Which of these Democrats who sought the nomination would defeat McCain?

[Lincoln Republican]

The following sought the Democratic Presidential nomination for 2008.

Had they won the nomination, which of these candidates, in your opinion, would have gone on to defeat Senator John McCain in the Presidential election?

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator John Edwards
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

Corrected to include former Senator John Edwards


 

[Ronnie]

All except Kucinich, Gravel, and Dodd.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Hillary and Obama.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Hillary and Bill Richardson, possibly. Obama too! Biden is too crazy and gaffe prone, Dodd would've been crucified in this financial crisis for his accepting of funds from Fannie and Freddy, and Kucinich, Gravel are just nuts.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Shouldn't this be in the "What-ifs" board?

As to the question, Hillary would have beaten McCain, but thats about it.  Now, if McCain had picked someone other than Palin, then he may be ahead 2 1/4 days out rather than significantly behind.

[Wall St. Wiz]

A more interesting question to me is whether John Edwards could have weathered the storm caused by his affair and gone on to beat McCain.

[Adam Griffin]

Clinton, Obama, Richardson, & Biden.

[J. J.]

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

[Torie]

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

Not sure about Richardson, but maybe. Clearly Hils and The One. The rest had "lose" etched on their foreheads.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

Agreed. However, like Torie I'm not sure whether or not Governor Richardson would have been able to defeat McCain in the general. One only has to look at his appalling presidential primary campaign to decide whether or not such a campaign ran by Governor Richardson could have worked.

[NOVA Green]

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

Agreed. However, like Torie I'm not sure whether or not Governor Richardson would have been able to defeat McCain in the general. One only has to look at his appalling presidential primary campaign to decide whether or not such a campaign ran by Governor Richardson could have worked.

^^^^^^^

Although I think if Biden had been the candidate he would have done better than Richardson.

[TheGlobalizer]

Obama
Anyone who selected Obama as VP candidate

[Nym90]

All except Kucinich and Gravel.

[paul718]

All except Kucinich and Gravel.

I think Kucinich and Gravel would've fared better than Dodd.

[Nym90]

All except Kucinich and Gravel.

I think Kucinich and Gravel would've fared better than Dodd.

Dodd has the significant advantage of being sane.

[NOVA Green]

All except Kucinich and Gravel.

I think Kucinich and Gravel would've fared better than Dodd.

Dodd has the significant advantage of being sane.

Just because Kucinich has seen UFOs does not make him mentally ill.... don't forget Jimmy Carter also saw flying saucers.

Gravel was from Alaska, so rather than lack of sanity, I would say that he is just from another country.

[Nym90]

All except Kucinich and Gravel.

I think Kucinich and Gravel would've fared better than Dodd.

Dodd has the significant advantage of being sane.

Just because Kucinich has seen UFOs does not make him mentally ill.... don't forget Jimmy Carter also saw flying saucers.

Gravel was from Alaska, so rather than lack of sanity, I would say that he is just from another country.

True, I should've mentioned that they are merely perceived as insane (perception mattering far more than reality in politics). They are both fine men, I'm sure.

[Brandon H]

I still think Richardson would have been the Democrats strongest candidate. Former Congressman, Cabinet Member, Ambassador, and current Governor. Not just a lot of experience, but a wide variety of experience. He would have been tough for any of the Republicans to beat.

Not sure about the other Dems. For the most part the others are not as far to the left but lack the charisma of Obama. Not sure how that would play out in the long run.

[Mr. Morden]

The following sought the Democratic Presidential nomination for 2008.

Had they won the nomination, which of these candidates, in your opinion, would have gone on to defeat Senator John McCain in the Presidential election?

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson

Any of them could win, so long as they hire Mike Gravel's advertising guru.  "Rock" would be a big hit with swing voters.

[Workers' Friend]

Senator Joe Biden
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Chris Dodd
Former Senator Mike Gravel
Representative Dennis Kucinich
Senator Barack Obama
Governor Bill Richardson
Senator John Edwards

Winners in bold. Not sure about Obama, lets wait until Bov. 4th

I added Edwards.

[The Mikado]

Clinton, Obama, Richardson, and Biden.

I swung back and forth between Richardson and Dodd in the primaries, before settling on Obama.

Edwards would have been humiliating.  "John Edwards betrayed his dying wife.  What makes you think he wouldn't betray you?"

Dodd has been deeply and permanently tarnished this year. 

[Lincoln Republican]

Sorry, I meant to include former Senator John Edwards in the list of candidates, but left him out by mistake.