McCain's multiple messages muddied waters

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain's multiple attacks on his Democratic rival is hurting his ability to gain ground, GOP strategists say.

McCain's campaign has employed a variety attacks against U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, including criticizing his tax plan, challenging his past associations and questioning his readiness to be commander-in-chief, The Hill reported Friday.

The result means undecided voters are left to determine what one message McCain is presenting as a reason to vote for him, strategists said.

"Every minute that he spends on Ayers or ACORN or Palestinian terrorists is a minute he's not talking about jobs and taxes," said Dan Schnur, McCain's communications director in 2000. "It creates more difficulties for the campaign than it helps."

Schnur, now at the University of Southern California, said McCain's campaign seemed to resonate with the electorate when it focused on the economy and the "Joe the Plumber" story, but has muddled the message by introducing competing lines of attack, the Washington publication reported.

One Republican strategist told The Hill that "obviously when you're behind you're trying to find whatever attacks will stick."