Kamikaze Cochran
Yesterday when Ed Driscoll interviewed me for an upcoming Pajamas Media segment on XM Radio (UPDATE: Here’s the interview) I told him that Democrats are surely recording all the Republican anti-McCain harangues so that they can run ads attacking our nominee with our own words in the fall.
It’s already started. Here’s Harry Reid quoting Mississippi Republican Senator Thad Cochran’s comments about McCain:
The thought of him being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper, and he worries me.”
Thanks a lot. For all the yammering you do about how John McCain is the end of Reaganism you sure as heck didn’t follow Reagan’s eleventh commandment.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Regan’s 11th Commandment said to never criticise a fellow Republican. This does not apply to McCain, as he is not a Republican.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Why should Republicans be more loyal to McCain then McCain is to Republicans?
February 6th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
At first I was going to mention that the Democrats and the media would probably be able to dig deep and come up with examples of McCain’s temper even if conservatives never mentioned it, but then I realized you have a point - if it weren’t for Republicans who oppose McCain’s policies, he would never blow up at anyone to begin with.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Neither did he.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
McCain is as negatively inspiring as Reagan was inspiring. McCain acts more like an ass than an elephant.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
TO: Bob Krumm
RE: Let Them….
….especially if they’re accurate reports.
As for me….
….I’ll vote Libertarian rather than for McCain.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[Let all the poisons of the Earth hatch out. — Emperor Claudius, from Claudius the God]
February 6th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
At least Cochran made his comments back when they could actually have an impact in the primary, which is a lot better than the folks who waited until the goose was cooked to speak up.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
P.S. As a retired Army officer who took the same oath upon commissioning that McCain took, I don’t support people who attack the Constitution of the United States of America. Indeed, I consider them oath-breakers and ‘traitors’. Not Republicans.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Good grief, it’s hardly like that is news to anyone????
February 6th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The Eleventh Commandment only applies to Republicans. Besides, if McCain wants to disparage Reaganites, then why should he be protected by Reagan’s rules?
February 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
“Thanks a lot. For all the yammering you do about how John McCain is the end of Reaganism you sure as heck didn’t follow Reagan’s eleventh commandment.”
Don’t be ridiculous. McCain has a (R) next to his name, but if that is all we need to insulate one from criticism from our fellow party members then that “eleventh commandment” would be a really bad idea.
The purpose of the “eleventh commandment” was to remind people that we(Republicans) are on the same team and can’t advance our party or policies by tearing each other down.
McCain has done many things to advance himself at the expense of his party, and the media have aided him in that endeavor. Now that he is no longer useful in advancing their cause, his “maverick” persona will be replaced by the “hotheaded vindictive whacko” meme. Which, honestly, is probably a more accurate one.
I don’t think Thad was violating this “eleventh commandment” simply because McCain will NOT be advancing the Republican party, win or lose. I see it as an honest assessment of his feeling about a McCain presidency. It pretty much sums up my feelings too.
BTW, I am not related or affiliated to Thad Cochran.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Well, Bob, what we told you would happen is happening, but you were too busy holding your hands over your ears singing Kumbuya to hear.
The only Independents McCain enjoyed high marks with were liberals who get their news from the Rolling Stone and the NYT. Well, what the NYT giveth, the NYT can take away. Now that it appears the nomination is secured, they’ll begin exposing him for the vitrolic, self-centered, corrupt jerk that he is, and you can kiss those Independent voters away.
But I guess all of you will need to blame someone for the upcoming landslide, so why not the messenger.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
You people are a good example of why I will never, ever considered myself a Republican. I decided to vote for McCain when I read in the WaPo that Limbaugh, Hannity and Coulter hated him. Get over yourselves.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Someone should have told McCain about that commandment when he first won in 1986. You’d think someone would have, being a “foot soldier in the Reagan revolution”.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Don’t be too hard on Senator Cochran…he was only channeling Donald Rumsfeld.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
McCain cannot win against Obama or Clinton.
His supporters are as likely to break left as right if they show up at all. Against Obama he is old and slow. Against Hillary she will come across as patronizing her grandfather…
He lacks the ability to win. We already had Bob Dole… We don’t need another “Its his turn candidate”
Ed: Well Andy, what’s your better idea? Huckabee? He’ll do even worse. Romney? He can’t even beat McCain. Fred? Same thing. Ron Paul? Bwahahahaha!!!!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
The people pushing the McCain bandwagon have decided that my interests are not welcome in this Party anymore. Yet they cannot win a national election without the social conservatives and those of us who would like a secure border.
So, they decide they don’t want me but it will be MY fault if Hillary wins? Maybe they should have thought this through a little better.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
We’re over ourselves. It’s the abandonment of the constitutional protection of free speech that sortof, you know, gets our goats.
