Nearly eight years later, the man who won the GOP New Hampshire primary in 2000 tries for a repeat. But like the old saying goes, you never step in the same river twice, which is the point of this David Lightman story in the Hartford Courant.
Here's how the story begins:
By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Washington Bureau Chief
June 9 2007
GILFORD, N.H. -- Seeing John McCain again was like the prospect of seeing an old flame.
You walk up to the door. You hesitate, nervous, the question simmering below the surface: After all these years, would there still be a spark?
It was there eight years ago, that's for sure, when the electricity helped make the Arizona Republican the winner in a stunning upset of George W. Bush in the 2000 New Hampshire primary.
McCain would eventually lose the nomination, but he left behind an army of passionate fans, largely independents and even Democrats who liked his real-guy, no-nonsense style.
Now he's back, aiming for the prize he's wanted for so long. But the man who showed up for a town hall meeting at the Gilford Fire and Rescue house recently was eight years older, and far more politically scarred.
And so, as she waited outside on a chilly June morning, Phyllis Hamblet was concerned. "His age could work against him," said Hamblet, echoing a sentiment heard throughout the nation's first primary state. McCain is 70. Hamblet's friend, Phyllis Corrigan, added diplomatically, "It's early in the process to make up my mind."
Ah, but they cling to the memories.
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Comments
There are few, if any Republican reporters (they are all liberal Democrats) and so the press knows nothing about sentiments of Republicans.
McCain is a dead duck. He has no chance of winning the nomination. His votes on taxes, on judicial appointments, on the McCain-Feingold Act and now on immigration are anathema to most grass roots Republicans. If there were a few Republican reporters, they would not have been taken by surprise by McCain's poor showing in the polls.
Posted by: S. Sherman | June 9, 2007 6:27 PM
This honorable man needs to retire gracefully.
Posted by: Doug Zook | June 9, 2007 7:36 PM
My sister-in-law is a reporter and for the last year I've been telling her how unpopular McCain is with the GOP base. She refused to believe it--even the polls I cited--because, as she said, "I've read nothing about this in the New York Times".
Posted by: Bruce | June 10, 2007 8:31 AM
Good morning Bruce,
I have nothing but deep profound respect and admiration for John McCain.
But after the "Baghdad's safe" comment he cannot be elected president.
Sigh.
Posted by: Doug Zook | June 10, 2007 8:57 AM
Sherman&Bruce....Your contention is amusing as well as absurd. You really think it's a secret club that only members can figure out? Funny coming from 2 who profess to know all about the liberal agenda. I might just have to get one of those special decoder rings and join the ranks to see what you guys think.
Posted by: bill r. | June 10, 2007 9:10 AM
Bill R,
"You really think it's a secret club that only members can figure out?"
The liberalpress expected McCain to be the front runner for the Republican nomination and it is only now waking up to his weak showing.
It is still having trouble figuring out WHY he is having problems. For example, there was an article here in The Swamp a while ago speculating that his problems stemmed from his support for the Iraq War. But, in fact, his principled stand on the war is the only thing he has in his favor.
Posted by: S. Sherman | June 10, 2007 1:32 PM
The Liberal Press Including
The Chicago Tribune Are
Blacking Out The Fact That
Fed Up Arizona Voters Are
Already Recalling Both Sell
Out Republican US Senators
Amnesty John McCain and
Two Face Jon Kyl Over Their
Supporting Amnesty! The Recall Is Sponsored By MAIA
Mothers Against Illegal
Aliens! I Bet This Post Will Never See The Light
Of Day In The Censored New
Chicago Tribune As Well!
And I Live In Arizona So
Now Tell Me I Don't Know
Whats Going On With McCain?
Posted by: Ralph | June 10, 2007 4:04 PM
Sherman......"Everybody" expected McCain to be the front runner. It wasn't just the liberal press. His support for the Iraq war hurt him with moderates and independents not the base. We knew that a good % of the base supports this war. It has been moves that he has made during this run for the presidency that has hurt him with the base. Like immigration and such.
Posted by: bill r. | June 10, 2007 4:39 PM
Sounds like McCain has managed to alienate everybody. I guess maybe he is a political maverick after all. I hope he enjoys his retirement.
Posted by: Tom O | June 11, 2007 12:31 PM