This is the picture the Democrats need to run with.
The orderly Republican tradition of succession continues—thanks to winner-take-all primary rules—as President George W. Bush invites presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain to the White House.
The two appeared in the Rose Garden after a brief lunch where the unpopular president pledged his support to help McCain "as much as he wants" on the campaign trail. Thanks, but no thanks, right? The Washington Post:
McCain will undoubtedly be polite, and Bush's support will help his rival for the 2000 GOP nomination consolidate the support of his party. But many GOP strategists believe McCain will quickly move to stake out his independence from the unpopular president.
McCain benefits from the current fracture in the Democratic Party, but, at six months before the convention, there is plenty of time to resolve the selection. The Dems also have history on their side. Reuters: "In the last 50 years, only once has the party in power for two terms in a row been able to win a third one, when George H.W. Bush, the current president's father, succeeded the immensely popular Ronald Reagan in the 1988 election.
Unsettled Race Leaves McCain Unchallenged [WaPo]
McCain Turns to November [Reuters]
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Yes, use that shot and the old "hug" photo of McCain literally embracing W.
This is going to be a nasty campaign, even meaner because the GOP has nothing good of their own to campaign upon--just a long list of failures and disasters and bankrupted federal coffers.
The GOP will be forced to run on fear and anxiety and insecurity and lies and mud.
The question now is will the Democrats sling it back--or CAN they do so as or more effectively without souring the electorate on the entire process and turning off all the new people brought into the process? Or if they will go with a Reaganesque positive, future-oriented message? "They offer you nothing but partisan battles, we offer you the following solutions."
Whomever gets the nomination will likely set this tone. Guess who offers what...
Posted by: Andy Niable | 05 March 2008 at 13:32
do you think McCain swallowed or spit out after 'lunch' with Bush?
Posted by: johnozed | 05 March 2008 at 19:39
I dunno, joh, but isn't necrophilia illegal in DC?
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 05 March 2008 at 22:29
Who is the real John McCain? He's like tofu: He changes his flavor based on whatever he's around. A week ago he was a Huckabee conservative, yesterday he was Bush, prior to the campaign he was Nadar-esque. Who will he be tomorrow to gain a few more votes. He reminds me of a used car salesman that will say (and do) anything to secure the sale.
If you notice, McCain's campaign didn't say he was distancing himself from Bush until after the photo shoot.
At least Obama and Clinton are talking about real solutions to real issues. McCain is continuing with the trite Republican smoke and mirrors campaign. He's just the latest member of "the club." I wonder how many people will fall for it this time?
Posted by: Ramon Johnson | 06 March 2008 at 08:03
McCain himself is a fairly weak campaigner, but it's the machine behind him, along with the bloodthirsty 527s (remember "Swiftboat Veterans for Truth") that worry me.
Posted by: Andy Niable | 06 March 2008 at 09:58