McCain Camp Worries It Will Be Overshadowed Until Democratic Convention

John McCain has been forced to play the pip-squeak all week. The candidate has been trying to get one word in edgewise while Barack Obama has been swarmed by adoring officials and supporters overseas. Even when the McCain camp tried to drum up media criticism around Obama canceling a visit to US troops in Germany, they were silenced and made to look like the ones who had gaffed. They criticized Obama for canceling the trip, only to be told later that it was in fact a long-standing Pentagon policy that had forced the cancellation.

With the Olympics starting August 8, the McCain camp is now nervous it won't be able to get a word in before the Republican National Convention in September. The Washington Post suggests that fear will spur McCain to name a running mate very soon so his decision won't be overshadowed.

The Washington Post should beware of the McCain camp on this issue. Conservative columnist Robert Novak said they may have used him this week to drum up VP speculation. The ultimate reason for using Novak was of course to get some time in the spotlight!

Read below. McCain aides are indicating his decision will come very soon.

Anxious to counter the blanket media coverage that has followed Sen. Barack Obama on his overseas journey, Sen. John McCain is weighing whether to announce his running mate in the coming weeks before the spotlight shifts to China and the opening of the Olympic Games next month.

"He's in a position to make [the decision] on short notice if he wanted to," said Charles R. Black Jr., one of McCain's top political advisers.

Two top aides to the presumptive Republican nominee said the decision is likely to be announced after Obama returns from Europe on Sunday and before the Beijing Olympics begin Aug. 8. They said the campaign fears that unanticipated events coming out of China -- whether in the form of athletic accomplishments or human rights protests -- could deflect attention from the announcement if it were made during the Games.

The Olympics conclude the day before the Democratic nominating convention opens in Denver, and the GOP convention begins in Minneapolis-St. Paul just four days after the Democratic gathering ends.

Comments

[Cardhu]

That's a Motorola Brick, an early cell phone! McSame likely thinks this is the latest innovation and wants to pass legislation to ban it!

[ndnndpendent]

So I am guessing from the posts its a 1991 Motorola Brick phone---The Maverick model. Yes it is a very Maverick-y phone...........

[sherylsworld]

Really, I forgot all about you this week McCain........

[lornejl]

J Mac http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Lambton/strombergcarlson.jpgrlson.jpg

J Mac bike.... http://www.logosportswear.com/cgi-images/MI0665.JPG

J Mac http://www.monsterhanger.com/images/planes_etc/crash.jpgrash.jpg

J Mac http://vermont-archives.org/research/photos/Development/computer.JPGcomputer.JPG

J Mac fears change.

[zephyrus]

J Mac http://www.kerrier.gov.uk/media/images/o/4/victorian_lesson_800px.jpgn_800px.jpg

[CuriousPerson]

Damnitman... I actually remember working with one of those computers.

[apoyo]

I used to have respect for Andrea Mitchell as an honest broker until it was revealed that she was on the plane to Bosnia with Hillary and she allowed Hillary's story to continue for 3 months.

[southafrica4obama]

Mccain is insulting Obama

[ObamAtomic]

Is very refreshing ,we can a carried a humorous blogging ,Charles Chaplin wannabe!
We salute you Mc Cain,for win the wars?passing the comamdeer test.?

[swooge]

HAPPY HOUR!!!!!

[maxdenn]

This I like.

[eden4barack08]

Now I remember where I'd seen it! Is that the satellite phone he's gonna use to "get BinLaden"? OBL used to have one just like it in some old pictures.

Anyway, this pic of McC is priceless.

[Rumplestiltskin]

Haven't you heard? We already got O_sama. This is Mc's secret way of alerting those savy enough to that fact.

[nonconformist2]

Right. I see a picture of it now in my head. Mc.Cain stumbling into the cave. B.in L.aden is snoozing having just tried to watch one of Mc.Cain's speeches. Mc.Cain shuffles up behind him, and BAM, knocks him senseless with his 20 pound phone. Gives new meaning to the "surge".

8 - ()

[eden4barack08]

LMAO!!

[Flagal]

I remember getting so pis-sed one day I threw my motorola 8000 brick about 30 yards and it landed in the middle of the road. Yup, you guessed it, the thing still worked and only had a little dent and scratch.
Try that with your i-phone or Raz-r

[Chubbster]

What is scary is that the polls are even close.

[ThunderclapNewman]

They're really not close, state by state.

National polls only interest lazy media hacks.

[eden4barack08]

We're a good 30 ahead in electoral votes though. Let's not despair.

[CocteausTwin]

And let's never lessen our efforts, fight as though we are 15 points behind until Nov 5th (and for the slow, yes I realize that is the day after the election -- duh!)

[apoyo]

Where did he get that ancient cell phone?

[lornejl]

Able Baker Charlie, come in Able Baker Charlie....

[zephyrus]

Aw, c'mon.....you know he was hung over at the Naval Academy when they covered that protocol.....

[Rumplestiltskin]

Foxtrot Uniform here Able Baker Charlie. Delta Uniform Hotel, over.

[zephyrus]

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

Where is the crank on this thing?

[Peteyman]

That's the point. McBush is Alpha Whiskey Oscar Lima when it comes to these things.

[Flagal]

http://rewindmuseum.com/brickphone.htm

[Ajegunle]

Noooooooo!
Really, Grandpa???

[talkingclock]

No McCain there is static in the line , oops! now we have disconnected. Out of touch as usual.