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Jewish World Review Sept. 4, 2008 / 4 Elul 5768 Bold McCain will sharpen the contrasts By Kevin Ferris
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | This week's forecast in St. Paul: 100 percent chance of a bold and outspoken GOP candidate who will clarify the differences with his opponent on issues, judgment and experience. And why not? It's a strategy that seems to be working. Before Barack Obama's official anointing in Denver last week, John McCain had gone from behind in most national polls to tied or slightly ahead. Can he and newly selected running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, sustain that momentum? Yes, says Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who had been on the short list for vice president. Last weekend, the tall, rangy Pawlenty, 47, was on a two-day tour of Pennsylvania, rallying sportsmen, business leaders and vets to the cause. That Sunday, he was at VFW Post 845 in Downingtown, shaking hands, talking to troops and their families, and previewing the GOP convention in his home state. Look for McCain to do two things this week, Pawlenty says. "No. 1, be bold and aggressive on issues and priorities most important to the American people. "No. 2, make sure that people understand that Barack Obama's views are not in the best interest of the country." Pawlenty starts with the issue on the minds of most Americans: the high cost of energy. McCain and Obama agree about the need to develop alternative-energy sources and new technologies. But, Pawlenty points out, McCain alone is "aggressively advocating" more offshore drilling, nuclear energy, and clean-coal research. Obama, as an Illinois legislator, had "a strong record of increasing taxes on energy, which is exactly the wrong direction for the country," Pawlenty says. On foreign policy, the contrasts are even sharper, as illustrated by Russia's recent invasion of Georgia. "John McCain issued one statement that was definitive, clear and reflected the reality of the situation," Pawlenty says. "In contrast, Barack Obama issued three or four statements, steadily evolving over several days, essentially into Sen. McCain's position." Additionally, this was not a new issue for McCain. He had called for a more assertive approach to Vladimir Putin a year ago, Pawlenty says. "This was a snapshot of the value of having experienced wisdom and judgment on these matters," Pawlenty says. Voters saw a similar contrast during the "debate" at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California two weeks ago. "McCain was able to articulate what he believes in a crisp, decisive manner," Pawlenty says. "In contrast, it was one of those instances where you don't see Barack Obama with a teleprompter. ... He's kind of stammering, wandering, halting. He's asked basic questions like, 'Why do you want to be president?' 'When does life begin?' and he gives fairly unconvincing, fairly unclear answers." These differences aren't just a matter of words or campaigning style. They're about decision making. The bolder and more decisive McCain has decades of leadership roles in the military and politics on which to draw to make judgments and craft policies. "McCain has an extraordinary, compelling story of accomplishment and service and putting country first, even if it meant great peril for him physically, politically or otherwise," Pawlenty says. That's not the case with the one-term U.S. senator. "Obama's resume is quite thin, at least for the purpose of someone who wants to be president of the United States," Pawlenty says. That may be the greatest difference between the candidates. Obama talks about change, about a new kind of politics, about reaching across the aisle. But it's mostly talk. "Barack Obama has not led the country on an issue of national significance in a way that has cost him anything politically. He always toes the partisan line," Pawlenty says. The governor notes that Obama often cites as accomplishments his bipartisan work with Sen. Richard Luger, R-Ind., on securing nuclear weapons, or his work on ethics reform. But on the nuclear issue, Pawlenty points out, "everybody's for that. ... That wasn't some act of courage to take on his party." On ethics reform, Obama actually bailed out on a bipartisan approach, earning a scathing letter from McCain at the time. In contrast, the senator from Arizona is known for going against popular opinion and his party. Look at the "surge" in Iraq, his efforts to find compromise on judicial appointments. Ask conservatives this week in St. Paul if they have other examples of McCain's famed independence. (Best sit down, as the litany will take a while.) Talk isn't enough. Yes, there were some great speeches in Denver last week. But Pawlenty is confident that McCain's actions will speak louder to voters when it comes to issues, judgment and experience. As the governor says: "The best sermons aren't preached, they're lived." Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
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Kevin Ferris is commentary page editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
© 2008, Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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