February 29, 2008
McCain: Up Against It (A.B. Stoddard)
It isn't easy being a nominee; just ask John McCain, who yesterday referred to himself as a "liberal Republican" and had to quiet the dissenting voice inside him before a gathered crowd on the campaign trail. "Easy there," he told himself with a chuckle.
It wasn't easy earlier this week when radio host Bill Cunningham went off on Barack Obama and McCain felt obligated to rush out a blanket apology covering any offense to both Obama AND Hillary Clinton.
The man is feeling the panic, as well he should. I think McCain has hit a wall, as I described in my column this week.
The New York Times event, which saved him with conservatives but raised several contradictions and questions, was coupled with news that McCain's Dark Days Decision of several months ago to accept public funding in the primary could finish him off. The matter is before the Federal Election Commission, which currently doesn't have enough members for a quorum to render a verdict on McCain's request to withdraw. If he can't withdraw McCain is bound by a $5 million limit (it was $54 million but he has spent $49 million) until September when he is officially nominated by his party. Violation invites steep fines and possibly a five-year prison term.
If McCain can't escape the campaign finance system he led the charge to create, he may be doomed. Up against Hillary his starved campaign would struggle mightily, but up against Obama — the money minter himself — McCain starts to smell like toast.
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John McCain is becoming a figure of ridicule before our eyes. As gaffe prone as Romney. This whole thing is a joke. A man who is 'tongue-tied' and can't think on the spot. I wonder who that remind me of???
Comment by Kelly Pierce — February 29, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
McCain is hitting the wall in February?
My understanding is that Federal Election Committee has to be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats so that when the seats are all filled that McCain will never be found guilty of not being able to withdraw from public financing.
I thought it was good he apologized for his campaign about Cunningham. Cunningham can say whatever he wants but that was a McCain event. With McCain there is no Sister Soulja moment but a Sister Soulja career.
His ability to compete against the Obama money machine is a different matter.
But its too soon to make predictions. If Iraq continues to improve and the economy improves (hey Bush and Bernake said it will) then McCain will have a good shot.
But if the situation in Iraq gets worse - not better and especially if the economy tanks further then it will be a landslide for Obama.
Comment by Jay — February 29, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Yes Jay, for Obama to win America must lose.
Comment by Igor R. — February 29, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
But if Obama loses America wins:
http://www.macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/02/29/is-rezko-obamas-waterloo/
Comment by Igor R. — February 29, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Igor
That's a depressing thought.
I think I need a break from blogging.
If McCain could only turn that into a more positive message.
Pulling the curtain back to reveal the wizard may not be enough.
Comment by Jay — February 29, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
Why does Obama hide and distance himself from the truth?
He got offended early in the campaign when the media ridiculed his big ears, which he has.
His handlers get upset when people use his middle name (Hussain), which is not a lie, it really is his middle name.
And his handlers get upset when a picture surfaces of him in muslim garb — which he actually did wear.
Looks to me like our boy Barack is a bit thin skinned!
Comment by John Simmons — March 1, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
John, or people are appealing to the base instincts of average voters…i.e..if Obama has a muslim middle name or wears the traditional dress while visiting a country out of politeness he must be shady. But you already knew that.
Comment by Brian — March 1, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Comment by Mark Mouse — March 1, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
John, he probably is thin skinned, but he is from Chicago where they turn every substantive attack into a bigoted attack and thus shut up the attacker. Remember to a liberal Dem "fearmongering" means "shut the f**k up because I don't want you to talk about this subject and I don't want to respond."
Comment by Igor R. — March 1, 2008 @ 11:44 pm
McCain has to win over skeptical conservatives while trying to score points against a yet unnamed democratic challenger. He did enjoy a brief respite with the NYT article, but he still has to make inroads with the republican base. If in fact he is unable to make his case with the FEC, his camp will be at a considerable disadvantage against the Dem nominee.
In the end I think a deal will be struck with the FEC that will allow him to raise additional funds between now and September (he has to or risk running press conferences at his doorstep). Unfortunately, this will negate any criticism he may have against the Obama camp not keeping their pledge to accept public financing.
McCain has other issues he must contend: An energized Dem electorate, a dispirited Rep base, an unpopular war, a slowing economy on the verge of stagflation.
One more thing, history does fare well for the incumbent party after eight years in the WH.
Comment by Theard — March 2, 2008 @ 10:12 am
meant to say that history does not bode well for the incumbent party.
John…there have been many false rumors that have labeled Obama a muslim and those images tend to reinforce them. Photos showing him in traditional garb and using his middle name is an attempt to scare voters
Comment by Theard — March 2, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
JS–his middle name (Hussain), which is not a lie, it really is his middle name.
Obama thinks his middle name is Hussein, but he's got big ears so what does he know, right genius?
Comment by Don Bacon — March 2, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Igor thinks that the US will "win" in Iraq any year now, while Iran's President Ahmadinejad is in Iraq enjoying a love-fest where Igor fears to tread and McCain needs a military ground escort with air cover for his strolls. Looks to me like there are winners in Iraq — those Persian cats. So our guys didn't die in vain.
Comment by Don Bacon — March 2, 2008 @ 11:58 pm
Don — as always, you missed the point. Why shouldn't people use Obama's middle name? Why does Obama want to hide from it? As I said in a previous message, as far as Obama wearing that outfit, I don't care what he wears, but if he starts to wear women's underpants he might lose my vote.
Comment by John Simmons — March 3, 2008 @ 11:56 am
"Up Against it" only begins to tell the tale, A.B. If Sen. McCain is out of money, how will he manage to get any media attention, particularly if the Democratic primaries go on and on?
Even if they end tomorrow, what could McCain possibly have to run on? Already the right-wingers here are obsessing about middle names and big ears.
Comment by Derek D — March 3, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
There's more than just a name that I worry about. What of his ties with the FARC, his NAFTA promises with Canada that have yet to be explained and more. I wrote about this on my blog.
McCain needs to go back to "straight talk" and stop allowing the Dem camps run his campaign as they seem to be attempting with each other by constantly demanding that someone take back some statement or fire someone. This is politics or perhaps the left has lost it's guts for a good fight.
Comment by A F Ticker — March 11, 2008 @ 5:16 pm