Comments on: McCain Campaign: The Early Days

By: Fred Malek

Fred Malek — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:06:11 +0000

Thank you to all who weighed in. I look forward to blogging here at RedState more soon.

By: briefsynopsis

briefsynopsis — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:23:38 +0000

The “Surge” was a no brainer for anyone that had a simple understanding of Presidential transitions and Military dynamics,.. or as Rummy stated, “You go to war with the Army you have, NOT the army you want”.
Purging out the Clinton era dead weight at the Command Staff level took a while, resurrecting and restoring troop levels, than ensuring their equal distribution across the board, (so as not to dilute any unit and ensure high capabilities and combat readiness) took a few years,
Historians already look at the remarkable progress made in recruiting, training and the equipping this counter insurgency force with reverence!
Again, It was a NO BRAINER for all, but those whom sought total failure
Your internal dynamics are but a snap shot of the Narcissistic power plays that free, land owning, business running family raising conservatives instinctively understood to be a part of your “Moderate” candidates Posse!
Lastly, having stated the above to be my “Perception”, I will sink your Battle Ship (SS Self Loathing) with this observation, Immigration Reform was AMNESTY, and if it was your attempt to get Centrist Democrats to pony up so that you could get your $100,000,000.00 so be it, but if you truly thought the very same folks who stood against your candidate to defeat that measure were going to forgive and forget, and allow you and yours to employ revisionist history you are still wrong!

I am assuming you were recompensed handsomely for your services, take your trinkets and baubles and enjoy them, but by all means, look to your clergy for forgiveness. we sir are still at war with those that intend do do us great harm!

“A Prescription without a diagnosis is Malpractice!”

By: maddog

maddog — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:34:29 +0000

Fred. Thank you for all your efforts and contributions over the years. Our worthy cause needs more warrior like you. I wish you had won the bid for the Nationals.

Some small feedback about John Weaver and Carla Eudy. I have personally worked with both in the past in my former life in politics (now IT). I can confidently say John Weaver was universally loathed in the office. He was abrasive, pompous, and arrogant and those were his good days. When he was let go back then, we all did the happy dance. When we realized that he was a top advisor to John McCain, my friends and former political co-workers seriously doubted John’s judgment. If John thought this Weaver was so great, what other miscalculations would he make? At least Palin was a home run. Carla on the other hand, I don’t know what the thought process was. Granted, I was not there. My experience with her in the old days was positive. She was good at what she does, fair-minded, and even-keeled temperament. She earned the respect and loyalty of her staff.

By: Rod_Patrick

Rod_Patrick — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:55:49 +0000

I spent time and money to fight the left.

My family voted for Palin.

Even though she lost, Palin is still our girl unless she changes her mind and forces Bristol to kill her baby.

That’s how I remember 2008 election.

By: JoeG

JoeG — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:37:17 +0000

The comments are pretty consistent.

I voted for Palin and what’s his name too.

By: AHALgal

AHALgal — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:04:08 +0000

I spent the last 2 weeks of the campaign four states away from home, called over 7000 people, recruited 18 first-time volunteers, and gave the campaign any money.

Thanks for the background on the campaign, I’m sorry McCain was a part of it.

By: bc3

bc3 — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:43:17 +0000

You’re right Panchita. Without Sarah Palin, contributions woukl be minimal.

By: panchita

panchita — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:46:04 +0000

who was the guy who ran with her???

By: Flagstaff

Flagstaff — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:28:37 +0000

As Savage implied, there are some clues to the Senator’s eventual defeat located within your essay. Did anybody within the campaign recognize that at the time?

By: Jack_Savage

Jack_Savage — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:52:43 +0000

But I will:

“Thinking back, one of the original disappointments we encountered was the announcement of poor fundraising numbers during the first quarter of 2007. Much of this was due to John’s steadfast and courageous support of the unpopular surge in Iraq and of immigration reform.”

I would say the latter far more than the former, plus some leftover animosity for other….ummm… positions the Sneator has take over the years.. Having said that, I look forward to reading more of the ins and outs of your work with the campaign.