Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain spoke in Jan. 8, 2008 after his primary election victory in New Hampshire. (Charles Dharapak/AP/FILE)
Can McCain rally the GOP?
In his speech Thursday he must knit the party together – and reach out to independents.
By Ariel Sabar | Staff Writer/ September 3, 2008 edition
St. Paul, Minn.
When John McCain takes the stage here Thursday to accept his party’s presidential nomination, he will have to be as much political acrobat as statesman.
The Republican National Convention was supposed to be an uncomplicated week of rousing speeches and raucous parties. Instead, it has been blown off course by two storms – one real, the other the revelation that the unwed teenage daughter of Senator McCain’s conservative running mate is pregnant.
Republicans, more than Democrats, needed a full four days of nationally televised razzmatazz to excite voters in a tough year for the GOP. Instead, their convention has been a tangle of rewritten speeches and muted celebrations that has competed with hurricane Gustav for airtime.
The latest Gallup poll shows the Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, with his widest lead ever over McCain. McCain’s job at the Xcel Energy Center Thursday night will be nothing less than to take control, say political analysts.
With few of the warm-up acts that preceded Senator Obama’s rock-star acceptance speech at the Democratic convention last week, McCain will have to summon a forceful case for his candidacy, draw together disparate factions of his party, reach out to independents, and distance himself from an unpopular president who is still his party’s putative leader.
If a speech Tuesday night by first lady Laura Bush was any indication, he is also likely to underscore his vice presidential choice – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin – in a play for working-class women in swing states where support for Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ran deep.
The task will be particularly daunting for a man more at ease in a town hall than in a 650,000-square-foot hockey arena.
“It will be interesting to see how the Republicans pivot back into convention mode,” says Martin Johnson, a political scientist at the University of California, Riverside. “The really tough thing for him is he’s got these two audiences: a core Republican audience inside the convention hall and the audience on national television,” some of whom will be tuning in to the race for the first time.
“The finesse he has to get right,” Professor Johnson adds, “is simultaneously offering a continuation of the things the base of the party likes and communicating to a national audience that he is someone different and can be a meaningful change agent.”
Though hurricane Gustav has proved a bedeviling distraction for convention planners, McCain is likely to allude to his response – a visit to a Mississippi command center, consultations with Gulf Coast governors, and a call for supporters’ help with relief efforts – to reinforce his image as a steady hand in times of crisis.
But at least in this speech, he is likely to stop short of explicit contrasts with President Bush, whose handling of the response to hurricane Katrina three years ago McCain sharply criticized on the campaign trail earlier this year.
“He has an opportunity to throw George Bush under a bus,” says Rick Perlstein, a historian and author of “Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America.” “But his coalition is so fragile that he can’t even risk that.… He has to tread so delicately in so many different directions.”
Obama devoted stretches of his speech in Denver last week to tarring McCain as a sequel of the Bush administration. What remains to be seen is just how hard McCain will punch back Thursday.
A parade of speakers here Tuesday night gave clues to attack lines that may come into sharper focus as the week wears on.
“Senator Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead,” Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, told the convention hall. “But my friends, eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times for America.”
Fred Thompson, a former Tennessee senator and GOP presidential candidate, said that the Senate “had more than its share of smooth talkers.”
Delegates interviewed at the Xcel Center Tuesday night said McCain’s aim Thursday should be introducing – or reintroducing – himself to voters only now paying heed to the race.
“He’s got to talk about jobs, he’s got to talk about energy, he’s got to talk about eliminating the debt, and he has to do it in a way that doesn’t like an economics professor,” says Ralph Seekins, an auto dealer and former state senator from Fairbanks, Alaska. “He has to do it in a way soccer moms can relate to – ‘How’s it going to affect my life?’”
Lori Sotelo of Mercer Island, Wash., the chairwoman of the King County Republican Party, says she thinks that McCain’s trump with undecided voters is his biography as a decorated Vietnam war hero.
“His life story I believe will resonate,” she says. “His personal narrative speaks volumes about who he is.”
Comments
2. Gamble20 | 09.03.08
This whole Palin smear is because liberals thought they killed the “conservative movement”.
Well we’re backkk!!!
