Robert Schlesinger

The Economy Hurt McCain, But McCain Hurt McCain, Too

November 4, 2008 RSS Feed Print

The sinking economy almost certainly dragged John McCain down with it, but let's not forget that he went down flailing, not fighting. The economic collapse was a moment of political opportunity and McCain's reaction hurt him as much as the event itself. He was not a helpless bystander, in other words, but aided in his own downfall.

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presidential election 2008,
economy,
John McCain

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There is no one else to blame. McCain is a "Deal Broker" not a stand on princple type of person. This country needs leadership not a middle of the road, work out the best deal, let's all get a long President. That being said I don't think Obama has the goods either, but we'll see.

I hear all the talk about how the Republicans need to re-tool the party, what a joke! They need to get back to their roots of limited government, low taxes, low spending, state's rights, and move the abortion issue from pro-choice/pro-life to a state issue vs a federal issue.

If they move to the left they will never win another election because they are not as good as the Dems are at sales and marketing their ideas. If there is very little difference between the parties the Dems will win. Their are a number of Republicans that voted for Obama to send a message to the party. The message wasn't to become more like the Dems but to stand up and act like Republicans.

Larry of CA 10:43AM November 06, 2008

I think it is pretty simplistic to say that MCCain simply took the fall for the evil Democrats who forced all the conservative and properly run financial institutions into bankruptcy by insisting on throwing away perfectly good money in loans to the undeserving working class. Still, I feel sure that Republicans will prefer that line of reasoning to accepting ANY of the blame for the financial mess we are in.

John McCain took the same position that Republicans always take. The people at the top of the ladder "earned" their wealth; never mind that in most cases, they could not have done it without the labor and/or the patronage of the people underneath them. They speak in smug and arrogant terms about how they resent having to give "handouts" to folks that are undeserving. That economic arrogance is bankrupting our nation. Soon the deserving rich will have no customers for their businesses, no market for their goods.

Just like I don't like having to buy oil from Middle Eastern countries that would cheerfully destroy us, I am also not wild about supporting wealthy businesses who consider me with disdain as being unworthy of having a turn at a modest tax break for a change. I create wealth too, and some of it is theirs.

John McCain's priorities were those of the rich and the militaristic of the last generation.

No wonder so many Americans were hungry for a message of hope and the promise of change.

Phoenix Lady of AZ 4:17AM November 06, 2008

When the economy went south, McCain's chances evaporated. It didn't matter that it was caused by congressional democrats demanding that fannie and freddie loan lots of money to people that couldn't pay it back. They blamed Bush, and gave power to the other guy.

Arguing about McCain's campaign tactics is pointless.

Ernie Banks of CA 8:01AM November 05, 2008

Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger

Robert Schlesinger is managing editor for opinion at U.S. News and World Report, overseeing all opinion editorial content. He is the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. E-mail him at rschlesinger@usnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @rschles.

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