It must be because we’re all ignorant, racist nativists. I’m sure that’s coming next.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
For the first time you republicans want to lose the election more then us democrats. You will get your wish in november.
thanks guys :)
February 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I am sorry but after 8 years of supporting the war and saying that the War in Iraq is the most important part of the agenda and ignoring Bush’s surrenders on immigration and his big spending, the conservative media’s McCain rage doesn’t have much credibility with me. If being pro immigration is that bad, why did they support Bush? If McCain Feingold is so horrible, why did they let Bush off the hook for signing it? Yes Yes I know the war. Well, if the war was so important in 2004, why isn’t it important now? Why are they now willing to sit out and elect Obama or Clinton and watch them surrender when it was so important in 2004? Are conservatives really going to sit out and let a pro surrender candidate win the Whitehouse after claiming for the last five years that Iraq and the war on terror are the most important issues of our time? Do they really care that little about the country? Is the idea to punish the country for having the nerve not to nominate someone who meets your ideological purity test? Given a choice between a center left McCain Presidency that wins in Iraq versus a leftists Clinton or Obama Presidency that loses in Iraq, I will take McCain every time even if the alternative produces right wing paradise in 2012. People every day risk and give their lives for success in Iraq. As a veteran I risked my life in Iraq. Now conservatives want even bother to vote to ensure victory there because doing so might involve voting for someone they don’t like. Yeah, that is real culture of sacrifice for you. Were you guys just lying when you said that Iraq was so important? If conservatives are willing to sit out this election and let Clinton win and make all of the sacrifices in Iraq go for nothing, they can all go to hell as far as I am concerned.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Yellow-dog Democrats are the second lowest form of semi-sentient life on this planet…next to the @#$%s that think Republicans should emulate them. I’m not going to apologize for standing on my convictions and I won’t be criticizing my fellows who do the same. I am however a social and fiscal conservative who will be voting for John McCain this Fall.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Death before dishonor. McCain nearly joined the Democrat Party twice, why would I, a Republican, vote for this would-be turncoat?
I will vote third party.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Conservatism has officially jumped the shark.
When liberalism jumped the shark on 9/12/01, I spent the last 6 years humiliating Leftists fifth-columnists.
Now, conservatism has officially ‘moved away from me’.
I support John McCain. He will be just as much a conservative as Reagan, as Reagan :
1) Gave Amnesty to illegals in 1986.
2) Appointed 2 moderate Justices to the SC (Kennedy and Souter), and only one conservative (Scalia).
3) Raised taxes late in his term. He lowered them first, but raised them in the end.
Thus, I expect Reagan-like results for McCain, and so I support him.
The conservative hysteria over McCain is largely due to a grossly innaccurate understanding of Reagan’s actual record by present-day ‘conservatives’.
Ed: “Jumped the shark” is exactly what I said Rush Limbaugh did when he said that he trusted Obama and Hillary would prosecute the war on terror better than John McCain. That’s just insane.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
“Death before dishonor. McCain nearly joined the Democrat Party twice, why would I, a Republican, vote for this would-be turncoat?
I will vote third party.”
That is great and when Hillary or Obama surrender in Iraq and the resulting millions die and all of the US sacrifices go for nothing. I hope you feel better. Afterall, voting for someone you don’t like is obviously too much of a sacrifice for you to make.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
John, However much you may want to believe that Bill and Hillary are going to surrender Iraq to become a Muslim caliphate and allow a regional civil war to erupt over there that will drive up the price of oil here to 200 a barrel, thus triggering a World Wide depression, it ain’t gonna happen. Repeat, it ain’t gonna happen. They are not going to become the Carter & McGovern combined of the Democratic party, wrecking it for a generation, however much wanting to believe that is supposed to get us all back into line to support McCain.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I have asked the question many times, and it is met with silence :
IF YOU REFUSE TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN, CAN YOU PROMISE NOT TO COMPLAIN DURING 8 YEARS OF HILLARY?
Any takers?
This is met with silence - the same type of silence that leftists exhibit when confronted with facts about why 9/11 was not an Inside job.
This means the recipient of the question is not logical, merely emotional.
Conservatism has jumped the shark.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“They are not going to become the Carter & McGovern combined of the Democratic party, wrecking it for a generation, however much wanting to believe that is supposed to get us all back into line to support McCain.”
Dream on. They are going to walk away from Iraq and blame it all on Bush. You have to understand that they would rather see the US lose and have a political club to use and another Vietnam to relive than do what it takes to win.
