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What should McCain do tonight?

James Forsyth

Wednesday, 15th October 2008

Tonight is the last McCain-Obama debate and McCain goes into it needing a game-changer; three polls out today have him down by 14, nine and 10 respectively. To compound McCain’s problem, the economic news is so bad that it is virtually impossible for a message on any subject other than the economy to cut through.

The Obama campaign is keen to spin that McCain is panicking and that is how they’ll likely respond to any bold new initiatives McCain proposes or any attacks he unleashes on Obama. McCain’s best strategy might be, as was suggested on Meet the Press on Sunday, a bit of straight talk: telling the American people just how they got into this financial mess without sugaring the pill.

This is, obviously, a risky strategy. People might not like being told that they had a role in creating this crisis and that it is not just the fault of greedy bankers. But it would show that McCain as president would always level with the American people and that could have an impact.

There is no safe way back into the game for McCain now. He needs to be prepared to take risks, something he has done throughout his career, but the risks he takes must not appear to be gimmicks.

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Edward the Thirst

October 15th, 2008 5:56pm

Beef in a nice red wine sauce.

David

October 15th, 2008 6:08pm

I have no idea what McCain should do, but I trust the polls less in this election than at any time since the 1992 GE. In the Democratic primaries Obama should have tied up the nomination many months before he actually did. The reason was simply that a substantial portion of people who said they'd vote for him when polled, actually didn't turn up and make their vote count. Small comfort for McCain perhaps, but if the same people don't turn out on election day we could be looking at a shock in the swing states.

Craig Strachan

October 15th, 2008 9:19pm

He really needs to loosen up before he goes on stage. He was way too stiff last time. I'd say he should have a few drinks, but somehow I get the feeling he'd be an angry drunk. A joint might do it.

ragga

October 16th, 2008 2:07am

to all those that want to vote mccain... dont. just dont be that freakin stupid. please. just... please dont vote mccain. please. if you are confused, or concerned, then just give obama a chance, look at it this way. he cannot be worse than bush has been now can he. just dont vot mccain!

Hysteria

October 16th, 2008 4:11am

just watched the debate - best yet for McCain - Obama too much the professor and smirking all the time. Overall a win for McCain - but probably too late!