Has McCain lost his political mojo?

National Post ^ | March 02, 2007 | Sheldon Alberts

[AliVeritas]

You're a big-shot Republican senator who supports President George W. Bush's troop surge in Iraq and are desperate to make nice with the America's religious right.

Where do you go to officially launch your presidential campaign?

If you're John McCain -- always trying to be hip, always trying to be a maverick -- you announce your plans to talkshow host David Letterman, a left-leaning, Bush-bashing war opponent who is pretty much reviled by right-wing Republicans.

And McCain wonders why Americans are confused about him.

In case anyone missed it, he appeared Wednesday night on Letterman's show to state the obvious -- he wants to be president and is actively campaigning for the job.

The political stunt did the trick, producing front -page articles yesterday in The New York Times and The Washington Post, even if the whole thing seemed a bit old.

Bill Clinton set the bar for late-night TV politicking in 1992, playing sax for Arsenio Hall during his first presidential campaign. Arnold Schwarzenegger took things a step further in 2003, announcing his California gubernatorial candidacy on Jay Leno's Tonight Show. By the time McCain cottoned on to the trend, the only new twist he could offer was telling Letterman he will make yet another formal campaign launch in April. "You know, you drag this out as long as you can," McCain shrugged.

[AliVeritas]

I just post them.

[Vaquero]

the highly unstable McCain

[hubbubhubbub]

What mojo did McPain ever have?

[atomicpossum]

The media is no longer interested in talking up McCain, who has not been obligingly damaging to his party or President lately, anyway. They're off following their Obamagasms and long-stemmed Rudy bouquets, and McCain is just yesterday's boyfriend...and the fact that he'd never get the nomination means he's pretty much over.

[goldstategop]

John McCain has been so used to courting liberals, he's forgotten the party he's in. For instance, shunning this year's gathering of conservative activists was literally signing his own political death sentence. Liberal Guiliani had no trouble bearding the lions but its sign of McCain's troubles he can't even talk to the base. And behind those activists are voters who will decide who the next Republican presidential nominee is going to be. Perhaps McCain has decided gratuitously offending conservatives is the swan song to his Washington career.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Polyxene]

McQueeg is an over-exposed old media whore. The media used him and are now throwing him to the curb. Yesterday's news.

[jaydubya2]

I thought the same. Why did McCain go on Iraq policy hating Letterman to announce his candidacy when he's pro Iraq surge? Of course Letterman is clueless on the subject...

[goldstategop]

He's wants to be thought of as the "independent" Republican. McCain is not exactly noted for party loyalty.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Antoninus]

Mojo? What mojo? He was the first choice of the MSM when they wanted a Republican to interview who could be counted upon to bash his own party. That's the entirety of his mojo right there.

But the fickle MSM now has a different favorite Republican--Liberal Rudy.

It's tough getting dumped, Senator.

[r9etb]

McCain's political mojo is mostly a product of wishful thinking on the part of the media.

[Night Hides Not]

John McCain has been so used to courting liberals, he's forgotten the party he's in.

How many names can we insert in McCain's place? My NOMEX shorts are in the wash, so I'm going to chicken out on this one.

Having said that, at the top of that list is someone currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, but he's just one of a cast of hundreds.

[AD from SpringBay]

The only 'mojo' McCain ever had was invented by the MSM whene was content to be their mean little poodle. But now that a Clinton and an Obama are in the picture, they've taken away his collar. He's just a stray to them.

[jaydubya2]

I heard yesterday that recent poll results have McCain dropping of the map to Guliani...

[rod1]

Say where is the Arsenio Hall show these days? Did it even last as long as Clinton and Monica?

[cookcounty]

John's a survivor which is why he's endlessly playing both sides against the middle. A leader he is not. His support always comes with a little bit of a sour attitude or a constipation attack. He doesn't seem like a happy man, and Americans will not vote for a grump.

[CholeraJoe]

John McCain collaborated with the North Vietnamese. See this picture?

The other POWs didn't get warm clothing. They shivered in shorty pajamas.

[Uncle Miltie]

McCain / Feingold - 2008 ... "Shut Up or Go To Prison"

[Vaquero]

while he avoids going to CPAC This is what McQueeg is doing

[AliVeritas]

Thanks Vaq, I couldn't find my copy of that pic on the right.

[AliVeritas]

I always remember to send Dave this video when he's a jerk on Iraq... which is often:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_CTW1sY68E