McCain is a smart guy, so I've been trying to think about why he might not want to deal with the libertarian wing of the GOP.
Possible reasons might be:
1) He recognized Paul's importance but is concerned that Paul's rep as a racist will harm his efforts to reach out to minorities and Jewish people. - But, given that McCain has delt with fringe elements of the Christian right, he should be used to finessing these issues, so I'm not sure this is the issue.
2) He views Paul as unimportant. His staff reinforces the idea of Paul's marginality so McCain does not believe they are important. This may also be McCains assessment of Paul in given the results of the first few primaries where Paul remained under single digits. This would be consistent with his condescending attitude towards Paul in the debates. For example, McCain would laugh, make derisive jokes, fiddle with his notebook or drink water when Paul spoke - indicating his disrespect of Paul and his views. Finally, McCain's pride may play a role here.
3) He dislikes libertarian ideology. McCain has been quoted as preferencing well run over constitutional government. On some level McCain may take a very dim view of the role of mass democracy. This would be consistent with McCains early career in which he expressed a desire to be a "player" by becoming a senator and via his marriage to a member of one of New Mexico's wealthy families. In short, his career has not really been based on mobilizing mass political action, rather by working with the power elite. - This is contrary to Paul's libertarian beliefs which are Jeffersonian and fundamentally more democratic.
4) His staff have done the cost/benefit analysis and written off Paul supporters.
A quick scan of the forums here would show even a casual observer that Paul's people aren't exactly big fans of McCain. He may have decided that the votes and dollars Pauls people could bring in would not be worth the outreach effort. Or alternatively, McCains staff may believe there is not an effective way to harness the diffuse nature of the libertarian wing.
5) McCain is not obligated to Paul or to other GOP libertarian types. We know that Paul isn't willing to compromise- we love him for it- but because of this key members of the GOP, including McCain may not owe Paul any favors that Paul can call on to be included.
Possible reasons might be:
1) He recognized Paul's importance but is concerned that Paul's rep as a racist will harm his efforts to reach out to minorities and Jewish people. - But, given that McCain has delt with fringe elements of the Christian right, he should be used to finessing these issues, so I'm not sure this is the issue.
2) He views Paul as unimportant. His staff reinforces the idea of Paul's marginality so McCain does not believe they are important. This may also be McCains assessment of Paul in given the results of the first few primaries where Paul remained under single digits. This would be consistent with his condescending attitude towards Paul in the debates. For example, McCain would laugh, make derisive jokes, fiddle with his notebook or drink water when Paul spoke - indicating his disrespect of Paul and his views. Finally, McCain's pride may play a role here.
3) He dislikes libertarian ideology. McCain has been quoted as preferencing well run over constitutional government. On some level McCain may take a very dim view of the role of mass democracy. This would be consistent with McCains early career in which he expressed a desire to be a "player" by becoming a senator and via his marriage to a member of one of New Mexico's wealthy families. In short, his career has not really been based on mobilizing mass political action, rather by working with the power elite. - This is contrary to Paul's libertarian beliefs which are Jeffersonian and fundamentally more democratic.
4) His staff have done the cost/benefit analysis and written off Paul supporters.
A quick scan of the forums here would show even a casual observer that Paul's people aren't exactly big fans of McCain. He may have decided that the votes and dollars Pauls people could bring in would not be worth the outreach effort. Or alternatively, McCains staff may believe there is not an effective way to harness the diffuse nature of the libertarian wing.
5) McCain is not obligated to Paul or to other GOP libertarian types. We know that Paul isn't willing to compromise- we love him for it- but because of this key members of the GOP, including McCain may not owe Paul any favors that Paul can call on to be included.
