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Flailing Attacks Hurt McCain More Than Intended Target

Republican becoming the example of what voters 'want change from'

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2008 8:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Attacking Barack Obama relentlessly and sloppily, John McCain has made himself an example of what voters “want change from,” John Dickerson writes in Slate. A good negative attack can be effective, but Mac is doing it “too much and indiscriminately”—making himself so untrustworthy the smart stuff doesn’t stick. He could go after Obama all the time—but he’s just not good at it.

Republicans are debating whether McCain should focus instead on his own positive message, and telling his own story, but Dickerson sees a problem there, too: “He's for the surge and remedying global warming, yes, and for allowing states to drill for oil off the country's coastlines. But those are data points, not an arc.”

In this July 16, 2008 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., holds his microphone. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. boards his campaign plane at the Portland International Jetport Airport, in Portland, Maine, Monday, July 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Flailing Attacks Hurt McCain More Than Intended Target

Republican becoming the example of what voters 'want change from'

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Barack Obama • John McCain • negative campaigning

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More Newser Stories

Candidates Keep Punching

McCain, Obama break with tradition and carry their negative campaigning into the election's final days

Mac's Tactics Time-Tested ... But This Ain't the Time

'Tinny and trivial' attacks are too small, and in any case too late, in momentous election

Mac Should Muzzle Staffers, Drop Robocalls, Talk Security

Remind voters why they admired him: Kristol

Obama Lead Up to 14 Points Amid Mac Attacks: Poll

Poll finds Obama ahead 53% to 14% after McCain blows fail to land

Facing a Wipeout, McCain Tones It Down

GOP nominee reverts to 'happy warrior' of the primary

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