Day One: CPAC from the scene Updated, video added
posted at 5:50 pm on February 7, 2008 by Bryan
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Working backward from the end of our day to the beginning, Michelle live-blogged John McCain’s speech while I manned the camera to catch any antics that might happen. None did. There were boos here and there, but only at the intro and spots that struck me as in bounds, i.e. when McCain needed to hear from the conservatives whose teeth he has made a habit of kicking in over the past few years. Allah’s read on the immigration portion of the speech is spot on, though thankfully Lindsay Graham’s Robin didn’t accompany Batman McCain to the festivities. That might have sparked a bad scene. Tom Coburn and George Allen’s intros to McCain didn’t spark a bad scene, though. They set a cushy conservative stage for him to take.
In his roughly half hour speech McCain showed his characteristic spine in repeatedly acknowledging that he and the base have had our differences. He took the boos in stride, made a joke or two about not needing to be reminded that he’s not Mr. Congeniality (though I think he can’t be reminded enough that some of his policies and legislative “achievements” are disasters, and he can’t be scolded enough for rapping conservatives and sucking up to Democrats). If you ask me, he didn’t make the sale today. But he didn’t flop either, and there’s time to win over conservatives with action more than words, and give him his due: He hit taxes and spending and was quite eloquent on the need to win the war. On that last issue, at least, I believe him. On many others, not so much.
He did coin a new phrase that’s bound to have some legs: “I respect your opposition.” Heh.
—
The Romney speech was preceded by the rumor that swept through the media at the back of the room: That Mitt would use the speech to drop out of the race. Michelle went to work to verify it along one angle, and I went to work along another. Unfortunately for me, I chose the cell phone route and cell phones hardly ever work in the main gallery. That has to be one of the more annoying features of this somewhat chaotically laid out hotel. Connectivity in this building is, in general, impossible in all the wrong places. Anyway.
So Michelle nailed down the verification, I called Allah and he posted.
Then Laura Ingraham took the stage and delivered a barn burner introduction for Romney, spending 10 minutes casting him as the conservative’s conservative and making a heartfelt case for him. Ingraham was convincing enough that I began to doubt whether the drop out rumor was true. When Romney took the podium and got half way through a speech that hit several core cultural and economic conservative issues and concerns, I doubted even more. Then, he pulled that U-turn and announced that for the good of the party and for victory in the war he should step aside from the race. He stunned the crowd, which was made up mostly of his supporters. They hadn’t heard the rumor. Neither, evidently, had Laura Ingraham, and I twinged at the thought that Romney apparently had left her to hang a bit on that introductory speech. His tactics made the moment very dramatic, no doubt about that.
—
The day began with a symposium on whether George W. Bush is the true heir to Ronald Reagan (conclusion: Nope) that was interrupted when Vice President Cheney arrived early to deliver his address. Michelle live-blogged that as well. We were front and center for the Vice President, and I was impressed once again with Cheney’s ability to connect and explain without pandering or emoting. In fact, I think his pandering and emotion chips stopped functioning ten years ago. But no matter. He can deliver a speech. It’s a shame, in retrospect, that the 2000 ticket couldn’t have been flipped. Or that we didn’t hear more defenses of the Iraq war from Cheney like we heard this morning.
—
Tomorrow: Hopefully, internet connections that work!
Update: Here’s a taste of the greeting that McCain received at CPAC. I shot it with my digital still cam. The applause with a smattering of boos went on for about another minute or so.
I think John McCain made one mistake today that may come back to haunt him, and it concerns how he treated Mitt Romney. It became obvious over the course of the campaign that both McCain and Mike Huckabee dislike Mitt Romney. When McCain got to the section of today’s speech about Romney, who had just dropped out, and Huckabee, who is still in at least until Saturday’s CPAC speech, McCain described Huckabee’s sense of humor and went on about the things that Huckabee brought to the campaign. In describing Romney, all McCain could muster was to say that Romney had run an “energetic and dedicated” campaign. That’s thin gruel for a man who had spent a good portion of his exit speech explaining why John McCain would make a better commander in chief than either of the Democrats. “Energetic and dedicated” is entirely value neutral. It suggests that McCain couldn’t think of a single good thing to say about Romney, especially when compared with how he described Huckabee. Add in the fact that McCain didn’t ask for Romney’s endorsement when they spoke on the phone after Romney’s announcement (can you imagine him not asking for Huckabee’s endorsement?), and it’s possible that a portion of Romney’s vote (the second largest portion in the primaries to date) won’t reconcile to McCain out of perceived slights to their guy.
That would an unfortunate outcome, but entirely in keeping with McCain’s record of letting his temperament getting the better of him.
One more update: I heard Laura Ingraham on Fox a bit ago. She said that she learned of Romney’s decision to drop out about 10 minutes before she went on to introduce him. That would be about the same time the rumor started swirling, so she didn’t have any more advance warning than we did. She’s got game; in her speech she gave no hint that Romney was about to bow out.
