College Republican Federation of Virginia

For Barack Obama, a funny thing happened on the way to the White House; John McCain caught up in the polls.  The question is why.  With his campaign seeming to lose traction yet again and without a clear line of attack or coherent message, even the most die-hard of Republican strategists were criticizing McCain and girding for a November defeat.  Then it got worse, Obama moved to the center, intent on making this a style contest, one he would almost certainly win.

Obama announced he was going abroad, to Germany, Israel, and Iraq.  He “refined” his wretched Iraq policy, jettisoned Jeremiah, opened himself up to free trade, pandered to Latinos, and began clinging to both God and guns.  Suddenly, McCain’s advantage on substance had all but eroded.  And then it happened, McCain gained ground.  Polls that had showed him losing by as many as 15 points, which was expected, now show a statistical dead heat.

How did he do it?  What did he do?  Did he even do anything?  The answer is, he’s John McCain.  He rolled out policy initiatives on the environment and the economy, but failed to dominate the discussion on either issue.  But domination wasn’t necessary, only comparison.  McCain doesn’t own the country’s problems the way Bush does, and he isn’t the gamble Obama is.  He doesn’t have to move to the center, because he’s already there.  He isn’t proposing any type of restrictor-plate capitalism, but rather a system that allows for and encourages individual achievement while offering a hand-up to those left behind.

He offers a rational and responsible environmental policy aimed at cleaning up the environment without crippling the economy.  His healthcare plan gives patients the power to make their own decisions while simultaneously giving them more choices that are easier and cheaper to make. 

McCain caught Obama in the polls because elections are about choices, and McCain is beginning to lay out his offer.   He caught up because he offered alternatives instead of attacks.  He caught up because voters are beginning to understand that he’ll practice the different style of politics Obama can only talk about.  A style where substance matters and cheap, focus-group tested attacks are just that.  McCain caught up because he’s always been right where America wants him to be, just right of center, equally ready to fight off the wingnuts or reach out and compromise, always mindful that he’s a servant of the public, and always ready to do what is necessary to make America secure and successful.