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'Dysfunctional' Campaign Must Go: Kristol

Attacks haven't and won't work, so it's time to go back to basics

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2008 12:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain’s campaign isn’t working, and if he’s smart, he’ll “junk the whole thing and start over,” William Kristol writes in the New York Times. McCain’s current “combination of strategic incoherence and operational incompetence has become toxic,” the high-profile conservative argues. McCain should pull all of his attack ads (“they’re doing no good anyway”) and go back to being a "cheerful, open" candidate.

“The American people have by no means turned decisively against” McCain and Sarah Palin, Kristol contends. But their attacks on Barack Obama and McCain's “gimmicky” economic proposals have failed. "McCain needs to make his case, and do so as a serious but cheerful candidate for times that need a serious but upbeat leader."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (3)]

Bill Kristol appears on NBC's 'Meet the Press' September 3, 2000 in Washington, DC. Kristol, founder of The Weekly Standard, says McCain should fire his campaign. (Getty Images)

John McCain speaks with volunteers at his campaign headquarters in Arlington, Va. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., pauses as he leaves his campaign headquarters in Arlington, Va. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A supporter cheers as Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a rally in Davenport, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Let McCain go back to what he's been good at in the past—running as a cheerful, open and accessible candidate. - William Kristol

The hope for McCain and Palin is that they still have pretty good favorable ratings from the voters. The American people have by no means turned decisively against them. - William Kristol

If the race continues over the next three weeks to be a conventional one,
McCain is doomed. - William Kristol

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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'Dysfunctional' Campaign Must Go: Kristol