News-Record.com

Congratulations to John McCain for securing the Republican presidential nomination.

It's just a shame this wasn't the outcome eight years ago. I think McCain would have made many better decisions than the current occupant of the White House.

McCain's not an ideal candidate. I have concerns about his age, his temper, his past relations with lobbyists and his positions on some issues.

However, he offers strong character, maturity, experience, courage and forthrightness. When the red phone rings at 3 a.m., he's probably as good a choice as anyone to answer it.

Whether he can win in November is another matter. He supports an unpopular war, and the party in the White House normally doesn't do well during economic downturns. With all the good will George W. Bush has cost Republicans in general, it would be amazing if a Republican succeeded him as president.

But, as it's often been said, never underestimate the Democrats' ability to blow it. Their candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, will continue to battle after Clinton's back-against-the-wall wins in Ohio and Texas yesterday. It doesn't help their party to drag out their nominating process, but now it's a little more likely they could arrive at their convention with the outcome still not settled.

This is good for North Carolina, where Democrats may cast meaningful votes on May 6 after all. I suppose a strong victory by Obama here, which I'd expect, would be very damaging to Clinton. But if she comes here following a win in Pennsylvania April 22, North Carolina probably won't be decisive. We'll see.

Many Republicans are pulling for Clinton, viewing her as an easier opponent for McCain. I think that's true. But in the last week, Clinton has hammered on voters' possible reservations about Obama -- his lack of experience and specific accomplishments. Not that her own credentials are that impressive, other than having been first lady and a senator for seven years.

For someone with little experience, Obama has performed extremely well during the campaign. He keeps his composure and good humor and connects well with people from all backgrounds and in all parts of the country. Like all politicians, he does his share of pandering -- as seen in his anti-NAFTA pronouncements in Ohio when he knows very well NAFTA didn't cause the decline of heavy industry there. But he still comes across as much more honest than Hillary.

I expect Obama eventually will win the nomination and will have a very good chance to beat McCain in November. But it's much too soon to make a more precise prediction. Certainly, when all this started I never would have guessed that the 2008 nominees would be John McCain and Barack Obama.