Chapters 15 and 16 Summary and Analysis

Senator John McCain met with his top aids to discuss his presidential run. The fighting between Obama and Clinton was damaging the Democratic party and would work in favor of the Republicans. McCain was a hands-off candidate. He expected his campaign to handle all the details. Getting the nomination wouldn't be a cake-walk because he was perceived as too liberal by some party faithfuls and too willing to compromise with the other side. Many thought his famous temper disqualified him for the presidency. His advocacy of increasing troop strength in Iraq was seen as a negative. The media, who in 2000 had adored him, was now turning on him—picking apart his policies and comments.

Cindy McCain had a bad taste in her mouth from the 2000 campaign and didn't want McCain to run. His team would cringe when he...