Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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McCain Must Preserve "Maverick" Brand
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
9:33 AM
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I've written about this in the past, but as Barack Obama emerges as the likely Democratic nominee, I think it's even more important than ever to make sure John McCain doesn't lose his "maverick" brand, as he prepares for the General Election.
It's important to note that McCain's maverick status doesn't stem from his ideology, it comes from his style (in many ways, this is the same phenomenon that makes Obama popular). So I am not advocating that McCain become more liberal in order to become more popular. What I am saying, however, is that it is vital McCain remain "authentic."
To be perceived as pandering -- to anyone -- would be lethal for him, because it destroys his brand.
As the process continues, I do believe that there is a very good way for McCain to reach out to the conservative base, without altering his style or substance one iota -- and that would be by picking South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford as a running-mate.
Not only is Sanford a trusted fiscal and social conservative, he also balances the ticket. (He is young, a governor, and a Southerner). And by picking him, this gesture alone would do much to reassure conservatives about the future of our party, while also allowing "McCain to be McCain" ...
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Is what underlies the Obama phenomenon beyond 'change' and 'hope'. It is quite simply that the nation is rejecting two terms of GOP leadership.
I think you are also ignoring the realities of the political season. The fight for the Dem nomination is likely to go on well into the spring. That's week after week of discussion about Clinton/Obama on the public airways. What can McCain do to generate that kind of free publicity? And speaking of free, we all know that running a national campaign takes lots of greenbacks. Clinton and Obama already had McCain beat several times over before Super Tuesday, and we've all heard about their phenomenal numbers since. From McCain...insert the sound of crickets.
Besides all that, the Dems won't even have to attack McCain this fall, they can just run one ad after another replaying the juiciest conservative attacks against what should be their candidate. |
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I'm betting that McCain will beat Obama (barring any highly unusual circumstances) if Obama becomes the Democrat's nominee. The way some people are describing him and this wave of momentum going his way, it's like he's the latest hottie on American Idol or MTV. But will Middle America (Iowa, Ohio, etc) really take him seriously come November? Will they trust him (or Hillary, for that matter) to be their next commander in chief when reality sets in? I doubt it. Sure, Obama or Hillary will probably get the likes of places like New York and L.A. - with people who follow the latest trends and superficialities, but fads have a way of dying out. The Democrats' latest souffle may gain the most interest, but in Middle America they usually settle for 'comfort food.' |
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"I'm a conservative who wants to see the Dems defeated in November."
Then why have you been pushing McCain on us? You and DNC Joe!!!
Go DNC Joe and his sycophant bigkam!!!!! |
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What healing process? I'm not a Huck supporter.
McCain may be 'conservative enough' for you, but that's not my reality. Hell, for all I know, Ted Kennedy may be conservative enough for you.
If you keep accepting less, you'll be given less. When are you going to take a stand...or will you? Or do you just keep lowering your expectations and demands and choosing the one that you deem conservative enough for the moment?
Do you really think McCain is the solution? If McCain gets elected, do you think the cause of conservatism will be advanced? Or, will it instead allow further encroachment by liberalism?
You sir, are part of the problem. I will not join in your fantasy.
Defeat McCain! |
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JUAN HERNANDEZ TELL US YOUR HEARING IS BAD.
ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE TO IMMIGRANTS AS HOME INVADERS ARE TO HOUSE GUESTS. |
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So you admit that Huck would get trounced? That's the first step in the healing process, good for you.
And no, I'm a conservative who wants to see the Dems defeated in November. You can go along believing the fairy tale that McCain is as bad as the Dems, or you can face the reality that McCain (despite our issues with him) is conservative enough, and certainly light years better than Clinton or Obama. I realize that there is much more at stake in this election, and will not put my differences with McCain ahead of my country. |
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McCain will lose.
To be fair to McCain, Hucakabee would lose worse.
It's all about "Trend" not "Maverick". And Obabma is the new hot thing. Haven't you heard? |
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"Do the Huckabee supporters not realize that Huckabee is a regional candidate, and would absolutely trounced in a general election?"
