In today’s DMN, columnist William McKenzie says McCain/Palin need to drop their conservative surge and soften their approach to appeal more to moderate and independent voters. A left-hand editorial last week said the same. Palin especially should take her cues from Mike Huckabee, McKenzie suggests, who you may recall never got more than something like 20 percent of the vote after a single upset in the Iowa caucuses.
Here’s the problem. McCain/Palin’s approach — which McKenzie and others say is too hard-edged — is already winning over independents. Big time. As in, McCain snags 52 percent of independent voters, compared to Obama’s mere 37 percent, according to Gallup.