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Good stuff. Hope I can go there someday.
OneGyT on February 7, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Why don’t you trust McCain on spending? He’s been stalwart for years. He’s a retired sailor, he ain’t gonna be a sweetheart. I’m married to a military man, so I guess it doesn’t bother me that much. My dad served for a short time, and both grandfathers served in WWII. Wonderful men, not always cuddly.
funky chicken on February 7, 2008 at 6:13 PM
With Romney out, I have now have a choice between being stabbed in the back (i.e. McCain) or being stabbed repeatedly in the front (i.e. Hillary or Obama via taxes, etc.).
I could just write in PRESENT as a sign that I was there (but didn’t like the options), although it may be simply easier to dust off my pass port again.
Darnell Clayton on February 7, 2008 at 6:14 PM
What’s the mood like, Bryan? Are people wandering around depressed, or are they managing to keep their spirits up?
aero on February 7, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Was there wailing and gnashing of teeth when Mitt bowed-out or just heart-ache?
NTWR on February 7, 2008 at 6:17 PM
I don’t know if you big media stars have access to these guys’ aides, but it would be great if you could deliver the message that McCain could show people he’s heard our complaints and concerns over the border anarchy by working hard over the next year in the Senate to get the damn fence built. You know, the fence that was called for in a bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.
If he wants to tell us he will enforce the law and start to work on security, that’s a pretty easy way to show us. Actions do speak louder than words.
(Yeah, fat chance, but you catch more flies with honey Brian)
funky chicken on February 7, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Could such chips be disabled in other candidates/politicians?
Frozen Tex on February 7, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Allow me to correct that:
amerpundit on February 7, 2008 at 6:21 PM
I will vote for as many republicans on the ballot as possible come November, but I will vote Libertarian for president.
I doubt that the GOP can remain standing after the one two punches of George W. Bush and John McCain.
Labamigo on February 7, 2008 at 6:22 PM
I believe MAC on the spending, not the tax cutting.
He has always said that he wants to make tax cuts dependent on spending cuts, but that misunderstands basic economics since (properly done)tax cuts generate more, not less revenue to the Treasury.
If we have to wait for a Dem congress to approve spending cuts we could be waiting an awfully long time for tax cuts.
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Bryan, even though you don’t support him I would have like to have seen some coverage of Pauls speech. He did take some jabs at Mccain.
offroadaz on February 7, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Agreed…I respect Paul for his stands on taxes and immigration. I just wish the message was being delivered by a more dynamic person. What’d he say?
SouthernGent on February 7, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Because he’s a lifelong washington insider known best for “reaching across the isle.” He’s lied to us consistently over the years in regards to just about every issue imagineable. We have no reason to believe him about anything. The Keating 5 behavior is not that of a fiscal conservative.
Zetterson on February 7, 2008 at 6:51 PM
I’m still with Mitt!. He has opened our eyes to the conservative movement again.
madmonkphotog on February 7, 2008 at 6:54 PM
funky chicken, this is one of the reasons not to believe John McCain in regards to spending:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five
Zetterson on February 7, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Talked about “the leading candidate being friends with Feingold and Kennedy”
Link to newspaper article cover Pauls speech
Link to MP3 of Pauls speech
offroadaz on February 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM
McCain needs to dump Lindsay Graham, Martinez and Crist, along with Juan and his other amnesty cohorts. I don’t want to see them on the same platform with him and I don’t want them working behind the scenes. He can get DeMint and Sessions to be his new immigration advisers if he wants to rebuild some credibility.
INC on February 7, 2008 at 7:01 PM
http://www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/2178/
http://www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/2649/
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/04/john-mccain-la-razas-voice-in-washington/
Which, Patriot walk and talk, we can now expect?
Speakup on February 7, 2008 at 7:07 PM
We are haunted by people with short memories.
Zetterson on February 7, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Flowers, Honey?? Thank you!
You’re apologizing for throwing me down the stairs again last night? I forgive you Darling, Oh, I love you too!
What a beautiful box of candy! Is that for me? ! How sweet! You really are sorry, aren’t you!!
My eye?? My eye will be fine, Sweetheart!
Yes, the doctor said the swelling will be gone in no time. I can get the stitches out in a few weeks. No, I realize it wasn’t all your fault. I shouldn’t have made you so mad! I need to just mind my place more! Yes dear,, I know,, I need to just stay out of your way!
And that cracked rib will heal right up! I know you didn’t mean to kick me so hard.
Oohh,, you haven’t kissed me like that in a long, long time,,, you really are a tiger tonight!
