Posted on 09/07/2008 6:59:41 AM PDT by Publius804
An adviser molds a tighter, more aggressive McCain campaign By Jim Rutenberg and Adam Nagourney Sunday, September 7, 2008
ST. PAUL: It was what aides to Senator John McCain describe as probably the worst night of his campaign. As Senator Barack Obama claimed the Democratic nomination before a cheering sea of faces on national television, McCain countered with a lackluster speech in a half-empty hall, posed in front of a pea-green screen that became fodder for late-night comedy.
Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser to McCain who worked on President George W. Bush's campaign in 2004, could barely hide his fury in the coming days, as he announced — to anyone who would listen that he would personally make certain the McCain campaign would never again embarrass McCain.
"Fun Steve is dead," Schmidt said.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
As I think about the convention and now see the line of attack coming from news commentators this Sunday morning, I think the McCain campaign missed an opportunity by not focusing at least some of its convention fire at the Reid-Pelosi Congress.
McCain and Palin should be saying at every stop: imagine the “change” you’ll get if you combine a Reid-Pelosi Congress with an Obama-Bin-Biden Administration!
That’s Change You Should Be Fearful Of!
Yes, that is the spin... but since America knows that dims lie and turn everything around 180 degrees with projection... let me covert liberalese to English for you.
“Schmidt is effective because he always tells the truth, has eliminated dissension in the McCain campaign and is making McCain get in touch with his Conservative side. They are kicking our liberal a$$es!”
LLS
“Still, the new tone has been jarring to some veterans of McCain’s unsuccessful presidential run in 2000 ...”
You mean John Weaver and Mike Murphy right?
The dawn breaks...
We, Americans, have the most to lose if the democrats rule, especially our unborn. I was just thinking of an advertisement where the unborn kicks the mother because of a a leap of joy in response to McCain. :)
“LOL, wish we had an edit.”
We do. It’s called preview.
It doesn’t help, though.
: )
Of course he's a bad guy. He's a republican who fights to win. Any pubbie who does that will always be a bad guy in the eyes of the left. I tip my hat to Schmidt, who is the second coming of Lee Atwater just when we needed him! May he live long and run many campaigns.
Youngish conservatives are coming to the fore. Maybe it's happening a little sooner than expected, but you can't plan these things. If we can pull this election out, our bench gets pretty thick as the Sarah Palin generation starts assuming more leadership roles. The future has a lot of potential if we just keep upbeat and don't get demoralized.
Who remembers the names of losers?
I was wondering who had the brilliant idea to bring in McCain’s middle initial into Palin’s speach! Now I know. It’s an indirect contrast to the “Husein” middle name!
It hits at the heart of what is wrong with the Obama mentality: democracy and freedom are worth fighting for as long as there are no bennies lost and no blood spilled. Which tells our enemies--like bin Laden--that we are too selfish and self-absorbed to fight back when attacked.
That's what caused September 11--and it is the LAST thing the Democrats want to be reminded of.
re#14 Agreed. His execution is near perfect and response/rebuttals immediate. I am really impressed. I like the phrase I saw that there has been “unleashed a Schmidt Storm on the arrogant BO and Axelrod”...
McCain has to stop all of this “I respect and admire Obama” bullsh*t. Nobody really respects Obama, the leftist know his is a liar and cheat but he serves his purpose. McLame is talking out of both sides of his mouth when he says he is going to change DC and then goes on to describe how he’ll put demoncrats in his cabinet and how he respects Obama. Respect Obama for what - community organizer for Acorn, a baby killer, a liar? I guess we should respect how well he has lied about being a Christian now that he has revealed to Stephanopolus that he is Muslim.
It seems Schmidt is looking everywhere for material. Here's an example. Back in June, a teenaged girl called into Rush's radio show. She said that she once liked obama but she quickly grew tired of him because he was everywhere on TV. She declared that obama was going to become the Britney Spears of politics.
Less than two days later, Schmidt unleashed the 'Celebrity' ad against obama.
You bet they will be out voting.
I remember those two because they’ve been close to McCain for many years, until now, and I would much rather have Schmidt running the campaign than them, no question about it.
Sounds like McCain wants to win this time. He’s not getting any younger ...
I agree.
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