on providing amnesty to 21 million Criminal Aliens, as well as his age.
Obama's greatest weakness is that his liberal-nanny-state politics sucks.
McCain's greatest weaknesses are his age and his devotion to failed policies. Obama's weakness is his youth.
McCain's weaknesses are:
1. Views on the war and foreign policy
2. Alliance to Bush
3. Economic policy that doesn't do much for the majority but for the few
4. He doesn't relate to everyone and other races
5. He is very old
6. He is a horrible public speaker and he has a creepy fake smile
Obama's weaknesses are:
1. Racist, ignorant people who will not vote for him simply because he is black
McCain's weakness is that he ACTUALLY thinks we are his FRIEND! FAT CHANCE!
Obama's weakness is he is so doggone nice that he let Hillary walk all over him. Hopefully he will stand up to the charges made by McSame.
Carol
Knoxville, TN
McCain......Bush
Obama......Rev Wright
McCain’s greatest weakness is his constant up hill struggle with the English language.
McCain’s also having trouble getting his facts right next to having a firm stand on issues and policies.
Obama’s greatest weakness are not having enough seats for everyone of his supporters going to his rallies.
McCain’s weakness is his mindless adherence to failed Bush policies. Obama’s, like it or not, is his race. There are still too many sick people who can’t get past skin color in this country.
Mcain is old school Obama is new school.
"Robin, Henderson Nevada June 4th, 2008 1:53 pm ET
Barack strength is Hillary , Veep or Some major role."
-------------------
How is Hillary his strength, when she tried to destroy him with her Kitchen Sink strategy, double-teaming him with Bill, etc.? The good news is that he was already strong enough to win while not lowering himself to her standards.
In other words, whereas negative attacks have always worked in the past (remember Willie Horton?), he has changed the game so that the negative attacks no longer work.
We should be asking the same question about Hillary. Her biggest weakness is her husband Bill!
I think you can highlight both of there weaknesses around the concept of change. John McCain's weakness is that too many people see him as Bush's 3rd term. They want a real change in policy and don't see that happening with McCain. Obama's problem is that he is not specific. I've been following the election for over a year now and all I hear from Obama is Change, Change, Change. However Obama has not once been specific on the changes he will make. I want to know what he's going to change, how he is going to change it, and why he feels that it needs to be changed. Sooner or later people are going to realize that they don't really know what Obama will do as president and fear of the unknown will keep them from voting.
For McCain it is both the man he is attempting to replace and the number of position changes he's made to accomodate the Bush agenda the last six years.
For Obama it is the unknown. He hasn't been on the national scene long enough to be fully vetted so we can only wonder what, besides Reverand Wright, resides in his closet.
I think by the election time McCain will be able to distance himself from Bush. After all Bush showed his real chacter when he was younger and choose not to serve. That was when we all had choices and their was a chance for real courage not the hype you hear on the news.
Obama will have to define himself to most since he has not ever had to make a choice and choose not to make one that really counted. You can say he has a perfect track record of doing nothing, that would make him a good choice for the Republican party. A lot better than Mc Cain.
If you watched McCain's speech last night and paid attention to the underlining of the details from it, you would have noticed that every line he stated was a lie, mistreatment, of misrepresentation of Obama's views. He states that Obama is is not being specific, what a lie. He is clear on his proposals and does not have catch phrases like McCain likes to make. Obama was serious about the issues and McCain kept on laughing and attacking.
McCain does not want to debate Obama because as we have noticed, McCain is a poor speaker that only sticks to the talking points that are written for him by either the Bush administration or the lobbyist in his campaign. He cannot think on his own and needs people to remind him like we saw Lieberman do when talking about Iran.
Obama's weakness is that he is to smart and no one gets logical reasonable solutions. People continue to vote for who the feel comfortable with like the did against Al Gore, John Kerry, and like they suggest with Obama. All these candidates are smart and reasonable and the American people are not willing to use there brains when coming up with a well thought out decision pertaining to their needs.
Just remember it was the Bush administration that was in power on 9/11, the intelligence agencies tried to warn them about the case about Iran but they cherry picked, they did not listen and take action about Katrina, they have expanded the size of government, they are not fiscally conservative, they have create a huge debt, they have taken your civil liberties away, they have ruined our reputation around the world, they are responsible for everything that has happened.
And during Katrina what was the Bush administration doing, they were celebrating McCain's birthday.
McCain does not want to debate Obama because as we have noticed, McCain is a poor speaker that only sticks to the talking points that are written for him by either the Bush administration or the lobbyist in his campaign. He cannot think on his own and needs people to remind him like we saw Lieberman do when talking about Iran.
John McCain has swift boat load of weaknesses: His alignment with
GW Bush policies, his record of flip flopping on so many issues he makes John Kerry look like the stay the course guy, problems with his
own base particularly the religious right, and often making quite stupid
remarks. I think flip flopping might be his biggest weakness though,
but that might play into the larger category of credibility.
Barrack Obama's biggest weakness is his inexperience, but at least
what experience he's had has not been nearly as detrimental as
McCain's.
