Comments on: McCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:26:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145099 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:21:37 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145099 DLS- I heard that McCain had a pretty solid rating from conservative organizations. He intially didn't back the tax cuts, but now wants to make them permanent, is strongly anti-abortion, and is more hawkish on defense issues than the Bushies. <br><br>Conservatives seem to hate that he worked on legislation with Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold, but that alone doesn't make him a progressive. He IS progressive on global warming, but mirrors Bush on immigration. Since that stance was dragging him down, he decided to cave on it and now favors the standard GOP talking points of enforcing closed borders.<br><br>To be fair, I would consider him a moderately conservative Republican. DLS- I heard that McCain had a pretty solid rating from conservative organizations. He intially didn't back the tax cuts, but now wants to make them permanent, is strongly anti-abortion, and is more hawkish on defense issues than the Bushies.

Conservatives seem to hate that he worked on legislation with Ted Kennedy and Russ Feingold, but that alone doesn't make him a progressive. He IS progressive on global warming, but mirrors Bush on immigration. Since that stance was dragging him down, he decided to cave on it and now favors the standard GOP talking points of enforcing closed borders.

To be fair, I would consider him a moderately conservative Republican.

]]> By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145098 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:15:44 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145098 CS- That message was used all over the country in '06. The Democrats won 6 Senate seats alone by portraying the incumbents as rubber stampers for Bush. They won in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Montana- not exactly Democrat country.<br><br>Do you really think Bush is only unpopular in Maryland? Plus I seem to remember that he was only invited to campaign for candidates from solidly red districts in the midterms. CS- That message was used all over the country in '06. The Democrats won 6 Senate seats alone by portraying the incumbents as rubber stampers for Bush. They won in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Montana- not exactly Democrat country.

Do you really think Bush is only unpopular in Maryland? Plus I seem to remember that he was only invited to campaign for candidates from solidly red districts in the midterms.

]]> By: DLS http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145097 DLS Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:46:09 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145097 K, McCain has a reputation as no conservative, but at least an occasional Dem Lite. (The distinction needs to be made whether McCain in each instance of such behavior is being liberal or DC establishment Business As Usual or if he is doing what he does to bring attention to himself.)<br><br>McCain was the Default Candidate this year, by attrition. That's about all you can say. In 2000 Bush was the Desperation Candidate and this year McCain is the Default Candidate, simply the guy that was left standing at the end of the contest.<br><br>I see him as the sacrificial lamb to the Dems this year.<br><br>He can't be easily linked to Bush, except with the war. That subject goes only so far (among normal people). K, McCain has a reputation as no conservative, but at least an occasional Dem Lite. (The distinction needs to be made whether McCain in each instance of such behavior is being liberal or DC establishment Business As Usual or if he is doing what he does to bring attention to himself.)

McCain was the Default Candidate this year, by attrition. That's about all you can say. In 2000 Bush was the Desperation Candidate and this year McCain is the Default Candidate, simply the guy that was left standing at the end of the contest.

I see him as the sacrificial lamb to the Dems this year.

He can't be easily linked to Bush, except with the war. That subject goes only so far (among normal people).

]]> By: CStanley http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145096 CStanley Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:43:09 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145096 Kim, ads like that will be run in targeted areas like MD- but who cares? There's no way in hell that the GOP picks up MD anyway. I think you overestimate how far the Dems can go with the message about needing to do a total 180 from Bush (and mind you, I'm not saying that it helps McCain to look like he's going to be a continuation of Bush- he obviously will highlight the differences in his campaign in order to convince indies and crossover Dems.)<br><br>That sentiment of needing proof that a candidate considers Bush a pariah is strong in the deep blue states but the states that are possible pickups are the ones where people can appreciate that we may need to fine tune policy instead of turning the nation in a completely opposite direction. Kim, ads like that will be run in targeted areas like MD- but who cares? There's no way in hell that the GOP picks up MD anyway. I think you overestimate how far the Dems can go with the message about needing to do a total 180 from Bush (and mind you, I'm not saying that it helps McCain to look like he's going to be a continuation of Bush- he obviously will highlight the differences in his campaign in order to convince indies and crossover Dems.)

