Politics and Culture

Why does this spat hurt Romney more than McCain and what does this mean for their campaigns?

Quite simply, McCain is a man in the Gary Cooper, 300 Spartan, intimidating sense where one glare is worth $1,000,000 in campaign ads, and Romney, a man in the family loyalty, honesty, sense, isn't. When McCain takes a disliking to somebody, people take notice- it cuts to the bone. In contrast, Romney's attacks on McCain seem like paint-by-numbers hackery: Dig up something from McCain's 30 years in public service and issue a press release. The battle is engaged at a character level- nobody cares that he didn't vote for every single tax cut. It's like choosing Mike Tyson to go on Jeopardy- ineffective and difference-illuminating.

Romney must realize that he doesn't have the manly aura to challenge McCain at this level, a fact he first demonstrated with his tepid response to McCain's devastating, character-based debate attack. It doesn't help Romney that McCain has the ability to make his viciousness seem reluctant and necessary.

Romney is powerless against McCain and whenever they tussle, they remind voters of Romney's most glaring weakness and McCain's greatest strength. Like a nerd cornered by Mike Tyson, all Romney can do is hope that McCain stops.