"Michelle, Baltimore June 4th, 2008 2:16 pm ET
McCain……Bush
Obama……Rev Wright"
--------------
Rev. Wright is no longer a big deal, because he's now a known quantity. The Republicans tried to tie Rev. Wright to other Democratic candidates last month, and the Democrats won anyway.
Rev. Wright is old news, and willl get even older as the campaign wears on. However, we are constantly reminded of Bush's incompetence every time we go to the grocery store and pay $1.00 a pound for rice!
John McCain is old and Barack Obama is black, and neither can do anything about it.
Jack,
McCain's greatest weakness is McCain, while Obama's greatest weakness is Clinton...or should i say Clintons after Bill's "slimey" tirade the other day.
Senator McCain
He reminds me of Dr. Evil right out of the Austin Powers series. He looks like him and when he uses his two hands to make those exclamation gestures I can't help but laugh. Sorry Jack, I just don't see Senator McCain being in the same league as Barack Obama.
Senator Obama
Loyalty to a fault may hurt him from time to time. I personally find it refreshing to see a candidate that remains on an even keel and takes the high road when most wouldn't.
Whether people want to admit it, McCain is too old and have senile moments. He has a temper too.
Obama will be haunted by Rev. Wright and the fact that some whites think that as president, he will be doing all this stuff for black.
Karl Rove already is waiting on the wings with enough of Obama's faults to help McCain run a campaign that doesn't touch the real issues.
The Democrats need a strategist as cutthroat and nasty as Karl Rove to find all the McCain weaknesses – or they'll lose once again.
mccain is not believable on anything he says.barack is a black man,in a white man's world.i'll put my money on the black man.by the way,i'm a whitey/first american half breed.
McCain: his weakness is his encouragement for a war that is killing many of our family members and his sick dangling of the hope that one day they will return, when clearly, he does not mean it because the interests of the republican party is more important than the lives of OUR family members (not theirs).
Obama: His weakness unfortunately is that many of the white supremacists that Hillary unintentionally, yet knowingly allowed to support her, will turn to the only white candidate left, because Barack is African American. Also, the ignorance of an America which is so accustomed to fear and hate mongering campaigns, as well as propaganda for a ultimately purposeless war, voter ballot manipulating, and special interest serving presidents, that Americans do not know what to do with the first candidate that campaigns with truthfulness, respect, concern, and humility.
John McCain's greatest weakness is the ease with which we can research his positions on policy and see that he repeatedly revises his own history.
Barack Obama's chief weakness is that the media continually recites right-wing talking points that he is inexperienced and liberal, as facts. He can't even criticize the media for doing this, as they don't take criticism well.
McCain's biggest weakness is how often he has changed his mind and policies over the last four years, he voted for and then against, lowering taxes for the rich, veterans benefits and even torture.
Obama's greatest weakness is not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem and not wearing a flag pin, in which he's already fixed.
Jack, the question isn't clear as to what you want. As for electablity, I'd say McCain's weaknesses are his age, his party, and his position on Iraq. I'd say Obama's weaknesses are his race and .....hmmm, I'm sure there's something else but it slips my mind.
Jack,
Mccain's too angry, and Obama's not angry enough!
McCain will struggle with his 95% similarity to Bush and his policies, especially on Iraq. His advanced age and occasional gaffes will not be an issue of substance in this election, at least not by the official Obama campaign.
Obama will be hit hardest on inexperience, political naivety and his label as a liberal, anti-American elitist. Unfortunately this stereotype will be best reinforced by the Republicans from youtube mashups of Hillary Clinton during the primary season.
For every person who will not vote for obama because of skin color, there are two or three who will not because he is "too different". Whether they wrongly beleive he is a muslim, a socialist, a snob, or whatever, he has to persuade people who want someone who is more "like them".
John McCain fits that mold nicely, but the Republican party has spent more than a decade hiding behind gay-marriage, immigration, and the war on terror while they ran up huge, non-productive debts. "Tax-cuts" are always potent words in a campaign, but they aren't a plan, and McCain won't get elected without a plan.
Thanks Jack. At the end of the day, all Americans must show respect for the seat that our President occupies. The seat has no disciminating power whatsoever. When it comes to personalities and
professional qualifications neither nominee's strengths or weaknesses will be affected by the seat he occupies.
President Bush was a C student at Yale, a drug abuser and a failed businessman in both the oil and sports industries. In private life Bush had lost millions but has made recompense for his share of his family's legacy through the Presidency, along with the help of Vice-President Cheny's savvy as a businessman and political ally; which
should more than adequately inform nominee Obama's current dillema in selecting a VP running mate. In the immediate analysis, Obama's only weakness is his Blackness and Mc Cain's only weakness is his age. You don't have to like either one of them for these weaknesses, just respect them.
Wayne
Peachtree City, GA.
I think that each of the candidates suffers from a lack of the ability to really communicate their positions. His oratory will loose many of the people he is trying to capture and hides his program details under the gilding of rousing speach.
Mccain looks so uncomfortable when speaking, people are apt to miss the message he is trying to convey.
Sadly Obama's skin color matters to people who are smart enough to know better, so they offer up silly excuses about why not to support him, even in the liberal Pacific Northwest.
