McCain's unorthodox campaign: GOP puzzled as McCain drives in direction voters don't want to go

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: McCain's unorthodox campaign
Such seemingly contrary tactics as focusing on national security and foreign affairs when voters are most concerned about the domestic economy have provoked consternation among fellow Republicans.
By Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 29, 2008

This week, when Barack Obama campaigns in Ohio and Colorado, John McCain will be visiting Colombia and Mexico. It's an unusual path for McCain to follow. But even more, it's a risky strategy for his presidential campaign. Not since Richard M. Nixon traveled to all 50 states in 1960, fulfilling a pledge he came to regret, has a presidential candidate followed an itinerary that appears so at odds with his political needs.

For starters, and most obviously, there are no electoral votes to be had in Latin America or Canada, another country McCain recently visited. Even more puzzling to observers is McCain's emphasis on national security and foreign affairs -- Saturday he met with the leaders of Iraq and the Philippines -- at a time when domestic matters have surged to the fore of voter concerns....

On Saturday, Obama announced his own foreign tour, a trip to Europe and the Middle East. There are risks for the Illinois senator, if he seems cocky or his journey takes on the air of a victory lap. But the trip makes sense politically, addressing a gap in Obama's resume. McCain is attempting something far more difficult: driving the campaign in a direction that voters, at least for now, don't wish to go....

***

...(W)hen McCain sits down with foreign leaders to talk about terrorism, the thinking goes, it helps voters envision him as commander in chief. When he travels to Colombia and Mexico, it highlights his record as a free trader and his moderation on immigration and, perhaps, garners favorable publicity in the Latino community back home. But that strategy has provoked consternation and confusion among some fellow Republicans. There is, after all, the cautionary lesson of 1992, when President George H.W. Bush lost his reelection bid. One big reason was that voters believed Bush -- who was partial to foreign policy -- was less attuned to their pocketbook pain than was his more domestic-minded opponent, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton.

That campaign, not incidentally, was the last time the economy played such a large role in a presidential election. In a worrisome sign for McCain, surveys show that economic issues again top the political agenda, with most voters saying Obama would do a better job addressing healthcare, record gas prices, even taxes -- usually a GOP strong suit -- than McCain....

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mccain29-2008jun29,0,1575201.story

[L0oniX]

1. "I disagree with what the majority of the American people want." --John McCain

"I ‘Don’t See How It Matters’ That I Don’t Know The Price Of Gas" --John McCain

[eridani]

19. Anybody got that stuff on YouTube yet? n/t

[FrenchieCat]

2. It's called being out of touch.

How come the media can't just say that? It is evident in so many ways.

[speedoo]

3. You're being kind.

I call it being stupid.

[pwb]

4. We elect a president john, not a commander and chief..

The American people had a chance to vote for two relatively stable Nam vets and they were defeated, {sort of} . You John are a spoiled favorite son just like bush. You treated Annapolis like it was a joke. Finished almost last in your class. Crashed four planes owned by the taxpayers like they were bumper cars. Maybe if you paid more attention at Annapolis you would not have been shot down. You have used the,
" i am the son of an admiral" To get special treatment your entire life, even when you surrendered to your enemy. Yes John you did surrender because you broke your arm and legs bailing out for the forth time. We hear a lot about you refusing to go home when it was offered to you, but all officer P.O.W.'s refused to go home, they chose for their enlisted men to be freed instead.
I am a Nam vet and my dad followed the war very closely and he never liked you. He said you were treated so specially that you were probably too fat to come home with all the other skeleton men. Other Nam vet friends of mine feel the same way i do, so i am not alone. We wonder how you look in the mirror to shave, or does someone else shave the war hero famous fortunate son. You should not have gotten as far as you did bud, why not just retire and fade away....

Sorry for the rant people.

[Canuckistanian]

5. I was scratching my head at his Canadian visit

Why would he visit us during a presidential campaign?

He didn't make any grand statements of friendship nor did he assure Canadians that he'd be any different than Bush.

And it certainly didn't help his campaign domestically. It's like he was on Mars for a couple of days as far as most Americans were concerned.

It was a waste of time for all of us.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks for the view from there, Canuckistanian. Sounds like it was as puzzling there as here. nt

[Canuckistanian]

7. Yes, it was strange

It seemed to be mostly about meeting business leaders, and mostly about NAFTA.

It made little news here.

Now, if OBAMA had made a visit, it would be like the Pope or Mick Jagger were making a surprise visit.

Obama's highly regarded here.

[yardwork]

9. Business is what it's all about.

The Republicans don't even pretend to be interested in U.S. interests anymore. They are strictly in this for profit. McLame was probably making business deals in Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. Probably promising all kinds of trade deals with similarly right-wing thinking politicians and corporate heads and lining up campaign contributions under the table in return.

[JVS]

15. Yeah, I can understand going to Mexico, but Canada seems an odd choice.

[nc4bo]

8. I have some guesses as to what slimeball is up to........

and it smells like NAFTA. He's bloody obvious, not hiding a thing here folks.

[yardwork]

10. Welcome to DU! I didn't see your post before I wrote mine.

Yes. This is all about trade deals. McLame is probably getting campaign money in return, which he'll hide.

[nc4bo]

11. LOL - like minds thinking like thoughts! Thanks and glad to be here! n/t

[nc4bo]

12. A little NAFTA primer for memory refreshing purposes.

http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/texte/index.aspx

Lots of friends to be made either side of our borders.

[slinkerwink]

13. McCain will trumpet that issue as long as he can because he has nothing else

[Beetwasher]

14. Because McCain Has Reason To Think NATIONAL SECURITY WILL BE THE MAIN ISSUE

Of the election; especially after we attack Iran right before the election.

[uponit7771]

16. More evidence the GOP is tryin to throw this years election knowing the economic shit is about to...

...hit the fan.

Bernankes moves on the dollar is the dumbest and hackiest thing I've seen done to a country's currency.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

17. McCain's racking up frequent-liar miles.

[DeepModem Mom]

18. Okay, that is a GOOD one! nt

[skooooo]

20. ".....or his journey takes on the air of a victory lap."

The phrase in the subject line refers back to Obama's possible European tour this summer. To be sure, there will be an atmosphere of celebration if Obama goes there. He's very popular in Europe, especially Germany.

You can see examples of this at youtube.com.

Should be interesting!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4jm9sGosjo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YXHGtomS3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hapInyDPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQXy1Ak2V9U

[brooklynite]

21. I went to see McCain speak in the Primary season...

His discussion of the economic situation (far less severe then) was very perfunctory, as if he knew he had to say something and wanted to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. He only became animated when he could switch the discussion to national security and veterans issues.