Official post-UNH debate statement from campaign manager Rick Davis on McCain's performance

Here is the complete text of a statement, sent out via e-mail by Senator McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, immediately after the conclusion of the debate (it was received at 10:53 PM Wednesday). Obviously, this is entirely spin, and not an objective analysis of McCain’s performance in the debate at UNH on Wednesday. But it is indicative of the message of McCain’s campaign. In the e-mail, Davis stresses several of McCain’s leading campaign themes, as listed in the “Themes” categories on the right-side menu:

STATEMENT BY CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS FOLLOWING NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP DEBATE

ARLINGTON, VA — Rick Davis, John McCain 2008 Campaign Manager, issued the following statement on tonight’s Republican presidential debate:

“This evening, John McCain demonstrated why he is the only candidate with the proven national security experience vital to confronting the transcendent challenge facing our nation — the struggle against radical Islamic extremism. McCain has demonstrated leadership and political courage by advocating an Iraq policy that would bring our troops home with honor — by winning.

“John McCain presented an optimistic and realistic vision for America’s future and has a life-long record of working to resolve the challenges we face and restore American’s trust in their government. Beyond his broad national security and international expertise, on the domestic front John McCain has been a leader in the fight to cut unnecessary spending in Washington, DC, eliminating earmarks and exposing pork-barrel projects. His exemplary record of service and sacrifice continues to stand out among all other candidates from either party, and is one of many reasons why he is uniquely qualified to lead as commander-in-chief from the moment he is elected.”

You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.

Nashua Telegraph: "McCain has national answer for local issue" while getting ice cream

On Friday, August 10, the Nashua Telegraph published this story, regarding Senator McCain's visit to New Hampshire that weekend - here are key excerpts:

McCain has national answer for local issue

By Eileen Hynes
Telegraph Staff

MERRIMACK – After a long day on the campaign trail, Sen. John McCain did as many locals do – he treated himself to an ice cream at King Kone.

“I can tell you, King Kone has earned its name,” the Arizona Republican joked, marveling at the towering medium, orange-flavored soft-serve in his hand.

Before earning his dessert, though, McCain faced more than 250 New Hampshire voters in a Town Hall meeting at the John O’Leary Adult Community Center on Thursday night.
Though some audience members had supported the senator’s presidential run eight years ago, many were still undecided and shopping around for a candidate.

Leslie Doughty of Merrimack, who worked on McCain’s campaign in 2000, but acknowledged that the issues have changed since then, and she remained undecided. “I pay attention to polls and who has money and who doesn’t have the money,” she said.

Recently, McCain has dipped in donations and support, but he remains optimistic about appealing to voters.

“In fact, if the Republicans don’t back him, then I’m voting for a Democrat. It’s as simple as that,” said Claire Seusing of Nashua, who considers herself an independent.

In his opening comments, McCain highlighted stopping pork barrel Congressional spending, protecting eminent domain and taking the entire Middle East situation into consideration when developing a policy on Iraq...

In the end, McCain weighed in on the status of the primary, saying that he wouldn’t visit a state that moved their primary ahead of New Hampshire with the exception of the Iowa caucus.

“We have a very unique electorate here, people who understand their responsibilities and examine the candidates in the most thorough fashion,” he said.

You can read the full text of the original article here. You can contact Campaignia at publisher@campaignia.org.