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by A.T. Allen

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While the Democrats play the game of he-said, she-said, John McCain can utilize this as an opportunity to focus on his campaign for the White House. Usually by this point in an election year, the nominees are already assumed for each party. However, with the Democratic race being neck and neck and most likely going all the way to the Convention in August, this gives the Republican nominee many months of a head start in front of the Democratic Party. So how can John McCain take advantage of this lull while the Dems still battle for the nomination?

*Refine His Views: John McCain has time to sit down and really refine and smooth out his views on Healthcare, Economy, and the Iraq War. He can not only take his position on these important issues that are currently affecting our country, but he can also be ready for any negative attacks on his position that the Democrats will fire his way. By doing this he will be well prepared for the many Presidential Debates that will be coming his way.

*Raise Campaign Money: While his potential opponents are busy spending their Primary Election campaign money on donuts and the wooing of super-delegates, John McCain can raise much needed money for the actual Presidential Election. It is not cheap to run for President; therefore he will need millions of dollars to keep his campaign afloat until Election Day.

*Research his opponents: Mr. McCain can take these next few months and really research the background of both of his potential opponents. Just as in all elections, there will be political mud-slinging and being armed with potential negative information on both Obama and Clinton will give John McCain a head start in the contest. He needs to be ready with any and all information that can bring down either of his rivals.

*Convince the American People: He needs to take these next few months and convince the American people that he is a capable candidate for President. He especially needs to convince the Republican voters that he IS a conservative candidate with the conservative views that that Republican Party expects. A lot of voters think he is too liberal to be a Republican; therefore he needs to prove to America that he has the Conservative views of a classic Republican.

*Pick a Running Mate: John McCain has time to search for and pick a good, quality running mate for Vice-President. He needs to choose someone who shares his views as well as the views of the American people. He also needs to make sure that his candidate is ready to stand up to the attack from the Democrats. Since he was able to secure the nomination early, he now has the advantage of actually taking time to hand pick his candidate, rather than just picking any John Doe.

*Control His Temper: Recent reports have surfaced that John McCain has a fiery temper and cannot control some of his outbursts. Is this the type of President that we want? Do we want a President who cannot communicate like an adult and at the age of 71, still acts like a child? The Democrats are sure to bring this up in the mud-slinging bash that will ensue in later months; therefore John McCain needs to work on that issue now. He needs to prove to America that he is not a potty mouth and can act like an adult.

John McCain has a huge advantage right now. He has at least the next 3-4 months to strengthen his campaign. He has time to raise much needed money. He has time to lay out a plan of attack against his potential opponents. He needs to be wise and use these next few months to make a strong campaign bid for the White House. This is not the time to sit back and rest while the Dems play around with their delegates. This is his time to make it happen, and he can do that by using his time efficiently over these next few months.

Learn more about this author, A.T. Allen.

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