McCain isn't perfect, but he's the best candidate

[AlonzoMourning23]

I met John McCain for the first time on Wednesday at a luncheon here in the Lehigh Valley. To test his sense of humor, I wore a black baseball cap from West Point with gold letters: U.S.M.A. 1958. As I shook his hand, I said, ''John, we were the same class, but you went to the wrong academy!'' He laughed and said, ''Nice cap!'' We were that same 1958 class, he at Annapolis, and I at West Point. And, we are the same age, but all similarities end there.

McCain is eminently qualified to be president for a host of reasons. First and foremost, he is a man of great and good character. He is honest to a fault. He is a man of his word.

McCain demonstrated great physical and moral courage as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese for more than five years. He never broke faith with his comrades, and he never lost faith in America. Few men have ever been so cruelly tested, and few have remained true to the end of such an ordeal.

He is exceptionally well-qualified because his entire life has been spent in service to his country. He served as a pilot in the Navy; he served as a P.O.W.; he continued to serve in the Navy after the war; he served two terms in the U. S. House of Representatives, and for the past 22 years, he has served as a leader in the U. S. Senate. He has a trove of experience, and experience counts.

I say, judge a man not by his promises, but by his history. His history predicts his future performance, and McCain's career predicts a top performance, especially in the three major powers of the president spelled out in the Constitution -- commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the power to make treaties, and the power to appoint all officers and judges of the United States.

We are at war with militant extremist Islamists who seek to destroy the West. We must have a leader who understands the nature of war, the nature of the enemy and the immutable principles of war. That leader is John McCain.

McCain is well-prepared to deal with other nations. They respect strength and they respect him. He is not afraid to criticize powerful anti-democratic countries, and has done so. McCain has earned their grudging respect.

He has shown the highest regard for the Constitution and promises to appoint strict constructionist judges. (I was very disappointed with his campaign finance law, known as McCain-Feingold, by the way. The Supreme Court upheld it, unbelievably, but hopefully it will take another look. It is an abridgement of free speech, no doubt.)

McCain could win votes by being pro-choice, but he is unapologetically ''pro-life,'' and promotes adoption. He and his wife adopted a girl from Bangladesh, in fact, so he walks the walk. His opponents are pro-choice.

He is for smaller government, less spending, and lower taxes. He has been an outspoken leader against government waste, pork, and earmarks. McCain has not used taxpayer money for earmarks; his opponents have gotten hundreds of earmarks worth many millions of dollars. He is for lower taxes. His opponents are for higher taxes.

McCain has detailed a good plan for free market health-care reform. He proposes changes that will put choice in the hands of patients, and allow people tax credits to buy their own insurance. He wants less government involvement in health care. He proposes to stop outrageous malpractice lawsuits and non-economic damages. But, his opponents oppose tort reform. His opponents are for national health insurance managed by the government. McCain is for high-quality education through school choice, and funding that follows the student. His opponents oppose choice and vouchers that go with the students.

John McCain is not perfect, but who is? For example, I believe that he will continue to push for amnesty for illegal immigrants, but at least he promises to secure the border first. Another disappointment for me is that he believes in man-made global warming, and thinks we should work to stop it. I disagree. I believe that if there is global warming, it is natural, and we should adapt to our ever-changing climate.

Other than his views on illegal immigration and climate change, I am 100 percent for John McCain for president.

http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/all-column.6388799may03,0,6937663.column

[MCTHOUSAND]

http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/all-column.6388799may03,0,6937663.column

You are a man after my own heart, at least in regard to this post. I salute you!

[lieexposer]

McCain was undoubtedly chosen by the people because he was seen to be the furthest from the Bush presidency. Now I'm wondering if he is going to have to maintain that stance to remain popular. And if he does then is he going to alienate the hardline Republicans who clearly don't support most of what McCain really stood for.

McCain's largest vulnerable will be in the Democrats using his flipflopping on so many issues. McCain is not pretending to be a mainstream Republican and the people have made it clear that they don't want another Bush. I think McCain's best chance is in the further destroying of Obama.

Another interesting question would be, will McCain if elected fall back on his own true agenda of being much different from Bush or would he need to tow the Republican line? The people clearly don't want the Republican hardline and most likely recognize the possiblity of the country being irreparably damaged further if that should happen. As is true with the supreme court, the country is balancing on the edge of disaster in so many ways.

[Trish]

I don't like McCain's record on immigration and I worry about his age. However, considering the events of last night's Democratic primary, I may have to revisit the possibility of voting for McCain in November.

[Greyhound]

I wasn't a McCain supporter in the primary process. The one thing he is, is he is the anti-Bush outside of being a Democrat.

The hardline Republican/conservative base will vote for him in November. They aren't going to vote for Obama or Hillary and they're not going to do what many conservatives did in the early 90s and throw their vote away, ala Perot.

