McCain Kicks Off National Campaign

KENT COUNTY (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Presumptive nominee John McCain is set to kick-start his national campaign Tuesday night.

The Arizona Senator is in in Kenner, Louisiana Tuesday night to give a prime time speech. He's timing the address to coincide with the final democratic primaries to signal the start of the general election campaign.

McCain is expected to contrast his history of fighting for government reform to Democrat Barack Obama's rhetoric for change. He's also planning to argue that Obama offers the wrong kind of change.

McCain, and Republicans in West Michigan and nationwide, now think they know whom they'll face in the general election. Republicans believe they have the head start in Michigan. Senator John McCain's been here to the state several times this year already.

Now that the party knows who they're up against. Newschannel 3 wondered what the strategy was to win here in Michigan. Many regard Michigan as a swing state in November. Even though it hasn't gone Republican since George Bush Sr. won in 1988.

West Michigan Republicans say Senator John McCain must do very well in GOP stronghold Kent and Ottawa Counties to offset a loss in Wayne county. Many believe McCain has a head start since Senator Obama boycotted the primary.

"It has given us time to prepare. Its given Senator McCain time to prepare his message and plans for the country. And so now we're going to come out and share his message with the people," said Kent County GOP, Sam Moore.

Republicans say McCain also must win the hearts of those on the fence in Kalamazoo and Oakland Counties. Areas where he could win undecideds and conservative-leaning democrats.

The campaign appears to be boiling down to experience versus a Bush third term. McCain selling his wealth of experience in public life. Senator Obama selling a change message that McCain is simply an extension of the current administration.

Republicans say they're strategizing now to distance the relationship between McCain and President Bush.

"George Bush is not the ballot. This is about John McCain and Barack Obama and so I think he's going to attempt to tie John McCain to George Bush. But it's just not true. John McCain's his own person," said Moore.

The Kent County Republican Party's already been aggressive in attacking Senator Obama and his foreign policies.