The losers that can come out winners

The 2008 election brought out many losers, but even in loss many groups can still find themselves winning. One such group is women. Even with Hilary Clinton's loss in the primaries and Sarah Palin's loss for vice president, there is now a different outlook about women in politics. Clinton gave President Barack Obama a run for his money in the primaries by becoming the first female candidate that America took seriously. There are many factors that could have tipped the scale in favor of Clinton, but money is the most evident factor that led to her demise.

When running against candidates with a lot of money like Illinois Democrats tend to have, it's difficult to beat those candidates. A prime example was the Illinois 2006 Governor's election, when an incumbent governor with a scandal over his head beat out the competition. Now Illinois' love of candidates with money is causing them to pay the price. Clinton's appointment as secretary of state will make Obama the third president in a row to have a female secretary of state.

Sarah Palin entered the first election in an America that had a new outlook on vice presidents. This is thanks to the vice president George W. Bush put into place, Dick Cheney. The vice president has now become an adviser and not just an entertainer. We have had many vice presidents with questionable reputations such as Dan Quayle who couldn't even spell potato. Under the new scrutiny for a vice president, Palin couldn't have hurt McCain too much when looking at the popular vote, which was very close. The media also got a lesson in manners when it tried to focus more on Palin's wardrobe than the issues. Even the unknown governor of Alaska posed a larger threat than the Obama Campaign would ever admit to. This is a loss that will bring new attitudes toward women in politics, and who knows, the media might actually begin seeing the candidates instead of lipstick and clothes.

Another winner, though it is still to be determined, is the Republican Party. John McCain as the nominee could be the beginning of a new Republican Party. McCain is not the extreme far right candidate that the Republicans are used to. Even though that is the reason the conservative pundits will tell you McCain lost the presidential election. You have to keep in mind how much money McCain was running against.

McCain found himself on a tightrope between his party and his views. It was this inside campaign struggle that could have also led to his demise. That tightrope act that McCain walked could be a little easier for the next candidate if they choose a more centered and less right candidate in the next election. It is a move the Republican Party will have to make if they plan to stay alive in today's political world.