I think part of the anger directed at McCain is the result of the realization on the part of the conservative media that they are not nearly as important as they thought they were. Despite years of consistently attacking McCain, Republican voters still like him and prefer him to conservative media choices Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney. Remember, this is a Republican primary that is choosing McCain, not a general election. If the people over at National Review and the Rush Limbaugh show can’t swing a Republican primary, exactly how important are they? The answer is not very. Millions may listen to Rush or log onto the Corner but that doesn’t mean they are going to vote the way Rush and NRO tell them. It is really easy in the age of the Internet to start thinking everyone agrees with you. We all sit around and read the same blogs and comment on the same issues and you start thinking that this is how the whole world thinks. Well, life is not that simple. The same education the Kos crowd got in the 2004 primary with Dean and with the Ned Lamont loss in 06, I think the conservative blogsphere is getting this year. They absolutely don’t like it and they are projecting a lot of that anger onto McCain.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I thought hysteria and emotional outbursts were supposed to be a trait of Democrats, but I guess conservatives are just as bad. Certainly MCCain is no Rush Limbaugh but…
He’s great on restricting spending and eliminating earmarks unlike the “real Conservatives” that we elected. I may be wrong but wasn’t fiscal responsibility a conservative thing at one point, you know, before GWB?
He’s good on foreign policy and military matters, and has never voted for a tax increase. That was the basis for his flipping on the Bush tax cuts, since he figured that eliminating the Bush tax cuts several years after they’d been implemented would be the same as a tax increase.
McCain had his own tax cutting plan in 2000 that differed from Bush’s in that it gave much less to the top 1% of earners, but much more to $100,000 a year families. He also wants to cut the AMT. Here’s an analysis http://www.ctj.org/html/mcca00pr.htm.
Of course, this is not even mentioning the Supreme Court. There is nothing in McCain’s background to suggest he’d appoint the same judges as Obama or Hillary - it’s insane to think the man that voted yes for Roberts and Alito would.
As far as McCain-Feingold and Kennedy, I am willing to listen to his explanations and would like the base to elicit some compromises. But, George Bush signed Feingold into law and would’ve signed MCCain -Kennedy - so why aren’t conservatives pursuing GWB with torches? And, since the Feingold, Kennedy and Lieberman bills were all after 2000, why was the Conservative media so down on McCain before that time, when he had a 82% conservative rating? Please let me know.
I think conservatives have an opportunity to work with a candidate who needs us and can shape him through cajoling and threats into a candidate we can live with. That seems better than sitting out and seeing Bama-Billary win. Or sitting out and letting MCCain squeak by with moderate and independant voters so he owes the conservative base nothing.
But, you all go and have your temper tantrums. It’s really helpful to the country.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Well, I will certainly keep my opinions to myself so as not to mess up your little party. I sent in my new voter registration form yesterday evening changing from Republican to “Decline to State.” So I encourage all you Republicans to swallow your pride and vote for a man who will sell you out at the first opportunity. McCain will not win against Hillary, at least I hope he doesn’t. In four years, both McCain and Hillary will make such a mess of things that people will be looking for a corrective. Explain how the Republicans are going to convince people that they are the ones to fix 4 years of McCain??
The Republican Party has made it clear where they stand. Between the California Reps supporting the Indian Gaming propositions and the National party trying to steal as much pork as they can before they are run out of office, I am tired of watching it. I am not voting in November. I know that I am a bad person and that I should swallow whatever I am fed but I won’t. And if the Republicans put up a McCain-Huckabee ticket, I will vote for Hillary. If we are going to go into the crapper, I would rather let the Dems drive.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
John: McCain’s current position on Iraq is a recently found one, one he discovered when his team started polling the national Republican base about a year and a half ago. Before that, he did everything he could to undercut Bush on Gitmo, prisoner interrogation, and foreign surveillence. McCain was lukewarm at best on the surge before MoveOn.org forced his hand with their attack ads against Petraus.
Further: McCain’s concept of how an army should fight is stuck in Vietnam. He has a purple hatred of all defense suppliers and contractors, and he will happily kill all ongoing weapons programs, jeopardizing our ability to continue the fight 5-10 years from now. He’ll wind up creating a Carter-like army, with millions of solders but nothing to equip them with.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
“The Republican Party has made it clear where they stand. Between the California Reps supporting the Indian Gaming propositions and the National party trying to steal as much pork as they can before they are run out of office”
But McCain has consistently opposed all of that. There are lots of things to disagree with McCain about but pork is not one of them. That statement just shows how crazy people have become. You don’t even understand why you hate McCain, but you just do. He is like some wierd sacrificial goat for the sins of the Republican Party. The same people who think McCain will sell them out, think tax and spend Mitt Romney is a true conservative. Amazing.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
1. I am a conservative
2. I don’t owe you Republicans one damn thing
3. I certainly don’t owe you my vote
4. Want my vote? Put up conservative candidate
5. Didn’t put up a conservative candidate? Then don’t whine when I treat you like the losers you are.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I have NOT been a McCain supporter during this, or any other, election cycle (my super duper Tuesday vote went to Rush’s newfound conservative savior, Romney). However, all this crap I hear being spewed by self-identified conservatives and Republicans is making me wonder if the universe has flipped and somehow the right is now crazier than the Kos Kidz and their ilk on the left.
