McCain Biographer: He's Lost His Principles

Columnist's schadenfreude turns to dread over the new face of the party

(NEWSER) - It’s been a fun time for liberals, writes Rosa Brooks in the LA Times. Though initially worried about the boost Sarah Palin gave to John McCain’s polling numbers, Dems were then treated to the defections of some of the GOP’s brightest thinkers. Columnists David Brooks, Charles Krauthammer, and former Bush speechwriter David Frum all backed away from McCain, charging that the Alaska governor was out of her league. More»

(NEWSER) - It's been hard to miss the spate of reports about ugly anti-Obama incidents at McCain/Palin events—a crowd member calling him a “terrorist,” for instance. The media is now playing a game of "find a freak" at GOP rallies and grossly distorting the notion of genuine harm coming Obama's way, writes Sean Collins in Spiked. That these fears have gained traction underscores just how alienated Democrats have become from white, working-class voters. More»

Honchos, candidate huddle at Ariz. ranch to prepare for Thurs. debate with Biden

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin will be coached by the best people John McCain’s campaign has to offer in preparation for her debate Thursday with Joe Biden, the Wall Street Journal reports. Campaign manager Rick Davis and strategist Steve Schmidt are headed with Palin today to McCain’s Arizona ranch as the campaign comes under fire for mishandling the Alaska governor. More»

VP pick has turned the debate away from actual issues; Obama must steer it back

(NEWSER) - Of Troopergate, the “Bridge to Nowhere,” and the other so-called scandals the left has been hoping will sully Sarah Palin’s reputation, Arianna Huffington scoffs: “who cares?” McCain-Palin will gladly take up time discussing various small lies to distract from the “big truth”: that George Bush’s terms have unleashed havoc on America, and the Republican ticket represents “4 more years of disaster.” More»

With $10M since bringing Palin on board, GOP looking amply financed

(NEWSER) - John McCain’s presidential campaign raised $47 million in August, its biggest monthly take yet, the AP reports. The campaign has apparently received $10 million in donations since McCain announced Friday that Sarah Palin would be his running mate. Officials say the total Republican general-election chest will be at least $224 million by next week, when McCain receives $85 million in public funds. More»