Upset of the Century: McCain Defeats Obama

[Psychic Octopus]

Upset of the Century: McCain Defeats Obama

They called it the greatest upset in American history. It was the fall of a change candidate, and yet another presidential defeat for the Democratic Party. In an election where the current president and his party was perceived as unpopular, stupid, and incompetent, how on earth  did this old man beat this youthful, energetic, and likeable young African-American? Perhaps it could be linked back to that fateful September, where an economic collapse later called “The Panic of ‘08” suddenly emerged to dominate the political field. Now, in a political climate with two costly wars, a suspected recession, and a reviled American foreign policy, how in the world did John McCain defeat Barack Obama? The unexpected victory would have profound implications for America - and the world - for years to come.    

[President Mitt]

Coolio

[Psychic Octopus]

Yah, tell if yall like it, and I'll continue.

[Psychic Octopus]

In September of 2008, John McCain and Barack Obama were virtually tied in the polls. After trailing Obama for most of the year, this was good news for the McCain campaign. In Ohio and Florida, McCain was clinging to narrow leads. In Colorado, a traditionally Republican-leaning state, the race was a dead heat. With the selection of Sarah Palin, a conservative candidate from “up north” in Alaska, McCain had pulled ahead a few points in the nationwide trend. John McCain was, indisputably, a phoenix, rising from the ashes of the Republican Party.

Rising in the Polls: John McCain is a Phoenix

The ticket of McCain/Palin was providing hell for the Obama campaign. “People are beginning to think they can make change! I want this resurgence squashed immediately!” A distraught Obama forcefully told a shaken Axelrod. The resurgence, followed by a misstep by the Obama campaign that allegedly labeled VP candidate Palin as a "pig," was taking a bite into Obama’s nationwide numbers. “Will he win?” became a frequently asked question. But in the next few days, the question would morph into: “Will he save my job?”

The Candidates at the World Trade Center

[Psychic Octopus]

I like it. Please continue.

I'll try my best. My schoolwork is overwhelming, but the good thing about this timeline is that it will go into the future, so I can choose the end date when I feel like it.

[MatthewZD]

I'm intrigued as well. 

I'm surprised you're keeping Palin as VP, though.  I thought for sure that would be the divergence point.  IMO when McCain chose Palin, that turned off many moderates like myself who thought the argument of inexperience against Obama was a strong one and was negated when he chose the equally inexperienced Palin.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Interesting. But keeping Palin in the ticket makes it very unrealistic.

[Psychic Octopus]

More will come later, probably tomorrow. I have October written, I've just neglected to post it.

Palin stays, she is critical to this timeline. The end date of this is January 2009, followed by an epilogue.

[Bo]

Interesting. But keeping Palin in the ticket makes it very unrealistic.

[Psychic Octopus]

Interesting. But keeping Palin in the ticket makes it very unrealistic.

I understant that much; But Palin, in the end, I don't think had much of an affect in ending McCain. I think George Bush did. Had the VP Nominee been Romney or Pawlenty, not much would have been different in the end result.