How Democrats Will Go After McCain

Democrats are sharpening their aim and targeting John McCain. The big issue, strategists tell Politico, will be McCain's admission that he's not strong on the economy. They also plan to portray him as a warmonger, delicately bring up his age, and point out the various domestic areas, from tax cuts to abortion to immigration, where he's shifted position somewhat to appease conservatives.

That could damage his reputation as a straight shooter. "Go right after his strengths," said a former adviser to Al Gore. "Take the Straight Talk Express and push it off the rails." Easier said than done. Just ask Mitt Romney, Rush Limbaugh, and other foiled opponents. Howard Dean, meanwhile, says McCain is "promising nothing more than a third Bush term.” (More John McCain stories.)