[lieexposer]

I wasn't a McCain supporter in the primary process. The one thing he is, is he is the anti-Bush outside of being a Democrat.

The hardline Republican/conservative base will vote for him in November. They aren't going to vote for Obama or Hillary and they're not going to do what many conservatives did in the early 90s and throw their vote away, ala Perot.

It would be nice to hear more than just wishful thinking based on nothing.

[NortheastCynic]

I wasn't a McCain supporter in the primary process. The one thing he is, is he is the anti-Bush outside of being a Democrat.

The hardline Republican/conservative base will vote for him in November. They aren't going to vote for Obama or Hillary and they're not going to do what many conservatives did in the early 90s and throw their vote away, ala Perot.No, what they'll do is they'll stay home. Turnout is key among evangelicals, and they're high maintenance. As a candidate, you have to turn them out, or they'll stay home.

A lot can happen to destroy Obama between now and November. But my early May prediction is that he will be our next President.

-NC

[lieexposer]

No, what they'll do is they'll stay home. Turnout is key among evangelicals, and they're high maintenance. As a candidate, you have to turn them out, or they'll stay home.

A lot can happen to destroy Obama between now and November. But my early May prediction is that he will be our next President.

-NC

I'll bet you he won't be but I won't say McCain will be. Two things. McCain may not make it to the election due to health reasons or even feigned health reasons. Obama may not make it to the election due to political damage or assassination. Gore is as good a possibility but he's not part of my bet.

[Tsky]

I'll bet you he won't be but I won't say McCain will be. Two things. McCain may not make it to the election due to health reasons or even feigned health reasons. Obama may not make it to the election due to political damage or assassination. Gore is as good a possibility but he's not part of my bet.


Gore? It's either McCain or Obama.

Republicans turned out to vote for both Barack Obama (legitimately) and Hillary Clinton (illegitimately) so they have no problem voting for a Dem. How many votes from Dems will Mccain get? I'd say about 17,000...maybe. Without the support of crossover Dems, i.e., the 'bitter voters' McCain doesn't stand a chance. And since Obama has already highlighted this tactic used by the GOP, it's unlikely those voters will be fooled a 3rd time.

Barack Obama is the next President of the United States.

[PostmodernProphet]

Another interesting question would be, will McCain if elected fall back on his own true agenda of being much different from Bush or would he need to tow the Republican line?toeing the Republican line would BE different than Bush....

As a candidate, you have to turn them out, or they'll stay home.

say what?.....what group is more apt to vote in every election than the evangelicals?......

[lieexposer]

Gore? It's either McCain or Obama.

Republicans turned out to vote for both Barack Obama (legitimately) and Hillary Clinton (illegitimately) so they have no problem voting for a Dem. How many votes from Dems will Mccain get? I'd say about 17,000...maybe. Without the support of crossover Dems, i.e., the 'bitter voters' McCain doesn't stand a chance. And since Obama has already highlighted this tactic used by the GOP, it's unlikely those voters will be fooled a 3rd time.

Barack Obama is the next President of the United States.

What do you mean it's either McCain or Obama. You finish by saying it's Obama. I'm just saying that it could be another repub because McCain may fall ill with his Cancer or he may be asked to feign illness if it appears that he can't possibly win. With Obama, there is a chance some white supremacist will shoot him or he will be so damaged by the Fox news smear campaign that he can't win.

My preference would be to see a dem in the WH but I'm not American and I also see some value in the US getting another Bush2 clone which will take the country down so far that it will have to start thinking of real reform. Not libertarian but moving left because that's obviously the only answer to the problems.

It's pretty clear from this side of the border and I don't think the US is really ready for Obama and the change he is going to offer. Mainly because he's a black man and because he's leftist, I'm betting he won't be your next pres.

[Truth_and_Power]

I take this as "if hillary loses, mccain is your only choice for guaranteed war". Frankly the only major differences between these candidates is that obama MIGHT be anti-war and mccain might be opposed to healthcare reform/socialism. Other than that you're left lighting candles at the Paul/Kucinich altars if you want real change.

[spirobulldog08]

No, what they'll do is they'll stay home. Turnout is key among evangelicals, and they're high maintenance. As a candidate, you have to turn them out, or they'll stay home.

A lot can happen to destroy Obama between now and November. But my early May prediction is that he will be our next President.

-NC

I don't know the numbers for that statement but I am "evangelical" according to what the word means, but I will be voting for McCain. This country don't need another Clinton and it sure as heck don't need Obama right now. McCain is far from satisfying but I will vote for him happily :)

[lieexposer]

I don't know the numbers for that statement but I am "evangelical" according to what the word means, but I will be voting for McCain. This country don't need another Clinton and it sure as heck don't need Obama right now. McCain is far from satisfying but I will vote for him happily :)

For some people the new McCain which is revised to suit the party is the same as the old McCain who had a lot of opinions which flew in the face of the party. For some it probably doesn't make any difference what he will do. Actually he will most likely do what he is told by the party and that will ensure that he will follow Bush policies. Obviously there are some who think that would be good.

