I guess sideline punditry is a full-contact sport but really if the economy didn't collapse like it historically does in the month of October about once every dozen years (during election season; 1979, 1991,2008 - 1990s "end of Cold War 'peace dividend'") McCain would've stood a better chance at gettin' the job. It was stolen from him in 2000 by W. 'cause the 'powers that be' don't like a maverick, which McCain is by nature. That's what killed him this time around as well. Let's face it, Obama spent like a sailor on shore leave and bought the seat but now must payback for the rest of the time that he is there, he bought his way in by spending special interest money and his Chief of Staff (first pick) is a 'Washington Insider'. Like britexpat said, we should expect no different. With all that being said, the best man won and now it is back to business as usual.

Republican job description - bankrupt federal government

Democrat job description - empower the federal government

A fool and his money are soon parted.
-Thomas Tusser