Dean: McCain 'weak,' 'wishy-washy'
Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:20 PM by Mark Murray
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Democrats
From NBC's Mark Murray
Presenting data from a new poll and focus groups, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean today delivered a blistering assessment of presumptive GOP nominee John McCain, calling him "weak" and "wishy-washy."
"John McCain is a weak candidate," Dean told reporters, repeating a line he used the day before. "He is very far out of step with the American people" on issues like the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care.
Backing up that claim, Democratic pollster Allan Rivlin presented data from the poll -- conducted of swing voters from 17 battleground states -- showing that 54% of these voters had doubts about McCain on the economy, and 52% had doubts about his position on health care. Moreover, 76% of these swing voters said the nation is on the wrong track, and Rivlin argued that's proof November's election will be a change election.
"John McCain is not the person who is going to bring the change they're looking for," he said.
In addition, Rivlin noted that respondents in the poll were told -- in detail -- that McCain had changed his position on Bush's tax cuts, immigration, and gun control. After revealing that information, 56% of these swing voters said they had a less favorable impression of the Arizona senator; 22% said they had a more favorable impression.
Rivlin said data undercut what is seen as perhaps McCain chief strength: that he's a strong and decisive leader. Dean later said one of his biggest surprises was that some voters in the focus groups labeled McCain "wishy-washy."
"It is one of the biggest weaknesses he's got. It shocked me... It is a Mitt Romney problem." Dean then added that he always considered Romney the Republicans' more formidable candidate -- given his money and appearance.
In response to Dean's comments, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson issued this statement: “Howard Dean’s delusions aside, John McCain is widely respected for being straightforward and honest with the American people, and he has a lifelong and distinguished record of service that has warranted the admiration of voters from all walks of life. At the end of the day, Americans are going to elect Senator McCain as President because he has the judgment, character, and positive vision to strengthen our nation’s economy and win the war on terror.”
The RNC also recently released a poll it commissioned that shows McCain leading Obama (48%-42%) and Clinton (51%-40%); McCain besting both Democrats among independents; and McCain getting 20% of Democratic voters in a McCain-Obama match-up.
Dean wouldn't say what the head-to-head results were in the new DNC poll, but he added that the RNC survey noted above is the only one he's seen recently that has shown McCain ahead. As mentioned earlier, a new AP-Ipsos poll shows Obama and McCain tied (45%-45%), after Obama lead McCain by 10 points in February.
Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher, who also spoke at the briefing, replied that he isn't worried about some polls showing McCain grabbing one in five Democrats in hypothetical match-ups. "Historically, that doesn't hold," he said. "When the family comes together -- after the Democrats finally have a nominee -- "the family will come back together."
*** UPDATE *** One other thing from the DNC briefing... Dean was asked whether the poll brought up McCain's age, and the chairman replied that it didn't. However, he said that McCain's age came up voluntarily in focus groups -- either in the context of McCain's health or that some of his ideas are "old-fashioned." Asked why the poll didn't have questions about McCain's age, Dean responded, "We don't have any Lee Atwaters on our side," referring to late GOP strategist, who was known to practice the dark arts of politics.
