A Present for McCain as the Other Side Fights (NYT)

[Eugene]

Source: New York Times

A Present for McCain as the Other Side Fights

By JOHN HARWOOD
Published: March 24, 2008

Feuding Democrats have handed Senator John McCain the
gift of time. How well he uses it may determine his chance
to beat them in November.

At the moment, Republicans can savor protracted warfare
between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
As the Democratic rivals trade attacks, Mr. McCain, already
the presumptive Republican nominee, has crept ahead of
both in national polls.

Yet Mr. McCain’s advisers recognize their long-term
challenges in a remarkably threatening political environment.
Voters remain weary of the Iraq war, worried about the
economy and disenchanted with the lame-duck Republican
president.

The Democratic fight is largely personal. But Mr. McCain,
of Arizona, faces ideological strains as he leads Republicans
beyond the Bush era. Meanwhile, Democrats have expanded
their base, and they have the turnout figures and campaign
cash to prove it.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/us/politics/24caucus.html?ref=politics