Sen. John McCain already is worried about having to face a repeat of his South Carolina primary defeat in 2000, when rumors and a whisper campaign helped stall his momentum from his New Hampshire win that year.
His campaign today announced a South Carolina "Truth Squad" to counter attacks on his record.
"Our goal is to set the record straight," said Henry McMaster, a McCain supporter and state attorney general. "As soon as one of these negative attack ads goes up on the air or hits the mailboxes, we'll let the voters know the truth. Hopefully candidates will have learned, given what happened in Iowa, that negative campaigning just doesn't work. But, just in case, we'll be ready."
You might suspect they'll be awfully busy. There are bound to be some dirty tricks, but most of their time probably will be spent trying to explain McCain's positions on immigration, tax cuts, campaign finance reform, global warming and gun shows.
The real question is not what tricks are played, but how Republican voters decide to view McCain — who has spent the last seven years championing issues dearer to Democrats than Republicans — in the context of a surging Barack Obama and a flawed Republican field.
— Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (5)
John McCain did not lose South Carolina in 2000 through rumors & a whisper campaign. He lost in South Carolina by telling the locals they should haul down their Confederate battle flag from the capital dome. Down south we call this an "incendiary remark". If young Stephen were a Southerner I doubt he'd have forgotten this.
Posted by Brian Perkins | January 8, 2008 3:38 PM
Here's hoping that Republicans in South Carolina see through this guy one more time, like they did in 2008. A war hero, to be sure. A REPUBLICAN nominee for president? That's not something to play around with. An independent, third-party candidacy is where this guy belongs, and hopefully is all he'll be able to get.
Posted by J. | January 8, 2008 4:02 PM
There are many reasons why Republicans should reject McCain - here are three: his support of amnesty for illegal aliens via "comprehensive immigration reform," his sponsorship of the McCain Feingold Act to limit political speech and protect incumbents, and his cozy relationship with liberal Democrats such as Ted Kennedy. Acknowledge his heroism in Vietnam but reject his candidacy for president. His time is past and he should retire gracefully.
Posted by Stand Tall | January 8, 2008 6:38 PM
Flawed Republican field? Best of a "bad" lot? Your adjectives are becoming irritating. Why are you following the Republican race?
Posted by Larry Stone | January 10, 2008 4:56 AM
Doesn't anyone remember that John McCain was part of the Keating Five? I don't see how this politician has acted so honorably since his return from Vietnam. Plus he's the senator from Arizona!!! Why is he just now prioritizing the illegal immigration problem? Wake up sheeple!
Posted by jim | January 17, 2008 2:18 PM