That sentiment of needing proof that a candidate considers Bush a pariah is strong in the deep blue states but the states that are possible pickups are the ones where people can appreciate that we may need to fine tune policy instead of turning the nation in a completely opposite direction.

]]> By: MJDaniels53 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145095 MJDaniels53 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:35:03 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145095 Had he refused the invitation, it's unlikely that it would have been known. However, once again, I point to the visit as symbolic of a strategy which has included cozying up to John Hagee and Rod Parsley. It is a minimalist, get-out-the-base strategy. But the base will support McCain against Obama or Clinton anyway. He needs to expand his base. He cannot do that by energizing a base that puts off the very people he will need to win in 2008, persuadable independents, Dems, and Republicans who regard Bush's domestic and national security policies as a betrayal of conservative and Republican principles.<br><br>Mark Had he refused the invitation, it's unlikely that it would have been known. However, once again, I point to the visit as symbolic of a strategy which has included cozying up to John Hagee and Rod Parsley. It is a minimalist, get-out-the-base strategy. But the base will support McCain against Obama or Clinton anyway. He needs to expand his base. He cannot do that by energizing a base that puts off the very people he will need to win in 2008, persuadable independents, Dems, and Republicans who regard Bush's domestic and national security policies as a betrayal of conservative and Republican principles.

Mark

]]> By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145094 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:36:10 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145094 Mark- I agree that this could hurt him with undecideds and indies, but I don't see how he could have refused the invitation without offending those in the party that still support Bush/Cheney. I'm wondering how much W or Dead-eye Dick will be by his side in the general! Mark- I agree that this could hurt him with undecideds and indies, but I don't see how he could have refused the invitation without offending those in the party that still support Bush/Cheney. I'm wondering how much W or Dead-eye Dick will be by his side in the general!

]]> By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145093 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:33:04 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145093 CS- When the Democrats run their ads they will show pictures of him hugging Bush, and emphasize the areas that they are in agreement. This won't help his maverick image. His voting record is actually quite conservative- not centrist as you claim.<br><br>His voting record may not have supported Bush all of the time, but he's recanted on the tax cuts,and supported him bigtime on the issues that matter- the war, abortion and immigration.<br><br> Also, I think with a recession on the horizon and the weakening US dollar, he will be hurt by his lack of expertise on the economy.<br><br>I just don't think he's garnered the same enthusiasm from voters on the campaign trail as Obama or Clinton and he definitely can't match their fundraising prowess. CS- When the Democrats run their ads they will show pictures of him hugging Bush, and emphasize the areas that they are in agreement. This won't help his maverick image. His voting record is actually quite conservative- not centrist as you claim.

His voting record may not have supported Bush all of the time, but he's recanted on the tax cuts,and supported him bigtime on the issues that matter- the war, abortion and immigration.

Also, I think with a recession on the horizon and the weakening US dollar, he will be hurt by his lack of expertise on the economy.

I just don't think he's garnered the same enthusiasm from voters on the campaign trail as Obama or Clinton and he definitely can't match their fundraising prowess.

]]> By: CStanley http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145092 CStanley Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:54:13 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145092 Kim: McCain has the perfect kind of voting record to counter that strategy that you refer to. Overall through his career he has >80% agreement with his party (so that satisfies all but the most hard core partisans- though there are admittedly too many of them), and yet in the past few years he's dissented a lot more and his record is only something like 60% concurrence with his party- indicating a good deal of dissent from Bush which burnishes his cred as a maverick centrist. Kim: McCain has the perfect kind of voting record to counter that strategy that you refer to. Overall through his career he has >80% agreement with his party (so that satisfies all but the most hard core partisans- though there are admittedly too many of them), and yet in the past few years he's dissented a lot more and his record is only something like 60% concurrence with his party- indicating a good deal of dissent from Bush which burnishes his cred as a maverick centrist.

