McCain Makes It Official
John McCain has been running for president a long time, so it might strike voters as a bit strange that he is just now getting around to "formally" announcing his candidacy. But that's the way campaigns work these days. It's about PR.
McCain will be looking to reinvigorate his image when he begins his announcement tour in New Hampshire on Wednesday and proceeds to South Carolina on Thursday, Iowa on Friday, and Nevada on Saturday, ending that afternoon in his home state of Arizona.
Such an announcement trip is designed to generate a wave of positive publicity and, just as important, allow McCain to refocus his campaign onto themes that he considers favorable to him, such as his compelling personal biography as a courageous POW during the Vietnam War and his reputation for having an independent streak. The problem for McCain is that his candidacy has been stalled. He is far behind former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in national polls of Republicans, lags in fundraising, and has taken much criticism for his strong endorsement of the Iraq war.
Here are some things to watch for as McCain proceeds with his announcement tour, in the view of political strategists of both parties:
- Iraq. In recent months, McCain has taken lots of flak for endorsing President Bush's unpopular policies in Iraq. Now he wants to convert that negative into a political asset by billing it as a rare stand for principle.
- The vision thing. Democratic and Republican strategists argue that McCain needs to show more of a vision and put together a clear national agenda by tying together his ideas about other major issues. They include strengthening the economy, overhauling entitlement programs such as Social Security, imposing discipline on the federal budget, creating energy security, and reducing partisan bickering in Washington. McCain was known as an independent-minded reformer in 2000. Many strategists say the best way for him to reinvigorate his campaign is to go back to those roots, possibly by portraying himself as a "candidate of conscience."
- The optimism factor. McCain was known for his open, upbeat style in 2000, when he initially ran a strong race but lost the nomination to George W. Bush. This time, he has seemed a lot more somber, which has made him a less appealing candidate. Can he reassert his positive side?
- Stamina. McCain is 70 years old and sometimes shows his age. The insiders are watching to see if he has the energy and vigor that modern presidential campaigns demand.
- Making distinctions. While he has the media's attention, McCain is being urged by some GOP insiders to show how he differs from his Republican rivals, especially the front-running Giuliani. McCain doesn't want to seem negative, but some of his allies think he has let Giuliani's liberal record on abortion, gay rights, guns control, and other issues go unchallenged for too long. Other McCainites think there will be plenty of time for attacks later and that McCain should take the high road. Positive or negative? This will be one of his more difficult decisions this week.
Above all, McCain advisers say no one should expect him to soft-pedal his unpopular views on Iraq.
"He believes in victory," says a friend. "And he won't stop talking about it."