Five Lessons from McCain's Run in the 2008 Republican Primaries

What Military Tactics and a French-speaking Dog Can Teach Us About Politics

Looking back, the 2008 Republican presidential primaries teach us important lessons. These lessons can be applied to the upcoming general elections. An old fable about a man facing execution and his quick thinking also holds a useful lesson.

Lesson #1 from McCain's run in the 2008 Republican

primaries - don't fight on your enemy's terms

McCain's primaries campaign ran into severe financial difficulties and couldn't compete with his opponents' millions. The political vultures started circling, and pundits were quick to announce the demise of McCain's run. John McCain, however, did not give up.

A frontal attack on a defended position is rarely easy. Lacking the resources to overcome the other candidates, McCain fell back on his strength. Face to face meetings with small groups of voters. Being the straight talker he is, that down to earth personal touch kept him in the primaries race while his opponents were busy bashing each other.

Lesson #2 from McCain's run in the 2008 Republican primaries - flying under the radar is safer

With other candidates getting most of the coverage of the Republican primaries, McCain was left out of the limelight. Common wisdom in politics would say that was a problem.

As pilots with combat experience know, it's safer to fly under the radar. Others flying high and taking fire makes it even safer. With McCain considered out of the running in the Republican primaries, very few shots were taken at him.

One by one, the main Republican primaries candidates had their Achilles heels exposed by the media. One by one they fell by the wayside. Meanwhile McCain quietly collected delegates without being attacked.

Lesson #3 from McCain's run in the 2008 Republican primaries - keep your principles but choose your battles carefully

McCain has very clear moral positions. He fought to reform political contributions, fought against the use of torture by the US, and to this day supports the US military in Iraq. Over the years such positions branded him a maverick, but a straight talking one.