]]> By: MJDaniels53 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145091 MJDaniels53 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:40:20 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145091 My main point is that the trip to the White House is part of a bigger McCain strategy of playing up to a base that will have nowhere else to turn in the fall. It's indicative of a McCan strategy that is heedless of the bigger opportunities and necessities that lay before him: To build a new Republican coalition by capitalizing on his reputation as a straight-talking Maverick. <br><br>Mark Daniels My main point is that the trip to the White House is part of a bigger McCain strategy of playing up to a base that will have nowhere else to turn in the fall. It's indicative of a McCan strategy that is heedless of the bigger opportunities and necessities that lay before him: To build a new Republican coalition by capitalizing on his reputation as a straight-talking Maverick.

Mark Daniels

]]> By: federal express http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-110985 federal express Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:50:18 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-110985 [...] pilot turned abruptly to the right. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike ...www.forbes.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...] [...] pilot turned abruptly to the right. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike …www.forbes.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...]

]]> By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145090 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:45:27 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145090 macan-You are correct that the meeting won't garner much attention from the press. But, the future democratic nominee will have a field day with whatever coverage there is. Look at how the Democrats were able to win back their majority by broadcasting the % of time Republicans voted with Bush. I feel for McCain. Not enough to vote for him, but I think he'll have a rough run. macan-You are correct that the meeting won't garner much attention from the press. But, the future democratic nominee will have a field day with whatever coverage there is. Look at how the Democrats were able to win back their majority by broadcasting the % of time Republicans voted with Bush. I feel for McCain. Not enough to vote for him, but I think he'll have a rough run.

]]> By: clinton wins texas debate http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-110983 clinton wins texas debate Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:28:00 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-110983 [...] -- Period Texas and Ohio headline four states that vote on Tuesday, anwww.huffingtonpost.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...] [...] — Period Texas and Ohio headline four states that vote on Tuesday, anwww.huffingtonpost.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...]

]]> By: Macan http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145089 Macan Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:26:07 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145089 Kritt said: "Its a change election, remember?"<br><br>It's a "Change Election" only when it isn't. McCain has to meet Bush. No avoiding it. But this is a great time to get the "annointing" out of the way...with the Obama-Clinton struggle dominating the headlines.<br><br>Except for eagle-eyed folks like Mark Daniels reflecting on this meeting...who else will?<br><br>Not the mass media certainly...which is continuing its sterling, insightful political coverage of the election. Kritt said: “Its a change election, remember?”

It's a “Change Election” only when it isn't. McCain has to meet Bush. No avoiding it. But this is a great time to get the “annointing” out of the way…with the Obama-Clinton struggle dominating the headlines.

Except for eagle-eyed folks like Mark Daniels reflecting on this meeting…who else will?

Not the mass media certainly…which is continuing its sterling, insightful political coverage of the election.

]]> By: clinton ohio speech http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-110982 clinton ohio speech Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:17:45 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-110982 [...] victory speech here tonight to ???anyone in Ohio and across the nation who has evskywatch-media.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...] [...] victory speech here tonight to ???anyone in Ohio and across the nation who has evskywatch-media.comMcCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...]

]]> By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145088 kritt11 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:15:06 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145088 Meeting with Bush may help McCain with the base, but the Democrats will pounce on the photo op in the fall, and pull away Independents and moderates who highly dislike Bush. McCain is in a precarious position. He can't afford to alienate the 30% who still support Bush/Cheney, yet he can't appear to be too cozy with them either. Its a change election, remember? Meeting with Bush may help McCain with the base, but the Democrats will pounce on the photo op in the fall, and pull away Independents and moderates who highly dislike Bush. McCain is in a precarious position. He can't afford to alienate the 30% who still support Bush/Cheney, yet he can't appear to be too cozy with them either. Its a change election, remember?

