For McCain, a test of skills
DERRY, N.H.
JOHN McCAIN brought his convictions back to the Granite State. Unfortunately for McCain, reports of an imploding campaign came along too.
On Thursday in Derry, Mark Salter, the senator's longtime adviser, dismissed the departures of ad-makers Russ Schriefer and Stuart Stevens as nothing more than pragmatic economic decisions. "We haven't been on the air. We haven't paid them any money," Salter explained. He shrugged off any longterm downside from these latest McCain organization defections: "When the time comes to have a paid media campaign, we'll have a paid media campaign."
Meanwhile, Salter said, McCain "is still the best retail candidate" on the campaign trail.
Soon afterward, the candidate's retail skills were tested by the first question posed in the sweltering room where the Derry Rotary Club gathered for lunch. Rachel Swinford of New Boston wanted to know when Congress and the president would get the message that Americans want the border closed, period. "You're talking about winning a war in Iraq, and you can't win one in California," Swinford told McCain.
"Well, I'm sorry I called on you," said McCain, looking truly regretful for the moment. Then he snapped into charming mode. He moved in closer, told Swinford he understood her frustration, and said, "I've gotten your message. . . . You want the border secured before we do anything else." He pledged to do that. But, true to his convictions, he also stuck up for the controversial policy of allowing immigrants who are already here illegally to apply for guest worker status. The majority of immigrants come for jobs, he said; there should be a way to let them work at jobs Americans don't want.
When the Q & A was over, McCain moved swiftly to Swinford's side, posed for pictures, and told her, "I admire your passion." She said afterward that she appreciated his response because, "He gave a straight answer. You could tell he was speaking from the heart . . . If he does what he said . . . he has my full support."
McCain also reiterated his opposition to setting a withdrawal date for American troops in Iraq. If we leave now, he said, "We will have chaos and genocide in the region and we will be back." He cast the war as a "global Titanic struggle" against "radical Islam extremism" and insisted, "There is progress in Iraq."
That isn't a welcome message anywhere in America. Despite it, McCain idolizers can still be found in New Hampshire. "I'm honored to be sharing the same air as you," said a man in the audience who identified himself as a former Marine and Vietnam War veteran.
That sentiment is reminiscent of the 2000 campaign, when McCain won the hearts of New Hampshire primary voters. He is trying to win them back. "The greatest thrill of my life was the 2000 campaign," he told Rotary members. He said he knows there are issues of disagreement between them, "but I do take these positions because I believe in them."
One of McCain's big problems is that Mitt Romney, who leads New Hampshire GOP polling, is the anti-McCain. Romney believes in one thing only -- saying whatever is necessary to win support from GOP primary voters. Romney also has what McCain needs to rebuild -- a strong, supple political organization, designed to nurture the candidate and muscle him through the marathon of presidential politicking.
The McCain organization was weakened by staff infighting, a major personnel shakeup, and a series of related defections. This is of little interest to anyone but the media. However, if campaign staff disarray is the media's chief focus, it's hard for the candidate to get a message out beyond that.
What's happening in the McCain organization does raise some legitimate concerns. If McCain can't pick a staff wisely enough to ensure it runs smoothly how will President McCain do at that task?
Salter, the McCain strategist, said it is unfair to link staff problems to questions about the candidate's competence or political viability, especially in New Hampshire.
"We are still in a competitive position. He knows how to work this state better than anyone else," he said. ". . . The 2000 campaign wasn't about karma. It was about hard work."
The 2000 campaign was about the hard work of a stand-up candidate. In 2008, the stand-up candidate needs more.
A stand-up organization would be a start. Conviction, especially unpopular conviction, won't be enough.
Joan Vennochi's e-mail address is vennochi@globe.com. 
