As I see it, McCain is doing as well as he is doing because he does represent those same things.

McCain stands for the pride in the USA and its military might.
McCain stands for the optimism of winning the invasion of Iraq and the war on terrorism.
McCain stands for the exceptionalism of the US empire.

McCain stands for belonging to the conservatist club of self-interest.
McCain stands for the renewal of American dominance.

McCain is doing as poorly as he is becasue the majority of people don't buy the product McCain is selling, not that his product doesn't stand for those things. 

If you want to buy the other product that is also sold on the basis of pride, optimism, belonging, renewal, etc, then Obama is the only choice in the market place of the Presidency that has a chance of winning.

Between the two I vote for Obama, becasue McCain is so goofy and dangerous. But I have no illusions that Obama is nothing more than the alternative corporate-military product, not a progressive voice for forcing corporate responsibility and demilitarizing US foreign policy.