Electability seen as key to McCain's rising support

Electability seen as key to McCain's rising support

PHOENIX (Reuters) - John McCain has vaulted from long shot to the front-runner to win the Republican nomination for U.S. president. The reason? Voter confidence he can beat the eventual Democratic candidate in November's election, according to interviews with some of his supporters.

McCain defeated close rival Mitt Romney comfortably in a hard-fought nomination vote in Florida this week, giving him crucial momentum going into the big round of votes on "Super Tuesday."

Twenty-four states are holding nominating contests for one or both parties on February 5 to pick their candidate for the November election.

I think that McCain rose from out of no where because of his determination and hard work i dont believe it was anything else other than that and his experience.

Obama collects $32 million in January

Obama collects $32 million in January

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama raised a staggering $32 million during January, providing an infusion of money to pay for costly television advertising in next week's Super Tuesday Democratic presidential primary elections and for the states that follow, his aides said Thursday.

The Obama campaign has led the Democratic field in television advertising so far, with the Illinois senator airing $22.7 million worth of television ads to $18.7 million for rival Sen. Hillary Clinton through Jan. 27, according to a study to be released Friday.

But while the Clinton and Obama campaigns have maintained a rough parity on the Democratic side, Mitt Romney dominated the airwaves on the Republican side, spending more on television commercials than all of his rivals combined.

I personally believe that commercials dont even make an impact on voters because usually they just say mean things about the rival competition and just in the end make them selves look bad.

Clinton, Obama Set New Tone in Democratic Debate

Clinton, Obama Set New Tone in Democratic Debate

Leaving behind the acrimony that marked an earlier on-stage encounter in South Carolina, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton held a cordial one-on-one debate Thursday at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

The rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination answered questions on health care, Iraq and even the possibility of an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket in the general election.

Obama set the tone with a far warmer approach than the candidates have been using in recent appearances on the campaign trial.

"I was friends with Hillary Clinton before we started this campaign," he said. "I will be friends with Hillary Clinton after this campaign is over."

But Obama and Clinton did clash on who offers the better leadership style. Obama stressed his ability to inspire and bring people together. Clinton pointed to her experience and ability to get things done.

I think that the democratic debate that they did have would help the voters choose between one or another because they both took their stands and their viewpoints and now it is up for the voters to decide who they think is best.