Whoever captures the White House on Nov. 6, the election season produced one clear winner: William Jefferson Clinton. …
If the president is defeated he’ll remain a historic figure, the first black president. Much of his legacy, including the health-care bill and financial-regulation overhaul, will be shredded by Republicans. …
In defeat, Romney would be a political pariah. Other defeated candidates — Bob Dole, John McCain — remain respected figures within the party. Romney will be seen as a mediocre candidate, a chameleon, and an unprincipled political opportunist who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. …
Political pollsters have a lot at stake, too. [cont.]
Al Hunt, Bloomberg