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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
3

Bush-Blitzed Mac Morphed Into Empty Suit

Mac's tactics have turned great brand into 'erratica'

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(Newser) – John McCain has tried to paint Barack Obama as an unknown risk of a candidate—but these days, McCain is the unfamiliar one, Maureen Dowd writes. The Arizona senator used to be “one of the best brands in politics,” a “known and knowable quantity” that was transparent to the press. Now, his campaign has transformed him into a Bushie-backed “question mark,” she notes in the New York Times.

McCain’s campaign manager turned the “vibrant and respected” Republican “into a shell of his former self,” Dowd writes. The candidate has surrounded himself with “mercenaries trained in the same Rovian tactics that tore up his family.” Topping it off is his camp’s handling of Sarah Palin, which created “Democratic-style infighting” in the GOP as some of McCain's own built her up, then knocked her down.

In this May 9, 2000, file photo, McCain reacts as Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush makes a statement during a joint news conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.
In this May 9, 2000, file photo, McCain reacts as Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush makes a statement during a joint news conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
John McCain reacts to a sign held by a supporter in Perkasie, Pa., yesterday.
John McCain reacts to a sign held by a supporter in Perkasie, Pa., yesterday.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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McCain pals around with Joe the Plumber and leaves Tito the Builder to Sarah Palin, exactly the kind of inane campaign silliness that the McCain formerly known as Maverick would have mocked mercilessly. - Maureen Dowd

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whtmountain
Nov 2, 08 8:37 AM CST
Thank you! It's time someone realized it's not just about a campaign budget - it's about the message. My message to the GOP - fix your party - get rid of your "secret" Bush/Rovian tactics and listen to the people! We don't need your hate/fear messages - we don't need your attack dogs - we need you to listen to the people. This is why on Nov 4th you will lose the White House and the Senate - you will lose by a landslide....maybe you will hear our message - you no longer represent the conservative middle class family - YOU represent the white supremist, right evangelical neo cons! You think your right - but you are just so FAR TO THE RIGHT that Obama/Biden are in the middle. Goodbye GOP! Reply
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Lula
Nov 2, 08 10:07 AM CST
This was well said. These fear/hate attacks are not working. The GOP has gone way off base. They have used ever smear they can. Can't they see the American people are tired of this? Instead of telling us what they will do for American, they smear hate and lies, thinking someone will believe them. We had enought of the GOP to last us a lifetime. Reply
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Shannonals
Nov 3, 08 6:56 PM CST
Had Sen. McCain actually ran a straight campaign vice a smear campaign, he would be leading in the polls. No one wants to hear smears when the country in having troubles Reply
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