Carly Fiorina: McCain Economic General

"John McCain finds cheerleader to rattle Obama" from Times of London reports on former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina who is now the top economic adviser to the John McCain campaign who has been a bright spot to go toe to toe with an Obama supporting media.

Fiorina, a lifelong Republican who admires McCain’s independent streak, says she received about $14m (£7m). Last week she attacked Obama for allowing his campaign to indulge in political “nastiness”.

She added: “It was Obama who promised a different kind of politics. He said, ‘I’m raising the bar, I’m going to play a different kind of game’. But it’s his campaign that’s engaging in politics as usual.”

McCain may be behind in the polls, by anywhere from five to 15 points, but Republicans are convinced that Obama is heading for an embarrassing U-turn on Iraq, and that he will be forced to admit he cannot withdraw troops as quickly as he has previously indicated. “There’s much about Obama to be admired and respected,” Fiorina said carefully. “ Frankly, as an American, I’m proud that an African-American can achieve these heights.”

There just had to be a “but”, and Fiorina duly obliged with characteristic deftness. “But,” she added, “he seems to be a person who’s willing to do and say what’s necessary to win. I guess his campaign has decided that raising the bar high isn’t worth it after all.”