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McCain Again Banking on Reform Rep

Campaign finance, particularly, re-enters candidate's public line

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2008 2:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – After shying away from the issue for some time, John McCain is returning to his credentials as a crusader for campaign-finance reform, Politico notes. In an attempt to woo independent voters, the Republican is underlining his reputation as a Washington reformer, while coping with flak from small-government conservatives within his party—comparing himself to Teddy Roosevelt in the process.

McCain is striving to top even Barack Obama’s image as change agent, beating him to be first to respond to a request for extensive information on small donors. "There is a risk," one strategist notes, "but the McCain campaign has calculated that the upside outweighs the downside as far as presenting him as a reformer who does the hard things for what he believes is the good of the country.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain greets a supporter during a town hall-style meeting in Albuquerque, NM, yesterday.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain greets a supporter during a town hall-style meeting in Albuquerque, NM, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., greets Sam Scott, 2, as he is held by his dad Tom Scott as he makes a campaign stop at Ted Drewes, a local custard shop, in  St. Louis, Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., greets Sam Scott, 2, as he is held by his dad Tom Scott as he makes a campaign stop at Ted Drewes, a local custard shop, in St. Louis, Tuesday,...   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
%u201CThere is a risk, but the McCain campaign has calculated that the upside outweighs the downside as far as presenting him as a reformer, one GOP strategist said of the candidate's strategy.
%u201CThere is a risk, but the McCain campaign has calculated that the upside outweighs the downside as far as presenting him as a reformer," one GOP strategist said of the candidate's strategy.   (AP Photo)
After being attacked for it during the Republican primaries, John McCain is again trumpeting his history of reform%u2014particularly in campaign finance%u2014in an effort to attract independent voters.
After being attacked for it during the Republican primaries, John McCain is again trumpeting his history of reform%u2014particularly in campaign finance%u2014in an effort to attract independent voters.   (AP Photo)
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