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Re: McCain distancing himself from GOP
ST. PAUL, Minn. '” If you didn't know that John McCain was a Republican, you might think he was running against the Republicans.
'We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us,' McCain told the Republican National Convention Thursday night. 'We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption.'
John McCain is a maverick who has now done what mavericks almost never do: win. And now he must lead a party while maintaining his independence from it.
It's a dilemma, but McCain attempted to resolve it by facing it head on. 'I don't work for a party,' he said. 'I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you.'
And to that end, McCain's speech, like the speech of his running mate, Sarah Palin, the night before, was remarkably free of the hot-button issues like abortion, guns or gay rights that Republicans have grown used to.
When McCain referenced such issues, he did so very briefly and by using purposefully bland code. 'We believe in a strong defense, work, faith, service, a culture of life, personal responsibility, the rule of law, and judges who dispense justice impartially and don't legislate from the bench,' he said. 'We believe in the values of families, neighborhoods and communities.'
And that was that. It was so far from red meat, it was barely pink meat.
Instead, McCain emphasized service, and, in a familiar phrase (familiar to some extent because a lot of other campaigns stole it), he said: 'Nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.'
It was a speech heavy on his service and sacrifice in Vietnam and reasonably light on attacking his opponent. While Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention last week in Denver had a number of semi-snide references to McCain's age, McCain kept his blows above the belt with the possible exception of this, which might have been a reference to Obama's alleged messianic complex: 'I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need,' McCain said. 'My country saved me.'
And now McCain must save his party. Its brand, as he pointed out, has been seriously damaged over the past few years, and if McCain is to win in November, he has to appeal to more than just the social conservatives who have been energized by his selection of Palin as his running mate. He must reach independents and even some Democrats.
Palin presents a dilemma of her own. McCain's speech, like President Bush's address to the convention by video from the White House on Tuesday night, emphasized danger. That issue worked for the Republicans in 2004, and McCain needs it to work again this year.
'We face many dangerous threats in this dangerous world, but I'm not afraid of them, I'm prepared for them,' McCain said. 'I know how the military works. I know how the world works.'
His experience, McCain said, means safety for America. 'I will draw on all my experience with the world and its leaders, and all the tools at our disposal '” diplomatic, economic, military and the power of our ideals '” to build the foundations for a stable and enduring peace.'
Sarah Palin can make no such argument. She has the executive experience of being a governor, a mayor and a city council member, but the foreign policy experience that McCain is talking about? Where would that come from should something happen to him?
True, Obama's own experience is limited, but that's why he selected Joe Biden as his running mate. Though both lack executive experience.
The two tickets offer their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's going to be quite a matchup. McCain says he is ready.
'I don't mind a good fight,' he said Thursday night. 'For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life.'
He's got a tough one coming up.
Re: McCain distancing himself from GOP
Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- John McCain's campaign expects to leave the Republican National Convention with $200 million in the bank and be able to match the Democrats' spending in the next two months, an aide said.
McCain will depart from the St. Paul, Minnesota, convention with $84.1 million in federal funds and the Republican National Committee will have about $125 million, the campaign aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Fundraisers are working to bring in another $80 million to $100 million over the next two months, the aide said.
With an increase in fundraising following McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, Republicans say they are no longer in danger of being swamped by Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign cash.
``The money game is essentially off the table now,'' said Eddie Mahe, a former deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Obama, 47, has raised more than $400 million for his presidential campaign. Since clinching the nomination in June, he has raised about $80 million a month for his campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
His fundraising goal, if met, may mean $100 million more to spend on the campaign than the Republicans.
Clinton Fundraisers
At the Democratic National Convention in Denver last month, Obama aides met with many of those who raised more than $200 million for New York Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and asked them to help.
``They went in and said, `Look, we can't do this without you. We need you,''' said former Democratic National Committee National Chairman Steve Grossman, a former Clinton fundraiser who is now working for Obama.
Many of Obama's more than 2 million donors have given less than the maximum $2,300, and Obama's campaign sent e-mails appealing for more donations after Palin's convention speech Sept. 3.
``What you didn't hear from the Republicans at their convention is a single new idea about how to make the health- care system work, get our economy moving for the middle class, or improve education,'' Obama wrote. ``Just attacks -- on me, and on you.''
The campaign reported taking in $10 million after Palin's speech, the most it ever raised in one day.
Palin Effect
``Sarah Palin's attacks have rallied our supporters in ways we never expected,'' Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
McCain fundraisers say Palin, who supports gun owners' rights and opposes abortion rights, has caused formerly recalcitrant Republicans to open their checkbooks.
``She's energized the base,'' said former New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato, who has raised at least $250,000 for McCain, 72. ``Money will not be a problem.''
The day after her speech, Palin, 44, signed a fundraising e-mail.
``Your support is very important as we face the Obama Democrats and their vicious attacks,'' Palin wrote.
In the last two days, the Republican National Committee has taken in $17 million, a campaign aide said. McCain reported raising $10 million just after the Aug. 29 announcement of Palin as his vice-presidential choice; the campaign took in more than $47 million in August, its biggest fundraising month.
Obama has yet to disclose his August figures, due at the Federal Election Commission Sept. 20.
McCain can no longer take in private donations except to pay certain legal and accounting costs, so all the money raised goes to the national party and some state parties. In addition, McCain can turn over any leftover money in his primary account to the Republican National Committee.
``There will be more than enough funds to do everything that needs to be done,'' Mahe said. ``They will not have to make a decision not to do something because of money.''
Re: McCain distancing himself from GOP
``Sarah Palin's attacks have rallied our supporters in ways we never expected,'' Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
God that's hilarious. Had they been honest, they would have said, "Our unprovoked and baseless attacks on Gov. Palin have stirred up a hornet's nest. Bloggers, instead of just attacking, please send money".
This is one of the reasons why I will not vote for him. They're not even honest with their own base. They think everyone is stupid.
Re: McCain distancing himself from GOP
Reacting to McCain's speech, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "He admonished the old, do-nothing crowd in Washington but ignored the fact that he's been part of that crowd for 26 years, opposing solutions on health care, energy, and education."
He just insulted Biden while thinking he was insulting McCain.
God I love this election. Great political theater. They don't even know who to insult anymore because they are forced to insult themselves.
"I think she's got a compelling story, but I assume she wants to be treated the same way that guys want to be treated," he said. "I've been through this 19 months, she's been through it '” what '” four days so far?"
Wow. Just wow.
Please keep it up.
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