WASHINGTON, DC: In the wake of the message sent by voters in Michigan and Arizona - not so fast, Dubya - Republican presidential favorite George W. Bush and insurgent John McCain began fine-tuning their PR strategies last week in anticipation of pivotal face-offs in New York and California on March 7.
WASHINGTON, DC: In the wake of the message sent by voters in
Michigan and Arizona - not so fast, Dubya - Republican presidential
favorite George W. Bush and insurgent John McCain began fine-tuning
their PR strategies last week in anticipation of pivotal face-offs in
New York and California on March 7.
’Both have gone exactly contrary to their original messages,’ said GOP
political consultant Tony Marsh, VP of Russo Marsh Copsey. ’They need to
get back to where they were.’
McCain may have damaged his ’above the fray’ appeal with an attack ad
linking Bush to Clinton. As Marsh noted, McCain benefited more from his
reputation for honesty and integrity than his chosen issue of campaign
finance reform. The strident ad, then, scuffed his reputation
somewhat.
McCain, Russo believes, should continue to stress campaign finance
reform, but also discuss issues - such as reducing the national debt -
that play well with conservative audiences. ’He needs to highlight his
maturity and wisdom,’ Russo said.
Ketchum SVP Chuck Dolan, a former Democratic political operative, said
Bush has just as many, if not more, image and strategy problems.
’George Bush came out of South Carolina with an honorary degree in
ecumenical studies and race relations from Bob Jones University and with
the Confederate flag tattooed to his chest,’ Dolan said. ’That won’t
easily be forgotten.’
Dolan argued that Bush needs to establish three or four issues in which
he can really make a difference. Bush has made feints in that direction,
most recently with his post-New Hampshire slogan proclaiming him as a
’reformer with results.’
’Now he’s got to take that message, and show what reforms and what
results,’ said Dolan.
The California republican primary is likely to be the more interesting
of the two major Super Tuesday staredowns. It is generally regarded as a
’beauty contest,’ as independents and Democrats are allowed to vote.
In New York, only registered Republicans have that privilege.
