Posted on 11/06/2008 5:06:11 PM PST by mondoreb
The McCain Campaign:
Mistakes, But Hampered Ultimately By Both the Candidate and his Campaign Advisers--Not by Sarah Palin
McCain Campaign is Responsible for McCain's Defeat
Palin Was Attacked from the Inside from Almost the Moment She gave the McCain Campaign their First Realistic Chance at Victory
The McCain Campaign Unnamed Aides vs. Sarah Palin
FROM GOSSIP TO GOSPEL
The McCain campaign made some shrewd moves, but it also was guilty of some moves that ultimately doomed its unlikely candidate--with the most momentous misstep coming from John McCain himself.
Like any losing campaign, those in charge of the campaign seek to lay the blame for losing on factors beyond their control. In this regard, the long knives came out from various unnamed aides and advisers in the McCain campaign, who are anxious to run from their responsibility for the Election 2008 loss.
Most of those knives appear to have Sarah Palin's name on them--and they were unsheathed before the race for the presidency was even over.
In what can be most charitably described as "resume-polishing", various aides in the John McCain campaign have continued their practice of leaking uncomplimentary "anecdotal" information detrimental to Sarah Palin.
Understand: these "aides", "advisers" and "sources" from "within the McCain campaign", as they're labeled, bear much responsibility for a campaign that, like its candidate, was somewhat unconventional and ultimately failed to win McCain the presidency.
These staffers--most of whom will soon be in the job-hunting market--apparently feel that there's a wider market for an aide from a losing campaign that was sabotaged from within. Stories of an "uncooperative" VP pick inoculates them against any bad decisions made by such "aides" and "advisers".
These aides-gone-rogue merely have to pick up their cellphone or hit "send" on their email--anonymously, by the way--and a waiting press eagerly elevates such grousing and sour grapes from gossip to gospel.
THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN
There is much for which the McCain campaign can be proud.
That being said, John McCain was a Republican candidate that the New York Times could love--and indeed, the NYT did endorse the Arizona Senator in the primary election. Of course, after the election, the NYT and the rest of the Mainstream Media deserted McCain, just as many predicted would happen.
Where is the anti-Palin leaks coming from? And why?
Continue reading: McCain Aides Attack Sarah Palin: Scapegoating Sarah Palin
I agree 100%.
McCain could be defending her, but that would be asking too much. McCain’s “Maverick” label only gets publicity when he attacks conservatives.
Sarah Palin was the only reason I showed up for any McCain rallies. She was the only reason I got behind McCain.
And the news—later in the post—that most of this is coming from Romney staff in the McCain campaign makes me determined that I will oppose Romney in 2012 and before.
Romney’s behavior toward campaigning for the ticket was cowardly.
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It's too late. The weakling McCain should have come out with a vigorous denunciation of this low-life smear. At the very least McCain has tacitly approved this political hit job.
I never did like McCain's politics. The top of the ticket was a choice between bad and worse, and I voted for bad, although it was made more palatable because of Sarah Palin.
McCain/Palin: AZ 54% AK 62%
I agree with you on Ingraham. One day she’s yucking it up with Matthews, next day she’s covering for her pal Noonan, then the next day she’s polishing Major Garret’s knob on his great election coverage.
She’s the one who needs an intervention.
“Romney’s behavior toward campaigning for the ticket was cowardly.”
Stealthy, too. Never saw his mug out there making noise, never heard him on the talkies. Huckabee, whom I never thought much of, was at least making some noise on occasion.
Very revealing insight about the Mittster. You now have a convert. I will oppose him, too.
Thanks.
I had a question today.
If something (God forgive! I in no way would wish anything to happen to that good man) should happen to Obama before the Oath of Office was taken...
Would that mean Special Election?
I mean, Biden could not take it, because Obama/Biden were never sworn in...
Make no mistake, she brought him back to life.
Me thinks McCain’s smarmy, slimy dealings with Huckabee in the WV caucus came back to bite him. Karma is a biatch.
We could use Romney right about now. It’s the economy, stoopid!
McCain is no coward! He's got guts and has proved it.
The question is whether he has honor.
#1 Sarah was a WOMAN who lacked experience (notice in the case of BO it does not matter)
#2 Mac was too weak. He had the right creds but lacked the spunk of Reagan, Palin etc.
#3 Things were not functioning well in govt. The war was underfunded. Govt was expanding and spending was out of control.
#4 The economy tanked(and was heading downhill for some time). Economy and fear were the biggest factors as was terrorism in the previous two elections.
#5 Clearly the war in Iraq was something the majority of people did not support. Im not saying they were correct because the media manipulated their perceptions just in time for the election.
#6 Pelosi et al did a complete hatchet job on Bush in preparation for this election. It was very well orchestrated and widely participated in by all Demorats.
#7 Republican lack of message. The Democrats had their message, the economy, look what Bush did etc., even though they had a huge hand in it. Republicans need to refine their message. Mac wasnt so great at this. It did not have mass appeal.
#8 Some of this changing of the tide is cyclical. It just happens over time that people want a change. Unfortunately this type of Communistic change is doomed to fail.
There is ONE rule we should NEVER forget-—Liberal Republicans-—LOSE!
The only saving grace McCain had was Sarah Palin.
I believe they are concerned about the real possibility of her replacing Stevens in the Senate. John I have cotton balls in my mouth McLame is silent, and that is all I need to know.
These are FALSE, unsourced rumors via that twit, Carl Cameron.
It's Obama operatives employing a combo-hit of Alinsky’s Rules For Radicals, #12 & #5.
This is a DIVIDE & CONQUER tactic.
Don't be suckered.
Well said!
Clap..clap..clap!!!
She scares me too but in a good way
Governor Palin needs to respond and distance herself from these accusations, McCain and the party NOW.
you know for being an old timer you sure do have pelosi for brains thanks a million
If something (God forgive! I in no way would wish anything to happen to that good man) should happen to Obama before the Oath of Office was taken...
Check Amendment XX to the Constitution......
Cedric...you’re wrong. Big time cynical skeptic here.
No one from the McCain campaign including McCain is coming forward to defend Palin and shut this crap down. That’s all you need to know that the destructive rumors are coming from McCain and his operatives. That’s my short answer.
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