Political Experts & the Opiniated

[Stephen]

In what ways do you think McCains campaign tactics [experience, maverick, etc] are hurting him?

I see some reasons that the Maverick tactic, as well as the expereince, might be backfiring when people want change



Discuss?

Gauging facts& opinions for my politicts class


Edit: luckily i wont have to spell opinionated in the paper.

[s0urce]

I don't support either candidate. At this point Id rather obama win though, so in 4 years when nothing has changed...I can say "I told you so".

[Aptyp]

I think what hurts McCain is that his campaign is too open.

Obama runs as a dark horse, and that's interesting to many voters.

[Stephen]

I think what hurts McCain is that his campaign is too open.

Obama runs as a dark horse, and that's interesting to many voters.

Interesting perspective, Thanks. That's something i hadnt heard before.

[Jon325i]

You know, I've been hearing a lot of critical analysis of the McCain "maverick" approach to his campaign and how its going to hurt him - yet today, there were at least three reputable opinion polls showing the points spread between the two candidates is narrowing. I don't know if this is the result of McCain's message or more Obama vs. Joe the plumber speak. Just one more reason why it's wise to do your own homework on a politicians' campaign and actions versus 30-second sound bites on the evening news.

I'm much like s0urce in the respect that I'm not really crazy about either candidate since both leave A LOT to be desired, however I'm probably going to check the "R" candidate on election day. One thing is for certain: whoever wins next Tuesday is going to be bestowed one hell of an economic mess next January. Depending where you are in this country, you're either in a recession or you're on your way to one. The silver lining with this is it will keep either candidate from delivering on their myriad of campaign promises. Its going to be damage control from day 1. Then depending on how well they sift through this mess in their first term will dictate if they get re-elected. It won't be easy for either one.

Jon

[Stephen]

You know, I've been hearing a lot of critical analysis of the McCain "maverick" approach to his campaign and how its going to hurt him - yet today, there were at least three reputable opinion polls showing the points spread between the two candidates is narrowing. I don't know if this is the result of McCain's message or more Obama vs. Joe the plumber speak. Just one more reason why it's wise to do your own homework on a politicians' campaign and actions versus 30-second sound bites on the evening news.

I'm much like s0urce in the respect that I'm not really crazy about either candidate since both leave A LOT to be desired, however I'm probably going to check the "R" candidate on election day. One thing is for certain: whoever wins next Tuesday is going to be bestowed one hell of an economic mess next January. Depending where you are in this country, you're either in a recession or you're on your way to one. The silver lining with this is it will keep either candidate from delivering on their myriad of campaign promises. Its going to be damage control from day 1. Then depending on how well they sift through this mess in their first term will dictate if they get re-elected. It won't be easy for either one.

Jon

Very true.

[z31maniac]

Picking an unexperienced backwater redwoods hick as his running partner.

I completely agree with Jon325i.

[h0lmes]

Picking an unexperienced backwater redwoods hick as his running partner.

I completely agree with Jon325i.

inexperience

[ragged325]

Conservatives would like to see their Republican candidate as someone who is committed to their conservative values. The "maverick" message seems to reinforce the idea that he's not really committed to conservative values at all and that he's ready to go against his own party to achieve his political goals. Conservatives seems like they rank loyalty pretty high (I watched that thing on s14.net recently*) It seems that his strategy is to shoot himself in the foot.

I think what Bush did was more effective. He said he was a conservative and then waited until he got elected to do something else. This is called the "don't telegraph your moves" strategy.

*http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/j...oral_mind.html

[Massive Lee]

Being a Maverick requires a lot of energy and indepence of mind, which are not usually associated to a 75 year old man. Therefore, McCain was not credible at all and did not persuade anyone. He then tried to get the youth image by hiring Palin. Problem is that it backfired as she's just too dumb and she campaigns for herself, distancing from her older partner. Talk about team work. Palin will probably present herself in 2012. Being a maverick also means that McCain would go against its party's line. Which can be seen as trahison by many conservatives... But they will still vote for McCain as they won't vote for Obama. By principle.

[Old'n'Slow]

The current tactic of Ignore the Real Issues and Bash Obama is truly pathetic and desperate. I guess when you have nothing constructive to say or do, go bash someone. He's a terrorist! He's Anti-American! He's a Socialist! Riiiight. Next?

I think what hurts McCain is that his campaign is too open.

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean the way he often shows his ignorance of topics of real concern to America and the world?

This one blew it for me: Look how often he defers to Bush, even though he's a "maverick".

This is a paraphrase. Got to the link for a transcript.

Would he support taxpayer funding for contraception in Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS? McCain initially replied that he preferred a program of abstinence education but would provide condoms in places where abstinence "was not being followed," that is, where sex is happening, which is everywhere. That was a stupid answer, which he credited to Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., his ultraright mentor on issues of reproductive rights and health.

Moments later, he wanted to amend his answer. "Let me think about it a little bit ... I don't know if I would use taxpayers' money ... I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out ... I'm sure I have taken a position on it in the past ... I have to find out my position on it ... I am sure I am opposed to government funding. I am sure I support the president's policy on it."

A reporter followed up by inquiring whether McCain supports sex education that candidly discusses contraception and preventing the spread of AIDS and other disease, or whether he backs President Bush's abstinence-only education program. After a long pause, he said, "I think I support the president's policy." Does he believe that contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV? After another long pause, he replied, "You've stumped me."

That was too bizarre for the startled journalist. "I mean, I think you'd probably agree it probably does help stop it?" Realizing how foolish he sounded, the senator had a ready quip. "Are we on the Straight Talk Express?" Still, he stuck to his muddled answer: "I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I'm sure I've taken a position on it in the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception -- I'm sure I'm opposed to government spending on it, I'm sure I support the president's policies on it."

At that point, I thought "his mind is gone" and with it, my vote.