The Phoenix: John McCain

[WRL]

John McCain 2008
http://images.politico.com/global/mccain%20on%20time%20cover.jpg

John McCain is the electable Republican, and the only thing standing between a Democrat/socialists dominated government. As Joe Lieberman stressed endorsing John McCain for President, his Senate colleague would always elevate his country above his party. Something we desperately need when Congress can only agree enough to take on steroids in Baseball during this time of so many crisis.

McCain has also pledged to "stop out-of-control federal spending." He repeatedly cites the example of a $233 million 'bridge to nowhere' that taxpayers funded for a bridge to an Alaskan island of only 50 residents.

"It will never happen again when I'm president" said McCain.

The McCain message -- both tough and independent -- appeals cross party lines, like to Andy Everman, 46, a Democrat who said he will vote for McCain.

McCain is the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken supporter of the surge in Iraq, reminded the throngs in East Lansing and Howell that he first promoted a surge strategy to send thousands of additional troops to Iraq that President Bush adopted. McCain said the strategy is working.

"We will never surrender when I'm president of the United States; they will" said McCain, 71, a former naval aviator who spent five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

"If I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I will, and I will get Osama bin Laden."

In a strange way, the elements of the primary campaign have conspired to give McCain a second shot at the nomination... He has admitted error on two key positions that generated considerable ire among Republicans: tax cuts and immigration. His position on cuts now unreservedly recognizes the economic boost that Bush's reductions created, and says he will defend them as President. Only that they need to be accompanied by spending cuts. And on immigration he will focus on the borders first, but not finish the job without something comprehensive...

McCain has been magnificent on the war and on spending. He has bucked his own party on what turned out to be a poor strategy in post-war Iraq and fought hard for the White House when they finally took his advice. For porkbusting, one could not find a better candidate, one who has already fought in the trenches as a member of the Commerce Committee against the thinly-veiled bribery system that has gripped Congress.

McCain has cross party appeal, a must to win the election...

Karysa Trombley, an 18-year-old Jackson resident whose husband is at submarine training classes with the Navy, said McCain's "military experience (would) make him an excellent" president.

"He understands what it's about and he's committed to the military, which is important to me," she said.

Those qualities have rightly kept him in contention -- but will they be enough for him to prevail?

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editor...l?id=110011007
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thisweek/2007/12/daily-roundt-10.html
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/POLITICS/801140347

McCain Endorsements...

First, the New Hampshire Union Leader called him "the man to lead America." Next, the Des Moines Register and Boston Globe gave him their support. Then, former Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman joined Team McCain. Emphasizing his cross party positives, as a canidate who has the connections, the record of being able to tackle partisanship, and get bipartisan legislation passed in Congress. John McCain is also the pick of S. Carolina's largest paper. A few national figures to endorse McCain include, George H. W. Bush, Jack Kemp, Stormin Norman Schwarzkopf...

John McCain is the electable Republican, the only thing standing between a Government completely run amok with a socialist rubber stamp. Only John McCain can offer a moderate 'balance' to Government.


Election 2008: McCain vs. Clinton and Obama

John McCain continues to hold a very modest lead against both potential Democratic challengers. In a general election match-up, McCain now leads Barack Obama 46% to 44% and Hillary Clinton 48% to 44%.[b]

What do Republicans think?

Republican Presidential Nomination

RealClearPolitics Poll Averages: National GOP

McCain 54
Huckabee 27

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/01/13/us/14poll_600.jpg

[PatrickHenry]

The 800 pound gorilla is Defense spending for Imperial America hegemony and aggressive war.

If McCain supports that he's got an opponent in me.

Slash the defense budget in half and end war spending and America can get back on track.

[WRL]

Soon to be 70% of the budget is 'mandatory spending' things like Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, etc. etc. only around 20% is going toward the Military. Social Security is in a funding crisis, with current projections unsustainable, as are many other programs. We need to address the fundamentals of our budget, get back in the black. The 800lb gorilla is the looming entitlement crisis, and Obama only stands to add trillions more on the back of a system already in a funding crisis.

[AnnEsthesia]

So I guess all the BS that was tossed at McCain by Bush and others last time is just swept under the rug and NOW he is a valid and good candidate?

[WRL]

Hey if I could tie what the Democrats independent groups do to the candidates themselves, no Democrat would ever get elected. I personally think McCain would make a great President right now. It's the timing, and the alternative. We stand in the crossroads of history, either we turn the page to chaos, genocide, and handing Al Qaeda or Iran, Iraq, or we can preserver, have courage, and trust in the new strategy that is showing results!

