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McCain Campaign Breaks Down, Shakes Up
Jul 3rd 2008 10:52AM
Filed Under:eRepublicans, John McCain, Featured Stories, 2008 Senate
WASHINGTON - Senator John McCain's presidential campaign has gone through its second shake-The McCain campaign said, through a spokesman, that they are simply rearranging the deck chairs...sorry, no, they put a cigar in the campaign's mouth and said, "I love it when a plan comes together."up in a year. Responding to Republican concerns that his candidacy was faltering, Mr. McCain put a veteran of President Bush's 2004 campaign in charge of day-to-day operations, and stepped away from a plan to have the campaign run by 11 regional managers, Mr. McCain's aides said Wednesday.
The elevation of Steve Schmidt - who worked closely with Karl Rove - at Mr. McCain's headquarters represented a sharp diminishment of the responsibilities of Rick Davis, who has been Mr. McCain's campaign manager since the last shake-up nearly a year ago.
The Times, and everyone else, are being extremely generous to the McCain campaign. In order for something to be shaken up, it has to first be in a non-shaking state. McCain's campaign has been trembling like an extra-innings Jenga game since the Democrats ended their primary fight.
It wasn't that great before that, either, but no-one was looking. It reminds me of a cartoon that Jim Bouton described in Ball Four, where a forlorn kid, dragging his bat and glove, tells his dad, "I had a no-hitter going until the big kids got out of school."
From that first night of the general election, McCain was clearly outclassed, drawing ridicule for his poorly-staged, barf-colored victory speech.
As far as campaign staff, McCain has had consistent problems, jettisoning senior advisers because of their lobbying ties, having one resign because he didn't want to oppose Barack Obama, and keeping others that he probably shouldn't. Charlie Black, who posits a McCain catastrophe bounce from a terrorist attack, comes to mind.
Add to that the fact that McCain is taking a beating from Obama on most key issues, and it is no wonder that they have seized on Wesley Clark's comments as a way to shift the conversation to McCain's military service, his only remaining positive. Even there, forming a Truth Squad populated by a member of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has sapped much of the political advantage that could've been gained, and demanding that Barack Obama "cut loose" a guy who is not even connected to the campaign just reeks of desperation.
McCain and the GOP are right to be worried. Even with a perfect campaign, they faced an uphill fight against any Democrat this year. Against a formidable politician like Barack Obama, they could break several Richter scales shaking up McCain's beleaguered operation, and still not make a dent.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 3)Angela V11:44AMJul 3rd 2008
This is a clearly biased article and I'm disgusted that it has been posted. McCain is the only real choice for president. Obama's inexperience and lack of judgement spell disaster for our country.
Tuffyz12:31PMJul 3rd 2008
Obama's camp sure did try to make a stink about McCain being Bush's third term.
After seeing how Obama is adopting and expanding one of Bush's ****FAILED**** policies I realize now that this guy Obama might possibly be the best joke we've heard all year!
mouse12:38PMJul 3rd 2008
Okay....where is my comment? Guess aol didn't like what I had to say.
Robert Alexander12:39PMJul 3rd 2008
Barack is the only one with the experience that counts. He has lived the American Dream. Barack has known personally the struggles of the middle class, as he worked to pay off his college loans. McCain's family spends money like it was water, 500,000 on credit cards in one month alone! McCain has consistently opposed all legislation that would help American workers and voted to send jobs out of the country by trade agreements and military contracts with foreign countries. Barack has consistently voted for the American worker, supporting increased minimum wage, benefits, union organizing, and health care. Barack opposed the war in Iraq from the start and will save billions by withdrawing in a responsible way. Barack will replace insult and confrontation of the Republicans with respect and cooperation, bringing new diplomatic agendas to the fore. Yes, we can elect change we believe in, Barack Obama in 2008!
mouse12:40PMJul 3rd 2008
What a joke! Shame on Tommy christopher for writing such a slanted, biased story and shame on aol for publishing it. Are you so desperate for any kind of news? John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well, both in the military and in the Senate. He does not deserve this kind of yellow journalism. Wonder what "Tommy" would look like with yellow teeth and big ears?
