McCain as Wildcard
As we wrote in our debate preview, Sen. John McCain is the wildcard in both tonight's debate and the race more generally. McCain isn't a top tier candidate any more but he is well-liked in New Hampshire and his reputation for straight talk can influence the race if he directs it at a specific candidate.
McCain jumped in to hammer Romney after the former Massachusetts Governor said the surge was "apparently" working. "It is working," McCain said. "Not apparently." He went on to deliver his standard riff on how setting a timetable for withdrawal would be setting a "surrender date."
Minutes before, McCain has stood by his comments to the New York Times yesterday that Giuliani's executive experience as the mayor of New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 did not qualify him to lead the country.
"I know the conflict, I know war, I have seen war," McCain said. "I have led."
Giuliani chose the high road, noting that he would likely support McCain if he himself wasn't running. That's a clear signal that Giuliani doesn't view McCain as a real rival; he wants to court former (and current) McCain backers, not alienate them.
By Eric Pianin |
September 5, 2007; 9:54 PM ET
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Posted by: Doug | September 6, 2007 2:10 PM
really irks me that people think McCain is a one issue candidate....if you think that you really haven't paid much attention....while he is clearly the most experienced military man running (is he the only one?) he is extremely well versed in foreign affairs and business....don't sell McCain short, he's the only one that I trust to do the right thing....good luck John!
Posted by: bill | September 6, 2007 12:08 AM
Ron Paul convinced me tonight that he is the real thing. I was hoping that Thompson was going to be the one, but then I found out he was a CFR member (Council on Foreign Relations look it up on Wikipedia) I cannot vote for a New World Order. These are the same jokers who want to get rid of the US dollar in favor of the Amero. Look it up. I want to hate this Paul guy, but he is so right on so many issues. He is the only one who can beat Hillary in the general election. A pro war canidate will not win with 70% of Americans against the WAR. We do not want socialism in this country.
Posted by: Brian | September 5, 2007 11:46 PM
Get over it G.I.Joe. I commend Mccain for his service to this country, but we need to go in a different direction than militarily. As all of us can see with Iraq, having the "mightiest" armed forces of all times doesn't mean squat. Can you imagine what could have been accomplished in this country with all of the money that was wasted over there. Go Big Oil! What a waste of precious lives, just for their profit. I will never vote for a warmonger, and I'm instilling it in all of my children also. I think sanctions against those countries harboring terrorists would be more effective in the long run. Eventually, they have to eat. Look at Libya for an example. I still don't hear anything from any candidate, Dem or Repub,
that sounds new. Aren't these the same words spoken by every candidate when elections roll around. "Dems will raise taxes", "Republicans will spoil the rich even more:. Tell me, in the last six years of tax reductions, not raises, help anyone out? So find a new arguement against the Dems besides the old tax routine. Rudi is bad for this country, face it. Mitt is even worse. Huckabee seems ok, but only time can tell if he's the real deal.
Posted by: jime | September 5, 2007 11:15 PM
Chris, I think it's exceedingly premature for you to state flatly that McCain is no longer a top-tier candidate. He is essentially running even with Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney in national polls, in spite of Romney's vast warchest, Thompson's novelty, and McCain's positions on the war and immigration. To stick McCain in the second tier is imprudent, to be charitable.
Posted by: Mark Hertzog | September 5, 2007 10:14 PM
While I don't agree with him on many things, John McCain is one Republican who says what he means and stands by it... and he's got a LOOOONG history of public life to back him up. He speaks with some authority, Contrast that with Ken-doll Mitt Romney and Rudy, and then consider that McCain is currently at or near the bottome of GOP polls, and you have in a nutshell my problem with the GOP.
(Huckabee also seems to have sth, but he's way too Jay-zus for me...)
Posted by: Bokonon | September 5, 2007 10:11 PM
I want to hear your comment about the MH v. Ron Paul dialogue on Iraq.
Posted by: Mark in Austin | September 5, 2007 9:59 PM
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We find ourselves living in a divided country that one man looks to unite. This man is John McCain. A man who exudes qualities that every American should want to stand for, has the courage, honor, and dignity that so many wish for but few seem to have engrained into their conscience, and demonstrates daily the will that so many lack. Senator McCain can transform this country, make it better, make it shine, and take us on a new enlightened rebirth that is so desperately needed in Washington. His vision can make this country better in every facet and fortify this land for any challenge that may arise. A man who can excite the masses and create a new hope moving America forward and leaving special interests and party radicals behind for good. A man loyal to those he respects while also not being afraid to speak out against his party, injustices, and the bureaucracy that most Americans utterly disdain. This political Maverick, who boldly stands alone, can blaze new trails in brining about a glorious rebirth to our nation's capital. I hope that these words inspire you and get you motivated to take action in electing the next great President of our country Senator John McCain. We are a glorious nation but can continually strive to be better. Keep the virtuous struggle alive in America and elect someone you know in your heart will always stand by a country he so loves. Elect someone who will try to work with all and has a proven track record of calm and fair dealing. Elect McCain in 2008 the future of your nation depends on it!