July 2nd, 2008
04:22 PM ET
15 years ago
Amid concern, shakeup at McCain campaign
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/02/art.schmidt.ap.jpg caption="Schmidt is taking over day-to-day operations in the McCain campaign."](CNN) - John McCain’s campaign announced a shakeup at the top Wednesday, in the wake of growing Republican concern about its ability to compete against Barack Obama.
Campaign Manager Rick Davis said Tuesday morning that senior adviser Steve Schmidt would take over day-to-day operations of the campaign. The Bush campaign veteran will report to Davis, but the rest of the campaign will report to Schmidt, who will be in charge of everything from message and communications, to the political structure and organization to scheduling.
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It's not the campaign it's the candidate and party stupid!
I feel safer and more satisfied with the leadership in this country if we nixed these ridiculous elections and just went to a lottery format. People who meet a strict list of qualifying criteria (education both political and general, and previous accomplishments. No convictions of any sort or implications in any kind of character killing scandal. They should also complete a lengthy essay underscoring how they plan to revive and unite a nation.)
No restrictions against gender, age or race, because none take away from an individuals ability to USE THEIR BRAIN.
No campaigning needed, no more mud slinging or WASTE of funds that could be used to improve things here at home.
Religion...well here I get a little radical. If chosen by the lottery to lead our nation, your religious preference should be banned from entering into any and all facets of your leadership. Worship whoever you must, IN PRIVATE.
We are a nation of many beliefs...we will never see eye to eye in regards to this. Leave it out of public office and watch the country thrive.
This country has a lot of growing up to do, I can only hope it wakes up and takes some more baby steps in a less oppressive direction or else we'll be a Theocracy ready to persecute anyone that doesn't have a "Jesus Saves" sticker on their gas guzzling SUV.
Just a thought...
Guess the McSame name is getting stronger day by day.
I love the way CNN characterizes a strategy change in a campaign as a "shake-up" and implies that the reasons are always due to catastrophic mistakes. A lot of times campaigns "call audibles" and make adjustments along the way to do things a little better or to adapt to the changing climate. I would not read too much into this.
This is an absolutely clear signal that McCain knows his campaign is in serious trouble. Too bad; it will only get worse for him.
I know I speak for many other Americans as well as myself when I say it is time to change the tactics of this long drawn out campaign.
May both ot the canditates STOP the constant bombardment on each other.. Such counterproductive diatribe by both parties is anything but helpful and certainly irritating to the listener.
Among other important subjects on the docket,we have to uplift our dialog, improve our deteriorating image overseas, and face the all but impossible problems of immigration, terrorist attacks in our beloved country to name a few.
Daily from TV and radio we hear and see all the serious troubles in our world so we need campaign speeches filled with solutions not stupid hurtful attacks on each other.
......and the Swift Boat guy, too? MCBush-McSame. He is afraid of Ret. 4 star Ret. General Clark! The General who won the last war the US won,Kosovo-which still has peace a decade later. McNot so qualified.
I really wish they would stop trying and just let it go
dems have to much time on their hand s to post on forums,
OBAMA = Failure
What a surprise: decentralization isn't effective. If they could only take that principle and apply it to the economy a little bit more often, perhaps our economy wouldn't be in shambles right now.
So McCain felt no necessity to cut loose Joe Lieberman or his dirty lobbyist Black for saying American will be attacked in 2009 by terrorist and that a terrorist attack in America this year would be good for McCain. So someone McCain finds it necessary that Obama cut loose Gen Clark?
McCain is milking Clark's statement because McCain's camp has nothing better to talk about. They can't talk about the economy; they would lose. They can't talk about the Iraq war; they would lose; they can't talk about the energy crisis; they would lose; so why not while away the time arguing with a general on what whether being shut down constitute executive experience? So much for the straight talk express. If McCain thinks he can win this election by trying to distract the American people from the real issues such as the economy, the energy crisis and the war, and by threatening the people with talks of terrorist attacks that will happen next year - he's has really lost his bearings.
I alway thought his tie was too tight...don't bust a pipe trying to get at Mr. Obama, it wouldn't matter anyway.
