AP: McCain “has maintained a deep core of support” and “remains energized”
Today, the AP published an article titled ”McCain’s woes evident on campaign trail.” Despite the morbid headline, it did - in fairness - note several positive aspects of Senator McCain’s current campaign. Here are some excerpts from the article:
DERRY, N.H. - John McCain’s slide in the presidential race shows up everywhere on the campaign trail.
McCain flies commercial instead of on private jets, carries his own luggage and relies on supporters to drive him to events…
It’s a far cry from the “Straight Talk Express” tour bus that once was packed with reporters, staff and hope.
When the Republican presidential hopeful made his first trip to New Hampshire earlier this year, the plush bus had Dunkin’ Donuts boxes in the cabin and gallons of coffee for hangers-on and key supporters. His aides — and spare baked goods — traveled in a van behind. Earlier this year, the plush bus had Dunkin’ Donuts boxes in the cabin and gallons of coffee for hangers-on and key supporters. His aides - and spare baked goods - traveled in a van behind.At town halls, his U.S. flag backdrops were steamed clean of their wrinkles and a bevy of volunteers clamored to hand out stickers.
Now, the Arizona senator and Vietnam War hero travels without staff or with a single aide and rarely with national media crews. Last week, he arrived in Manchester, N.H., on a commercial flight. He carried his own bags through the airport and his top two aides in the state drove him to his hotel. The entire event was captured for local television.
Yet, for all of McCain’s woes, rival campaigns aren’t holding a political death watch just yet. McCain has maintained a deep core of support and, with five months to the first voting, there is ample time to make up ground. Rivals know McCain’s scrappy style and one-on-one skills have helped him before and he often is at his best when free of the cautions imposed on front-runners.
To try to regain momentum heading into the fall, McCain plans to spend a few days at a time in each of three early primary states - Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. He’ll focus on town-hall style meetings - as many as several a day - that allow him to mix it up with voters and reach as many people as possible.
“I can out-campaign anyone,” he says.
McCain remains energized, waving off aides who want him to wrap up events. He says “one more” question, then takes five…
McCain hangs in even when he knows his answers will be unpopular.
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