McCain's age has to matter. I know someone who just spent 10 days in Ireland. She said they were all pumped up about this race and she was asked more than once, "Are Americans really going to elect that almost-dead guy?"
The weaknesses of Barack Obama (foreign policy, experience, indecisiveness) and John McCain (the youth vote, age, too ingrained with the D.C.-ideal) will each be solved in the traditional manner, the promise of a strong cabinet. It's the way all Presidencies in recent history have been "solved" and its the way the up and coming Presidency will be configured as well.
Serious answer:
Obama – Lack of foreign policy experience
McCain – Lack of economic experience
Reality:
Obama – Bill and Hillary
McCain – G W Bush
Let the games begin!!!!!
McCain
I don't know how the republicans can pick such as poor candidate as the nominee. He he absolutely clueless when it come to the economy and he is by far too old. Not to mention he flip flop on nearly every issue.
Obama
Has questionable associations. However, I don't believe that he shares the values of his pastors and William Aries. I hope the voters in KY, WV, central PA and eastern OH can look at the IL senator as an American who has the nations best interest at hand.
Obama's greatest weakness is perception. Maybe because of race, people seem to be willing to believe almost anything about him. He's Amish, his wife hates asparagus, whatever.He is vulnerable to groundless attacks because some people are looking for a reason to distrust him. For McCain the greatest weakness is his basic lack of understanding regarding most issues. If he thinks the economy has been doing pretty well, our health care system is pretty good, veterans don't need improved benefits, the war in Iraq will somehow be a victory, then he is not only out of touch with people, he's out of touch with reality.
McCain's greatest personal weakness is that he is not really very smart and therefore tends to get very angry and make poor decisions. His greatest polical weakness is his link to Bush/Cheney policies.
Obama's greatest personal weakness is overanalysis and being overly clever. His greatest political weakness is racial combined with his linkage to angry rabble rousers who tend to support him.
I think Senator McCain's greatest weakness is how much he has distanced himself from the GOP's conservative base over the years. It might come back to bite him if he doesn't work it out soon.
As for Senator Obama, His greatest weakness is his relatively short time in office. He has much less experience, and much less evidence on record of what Americans really want, and that's a solid BiPartisan cooperation.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the one with more BiPartisan activities, and McCain is the chairman for that sentiment.
Obama – His Wife and Liberal Record
McCain – His Age and Temper
McCain's greatest weakness is George W. Bush. I think McCain's comment about staying in Iraq 100 years will cost him the election. Obama's greatest weakness is Hillary Clinton. Until he tells her to shut up and sit down, he will not be in control of his party and his campaign... and a person who can't take charge of things, when needed, should not be President. John McCains' best chance of being elected is if Hillary is the dems VP choice. But, Jack, why didn't you ask us what each candidate's STRENGTHS are??? Why is this discussion framed in negative terms????
Obama's weakness is easily described in one word. Experience. The lack of experience Obama has will be his greatest weakness. When was the last time you heard any successful company hire a high schooler to head their business over someone who had some experience through training or certification? That's right, I didn't think you could find an answer for that one. Obama is so far inexperienced that it's concerning. Being the President of United States is not defined by the ability to give great speeches with the help of a glass teleprompter.
The Obama brand is not as well known. The McCain brand is too well entrenched in "old" politics.
The greatest weaknesses for both are former presidents – For Obama, Bill Clinton and for John McCain, the soon to be former president, George W.
McCain – It's too easy to look past his accomplishements and vote for Obama
Obama – It's too easy to look past his accomplishements and vote for McCain
Jack, McCain's greatest weakness is his failure to truly understand the need for true change both at home or abroad. At the same time Obama's weakness is his inexperience, which may interfere with his ability to understand the needs of our country and the responsibilies as its President.
Obama's weakness is going to be trying to cater too and woo those die hard hillary lunatic supporters to support him
Mccain's weakness is he can't fully lift up both of his arms past his shoulders, and all of his policy issues relating to the economy, national security, wresolution to the war in Iraq, healthcare, and just about everything needed to make this country prosperous and and world power again.
Jack,
Obama’s greatest weakness is his lack of experience.
McCain’s greatest weakness is that he has too much experience.
Obama seeks to change the paradigm of business in Washington. While McCain regardless of what he says, is the paradigm in Washington. The voters in essence have to ask themselves, “What is the right experience for Washington?” Answer: If the lobbyists don’t have your phone number, come on down to DC we have a got a job for you!
McCain's greatest weakness is the McCain of 2000 whom he no longer resembles but many of us remember.
Obama's greatest weakness is that he is still unknown to too many people who fear change.
The difference is that people will have an opportunity during the general election campaign to get to know more about Obama.
McCain:
1. Age is going to work against him
2. Lack of economic foresight
Obama:
1. Pragmatic but tries too much to please everyone.
2. Has set everyone’s expectations too high
Hillary Clinton is Obama's biggest weakness at the moment. She has stirred up so many lies and distortions amongst her supportes they actually buy into her lies that she was mistreated and there was some conspiracy against her when in fact it was her negative campaign and the Clintons's distasteful past in the White House that has many distrustful of her.
