Democratic primary fight a gift to McCain
Published: March 24, 2008 at 8:54 AM
WASHINGTON, March 24 (UPI) -- The protracted race to name a Democratic U.S. presidential candidate has given the presumptive Republican nominee time to hone his message, strategists say.
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has moved up in the polls as the primary fight between Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., continued but Republican strategists told The New York Times they recognize pitfalls in the months leading up to the November general election.
Among the stumbling blocks for McCain in his attempt to keep the White House in Republican hands are voter weariness of the war in Iraq, concerns about the economy and disillusionment with the current GOP president.
Once the general election season begins, however, McCain will have to face a Democratic Party that's expanded its base and added to its coffers, the Republican's campaign manager said.
"All of the energy has been on the Democrat side," said Rick Davis, the McCain campaign manager. "That's a hurdle for us."
McCain's strategists said they are using the time to build on McCain's positive image and build up the campaign's infrastructure, operating at skeletal levels his 2007 fundraising collapsed.
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has moved up in the polls as the primary fight between Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., continued but Republican strategists told The New York Times they recognize pitfalls in the months leading up to the November general election.
Among the stumbling blocks for McCain in his attempt to keep the White House in Republican hands are voter weariness of the war in Iraq, concerns about the economy and disillusionment with the current GOP president.
Once the general election season begins, however, McCain will have to face a Democratic Party that's expanded its base and added to its coffers, the Republican's campaign manager said.
"All of the energy has been on the Democrat side," said Rick Davis, the McCain campaign manager. "That's a hurdle for us."
McCain's strategists said they are using the time to build on McCain's positive image and build up the campaign's infrastructure, operating at skeletal levels his 2007 fundraising collapsed.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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