Two words and a thought: Supreme Court. At worst–AT WORST–a Pres. McCain might appoint a Kennedy who turns out to be a so-called moderate justice. He may even actually appoint someone truly conservative. Put aside your foaming hatred for a moment and consider it. On the other hand it is a stone cold guarantee that a Pres. Clinton or Obama will put more Ginsbergs on the court. Outside of CinC responsibilities this is the big deal for presidential power. And it’s almost as long-lasting as herpes. Put a 50-year old liberal judicial activist on the bench (potentially 3 in the next couple of years!) and you’re stuck with him or her until 2030 or beyond. This is serious stuff and all I hear is a load of petulant whining about sitting it out.
Oh, and don’t forget to congratulate yourselves on permanent (we all know that entitlements never go away) universal government-funded healthcare.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
McCain is the one guy who hung in there about Iraq despite criticism. Now conservatives are going to stab him in back because he was mean to them or he talked to a Democrat. You people don’t give a crap about this country. You just want to prove a point. The whole thing is pathetic. Be sure to call yourselves conservatives because you sure as hell are not patriots. Lets lose a war and then everyone will agree with us and see how right we were. Yeah that is a great idea. Maybe we can have another big terrorist attack under Hillary. That really show this country how wrong they are.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
conservatism has not jumped any sharks… it just lacks a good, solid leader. without a leader, there is no vision… without a vision, the people perish… (where have i read that before?)
reagan was, above all, a strong leader. in the early 90’s, newt was a strong leader. our best hope for a conservative president was fred, but he, unfortunately, was _not_ a strong leader (though i think he would have made a fine chief executive…)
mccain, for all his nose thumbing to conservatives, won’t be all that different than bush…
that’s not _great_ news, but it’s not yet time to practice our auto-defenestration.
and complaining about mccain turning on his party and then threatening to voting 3rd party is just slightly hypocritical, don’tcha’ think?
February 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Well guys and gals…. This it the way it is for me. I will vote for Hillary or Obama for one simple reason. They are easier to rally against. On select single issues like amnesty, it will be easier to rally against them than it will be against McCain.
So, there WILL BE NO VOTE BY ME FOR McCAIN, period. If I have to hold my nose to vote for somebody, then I might as well make it a big stinker…
February 6th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
11 commandment??? you have got to be kidding??? when has McCain, a “footsoldier of in Reagan revolution” EVER followed that commandment???? He eats conservatives for breakfast, and washes them down with his own ego.
he gets all the heat & CRITICISM he deserves…from BOTH parties. He is the one who has decided to straddle the political divide, and extend his hand “across the aisle” …well he deserves every hand that BITES IT.
what a waste of an election. total waste.
pfft….
February 6th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
GK,
Didn’t Bush I nominate Souter, at the behest of Warren Rudman of McCain campaign?
February 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I left the Republican party over McCain-Feingold, out-of-control spending and fat-cat cronyism. Yes, I voted for Bush in 2004–with nose firmly clamped. He has gone on to turn Condi Rice loose to run his foreign policy into a hard left dive into the ground, pussy footing around with the DPRK, Iran, Syria and the PA. Then, he and McCain came within a whisker of jamming McCain-Kennedy down our throats.
I have called 202-456-1111 to rail against President Bush (respectfully) so many times that I have it speed dialed into my cell phone. How does one pursue a sitting president “with torches”? How about with a 33% approval rating?
I think in the end that I will wipe the puke off my face with my sleeve and vote for McCain. But can you please allow me the comfort of a bit of projectile vomiting for now? My sort of complaints will most assuredly NOT be used against McCain by the Democrats in Fall, because my complaints are centered around how leftward he has lurched at times in the past ten years.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Oh, now the McClones are whining that conservatives won’t help their boy beat Hillary/Obama in November. Boo hoo. You should have thought of that before.
If that’s the real concern here, then you shouldn’t have gotten him the nomination to begin with. Only now does “electability” become an issue, when all the other candidates have been pushed out of the race through chicanery, backroom deals and “independent” voter sabotage of the primaries.
I would have been more than happy with Giuliani, who was no conservative. Not by a mile. But he has principles. He doesn’t despise the Constitution. He wanted to cut taxes even further. And he understands how vital the war against the islamofascists is to our future. He had a personal fury at the terrorists who have declared war on us. And despite his history on the social issues, he would not have enraged half the party, because… now get this: it’s not about conservatism! That’s right. That’s what we keep hearing, but that’s not the problem. It’s a problem with McCain’s history of betrayal of the very people he now says must hold their nose and vote for him.
McCain is stuck on stupid, and wants to bend over backwards to give Khalid Sheik Mohammed Constitutional rights to sue Bush in American courts, just so the EU and the UN will heap more praise on him. He wants to open the borders and give away our sovereignty just so millions of foreigners will stroke his vanity. And he wants to stifle our freedom of speech so he can’t get his feelings hurt by critics around election time.