McCain's weakness is that he is a man of war. Everything that comes from this man's mouth is military related, he has no other comfort zone. I truly believe that he will bring back the draft, keep the military bigger taking away from America's badly damaged infrastructure. He does not acknowledge any other Americans unless they are Veterans. He cares nothing about the economy and healthcare reform. He has his wife's money to keep him cushioned so he can play with his tools of war while the rest of us will suffer greatly. If he becomes president we will be in a war with Iran before you can say McBush McSame 100yr WAR McCain. Please America no country for this angry old man
McCain: 1. Saying "My friends"–it drives me crazy.
2. Campaign organizers–they promoted the fiasco that started his general election run last night. I agree with Toobin–it was the worst Presidential campaign speech that I have ever heard or seen.
Obama: Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Party
Barrack’s weakness could be the older generation. Maybe most of them are still living in the 60’s or before. But McCain has a real problem not with just voter’s Jack. Last night I sat on the couch watching his speech- I started nodding off. I thought to my self is this a guy that Americans want speaking to foreign leaders he trips up his words (like George Bush), even while reading a telepromter, his words, he might put them to sleep. The speech was boring!
McCain's greatest weakness is his age.
Barack's greatest weakness is his race.
Neither are "weaknesses" per se, but these glaring characteristics will be exploited in some way or fashion by both parties and average Americans.
What made major news for both of them tells you all you need to know. For McCain was his health report. His alleged affair with another woman was put on the back page because people impliedly assumed he was not physically up to the task to even have the affair.
For Obama was his relationship with Reverend Wright. The big undercurrent in his campaign is "Is America ready to elect a black man as President"?, which speaks to the fear that a black candidate would only represent the interests of African Americans or would do some "radical" things in the country.
Both baloney that we need to put behind and focus on the massive problems the Bush administration left for America.
McCain's weakness is the transformation of who he was in 2000 to who he is now in 2008 (polar opposite). Anybody heard about his economic advisor who lobbied for years for UBS and terroists states?
Obama's weakness is the fear people have of putting someone untested and unfamiliar in the white house.
Hopefully people will be able to compare and contrast an economic advisor who lobbied for the banks that have facilitated the mortgage crisis (and they weren't even Americans) or a guy who had your regular, relatively standard south-side Chicago preacher (white or black)
When Hillary stops campaigning agaisnt Obama he will do much better in these demographics. McCain will not. McCains support will go lower now that Obama is the nominee. The difference will be obvious within two weeks.
McCain … way to much experience ! … bought
Obama … less experienced … unlikely to be bought
Obama is too nice
McCain is really really really really really really really really really really really really really really old, out of touch, and weird (did you see that laugh during his speech last night? how would you like to see that in a dark parking lot?)
McCain's biggest weakness has got to be his support for the war in Iraq. Try as he might to distance himself from the Bush administrations execution of the war, I would still call on him to explain how he would have JUSTIFIED the invasion, given that it is now a well accepted fact that the entire basis for the was was a series of lies. If McCain still supports the concept or our invasion of Iraq (as he has admitted), then he should be called upon to clearly state his reasons.
Obama's biggest liability will be the "Swift Boat Veterans for Lies" and similar groups. They will stop at nothing to smear him, as they did with John Kerry, and there are enough stupid people in this country who will listed to these lies and not spend the time and energy to investigate their basis.
Weaknesses:
Obama – nobody knows what he'll do
McCain – everybody knows what he'll do
Obama's biggest weakness is that je is black in a country has a lot more racists than anyone wants to admit.
McCains biggest weakness is that he is a Republican.
The greatest weakness that both candidates have is that, if elected, they will have the task of correcting the mistakes of a president who has literally dragged the United States through the streets.
The issues and old age are McCain's enemy. Inexperience and the perception of elitism work against Obama.
It's pretty obvious.
Obama's biggest weakness is Hillary Clinton. The fact that she will not withdraw creates this feeling of resentment and hate from her supporters and it also takes away from his nominee status.
McCain's weakness is the simple fact that he is a republican. Plus, he has adopted most of President Bush's policies. I personally believe that the Republican brand is dying.
I think McCain's weakness should be evident to anyone looking at a photo of McCain and then comparing it to a younger, more "Kennedy-esque" photo of Obama.
As far as Obama's weakness? Well according to McCain I guess we still don't know yet since we're "still getting to know Obama".
Marie
NYC
Obama's biggest weekness is his perceived lack of experience. He will have to do something, such as surrounding himself with "veterans" of the Washington "game", that will show the American people he is capable of handling any issue he may face or know where to go to get it handled.
McCain's biggest weekness is the perception that he will be a continuation of Bush. He also does not have the presentation and communication skills that Obama has.
McCain- too close to Bush
Obama- too naive
I prefer the naive one.
Andrea in Miami writes:
The cheshire cat fake grin and sneering laugh seen in his speech last night for McCain; that was a horrible sight!! I used to respect McCain, until he morphed into this right wing Cheshire Cat straight out of Alice and Wonderland.
