Senator John McCain became the front runner for the Republican nomination tonight by winning the South Carolina primary. McCain leads virtually every national poll and has overtaken Mayor Guiiani in Florida.
The non-medal finish by Governor Romney in this conservative state must be of great concern for that campaign.
Say what you want about McCain. The guy is a true military hero and doesn’t flip-flop. He is solidly pro-life and a true fiscal conservative.
Senator McCain is the best chance for Republicans to hold the White House for another four years.
January 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Supervisor Rexroad –
His deplorable position on “climate change”/”global warming” makes calling him a “fiscal conservative” almost laughable. And his support for the International Criminal Court – essentially subjecting our troops to foreign prosecution – politically neutralizes his status as a “military hero”. I’m sorry, but this guy is not the best chance for Republicans. Beating the Democrats in the number of votes is not a chance if it ends up meaning none of our principles are pursued or defended.
January 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
If McCain is our best chance then get ready for four years of Hellary.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
He still hasn’t learned his lesson that giving amnesty to illegal aliens is bad policy. That reason alone disqualifies him for me.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
John McCain have to really thank Fred Thompson for causing problems in the vote outcome in South Carolina. The Thompson factor caused Huckabee to lose, especially the northern part of South Carolina.
The question remains is this: Are the Republicans forgiving and give second chances like we did for Dole in ’96, Bush in ’88 and Reagan in ’80? Whom all of the candidates were denied the nomination in the previous GOP contest!
We have alot of soul searching to do in the Republican party.
I am not quite sure if the rank and file Republican voters are truly that forgiving to John McCain.
The Republican voters want a winner that can move the country forward.
Despite what is all been said, the only one person that may unite the Republicans may well be Hillary Clinton.
Then, our base will be consolidated when we can’t fathom not one, but two Clintons in the White House, which would be too much to bear in the pages of history.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
FYI…McCain’s stance on climate change and pragmatic conservative conservation principles are the same ones outlined in Newt Gingrich’s new book “Real Change.” Are you sure you’d call that a “deplorable position”, Nicholas? And, my dear young frind, nothing neutralizes the Senator’s position as a military hero…nothing. You cannot neutralize 6 years of torture. Noodle on this…
a. Senator McCain has more leadership in his little finger than most have in a lifetime’s worth of corporate work. To be clear…while he was a POW, his father was an Admiral, and the Vietnamese offered him the chance to come home earlier. McCain had multiple broken bones and serious injuries that the POW camp “medics” could not mend. And yet, McCain decided to stay for 6 additional YEARS, b/c he was a LEADER of men under extreme duress and pain, and kept them alive and motivated…that is why all his fellow POW’s who are still with us are fervently working on his campaign. They know a leader when they see one.
Additionally, the Senator came home from Hanoi, and went back to work as a Naval officer. He ascended to the rank of Captain, which in the Navy is the equivalent of a full bird Colonel in the other armed services…for the non-vets out there, that’s just one rank below an Admiral (or General). So, yes my friends, be impressed…he’s a leader of the highest caliber.
Considering the other GOP candidates left in the race have changed their positions on social issues that the Senator has remained steadfast on for decades, and one was kicked out of the Mayor’s mansion by his wife to live with his girlfriend…I think those Republicans looking for a steady conservative with a strong moral compass will be looking to McCain with fervor.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mrs. Buck –
What I appreciate most about the Republican Party – what I find lacking in much of the Democrat Party’s stances – is its ability to cooly and logically assess situations and take passion and personality out of the equation.
I certainly respect Senator McCain’s sacrifice for our country. Without question I do. He is owed much for it. Is he owed the White House? That seems to be what a lot of his supporters are saying. That seems to be all that they’re saying. In 2000, it was that he spent six years as a POW in Vietnam, so he deserves the White House. Now, it’s that he’s spent eight years as a POW in his own party, so he deserves the White House. There were a lot of other guys who spent time as POWs in Vietnam. Do they all deserve to be President? To me it just seems it should be about more than that. Policies matter.
