Bush and McCain Engage in Intense Campaign Battle in South Carolina

As the Republican primary in South Carolina approaches its final days, the intense battle between Governor George W. Bush and Senator John McCain is reaching a fever pitch. With both candidates recognizing the critical importance of turnout in Saturday's vote, they are racing across the state, each employing distinct strategies to sway undecided voters.

Key Takeaways:

• Governor Bush has continued a relentless attack on Senator McCain, accusing him of running a negative campaign and claiming that prominent Democrats are supporting him in the primary.
• Senator McCain has countered by appealing to a broad base of voters, including independents and Democrats, and emphasizing his commitment to a more inclusive and reform-minded Republican Party.
• The McCain campaign has also engaged in a series of tactics to appeal to conservatives, including airing a final get-out-the-vote advertisement comparing McCain to Ronald Reagan and launching a series of calls to talk radio stations.
• The two candidates have clashed on issues such as education, with Bush accusing McCain of distributing a flier that made false claims about his education plan.
• McCain's attempts to win over conservative voters have been undermined by criticism from prominent Christian conservatives, including James C. Dobson, who expressed harsh criticism of McCain's votes on Supreme Court justices and contributions from the gambling and alcohol industries.
• The endorsement of McCain by Gary Bauer, a former presidential candidate and prominent Christian conservative, has been seen as a mixed blessing, with some conservative voters remaining skeptical of McCain's commitment to their values.

Statistics:

• The Republican primary in South Carolina is set for February 19, with both candidates recognizing the critical importance of turnout in the vote.
• Several recent polls suggest that the outcome of the primary is too close to call, with Bush and McCain running neck and neck in the state.
• The McCain campaign has broadcast a final get-out-the-vote advertisement comparing McCain to Ronald Reagan.
• The address of Senator McCain's website is now emblazoned on the side of the McCain bus, as part of a new marketing effort.
• Governor Bush has repeatedly insisted that Democrats who vote for McCain in the primary are trying to do their eventual presidential nominee a favor.
• Recent polls have suggested that McCain may not be the best Republican candidate to win back the White House.

Sources:

• "Bush and McCain Meet in South Carolina" by Adam Nagourney, The New York Times, February 17, 2000.