Taking On Biggest Donors, McCain Takes a Big Risk
Senator John McCain has or had a reputation of being something of a maverick in the Senate. He has been known to go against party and even his own best interest in terms of politics. That is the sort of action that can gain the public trust and favor in politics. Occasionally his apparent independence from allegiance to anyone has received criticism. People may be uncomfortable not being able to tell whose side he is on. His puzzling response or lack of one to pummeling from then Governor George Bush in the 2000 Presidential campaign was the sort of reaction that found observers scratching their heads.
Being on the wrong side of an issue is the best way to derail political ambitions. But with McCain one is never sure if there are any political ambitions or just a need to be central in a public issue debate. The McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform is an example of an issue that can turn on a politician. The careers of both McCain and Feingold while not spiraling out of control have had no stellar accomplishments either. Some may applaud bipartisan efforts yet McCain’s results from such endeavors has had mixed results. Campaign finance reform is still an elusive goal and not much improved by most people’s accounts. McCain’s stand on Iraq while admirable has little political upside. And his fund raising efforts have not been good. Not being against lobbyists enough to win public support or with them enough to raise tons of cash, Senator McCain has neither one or lost on this issue but is without the benefit of a real war chest from either source.
The biggest problem for McCain in the 2008 Presidential campaign is his stand on and work with the White House and some Democrats on the amnesty bill. Business interests in Arizona are in favor of illegal immigration. While favoring amnesty to win that business support would typically be understandable although unpopular, it is not likely to help McCain in another Presidential bid. Some observers indicate it may be what sinks his ship. It is as if Senator John McCain merely wants to be in the middle of the national debate without having any interest in becoming President.
You can maintain much respect for Senator John McCain for many reasons. His service to country, long history in the Senate, well documented hero credentials in the military as well as being an all round sincere and friendly seeming soul. But his chances in the 2008 Presidential campaign appear to be less than they were in 2000. Senator John McCain may be more of an enigma than a maverick. The maverick moniker could be more about not considering the effects of his actions rather than stirring the pot on controversy. That may be a characteristic not wanted in a President.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
Taking On Biggest Donors, McCain Takes a Big Risk
Published: June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, June 17 — A ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee like Senator John McCain could normally bank on a bonanza of campaign contributions from the defense industry, especially if he was under pressure to raise money fast.But as Mr. McCain races to play catch-up with his Republican presidential primary rivals before the end of the second quarter, he is only reminding military companies and lobbyists why they have never liked him. “Defense contractors are more concerned with winning the next contract than performing on the current one,” he charged at a recent campaign stop.
At a critical moment for him, his presidential campaign may be paying the price for a career of positions seemingly calculated to alienate constituencies that according to Washington custom should be prime sources of campaign cash.
Times: McCain’s reputation for independence turning off big donors
06/17/2007 @ 9:41 pm
Filed by RAW STORY
The New York Times (reg. req.) is set to report that Sen. John McCain may be paying the price for his past opposition to the defense industry and other major campaign donors. As he struggles against Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani in his bid for the presidential nomination, his apparent inability to raise campaign cash quickly and easily has become an additional handicap.