You can’t really throw Newt Gingrich at me. Gingrich is another one of those people who’s bought the whole “sudden climate change” junk science/junk economics. Twenty years from now it’s going to be remembered as one of the greatest policy crimes perpetrated against humanity.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
John McCain….look at his record…is he a Republican?
If he wins….look forward to Teddy Kennedy and Ms. Pelosi to be in charge of Defense and the State Department….
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I’ve rarely been comfortable with McCain’s positions over the last several years. If you have to pick a valid reason for that – vs. crude smears on his military service and sacrifice – it would be the unconstitutional McCain-Feingold campaign free speech stifling Act.
That said, he stands head and VC-tortured shoulders over the flip-flopping used-car salesman with the $200 haircut from Massachusetts … or was it Michigan? … I can never keep these things straight anymore (sigh).
Since we want to talk about military service, let’s talk again about this: when asked what his four strapping sons were doing in the global war on terror, Mitt’s answer was that they were all … working on his campaign! In Mittworld, working on Daddy’s campaign = getting exposed to giant roadside IEDs in Iraq. Anyone who could value our servicemembers’ sacrifices so frivolously is not fit to be President, IMHO.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Sorry for the delay…I was watching football today…
Okay, here we go…
Robert, you first, b/c this is easy. If you really want to be informed about how conservative the Senator’s voting record is, check it out for real, instead of catcing clips of spin from here and there: http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53270
After you check that out, let’s talk about any vote or issue you want to…but do us both a favor beforehand…be informed.
Nicholas, you know I luv ya, kiddo, but you can’t slam Speaker Gingrich with such reckless abandon. He’s an icon to a bunch of us 30 and 40 somethings, so before you jump to conclusions about his stance on the environment, here’s some homework for you: pages 191-208 in his new book “Real Change.” Won’t take you long…you could probably just stand at Borders and read those pages while having a cup of coffee…but I recommend buying it. It’s a good one. You’ll find no junk science, no henny pennism. What you’ll find is a message I’ve been trying to bring to my friends…waste not, want not. Benny Franklin had it right! (:
And of course being a POW doesn’t mean that you’re owed the White House, but there are character traits and leadership principles that Senator McCain displayed then and displays now that make him the best choice to lead this great nation. I understand why his life story makes politicos awe struck…we all think that great men come from some other place and time. But the fact is, Senator McCain IS A GREAT MAN. There are things that he has done that no one else running this year can compete with, and that’s not their fault, but it’s still true. McCain has been tried by fire you and I can’t imagine, and look at him…loving America, and more importantly, loving AmericanS. You don’t have to join his campaign team, Nicholas, but it’s okay to let his accomplishments and life story humble you and maybe change you. It’s okay to be inspired and motivated by the Cap’n, even if you can’t support his presidential bid. Remember this…he doesn’t have to be a Republican, but he chooses to be one, and is proud to be one with all his heart. He loves this Party, and 93 members of President Reagan’s administration have endorsed him. Maybe you don’t consider yourself a Reagan Republican, or someone who was inspired by the Contract with America, but I do…and that’s why I choose Senator McCain.
And you’re right, Nicholas, we absolutely must keep our heads as we discuss politics cooly, respectfully and rationally, but politics without passion is like food without taste. Personality, and more accurately personal character, should ALWAYS be part of the decision making process in the voting booth. The person and the passion matter…it’s the difference between a leader and the led. Never lose your passion! (:
Good thought process, Nicholas. Truly, you’re terrific and it’s good to see you engaged so wholeheartedly. Too many of your peers don’t care. I’m glad you do. (:
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Nicholas, I respectfully disagree. I believe strongly that personality, and by inference, character, matters.
Does Senator McCain’s service mean that he is “owed the White House?” No.
Does Senator McCain’s service mean that he is eminently qualified for the office of President of the United States? You bet!
The good senator broke several limbs after being shot down over Hanoi. Following his capture, he was bayoneted, beaten, and interrogated. Due to the aggravation of his wounds, to this day he cannot raise his arms above his head. He endured some two years of solitary confinement. McCain was offered early release, but refused; his acceptance would have been a propaganda coup. His captors submitted him to brutal torture. One month, he experienced beatings every two hours. When pressed to give the names of members of his squadron, he supplied those of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line.
Beyond illustrating the incredible depth of his character, these facts demonstrate that he will always do what is right over what is easy. As a POW, he put the nation’s interests before his own, and as president, he will doubtlessly continue that tradition. Having endured what he did, I can trust that he will never submit to undue pressure in what may be the most challenging job in the world. Senator McCain is fond of saying “character is destiny.” My response? Ain’t that the truth.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
In response to Mr. Bosich-
Are we talking about the same individual. John McCain stood up against the Democratic-controlled Congress when he made it a top priority to cut wasteful pork-barrel spending. John McCain took on the nay-sayers in Washington (some of whom were Republicans) who believed the war in Iraq was lost–and devised a successful plan to win that war. John McCain is pro-life, anti-tax, and the strongest national security candidate on the ballot.
How those views align with Ted Kennedy and Nancy Pelosi are beyond me. John McCain is the ONLY true and consistent conservative in this race. This is a man who grew up in Goldwater country and was a part of the Reagan Revolution. This is not a man who takes the Republican party–or its platform–for granted.
In the end, putting John McCain in a category with such staunch anti-conservative figures is incomprehensible. John McCain has been a true conservative all of his life. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the entire picture of who this man is.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mrs. Buck and Mr. Yin –
I think a little modesty needs to be injected in our discussion here of Senator McCain. McCain’s been in public life for quite some time. He’s definitely made mistakes, some injurious to this character image (which I regard as something more than personality) you wax romantically about.
Let’s not forget the guy aggressively pursued an extramarital affair with his current wife after his first wife raised his children and was discovered (upon his return from Vietnam) to be injured in a car accident. Let’s also not forget the Keating Five scandal, the cause of his present holier than thou position on campaign finance regulation. That’s just for starters.
I have no doubt the Senator will stubbornly pursue what HE THINKS is right. The trouble is, much of what he thinks is right with regards to public policy I don’t think is right. This is a public policy matter. It’s about leading a country. It’s greater than oneself. There are perfectly honorable and likeable Democrats out there, men and women of upstanding character who are indubitably pursuing what they believe to be in the best interest of all concerned. However, if their policy prescriptions and mine differ, I won’t vote for them. It’s that plain and simple.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
I feel the need to praise the comments here. When Jill endorsed McCain last October it brought about 32 posting in a very testy discussion. Now three months later I’m sensing a tone of somewhat polite disagrements here. I’ll admit that there are times when I have disagreements with members of my party. But I look at this blog and compare it to the Democrats running for president who seem to act like vulgar WWE wrestlers who take themselves way to seriously, and I am reminded why I consider myself a member of this Great Party. Keep it up guys.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Nicholas, whomever sent you on this errand has done you a great disservice, and has not taught you well in the ways of the 11th Commandment and Reagan-esque, statesman-like political discussions. You have a very bright future in politics, but studying the ways of our Party’s greatest communicators vs. the huddled masses of consultants would help you shape your passion in a more mature way. Check out chapter one of Newt’s book on this subject, Nicholas. I’m concerned for you and your future. Your comments above could be much more couth, and less damaging to your reputation if you take some wise counsel…not from me, but from those who have successfully lead our Party during its best days.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Rush Limbaugh said today on his radio show that he might not vote for/and or support the Republican nominee. My jaw dropped when I heard that. It’s that bad right now according to him. I will never vote for John McCain, nor will a lot of other conservatives. He’s wrong on too many important issues for me.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mrs. Buck –
At twenty-five years old, I’m an adult. I have a bachelors degree in philosophy with a concentration in ethics and public policy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I will also be graduating with a masters degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton with honors in May. I’m an executive board member and lifetime member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Honor Society for Political Science. Furthermore, I’ve worked in politics for a few years, some of which were spent as a Sarah T. Hermann Intern Scholar at the Reagan Ranch archiving materials of the former President and providing tours of the Western White House. I am more than capable of making my own political decisions without being “sent” by “the huddled masses of consultants.” If we had met during the Recall, when I was one of the few at the Fall CRP Convention in Los Angeles actively supporting State Senator McClintock, I don’t think you’d presume I take much direction from political consultants.
