McCain Sees Comeback; Tightening Race More Like It

Broader, old-school attacks bringing some GOP voters back to fold, but that's no surge
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2008 5:09 PM CDT
McCain Sees Comeback; Tightening Race More Like It
Supporters of Barack Obama stand with supporters of John McCain today as he exits a small business round-table discussion at a restaurant in Columbia, Mo.    (AP Photo)

As supporters get increasingly giddy about Barack Obama’s persistent lead in the polls, advisers to John McCain charge the media is ignoring a comeback by their candidate, writes Chris Cillizza in the Washington Post. The McCain campaign credits a return to a traditionally Republican tax-based argument for some recent figures showing Obama’s advantage narrowing from double to mid-single digits.

But comparing the context of September to October, Cillizza reasons that last month’s financial chaos could've depressed support for the GOP way below normal levels, pushing even strong Republicans at least into the “undecided camp.” So the “comeback” is likely just McCain reclaiming those who were always expected to vote Republican—not extending his support among crucial independents. (More Election 2008 stories.)

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