Attacks in Baghdad fall 80 percent

Attacks by insurgents and rival sectarian militias have fallen up to 80 percent in Baghdad and concrete blast walls that divide the capital could soon be removed
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1880448320080216

Obama wants to walk away now, when we are seeing success, to what?

Obama said if elected in November 2008 he would be willing to attack inside Pakistan with or without approval from the Pakistani government...
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0132206420070801

[Elrathin]

Obama said if elected in November 2008 he would be willing to attack inside Pakistan with or without approval from the Pakistani government...
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0132206420070801


Seeing as how Al-Q is coming across from Pakistan to attack, then crawl back in, I would say Obama has a point.

[WRL]

It's never a good idea to start dropping bombs on our allies, who are peacefully democratizing, based on bribes. It damages the entire WOT

http://www.johnmccain.com/images/newsletter/newsletter_delscoreboard02208.gif

[Elrathin]

It's never a good idea to start dropping bombs on our allies, who are peacefully democratizing, based on bribes. It damages the entire WOT


You mean like Democratizing like this?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/pakistan.youtube/index.html

And are you saying there are no terrorists coming over form the mountainous areas in Pakistan?

[WRL]

It's a process, just like reforming Iraq and Afghanistan is a process. Fact is since 9/11 they've gone from a Military dictatorship, to a Civilian leader elected by congress, who is elected by the people, these are big steps in the right direction, did we somehow magically press a button and solve every last woo, no, like I said it's a process, heck it took the US 13 years of going through the articles of Confederation, things like Shay's rebellion, to get to our Constitution and elect George Washington. And not every Democratic model will mirror ours, but like in Europe and Asia, our Marshell for the ME, and the push for moderation, can have profoundly positive impacts.

[WRL]

Also we havn't been bombing inside Pakistan without informing them. Don't let geo-politics fool you.

[tecoyah]

OK...so let me get this straight. McCain seems more qualified to wage war than Obama...so he will make a better President?

Does this mean we get to keep ignoring the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs, and the generals in the field if they disagree with the choices and planning of McCain? I am left to wonder if certain individuals here have a clear view of the results of this type of warfare. In my opinion there is a reason we have a military leadership in place, and the president should use the people we already have in place to plan much of what we do.

I agree Obama is not a military mind, but I dont think he needs to be...he just needs to be smart enough to listen, and work with the best we have to formulate international policy.

[preservanation]

All of a sudden Obama's touting how tough he'll be.
I thought that's what he's been complaining about and what got us into trouble to begin with.

Principles have left the building and it's all about saying whatever to whatever group in order to con them out of their vote.
Typical politician and a not very adept one at that.

[tecoyah]

I agree...It seems its now a matter of just how low principles have fallen. Case in Point:

Just twelve years ago, when McCain was politically recuperating from his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, he introduced legislation that would, if implemented today, cripple his presidential campaign.

In March 1996 and again the following year, McCain offered a bill that, in his own words, "would ban a candidate or a candidate's authorized committee from paying registered lobbyists."

In order to root out the moneyed influences, McCain continued, Congress had to unequivocally cut off the flow of campaign cash.

"Registered lobbyists who work for campaigns as fundraisers clearly represent a conflict of interest," he added. "When a campaign employs an individual who also lobbies that Member, the perception of undue and unfair influence is raised."

The legislation never passed.

Fast-forward a dozen years and the political dynamics have clearly changed. Now the GOP standard bearer, McCain has 115 lobbyists either working or raising money on his behalf. Many of these individuals have taken a leave of absence from these positions in order to help with the campaign. But others have held, simultaneously, fundraising and lobbyists positions.

In addition, the Senator has 70 registered lobbyists who have bundled money on his behalf - raising at least $100,000. On top of this, the Center for Responsive Politics reports that the Arizona Republican has received more than $610,000 in direct donations - not bundled cash - from lobbyists.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/20/mccains-97-lobbyist-bill_n_102662.html


They all have Mud on the face...Some of it just stinks more.

sorry, I am earth plastering a straw bale house today....gots me mud on the mind.

[preservanation]

I can't defend John McCain.

I have some strong feeling about him and the manner in which he secured the nomination...none good.

Thanks for starting this thread.
It'll give me an opportunity to air some of them...again.
Later.

[WRL]

OK...so let me get this straight. McCain seems more qualified to wage war than Obama...so he will make a better President?

Does this mean we get to keep ignoring the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs, and the generals in the field if they disagree with the choices and planning of McCain? I am left to wonder if certain individuals here have a clear view of the results of this type of warfare. In my opinion there is a reason we have a military leadership in place, and the president should use the people we already have in place to plan much of what we do.

