McCain's campaign manager

[Firespirit]

I have been rooting for a Kerry vs. McCain matchup, for several reasons. Now that "maverick moderate" McCain has hired a filthy mudslinging Republican crook as his campaign manager, that adds yet one more reason for it.

Raw Story has the scoop on dirtbag Terry Nelson:

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/McCain_eyes_Call_Me_attack_ad_1207.html

-Responsible for the Playboy ad used to derail Harold Ford's campaign
-Supervised the convicted criminal behind the 2002 New Hampshire phone jamming
-Associated with DeLay's PAC scandal
-Worked with a Swift Boat Scum guy to concoct the astroturf Working Families for Wal-Mart group

This should tell a great deal about the type of campaign that McCain will run. Woe be unto Sam Brownback, who I think will emerge as his biggest rival for the nomination once more wingers learn about him.

As ruthless as the Clinton machine is said to be, Hillary won't stand up to this sort of thing. McCain can, and WILL run on his POW/veteran credentials. I am becoming increasingly convinced that, in order to ensure a safe victory with no chance of election fraud altering the outcome, we have to nominate someone who can meet him on his own ground. There are two possible candidates who can do that, Kerry and Clark, and of the two Kerry would be the better president, not to mention campaigner. He's been through it and Clark has not.



Besides, I would dearly LOVE to see this. McCain and his dirty friend with Swiftboating ties... vs. Kerry, with Jim Webb as a probable prominent defender.

Hmm, I WONDER which side the nation would like better.

:evilgrin: :popcorn:

[ProSense]

1. Ha ha ha!

Maverick my a**!

McSleaze!

[beachmom]

2. McCain is despised within the Republican base

I know this because my crazy neighbor, who is most certainly in the Republican base, said so in no uncertain terms. Do you think they're going to vote for him, no matter how much he kisses up to them? I really, really wonder if the guy will emerge as the Republican nominee in spite of all the media hype.

[whometense]

3. Not only that, but his

crossover appeal has taken a severe hit since 2004.

My husband, who is centrist/liberal, might well have voted for him at one time (over my loud objections, I might add).

But the other night we were watching Olbermann and when McCain came on I was startled to hear a muttered "whore!" coming from his direction. If he's noticing (he's not very political), then a lot of other people are noticing too.

[Firespirit]

5. Here's my prognostication

As of today, 12/8/06. Take it with your choice measurement of salt.

A wingnut will emerge from the pack to challenge McCain. For the sake of argument, and since his name is the one floated around Freeperlands, let's say Brownback, although it's very early and it could be someone else. The rest of the bunch fade away, with their supporters going to one or the other of the frontrunners. They have a brutal, filthy race that makes the Democratic nomination look like a formal cocktail party. I think it's 50/50 as to which side wins, truly, and here's why I can't make up my mind about who comes out ahead:

-The wingnut rage is incredible, and McCain is caught up in it. They think that the Republican Party has sold out conservatism, and they want a new, clean "savior." This is bad for McCain.

-However, McCain has the Republican Party establishment fully behind him. Even Hillary doesn't have that. She has a substantial part of it, but not all. The Republicans in 2000 had anointed Bush, and they destroyed McCain's insurgent candidacy once it became a threat. McCain has even hired some of the experts. And Republican voters have demonstrated repeatedly that they tend to do as their masters tell them.

-I'll give the other side credit for this -- they do know what a pragmatic vote is, and seem not to hesitate to cast one. They may get cold feet and decide that McCain, despite his sleaze factor (even many Republicans don't trust him), is conservative enough to suit them.

-Wingnut rage clouds judgment. I cannot decide how big of a factor it will be. It could be that two years of a Democratic Congress will temper some of the rage and make them vote pragmatically.

I'm guessing that the combination of Pelosi, GOP establishment support, filthy campaigning, and media/party pressure a la the Rhode Island primary will tip it to McCain.

I want McCain to get it. I think we'll know very early whether it will be him, and I can see that affecting our own primaries (which I do NOT see being decided early). If McCain is breaking out as their choice, I think people will get cold feet about Hillary and Obama, and instead turn to Kerry.

[MBS]

7. I like your last paragraph especially,

and I think you're right!

[rox63]

4. McCain's also not above stabbing other Republicans in the back

Should be fun to watch them rip each other apart: http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2006/dec/08/mccain_poaches_utah_endorsements_from_romney

[whometense]

6. awwww...

poor l'il Mittens. :cry: