Where does McCain Stand in this Horse Race?

Stephen J. Wayne states in his book Road to the White House, journalists find that it is important to cover the events of the presidential “race” as sporting events because it is much more entertaining to focus on why the candidate said what he said as opposed to what did the candidate say and how does it affect us. Today the focus is on the strategy of each candidate’s campaign rather than the substance. So, what is McCain’s strategy? Wayne states that negative news is more entertaining than positive news. That could explain why in McCain’s TV ads you can hear words and phrases such as “dangerous” “he lied” “dishonorable” as well as other negative words to associate with Obama.
Wayne also states that incumbents usually receive more critical comments. It is obvious that when Obama pointed out McCain stating that he has voted the same as President Bush 90 percent of the time, he was trying to tell the public that McCain is just like the incumbent. McCain attempts to separate himself by labeling himself as a Maverick. In the “Why John McCain” section of McCain’s website it is mentioned that “He spoke out against his own party's out-of-control spending, against the Administration to change a failing strategy in Iraq, and against an energy bill that was full of giveaways to Big Oil companies.” This is a strategy that John McCain uses to battle the claim that he would be a President much like the incumbent President Bush. McCain also preaches of having a change but the right change. Currently Obama is leading in the polls, however, it will be interesting to see if McCain’s strategy will bring him success or defeat come November 4, 2208.