Horserace
July 2, 2008 1:07 PM

Changes Atop The McCain Campaign

By
Vaughn Ververs
Topics
John McCain
There have been some changes at the top of John McCain's presidential campaign, Politico's Jonathan Martin reports, with senior advisor Steve Schmidt taking over day-to-day operations and campaign manager Rick Davis focusing on long-range planning.

Schmidt, a veteran GOP operative, will be in charge of coordinating the campaign's daily message, Politico reports, and will also "have an increased role in shaping most every facet of the organization including scheduling, policy, coalitions and surrogates." Davis will concentrate on big-picture issues such as the GOP convention planning, the vice presidential selection and general strategy, according to Martin.

The moves come amid sharp criticism among some Republicans about the operations and concerns that the campaign has not done enough to begin laying the groundwork for the general election.

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by jnes4 July 2, 2008 8:43 PM EDT
The whole ''prolonging of the Democratic nominee'' strategy seems to have backfired for the Republicans. There was so much media coverage of Hillary and Obama day in and day out during this process, that McCain basically got shoved out of the news, out of mainstream media. Even the pundits gave more credence to Bill and his escapades than McCain. No one reported on McCain, no one cared about McCain. This lack of critical exposure and airtime allowed voters to make up their minds early for the Democratic nominee. This second campaign shakeup in the McCain camp is a direct result of this error. It''s likely too late for McCain to make any inroads at all at this point in his bid for the presidency. This strategic mistake will indeed cost the Republicans the presidency, and its a good lesson to learn not to never try and ''subvert the process''. Blame it on Rush, its all his fault.
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by skipschipper July 2, 2008 8:21 PM EDT
On a diplomatic mission, a U.S. Senator angily yanks an armed guerilla off his chair, out of control, owing no doubt to "flashbacks" of his time in the Hanoi Hilton, and you want him to be our President? C''mon, get serious.
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by mattcat25 July 2, 2008 7:46 PM EDT
McCain is doing much better in the polls than the liberal rags care to admit. The truth is that the liberals are running scared.
Posted by Allison2008a


The only things Americans are running scared from are the odious and detrimental results of Conservatism.


Reply to this comment
by allison2008a July 2, 2008 7:38 PM EDT
McCain is doing much better in the polls than the liberal rags care to admit. The truth is that the liberals are running scared. Obama is so leftist it''s a wonder he can stand up straight, but the press is doing their darndest to paint him as a centrist. Who do you think you''re fooling? Obama is a radical far left leaning liberal and I don''t trust him when he puts on his religious mask. I don''t trust Obama to tell the truth.
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by mattcat25 July 2, 2008 5:50 PM EDT
McCain isn''t any change we can beleive in...
Reply to this comment
by pvperson July 2, 2008 5:23 PM EDT
What CHANGE from Bush does McCain offer? He aligns with Bush on:

Iraq War..
War with Iran..
Tax Cuts for the rich..
Foreign Policy..
Gun Control..
Budget & Economy..
Education..
Homeland Security..
Supreme Court..
Crime..
Government Reform..
Health Care..
Abortion..
Free Trade..
Cuba..
Civil Rights..
Social Security..
Immigration..
Welfare & Poverty..
Corporations..
Energy & Oil..
Environment..
Principles & Values

McCain offers Bush term III.
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 July 2, 2008 5:17 PM EDT
Yeah and the "fake" change that Obama wants (whatever that is) is change that this "center-right" country will reject soundly the night of November 4th 2008.

McCain will get over 300 electoral votes, no question about it.....
Posted by perceptions5


Here%u2019s a few of the great results from the Conservative Agenda,
Is this really what Americans wanted from the Bush Administration?
And, do you really believe that the majority of Americans will continue
To support these detrimental Policies.

Perpetual War, Mismanaged War Spending, Fear Mongering.
Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class.
High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else!
High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs.
Pollution.
Invasion of Privacy, and Disregard for our Constitution.
Corruption, Corruption, Corruption.
Religious Hypocrisy and Abuse of Tax Laws.
The Politicalization of our Justice Department.
Degradation of our Infrastructure.
Continued export of American Jobs to overseas Slave Labor.
Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community.

Americans need to vote for their better interests.


Reply to this comment
by perceptions5 July 2, 2008 4:55 PM EDT
John McCain, or any Conservative elected to be in the office of the Presidency of the United States isn%u2019t really any change the American People can believe in.


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Posted by Mattcat25 at
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Yeah and the "fake" change that Obama wants (whatever that is) is change that this "center-right" country will reject soundly the night of November 4th 2008.

McCain will get over 300 electoral votes, no question about it.....
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 July 2, 2008 4:32 PM EDT
John McCain, or any Conservative elected to be in the office of the Presidency of the United States isn%u2019t really any change the American People can believe in.
Reply to this comment
by jack3213 July 2, 2008 4:26 PM EDT
RGR- You best be prepared to eat your words.
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