Dems Hail McCain The GOP Frontrunner---But Who's Best To Defeat Him?

It's clear from watching Monday's debate that the Democratic candidates have focused in on whom they believe will be the Republican nominee, and hence their opposition, heading into the November general election---John McCain.  All three major candidates---Clinton, Obama, and Edwards---have made the argument that they themselves would be the strongest nominee to best McCain and win the Presidency.

So who is truly the strongest candidate?  The truth is that they all have points that need to be taken into account.  Obama says that he can bring in independents.  Edwards claims he can bring more rural, traditionally red, states into play come November. Clinton's argument is that she is the only Democratic candidate who keep up with McCain on foreign policy issues.  All the above are excellent points made by each of the candidates.  

So, we've heard the arguments, but what about the numbers?  Well just today, the LA Times and Bloomberg released polling data pitting Clinton and Obama against McCain (sorry Edwards, you weren't included), and here are the results:

-Clinton 46% McCain 42%   (Clinton +4%)

-Obama 41% McCain 42%   (McCain +1%)

As I pointed out before, Clinton has to be considered the best Democrat to go against McCain.  Why?  Because McCain could easily beat Obama over and over again with the claim to experience in general as well as foreign policy experience.  Clinton would cede neither the experience argument nor the foreign policy experience argument to McCain.  She could go toe to toe with McCain on those issues.  Giving McCain Obama as an opponent would be giving him a huge advantage.  What's his advantage over Clinton? Is there one?  We haven't seen one yet.