Worries in G.O.P. About Disarray in McCain Camp

[Why Syzygy]

Reformer? huh?

May 25, 2008
Worries in G.O.P. About Disarray in McCain Camp
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign is in a troubled stretch, hindered by resignations of staff members, a lagging effort to build a national campaign organization and questions over whether he has taken full advantage of Democratic turmoil to present a case for his candidacy, Republicans say.

In interviews, some party leaders said they were worried about signs of disorder in his campaign, and if the focus in the last several weeks on the prominent role of lobbyists in Mr. McCain’s inner circle might undercut the heart of his general election message: that he is a reformer taking on special interests in Washington.

“The core image of John McCain is as a reformer in Washington — and the more dominant the story is about the lobbying teams around him, the more you put that into question,” said Terry Nelson, who was Mr. McCain’s campaign manager until he left in a shake-up last fall. “If the Obama campaign can truly change him from being seen as a reformer to just being another Washington politician, it could be very damaging over the course of the campaign.”

...

“I think any Republican who doesn’t say panic is in the wind is lying through their shirt,” said Ron Kaufman, who was a senior adviser this year for Mitt Romney. “The question is, is that panic caused by McCain’s campaign — or lack thereof in some respects — or is it the climate?”

Jim Rutenberg contributed reporting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/us/politics/25mccain.html?em&ex=1211860800&en=b211689262399c22&ei=5087%0A
...more

[MrModerate]

1. Well, maybe we'll survive our primary season after all.

On the whole, Obama's campaign has been quite well run (especially for a first timer on the national stage). If McLame can't even keep a campaign running smoothly, he's going to end up as a bug on Obama's window (couldn't happen to a nicer guy).

[Why Syzygy]

3. I think he is a sacrificial candidate.

You know they really want someone like Cheney or Rumsfeld, but they could never get away with it.
Vegas odds are in Obama's favor vs. McClone. He's going down.

[MrModerate]

4. Do you think he's aware that he's the sleigh rider slated for . . .

Tossing to the wolves? Or does he think he can/should be president?

[Why Syzygy]

5. I think deep down he knows.

But he needs the adoration so much, he pushes it out of mind. I'm one of those who used to like McCain, to a degree. Once he became GW's muppet, something dark moved into his soul. It isn't easy living with a drug addict either. Plus! He seems to have gone awfully senile. Even the part of him that KNOWS doesn't care too much. At least he gets the ride he has always wanted.

What do you think?

[MrModerate]

9. I do think he's physically and mentally declining before our eyes.

Which I think dems need to find a *graceful* way of pointing out, if it's not automatically picked up by the commentariat.

I've never been much of a fan, but even saying that, he's not half the man he was in 2004 when he gave Schimpanski a run for his money (and I do mean money!)

[lob1]

2. Yes, I think we have a good chance.

Yesterday McCain once again confused the Sunni's with the Swiss.

[alwysdrunk]

6. I thought they loved the "chaos"

But here:

“Then the focus becomes on a two-person race and that leads to us getting more equal treatment in terms of getting airtime. We’ve had to fight with one hand tied behind our back.”

They say something else. I still think it's helping him. He can lay back and raise money without having to spend much. I wonder what happens if it goes to the convention?

[Why Syzygy]

7. More airtime.

That will be interesting. I'm guessing they are going to feel like both hands are tied behind their backs before it's all over :evilgrin:

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. k&r very interesting!

[bigdarryl]

10. And now he's got this also to worry about

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1511
Zogby International

[Why Syzygy]

11. kick