He really, really wants people to “like” him.
Here’s my deal: if he picks Giuliani as a running mate, I will vote for him. As long as we can get the Congress back in GOP hands, McCain will do limited damage. Then when he retires in the middle of his term, Rudy can take his place.
If he picks Schmuckabee or some similar clown, then I will vote for Noah Bahdy.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
What is the big difference between McCain, Clinton and Obama? Democrats are not demons unleashed from the depths of hell. They are Americans who want what’s best for the country. Will taxes be a little higher? Will the Supreme Court move a little left? Yes and yes. But on issues like amnesty and global warming, McCain is just as bad. The world won’t end if Democrats win, the economy won’t collapse, gargabe will be picked up on schedule. But conservatism might end if McCain wins AND (important) conservatives support him.
Conservatives hate McCain because of pent up hatred at Bush that for political expediency (and to their pathetic, cowardly detriment) conservatives suppressed. They hoped in 2008 a real conservative would correct Bush’s (and the Congress’) mistakes, instead they get someone even less conservative (except on spending). This is 8 years in the making, 2006 was a foreshadowing, and anyone who doesn’t see that needs to wake up.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
My greatest fear about McCain is that he’ll be all-too-successful getting things passed - with the help of the Democratic Congress. Look out for feel-good but do-harm carbon taxes, rationed health care, open borders and other Euro-socialist doozies. Hillary-Bama, on the other hand, would face gridlock when GOP and Conservative Dems block their nonsense. Basically, McCain would be TOO successful, but for causes most of us can’t stomach. If he’d govern conservatively things would work out, but that’s a risky proposition. Who’s the real McCain? Damned if I know.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
“IF YOU REFUSE TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN, CAN YOU PROMISE NOT TO COMPLAIN DURING 8 YEARS OF HILLARY?”
Very good point. Yet, one that will go over the heads of most of the people here.
No, what will likely happen is that Hillary Clinton will be elected and these same “conservative purists” and “Reaganites” will dutifully tune in to Rush Limbaugh every day, write nasty letters to their papers and loudly bitch to everyone as to why Hillary is the devil.
They may be right about that, but it doesn’t change the fact that they did nothing to prevent it.
If you do not vote, then in my opinion, you have no right to complain.
I am more of a libertarian than a Republican, but I have dutifully voted for Bush twice (as well as Republican senators/congressmen) because they more closely resembled my political world view (or, at least, I thought that they would do little to damage that which I held important). There were many things about Bush and the official Republican Party Platform that I heavily disagree with… so, no, I guess that I am not a true conservative (quite alright, in my opinion). Yet, I kept voting for them because they were right on the important issues (e.g., the war, tax policy).
If Republicans are not careful, their opposition to McCain will fracture the party or at least guaranty Hillary/Obama a 4-year term with an option on an 8-year sting…
While it is important to solidify your base, you need to remember that there are many different view points within the coalition to cater to (i.e., fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, etc.) …..
While McCain has been awful on immigration, some believe his stance on the war, foreign policy, fiscal policy and campaign finance is right … doesn’t make those people any less Republican.
Just because he does not fit within a prototypical “Republican Mold” does not mean that he will not do a good job for conservative causes.
For instance, the man has been very anti-abortion. Do you really think that he wouldn’t put another Roberts or Alito type justice on the Court? Even if you doubt that, I cannot imagine that he would give us a worse pick than Hillary or Obama….
If you believe otherwise, than you are not being serious.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
TO: Steve in wNY
RE: As I Said (Above)
“Oh, and don’t forget to congratulate yourselves on permanent (we all know that entitlements never go away) universal government-funded healthcare.” — Steve in wNY
“Let all the poisons of the Earth hatch out.”
I will not, repeat NOT, vote for a traitor to his oath.
Not even if it means Hillary in the White House. Or Obama.
If the Republicans put forth McCain, I think it could will mean the death-nell of that party.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
February 6th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
It was said in 2000 that reporters aboard the Straight Talk Express keep notebooks filled with anecdotes to be used at the “appropriate” time (ie. when McCain was running against the Democratic candidate). I imagine in the ensuing years, those notebooks have become even more full. From all reports, he *is* an ill-tempered hothead (haven’t we seen at least a glimpse of such in the debates?), and I, for one, don’t think he has the proper temperament for the job he seeks. I have no problem forcing him to defend these accusations. Whether he can maintain an even demeanor while doing so will be a good test.
Although I’m not a Republican, I am a conservative. I’d rather stick needles in my eyes than vote for John McCain, but vote for him I will.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Was that comment legal within the confines of CFR? I’m sure President McCain will have some fines to hand out once he’s elected.
Free Speech? Not on his watch you don’t.
Oddly, I don’t feel a lot of loyalty. Maybe it was his lawsuit in 2005 trying to force the FEC to regulate all political speech on the internet.
