John McCain lauds Barack Obama's strategy on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'

LA Times ^ | Scott Martelle

[indcons]

We can't tell if this is a barometer of how the fall general election might feel, but John McCain today compliments Barack Obama on his political acumen in a televised interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," a curious appearance for a candidate still trying to gather support from the Republican Party's social conservative base.

Host Ellen DeGeneres asks McCain about Obama's contention that "a vote for you is basically a vote for" a third George W. Bush term. Says McCain: Good strategy.

"I think it's a very intelligent campaign tactic. Obviously the president's popularity and approval ratings are low. So I think it's a pretty good tactic. I don't think it happens to be true, and I believe that I can show people not only where we have diverged, but serious differences: the issue of climate change, which is a huge issue out there in the state of California; the issue of spending; the way the war in Iraq was conducted for nearly four years, which was terribly frustrating.

[McGruff]

Does McCain need to seperate himself from Bush (not on everything, but on some things)? Of course he does.

No he doesn't. Et tu, McCain? He keeps this up and he'll loose my vote. It's hanging by a thread right now.

[cvq3842]

Does McCain really want to be president, or was the whole point of it for him defeating his fellow Republicans for the nomination? I really wonder.

[cvq3842]

Sad, but probably true.

[tumblindice]

“queer marriage”

I knew this Irish queer in school. He preferred women to liquor.

[Argus]

Feel free to use it!

[HappyinAZ]

Good interview, good responses..he held his ground while being gracious. Good for him.

[C210N]

issue of climate change, which is a huge issue out there in the state of California

If there is a choice between rallying Conservatives to the cause or liberal Californians to win another state, someone should tell John he has more opportunity to win conservatives than he'll ever have winning liberal California. Of course, he can also lose BOTH Conservatives and Californians, if he caters to liberal Californians and their ilk.

[americanophile]

McCain’s answer was disarming, as it was intended to be. It immediately shifted the focus away from whether McCain was in fact like Bush, to Obama’s campaign tactics. McCain can play the game.

[Deo volente]

John McCain: The Bob Dole of 2008

[Positive]

"I think that McInsane is trying to get the VP spot on Obama’s ticket."

That is a unique thought...

How about this one...they could each be on the other's ticket...

Then they could take turns being on top.

[TADSLOS]

This is a Democratic year through and through. With a president in the low 20s, a skittish economy, an unpopular war, record gas prices, and a party that is downright unpopular he should be lucky to even come close to beating the Democratic nominee.

All true. You forgot to add the fact that McCain and the GOP are making every attempt to gain socialist street cred to remain politically viable- and they STILL can't pull it off. No self absorbed liberal at the electoral bar wants lukewarm McCain near beer in a can when there's a full bodied exotic brand of socialism on tap to give them that instant buzz they crave. Reality sucks. Blame McCain and the prom queens of the GOP.

[Positive]

“Ask about queer marriage, McCain replied by asking Ellen if she and her partner would be up for a threesome.”

You're making a joke...right?

[Beagle8U]

Naaaa...lol.

[TADSLOS]

You're making a joke...right?

Why wouldn't he ask it? It worked with Juan, Graham and Kennedy in pushing the immigration reform bill- until they ran out of Astro-Glide for the rest of the senate.

[zebrahead]

McCain is refusing to let himself be tied to Bush.

In my opinion, that is smart politics in this political environment. Like it or not, that’s the reality of the situation as I see it. Bush is a liability and the more distance between him and McCain, the better.

[Obadiah]

I am coming to the conclusion that I just won't vote for McCain. America is going to get severely spanked if Obama ultimately is President. But the alternative is starting to scare me even more. McCain gets in office with a Congress controlled by Democrats, maybe even a super majority. McCain then, basically, goes along with nearly everything Democrats want or demand. Republicans get blamed when the inevitable consequential chickens come home to roost.

Let the Democrats control and run their own show...and ultimately take the blame. There will be no more Bush to blame. There will be no more Newt to blame. There will be no more Lott, or Delay, or anyone else from standing in their way and wreaking certain havoc, therefore, let them take the blame.

Another point, McCain goes on Ellen suggests to me that he is planning his campaign strategy around NOT having the Conservative base support. His base is not yet nailed down and he's off playing footsies with Ellen's base. It's almost as if he's thumbing his nose at conservatives. Well, good like with that.

[lakeman]

No Obama stands for

Attack your Allies and Appease and Engage your Enemies

[reflecting]

Exactly, basically calling Obama just another politician with tactics and manipulations. McCain was labeling Obama. Smart move.

[zebrahead]

That’s definitely McCain’s strategy. Poke holes in the “messiah” image Obama has created. Talk about his tactics and false claims. Talk about the reality of Chicago politics. Talk about his associations with radical elements. Talk about his naive world view and his socialist economic policies.

[ncalburt]

You have entered a McCain hater meeting . So , now your called a McCain troll apparently not trashing the GOP so Obama can win is a problem for these McCain haters. These naive fools don't even realize that Obama- Chavez and the Moveon.org-Dem party Hate THEM as the rest of the American public and plan to shut us all UP as soon as they take POWER. They will regulate out of business the conservative airwaves and the internet sites.
McCain told the truth , Obama is trying to drag McCain down by using Bush's low poll figures and Bush was wrong aboiout the surge for 4 years and then changed strategy which are working. Maybe Bush should stop being so PASSIVE and do something about the ethanol MESS . He showed alot more energy and concern when he was trying to strong arm everyone with the Illegal alien bill he drew up with TEDDY K ! The problem is BUSH is dragging everyone down with the new tone crap and his lousy WH communication staff. Bush let his Dem enemies and the Dem media destroy HIM and the GOP with out a fight.