Prominent GOP Strategist To Marc Ambinder: "Insane."

[babylonsister]

Prominent GOP Strategist To Me: "Insane."

28 Jul 2008 12:48 pm

Here's what a prominent Republican strategist e-mailed me about my contrarian defense of Sen. John McCain's election strategy:

"Insane. The GOP base vote is not in play. That's why we call it the base. He has it all; it is a generic vote and not candidate driven. Show me a Prez election where the key outcome driver was partisan base intensity. It is a myth. The winning vs. losing outcome is whether he can get the others he needs to win; and a pure partisan approach -- let alone a nagging and off-putting tone -- is exactly the way not to get them. They have the strategy of a Congressional candidate running in a base suburb, and barely even that."

And this comes from a person who is sympathetic to McCain!


http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/prominent_gop_strategist_to_me.php

[Renew Deal]

1. I generally agree.

Though if McCain looks like a sure loser, his "base" will shrink.

[americanstranger]

2. I was saying the same thing the other day.

McCain's running this campaign like he's running for Senate again - and he's been able to slack and coast his way through every Senate race he's won.

He doesn't realize he's running with the Big Dogs now. Shoulda never got off the porch.

- as