What Political Malpractice Looks Like (The B Team That Ran The McCain Campaign Into The Ground)

Yesterday's big New York Times story on the state of the presidential race says the final days will find both campaigns buried in red states:

Mr. McCain and his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, are planning to spend most of their time in Florida, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, and Indiana, all states that Republicans had entered the campaign thinking they could bank on...Republicans and Democrats said there were signs that two states that had once appeared overwhelmingly Republican — Georgia and South Carolina — were tightening, in part, because of surge of early-voting by African-Americans.

What's so remarkable about this is how arrogantly self-confident the McCain camp was about most of these red states just a few months ago, when they bragged about not spending money on television or hiring any staff or mocked the Obama camp's efforts and joked about their voter registration efforts.

We'll have plenty of time to dissect this pig after November 4th, but I wanted to get a head start on some of the most egregious acts of political malpractice I have ever seen at this level of politics in my life.

What's even more noteworthy is how we discussed -- in real-time -- just how absurd some of their actions were. We didn't need the benefit of hindsight to understand that the USS McCain was being navigated by some of the poorest political strategists ever to run a presidential general election campaign.

Exhibit A: McCain Electoral Strategy Briefing (June 6):

On June 6th, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis narrated a slick 14-minute video briefing where he laid out which states were solidly in the Obama and McCain camps and which states would remain as the battlegrounds.

First, notice how they began the general election believing that Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, North Dakota, and Montana were solidly in their column and not even worthy of battleground status. They simply added all of these 153 electoral votes into their column before moving on their pockets of opportunity and what they believed were the real battleground states:

Next, check out where McCain thought his pockets of opportunity were located:

That's right, the B Team thought they had an opening in California. Beyond this video, Davis said this to the the Arizona Daily Star a few weeks later:

"There are some states were we have really unique opportunities," Davis said, pointing to historically Democratic states like California, Michigan, Wisconsin and Connecticut.

Finally, here's how the McCain team saw the battleground -- and yes they really believed that Washington, Oregon and Connecticut were going to be in play, but not Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana.

Now, with just 8 days to go, half of the states where McCain is left campaigning are those he claimed were not competitive and certain to be in his column. It's pretty remarkable just how arrogant these guys were even a few months ago about some of these red states. Here are a few more examples:

Exhibit B: The New York Times (June 8th):

Mr. Obama’s aides said some states where they intend to campaign — like Georgia, Missouri, Montana and North Carolina — might ultimately be too red to turn blue. But the result of making an effort there could force Mr. McCain to spend money or send him to campaign in what should be safe ground, rather than using those resources in states like Ohio.

...Mr. McCain’s advisers dismissed the Obama campaign claims as bluster. “We’re confident about our ability to win those states,” said Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser to Mr. McCain.

Exhibit C: McCain Campaign Blog (June 20th):

Obama will spend money in states that he has almost no chance to win, and he has money to burn now that he's broken his pledge to accept public financing. Frankly, we will need him to burn as much as possible in solid red states--better he spend $10 million in Texas than another $10 million in Ohio.

Exhibit D: McCain Camp Says Obama Staffing In Missouri Means They're "In Trouble" and "Have To Have A Surge" (July 9th):

“When you feel like you have to put that many people in the state to cover it, means you think you’re in trouble and you have to have a surge,” said Jack Jackson, McCain’s Missouri co-chairman.

Exhibit E: North Carolina GOP Not Convinced State Will "Be A Race" (July 23):

There remains some skepticism among Republicans about whether the Obama effort is for real or just a feint. Some of them think Obama is likely to refocus his efforts on more traditional swing states closer to the election.

"We are anticipating that it could be a race in North Carolina," said Ferrell Blount, a former state GOP chairman from Pitt county who is advising the McCain campaign. "But we are not totally convinced it will be at this point. But we want to be prepared to spend some money in North Carolina, and we are trying to make some preparations."

"If McCain has to play a serious game in North Carolina," said Blount, "then something is going on that is not very good for John McCain."

Exhibit F: McCain Camp Says No Plans To Open Indiana Office Despite 25-30 Obama Planned (August 4th):

Jonathan Swain, a spokesman for Obama's campaign in Indiana, said plans are to have 25 to 30 campaign offices in the state.

It's part of a push by Obama to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Indiana's electoral votes since Lyndon Johnson did so in 1964.

In addition to the offices, Obama has run campaign ads in Indiana -- one of 18 targeted states in which he has done so -- and has brought in staff to run the campaign here.

McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is taking a different approach to Indiana.

Some might call it confident; some might call it laid-back at best.

Asked whether the campaign has any plans to open an office in Indiana, campaign spokeswoman Leah Yoon -- who is based in Michigan, not Indiana -- had a one-word answer: "No."