I agree Obama is not a military mind, but I dont think he needs to be...he just needs to be smart enough to listen, and work with the best we have to formulate international policy.

No there are instances where McCain saw it was foolish to deploy forces, he has the wisdom to make national security decisions correctly, with Obama, I really don't know what he'll do, be so anti-war it'll be detrimental to our security, or if in some foolish move to prove he's tough, will he, as he has stated, start bombing nations without consent. McCain has good judgment, but I in no way believe he'll take the decisions out of the commanders hands, lets not have any misunderstanding.

[Wndrtch]

The 800 pound gorilla is Defense spending for Imperial America hegemony and aggressive war.

If McCain supports that he's got an opponent in me.

Slash the defense budget in half and end war spending and America can get back on track.

Ok, Jimmy.

The only thing you're missing, is the promiss from the Soviets to do the same, and a hostage crisis.

[Wndrtch]

I can't defend John McCain.

I have some strong feeling about him and the manner in which he secured the nomination...none good.

Thanks for starting this thread.
It'll give me an opportunity to air some of them...again.
Later.

Common preserva, don't get down on McCain. I know he ain't a staunch Conservative, but is that all that matters to you? Screw our soldiers that deserve a CiC that will bring them home with honor? Screw the GWoT, let the Dems dance with the terrorists and trust THEM to keep us safe (shiver)? Are you crazy! The Left is nothing but a bunch of pacafist goats, waiting to be picked off. Do you trust THEM to fix healthcare-payment system or solve the energy problems (Yeah, RIGHT!)?

If Conserva-snobs stay home and not vote because McCain doesn't fit everyone of your checkpionts, then the Conservative movement will be dead and buried for a long time.

When it gets tough, you don't take your ball and go home. You take whatever ground you can get and hold it. Then think about your next moves to take back more ground. That's how you win the game, slow and steady, inch by inch progress.

[preservanation]

Common preserva, don't get down on McCain. I know he ain't a staunch Conservative, but is that all that matters to you? Screw our soldiers that deserve a CiC that will bring them home with honor? Screw the GWoT, let the Dems dance with the terrorists and trust THEM to keep us safe (shiver)? Are you crazy! The Left is nothing but a bunch of pacafist goats, waiting to be picked off. Do you trust THEM to fix healthcare-payment system or solve the energy problems (Yeah, RIGHT!)?

If Conserva-snobs stay home and not vote because McCain doesn't fit everyone of your checkpionts, then the Conservative movement will be dead and buried for a long time.

When it gets tough, you don't take your ball and go home. You take whatever ground you can get and hold it. Then think about your next moves to take back more ground. That's how you win the game, slow and steady, inch by inch progress.
Fuckis-A.
You got it all right.
I'm strewing in my own ball-juice on this one.

Dem majority...override on judges..
We are fucked.

:sadly:

[PatrickHenry]

Cheny/Bush have boxed in the public in recent years. Nearly everyone despises them.

But the GOP is evidently a great supporter of C/B so what will the alternative be?

That's right, a Democrat.

The pendulum swings wildly.

[preservanation]

The only pendulum swinging is the dinglberries on the Dem's ass that McCain has been tongue-boxing.

[PatrickHenry]

The only pendulum swinging is the dinglberries on the Dem's ass that McCain has been tongue-boxing.

Spoken like a true sophisticate...

[tecoyah]

The only pendulum swinging is the dinglberries on the Dem's ass that McCain has been tongue-boxing.

If you are saying the Bush administration has not created a swing away from what they stand for....I can only hope you are either joking, confused, or staring at the rock walls of a cave in Nebraska.

If however, you actually understand and are current on the state of the body political and seriously doubt the shift so obvious in this country...I cannot respect your opinion.

[preservanation]

If you are saying the Bush administration has not created a swing away from what they stand for....I can only hope you are either joking, confused, or staring at the rock walls of a cave in Nebraska.

If however, you actually understand and are current on the state of the body political and seriously doubt the shift so obvious in this country...I cannot respect your opinion.
Bush?
I thought we were discussing McCain.
Sorry, wrong thread.

[preservanation]

Spoken like a true sophisticate...I thought a sophisticate like you, pH, would appreciate that one!

EDIT:...I got to read that again
The only pendulum swinging are the dinglberries on the Dem's ass that McCain has been tongue-boxing.
Ho Boy....that's good!

[WRL]

Fuckis-A.
You got it all right.
I'm strewing in my own ball-juice on this one.

Dem majority...override on judges..
We are fucked.

:sadly:


Come on now, McCain does have a lifetime rating of 83% from the American Conservative Union.