Wow.
Yes. That is a real quote. The McCain campaign beleives that while this nation is fighting two wars. That we have a housing crisis where people have mortgages that are larger than the values of the homes they own. When we have a health care crisis and need to move on universal health care. When we have an energy crisis and are facing the ravages of global warming. When we have terrorism to deal with and a resurgent Russia and a strong China and India entering the club of world powers.
Given all this Rick Davis said to the WashPo: "This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
I'm sorry this post is so short. I've got so much work to do but I saw this and thought Phil Gramm: this needs to go in an ad because it's exactly WHY Gov. Palin was chosen and why John McCain has no plans to guide this country forward.
(1) Barack Obama through this primary has articulated a vision of how he will govern and he has put out so many policy papers it's mindboggling. He went toe to toe w/the best of the democratic party and into the weeds on policy. He knows his shit. We don't see that with John McCain.
(2) John McCain didn't pick a VP who can be president. Gov. Palin isn't up to speed on national issues, through I'm sure she's cramming. These are serious times. This choice shows what Davis said to the WashPo: this is a campaign not a referendum on governance.
(3) John McCain has yet to say where or how he will move this country forward. The VP pick and the Davis quote question whether he has any idea on what the hell he wants to do with the presidency if he wins.
These are serious questions. They need serious answers. I truly hope the media will not fall for the BS to make this a small election on personalities; because obviously that is the McCain-Palin goal.
Updating: For those saying this is inside baseball Cillizza makes the case from the meeting that the McCain camp sees this as an election based on personality. It's clear as crystal from the post.
Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.
ALSO to add: I see on the page the McCain camp has Fiornia out there calling the Obama campaign sexist. We need to put this meme that McCain is all about this election, which is true and said by Davis, and inoculate against false sexism attacks IMO.