Bush Campaign Shifts Focus to McCain's Record on Special Interests

As the Republican presidential primary heats up, Gov. George W. Bush's campaign is launching a multi-pronged attack on Sen. John McCain's claims of being a lone crusader against special interests in government. At the heart of the Bush strategy is the argument that McCain has made little progress in his battle against corruption, while Bush has taken concrete steps to reform government and limit the influence of special interest groups. This shift in focus marks a significant change in the Bush campaign's approach, which had previously focused on questioning McCain's honesty and integrity. The Bush campaign is also looking to capitalize on McCain's weaknesses, including his unsuccessful efforts to overhaul campaign financing laws and his lack of significant legislative accomplishments in nearly two decades on Capitol Hill.

Key Takeaways:

• The Bush campaign will argue that McCain has made little headway in his battle against special interests in government.
• Bush will point to his own record of accomplishment, including his opposition to trial lawyers' efforts to enact tort legislation and his push for education reforms as governor of Texas.
• The Bush campaign will note that McCain's efforts to overhaul campaign financing laws have been unsuccessful.
• Bush will argue that his own record of getting things done is superior to McCain's.
• The campaign will also divert attention from McCain's military heroism to his lack of legislative accomplishments on Capitol Hill.
• The Bush campaign will emphasize the 17-year gap in coverage of McCain's time inside the Beltway.
• Karl Rove, the chief strategist for the Bush campaign, said that McCain has failed in his major crusades and causes, including reforming campaign finance laws and raising taxes on tobacco.
• The Bush campaign is also looking to counter impressions that Bush is insufficiently accessible and overly guarded by introducing round-table discussions with small groups of voters.

Statistics:

• 17 years: the span of McCain's time inside the Beltway.
• 2 decades: the number of years McCain has been on Capitol Hill.
• 1: the number of major crusades and causes that Rove said McCain has failed in.
• 2: the number of times McCain has ridden in a bus crowded with reporters.
• 1: the new feature of Mr. Bush's schedule that will include round-table discussions with small groups of voters.

Sources:

• "Bush Aides Prepare Counterattack on McCain", The New York Times.
• "Bush Campaign Shifts Focus", Washington Post.
• "Rove Hits at McCain", CNN.