Assignment –McCain and Domestic Issues
The political consulting firm, Coyote Consulting, has been hired by the McCain
campaign to help discover the issues that will be most effective in his general election
campaign against Obama. Though McCain already has a number of advisors, he believes
insight from an outside firm will be beneficial. The firm should come up with positions
for McCain to emphasize on the below mentioned issues based upon their effectiveness
in garnering votes and their cohesiveness with McCain's prior statements and votes.
Additional issues are also welcomed. As consultants, you are not going to make the final
decision. Rather, you should develop alternatives for the candidate, along with the
advantages and weaknesses of each alternative. You should look at the assignment as
occurring right before the Republican convention.
1. The Economy - The economy is always the most important issue in any campaign and
this one is no different. Regardless of how much you may want to concentrate on other
issues, many people still make up their mind on who to vote for based upon the economy.
How can the economy be better under a McCain administration?
2. Education - Education has been a strong issue for Democrats in the past. How should
McCain approach this issue to change that perception? Bush tried to make education a
Republican issue with No Child Left Behind. This issue has been pushed to the side with
other concerns but it is still important for a good segment of the electorate.
3. Health Care – Health care has become an important issue for many voters. Provide
proposals on how McCain should deal with various aspects of this issue including
affordability, access and quality. Make sure any proposals are consistent with prior
statements and votes by McCain. Health care reform must be an integral part of the
campaign.
4. Environment – The environment is a crucial issue for many voters and often
polarizing between different segments of the population. Provide proposals for how
McCain should deal with the environment in a manner that can be supported by
conservatives in his part while making inroads to environmentalists who may be
Democrats or independent.
5. Bush – Every election is a referendum on the incumbent, whether he is running or not.
How will you address the Bush/Cheney administration? How will the McCain
administration be different concerning domestic issues? Can you separate yourself from
the Bush administration without having Republicans who still support Bush turn on you?
6. Obama- In order for McCain to win, Obama has to lose. On what issues can you
make Obama look weak? Should the campaign go negative? If so, what issues? Should
the campaign attack Obama on his character as well as his positions? Each issue noted
above must take into account the positions, strengths and weaknesses of Obama as well
as McCain.