Can someone succinctly explain to me why John McCain is running for President? Because it would appear Senator McCain isn't really sure himself. McCain isn't advocating a gutting of the Bush agenda, yet he knows if he can't distance himself from Bush, he is toast. Paralyzed by an inflexible ideology of tax cuts mixed with militarism, McCain seems out of touch and unaware of the pervasive angst that has gripped many of the country's citizens. McCain is clinging to the mantra that jihadists are this country's biggest threat, yet it is increasingly becoming a hard sell when Americans are increasingly uneasy about an economy teetering on recession(or worse). So far the McCain campaign has been listless and aimless. It can't decide how far to distance itself from Bush, and if there is an overall theme to the McCain campaign, it isn't very apparent. Much of the reason McCain survived his near-death experience during the primary season is because it was perceived he might be the only Republican Presidential candidate who could avert what has looked like almost certain defeat for the GOP. Because the media generally loves McCain, he gets pretty favorable press coverage. Yet, even positive press can't completely camouflage the fact that as of right now McCain isn't giving voters a persuasive reason to vote for him, which is a rather fatal flaw.
Americans are anxious because of a shaky economy. One would think the creaky economy would spur McCain to offer a more bold agenda. Yet, here he is running on his impressive resume devoid of a serious plan that will energize the economy. On too many issues, McCain is just too timid for his own good. He has suggested he'll tackle global warming, but just recently came out in support of increasing off-shore drilling. Talk about mixed messages. And where is the reform in McCain's agenda that Americans seem to be clamoring for? In regards to the Bush tax cuts, McCain wants to make them permanent even though that would seem unwise considering his apparent fascination with winning the Iraq war. Remember when the Republican Party stood for fiscal responsibility? I guess that is now an antiquated relic of a distant era, because endless war without sufficient revenue will mean the federal government will remain mired in debt. If Bush were running, he'd be pushing for the tax cuts to be made permanent and for the American people to remain patient so that victory in Iraq can be achieved. How this differs one iota from McCain is a mystery to me.
Can McCain win? Maybe, though the opening weeks of the general campaign have been anything but a resounding success for the Arizona Senator. One gets the feeling McCain's campaign better invent a compelling reason for Americans to pick him over Obama if he doesn't want to be steamrolled in November.
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