For Obama, all the real and manufactured issues from his "friend" Hillary Clinton... McCain being better prepared, his "elitism," the Rev, it goes on and on. With friends like that.....
Jack the greatest Weakness of Obama's Maybe his expirence or lack thereof .... However The Greatest Weakness for Jhon MCcain maybe his Expirence ..... one who doesn't Have a Whole Lot and One who has so Much of it that it will Be poured over in the genral election .
What Americans will seek in this Election will be profound in thier desire for Change vs Expirence.
Obama:
1. Only recently has stepped on to the national stage, many still don't really know him.
2. As much as his ability to understand people and the world around him a very intuitive way would make him an excellent foreign policy president, is sorely lacking experience and credibility in that area. He would need a VP who can compensate, such as a Bill Richardson.
3. The fact that he is part African-American is still an issue for a number of voters, albeit a smaller fraction of these voters would vote for a democrat anyway.
McCain:
1. He is on the wrong side of the polls on a number of key issues, including healthcare and foreign policy towards Iran.
2. He is playing a dangerous double game by emphasizing that he is different from President Bush and talking about the "right kind of change", while at the same time embracing nearly all of Bush's policies, including the ones he initially disagreed with. This will be a major point that the democrats will attack him on.
3. He is running on the ticket of the same party that is just coming out of what could easily be argued as the worst presidency in the history of modern U.S. politics. Furthermore, he's running at a time where the republican party is in the process of finding it's identity and doesn't have a clear message or vision that all Americans can relate to.
The Sad thing is Both of these Candidates are going to owe there election to the special intrest groups!!! That is who gives them the money to run these campaigns. They can promise this or that but in the end most of these promises are empty!!! It is time for a third party!!! A peoples party! No matter how much they claim to be for you the peolple don't let it fool you. These candidates will be for the special interests not for you or me!!!
Sick and tired of Lies
Joe Simpson Abilene, Tx
McCain's greatest weakness: He's uninspiring and dull
Obama's greatest weakness: Hillary and Trinity
In terms of electibility, Barack's greatest weakness is that he is Black and McCain's is that he's old.
Harold
Missouri
McCain – Stance on the war in Iraq and abortion, and people's perception that electing McCain would be a 3rd term of Bush.
Obama – Lack of experience. It's hard to come up with more weaknesses than that since he's done very little in his political career, and that's what's scary. I guess fear of the unknown somes that up.
weakness
McCain – Bush II
Obama – Hillary Clinton
1) Obama is too young
2) McCain too old
But both of them have something that nobody talk about.
They are both lefthanded. So we know that the next president is going to come from a minority. Maybe we will soon have cars, books, ... for lefthanded.
Obama's weakness..........Hillary Clinton
McCain's weakness..........Barack Obama
McCain's foot in his mouth is his greatest weakness and too bad but Hillary is Obama's greatest weakness, along with his inexperience. There were too many votes cast for Hillary, she barely lost, and with a lost of just taking away votes that she really got is a shame on the democratic party. I will sit out this year with my vote, they just might give it to McCain and I'd be really mad.
McCain's weakness is his wishy-washy politically expedient flip-flopping that flies in the face of his reputation as a maverick who acts on principle.
Obama's weakness is his reputation for being aloof and elite that flies in the face of his humble upbringing and decades of work as a public servant.
McCain – Stance on the war in Iraq and abortion, and people’s perception that electing McCain would be a 3rd term of Bush.
Obama – Lack of experience. It’s hard to come up with more weaknesses than that since he’s done very little in his political career, and that’s what’s scary. I guess fear of the unknown sums that up.
John McCain's biggest weakness is he can't get conservatives to vote for him and Barack Obama's main weakness is by attempting to please everyone he ends up pleasing no one. I will be voting Libertarian.
McCain is a continuation of George Bush
Obama has Hillary still biting his ankle.
Obama's weakness. He has a big heart!
McCain's weakness. He thinks that people actually listen to him!!
This undecided voter in NY thinks that
McCain's weakness is that he's uncharismatic; So to me it doesn’t matter how experienced he is he doesn’t have the personality to convince me about anything.
Obama’s weakness is that when it's crunch time I don’t think he has it in him to make the hard, correct choices; But he’s so charming and charismatic I might not care.
Clinton's weakness is that she's no longer in the race.OOPS!
Tasha
Westchester, NY
Who is Barack Obama?
he just needs to keep complimenting her and talking about how historic her run was. it'll help differentiate between her stubbornness and show his attempts at unity.
For McCain – it's Bush and the war
For Obama – it's Apalachia
To Darlene,
Obama may be Harvard educated but his career was really not that lucrative, one. Two, you apparently have not looked at his voting record on the state or national level.
McCain: In 2004, McCain hitched his ride to the Bush administration thinking he would need to be aligned with the preisdent on the War, the economy, and social issues to try and get Bush's donors, supporters, and mojo, for a run in '08. It's so obvious looking at his record and public statements since then. Something happened though. Bush became the most unpopular president ever, and it's going to be hard for McCain to show that he is the same guy who was a 'maverick' and now has no real differences between Bush and himself.
