Actually an independant study showed that Gore would have won if the votes GW wanted to be counted along w/the recorded votes, and GW would have won had the votes Gore wanted to be included w/the recorded votes. As it turned out the votes counted were the only ones that were complete votes. If the people of FL are too stupid to make sure their "Chads" are completely removed, then they are to stupid to be voting in the first place.. The same goes for the people here in CA who can't completely fill in the bubble.

As to can they be defeated, yes. I know the pundits are saying he can't pick Rice to be his VP, because it will just be seen as more of GW, but I think she is the best choice. She will counter rather easily a Black P or VP/women as P/VP Dem ticket, which will prevent the Dems from pulling the Reps as racists card. McCain is already polling ahead of either Obama or Hillary when it comes to ?'s about who is better prepared to lead, protect us from attacks, and the economy. McCain is also the only one w/a true record of reaching across party lines to get things done, which is why the Evangelicals don't care for him that much, he isn't a hardcore Rep.