[spirobulldog08]

For some people the new McCain which is revised to suit the party is the same as the old McCain who had a lot of opinions which flew in the face of the party. For some it probably doesn't make any difference what he will do. Actually he will most likely do what he is told by the party and that will ensure that he will follow Bush policies. Obviously there are some who think that would be good.


In some ways that might be good, on issues such as education (NCLB), the Iraq War and a revised Patriot Act I think he would do well to follow Bush mostly. On others, not so much. I hope he provides a source of relief from gas prices the Bush administration hasn't done yet. I think he's John McCain, not George Bush. Every President is going to follow their own beliefs and by definition they will all bring their own policies to the White House. I look forward to his Presidency and hope for new and better things.

[lieexposer]

In some ways that might be good, on issues such as education (NCLB), the Iraq War and a revised Patriot Act I think he would do well to follow Bush mostly. On others, not so much. I hope he provides a source of relief from gas prices the Bush administration hasn't done yet. I think he's John McCain, not George Bush. Every President is going to follow their own beliefs and by definition they will all bring their own policies to the White House. I look forward to his Presidency and hope for new and better things.

I would think that you would be very confused as to what McCain really believes by now. He has changed his mind on nearly everything he was chosen for which were the reasons the other candidates were rejected. I think it's pretty clear that he was seen as being the furthest away from Bush policies and that made him popular. Now he is needing to tell a bunch of lies in order to get the support of the party. Today's Huffington post has a good piece on how he has been caught saying he didn't vote for Bush and a video of him on O'reilly saying that he definitely did vote for Bush. It's well worth watching because as he is asked the quesiton by O'Reilly he is seen laughing hysterically about Ariana Huffington's claim on what he said which appears to be backed by a lot of people. I think McCain is going to get himself in a lot of trouble when the main story becomes between him and the Dem candidate as opposed to between the two Dems.

Actually I found his performance in the video rather sad.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/09/mccain-lies-to-oreilly-sa_n_100978.html

What do others make of the performance?

[spirobulldog08]

well it would be nice if i had something besides dial-up i would take a look at it. i just know one thing for sure. McCain, as this post's name suggests, isn't perfect, but he is easily the best of the choices available. I am not against women nor blacks, but neither of these two are ideal in this case. Whether McCain sticks with Bush or not, he would be much better than Clinton or Obama.

[lieexposer]

well it would be nice if i had something besides dial-up i would take a look at it. i just know one thing for sure. McCain, as this post's name suggests, isn't perfect, but he is easily the best of the choices available. I am not against women nor blacks, but neither of these two are ideal in this case. Whether McCain sticks with Bush or not, he would be much better than Clinton or Obama.

I'm not sure you understand that McCain was selected because he was the furthest thing from Bush. Now the party is puling McCain to the right and he's going to lose the support of the undecideds and the others who are not the right in the Repub party but were the people who could make McCain successful. McCain needs to find a way to keep those people while also keeping the base happy. This is why he's getting himself caught in all the contradictions now. He's on record as saying that he didn't vote for Bush in 2000 but he's now seen on a video with O'Reilly saying that he did vote for Bush. He's trying to say that he never did say that he 'didn't' vote for Bush. And that's only one example.

If they want to play that kind of political diversionary game with Obama then they are going to get it back for McCain and it's not going to be pretty. If anyone wants to see the McCain video with O'Reilly it's here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/truth-alert-mccains-freud_b_101021.html

Watch McCain become almost hysterical starting at around the 22 second mark in the video. Listen to the effort to feign uncontrollable laughing. This guy is not going to be able to handle the pressure which is coming if he has trouble handling O'Reilly who babysits him through this interview. That's why I don't think he will make it to the election as the Repub candidate.

[preservanation]

Now the party is puling McCain to the right and he's going to lose the support of the undecideds and the others who are not the right in the Repub party but were the people who could make McCain successful. McCain needs to find a way to keep those people while also keeping the base happy. You have a good point and I appreciate the honest political analysis, lieexposer.

This is precisely why Hillary would be much harder for McCain to beat.
There share a very key sub-set of the electorate.

[lieexposer]

You have a good point and I appreciate the honest political analysis, lieexposer.

This is precisely why Hillary would be much harder for McCain to beat.
There share a very key sub-set of the electorate.

I don't see how Hillary would be any more effective in grabbing the undecideds than Obama. And even though it's not important anymore because Hillary is going nowhere, I would like to hear what makes you think so.

