John McCain maintains war line in his presidential campaign

John McCain maintains the tradition with war themes as the key points of his presidential campaign. The accent is laid mainly upon Iraq war efforts and McCain’s disapproval of Bush’s decisions and actions.

Photo: John McCain maintains war line in his presidential campaign

In the 2008 presidential election, he was the nominal front-runner as the cycle began, but suffered a near collapse of his campaign in mid-2007 due to financial issues and his support for comprehensive immigration reform. He is attempting a comeback as the 2008 primaries begin.

McCain aims at becoming a Republican icon in this election, and thus secures his longevity in politics. But may be it’s only an allusion. Perhaps Americans don’t want a leader, but a follower. He is the first to demand and expect much, judging by his words:

Announcer: “One man sacrificed for his country.

One man opposed a flawed strategy in Iraq .

One man had the courage to call for change.

One man didn't play politics with the truth.

One man stands up to the special interests."

McCain: "Stand up. We're Americans, we're Americans and we'll never surrender, they will."

Announcer: "One man does what's right, not what's easy. John McCain."

McCain: "I'm John McCain and I approved this message."

McCain announced he is seeking the 2008 Presidential nomination from the Republican Party on the February 28, 2007, telecast of the Late Show With David Letterman. McCain officially started his 2008 presidential campaign on April 25, 2007, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Should McCain win in 2008, he would be the oldest person to assume the Presidency in history at initial ascension to office, being 72 years old and surpassing Ronald Reagan, who was 69 years old at his inauguration following the 1980 election. He has dismissed concerns about his age and past health concerns. In the event of his victory in 2008, he would also become the first President of the United States to be born in a U.S. territory outside of the current 50 states.

McCain's second-quarter 2007 fundraising totals fell from $13.6 million in the first quarter to $11.2 million in the second, and expenses continuing such that only $2 million cash was on hand with about $1 million in debts. Both McCain supporters and political observers pointed to McCain's support for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, very unpopular among the Republican base electorate, as a primary cause of his fundraising problems. Large-scale campaign staff downsizing took place in early July, with 50 to 100 staffers let go and others taking pay cuts or switching to no pay. McCain's aides said the campaign was considering taking public matching funds, and would focus its efforts on the early primary and caucus states. McCain however said he was not considering dropping out of the race. Campaign shakeups reached the top level on July 10, 2007 , when his campaign manager and campaign chief strategist both departed.

His strong intentions are clearly seen through his latest ad, where black and white scenes show the Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war grimaces in a close-up and then the ad shifts to color images from the campaign trail as the announcer talks about McCain's opposition to President Bush's Iraq War strategy.