Bush Launches Battle with McCain in New Hampshire

Strategic Insights -

George W. Bush, the Republican presidential frontrunner, kicked off a week-long battle with John McCain in New Hampshire yesterday, attempting to turn around his opinion poll deficit in the state. The Texas governor, fresh from his substantial victory in the Iowa caucuses, released a television ad asserting that his $483 billion tax-cutting package was "an economic agenda worthy of a new president." Meanwhile, polls suggest that New Hampshire voters will give McCain a seven-point lead in the Republican primary next Tuesday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bush released a television ad asserting that his $483 billion tax-cutting package was "an economic agenda worthy of a new president," without directly naming McCain.
  • Polls suggest that New Hampshire voters will give McCain a seven-point lead in the Republican primary next Tuesday.
  • Bush won 41% of the Republican caucus vote in Iowa, compared with 30% for Steve Forbes and 5% for McCain.
  • Advisers to Bush said they would shift their tactics in New Hampshire to attract uncommitted voters, citing one quarter to one third of the vote still up for grabs.
  • Karl Rove, Bush's lead strategist, emphasized the importance of informal and impromptu events in New Hampshire to engage undecided voters.
  • McCain appeared to relish the battle, stating, "Iowa was the preliminaries - New Hampshire begins the playoffs and I look forward to a spirited contest."
  • The Iowa caucuses dealt a blow to the presidential underdogs, with Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, preparing to step out of the race due to his dismal 1% vote share.
  • Forbes took a strong 30% of the Republican caucus votes in Iowa, trailing only Bush, and claimed his result singled him out as the sole candidate of the conservative wing of the party.

Statistics:

  • $483 billion: Theamount of Bush's tax-cutting package.
  • 41%: The percentage of the Republican caucus vote won by Bush in Iowa.
  • 30%: The percentage of the Republican caucus vote won by Steve Forbes in Iowa.
  • 5%: The percentage of the Republican caucus vote won by McCain in Iowa.
  • 7 points: The lead suggested to be held by McCain in the Republican primary next Tuesday.
  • 63%: The percentage of the Democratic vote won by Al Gore in the Iowa caucuses.
  • 35%: The percentage of the Democratic vote won by Bill Bradley in the Iowa caucuses.
  • 4 points: The deficit overcome by Al Gore to establish a 13-point lead in New Hampshire tracking polls.

Sources:

  • The Economist
  • The Washington Post
  • The New York Times