This discussion isn’t about me. This discussion is about Senator John McCain. I’d appreciate it if you kept it there.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
While I respect Mr. Limbaugh and he is more than entitled to his views, I think his reasoning rings false.
Democratic voter turnout in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary far exceeded Republican voter turnout, two supposed swing states! This, in addition to a slew of unexpected GOP congressional retirements, is a harbinger of very bad news: 2008 will be a Democrat favored year.
Senator McCain or whoever the GOP nominee may be will face incredible obstacles, and the last thing they need is dedicated conservatives staying home on election day. Politics is about nuance (or at least it should be), and you will rarely find two people whose views line up exactly across the board. Mr. Bartlett, you and Senator McCain may disagree on many issues, but I guarantee you’d disagree far more on the issues dear to Senators Clinton, Edwards, and Obama.
The stakes are incredibly high. Every single one of the current GOP contenders would make a far better president than those of the Dem crop. Mr. Limbaugh has the luxury of staying away from the polls, he’s in showbiz. Frankly, railing against a Dem president would probably grant him much higher ratings than praising the conservative achievements of a McCain presidency.
Nonetheless, let’s hope for the latter.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
I feel the need to bring up a disturbing trend that I see. The circular firing squad. Two years ago Congressional Disrtict 50 had a special election to replace its resigning congressman. This seat consisted of North County San Diego, a conservative stronghold. The moveon.org people swept in with a bunch of money and blitzed that district in an attempt to install a democrat pretending to be a moderate. (Watch for Hiliary to do this) Anyway there was a debate at the Manchester Hyatt with all republican cadidates got a chance to take their turn discussing thier points. There was no bloodbath that some had feared. Only because of a blunder by the democrat did the veteran republican congressman win the race, but only by the skin of his teeth IN A CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT. I am concerned that excessive negativity in the presidential primary will weaken our eventual candidate in the general. I think we can all agree that the worst case scenario is a democrat president with a veto proof majority. Please don’t perpetuate this.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Romero-
I think where Ms. Buck was going was that the criticism leveled was not one that was on the level with the debate that was taking place. But assuming that these issues you raise, in particular his personal life, matter–John McCain has always taken personal responsibility for his actions. We all make mistake in public life. It is how one handles those mistakes that truly gives us a sense of who the man is. John McCain has never once tried to wax poetic in order to cover himself. Other candidates in this race, however, have not been as forthcoming.
Other candidates would be well-suited to follow his lead and be willing to give credit where credit is due to John McCain, and admit when they have erred, rather than attribute it to other factors. Conservatives have and will always be about personal responsibility. No one has stood up for that more than John McCain.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Hightower –
I aimed to keep the discussion centered on Senator McCain’s positions on issues of public policy. I wanted to avoid introducing personality. In fact, I stated, “What I appreciate most about the Republican Party – what I find lacking in much of the Democrat Party’s stances – is its ability to cooly and logically assess situations and take passion and personality out of the equation.”
However, when the discussion turned to Senator McCain’s supposedly unimpeachable character, I wanted to make it perfectly clear I’m willing to go there. The McCain campaign and its surrogates have made his run at the White House about character. I’m willing to look at the whole picture. Are they?
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
My ten cents to chime in.
First and foremost, I admire John McCain’s military service to our nation, including the years he spent as a POW. I can’t even imagine what he went though durin that time…
I will also say that next to Hillary Clinton, McCain starts to look very attractive as a candidate.
Nevertheless, right now, we are in the midst of a GOP primary.
So for my part, I have to wonder about things like:
* His support for amnesty for criminal aliens.
* His opposition to making the President’s tax cuts permanent.
* His total buy-in to the left’s global warming scare-tactics to justify massive government regulation.
Anyways, I am not saying that the other candidates are perfect, I am sure I can come up with a laundry list for each.
But let’s not paint John McCain out to be some sort of amazing panacea for the woes of the world.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, while many people prefer NOT to talk about it, I think it is totally appropriate for voters to consider marital fidelity when they choose a candidate. But that winnows the field quite a bit, unfortunately.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
As always, you nailed it, Boss!