Yeah, that might be where we parted ways. Sorry for abandoning McCain and keeping with the Constitution. I didn’t realize that the Republican party was going to go that far from a rational view of the Constitution.
Goodbye?
February 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
“I will not, repeat NOT, vote for a traitor to his oath. Not even if it means Hillary in the White House. Or Obama.”
What oath are you talking about? Is there some oath to be a “Republican” that I am not aware of? Because, to be honest, I don’t remember that being next to the box labelled “Republican” on my voter registration.
If you refuse to vote for McCain, then - by your refusal - you are voting for Hillary or Obama. If you write in a candidate that has no hope of winning, then you are - by your own actions - voting for Hillary or Obama. That is the way our democracy works - the person with the most votes wins. So, if you do not vote for McCain, then that is 1 less vote for the Republican party’s candidate.
Now, if you do not vote for McCain as the Republican nominee, then aren’t you being a traitor to the Republican party? After all, you are not voting for their nominee…. are you a republican in name only?
I have never seen so many people so eager to cut off their nose to spite their face.
Fine. If you guys want to stand on “principles” and not vote, that is certainly your choice. However, your refusal to vote is - at the end of the day - helping the Democrats. How does that mesh with your principles?
February 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
“Was that comment legal within the confines of CFR? I’m sure President McCain will have some fines to hand out once he’s elected.”
Point taken. Look, many people do not agree with campaign finance reform. I am one of those that thought the bill had good intentions, but was seriously flawed in its language and implementation. Fine. I get it. You think it is unconstitutional.
Yet, tell me… do you agree with everything George Bush has said or done?? Was the Prescription Drug Benefit a fiscally responsible idea? Was the “No Child Left Behind Act” photo op with Kennedy good for you?? Was the Iraq War managed competently (well, initially… now it is… thanks to General Petraeus)? How about our budget deficits?
Clearly, Bush was not always the best model of conservatism/Republican idealism. Yet, I voted for him twice because it scared the crap out of me to think what a world under Kerry would be like.
Point is this: there are many things that one could point to with respect to a particular candidate that may be good… and, of course, some that are bad.
The question comes down to this: who would more closely match those interests that you hold dear or believe to be important? Hillary or McCain??
Sorry, but it is no contest…. McCain may not be a perfect candidate, but I could sleep more peacefully with him in the white house than Hillary.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
“Yeah, that might be where we parted ways. Sorry for abandoning McCain and keeping with the Constitution. I didn’t realize that the Republican party was going to go that far from a rational view of the Constitution.”
You don’t think that Hillary is for regulation of the Internet? She has been a big advocate for censoring “inappropriate content” on the Web.
Besides, I believe she voted for that same Act.
OK, we get it… you don’t like that particular ACT. Well, it appears both candidates - Democrat and Republican - did…
February 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I can’t believe that anyone who considers themselves a conservative would not vote for McCain, assuming he is the nominee in November. Incredibly childish, and putting the future of my country in danger.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
If you are a conservative, you are pro-life. Consider this: “Freedom of Choice Act”, HR1964, S1173. This proposed law brought by Gerald Nadler and Barbara Boxer will negate all restrictions put on abortions by the states. I repeat: all restrictions. In the event you do not understand what I am saying all the labor of pro-lifers for the past 35 years is gone. Poof! Yes, you guessed it Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have already signed on. Either of these two will support and promulgate this law. Now, do we remember Bill Clinton and his executive pen. Let’s see RU-486, Fetal Tissue Research, Partial Birth Abortion, Abortion on Military Bases; additionally, on the very same day: Gays in the Military and Motor Voter. Conservatives have a lot to think about and they could think in a clear and logical way if they would put aside their pride and rage and think about what is really going to happen if a Dem occupies the White House.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
“our nominee with our own words”
What passes for republicans these days need to get over the idea that conservatives are “our” bitch.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Similar to GK (February 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm) I’ve been asking McCain’s lettuce-eaters a similar question:
IF YOU VOTE FOR MCCAIN IN THE GOP PRIMARY, CAN YOU PROMISE NOT TO COMPLAIN DURING 8 YEARS OF HILLARY?
Any takers?
February 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Ah, the purists that spent the last 8 years arguing on blogs as a substitute for action are upset that McCain is the likely nominee.
They will turn away from him in November, they say, since its “childish” to vote for him. 8 years passed as you gave loyalty to Bush till it hurt too much to continue. But only because the left hated him so much. The left’s slavering, slobbering rage against Bush blinded you to his spendaholic ways, but you did nothing. Now you have no one. No one. Not one commanding leader. So you whine. Too bad!
You fools might have spent some time in the last 8 years building a base behind someone, but nooooooo, blogging with each other is so much fun. Survey the scene: what do you have to show for 8 years? Zip. Why? Because you can’t build a majority to save your life. While the Left has consolidated its hold on universities, unions, and cities what have you done? What? Where? Zip! If it wasn’t for FOX you’d be worse off.