Obama: There is no real record to run on. The right wing will throw everything at him, which will hurt, but ultimately the biggest hurdle will be convincing the masses that someone who has only been in the public limelight for a short period of time is ready to take on the presidency.
McCain's greatest weakness: Age, cluelessness, a mean-spiritedness that radiates from him like the Mississippi high tide, playing dumber to George Bush's dumb.
PT
Austin, Texas
They both share the same weakness. They both feel entitled to what they have.
MCCain puts people to sleep
They allow poorly educated people, possibly criminals, vote for Obama.
Jack,
John McCain's greatest weaknesses are his stubborness in claiming victory in Iraq and his total lack of understanding about the subject of the economy.
Barack Obama's biggest weakness may be our own racial predjudices. I hope I'm wrong.
Robert
North Port, FL
Mccain has to many weakness to mention here, the least of which is he is a Bush through and through. Obama offers at least some hope for change.
Baracks weakness is that he's incredible an a breath of fresh air from all the political crap that we have had to deal with over the past 8
years....
McCain's weakness is that he's too old and he's all the same
as what we've been dealing with for the past 8 years...I'm enjoying
this one Jack....its been a sad 8 years.....
Gerard in Michigan
McCain has weak oratory skills and will be dragged down by his close alignment with Bush on a multitude of issues. He's also too old and his ideas are out of date.Obama's greatest weakness is his former associations with people on the fringe of society and his reluctance to distance himself from them. His youth is a big advantage for him in a match up with McCain. Obama should win this match by a wide margin.
Obama's weakness (and greatest challenge): Hillary's supporters. He has an uphill mountain to climb and the longer Hillary holds out her concession and stand up (and be the leader she is) and unify the party, her supporter's will be angry for a tad longer and that anger will lead right into the general election and those votes will be counted for McCain.
McCain weakness: He's a very boring speaker. I listened to his speech last night and almost fell asleep. He better get some enthusiam behind his voice and his talk if he is going to debate Obama. Obama will blow him right out of the water in debates.
McCains second weakness: Get a campaign slogan that is YOURS and that YOUR TEAM crafted. "A Leader You Can Believe IN". Is he serious with that slogan. Sounds way too familiar and sounds like he stole that slogan from somewhere or someone. I wonder who???
Obama – He'll need to get specific, also lack of basic understanding of the economic impact of tax policy.
McCain – Age (sorry, it's showing) and too many years in the Senate -ever notice that no one with a significant track record in the legislative branch inside the beltway has won a Presidential election in the era of modern communications.
John McCain is John McCain's greatness weakness.
The "Hillary Clinton situation" is Barack Obama's greatess weakness.
McCain is as old as Methuseleh and his thinking reflects it.
Obama is youthful and hopeful and his thinking reflects that, as well.
Both can be considered weaknesses, but I'll take youthful and hopeful anyday.
They both look awfully weak next to the vastly superior qualifications of Hillary. She should run as an Independent and show the world who we, the people, want for president, as opposed to who the media decided to usher to the nomination. HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT. She is the only one who is qualified at this time.
McCain, like Bush, is tied down to the idea of victory in Iraq. Without understanding that losing is a possibility, and an honorable one if it can spare countless lives and dollars, then McCain will continue to be weakened by his determination to stay the course. Obama, on the other hand, needs to stay firm in the Middle East even if Iraq is a lost cause.
Obama's greatest weakness is that he is supported mostly by only Black and very young and other voters greatly outnumber this group.
McCain's greatest weakness is his age which anyone looking for an excuse not to vote for him will use.
McCain's- Lack of concern for the middle-class
Obama's- Lack of experience in foreign affairs.
Since the United States no longer garners the respect of the world, I think we should start by fixing the domestic issues first, primarily our economy.
They have the same weakness: lack of party unity behind them. McCain suffers from a lack of conservative enthusiasm and Obama is currently plagued by lack of support amongst the Clinton radicals. The battle in this election won’t be over independents, it will be for who can best keep their party intact and drive them to the polls in November.
Jack,
John McCain's single greatest weakness is the war in Iraq.
It was authorized on a lie, waged on a series of changing lies and was lost as soon as it was started.
The claim that we are winning the war now is itself an election campaign lie.
The American people have seen through it.
The November election will be a route.
Barack Obama has no weaknesses. We've all sat around and pontificated on pledged delegates and super delegates, sexism and racism, but when the chips were laid down, the uncertainty vanished in a puff of smoke.
The Democrats have to win this election. For the sake of the country, the world and the planet.
Each has major weaknesses: One is a Democrat and the other is a Republican. Hopefully when the next Presidential election rolls around Jack, you'll be asking us what the 3rd party candidate's weaknesses are.
Obama's weakness is his lack of exposure to the nation. This will be fixed once the Hillary issue goes to the back burner and he gets to talk to people. Lots of candidates have little exposure to the national scene and get elected. And some have too much and can't get elected.
McCain's weakness is he is too old. Unfortunately, he can't fix that.
54 year old white male and a support of Barack Obama,.
