Watching the McCain campaign edge closer and closer toward the convention can be frustrating. For every step forward that we get, such as his modification of his domestic drilling agenda, we also are greeted by two shambling ‘maverick’ steps backward with stories like this.
Top aides to Joseph Lieberman have reached out to former staffers in recent days with “substantive questions” about the issue areas they worked on while working for the Connecticut senator, according to a source close to Lieberman…
Without saying definitively that the information-gathering was being done to share with McCain’s campaign, this source said “it would be unusual if not in the context of being vetted.”
I won’t bother typing out a few lavish paragraphs reiterating how much I respect Joe Lieberman on issues such as national security and foreign policy. It goes without saying that the vast majority of conservatives have a soft spot for good old Joe. Nevertheless, on everything else he is liberal, which might explain why he ran as their vice presidential candidate eight years ago. Even the hint that McCain, who hasn’t done himself too much to endear himself to the conservative base, would consider someone so obviously meant to attract further democrat voters at the expense of the party principles is highly disturbing.
It shows us what a McCain administration will be like.
It shows us why this election truly will be a referendum on Barack Obama because deep down, John McCain has little to offer in the way of conservative advancement.
And if McCain thinks that Tom Ridge will be softer to swallow, he’ll face a sobering November surprise.
With Obama promising hardball, I’m afraid that the ‘high road’ approach that our favorite maverick is going to play is like dressing up as Teddy Roosevelt for a costume contest when the guy next door is decked out as the Predator, complete with flashing lights. It’s the phonograph fighting the ipod. It just won’t get the job done.
Hopefully desperation will breed clearer thinking in republican strategy.
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