Next to any of the Democratic candidates, McCain is our standard bearer, and despite the spin on his positions on the issues, the Senator has one of the most conservative voting records in Congress (as demonstrated by the link I posted above from Project Vote Smart). I’d really encourage anyone who wants to REALLY find out about the Senator’s record of conservative public policy (vs. just letting spinsters force feed it to you), to check out that website, and learn for yourself where the Senator is on every bedrock Republican principle.
And again, Boss, you’re right…no candidate is perfect, but there are time-honored ways of competing in a Republican primary that are neither solacious, nor damaging to the Party as a whole. There is a certain line that professionals in this biz know better than to cross, lest their point be lost by their lack of good manners.
As for the issues you raised, here is a link that answers all your questions (and what’s really cool is that you can either read about it, or watch the Senator talk about it): http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/
In a nutshell, he doesn’t support any brand or definition of amnesty. The definition of that word has been stretched and manipulated terribly to try to pin it on the Senator, but it’s not sticking.
He’s not opposed to making the President’s tax cuts permanent…even mainstream media is reporting that correctly. And if you look closer at the Senator’s fight for lower taxes, he’s been trying to eliminate the AMT (alternative minimum tax) for a long time, and that would be a tremendous help to middle income Americans.
And there is nothing leftist about his position on the environment…his position is remarkably similar to Reagan’s position on the environment when he, as our Governor, signed CEQA (the CA Environmental Quality Act). There’s nothing liberal about protecting our national treasures and leaving natural resources for our children…that’s supremely conservative. Global warming, or climate change, or whatever you want to call it isn’t the point. The point is that there is no reason to cavalierly waste anything: taxpayer money, time, or natural resources. Waste not, want not…simple. Our children will thank us for every penny we saved for them…and every drop of clean water, every breath of fresh air, and every kilowatt hour of electricity we ensure they can access. Surely, as forward-thinking conservatives, we can see the value in that.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
At this point if McCain wins Florida it should pretty much seal the nomination. No one candidate posesses all the traits or positions to make everybody happy. But that is true on the dem side as well.It is time now to evaluate our chances against the dems and who has the best chance of actually beating them. I think clearly because of stands that infuriate some hard core righties he has the best chance to capture votes from the middle. At least he has taken the risks of sticking to his guns while others in this race have morphed into what their consultants thought the base wanted to hear.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Each election cycle, ~50% of Americans don’t register to vote. Of those that do, only about 1/3 of them call themselves Republicans. That’s ~16.5% of the entire adult population of the US. More importantly, 83.5% of Americans aren’t Republicans!!! Of course, they aren’t Democrats either.
In this cycle, expect 62% to vote. The reason is that the voting populace is getting younger, and more enraged at the inability of either party to solve national problems. We could lay blame on either party or the President and be absolutely correct–it’s ALL of their responsibility to safeguard our future as a nation, and to spend our tax dollars wisely. Certainly, noone in Washington is doing that very well.
Please be advised that the dirtier the primary, the more fodder you give Democrats to pummel the eventual nominee. The more character assassinations and labeling you do of our eventual nominee carries a great price.
Also remember that of the entire margin over ~50% that vote this year, ZERO% will be Republicans nor Democrats. They’ll be non-partisan, unaffiliated, or declined to state any intentions.
Radical views won’t win this election. It didn’t work in 2006 when God, Guns & Gays were the focus of the national party. Why would we expect it to win this year with partisan bickering, disrespectful labeling of our own nominee?
All I’m alluding to is that personal assassination of the current front runner doesn’t make anyone of any stripe look credible. It completely nullifies your resume, and makes you appear negative to those that may eventually use your remarks to typify this party.
If I were looking at this site as someone that was nonpartisan, declined to state, or otherwise unaffiliated, I certainly wouldn’t take too kindly of the tactics used in this post. Jill Buck, Jordan and Forsten seem to be the voice of reason here. Is anyone listening to them or just waiting for their turn to speak?
The pen is mightier than the sword, but keyboard warriors are mightier than the pen because their arguments are suspended in cyberspace for indiscriminant viewers to evaluate. Please reconsider the tone of this blog in future posts.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Banish (if that is your real name) –
What tactics?
