“Campaign Notebook: McCain Sending a Message From New Orleans,” Bloomberg, 05/31/08:
John McCain is planning to send a message that he’s “a different kind of Republican” as he fully opens up a general-election campaign against Barack Obama.
McCain, an Arizona senator, is giving what his advisers bill as a major address June 3 in New Orleans as the votes are being counted for the final Democratic presidential primaries in South Dakota and Montana…
“He’s a different kind of Republican,” spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said. “We’ve made that point from the beginning of this election and we’ll continue to make it.”
“Bush to Visit Dillard Today; Local University Welcomes Exposure,” Times-Picayune [no link], 08/24/00:
Even after a Republican convention artfully designed to present an inclusive front, not many people would think of Dillard University, a historically black institution led by a well-known Democratic politician, as Bush Country…
“George W. Bush is a different kind of Republican. He visits inner-city schools, historically black colleges and other places that Republicans have shied away from,” [spokesman Tucker] Eskew said. “He has a passion for improving educational achievement by minorities. There’s a record to back that up.”
What does this say about the Republican brand? Oh, and also? New Orleans is apparently the chief stage prop of the GOP.