Reply #5: The shocker for me was that on the final day of campaigning, Nov 3rd... [View All]

[Lucky 13]

McCain asks staff, "How am I doing in New Hampshire?" When told how far down he was in the polls he was absolutely SHOCKED. He said, "How did this happen?!"

How, the day before the biggest election of your life, do you not know where you stand in EVERY state?? I knew more about McCain's chances than he did!! From what I understand Obama was very hands on. He went over polling numbers daily. He didn't leave tough decisions to staffers or advisors. He took charge and owned the decision-making.

McCain's campaign, and to a lesser extent Hillary's, kept their candidate TOO protected, too much in a bubble. McCain had no idea where he was in the polls. Both seemed baffled when people criticized their methods of campaigning. McCain couldn't understand why Lewis criticized him. (All he needed to do was watch Palin's speeches and ANY of the legitimate criticisms from the press.) Hillary couldn't understand why mentioning RFK's assasination was insensitive or controversial. The only thing keeping candidates in a bubble does for them is 1) potentially reduce stress (which, if you're going to be President, you should be able to handle anyway) and 2) make the candidate appear completely tone deaf and out of touch from reality.

I hope not to see that again from any democratic candidate. The republicans should feel free to continue use of this strategy. ;)