Mark Halperin's Final Campaign 2008 Report Cards

Mark Halperin grades the players in the 2008 presidential campaign and renders his verdict.

Strategist Steve Schmidt

Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty
  • Print

Inspired his troops and for a time brought message discipline to a campaign and candidate who was largely allergic to such things. Saw an uphill path to victory in defining Obama on negative terms, but proved too attracted to tactics — and not enough to elemental strategy — to get the job done.

Grade: B+

See pictures from John McCain's big night accepting his party's nomination.

View the full list for "Mark Halperin's Final Campaign 2008 Report Cards"