VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 13, 2008
McCain Unveils Tough New Rhetoric
Republican Presidential Nominee Vows To Fight For New Direction As Polls Show Him Behind Obama
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Barack Obama and John McCain are making their final attempts before the next and final debate to attract more voters. Dean Reynolds reports.
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The latest look at the electoral map shows Barack Obama is gaining ground in some historically Republican states. Jeff Greenfield explains what John McCain might have to do to stop Obama's momentum.
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Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., waves to the crowd as he arrives at a rally at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Monday, Oct. 13, 2008. (AP)
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John McCain
Some call him a hero, some a maverick. Will Americans call him Mr. President?
"We cannot spend the next four years as we have spent much of the last eight: waiting for our luck to change," McCain said while campaigning with running mate Sarah Palin in this once reliably Republican state that has become a battleground this year. "The hour is late; our troubles are getting worse; our enemies watch. We have to act immediately. We have to change direction now."
The Arizona senator insisted he understood Americans' concerns about the deepening financial crisis, even as fears about the meltdown have moved voters firmly in Democrat
The repudiation of the Republican incumbent's economic policies came as McCain has struggled to find a message that would reverse his sagging poll results nationally and in some battleground states. Yet, McCain echoed a line from President George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, about Democrats "measuring the drapes" that proved ineffectual for the GOP in 1992 and 2006.
"Sen. Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and Sen. (Harry) Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq," McCain said, targeting the prospect of one-party government with references to the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush told a Houston rally when he went to the Oval Office he expected to find Democratic candidate Bill Clinton "there measuring the drapes. Put those drapes on hold, it's going to be curtain time." Clinton unseated Bush.
In October 2006, President Bush said congressional Democrats "were measuring the drapes" and planning to take control of Congress. A month later, Democrats won the House and Senate.
McCain acknowledged Obama's lead in the polls. "The national media has written us off," McCain added. "But they forgot to let you decide."
"What America needs in this hour is a fighter," he said, adding that he knew Americans were worried about the direction of the country.
"I know what hopelessness feels like. It's an enemy who defeats your will. I felt those things once before. I will never let them in again," McCain said, a clear reference to his 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. "I'm an American. And I choose to fight."
"In the face of growing unease in the Republican Party about his campaign’s response to the economic crisis, McCain used his speech today to try and recast his message," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "Hewing to his conservative economic platform of lower-taxes, free trade and fiscal discipline, McCain resurrected his call from the Republican convention, urging his supporters to 'fight' on and once again raising questions about Barack Obama's experience. But those arguments haven't worked so far, it's uncertain that finding a new way to frame them will make any difference."
He renewed his pledge to freeze federal spending, renegotiate distressed mortgages to help middle class homeowners, and cut taxes. He also vowed to bring more experienced leadership to the White House, because "the next president won't have time to get used to the office."
McCain compared Obama to Herbert Hoover, the Republican who was president when the stock market crashed in 1929 triggering the Depression.
"The last president to raise taxes and restrict trade in a bad economy as Sen. Obama proposes was Herbert Hoover. That didn't turn out too well," McCain said. "They say those who don't learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. Well, my friends, I know my history lessons, and I sure won't make the mistakes Sen. Obama will."
In fact, Obama's tax plan calls for reductions for Americans making less than $200,000 a year.
McCain's retooled pitch comes as Republican campaign veterans say he needs to do more than just attack Obama in an economic environment that favors Democrats.
Obama leads in enough states to be within reach of the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory while McCain is being forced to defend Republican turf where polls show the race close. That's partly because of Obama's well-funded onslaught of TV ads and extensive network of field troops registering and canvassing voters; McCain trails on both fronts.
It was a measure of McCain's troubles that he was campaigning Monday, just three weeks before the election, in Virginia and later in North Carolina, both normally solid for the GOP nominee but in play this year. (Read more campaign news in Virginia from CBS News and around the Web.)
