Can McCain Stay in the Scene? March 10, 2008
Posted by Reginald Johnson in Uncategorized.add a comment
United States Senator John McCain, in many peoples eyes, is in a good position right now. He’s the lone GOP candidate standing and the democrats are doing their tired and true bickering. He’s love for the DNC to be fighting all the way to the convention this summer.
There’s only one downside that some people can see: please see the above paragraph. If McCain can’t find away to stay in the media….without committing political suicide…he might be his own undoing. If Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are able to play their cards right – they’re fighting will make McCain invisible.
He’s in a tough boat right now. He has to compete with the Democrats just to get a chance to be in the spot light. While strolling up Pennslyvania Avenue (right in front of the World Bank) I asked a young man if he is following the election coverage. “I am…I am. I’ve been following the Democrats more than the Republicans,” he said. “It feels like it’s been a while since the GOP has made the news,” he continued. I think even John McCain understands he must compete for the spotlight.
John McCain is noted for saying, “It makes me have to work harder, obviously, to make sure that we maintain the visibility.”
The renegade republican senator received the GOP nomination with the major victories in Ohio and Texas. On the Democratic warfront nothing is certain. Obama has more delegates and won more states; but Clinton has won more core states with larger populations. Even after the primary tomorrow in Mississippi, nothing will be over. Chances are good that Hillary will still stay in the race, still fighting for the nomination. The Democratic nomination, more than ever, commands attention. This fight could last for months.
What is McCain to do? Some stratagists say he should transition from smaller, state-by-state primary campaigns to a national campaign that in some ways is less suited to his style of campaigning.
One thing McCain is known for is his smaller settings. He loves campaign events where he’s able to meet people face-to-face. He loves making real eye contact with his voters. Just ask an Arizonan.
Another thing he is known for is his intimate and extensive time with journalists and reporters. He often has members of the press Straight Talk Express campaign bus.
Something McCain isn’t so good at is massive rallies; bringing large crowds under one umbrella. Events that number in the in the thousands, don’t really fare well for McCain. Obama may be better suited for that, than McCain.
Sen. McCain insists he will be able to continue his more personal style of campaigning, but he and his advisers are still working out how to do that.
McCain’s schedule has been packed with fundraisers — he held five in two days last week — and he will continue to raise money next week during a swing through the Midwest and the Northeast.
As a thank-you to top fundraisers, McCain invited several to his ranch near Sedona, Ariz., for a barbecue on Saturday. He has done the same for governors and senators who are friends and supporters, and for journalists covering his campaign.
Something else McCain needs to do in the Senate is meet with Republican congressional leaders to discuss his role.