]]> By: McCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign · One Looking http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-110980 McCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign · One Looking Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:06:52 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-110980 [...] Travel Blogs, Travel Journals, Travelogues, Travel Diaries - TravelPod since 1997 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the Republican candidates for president. Two words have been avoided as though they were poison. What are those two words? George Bush. Even Mitt Romney, who on occasion stoutly defended the President when trying to woo Bush voters, was loathe to defend Mr. Bush when asked about the current president’s record during the Republicans’ most recent debate at the Reagan presidential library. The reason f [...] [...] Travel Blogs, Travel Journals, Travelogues, Travel Diaries – TravelPod since 1997 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the Republican candidates for president. Two words have been avoided as though they were poison. What are those two words? George Bush. Even Mitt Romney, who on occasion stoutly defended the President when trying to woo Bush voters, was loathe to defend Mr. Bush when asked about the current president’s record during the Republicans’ most recent debate at the Reagan presidential library. The reason f [...]

]]> By: clinton ohio debate http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-110979 clinton ohio debate Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:01:36 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-110979 [...] 5, 2008, 7:00 amby admin best video: clinton ohio debate foruser();    McCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...] [...] 5, 2008, 7:00 amby admin best video: clinton ohio debate foruser();    McCain Off to Bad Start for the Fall Campaign Throughout this presidential campaign, two words have been almost universally left unsaid by the [...]

]]> By: Macan http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145087 Macan Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:01:28 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145087 What Pacatrue says is true, of course. <br><br>But I would suggest the timing is brilliant. <br><br>Joe's post earlier really surprised me with the news that McCain has surged among evangelicals. Meeting Bush is a critical element in solidifying this base...which he absolutely must do (the evangelicals could ignore the election...as they showed in 2000 when they were turned off after Bush's DUI revelation 3 days before the election).<br><br>And now he can do all of this largely under the cover of the media obsession with the Obama-Clinton clash of titans. What Pacatrue says is true, of course.

But I would suggest the timing is brilliant.

Joe's post earlier really surprised me with the news that McCain has surged among evangelicals. Meeting Bush is a critical element in solidifying this base…which he absolutely must do (the evangelicals could ignore the election…as they showed in 2000 when they were turned off after Bush's DUI revelation 3 days before the election).

And now he can do all of this largely under the cover of the media obsession with the Obama-Clinton clash of titans.

]]> By: MJDaniels53 http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145086 MJDaniels53 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:53:43 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145086 I'm simply suggesting that the trip to DC reflects an overall decision that the McCain camp has made. It appears that he's intent on Rovian Minimalism, rather than making a bold play to get a solid majority behind Big Ideas.<br><br>Mark I'm simply suggesting that the trip to DC reflects an overall decision that the McCain camp has made. It appears that he's intent on Rovian Minimalism, rather than making a bold play to get a solid majority behind Big Ideas.

Mark

]]> By: pacatrue http://themoderatevoice.com/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/comment-page-1/#comment-145085 pacatrue Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:39:52 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/newsweek-blogitics/18198/mccain-off-to-bad-start-for-the-fall-campaign/#comment-145085 I think you have to accept an invitation from the President of the United States, simply to pay respects to the office. If Bush were to invite Obama or Clinton to a lunch, they should attend as well, just because it's the President. Yes, the Dems will be able to use pictures of Bush and McCain together for the next several months, but I bet they could find a picture somewhere before Wednesday as well. I think you have to accept an invitation from the President of the United States, simply to pay respects to the office. If Bush were to invite Obama or Clinton to a lunch, they should attend as well, just because it's the President. Yes, the Dems will be able to use pictures of Bush and McCain together for the next several months, but I bet they could find a picture somewhere before Wednesday as well.

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