DEF3 wrote:
Obama was elected because he wasn't Bush. A popcorn machine could have beaten any Republican.
Let's look at Obama - definitely the most personable candidate since Kennedy while Bush was the least popular President since at least Nixon.  The US was involved in two popular wars, the economy was tanking, and the press was salivating over the thoughts of a black President to the point that Obama was untouchable.  Add to that the fact that McCain ran an abolutely stupid campaign and against all that Obama managed to get was 53% of the popular vote.  Hardly a sign that anyone could have beaten any Republican.    

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views... which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering." – The Doctor (Tom Baker)