There's nothing wrong with McBush's campaign! They just don't get it that too many people are fed up with the Republican tactics and their way of handling affairs. This war is breaking the country to end up a second world country! It's just not Bush people, after all, Bush couldn't have done what he did without his Republicans out-voting the Democrat's efforts to block Bush's agenda! McCain carries the same failed goals and policies as Bush does...enough already! No campaign stragedy will save the powerful and greedy Republicans this time!
No surprise there. This should be proof positive to all the repuglicans that you are in deep doo doo. For the last 4 weeks they have been saying we are good, we are going to catch up. But now a leadership change at the top means they have been lying to you all for the last 4 weeks. McSames GOP machine is leaking oil everywhere, what will happen in a serious debate? You will get walked on and all of America will see how pathetic the GOP is. Any one who buys into their future crap is a sheep and should be labled the most unpatriotic of all Americans.
I wonder how a new campaign manager can change the economy and the war? I always knew the Republicans were greedy elitists but didn't realize until now they are also a little on the dumb side.
Rad! This should bode well for distancing himself from Bush! Ummm, wait...
Obama 08
Problem not Solved.....McCain is confused and he is the source of unforced errors.
McBush is fast food politics!
Engineering PhD student for Obama 2008.
((America was founded on Judeo-Christan morals/values/principles and Obama's Universalism or "Christianity just one of many ways" might please hard core Liberals, Progressives and Multiculturists but not Mainstream Americans and Evangelicals.))
So you're supporting McCain. I'm sure you're aware he has had no love affair with the Christian right wing. I will at least credit him for some intelligence in that arena. So why are you supporting McCain?
Meanwhile, did you read the First Amendment? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This country was founded on principles of FREEDOM. We welcome people of all faiths here. If you don't like it, go off and live on a lonely island somewhere.
You have bitten the bait from the religious right wing, hook, line and sinker. How much money have you wasted on TV and radio evangelists who line their pockets with it?
You might be looking for favoritism and special treatment, but most of us Christians, and mainstream Americans, believe in simply loving thy neighbor. You are the one who is on the fringe, my friend.
Without a doubt, McBoring is definitely running for W's third term. McCains actions have spoken much louder this words his words. There is very little on which McBoring and W disagree. The facts are the facts. McCain should dump Charlie Black and those like him NOW!
Oh Lordy, some real big flip flopping going on.
Well during the primaries Clinton couldn’t figure it out and neither will McCain in the General Elections. Even former VP Dan Quayle can't spell POTATO, but he can sure read the writing on the wall, he fell just short of telling McCain to forget the presidency in 2008. But since Bush and McCain don’t know changing tactics doesn’t constitute change of strategy they’ll keep at it with their exercises in futility because they fail to grasp that there is a social/civic change that have come to bare with the Obama movement. This is an election for ages (nothing to do with the candidate’s ages).
This is a much needed shake up for the McCain camp. Still, one has to marvel at how well the man is doing in polls against an opponent who represents change and domestic focus in a year where the encumbent brand is in the toilet, people are more responsive to domestic issues, the economy is in recession and our collective fear of terror is down.
The fact that he's even polling close has to hearten many neoconservatives, even while true conservatives are taking a hard look at Ron Paul and Bob Barr, who are actually representing the conservative movement.
Conservatives will likely fall in line as they trend towards obedience more than maverick liberal types (who tend to be as difficult to herd as cats).
That there is hope for this campaign is a miracle. Ironically his opponent is the one campagning on hope!
What a strange nation we live in. We are a conservative nation, yet there is not one conservative candidate in the top two parties.
Know why Mr. Black is not out....McSame does not want to upset the conservatives.
Yes, bring in the Bush experts to manage his campaign...and then argue that he is for CHANGE!!! Where is Karl?
General Wesley Clark said nothing wrong!
I hope Barack puts him in his cabinet!
McCain's rides a CTE!
Crooked Talk Express!
He wants to do town hall meetings with Barack, travel
out of the country with Barack and tell him who to hire
and fire. The maverick needs to manage his own
losing campaign.