By Andria Y. Carter
Online Editor

The presidential election is less than four weeks away and Republican presidential candidate John McCain still is not getting the job done. He needs to change his tactics, his attitude and his tone if he has even a slight chance to maintain his base and win over undecided voters.

Expectations for McCain’s performance in Nashville, Tenn. were high last night because town hall meetings are what he is known for and the most comfortable way for him to connect to the voters. But last night McCain fell short.

It was obvious that he had worked to provide better answers regarding domestic policy issues, especially on the economy. But he still fell short in convincing people that he is the right man for the job.

Unfortunately it’s not his knowledge or his experience that his stopping him, it’s him. McCain’s anger, frustration and disbelief that what should be his is slowly being taken from him is simmering underneath his smile. His distain for his opponent is so obvious now that it can’t be hidden.

McCain is experienced military man who understands what it takes to go into battle. He is an experience campaigner and understands what it takes to win. But in the process of him wanting to win he is losing.

In the book “The Art of War” you learn that to win any battle you must first respect your opponent. Respect his skill, his knowledge and strategies that he may use to win. By understanding you opponent you win before you walk onto the battlefield. John McCain has forgotten this basic principle of war. By respecting your opponent you can create a strategy and tactics that can deflect any attack.


He is so busy wanting the job that he is losing the job. He is bent on winning, which is good, but his anger of what should be his is clouding his judgment and his ability to campaign effectively.

During the Nashville debate McCain showed time and time again that he did not respect his opponent but loathed him. But the debate also revealed that his is an old time campaigner attempting to grab the brass ring in a new technological world. McCain’s failure is he can’t adapt to an ever changing world. Being the U.S. president in the 21st century means you must adapt, embrace the technological changes and speak with a greater open mind, not a closed one.

Can McCain win? Sure.
Will he? Let’s see on Nov. 4.