romney is competing against a sitting president. mccain was competing with an aspirant.
obama is experienced in the role. romney is not.
obama killed bin laden. romney went to london and insulted its olympic games.
obama ended a financial crisis. romney wants to reintroduce the policies which created one.
but they did both introduce mandatory health insurance. in this, they are well matched.
you can't rerun the 2008 jejune candidate argument in 2012.