Candidates courting the center

A look at what Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are doing to appeal to the "mushy middle."

MCCAIN

The four-term Arizona senator is trying to distance himself from the unpopular President Bush and, seemingly, the Republican Party itself. He emphasizes bipartisanship _ and his record of reaching across the aisle to work with Democrats _ while talking up two subjects that resonate strongly with voters of all stripes. Those are efforts to curb global warming and the need to free the country from its dependence on foreign oil.

At the same time, he's also emphasizing some of his policies that appeal to independents and moderates.

For example, speaking to Hispanic leaders last week, McCain focused largely on comprehensive immigration reform, pledging to make a broad overhaul of the immigration system his "top priority." He wants a temporary worker program and an eventual path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants; he mentioned secure borders largely in passing and rejected the enforcement-only approach the far right advocates.

His television advertisements don't mention that he's a Republican. Two of his commercials emphasize fighting global warming and achieving energy security. One says: "A comprehensive bipartisan plan to lower prices at the pump, reduce dependence on foreign oil through domestic drilling, and champion energy alternatives for better choices and lower costs." Another says: "McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming, five years ago" and praises "a plan that will help grow our economy and protect our environment."

OBAMA

The first-term Illinois senator opened his general election campaign with a commercial that cast him as the embodiment of the center. In an obvious play for the middle, the nonpartisan pitch focused on family values and patriotism as well as "welfare to work" and lower taxes. It stressed: "Accountability and self-reliance. Love of country. Working hard without making excuses."

Over the past two weeks, Obama also has voiced positions that conflict with the left wing of the Democratic Party.

Last week, he quoted President Reagan, saying "we have to trust but verify" after Bush lifted trade sanctions against North Korea and moved to take it off the U.S. terrorism blacklist.

He also supported new electronic surveillance rules for the government's eavesdropping program and said "an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue," after opposing a similar bill last year. He straddled after the Supreme Court overturned the District of Columbia's gun ban, saying he favors an individual's right to bear firearms as well as a government's right to regulate them.

And, he broke from death penalty opponents, saying he disagrees with the Supreme Court's decision outlawing executions of people who rape children.

On Iraq, he went from hard-line vocal opposition to the war, the left wing's position, to more nuanced rhetoric that calls for a troop drawdown process that could last 16 months. His aides have described that as a timetable and a goal _ and certainly not the hard, fast deadline that many liberals want.

Terra/AP