200810262219 | Republicans frustrated over McCain's downturn in polls

Republicans frustrated over McCain's downturn in polls

Washington - Frustrated Republicans voiced concern with their own presidential candidate, John McCain, as he continued to blast front-runner Barack Obama as harmful to the middle-class. The Democrat left the campaign trail to visit with his ailing grandmother in Hawaii.
The meltdown in financial markets and the national economic downturn have helped undermine McCain's standing in the polls because Obama is viewed more favourably than McCain on handling economic issues.

New surveys have shown Obama's lead growing in battleground states like Ohio and Pennsylvania that are the key to victory. The winner of the election will be determined by a state-by-state tally of electoral votes, not the national total.

As McCain's prospects dimmed, two Republicans openly took issue with the veteran senator's handling of the race in separate interviews on Friday, little more than a week before Election Day.

"I would have done things differently the last few weeks," Republican Paul Ryan told a newspaper in his home state of Wisconsin.
A different race

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge told a different newspaper, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that the race would have been different in his state, which has 21 electoral votes, if McCain had chosen him as running mate instead of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

"I think we'd be foolish not to admit it publicly," he said, although he added that in selecting Palin, McCain had made a bold choice.

Ridge later released a written statement saying his remarks had been taken out of context and that he had often praised Palin. At the same time, he added that the race in Florida would have been different if that state's governor had been placed on the ticket, or similarly in Minnesota. Florida has 27 electoral votes and Minnesota, 10. Alaska has three.

Higher taxes

Palin has been a divisive figure in the race, but her conservative politics and folksy persona have helped McCain shore up support among the Republican base.
McCain warned on Friday that the middle-class will "get put through the wringer" if Obama wins the White House.

"The answer to a slowing economy is not higher taxes, but that is exactly what is going to happen when the Democrats have total control in Washington."

Obama has proposed a tax increase on the 5% of taxpayers who make more than $250 000 a year and advocates tax cuts for those who make less.
Obama took a risk in leaving the campaign trail so close to the election to fly to Hawaii. His lead is hardly insurmountable. But it could also help voters see a more personal side of Obama, who has been criticised at times for seeming aloof.

Obama said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, 85, is ill but alert. Her brother has said she recently fell and broke her hip.
Obama will resume campaigning on Saturday with appearances in Nevada and New Mexico.

McCain was making three stops in the western state of Colorado. Bush won the state in 2000 and 2004, but recent surveys show Obama with a 5 percentage point lead.

McCain has cut back his advertising in the state, but Republicans believe his attacks on Obama's tax policies will narrow Obama's lead.
McCain 'needs a Halloween costume'

In the traditionally Republican state of West Virginia, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Friday that McCain would need a Halloween costume to persuade voters that he would depart from the policies and divisive politics of President George W Bush.

"I know Halloween is coming, but John McCain as the candidate of change? Whoa, come on," Biden said during an outdoor rally in the capital city's downtown. "John McCain and change? He needs a costume for that. Folks, the American people aren't going to buy this."

Obama's campaign received two new endorsements _ one expected, one less so.
The New York Times, which has been critical of Bush and McCain, endorsed Obama in Friday's editions.

On Thursday, Scott McClellan, Bush's former press secretary, said he was backing Obama for president.

McClellan is the second former Bush administration figure to publicly back Obama, following former Secretary of State Colin Powell. McClellan caused bitterness among his former co-workers with a tell-all book critical of Bush.

On Friday, another Republican, former Massachusetts governor William Weld, endorsed Obama. Weld cited Obama's steady leadership, good judgment and ability to unify Democrats, Republicans and independents.