McCain wins Florida primary, Giuliani falters

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Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) has risen from the ashes of the political abyss. His campaign was considered dead and buried as recent as four weeks ago. Yet, this maverick politician from the southwest has shown his tenacity. It was just a month ago when Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-N.Y.) was considered a heavy favorite with Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass) a close second. Then the Iowas caucuses came around just as the new year started and proclaimed Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark) their candidate of choice. The Republican party doesn't seem to know who it wants. Perhaps, the indecision is caused by an incumbent Republican who sits as a very unpopular lame duck. But can McCain, who will be older than Pres. Reagan when he takes the oath, pull off a victory? Can he actually convince the American people that he will not ride on Pres. Bush's coat tails? The bigger question is this. Giuliani was a shoe-in to defeat any candidate the Democrats put up. I believe he is the only Republican who can beat Hillary or Obama. Despite his close ties to the current administration and his stance on social issues, his strong personality inspires confidence among the hawks in his party. He also could have attracted a lot of moderates and independents who are tired of the neo-conservatives running the country. Will his defeat in Florida extinguish his candidacy? If so, do the Republicans have a shot at the general election?Let's face it, McCain (with all due respect to a war hero and a great public servant) does not look too energetic next to a Hillary or a Barack. I don't see how the senator from Arizona can energize the young voters who will makeup a big slice of this general election.