The Republicans' best strategy would be to attack the economy- only focus on foreign policy if they can convince people that the Clinton/Gore administrations actually failed by creating the circumstances for 9/11 in the first place. McCain isn't the best candidate for the former, and I doubt he could do the latter. No Iraq War takes the wind out of a potentially successful paleocon campaign's sail (would otherwise be the perfect storm), so that leaves the Republicans with "do what Gore is doing but more". Also, given McCain singing "Bomb Iran" on the campaign trail IRL, never underestimate his ability to stick his foot in his mouth and look like an unlikable neocon extremist. He was a way weaker candidate than Atlas gives him credit for.
President Al Gore (D-TN) / Vice President Joe Lieberman (D-CT) ✓
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) / Senator John Danforth (R-MO)
Give or take Virginia, but it might have been too early. Doubt Gore would really try to campaign there and NOVA might still prefer McCain's relative hawkishness.