Build a majority on fair principles; tax fugitive companies that locate off shore; stop wasting another minute trying to eliminate the estate tax; raise the child tax credit; do somehting (no not just blog) about skyrocketing tuition at universities sucking on the federal teat; do things like this and the voters will come! stop whining!
February 6th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
What would Reagan say to Rhino McCain? Goodbye.
Me I’m checking out the new premises:
http://www.constitutionparty.com/
Ed: What would Reagan say to Tip O’Neil? “Come on over after work and lets have a drink.” Reagan famously reached across the aisle to get things done.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Well folks, I’d like to just point out that what is going on here is actually what is supposed to happen. We are having a healthy, inter-party debate. We are fleshing out our grievances and airing out our laundry. This is healthy. This is necessary. Granted, some of the end-all type of comments aren’t needed, but people are pissed and need to vent.
I count myself as leaning toward the F%#k McCain camp. However, VDH and Hewitt are persuasively reminding me that we are a Party; a coalition of mostly like-minded folks who wish to see our vision of the Country’s direction promolgated. This is 2006 all over again. Did anyone learn anything from that debacle? Without Bush in office, Iraq would currently be a LOSS.
If people stay home, not only will the Dems win the White House, they may very well get enough strength in Congress to withstand any fillibusters. Sound like a fundemental plan for us conservatives?
Let us all take these next few months to bleed our spleens and calm our nerves. Then let us all unite and get to the business of defeating the most left-wing candidate (either Hillary or Obama) since McGovern. In the meantime, let’s start gleaning good charismatic conservative candidates for the future. Right now, the cupboard looks bare.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
“For instance, the man has been very anti-abortion.”
No he hasn’t. And he’s said he wouldn’t support an amendment banning abortion. That’s why Republicans For Choice have endorsed him.
But the question I want answered is this. We’re a nation of 300 million people, millions of whom are conservatives. And yet the men who apply to be our nominee, time after time, either lack sufficient political skills to be president or lack a principled commitment to conservatism. Why? We haven’t had a decent candidate step forward since 1980.
Ed: Fred was also against an amendment banning abortion. That’s why National Right to Life have endorsed him. BTW, what have you personally done to groom that young candidate in your area of the country so that twenty years from now he would be ready to run for the Presidency?
February 7th, 2008 at 1:15 am
In case it needs to be reiterated, the Democrats are responcible for their canidates, and we are responcible for ours.
That being the case, I catagorically refuse to support McCain. At any level.
I’ve actively supported Thompson, Forbes, and Gramm in primary bids, so I’ve done more than my share of voting for the lesser-of-evils. But supporting a demagogue who’s spent his career holding my positions in open distain?
It’s simply not going to happen.
The big lesson of 2006 was that Conservatives are sick of being taken for granted by politicians who ask “where else are they going to go?”
There are few signs that the answer has been received. But it will be.
Now, I realize full well that there is no “ideal” canidate, and that an obession with purity isn’t healthy. But we can certainly do a lot better than canidates that publically disparage our idealogical positions and casually break faith with us.
In our political system, these politicians are accountable to us, and we have a responcibility to hold them accountable. And the only place the vast majority of us can do this, is at the ballot box. (Especially now that our highlighting issues important to us is now largely banned near elections.)
For those of you who say that unless you vote for McCain, you lose your right to complain about a Democratic administration, you might want to take a moment and familiarize yourself with the First Amendment. (Although I suppose it’s fitting that McCain supporters would tend to overlook it.)
February 7th, 2008 at 1:16 am
The folks defending McCain are missing the point. I don’t care if you love or hate him, he’s bad for the country. I’m not a particularly religious guy, but there’s a reason Jesus said “be either “Yes Yes!” or “No! No!”. You can’t oppose evil if it looks and acts almost like good. There simply isn’t a clear delineation between McCain and the Democrats. It’s what brought him to prominance and to point it out now isn’t a “derangement syndrone”, it’s the sad truth.
If you want to see the future of McClain, check out Britain, where the conservative party is virtually identical to labor. I spent most of my life opposing the “one party state” of the Soviet Union and I’ll be danged if I’m going to support one over here.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:29 am
“What passes for republicans these days need to get over the idea that conservatives are “our” bitch”
Ah, I see… If you insist on not nominating our guy, we will take our votes and go home… real mature - especially with the future of the country at stake…
Aren’t you forgetting that the definition of “conservative” is not an all-encompassing term? In other words, there are such distinctions as “fiscal conservatives”, “social conservatives”, etc.? The Reagan coalition was made up of diverging viewpoints that joined together for a common purpose.
