McCain's tough road ahead

[Peacetrain]

Analysis: McCain's tough road ahead

WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain calls himself an underdog. That may be an understatement.

The GOP presidential candidate trails Democrat Barack Obama in polls, organization and money while trying to succeed a deeply unpopular fellow Republican in a year that favors Democrats. McCain also doesn't seem to have a coherent message let alone much of a strategy despite securing the nomination three months earlier than Obama.

"This is a tough race. We are behind. We are the underdog. That's what I like to be," the GOP nominee-in-waiting frequently tells donors these days, keenly aware not only of his woes but also
his proven comeback ability: He won his party's nomination despite the implosion of his campaign last summer.

One year later, and now in the general election, McCain's troubles are so acute that he recently gave senior adviser Steve Schmidt "full operational control" of the day-to-day campaign and, effectively, scaled back the duties of campaign manager Rick Davis. The shift in responsibilities came after weeks of Republican quibbling that McCain had not adequately made the transition for the fall.

:dem::dem::dem::dem:
I should add from my own perspective.. Oh YEAH! I am hoping this is just another sign of how incredibly weak the opposition is.. but one thing for sure, I am not going to sit back,..I am going to keep pushing that rock up the hill.. GOBAMA