On The Bus With McCain: Wrap-up and Final Thoughts
Kudos to the Campaign for Reaching Out to New Media
By Adam C Posted in 2008 — Comments (8) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Couple final points I wanted to make sure to mention.
Rudy v. McCain style difference - Sen. McCain has emphatically clung to the idea that a campaign should be about policy differences between the candidates. His criticisms of Sen. Clinton focus on her "disastrous" Iraq policy, her health care plan, and other policy differences. Mayor Giuliani has a much more abrasive and combative view of politics, much closer to the Clinton model. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton both see almost no difference between politics and personal life. Hillary's "vast right wing conspiracy" comment is one of many examples of this All Of Life Is Politics principle. Rudy and Hillary would likely have another campaign full of negative ads, partisanship, and a willingness to "fight." This obviously appeals to partisans on both sides. McCain goes out of his way to appeal to the independents who despise that part of politics. His enduring appeal to independents (which is greater than the more "moderate" Rudy) is based on his style which focuses on respect for those who he disagrees with and a desire to get things done rather than to create a permanent partisan majority. In a general election, McCain's inclusiveness and anti-partisanship will be in stark contrast to Hillary's very partisan persona and thought process. Most political junkies vote on policy, but this difference in style will matter in a general election.
Overall Experience - This was a phenomenal opportunity to see real, live retail politics in the most important election in the world: for The President of the United States of America. I have realized how difficult it is to capture what the campaign trail is like for those of you who (like me) have never been on it. If you want to get another perspective on what life on the campaign trail is like, drop by the McCain Blogettes run by the Senator's daughter (Meghan) and her friends. They are very nice young women and their photos and experiences on the road are good depictions of the high paced campaign life.
Thanks - This ride-along would not have happened if it wasn't for the logistical help of Pat Hynes and Brooke Buchanan on the McCain campaign. I also received the very valuable advice of other citizen journalists including from our very own Ben and Soren on what to expect and what to bring with me. Furthermore, the McCain Blogettes were generous with their time and thoughts and I enjoyed talking to them about their experiences. Finally, the campaign treated me as any other journalist and that respect can mean a lot to newbie.
Below the Fold are links to all of the other stories in this series.
Interview with Rep. Flake about Sen. McCain
(with video)
Photos and Videos
(all of them)
Nuclear Power, Stem Cell Research and Primary Election Strategy
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On The Bus With McCain: Wrap-up and Final Thoughts 8 Comments (0 topical, 8 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Rudy has won the support of many conservatives b/c he is a "fighter" and he will "take it to them." His public spats dealing with anti-Christina art, the NYT, and Arafat are all examples of his combativeness.
I just think it is interesting to contrast the styles. And I do think McCain is pretty tailor-made to appeal to voters who hate the current system, dislike parties in general, and yearn for someone who isn't a partisan first.
If Rs are desperate enough to overcome the widening partisan gap in the country, McCain is the right pick to win over Independents. If the Bush model still works (which I doubt it will in 2008), then Giuliani/Thompson/Romney are probably a good choices.
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As I have mentioned before, I found it the most interesting reporting on campaign life.
I hope you (or other RedState editors) have the time - and receive the invitations - to do this for one or two other campaigns as well.
(I would offer to do it myself since I am volunteering for one of the campaigns for a few weeks in December and January, but it happens to be McCain's campaign.)
Thanks again.
"There isn't a man alive who hasn't wanted to boot an infant." - W.C. Fields
....twice we ran 'inclusive' and 'anti-partisian' candidates against a Clinton. Twice our candidates took the high road and showed a willingness to work to 'get things done'. How'd that work out for us?
My willingness to support Rudy is based on the fact that he can take the fight to Hillary. I believe that Hillary is a deeply flawed candidate who can be beaten - but only by attacking her for what she is. If we run another gentlemen who refuses to define Hillary, we will see 92 and 96 redux.
Maybe Hillary won't be able to slip in the knife while smiling as well as her husband. And maybe that will turn off a large part of the electorate. I just don't think that's a chance worth taking.
Fortuna Favet Fortibus
mccain
not as many as in 2000, but still a not insubstantial number
he has a following that dole and bush 1 never had
"There isn't a man alive who hasn't wanted to boot an infant." - W.C. Fields
Conservatives who criticize President Bush for his inclusive "compassionate conservatism" now praise John McCain for his "inclusive, non-partisanship?"
I agree. Obama may gain some early momentum, but Hillary will be the Dem's nominee. George Will, in his CPAC introduction of Rudy Giuliani, said of the former mayor, "he's a man who is always spoiling for fight, and for whom pugnacity is a philosophy." We need that if we're going to avoid a "Billary" White House v.2. Conservative Democrats and independent men, especially up north, are more likely willing to break towards Rudy Giuliani than John McCain because of the mayor's extraordinary efforts in New York pre- and post-9/11. Giuliani's personal dislike for Hillary's abysmal post-9/11 conduct for her constituents in New York will further help sway swing voters who are already suspicious (and rightly so) of the Senator.
While he wasn't my first choice, I am quickly warming to McCain (much to my surprise). In particular, I think he has the best chance in the general. Rudy turns off too many conservatives to win. (And, as a NY-er, I can tell you that its a fools dream that he will put Blue states like mine in play, especially with the war being issue #1 among liberals.) Thompson and Romney (both of whom are fine from an ideological stanpoint) just don't engender the passion that the GOP will need to take on Hillary. And, Huckabee turns off too many fiscal conservatives. In contrast, McCain doesn't turn off as many conservatives as Rudy, pulls in some independents and has the experience (especially in foreign policy and defense) to make Hillary look like the lightweight she is. Moreover, his war-hero bio puts him in the best position to advance support for a still unppopular war.
McCain will make the best candidate in the general for the very reasons partisan conservatives hate him -- because he's a maverick and not a partisan and he reaches out across the aisle. as you say i think his personal story and experience will also help him with independents and conservative dems.
Huck would probably make the second strongest candidate in the general. Again -- for the reasons conservatives don't like him, namely his economic populism.
Actually, I think McCain's style is his weakness. He is so obsessed with being liked, that he is afraid to make enemies when he should be making enemies. There was nothing that turned my stomach more than hearing McCain "dis" the Swift Boat Vets by extolling John Kerry as a great patriot.
Anyway, as far as the general election goes, sometimes McCain's style can be perceived more as pandering, and that may be as offensive to independents as is partisanship.