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Oct
17
John McCain lauded Barack Obama last night:
I don’t want it getting out of this room, but my opponent is an impressive fellow in many ways,” McCain said. “Political opponents can have a little trouble seeing the best in each other. But I’ve had a few glimpses of this man at his best and I admire his great skill, energy and determination. It’s not for nothing, but he’s inspired many folks in his own party and beyond. Senator Obama talks about making history and he’s made quite a bit of it already. There was a time when the mere invitation of an African-American citizen to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage and an insult. Today is a world away from the cruelty and prideful bigotry of that time – and good riddance.
What if McCain’s behavior for all these months of campaigning mirrored, reflected and embodied that exact sense and tone, even in the toughest disagreements? If his advisors and spokesmen did too? If his campaign ads did too?
I voted for Hillary Clinton, albeit reluctantly. I adore Joe Biden, but it’s taken a lot to say I’m a real supporter of Barack Obama, even for all my reasons. If John McCain’s behavior supported the feelings he expressed last night, how might things be different now – especially for all the independents and moderates? Replace the image that so many have called, “McNasty” with the one from last night.
The Washington Post endorsement pins the problem on McCain’s choice of running mate, not once, but twice:
The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain’s disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president.
…
But the stress of a campaign can reveal some essential truths, and the picture of Mr. McCain that emerged this year is far from reassuring. To pass his party’s tax-cut litmus test, he jettisoned his commitment to balanced budgets. He hasn’t come up with a coherent agenda, and at times he has seemed rash and impulsive. And we find no way to square his professed passion for America’s national security with his choice of a running mate who, no matter what her other strengths, is not prepared to be commander in chief.
But I would say it’s more because of the venom and shallowness that the running mate has injected into the campaign.
If I were a campaign advisor, I would have advised McCain to express, reflect and embody, all along, the beliefs and sentiments he stated at the Alfred Smith Memorial Dinner last night (see the video here) – and then fight. That’s more or less what Obama has done, and look where it’s gotten him.
Bonus addition: This AP story underscores all the points just made:
Since September, McCain has lost ground on nearly every quality tested in the [AP-Yahoo News] poll, including lower scores for being likable, decisive, honest, competent, intelligent and inspiring.
He’s also lost ground for understanding ordinary people’s problems, caring about “people like you” and improving America’s international standing….
I know what they mean.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:27 am October 17th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Campaigning, Joe Biden, John McCain, Politics, Sarah Palin, Vice President, WH2008
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7 Responses to “What if this was the McCain who’d been campaigning 24/7?”
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McCain is not a monster, neither is Palin.
Politicians know that they will be seeing and working with each other in the future.
Demonstrating this softens him and would attract more moderate votes, funny moderates do not like strong willed deceives, the are looking for carefully open minded and objective.
The long and the short, while they perceived the long democratic primary as damaging and the short republican primary as an advantage, it worked out a different way.
The 95% of Americans tax cut could be more political than economic, and has to pass congress either way…the thing is that a majority needs restraint and Obama has to know that and I sincerely believe he has that in him, or I hope that he does.
Shalom Jill,
I think that McCain could have changed the game Wednesday night if he had answered his very first question this way.
I will answer that in a moment, but first, decency and honor require that I say to my worthy opponent Senator Barack Obama that the misinformed statements by some of my supporters in recent days are not to be tolerated.
We are both members of one of the most august legislative bodies in the world and vying for the honor of serving our nation as it’s executive leader. The language we have heard has no place in this contest and I greatly regret that it has been allowed to do so.
I take personal responsibility and vow to my colleague and honored peer that I will not tolerate it. Thank you. And now, to your question…
It’s a fantasy, but sometimes fantasies are good.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Jeff – I agree but really, to do that with only 21 days left just doesn’t feel sincere enough – as though it would stick and be the way in which he’d handle everything. I think that’s why the Washington Post endorses Obama because there’s a consistency in how he relates and treats people. Remember I was very unhappy with the “Sweetie” moment – when he brushed aside a female reporter and then never answered her question during the primary? He has not, to our knowledge, ever done that again. And I suspect he won’t.
So – there’s that, you know?
Shalom Jill,
That’s true, you’re absolutely right. It would not have changed the outcome of the election.
But what it would have done was change the discussion and allow McCain to regain his dignity and return to the Senate with his head up.
If we don’t believe that people can respond to their better natures, we’ve lost civilization.
B’shalom,
Jeff
[...] What if this was the McCain who’d been campaigning 24/7? Posted in Election [...]
Well – in this sense, I think of McCain as behaving a bit like Rick Santorum did before he went down in 2006. He stuck to his policies, he did not flipflop or apologize for them and so, even though he lost, he at least was consistent and did not pander. That certain preserves him for the future. McCain, not so much – maybe the fact that he hasn’t done that, to preserve for the future, is one of the most telling but least examined aspects of how he’s campaigned.
Shalom Jill,
The difference is that I don’t see any political future for Rick Santorum except to go down in urban dictionaries for the definition that Dan Savage has forever fastened to his family name.
John McCain might have been spared that ignoble end.
B’shalom,
Jeff