A Shift in Political Landscape Seems To Favor McCain in '08

The New York Sun ^ | 11/28/05

[areafiftyone]

Senator McCain of Arizona is emerging as an early favorite for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 as a result of a shift in the issues dominating the American political landscape, according to political analysts.

Intensifying public concern about the war in Iraq, the prospect of protracted corruption trials in Washington, and renewed qualms among Republicans about federal spending are all putting wind into Mr. McCain's sails while setting back most of the senator's rivals for the nomination.

"If Iraq and foreign policy and national security and deficit spending are important issues, that will benefit people like McCain," the publisher of a leading political newsletter, Stuart Rothenberg, said.

A Republican political consultant with national campaign experience said looming decisions about when and how to withdraw American troops from Iraq should boost the prospects of Mr. McCain, a former Navy pilot who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The senator has vocally opposed calls for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, but he has also clashed with the White House over a measure he sponsored to prohibit Americans from engaging in torture.

A former aide to the senator, Marshall Wittmann, also said he believes the stars are aligning for a McCain candidacy.

"My sense is there's a significant amount of momentum shifting to Mc-Cain within the Republican Party over the past few months," said Mr. Wittmann, who served as the senator's communications director for two years before quitting last year to join the centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

[rhombus]

If he does start out as a front runner for the Republicans, all I can do is pray that he gets beat really bad after NH (all over again).

Watch out. NH supported him over Bush in 2000.

[jraven]

The point the article seems to make is that the climate has changed and it may favor McCain. There's more discussion of this article here:
http://www.themoderatevoice.com/posts/1133190976.shtml

[billhilly]

A McCain nomination would be a win/win situation for the democrats, so why else would these democrat sympathizers be excited about the prospects. It would require republicans to vote for McCain and they certainly aren't there now.

[RebelBanker]

I would never vote for McCain under ANY circumstance.

I am leaning toward adopting that position, mostly because I think McVain is a media whore and also is more than a few sandwiches shy of a picnic. Would you care to share your reasoning?

[Republic_of_Secession.]

Still far too early to predict who will be the Republican front runner.

[slowhand520]

Am I the only one who is not sold on the repeated mantra by media outlets "growing dissatisfaction over the war in Iraq"? All this is based on anecdotal reports such as polls. And each of these polls survey between 500-1000 people. Hardly a consensus of a voting public that consists of around 100 Million. Not to mention that these polls are usually slanted. In the end it is the pundits, experts and politicians who are left scratching their head when an actual election always shatters the conventional wisdom.

[oldleft]

[saveliberty]

Yes. But remember that W was supposed to be a weak candidate and even his own brother (hard to forgive Jeb for that) commented that he didn't think that W was ready to be President.

Also, I do see that NH is no longer the bellwether of mainstream America. It's a different place than it was 20 years ago.

[VU4G10]

What a BS.

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

I fear we may never see a "conservative" as president ever again, we are turning left super fast.

I am afraid GW Bush is as conservative as we will get.

[j_k_l]

"...It would require republicans to vote for McCain..."

Republicans might vote for him. Conservatives will not. His opponent might pitch an electoral college shutout.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I'll support McCain when he gives up the steel ball bearings he rolls around in his hand.

[sheana]

"If it came between McCain and Giulaini, I would support McCain"
I would not! I would write in the candidate of my choice and let the chips fall where they may.


Same here, I will NEVER vote for McCain under ANY circumstances!

[rhombus]

Also, I do see that NH is no longer the bellwether of mainstream America. It's a different place than it was 20 years ago.

You are very correct there... NH went for Kerry in 2004 - too many Massachusetts mommies moving north for bigger houses and then voting with the teachers' unions.

[rightinthemiddle]

The MSM will turn on McCain if he get's the Pubbie nomination.

My tagline says it all....

[ZULU]

Destruction of the First Amendment in McCain-Feingold.

The prevention of any cohercive techniques in extracting information from terrorists.

A long track record of opposition to the Second Amendment.

Support for Illegal Invaders and their rights.

McCain may sound like the Second Coming - but only if you live in Massachusetts, New Jersey or Kalipornia - and your not a real Republican.

One would expect such praise from the media for such a media sycophant.

[Dan from Michigan]

Why McStain would never get my vote
1. Anti-2nd Amendment
2. McCain/Feingold - a Campaign finance nightmare
3. Temper
4. Wanted to ban ultimate fighting
5. Big government in smoking matters
6. Global Warming
7. Not a friend of tort reform. The only positives to McCain is the budget and abortion, but he's shown himself to be sold out to the highest bidder, so he'll sell out there too. He was once pro-2a as well before 2000.

[j_k_l]

I would rather vote for this little nut job.

[saveliberty]

Too much time with Jeanne Shaheen.

Let's go back to the convention being the means of selecting a Presidential candidate.

[KC_Conspirator]

I get the feeling that I am going to feel very abivalent about the GOP nominee. That is until they are lined up and compared to Hillary and I will probably be a fervent supporter.