3. Kristen | 09.03.08
I am a soccer mom and my father is a proud military vet. We are proud accomplished patriotic Americans but I will be the first one to tell you that these are not qualifications to be the rulers of the free world! We have been so let down by the Republicans in power over the past 8 year and we are not going to be fooled by their cheap brand of politics this time around. I feel ashamed for voting for Bush and it tore my heart out to see my 79 year old veteran father cry himself to sleep yesterday after he saw Bush shamelessly push for off-shore drilling during his update on the status of the Hurricane Gustav Victims! Shame on him!!! McCain is offering more of the same, sorry but he cant rally this base!
4. bsimon | 09.03.08
Peter’s comment says it all. McCain-Palin will rally the base, but they’ve focused so much on the base the swing voters have been ignored. I don’t see how they can both enthuse the base and attract the swing vote that is necessary to win an election.
5. Dr. Dave | 09.03.08
Alas, what happens when you insist on dictating morals to the majority - “for your own good”? Especially with a VP pick for whom those morals are not for use in her own family.
Is it really true then that there are no “Conservative Values” candidates who can lead by example? Sad, really sad.
6. PacificGatePost | 09.03.08
MAINSTREAM MEDIA HAS SLID INTO THE SWAMP
The Dems and Reps are left to sell their leaders to America.
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/09/dems-and-republicans-now-sell-what-they.html
Image is now everything. The real challenges have vacated consciousness.
7. Mike | 09.03.08
Palin was mayor of a town of 6500 less than two years ago (aka Mayberry USA). I could not have been more disappointed in McCain’s pick for the future of America. Lets face it McCain is no spring chicken and there is a real chance that Palin could go from Mayor of “tiny town” to President of America in under 2.5 years. Talk about a disaster waiting to happen.
8. Ernie | 09.03.08
I am yet to understand how getting captured by the enemy, however unpleasant that may have been, and however well he conducted himself during it, can be thought to impart the skills needed run a complex nation, a massive budget and a complex foreign policy. I give him experience points for his term in the senate on that and it seems to me that that is what he should stress. As for Palin, she is so manifestly unqualified that her selection makes McCain appear to be a cynical, calculating politician rather than a statesman. He has some explaining to do.
9. I don’t think so … | 09.03.08
I think the conservative Christians that everyone is so careful with are not as large or important a block as Republicans seem to believe. For every Creationist, there are at least two voters who are scared to death that such thinking will be taken seriously in our schools. For every pro-lifer there is at least one pro-choice person (who are often opposed to abortion, but don’t think it’s their biz to tell others what to do with their bodies) who are terried about going back to the pre-Roe dark ages. And believe me, there are millions who are tird about hearing John McCain’s “story.” Who on the planet doesn’t know he was a POW? And how does that help him lead a country anyway? In the meantime, McCain accuses Obama of being an elitist when he can’t keep track of his real estate and things you’re not rich until you’ve made $5 million. He says he’s the change we need, but he doesn’t know the internet - which means it is impossible for him to understand our young people - and he is another “war time” president in a time when cool heads (oh yeah, and then there’s his temper) are needed. And, the issues about Palin aren’t really about Palin anyway, they are about how/why McCain chose her. At least Obama had the wisdom to see he’d be smart to chose a 2nd in command who can be useful after the election. Republicans, your party is out of touch.
10. Independent | 09.03.08
McCain will have to dance delicately to keep all of the factions of his party together. As the article said, the extreme right wing will compete with the more moderate party members for his attention.
Even with the addition of Palin to the ticket, McCain will not be able to campaign on a “values” or “morals” platform plank due to his adulterous relationships and dumping his wife for a rich beauty queen. For either Palin or McCain to try to drive the “values” wedge like Bush/Rove did so expertly last election would be campaign suicide.
The slogan of “Country First” may also have to go from McCain’s campaign. Despite Palin’s uninterrupted Republican membership, she was still involved with the Alaska Independence Party which advocates seceding from the union. The AIP goes so far as to say they “hate America and their government”. And even though the party will pooh-pooh her relationship with AIP, her videos promoting them are all over YouTube.
Overall tonight, I think McCain will have to deliver such a finesse speech to keep all of the party together, it may not be forceful enough to rally them to actually go out and vote for him. I think that voters like the poster Peter may not be inspired enough to actually vote, leading to a possible Obama victory.
