Thursday, May 15, 2008
Is McCain Already Running For Re-election?
Republican presidential candidate John McCain made a campaign stop in Columbus today on the same day that his campaign released a very interesting new ad touting his accomplishments...in the year 2013.
In a change year when voters are impatient for a turnaround, I’m puzzled by the focus on the future, rather than the present. McCain’s age is going to be an issue in the election, and yet voters are now going to gauge him based on five years from now? One of McCain’s strongest arguments - that can capture a chunk of the Clinton coalition - is that he doesn’t need time to learn the job of President. He’s ready. He’s got the experience. This is why I’m confused about the McCain campaign’s strategy in setting its sights on re-election in 2013 before we have reached the half-way point of 2008.
Here is the new ad’s script, which you can view here.
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ANNOUNCER:
The year, 2013.
The Middle East stabilized.
Nuclear terror threat reduced.
Border security strengthened.
Energy independence advanced.
Wasteful spending reformed.
Health care choice delivered.
Economic confidence restored.
The year, 2013. The President, John McCain.
JOHN MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.
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The ad may not go beyond Youtube. Maybe we won’t see it or hear it again after today. I can’t imagine this being the way that Republicans would like to frame the 2008 election, “Who’s going to deliver for you by 2013?” Democrats, on the other hand, would have to jump at the chance to sell voters on change by next year over change five years down the road.