At the moment I see a huge win for Obama in your general election but only if he can withstand the efforts to damage him beyond repair. I'm not sure if this can be done by Fox News and others but I suspect that it can be. I also see a good possibility of a political assassination which wouldn't be too difficult if the powers that be choose not to protect him adequately. Was that not the case with Kennedy or don't a lot of people think that was the case? Hate for blacks still runs very deep in some areas of the US.

From my perspective I don't see McCain as having any cards to play at all and I do see him as very vulnerable to the same sort of bashing as Obama has been. And as I've mentioned before, I can see the possibility of McCain being severely damaged and dropping out with a health problem as an excuse. Considering that it's likely they can totally destroy Obama and if then the Repubs brought in Romney or Huckabee they could prevent the disaster that is brewing for the repub party.

[lieexposer]

An interesting search to try is: "assassinate obama" to see what it brings up.

[PostmodernProphet]

I expect it will "bring up" the Secret Service.....

[lieexposer]

It might for Americans but if the intention is good then it shouldn't. It may even aid the secret service in that it could bring the racists out of their ratholes. We all know they're hiding there but they're being very quiet right now and that could be because they know that the authorities are watching for them. One thing for sure though is the secret service is watching the sites I found in my search.

Some very sick puppies!

Maye you Americans better not go there if you don't want your doors kicked down.

[preservanation]

I don't see how Hillary would be any more effective in grabbing the undecideds than Obama. And even though it's not important anymore because Hillary is going nowhere, I would like to hear what makes you think so.

Any undecided is a moron.
I'm talking about more conservative Dems. (Yes they do still exist)
Reagan Dems, Blue Dogs, JFK Dems...
Whatever the term, you know who I'm talking about.
They mistrust Obama's commitment to our national security.

There are still some Dems, less of them than 20 years ago, yet more than you probably think, that are still conserned about lower taxes and their families safety in a very dangerous world, and might not agree with tax hikes and Obama's policy of running around the globe snuggling up with our enemies, dangerous dictators and the like, who want to attack us and our allies.

[lieexposer]

Any undecided is a moron.
I'm talking about more conservative Dems. (Yes they do still exist)
Reagan Dems, Blue Dogs, JFK Dems...
Whatever the term, you know who I'm talking about.
They mistrust Obama's commitment to our national security.

There are still some Dems, less of them than 20 years ago, yet more than you probably think, that are still conserned about lower taxes and their families safety in a very dangerous world, and might not agree with tax hikes and Obama's policy of running around the globe snuggling up with our enemies, dangerous dictators and the like, who want to attack us and our allies.

I find it rather odd to hear somebody say that a politician who talks to his enemies is snuggling up to them. I've always been of the impression that any dialogure is better than no dialogue. The only time I would fear my politicians talking to our enemies is when I'm not confident of the ability of our politicians to gain from the exchange. If I was an American I would be concerned every time Bush talks to Putin because Putin has the ability to gain from any exchange with Bush. What other possible objection could there be to an American politician talking to any other country's leader?

[PostmodernProphet]

What other possible objection could there be to an American politician talking to any other country's leader?

can you imagine a scenario where you say to someone, "Here is the bottom line, unless you are prepared to reach that point, we have nothing more to say"........

[AlonzoMourning23]

can you imagine a scenario where you say to someone, "Here is the bottom line, unless you are prepared to reach that point, we have nothing more to say"........

Israel has tried that "Give into our demands or there will be no negotiation". Hasn't worked.

[PostmodernProphet]

neither does drawing a line in the sand and running full tilt across it.....

[preservanation]

McCain has a very good chance of winning against Obama in the GE for exactly the reasons Hillary has suggested.
The Dems were in a better position to win the White House than they've been in 50 years...now they're about to blow it.
The irony for me is that McCain is appealing to Moderates, Indies and Dems for the same reason that I disapprove of him.
Do you want a partial list?

McCain/Kennedy (Immigration) Called citizens "Nativists" and tried to push his pro-illegal agenda through with out debate or or public input. Thank God we conservatives caught on in time and stopped it.

McCain/Lieberman (Global Warming) Quote McCain...I will clean up the planet...I will make GW a priority", He voted against drilling in Anwar several times.
Is for capping carbon emissions to 2000 levels...Economic growth, free market capitalism? Nah, throw that out the window as well.

McCain/Feingold (Campaign Finance Reform) Quote McCain..."I would rather have a clean Govt than one where First Amendment rights are being respected"
Free speech? What the ****?

Voting against the Bush tax cuts...twice

Gang of 14...opposing conservative judges.

McCain won't support the repeal of R v W
Supports embryonic stem-cell research

I could go on, but it's not good for my health.

[PostmodernProphet]

Gang of 14...opposing conservative judges.this one continues to puzzle me....the gang of 14 got conservative judges OUT of gridock and into office....why do you look at it differently?.....