Obama vs. McCain

In state after state during the primaries, McCain drew heavily on the votes of independents, moderates and Republicans who were unhappy with Bush.

But instead of carrying on as the un-Bush who defied conservative orthodoxy, McCain embraced the right for fear of losing it. He chose Sarah Palin as his running mate, which has finally earned him cries of approval from the GOP base but sent moderate voters scurrying Obama's way.

And as the campaign closed, the McCain tragedy became a farce starring Joe the Plumber and casting personal attacks on Obama. McCain was left hoping that a hidden cadre of voters who fear an Obama victory would defy the pollsters tomorrow and save him.