Republicans Run From Bush - But Is It Worth It?
The Republican debate Tuesday night featured one theme– run hard, away from the President. The attacks on the war and the style of the White House were appropriate, but voters are smarter than that. They understand that McCain, Romney and Guiliani need to distance from Bush, but more than distancing, they need to convince voters that they have a vision.
All of the top three Republicans are formidable, but voters want candidates who can pose for the camera and some up with some ideas at the same time.
So far, there are no specifics from the Republicans on health care. The GOP candidates, as a group, are against open doors for immigrants, except for one. They have muddled views on Iraq, except for one. They have confusing views on stem cell research. They have the same view on abortion, except for one.
The exceptions here are Rudy and John. Rudy is willing to stake out a pro choice position. McCain stands firmly behind carving a path for illegals to stay here.
From an analyst’s perspective, this kind of honesty and courage, is what people respect, even if they disagree.
I have long felt that John McCain will be the last one standing, only because he doesn’t flip flop like a political pancake.
Changing your tune to win a Presidential nomination, pandering to the extreme right, makes it impossible to run a substantial general election campaign.
That’s why, in this reporter’s view, just distancing yourself from an unpopular President has two looks: the appearance of abandoning the party, and giving the impression that your views can change, depending on the political winds.
The Democrats have a little more vision these days. The Republicans need some more positive vision, and less of an emphasis on bashing the past and the present.
As the woman said in the campaign commercials of 1984 - ‘where’s the beef?”