The McCain campaign and its surrogates have made character an issue. I sought to stick with matters of public policy, but I’ll engage on character when prompted.
The McCain supporters have me recalling an old adage. Perhaps you’ve heard it? People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
The willful ignorance of Senator McCain’s character flaws is astonishing, but not an unusual practice among many of his supporters. The Senator had an extramarital affair (at least one that we know of, not because of me but because of his children from his first marriage and his associates at the time). I didn’t have an extramarital affair, Senator McCain did. I only cited what had already been public knowledge for at least eight years. Senator McCain and his campaign like to talk about character. An extramarital affair, in my opinion, speaks to one’s character. You’re welcome to disagree.
I find it funny that when topical rebuttals were lacking, personal attacks were launched against me (most via email), and that’s called “the voice of reason.” It’s virtually Orwellian how our modern American political vernacular has been assaulted in this presidential election. Liberalism is conservatism, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength…
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
To echo what a number of others have said, character should be a part of this debate, no question about it. But, since every candidate in this race is human, it’s also important to look at how a candidate reacts to certain things in their life and how they handle adversity. When President Clinton was in office, he took great pains to deflect personal responsibility and blame anyone and everyone–except himself. Part of the reason I support Senator McCain is because of that ability. His resilience, coupled with his ease at admitting when a mistake has been made and learning from those mistakes is quite, for lack of a better word, presidential.
But, I certainly would hope that this primary would not become a single issue primary. Where some conservatives differ from John McCain, there are similar disagreements on the part of Mitt Romney’s prior views on abortion and Mike Huckabee’s treatment of dangerous felons. No candidate is perfect, as Jon points out. However, when faced with a looming Democratic year and a candidate who has been a consistent conservative on many bread nad butter issues, John McCain is the candidate who can deliver in November.
As was evident from the Democratic debate, the candidates are already jockeying for who can compete with Senator McCain’s national security experience and message of cutting pork barrel spending that has led to staggering budget deficits.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hey Nicholas
When you badger a candidate & his followers, how do you expect to enlist their support in November when your candidate, whoever’s bandwagon you jump on, is the eventual nominee? I don’t know where to expect you to turn up after college, but to save you the torment, I’ll loan you a copy of ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’ so that you can make whatever dream you have come true.
My post alluded to the tone of all the comments here, not just yours. It’s alarms me that whenever someone disagrees with a point of view that either a public assassination or a personal attack ensues. When you run for office, do you think I’ll be willing to dish out a check for $5000 to support you?
Fortunately for this party, that won’t happen as this demeanor of yours is becoming only of a circus carnie. In your above post you mention that you are an adult.
Would you do us a favor and act like one? That, or would you leave the room while the adults talk? Either way, I appreciate your energy. Your keyboard warrior tactics are more in tune with the kids on college forums discussing which team is going to win the game next week and not that of party professionals.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Michaelini –
I think you dishonor your military service if you cheaply exploit it as an irrelevant, debate-ending trump card. And I think there are many current and former servicemembers who would agree with me.
Tell me, do you harbor resentment for every civilian with whom you have a political disagreement?
Mr. Banish –
Thank you for brandishing your prejudice against my age and continuing to carry out personal attacks against me, someone who sought to stick to issues of public policy (which McCain cannot win on in the Republican Party) and who hasn’t chosen to run for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2008. For the record, I go to night school after a full day’s work.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Michaelini –
I will reluctantly accept that I am constitutionally prohibited from running for President. We need to get that fixed. (I’m kidding, of course.)
McCain would be a formidable opponent for Senator Clinton in the general election, but I take issue with the idea that he’s the best hope for the Republican Party. Put another way, Captain and Senator McCain may be the best person to keep Hillary Clinton from becoming President of the United States (though I think the Democrats would be wise to nominate Obama), but I fear he would tear at the fabric of the Republican Party while doing so.
Finally, on an unrelated note, thank you for your service and your praise.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
33/34 Postings !!!!
Is this a record Jon?
