DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE CANDIDATES?…. Over the weekend, one of John McCain’s top advisors said the campaign is “looking forward to turning a page on this financial crisis.” Other campaign advisors told the New York Times it’s their “hope” the issue of the economy “would recede somewhat from the public consciousness.”
The New York Daily News added today:
McCain’s course correction reflects a growing case of nerves within his high command as the electoral map has shifted significantly in Obama’s favor in the past two weeks.
“It’s a dangerous road, but we have no choice,” a top McCain strategist told the Daily News. “If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we’re going to lose.”
First, it continues to amaze me that top McCain campaign staffers keep making remarks like these, out loud, to reporters. It does more than just make them appear undisciplined; it also makes them appear ridiculous. When the economy is easily the key issue on the minds of voters, common sense tells us that McCain aides should stop advertising to reporters that they don’t want to talk about the economy.
And second, the campaign can’t compensate for current events. As I’m typing, the Dow is down more than 489 points, and has fallen below 10,000 for the first time in four years.
“If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we’re going to lose.” Perhaps, if they think Bill Ayers will rescue them in the midst of a financial meltdown, McCain and his team are in fantasyland.