11. Bob Billimack | 09.03.08
I am anxious to hear John McCain explain why he felt the need in 2000 to trash his admirable centrist track record of independent thought and voting, for which I had great respect, in order to become a insincere mouth piece for the ultra-conservative, poor judgment of the Bush administration. Prior to that, McCain had “future president” written all over him. Now, no way!
13. Sara | 09.03.08
Real Reason why McCain chose Palin : Sexist and condescending
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdFC-vh6Ng
Also his poor record of voting against equal pay for women and opposing Equal Roles for Women in the Military
should be the business of American women voters.
14. raoul | 09.03.08
It’s simple. Bill said it. McCain and Palin need to speal directly to middle class Americans and tells us that they are going to reform government, restore the American dream and our leadership in the global community.
If I don’t hear these things from McCain and Palin, then my vote will regrettably go to a democrat - write-in Hilary.
War hero and reformer means nothing without defining the targets.
15. Country First | 09.03.08
Hmm. I expected a more educated, thought-provoking audience to populate the commentaries of such a valuable information resource. It’s disappointing. Nevertheless, I am pleased to see the mentally challenged have learned to type.
16. Edward Ross | 09.03.08
I can see by your comments that your religion and faith are fundamental to who you want to support as a president. My own faith and beliefs in the Bible also deeply impact my choice and my belief in God central to my life. For this reason I want to share something with you: The reason to question Palin as a leader for our country is her relationship to lobbyists. She has been very successful securing earmarks and spending for her city with the help and direct partnership of the same lobbyists who have helped Senator Stevenson so much. When she stands up tonight to profess her belief in change and reform and she misleads the public to her vast success and support from the wealthiest and most influential lobbyists … than please ask yourself if lying and misleading the people is the behavior of someone you are electing to uphold your highest morals and ethics and the utmost human standards of your church.
17. Kent | 09.03.08
I must be missing something in these comments. On the bottom line is Palin simply the “Best” that McCain can see to stand in his boots should something happen to this 72 year old leader? It was said that 20 other people were on the list and that an inexperienced political “soccer” mom came to be his top choice. I can only wonder who he will appoint to his political side should he win. Can we really TRUST McCain?
18. jan | 09.03.08
Yes, the conservatives still own the republican party and mcsame bowed totheri wishes when he didn’t get the v.p. choice he wanted. hey palin has really shown has well abstinence based sex education works!!!
19. Bob | 09.03.08
Yeah, Palin is not actually a ‘reform’ candidate. http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901 She also voted against sex education in schools and against funding for a teen pregnancy shelter. McCain also voted against teen mothers. Look it up. I think it’s hilarious that she voted against that stuff, and her daughter is pregnant. I do agree with Obama, on how the media should not focus on her daughter’s pregnancy. But it will probably become part of the issues now. By the way, you really should not vote ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal’. Pick the person you want most to see dictating our policies and representing us to the world for the next several years. I’m personally voting for Obama, but I don’t care if you vote for him or not. Vote for whoever you like. It’s America. It’s your choice, I’m cool with that, and you should be cool too.
20. John Swain | 09.04.08
A rabid “pitbull with lipstic” just about sums it up for me. Sarah Palin sounded more like a demented fear and hate preacher at the RNC than a serious politician. Her “hockey mom” speech was a joke ! She is totally fake and a danger to the US economy and National Security. Guliani’s venomous rant was even worse - I am surprised he was even invited considering the scandal and lies that have emerged since 9/11 - he is a national disgrace and a liability to the Republican Party. Senator McCain, who I very much respect, has lost my vote…
21. no chance for McCain | 09.04.08
this man McCain is garbage man from Viet Nam war, he was a loser in war and is a loser now and will be loser in November
he is too old
22. Rex | 09.04.08
So What if here daughter is pregnant,
That proves even more how she is more like the rest of us. How many of you might not be hear if your mothers decided to pull the plug on you just because they became pregnant out of wed lock? Quite a few I would guess. As well, at least the Republicans had the gumption to bring forward a strong woman as a candidate even when the democrats had the chance they failed to follow threw on their dreams. This woman has great Republican values and has the courage to act on her values. My vote will be Republican.
