McCain To Urge Ballots Be Cast For Bush
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will urge SRLC conference registrants tonight to write in the name of Pres. George W. Bush when they vote in the Hotline's '08 presidential straw poll.
McCain, in a copy of his prepared remarks distributed to reporters by a top adviser, says that "straw polls are entertaining, my friends, even extremely early ones." But "I think we have bigger things to worry about. So if any friends here are thinking about voting for me, please don't. Just write in President Bush's name. For the next three years, with the country at war, he's our President, and the only one who must have our support today."
An aide to a rival campaign called McCain's decision to try and opt out "a ploy" and predicted that most straw poll voters would find it too cute by half. Another said he was "not surprised" because McCain was not expected to do well in the straw poll anyway. Still, Bush retains significantly higher job approval ratings among southern Republicans than just about any other democraphic group.
Republican sources said that Gov. Haley Barbour, in his planned remarks, also intends to ask attendees to support Pres. Bush in the straw poll.
Hotline editor-in-chief Chuck Todd said, "We thank Sen. McCain for raising the profile of the straw poll and for acknowledging that the results matter."
So what if Republicans don't follow McCain's advice? Would that be interperted as a bigger repudiation of McCain than a poor straw poll showing? Alternatively -- even if SRLCers aren't moved by McCain's gesture, would it play well with Republicans across the country who aren't subject to the elite's interpretation of straw polls?
Is it just me or just Chuck Todd sounds like the flak for the leading candidate. The respectful, non-engaged, almost-dismissal. Can wait to see from whom he was separated at birth this week.
it wont matter what mccain does, Frist is going to take 70%
demo-crap-hic?
my cat is smarter than george bush
If the republicans nominate Frist as their Presidential candidate, that would be a gift to the Democrats.
All they would need to do is continuously run that clip of him commenting on Terri Schiavo, claiming she responds to visual stimulation, when in fact she was blind.