If anything, I am a fiscal conservative and, quite frankly, could care less about much of the social conservative agenda. However, I have repeatedly voted for social conservatives because I somehow believed that such social conservatives (e.g., Bush) would look after my interests better than the Democrats. Bush did well on tax policy, but spent more than most liberals were asking for on entitlement programs…. that faith was not well-placed.
The point is this: The conservative coalition is made up of many different viewpoints. Some of us, who are more likely to relate to McCain than Huckabee or Romney, didn’t fail to show up to elect Bush (twice) just because Bush didn’t act fiscally conservative on spending or was bad on immigration… we still showed up and the nation is better for it (unless you prefer a Gore or Kerrey presidency, I guess).
We fiscal conservatives could have easily said “Bush is a spendaholic” and not shown up to vote because we felt that our views were being ignored and the religious/social conservatives merely viewed us as their “bitch”. The evangelical crowd and social conservatives wouldn’t have Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court. Perhaps, you would have had another 2 Ginsburg clones …
McCain is a conservative - he may not be conservative in all areas, but he is a conservative. He is good on military policy, foreign affairs, spending and abortion. He may not be ideal on immigration (hell, Bush wasn’t either…) and some other areas…. but, let’s think about this… isn’t he a better alternative than Hillary or Obama???
“For those of you who say that unless you vote for McCain, you lose your right to complain about a Democratic administration, you might want to take a moment and familiarize yourself with the First Amendment. (Although I suppose it’s fitting that McCain supporters would tend to overlook it.)”
Duh. Of course you have the “right” to voice your opinion. However, what we are saying is this - if you do not vote, then those who did could not care less about your “opinion”. If you had the opportunity to do something that would prevent Hillary/Obama and failed to do so, then we have no desire to listen to you for 4-8 years complain about the increase of the welfare state, institutionalization of abortion, higher taxes, surrender in Iraq, etc.
Anyone that thinks Hillary/Obama would be better than McCain is seriously deluding themselves. Have you listened to anything that Hillary/Obama have said??
“I’m not a particularly religious guy, but there’s a reason Jesus said “be either “Yes Yes!” or “No! No!”. You can’t oppose evil if it looks and acts almost like good. There simply isn’t a clear delineation between McCain and the Democrats.”
No - did you seriously call McCain evil (invoking Jesus)? Did you seriously say there isn’t a clear delineation????? Then you clearly no nothing of McCain other than what Rush Limbaugh tells you….
Abortion - McCain is anti-abortion and has supported conservative anti-abortion judges. Obama and Clinton are liberal, pro-life and would most likely support pro-abortion judges. This is a fact.
Taxes/Spending - McCain is not a proponent of irresponsible spending and increased taxes. Obama and Clinton have both supported an increase in taxes. Fact.
Iraq - McCain has been a strong supporter of our troops and the war effort. The man personally lived through torture, so I am willing to allow that his no-torture stance is at least informed - while I disagree, I can respect that opinion. Obama and Clinton would surrender and run from Iraq.
And so on….
February 7th, 2008 at 10:42 am
A quick thought on Rush Limbaugh.
I realize that my comment in 59 might be construed as a slight to Rush…it was not intended as such, so I would prefer to clarify that up front.
Rather, here is what I meant. I have been a Limbaugh listener for the past 10 years. I find the guy funny, engaging and intelligent. I enjoy his show. However, Limbaugh has an agenda against McCain.
Limbaugh has never liked McCain because, on occasion, McCain has acted in a manner that was not lock-step with the Republican party (that doesn’t mean he wasn’t right at times…) and has attempted to be bipartisan. McCain has also never tried to court Limbaugh.
So, McCain is running for the nomination… Limbaugh rails agains McCain and essentially endorses Romney (o.k., I know that he says that he is not endorsing anyone, but when you loudly decry Huckabee and McCain even after Thompson gets out of the race… who is left? Romney is… so, de fact endorsement).
The point is this… Limbaugh - like many of the commenters here - needs to understand that while McCain may not be his ideal vision of a conservative, he is certainly much better option than Hillary/Obama.
The race is essentially over at this point. So, why not figure out the best way to beat the Democrats rather than blow up the entire Republican part????
I was a Thompson supporter while he was in the race, but unfortunately, conservatives failed to turn out to support him. Now, we have McCain as the nominee. I like McCain - not my ideal candidate - but, he would be so much better than what the Democrats offer.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
“What passes for republicans these days need to get over the idea that conservatives are “our” bitch.”
O.K…. I am sure that you will find so much success in the Democratic Party. Oh wait. Probably not. O.K., well maybe the Libertarian Party. No, probably not. How about the Green Party? Shoot. Probably not…. Get the picture?
February 7th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
If you don’t vote for Kodos in November, then don’t complain when Kang is elected President.
Oh, that’s right: what’s the difference?
That’s why we’re complaining now that either one of them will be elected. Congratulations to Dem operatives for successfully sabotaging the primaries.