Bob Wilkinson12:55PMJul 3rd 2008
I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE RUNNING FOR AN OFFICE ON THE RIGHT IN THIS ELECTION. BUSHS CROOKED ADMINISTATION RUINED IT FOR EVERYONE--WE DO NEED TO KEEP A BALANCE IN GOVERNMENT AND THAT MEANS TWO OR MORE VIABLE PARTIES NEED TO CONTEST THE VARIOUS POLITICAL POSITIONS. BUSH AND HIS CABINET IS OBVIOUSLY THE WORST IN HISTORY AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO VOTE DEMOCRAT TO TURN THIS AROUND
Maurice1:16PMJul 3rd 2008
I can't believe how left AOL seems to be.Their views and reports don't reflect public opinion. I should get a new provider!
jake nelson1:20PMJul 3rd 2008
I think McCain better start hitting obama back hard or he can kiss hes presidential campaign good by. we donot need obama and his muslim pals. please stop obama from killing all of us.
RIChris1:22PMJul 3rd 2008
"Against a formidable politician like Barack Obama, they could break several Richter scales shaking up McCain's beleaguered operation, and still not make a dent."
OH, TOMMY. DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT EVEN EXTENSIVE SANDBLASTING WON'T BE ENOUGH TO GET THAT BROWN OFF YOUR NOSE?
Angela V1:24PMJul 3rd 2008
Bob Wilkinson, there is a choice, and John McCain is it. A McCain presidency will bring reform, prosperity, and peace while an Obama presidency would only cause debt and disaster. We need a true patriot and an American hero, John McCain, not that empty suit, Barack Obama.
Angela V1:27PMJul 3rd 2008
Vote for John McCain! The choice is clear!
iynaroc022:21PMJul 3rd 2008
John MacCain want to run the country and he can't even run a campaign. He should contact Obama for lessons on leadership, management, organization and economics 101. What has been going on with McCain's campaign speaks volume about his lack of judgement, leadership and management qualities. He might have some experience (outdated experience), but it's what he draws from that experience to make judgement that matters, and so far he has shown poor judgement over and over. The same poor judgement has follwed him from his military days to the senate and terrible republican nominee. During the primary his campaign went broke and his wife had to bail him out, again, poor management. McCain can't manage few $million campaign fund and he wants us to vote for him to manage the countries $9 trillion debt. Not a chance!
D. L. GRAHAM2:29PMJul 3rd 2008
SOVIET & CHI-COM VOLUNTEER'S TO IRAN???
Well, not only does the United States Miliary Industiral Complex cost the United States Taxpayer more money than any nation on the face of earth, we spend more on it that the entire world spend on theirs total. We seem be heading to spending even more plus scrapping the volunteer service.
Adm. Mullen the Head of the Joint Chief of Staff say's we would once again streach our volunteer service if necessary to cover yet another war a pre-emptive war with Iran.
Before the end of the year (October) either Israel or the United States will attack Iran (1) If Iran is able to reach a level of air DEFENSE to protect its own sovereignty, or (2) Have produced enough fussionable to produce a nuclear weapon.
Never mind the United States never attack France, The Soviet Union, The People's Republic of Red China, The Peoples Republic of North Korea, Pakistan, or any other country on the face of the globe for developing either a nuclear weapon or developing an Air Defense system for its own defense.
So, Adm. Mullens and all these highly and over paid industrial military complex nuts have taught this all thru have they? What if the New Soviet Union, and The Peoples Republic of Red China, were to send volunteer forces into Iran, at the request of a sovereign Iran, and paid for by a sovereign Iran, to protect the sovereiignty of Iran, against not just a possible threat but a promised and probable attack, that effects are three parties concerned?
The question for all these over paid (1/3rd) of (1%) of the American Population is where is your brain up your back side and locked? Are, you and The Commander in Chief ready to start the last and final war?
Land of the Free and the Brave, or the Insane Out Of Control Military Industrial Complex?
NoWay!2:49PMJul 3rd 2008
Our government has no control over what Isreal will do! Iran has threatened to blow up Isreal many times.
President Bush has been trying to get other country's to help by putting sanctions on Iran. That's a peaceful way to try to discourage Iran's nuclear bomb agenda.
NoWay!2:58PMJul 3rd 2008
Robert Alexander12:39PMJul 3rd 2008
Barack is the only one with the experience that counts. He has lived the American Dream. Barack has known personally the struggles of the middle class, as he worked to pay off his college loans. McCain's family spends money like it was water, 500,000 on credit cards in one month alone! McCain has consistently opposed all legislation that would help American workers and voted to send jobs out of the country by trade agreements and military contracts with foreign countries. Barack has consistently voted for the American worker, supporting increased minimum wage, benefits, union organizing, and health care. Barack opposed the war in Iraq from the start and will save billions by withdrawing in a responsible way. Barack will replace insult and confrontation of the Republicans with respect and cooperation, bringing new diplomatic agendas to the fore. Yes, we can elect change we believe in, Barack Obama in 2008!