23. Not American | 09.04.08
I think that the endless propaganda and name calling is stupid. Both sides are guilty of it. America would be better off if you spent more time finding good honest candidates and less time trying to destroy the character of your opponents.
No candidate is perfect….
How about this?
You all should have supported Ron Paul - Send the “real” polititations a message!
It’s time you dumped the losers who have NEVER really done anything that great for your country but get blow jobs and start wars.
Don’t you get tired of them spending every cent they can get their hands on?
24. Edward Ross | 09.04.08
I am glad to see that people are outraged. We should be. We are being lied to over and over. If the democrats had a spine Bush and Cheney would be on their way to impeachment. Their lies and corrupt behavior have cost the lives of over a hundred thousand people and their Trillion dollar war has lined the pockets of the business buddies. McCain is just frothing to do the same.
ONE BILLION DOLLARS TO GEORGIA? Do you know that McCains cheif handlers are lobbyists for Georgia. Do you know who will put this money in their pockets.
We are feeding the rich and greedy all over the world with our money.
The Republican base is lying to their own base .. over and over … what a sad sad time for the world and our country. McCain/Palin is not more of the same it is worse than the same. Please wake up …
To the person who is going to write in Hillary .. really .. do you think one person and one cause is more important than saving our country from the Thieves, and Jackals … How about the supreme court and our own democracy.
Please … at least vote against the thieves and jackals … please …
25. Teresa | 09.04.08
McCain/Palin on the way to the white house. I’m ridin’ the train with Palin and McCain. Loved her speech Wednesday night. At least she is not afraid to speak what she feels. Go Sara.
26. Kate | 09.04.08
We use to assassinate our leaders.
Now we assassinate their characters.
Disgusting.
I do not want this woman representing the United States. What will she call the leaders in the Middle East? Or Putin? Or anyone else she disagrees with?
Omigod. I shudder.
Period.
28. Acta Non Verba | 09.04.08
To “no chance for McCain”-
You should feel blessed; it is because of people like McCain, a man of amazing character, who have served OUR Country so that people like you can make awfully disrespectful, disgusting, and unimaginable comments like you have and still have the right to call yourself an American. John S. McCain is a honorable man of courage, integrity, and respect.
29. April | 09.04.08
This is all too funny, you right wingers didn’t even know who Palin was last week and now you think she is God. That speaks volumes about how desperate yall are for a leader.. What you have on your hands is a cheap reality TV star not a vice president… I cant wait for the reality TV show “Life with the Palins” to air on Fox next spring as Obama & Biden take back the White House!!!
30. mark 5.56 | 09.04.08
outstanding speech,
my favorites:
I will make schools answer to parents
I don’t work for a party, i work for the American people
education is civil rights issue of the 21st country
I will stop sending 700 gazillion dollars to countries that don’t like us
31. Shirley Freeman | 09.05.08
McCain has made a proposal that will actually help people stay in their homes, and prevent foreclosures. He will set up a process where homeowners in trouble making their mortgage payments can apply directly, themselves, no banker middleman with conflicting self-interest, for direct assistance to the homeowner. The staff taking the application will verify that the homeowner, at the time of originally taking out the mortgage, was financially sound to meet the payments. Then, the staff will contact the mortgage banker and arrange a new, affordable mortgage for the homeowner. McCain will completely exclude the financial lobbyists and special interests from his assistance to homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgages! Isn’t it amazing what we could learn about McCain’s programs if the media wasn’t ‘blinded, deaf and dumb’ to anything that doesn’t come out of Obama’s mouth!
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1. Peter | 09.03.08
No but Sarah Palin sure can, I really wanted Huckabee to be the VP, I was to the point where I was considering staying Home if Huckabee was not chosen. I felt like Conservative Values where be left on the way side by the GOP. Then McCain picked Palin which was the very best pick McCain could of made next to Huckabee and maybee he will do just as well with her. I know Many people I know have now sent Money to McCain becasue of his pick. I am too starting to re think my stance on McCain. I really like Pains Credentials. http://www.veeppeek.com I am still wondering if there is anything to this trooper gate though.? http://www.hotpres.com