McCain Path TroublesGOP

Three weeks before the election, and days before the final debate of the presidential candidates, Republicans are growing increasingly concerned about John McCain's ability to mount a comeback, questioning his tactics and his main thrust in a White House race increasingly focused on economic turmoil.

"He has to make the case that he's different than Bush and better than Obama on the economy," said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, one of more than a dozen prominent Republicans who during the past week expressed concern over the course of McCain's campaign. "If he doesn't win that case, it's all over, and it's going to be a very bad year for Republicans."

Several Republicans, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid angering McCain, said the campaign should have sought to plant doubts about Obama's associations with 1960s-era radical William Ayers and others months ago, rather than waiting until the campaign's final weeks. Doing so now, they said, makes McCain come off as angry, grouchy and desperate, playing into Democrats' hands.

Rather, these Republicans said, McCain needs to strike a balance in his tone - appearing presidential while pressing his points that Obama is neither ready to serve nor has the judgment to lead.

"He doesn't need an attack strategy, he needs a comeback strategy," said Alex Castellanos, a longtime national GOP media consultant who worked for McCain primary rival Mitt Romney.

The unsolicited advice comes as McCain campaign officials are becoming increasingly discouraged. From junior aides to top advisers, the frustration is palpable. Some argue the media isn't giving McCain a fair shake and are weary of the increasingly problematic environment working against the GOP. Tensions have grown over how hard to go after Obama amid concerns about irreparably damaging McCain's reputation.

And the candidate himself appears conflicted on the campaign trail. He's cheery and smiling during question-sessions with crowds but becomes visibly annoyed - even surly - when he reads aloud scripted attacks on Obama and Democrats.

Republicans said McCain can prevail if he presents himself as the optimistic visionary the public wants in worrisome economic times.

Senior advisers insist McCain is trying to be such a leader. They note that his daily speeches are devoted heavily to the economy, and that he's been rolling out a series of prescriptions. They complain that McCain's not getting credit for those and argue that the media holds McCain to a higher standard than Obama, who they contend is getting a free pass.