Home grown advice for McCain

After yesterday's vote we reached out to two prominent political consultants and asked them their thoughts on John McCain's decision to not address the recovery bill from the floor and to vote for the measure. Democratic consultant Tom Ziemba, a partner at Ziemba Waid Public Affairs agreed to submit his thoughts on the record. Our Republican consultant, a respected Republican asked for his comments to be on background as he "wished to be able to work in the state after November."

From Tom

What a difference a week makes.

Just last week Senator McCain made a dramatic show of suspending his campaign to lead the way on the bailout legislation. The bill died, the stock market cratered and Senator McCain got panned for making things worse.

In a dramatic departure from last week's strategy, today he unceremoniously went to DC to vote on the Senate bill and didn't even speak on the Senate floor or talk to the press.

Voters look for steady leadership when things get tough, and polls are showing that so far Senator McCain has missed the mark. It just feels like he's struggling to find his role in this situation.

From Republican consultant

I just want to be clear that I personally agree something needs to be done, but John McCain lost a great opportunity today and maybe lost the election. McCain needs to realize something, he always states he wants to do what is best for the country and what is best for the country is for McCain is elected president and not Obama. Four years is more important than one week to come up with a new bill.

McCain lost an opportunity by not speaking about the bill from the floor. Here is the short version of a speech Mark should have written for John.

"My friends, I have said for weeks now that I support a bill and action is needed. I have also said I will not support a bill where pet projects are added. When I am president I will make famous those politicians who add in pet pork projects. I am going to start today. Senator A thought mental health provisions were important to include to help our economy recover. Senator B thought we had to include tax breaks for film production crews, Senator C thought we needed tax breaks for rum producers... etc etc. That is why I cannot support this bill as drafted. Let's strip these pork projects that will cost Americans another $100 billion and get this done now."

Is there any doubt that main street would have got on their feet and cheered? Then McCain could take to the campaign trail and say I was not beholden to my party, I was not beholden to special interest and I will continue to look out for you.

What could have been.