Obama- Hillary not conceding her defeat. McCain-Is the mirror image of our so called command-in-chief which will continue a third Bush term.
McCain is not a leader, never has been. He's a Republican vote in the Senate ...when his power colleagues tell him what to vote.
Obama's "weakness" is not his. It is the ignorance and lack of vision of a great number of Democrats. Its a question of timing. He arrived on the scene as the vangard of a new age and there are still many Dem. voters who must get their kids to program the VCR or DVD player.
John McCain's weakness, or at least one of them, is the fact that his
timing is bad. If he had defeated Bush the first time around, he
might be our lame-duck President.
Obama's weakness is that he can't be sure about a very large part
of the Democratic electorate. He not only has to battle McCain, but
some of his own party.
Jack,I think Obama gave in too the RIGHT WING too easy on his
PASTORS McBush looks & sounds too muck like Geo.W Bush.
Jack,
Obama's greatest weakness is the media's coverage of his campaign. This is because he has no greatest weakness, which means the media will be free to invent reasons in the future, similar to the absurd pastor problems they've reported on in the past that proved incapable of even budging his support, though the media continually referred to such "problems" as potential deal-breakers.
McCain's greatest weakness is his voluntary adherence to Bush's agenda. The 2000 John McCain could have a great chance of beating Obama. The 2008 McCain is a washed up old bag who has flip-flopped from maverick to Bush clone in a matter of mere months. This will be his demise.
Brian Rich
Moscow, Idaho
Oh, Jack I think we should just all get along, hug our neighbors, start a camp fire and sit around with our cappuccinos and sing coombiyah. Both have to many problems to list but somehow we will all vote for our impression of the best of two evils. It's politics so anything can and will happen.
Although I wanted to vote for OBAMA during the MI election, I voted for McCain because I figured that he is the easiest for the Democrats to beat come November. McCain is the same as Bush but not as smart and with a foul mouth and nasty temper.
Jim, MI
Self is everyone's weakness. The question is, how well one can put aside he's or her self to truly service others.
Which John McCain? 2005 McCain I would have voted for. 2008 McCain not a chance. Reduce taxes (on the lucky few that make enough to count) and reduce spending (for most). What's this equal? Nothing good for education, roads and rails, the housing situation.
Privatize health care? So then we let those that are investing for large funds (like say on OIL FUTURES) decide what goes on in our future. Nice work. Great, I've always wanted to play a character in Grapes of Wrath.
Obama-Wants you to foot the bill for people who don't feel like working for their health care (But somehow can always afford to customize their honda civics with chrome mufflers and thousand dollar rims)
McCain-First president who may be crazy enough to push the button
I'll roll my dice on the nuclear holocaust in hopes that my taxes don't go up.
Jack, There is not much he can do now, without ruffling more feathers, so for now the best thing he can do is to completely ignore her existence.
During Senator Clintons campaign, she said that she would not quit, nor would she bow out, until the time that one of the two candidates reached the magic number. Well Hillary, your opponent has not only reached it, but is well passed the number, so please explain to me what part of " YOU LOST " don't you understand.
I sincerely believe that had the shoe been on the other foot, she would have been yelling for his head, for the past 24 hours.
Bob
Canada
McCain's weakness: his plan
Obama's weakness: explaining his plan.
McCain is too old and out of touch with today's world.
Obama is of the moment. He is a product of today's world, not our parents generation. His leadership style is collaborative, but make no mistake, he has amazingly keen judgement and shows again and again he is able to cut through the political games and start to actually take some action and get things done. I truly believe that he IS CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN! It's time he gets the complete respect from the Democrats. Hillary showed her real character last night with her speech. How about showing some respect to Barack, Hillary??
Clinton is responsible for Obama's biggest weakness. She has run her campaign in the last couple months as a battle cry against the media, obama's camp, and the dnc and has solidified her supporters into believing they were robbed out of this nomination. Those voters will be hard to win back. McCain's problem is that with 80% of the public saying we are heading in the wrong direction, he can't offer many specifics on how his policies will be different from the same Bush policies that got us here.
They have equally strong liabilities at the moment.
McCain's is named Bush, Obama's is named Clinton(s). One's isn't redeemable, the other's is.
Mc Cain is too old – we can do nothing with that.
Obama is not white – we have nothing to do with that.
Two "weaknesses", one choice – OBAMA.
Mc Cain's is that his policies are too much like that of the current Bush administration.
Obama's is the lack of support from the Clinton wing of the party.
Senator Mc Cain – we know is just 4 years more of Bush.
Senator Obama – once the people see, meet, read his history with
truths not lies, knowing that he is truly an True
American (White & Black), closer to the common
grounds. And, really wants to bring the people into the government and all the important issues surrounding them.
People and even the elected presidents in any country forget sometimes that presidency is simply a job serving the interests of the country and its people. This carelessness does not help the people and the presidents either. A group of people looks at the race and other weaknesses which are not relevant to the purpose of the job.
Obama at least does not have any weaknesses which cannot be taken care of. There will be a lot of well experienced expertise who will help him in his administration. I don’t see any chances for McCain to win the general election. It’ll be a landslide victory for Obama, as News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch predicted.
