McCain sees right-of-center nation as he moves against Obama
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press
May 19, 2008
Page 3 of 3
Because of McCain's independent streak and Obama's vulnerabilities with key demographics, Republicans see opportunity in several states Democrats won in 2004, including electoral-rich bastions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
There and elsewhere, race is surely going to be a factor, even though the GOP says it doesn't want it to be.
Said Donatelli: ''We're all Americans, too, even though we want to win, and it just would not be in anyone's interest for race to become a part of this campaign.'' McCain himself acknowledged last month that benefiting from latent prejudice in the country ''would bother me a great deal.''
That's not to say groups operating independently of McCain's campaign won't wade into the black-vs.-white area -- or other areas.
Republicans, for instance, are giddy about Obama's recent rough patch that exposed hotspots.
They cite his comment that small-town people are bitter and, thus, cling to guns and religion, as well as the flap over whether he wears a flag lapel pin, and his relationships with former pastor Jeremiah Wright and a 1960s-era radical William Ayers.
''There are some gifts out there that the party's been given,'' said John Truscott, a GOP strategist in Michigan. ''The party has to be careful not to go too far, but these are issues that are fair game.''
Republicans can only hope the general public sees it that way.
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