-----------------------------------------------------
Barack Obama is a phony. His campaign adds are lies.
He he voted against Clinton's welfare reform, he didn't help fix it. BIG PHONY!!!
qaqs90003:05PMJul 3rd 2008
AOL has become a FOX of the internet. Slanted articles and the photo used show who's signing your paychecks. I was a loyal customer since the beginning of AOL. Now you have started to stink so bad its hard to even turn you on to check my mail. Next you will have Carl Rove over to design your whole business. I am having trouble handling the foul smell of greed and coruption. Lies are now OK I see. Who could really believe that over 70% of the people think Obama is ruthless. You suck.
D. L. GRAHAM3:13PMJul 3rd 2008
THAT'S NOT A ROLL OF QUARTERS!
TOMMY CHRISTOPHER: Still, separation of church and state has long been relegated to the status of the Pirate's Code, e.g. "...more like guidelines, really."
REPLY: I prefer the Pirates Code as it didn't get into RELIGION! Tommy Christoper is a Roman Catholic, and like many of not only the Roman Catholic Religion it's not limited to them, all of the Religous nuts want control of the power of the state.
Just who is going to get the lions share of the Taxpayers give away? The Roman Catholics, The Republican Religious Right "If I am unable to raise this much money, God came to me in a dream and said he would call me home, "White Guy's", The "God Damn America" Democratic Left "Black Guy's, The Dual Citizen Jewish American Guy's, The Mormons, the Muslims, the Baptist, just who?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
TOMMY CHRISTOPHER: People who have a hard time saying the entire "Lord's Prayer" without switching to the "Pledge of Allegiance" halfway through (and saying "invisible, with liberty...")
REPLY: Just who's Lord? Just who's prayer? Why do I have to support the religious belief's of Tommy Christoper and the Roman Catholic Church? And, this is not only a Roman Catholic Tommy Christoper it's a (PDN) Presumptive Democratic Nominee's Unity Church or any other oranized RELIGION? You religious nuts including Billy and Frank Graham have your rights to your relion, but NOT at my expenses! You have to pledge (10%) of your incomes to your religion, and now you want to stick your hand into my pocket. Well let me warn you there is a hole in my pocket and that's not a roll of quarters in it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
TOMMY CHRISTOPER:will insist to pollsters, over and over, that they must have a Christian president, so I guess we deserve it.
REPLY: Well we saw how that turned out with a faith based Bush, and most of the Democratic Party if not the nation would go back to a say your religious Clinton. One was getting himself screwed while the other is still screwing us, I don't want RELIGION, I don't want to pay for other's RELIGION in or out of government, I want a government at works, I don't want them on their knees praying to who know's what god, I want them on their feet working to get the Peoples Work and Will Done.
ALL YOU RELIGIOUS NUTS KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY POCKETS, THERE EMPLY AND THAT'S NOT A ROLL OF QUARTERS!
G.O.B.3:19PMJul 3rd 2008
Yes I think of David and Goliath there was none qualified about the same today what we are being offered is not qualified but I can't go with Barack (Hussain?) Obama his background, name ect. scares the ____ out me.
JOHN3:25PMJul 3rd 2008
Subj: FW: Post Turtle
While suturing a cut on the hand of a Texas Rancher whose hand had been caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually, the topic got around to Obama and his bid for the presidency.
The old rancher said, Well, ya know, Obama is a 'post turtle'.
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked, 'What is a post turtle'?
The old rancher said, When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.
The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain.
'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he sure as heck doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there and you just wonder what kind of an idiot put him there in the first place.'
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up in a year. Responding to Republican concerns that his candidacy was faltering, Mr. McCain put a veteran of President Bush's 2004 campaign in charge of day-to-day operations, and stepped away from a plan to have the campaign run by 11 regional managers, Mr. McCain's aides said Wednesday.
Angela V11:39AMJul 3rd 2008
This is a clearly biased article and I'm disgusted that it has been posted. John McCain is the only real choice for president. Obama's inexperience and lack of judgement spell disaster for our country.