Shafi Alam
Austin, Texas
Now Tokyo, Japan
McCain's single weakness is the Iraq War.
Obama's single weakness is that he ran against Hillary Clinton. She alienated and divided the democratic party so much that it has hurt his campaign beyond repair (and she is not finished yet).
Both Obama and McCain can't do anything about their weaknesses. It's Team America that loses in the end.
As of right now, Hillary is Barack's greatest weakness with her lack of support for the Democratic nominee. McCain's biggest weakness is his age. He's attempting to jump on the change bandwagon, but his his age puts him at risk of losing his voter base if he changes too much in an attempt to attrack younger voters.
Obama's greatest weakness is that there is still a hard-core racist element in this country. To prove my point, a relative of mine who is a white male, highly educated and even was an educator for nearly 30 years with a Master's Degree in History, said the following when it was evident that Senators Obama and Clinton were the two democratic nominees:
"Well it looks like the Democrats have done it again, offering nothing but a woman or a ni**er as candidates." He is, of course, a Republican.
McCain's greatest weakness is the Republican Party and its hardcore base of neo-fascists.
McCain's weakness is his age and if he wins and interrupts my soap operas with one of his boring speeches and starts off by saying "MY Friends" I am not going to feel that friendly about him! At least if you are going to interrupt he needs to learn how to give speeches! Obama weakness is that he might have to be a bit more stronger especially with Hillary. I know he"s tough but sometimes he seems too nice!
I believe McCain has simply shown himself to be nothing more than a hypocrite. Although his voting record shows he's aligned himself with Bush policies some 91% of the time, all of a sudden he is trying to tout his stark differences between himself and Bush. His change is the kind of change one sees in a chameleon.
Jack,
John McCain's weaknesses are Bush, Rove, Gramm, and all the other lobbyist that work on his campaign. If you are going to distance yourself...then don't hire the same people. He is following the same Contract Politics agenda of this adminisrtation; Iraq, big business contracts and bail outs, and the average guy needs to look out for himself. After all the "American people can bounce back during the most trying times." It's a shame big business can't and needs the government ot help in trying times.
Barrack Obama's weakness is Hillary Clinton. He has to give her time to adjust to her loss. I thought this woman was a fighter? I thought it took strengthen to admit when your defeated? Where's the person who crosses party lines, now? She can't even go across the aisle to sat; "Congratulations." And people want someone like this as a Vice President? If he does this will be his biggest weakness? He won't have to worry about a "October surprise".......Hilaary's it.
The World says McCain's weakness is: Economical (Bush) Policy, War (Bush) Policy, Energy (Bush) Policy, Education (Bush) Policy, Foreign (Bush) Policy, and Age!
The Republican Attack Machine says Obama's weakness is: Youth, Hope, Change, and Unity!
I am terrified of McCain (Bush) weaknesses and I gladly welcome Youth, Hope, Change, and Unity!
Last night I wondered if McCain was really alive. He looked like a windup doll. Obama is sooo enthusiastic, he runs headlong into the fray without hesitation. But hey, I'd rather see someone running for a change without checking the CEOs & CFO's for the proper rules. I can't run anymore(I'm closer to McCain's age) but I sure like to see someone doing it for me.
Firstly, I was appalled at Cafferty's reading of e-mail responses on the air in the past hour which all were negative about Hillary Clinton.
McCain and Obama both share the same weakness. Neither of them can bring to the election process the excitement that Hillary Clinton could. I believe that the media has missed it once again and I, a life long Democrat , will be staying home in November. It's clear to me that no matter how far we think we've come in breaking gender barriers woman still have decades to go in having to prove themselves equal to men.
This years primary experience has turned me into an avid feminist and no, I'm not uneducated and I don't wear pastel pantsuits and I'm not working class but I will not be voting for any man this year or perhaps ever again until woman are treated fairly and without bias from the media. Shame on all of you.
Hey Gary Lee, I guess you don't understand that McCain fought against the Bush policies because he was angry that the nomination was stolen from him. Now he is just best friends with ol' W and loves everything he does. All his policies he pretty much wants to keep. Name something he's totally against that Bush did and back it up with proof and I'll believe you.
Inexperience combined with arrogance is a dangerous combination. Barack Obama has both. Policies designed to win over voters not well-considered solutions to entrenched problems
As for John McCain, outdated thinking, believing war is a solution instead of a problem all its own, conservative fiscal policies which have driven us into a great economic divide among rich and poor and which are giving our country's wealth away to China.
McCain's greatest weakness is he is out of step with the times now. His time has past (8years ago I supported him) and he has lost his straight talk and label as maverick by becoming more of a Republican following in line with all their policies.
Obama's greatest weakness is he might be ahead of his time. We may not be able to keep step with his vision and support his actions, because we have been so accustomed to fear and failure from our government. He expects too much of everyone including himself and really can get (as Mrs. Edwards first pointed out) "holier than thou". But it is just a cover for when he is the most frustrated or uncomfortable, feeling threatened, etc. Despite these weaknesses, we will take our chances on someone who offers a more positive, hopeful future!