McCain Running on Substance, Not “Gotcha” IssuesRandy Shawbyline‚ Apr. 21‚ 2008In defense of ABC focusing last week’s Clinton-Obama debate on “gotcha” questions involving flag pins, Reverend Wright’s patriotism, and the Weather Underground, George Stephanopoulos argued that they had “gone to the heart of the ‘electability’” question and also showed “how candidates handle controversy.” But those who believe the 2008 general election will echo the 2000 and 2004 races in prioritizing symbolic over substantive issues do not understand John McCain. George W. Bush was intellectually incapable of running on policies and action plans, and had to rely on Rovian political tactics and voters identifying with his religious and cultural views. In contrast, McCain views himself as a policy guy. He truly believes he can win in November by convincing voters that he has superior policies on Iraq and the economy. McCain will not focus on the type of “credibility” issues that Hillary Clinton has used to unsuccessfully attack Barack Obama, weakening the Clinton camps argument that Obama will fall prey to “gotcha” issues in November. |