And Democrats were eyeing GOP-leaning West Virginia as a possible place to eek out a victory; Obama's TV ads meant for Ohio have bled into the state and there are indications that economic fears may be starting to tilt the state toward the Democrats. Palin landed in West Virginia over the weekend before traveling to campaign in Ohio.
Introducing McCain to the Virginia crowd, Palin sought to temper the sometimes volatile outbursts from supporters against Obama that marked the ticket's rallies last week.
The Alaska governor never mentioned the Illinois senator by name or his connections to 1960s-era radical Bill Ayers, a reference she made repeatedly last week that incited the crowds.
When supporters started chanting "No-Bama, No-Bama," Palin jumped in to say voter anger was driven by economic woes.
"There's anger about the insider dealing of lobbyists. Anger about the greed on Wall Street. Anger about the arrogance of the Washington elite," she said.
McCain and Obama will debate Wednesday at Hofstra University on Long Island, N.Y. CBS News anchor Bob Schieffer will moderate the 90-minute forum.
Still, McCain promised to run a "respectful" campaign in the weeks to come.
"I respect Senator Obama, we will conduct a respectful race and be sure everyone else does too. But there are stark difference between us," McCain said.
On Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a top adviser to McCain, said the presidential candidate was considering a reduction in taxes on investments, including a possible cut in the capital gains tax. But campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds said McCain would not announce any specific proposals during campaign stops Monday in Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He added, "We will likely have further proposals this week as economic news and conditions change."
Graham, on CBS News' Face the Nation said the GOP candidate was considering policy proposals that would cut taxes on investments.
"I think it goes along the lines of now's the time to lower tax rates for investors, capital gains tax, dividend tax rates, to make sure that we can get the economy jump-started," Graham said. "It will be a very comprehensive approach to jump-start the economy by allowing capital to be formed easier in America by lowering taxes."
McCain already has laid out proposals to address the crisis, including a $300 billion plan for the federal government to buy distressed mortgages and renegotiate them at a reduced price.
©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 327 CommentsNot sure about Shannon being mudrose. Mudrose might have been horribly misguided but she was usually much more eloquent than Shannon''s ever been.
LMFAO!
Denial or stupidity or bravado? You decide.
McCain has lost himself
Posted by mr22585 at 11:58 AM : Oct 13, 2008
Uh Huh?! Sparky there is little doubt that the Congress of this nation, regardless of Party, will make sure funds are available to defend our Ally, always has been for all the rest! There''s also, no reason to believe that OBAMA, as all Democrats all the way back to Truman, will be a good ally TO Isreal. He just will approach the Arab Countries differently than the Far Reich has under Bush/McSame.
It''s the half-wit who will become President when McCain dies in office that I''m scared sh*tless about.
Candidates on both sides, especially the one that currently is relying on them more, need to stop with the pithy catchphrases and get into some real detail. That''s all people really want in the end.
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The problem is those trickle-down polices with associated deregulation just don''t work. The economy grows overall, but at the expense of huge deficits, corruption, and an eroding middle classes. The richest 1% have see comes rise by ~15% while the other 99% have seen 1.5%. it is just not sustainable. Additionally, common sense tells us that when times are good we should prepare for when times are not so good. This trickle-down policies cause us run record deficits again and again. Only Clinton had a balanced budget and economic growth. It''s time to move the country forward. McCain is a good man, but he represents the past.
Bit late for that.
Maybe in 2012, my friend.
Posted by doorgunner2
By then he''ll be what...104 years old?
McCain will say anything to get elected. If he ever does get elected, wait and see how many promises he keeps. Unless his cronies are going to benefit from it.
he''s a maverick ... she''s a maverick ... nobody can beat a pair of mavericks ... especially someone who''s ''pal-ing'' around with a terrorist ... and likes the same type of doritos as bin laden.
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Posted by caddillackid
Columbus never set foot in America, he was close, but not here.
Just go home. America does not need another 4 years of GWB, the constant lies, shifting positions and deals for the rich. Take Ditzo with you (Palin).
