I'm really beginning to wonder if John McCain is trying to lose on purpose.
Not only are moderate Republicans distancing themselves, many conservatives are too. More below the fold.
Seems that more than a few economic conservatives are not only upset that McCain supported the bailout, but are also peeved over his proposal to authorize the government to purchase mortgage loans.
Quoth the CNN:
But at a time when McCain can't afford to worry about a lack of support from his party's base, several conservatives are openly criticizing the plan as a flagrant reward for reckless behavior among lenders.
And National Review:
We never thought we would defend the Frank-Dodd legislation, which we bitterly opposed last summer. But it looks downright prudent compared to what McCain has proposed. McCain's plan is a full bailout for lenders, and it cannot do much more than the Frank-Dodd bill without letting "ruthless borrowers" and other reckless types off the hook.
Even Michelle Malkin:
I can't underscore enough what a rotten idea John McCain's ACORN-like government mortgage buy-up is.
While many of these same folks are also working themselves up over how bad they perceive Obama to be, one thing is crystal clear: anti-Obama rhetoric is all they have left because the obviously despise their own ticket. Never mind conservatism. They've crossed into nihilism. Of course they have nothing positive to contribute.
McCain is letting Sarah Palin dictate the social agenda of the campaign, which in turn leads to the hatefests we've been seeing lately. McCain himself directs the economic policy, which is incensing his own base. The writing is on the wall here. A lot of hard-core Republicans are seriously considering staying home. At the rate they're going all they're going to have left is the anti-witchcraft vote.