Washington Watch for May 4, 2008

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Washington Correspondent
• Published: May 4, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Some U.S. senators walk the halls of the Capitol flanked by aides who try to scurry them to their next meeting or handle edicts that tumble from their mouths.

But within hours of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ending his campaign for president in February — effectively giving U.S. Sen. John McCain the Republican nomination — McCain could be seen strolling the first floor of the Capitol with a wide grin, all by himself.

The Arizona Republican, who likes to boast about being a straight talker, is also a straight walker, an indication of his down-to-earth style. But if he thinks he’s going to walk straight into the White House, he’s got another think coming.  McCain is going to face significant hurdles, even allowing for the Democratic presidential contenders tripping over each other.

The former Vietnam War prisoner seems to be cruising in Louisiana, not surprising in a state that voted 57 percent for George Bush in 2004. A recent poll shows McCain leading in Louisiana over both Democrats, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Southern Media and Opinion Research of Baton Rouge interviewed 600 likely Louisiana voters between March 26 and April 9. Asked if the election were held today between McCain and Clinton, respondents gave McCain a 49 percent to 41 percent lead.

Against Obama, the gap was even larger. McCain would beat Obama 50 percent to 35 percent in Louisiana, according to the poll, which had a plus or minus margin of 4 percent.

McCain recently visited New Orleans, where he took a shot at Bush by calling the administration response to Hurricane Katrina “terrible and disgraceful.” Though not offering a recovery plan of his own, like his Democratic challengers have done, McCain simply promised that such a response would not occur on his watch.

“When Americans confront a catastrophe, natural or manmade, they have a right to expect basic competence from their government,” McCain said in kicking off his campaign in Portsmouth, N.H., in April 2006.

McCain has backed his stances by calling for more housing money than the $4.2 billion that Bush had committed at that time.

“I am for doing what is necessary — $4.2 billion, $10.5 billion, $50.5 billion,” McCain said at the time. “The $4.2 billion is not the end of the requirement.”

Despite support in Louisiana, McCain is going to have trouble nationwide. He faces an electorate frustrated with his party, critical of its president and chagrined at a seemingly endless war.

More and more, McCain is sounding like the man he wants to succeed. McCain recently came out in support of making the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts permanent.

McCain should also face scrutiny over his relationship with lobbyists. During his Senate career, McCain has decried the influence of special interests on Congress. Yet five of his campaign advisers are former lobbyists.