and McCain's tin ear when it comes to conservative voters (and the rest of 'em, for that matter):

The only people who care about public financing of campaigns are so-called “good government” wonks. This issue is nowhere on voters’ radars. Sure, it’s part of McCain’s brand as a reformer, but it doesn’t put Obama on the defensive. The Illinois Senator can shrug it off by countering that he’ll focus on issues that actually affect the American people: health care; the economy; and the Iraq War. While Obama will look more engaged with voters McCain will appear more abstract and aloof.

To make matters worse for McCain talking about public financing of campaigns will irritate conservative critics. It not only brings up the disagreement many have with him on his namesake first amendment restriction legislation, but many conservatives consider public financing as campaign socialism.

Why bother with an issue that will gain him little advantage when thereÂ’s an issue sitting right in front of him begging for a strong, passionate approach? For the life of me I canÂ’t understand why McCain hasnÂ’t taken up the Berkeley-Marines issue. Some straight talk in defense of U.S. Marines would galvanize conservatives and create a wedge between the anti-war/military Left and independents and law-and-order types Sens. Clinton and Obama want in November.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

UPDATE: McCain went after Obama over earmarks and transparency. ThatÂ’s a much better issue. He needs to forget campaign finance and sink his teeth deep on this.

RTWT; he's got links and stuff.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 09:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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