Exhibit G:  Florida GOP "Not To Worry" About Voter-Registration Trends or Efforts to Link McCain to Bush (August 17th):

Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer told GOP activists Saturday not to worry about voter-registration trends favoring the Democrats or claims that Sen. John McCain represents "a third term" for President Bush.

...Registration figures released last Sunday indicated that the Florida Democratic Party signed up about 250,000 new voters in the first seven months of this year, while the Republicans gained just over 98,000. But Greer said the GOP has a better "get out the vote" operation in the closing days of a campaign.

"Don't be concerned about that because they register anything with a heart beat — anything — and our party and these leaders, all of you, have the best turnout-to-vote organization in the nation," Greer said. "They (the Democrats) might register a lot of people but they're not going to the polls on election day."

Exhibit H: Georgia Governor Mocks Obama, Invites Him To Spend Millions In State (August 28)

As for talk that Georgia is in play in the presidential race, [Gov. Sonny] Perdue invited Democrats to come and “spend as much money as possible in this state. Millions and millions of dollars.”

The outcome will be the same and the money wasted, Perdue said. “I think they are feigning a move that won’t happen.”

These items should simply whet your appetite for the full post-mortem that we'll be able to do following next week's electoral rout. Suffice it to say, the McCain camp will have re-written the book on how not to run a presidential campaign and will go down in history as one of the least competent teams ever assembled.

Mark Nickolas is the Managing Editor of Political Base, and this story was from his original post, "What Political Malpractice Looks Like"

Follow Mark Nickolas on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mnickolas

Comments

[hangdogit]

McCain: If you're gonna get beaten, you might as well sit back and enjoy it (as much as you can).

[lagumbo]

I won say OBAMA has won yet until it is over, but I will say , like I have said many times before on this site. GOOD ALWAYS CONQUER EVIL. OBAMA 08

[cyberbian]

There is a phrase to cover this, it is "Lay down" which of course is opposed to the phrase "Stand up"
As in "John McCain is a stand up guy. "

It's not good to lay down in the middle of the street during an election. You might get hit by the straight talk express.

[Anastasia]

In a way, it's not surprising that McCain took being elected for granted. His admission to Annapolis, his assignments in the Navy, and his career post Vietnam have been eased by either wealthy, influential and/or powerful people who gave him a leg up.

Obama on the other hand, never had the luxury of being able to take anything for granted. Nothing was handed to him, nothing was a given. Same with Michelle. That has to to have a lot to do with the way Obama has approached his campaign. While he's exceptionally talented, he doesn't rest on his laurels but goes out there and earns every vote.

McCain comes across as someone who thought that the election was his for the asking.

[listeningpost]

I heard a comment on the radio today; "Martin walked so his children could run, Obama's running so his children can fly."
We've seen Obama sail past two formidable opponents in these elections who exemplified the smug over confidence of the "comfortable majority". His campaigns have been a testament to the historical fact that minorities and immigrants provide the fuel and impetus that drive America forward.
His candidacy represents the healing that has already occurred in this country; while he was decried for making intangibles such as hope and change the center piece of his campaign, they are what will affect the methods and outcomes of our future the most. We have become so materialistic that our sensitivity to anything intangible is dim and one intangible we have almost forgotten about because of its absence is true leadership. Beyond policies, this is what is propelling Barack Obama to the presidency.

[killmenow]

Politicians who have worked with McCain over many years have said that they don't know why he is so angry throughout much of his career. I know why... he has an absolute sense of entitlement. John McCain is running for President because he thinks he's entitled to it.

[alkamm]

Plus, he didn't think he could lose and doesn't think Barack can win. Just like Hillary. She salvaged her honor, though, and has become gracious. We'll see how McCain's post election concession speech goes. He needs to man up and get behind Obama to salvage his reputation as a "country first" kind of guy.

[suntzu]

Frankly I would not mock the McCain team until after the election is over and Obama has won. Remember, their campaigns may be run like amateurs, but when it comes to stealing elections, the Republicans are proven pros.

[demofem]

Totally agree. But if we (the Democrats) do win, we'll be able to thank--in part--the wrongheaded people who headed up McCain's campaign, along with Sarah Palin and John McCain himself.

[dragonlady620]

Absolutely. The McCain campaign has proved they will stop at nothing to win. It is imperative that everyone be vigilant during the entire voting process since they will no doubt try to highjack the election.

[395spoons]

Looking forward to a formidable GOP post-mortem.

Meanwhile, ORGANIZE AND GET OUT THE VOTE!

[mdahlberg]

Good Point. Political Malpractice!! I am glad they were so incompetent, but am troubled by the clear possibility of election fraud ala Thomas Feeney's vote fraud program.

[emmasvoice]

I live in Georgia and our governor needs to go.

[Dystopic]

there is no STRATEGY in the McCain camp, just disjointed TACTICS

[jeffp26]

Let me simplify all of this:

McCain is an arrogant little expletive deleted. He has been so his entire life.