And McCain won't get trounced?
"But the bottom line is that if we have any chance of winning in November, it lies with John McCain."
Who is 'we'? Are you a democrat? If so, your chances of winning are better with Obambi. A McCain victory would not be a victory for Republicans. |
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We don't believe a word he says. He can prove us wrong by demanding TODAY that the double fence on the border be accelerated on a pace to full completion by mid-2009. Why wait until next year as he promises? He can demand TODAY that employers of illegals be penalized and that the criminals be rounded up and deported as far south as possible! And he could dump Juan Hernandez. Do we think he will? Hahahahahaha!
He's only waiting to get the power; then he will open the borders and let the world march in, bankrupting the treasury, medical care and education. Why, I wonder.
Free Americans, unite- we don't have to lie down and accept this garbage. DEMAND an alternative! |
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Do the Huckabee supporters not realize that Huckabee is a regional candidate, and would absolutely trounced in a general election? Honestly, I think Huck is good guy, and has run a good, hard campaign. But the bottom line is that if we have any chance of winning in November, it lies with John McCain. |
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The first question I am often asked these days is: "Why are you still running for President?"
It is because I believe that I am the best candidate to represent you in the fall against the Democrats. Why? Because I have core conservative beliefs that I have never wavered from:
I believe in the Human Life Amendment and I will fight for it from Day 1 of my Presidency.
I believe in the Marriage Amendment.
I believe in massive tax reform and am an advocate of the FairTax.
I believe that President Bush's tax cuts should be made permanent.
I believe in the Surge, our troops and General Petraeus.
I believe the 2nd amendment is one of the best ways to protect us from tyranny and I will work tirelessly to protect it from activist judges.
I believe in real border security and have proposed a detailed 9 point plan to secure our borders.
I believe the best judge is a conservative judge that won't legislate from the bench.
These are some of the reasons why I am running for President and let me also say that YOU are another reason. I am running to give you a voice in the process. To lift up your voice with mine and to tell our Party and our government that we need to do better. We need to think big and fight for our ideas.
There’s lots of voting left to be done before our Republican Party’s nominee is decided.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id= 1442
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McCain is going to lose in a landslide against Obama. Why?
1) This is a "change" election and McCain is an entrenched Washington insider.
2) Obama is a fresh happy face and people genuinely like him. McCain comes off as old, crusty, and cantankerous.
3) Obama motivates Dems. McCain does not motivate Republicans. Dem voter turnout has been HUGE. Republican voter turnout -- not so much.
4) Obama is and will be the media darling for the next 9 months. Can you say "New Camelot"?
5) As predicted, McCain is yesterday's news. The MSM achieved their goal of making him our nominee, now they are moving on to Obama.
6) Minorities are flocking to Obama. Perhaps this is why McCain pushed for amnesty.
7) Obama is making this election about "change", "hope", and "equality". McCain's message is unclear or unheard.
8) If you doubt ANY of the above and the effect it will have on the American public, please visit: http://www.dipdive.com
This video is going to be playing on every channel and PC from now until the election.
I am a realist. I don't see how McCain can possibly overcome Obama's slick, effective marketing.
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"And by picking him, this gesture alone would do much to reassure conservatives about the future of our party, while also allowing "McCain to be McCain"."
The future of the party? If McCain gets elected, God forbid, there won't be any future. Electing McCain will be suicide for Republicans.