Upstairs? ,, yes, of course Sweetheart! How could I have ever doubted you! I need you too,,, ,,, yes, Honey, now,,, more than ever,,
JellyToast on February 7, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Exactly
Zetterson on February 7, 2008 at 7:23 PM
There is one action I’d like to see him do immediately now that he’s “won” the nomination, resign from the Senate like his buddy, Bob Dole. I doubt he would because he, like his democrap opponents, lusts for power. He strikes me as one who wants to rule, not serve. I seriously doubt that I could ever, ever vote for a man of his low character.
Zorro on February 7, 2008 at 7:24 PM
JellyToast, we must reject John McCain because we don’t like wife beaters nor to we like those that submit to wife beaters. At the same time we love strong women who leave their men at the first sign of a raised fist. Reject John McCain – the wife beater.
Zetterson on February 7, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Im here and the mood is a little somber. The people in the overflow room today booed McCain with a lot of passion. There seem to be more anti-McCain than pro to me, to sum this up quickly.
P.S- Know I am not Brian but thought I would chime in since I am here.
Dittohead on February 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Bryan “He didn’t make the sale today.”
I agree wholeheartedly.
D2Boston on February 7, 2008 at 8:32 PM
That ungracious nastiness was typical of McCain and why holding my nose will be an understatement come November.
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Is there vid of Cheney’s speech?
Spirit of 1776 on February 7, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I’d like to see that too. Cheney could teach Mac a thing or two about conservatism. And grace.
Buy Danish on February 7, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Bryan, Maverick Muse made a choice post on the nature of McCain’s uphill battle and how he can mend fences. That being said, are there rumblings of Fred! as Veep at CPAC?
SkinnerVic on February 7, 2008 at 9:54 PM
I have been lazy and have not googled, but I want to see some Cheney vids here!
lsutiger on February 7, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Thanks, Dittohead. I just wanted to get a sense of how conservatives are taking all this. Seems like CPAC is a good place to get the true pulse. The conservative blogosphere can be a bit melodramatic and too much of an echo chamber sometimes to get a true sense of things.
aero on February 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
The video is broken. Do you have a video of McCain’s remarks?
Dr B on February 7, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I’m a former Fred head, but having two tired old white men go up against Obama/ Hillary or Hillary /Obama is just not a good idea. I know McCain will probably throw a bone to conservatives with VP, but he should probably go for youth, gender/minority options. Not that I’m interested in McCain beng POTUS, but he would be committing suicide by choosing another tired old white guy.
jwp1964 on February 7, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Dr B,
Videos here.
Rightwingsparkle on February 7, 2008 at 10:37 PM
thin gruel
whitetop on February 7, 2008 at 10:47 PM
McCain at CPAC Part 1
McCain at CPAC Part 2
McCain at CPAC part 3
Chakra Hammer on February 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
RCP has the video embedded here
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/
Chakra Hammer on February 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Where do all these Mitt voters go now?
SurveyUSA: Virginia
SouthernGent on February 7, 2008 at 10:57 PM
OMG!!! LOOK AT THIS HATER!!!
SOUNDS LIKE Tammy Bruce and Ann Coulter!
“I hope John McCain DIES soon- Mitt Romney for Vice President”
Thats the name of the video, NOT Mine!!!!!!!
Chakra Hammer on February 7, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Here is a screen grab..
http://i32.tinypic.com/vsi2af.jpg
Sheesh..
Who let the Kooks out? Who..? who ..? who? who?
Chakra Hammer on February 7, 2008 at 11:18 PM
ITA on McCain not making the sale today and I will not be swayed by the typical MSM’s swooning for him.
In comparing Mitt’s speech to McCain’s I saw someone whom I respect and wanted to be my President (Mitt) and the usual, same old conceited creep in McCain.
He had better get a personality transplant soon before it’s too late.
Domino on February 7, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Domino, I like McCain.
He wasn’t my first choice nor my second choice at the start of this..
But he is a Good Choice.
Chakra Hammer on February 7, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Heard a few minutes of McCain’s speech on the radio before I turned it off. Thought he was lying through his teeth. His record speaks much louder than a campaign speech. We were told to hold our noses throughout the Bush Dynasty and put up with the dismantling of this nation by country-club stealth liberals. It is becoming a matter of conscience to no longer be a party to that. McCain is another Bush, with Moonbat flair.
Feedie on February 7, 2008 at 11:40 PM
I’m just as ticked he’s our nominee as anyone, but I’m starting to get ticked with the whining and bitching, Now we sound like the Dems.
I thought about this long and hard, I came to this conclusion. He’s got three things one Hillary right now I can think of.
1.) His stance on the war, unwavering, I’ll give him that.
2.) Pro 2nd amendment
3.) pro life
Now, the shamnesty thing ticked me off as well. More so for personal reasons. I spent three years apart from my wife trying to get her into this country from Venezuela legally and McCain (and Bush too let’s not forget) told me she and others like her weren’t as important as the other because they didn’t cross a river to get here. That was insulting. BUT We made McCain and those who supported amnesty eat their words didn’t we? We told them where to stick that bill didn’t we?