The GOP stole our country in 2000, and the election (Ohio anyone) in 2004. Meanwhile they wiped themselves in public with our treasured constitution.

We finally got the message, and we are livid.

Hence McCloneBush is about to be buried under a mammoth landslide.

Any questions?

[LiberalUnderYourBed]

Uh, one question over here, sir...
Please tell me the location of the GOP grave, I feel the need to dance!

[BigMike75]

Shoot, I'll be breakdancing right after you perform your number!

[395spoons]

Somewhere between Arizona, Alaska and Washington.

[Wiserone]

No questions, but, Congress DOES NOT PAY INTO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. About time they did. Instead, they derive ALL THE BENEFITS but, WE, the taxpayers who have bailed out the government, should make Congress as accountable and start paying into the social security system. Also, Congress retires on their FULL SALARY! That should also be changed. So, Biden, if you want us to continue to be PATRIOTIC, you and all the other Congress folk START PAYING YOUR FAIR SHARE INTO SOCIAL SECURITY LIKE ALL OTHER TAXPAYERS!!!!!!

[ritgar]

Actually, they do now. The Civil Serfvice Retirement System (CSRS) is being phased out (since 1984) and is replaced with SS and the Thrift Saving Plan (a 401 K plan). All newer Fed employees and members of Congress have been covered under Social Security since 1984. Only employees & members of congress who started before 1984 are covered under the old system & there are not a lot left who have not retired yet.

[Devver]

No questions, just a comment....the fat lady ain't singing yet....and while I HOPE, along with tons of others, I'll be cautious.....for now...But I have the champagne on ice!!

[Geranium]

Just one: What happens if B.O. loses? At least if he does, the "wiped" Constitution won't have a chance to be obliterated.

[listeningpost]

After witnessing 6 months of the Democratic primary, how could the McC team discount O's ground game?
Hillary's team was complacent and was behind by Feb 5th. Nikolas is right and this will probably be the swan song for a lot of the old political pros.
It's the era that's transformative, Obama is the one who heard the message. The rest are fat, lazy, and napping.
Sweet dreams.

[berrycooda]

If you want to talk about fairness.....start with the campaign financing that Obama said he would use.

Then all those $'s started looking good, didn't they...
Talk about trying to buy elections and buying prime time TV. Lot of hungry people at home watching
that on TV I bet.

Most malpractice I hear about usually ends up with somebody getting a lot of money.

Thank God that this fiasco will be over in a week.....Then we can get at the real fiasco with Wall St.
and trying to get jobs in America instead of all the outsourcing that is still going on...
How about Avon and Hershey Co. moving out of America....

Haven't heard anything much except about taxes....Half of America isn't even paying taxes, let alone
trying to pay mortgages and credit cards on unemployment and welfare benefits.

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Get out and Vote!
Get everyone you know to Vote!
Don't be discouraged from Voting because the lines are long!
Don't be discouraged from Voting because Police are at the voting locations!
Vote Early!
This is the most important election in modern history, none of us can afford to assume this is in the bag. It will be in the bag after we all vote.

Many have died for the right to vote, so that we can vote without fear! I stand tall with Senator Barack H. Obama Presidential Candidate for the United States of America

Obama/Biden 08-12

[HaloGuy]

Do not get complacent over articles such as these. We need to burn the oil all the way through next week!!! The analysis can begin on 11/5.

Obama/Biden '08

[billyboil]

Do the repugs REALLY mean to condemn liberalism?
Liberalism promotes individual freedoms, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, social justice, free trade and a market economy.
Liberalism protects from totalitarianism, facism and communism.
If Repugs are against liberal principles, then, BY DEFINITION, they support totalitarianism, facism and communism.
Makes how-to-vote next Tuesday very clear and simple.
We either continue towards totalitarianism and facism with McCain, BECAUSE HE IS ANTI-LIBERAL, or we go with Barak, and return to a true democracy - individual freedoms, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, social justice, free trade and a market economy.

[pritchet1]

You REALLY believe that this Socialist, Marksist, Maoist, Democratic candidate is for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? He is a Narcicist. He uses Conversational Hypnosis on the fawning public. And you believe a person with no substance (empty suit) or executive experience can lead this nation. Ouch!

Of course, his competition really fairs no better. Left or more left. Sigh...

[CyrusBeaucephus]

hooray for the free market, bank de-regulation and the Dvine Right of Kings

NOT

We are firing you so-called conservatives for not being able to govern

[CyrusBeaucephus]

pritchet1
Member Since October 2008

by golly its another brand new "conservative" sock

its an anonymous blog, no need to be ashamed? right? ha ha ha

[dragonlady620]

And you believe a gang of establilshed thugs is preferable. Don't display your ignorance.