Defeat McCain! |
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This "Patsy" of a nominee idea you have can't win. Maverick yeah that go over like "cowboy diplomacy". You can put the lipstick on the swine, you can't however redefine conservatism. The McShame of it all is that Huckabee is the only man who can bring the party together. Huck would need the delagates and support of those who voted for Paul and Romney. What we need to bring down the Obama/Clinton machine is a unified party. A two man race that seals the division in the manner in which they wee split is the only way. When 66% of the party votes against its' so called nominee their is no way he can win. I predict if this sore looser party crap keeps up no amount of endorsement at convention will matter. McCain is running for second place in November he is in real danger to making the GOP a third place looser to an unamed third party. Talk about a rift. |
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This "Patsy" of a nominee idea you have can't win. Maverick yeah that go over like "cowboy diplomacy". You can put the lipstick on the swine, you can't however redefine conservatism. The McShame of it all is that Huckabee is the only man who can bring the party together. Huck would need the delagates and support of those who voted for Paul and Romney. What we need to bring down the Obama/Clinton machine is a unified party. A two man race that seals the division in the manner in which they wee split is the only way. When 66% of the party votes against its' so called nominee their is no way he can win. I predict if this sore looser party crap keeps up no amount of endorsement at convention will matter. McCain is running for second place in November he is in real danger to making the GOP a third place looser to an unamed third party. Talk about a rift. |
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for the country." That was Senator McCain last night. He has no chance of losing his maverick status. McCain is 71 going on 72 and goes beyond George Bush in stubborness because he believes anyone who disagrees with me is either stupid or an idiot. He is ALWAYS right.
but as a conservative Republican, I question his judgment on many things - the most important one to me being campaign finance and political speech rights. He may make some tactical shifts (as he has apparently done on immigration - suggesting a wide-spread consensus that the borders are secure will be required before moving ahead with "amnesty" for illegals) but he won't deviate from his strategic objective.
On some issues that will be an asset to conservatives. On other core issues that is a problem. We should be under no illusion about what a McCain Presidency will bring and his ability to use his authority to get the job done (afterall he has been remarkedly successful in advancing his agenda in the Congress).
Gains Democrats could not have achieved on their own could easily be accomplished for them in a McCain presidency and more rapidly than through an Obama presidency. There is lies the problem for conservative Republicans. I am not a fan of 3rd parties because a future of Presidents elected with less than 50% of the vote is not a strong future. So, I don't think conservatives ought to abandon the Republican party, but I do think we have a lot of work to do to figure out how to sort the path forward and reestablish strength within the party and within the electorate.
I'm deeply troubled. There are no good options in November. . .and the stakes are high. |
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Are you and Eddie butt buddies? This Soros argument is plain dumb! George Soros is a hedge fund manager, who gave money to John McCain back in 1999. I hate George Soros as much as anyone possibly can. However, since I work on Wall Street, I know that hedge fund managers usually contribute to both parties. That way they have access to Washington no matter what party is in power. Paul Singer who runs Elliot and Associates is a big time conservative, but even he has written checks for democratic candidates. You argument is quite naive. Soros even gave money to George H. W. Bush. |
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"And by picking him, this gesture alone would do much to reassure conservatives about the future of our party. . . "
Mark who? Never heard of him.
And the same people that were telling us that McCain was a conservative (which was and is obviously a lie) are now trying to tell us that this unknown is "a trusted fiscal and social conservative."
Where is DNC Joe when we need him? |
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You simply CANNOT have national security if you will not defend your own borders or enforce your own laws. Foreign nationals numbering in the thousands are entering our country at will daily. John McCain has done and will do NOTHING to stop it. Don't believe me? Ask Juan Hernandez!
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before signing on with McCain. As VP, don't you need to be willing to defend whatever policy your president persues? That could be tricky, and put you on the wrong side of some issues. |
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It would probably be seen as concilatory.
I always wonder why anyone would want to disparage talk radio. They've done more to keep the founding principles at the forefront than any politiciian. I'm extremely grateful to them for that. You really show who you are by calling them idiots, Jsmith.
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Gov. Sanford would be the perfect VP choice! |
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Euphemism Alert!
Here's what "Maverick" really means in both Democrat and Republican terms:
Democrats equate Maverick = Dhimmicrat ("surrender to us") = Good
Republicans equate Maverick = Horses A$$ ("turncoat") = Bad
'nuff said.
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The old fart is toast.
Hey Matt, what kind of tin-foil (crazy) hats are you folks wearing that causes you to write such nonsence? |
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if McCain did that then it would upset Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin and even Hugh - OMG! what are we going to do then? Its all so confusing
Isn't the most important thing that talk radio idiots be stroked and their egos satisfied? |
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