When Jill made here endorsement of John McCain last October he was on the verge of being counted out. What a difference 3 months makes. He is now the apparent front runner. Jill’s posting drew alot of flack then.
Now the tables have turned. I often hear the tired cleched argument from republican opperatives. “If we stick to our values people will come arround.” Well in this case it is never more true.
My hats off to John McCain for sticking to his values during his time as a senator dispite enormous pressure from his own party to tow the line.
My hats off as well to Jill for sticking to her principles and endorsing John McCain, which I’m sure was not a popular amongst the Romney backers in this state.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Jon, please kill this thing off already. The pointless back and forth between people whose opinions won’t change, condesceding attitudes of some, and nauseating formality (excuse me, I meant MR. Fleischman) is giving me a headache.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
I thought the Ron Paul people like debates. You guys complain about being excluded from them after all. Formaility is a gesture of respect which we give to those who we disagree with. It keeps things professional and not personal. If you find this nauseating. You need not comment, but merely ignore this thread.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Nicholas
Who’s personally attacking you? When you drive thru a neighborhood in a schoolbus, people slow down and wait til you pass. When you drive thru in a tank, you draw fire. Which are you doing here?
Noone has insulted or attacked you, merely, pointed out that our words come with consequences. It takes courage to take a stand like Jill did, and it takes personal resolve to stick to your guns when you are in the minority. It takes no bravado to condemn someone else that isn’t here (McCain) for his character when your’s isn’t either in question nor at issue.
If you desire to be taken seriously, act appropriately. I’ve seen kids 9 yrs old express themselved more dipolmatically yet complain less when they are called upon their actions. Surely you are capable of swallowing your pride and admitting that maybe you were off base with your criticism? If not, you were off base in the manner in which you speak, right?
I agree that this post is going nowhere, and if the likes of this discussion continue on this site, so does it’s relevance(go nowhere).
I took personal offense to watching the party take it in the shorts in 2006 because of ‘loud’ speakers such as this ran the party into the ground. People are let by inspiration, not be condemnation. We’re not running for a dictatorship, we’re running for government. We don’t tell people how they are allowed to live their lives, we enlighten them on how we all can do better.
If we can’t keep it civil, why bother? We all look like the laughing stock in the process.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Banish (if that is your real name) –
You’ve already employed multiple aliases over the short time you’ve been commenting here. I’ve used my own name every time I’ve written, over the course of more than two years. Do you really think I’m going to take advise on resolve from you?
I appreciate what you’re trying to do, distract everyone from taking a full measure of Senator McCain’s character and focus on me, but it’s not going to work. Senator McCain is the focus of the discussion. I wanted to make it about Senator McCain’s public policy ideas, but when some of his supporters understandably saw that as a losing proposition they pulled out the character card. Too bad it’s not an ace.
Furthermore, I think you need to call your optometrist, because if I’m not mistaken I’ve been outnumbered in the comments section of this post by EIGHT to ONE (you, Buck, Finchum, Forston, Hightower, Jordan, Michaelini, and Yin). That’s excluding the many belligerent and baselessly venomous emails I’ve received since this whole discussion began. Some minority you’re a part of there.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Stand your ground, Nicholas.
I for one am enjoying the lively discussion.
I think a very valid case can be made for opposing McCain simply based on age issues. The guy is old…I mean, tapioca pudding old.
A party invests significant resources in electing a person president and I don’t believe it is an efficient use of those resources to elect someone who realistically might not be able to serve two terms.
Nevermind his abysmal position/stance on various issues, chiefly illegal immigration.
Lately, a vote for McCain seems to be a vote for Ted Kennedy. I’ll pass.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Mr. Turner –
Thank you for your support.
This whole discussion has been a perfect example of errors in messaging and message management.
In all honesty, I never meant for my citation of McCain’s infidelity to be such a big issue. I thought it was pretty well known and would have been brushed off. I thought the McCain supporters here would change the subject, at which point I would have tried to provide a response to the new issue. I didn’t think the discussion would linger as it did, because I really do believe that the debate should be over what each candidate brings to the public policy arena. But the McCain supporters just kept going with it. McCain’s past infidelity and character issues kept getting recycled. Oh well.