His advisers turn him East - he bumps into a wall. His advisers turn him North - he bumps into a wall - his advisers turn him West - he bumps into a wall. It''s the fourth quarter and there is no place McCain can turn but South.
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Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:44 PM
All i''ve got to say is...we just need somthing different..and i really cant believe the Rep. doesnt think it either..
After 8 years of failed policies, all McSame has to offer is smear and fear.
It''s time for a change in direction.
We can''t afford to stay the course with John McSame.
Obama 08!
Obama 08!
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Posted by CaribouBarbi at 12:48 PM
I couldnt stand 4 or 8 more years of the same ***...We need to get our country respected once again!
How many times can you change directions McCain? You still have no idea of the fact the people of the United States are past fed up with the Republican Party!!!!!
Dim Wit!!!!!!
Collaborating with the VIET CONG
Betraying his country and fellow servicemen
Admitted to by Mccain Himself in 1973
and from his fellow pow''s
And other Republicans
Its all there
Do a search under:
Mccain Collaborator
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Posted by mtminds at 12:49 PM
basically, he has told the whole world that the USA will be the exact same as it has been for the past 8 horrible years
Posted by flalady41 at 12:41 PM : Oct 13, 2008
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You didn''t come to the NC I live in. If you had you would have seen many, many more Obama signs.
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Posted by sly_64 at 12:52 PM
I live in Iowa...and its hard to find a teen or anybody around tha age of 20 to 30 that wants to vote for mccain..i think eveyone is tierd of the same thing
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/10/palin_chryson/
HEY, THEY ARE TURNING BLUE!
WAIT A MINUTE, THEY ARE TURNING GREY!!
HEY, IS THAT JESUS WITH A RED PITCH FORK?
WAIT FOR ME IN THE HOLE JESUS, WAIT FOR ME!!
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Posted by PAINBSLAPU2 at 12:56 PM
We cant read your lips thouggh
No Presidential candidate in history has ever won the election when they were behind by 10 points just 3 weeks from the finish line.
This election is a referendum on the failed policies of Bush.
McCain wants to stay the course.
America wants and deserves change.
Obama 08!
I''d like to say this is ridiculous, but it is really, really frighting. However after Nov 4th it should just be a bad joke.
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Posted by berniew4
SOCIALISTIC COMMUNIST TERRORIST LOVER
Yeah, right BERNIE...and you sound really reasonable too...LOL
I can''t imagine him running this country--I can just see him headed off to a meeting with some heads of state in Europe and ending up in South Africa!!
McCain has NO direction--he''s kinda looking for one now?
Obama has run a smooth consistent campaign--McCain has been all over the board and with near riots caused last week by little missy Palin , he now wants to be "civil"?
It''s the issues man--it doesn''t matter if you were a POW---so were thousands of others--who, by the way, don''t use that to promote themselves.
Go Obama!!!
I don''t understand it.
LOL.. Tooooo Late...have a good retirement..
"I don''t have a clue, I''m hiting the RESET button in an effort to appear to be doing something."
Give more tax breaks (that always sells)
Continue deregulation
Continue the Iraq debacle
Continue making dumb decisions RE: Palin
Continue the Vietnam war hero story: In a clear reference to his experience as a Vietnam prisoner of war, McCain said he once had feelings of hopelessnes,lets not even go there, if the truth really came out about McCain''s time in Vietnam it wouldn''t be pretty.
"The economy has hurt us a little bit in the last week or two, but in the last few days it come back up because they want experience, knowledge and want vision. We''ll give that to America."
A little bit? Millions of folks saw their retirement and savings evaporate. Why? Deregulation, "I''m a deregulator"
"I think now''s the time to lower tax rates for investors, capital gains tax, dividend tax rates, to make sure that we can get the economy jump-started," Graham on "Face the Nation." "It will be a very comprehensive approach to jump-start the economy by allowing capital to be formed easier in America by lowering taxes."
And what of the National debt payments? Of course look who they want to give tax breaks to "lower tax rates for investors" The same folks who caused the mess.
"America, I give you CHANGE, a change to the same old policies and ideas."
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