Here's an excellent article on how McCain's negativity led to his self-destruction:
March 6, 2000
Negative tactics hurt McCain
By Ralph Z. Hallow
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Visit our Election 2000 page
for daily election news and analysis
John McCain, once the great hope of liberals and reformers, appears to be on the ropes.
Aides and advisers inside and outside the McCain camp say it's because he let his war-hero and political-reformer image be overshadowed by his own negative campaign tactics.
"It looks like a very bad day for John McCain on Tuesday," said independent pollster John Zogby of the 13 Republican primaries and caucuses to be held tomorrow. He blamed the candidate for "stepping on his own message."
Although he defeated Gov. George W. Bush of Texas in New Hampshire, Michigan and Arizona, Mr. McCain's insurgent candidacy may not survive tomorrow's contests because "people liked the positive role model he was, but then he came out negative," Mr. Zogby said. "That ultimately hurt him."
Mr. Zogby said Mr. McCain's early supporters liked him for his war-hero past, a man of character who said "I won't lie to you."
"This evolved into a crusade to redefine the Republican Party, and left a lot of voters in the dust."
A fellow Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, charged that there was hypocrisy in what started out as Mr. McCain's signature issue, campaign finance reform.
"He's the guy who's gotten more of his campaign funds . . . from Washington lobbyists and special interests than everyone else," said Mr. McConnell, the foremost Senate opponent of the proposed campaign finance reform legislation.
Mr. Zogby notes that campaign finance reform has barely come up recently as Mr. McCain went on the attack against Mr. Bush and religious conservatives....
washtimes.com |