We don’t think we have a voice? We are writing ourselves off and REALLY not giving ourselves enough credit. We can still make a huge impact on the Senate and Congress, local and state elections. Since when do the true Reagan conservatives that I know growing up and those who exist now, roll up into a ball and die crying like infant when things don’t work their way? That’s what Democrats do. Let’s grow up people. You know what, if you don’t want to vote for McCain, fine, you know the alternative. Stop saying that he’s a liberal, so what if he is, HE’S OUR LIBERAL. We’ve stopped him before and we can do it again. I know we’ll not have that same effect on Hillary or Obama. And we all know where they are on the three issues I mentioned earlier. I hate to say it. BELIEVE ME, I hate to say it, but he is the better option.
Here’s my pledge I say we make to McCain right now. You want our vote McCain, fine you got it, But it comes with the condition that YOU WORK FOR US! If you try to pull some crap on us like the amnesty bill…well, lets just say that if thought the Dems were hard on Bush, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Try crossing us again and you’ll see how incredibly hard we will be to deal with. We promise that we will be like cheap toliet paper and not take crap from you, period!
Listen guys, we can’t whine or moan anymore when we don’t get our way, we just need to scream louder and fight harder.
No more battered spouse syndrome talk okay. We reduced ourselves to victims. Remember, it’s because of us that amnesty didn’t get thru. Now he’s looking to us for our vote. We made him accountable before, we can do it again.
Think about it for a second, if wants our vote so bad, he’s going to have to accept the fact that we actually got him by the balls.
Pcoop on February 7, 2008 at 11:49 PM
We got to stop whining and bitching becuase we didn’t get what we want. That’s what democrats do.
We shut him down on amnesty before, we can do it again. If he wants our vote we make sure he know we will have him by the balls.
Pcoop on February 7, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I thought about this long and hard and I am not happy with this, but here’s the reality, if you really think about it.
Look we can’t get whine and complain anymore because we didn’t ge our way. That’s what the Democrats do. We need to make McCain know that if he wants our vote, we will have him by the grapefruits.
We shut him down on amnesty before, we can shoot him down on other things.
When we talk about “battered wife syndrome” we reduce ourselves to victims. I don’t know about you but I’m not a victim.
We know he has three things on any dem
1. his war stance
2. pro 2nd admendment
3. pro life
So, it not really a total wash if he’s elected.
We simply need to stop crying like babies over this. And tell him that we will not be silent. That’s what he gets if he wants our vote. He answers to us!
I say this even though McCain ticked me off with the amnesty bill. I spent three years apart from my wife trying to get her into this country from Venezuela legally and his amnesty bill was a slap in the face. But now he is the alternative to have a Dem for president, like it or not.
Call him a liberal if you want, but he’s our liberal, and we can make him answer to us. That’s the deal if he wants our vote.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 12:01 AM
now the two prior comments I posted come up. Sorry guys, it took forever for them to come up I didn’t know if they went thru or not.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 12:02 AM
I hope he has enough sense to find a real, honest-to-goodness conservative for his running mate. We have some wonderful people out there.
Nose plugs anyone?
Mojave Mark on February 8, 2008 at 12:25 AM
What exactly is his war stance? To continue burning up the best men left in America trying to rebuild something that was never built in the first place? How is it that we failed to locate Osama in 8 years? Realpolitick?
McCain signed on to global warming and the treacherous gang of 14. Why would he not cut a pro-Democrat deal on gun control and abortion?
Battered wife syndrome is sticking around and taking it. “He’ll get better tomorrow if only I stop making him mad and blackening my eye on the sofa.” What message does it send to The Party to stick around and continue to take it? The message is: We can continue to b****slap you and get away with it. McCain did more slapping than Bush II did and for a lot longer time. Why should he listen to anyone once he gets in?
I agree. These are the best hope for countering whichever psychopath gets into the Oval Office.
Feedie on February 8, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Colmesy just said McCain talks tough on pork, but he is trying to get $10 million for a University of Arizona. I wonder if that is true?
And Sean is hammering Keating on McCain’s penchant for insisting that WE change to fit McLiberals view of the republican party.
csdeven on February 8, 2008 at 12:37 AM
When Colmes starts Attacking McCain you know Fear is in the Air.. >:}
Chakra Hammer on February 8, 2008 at 12:40 AM
If McCain doesn’t pick Romney, and doesn’t promise to get out after one term, he’s asking for a hosing.
Romney sounded like the gracious winner at CPAC and MCain the sore loser.
If McQueeg can swallow his Enterprise-sized ego for a minute, he’ll know this is the only course.
Otherwise it’s strawberries and ball-bearings and the retirement home in 2009.
profitsbeard on February 8, 2008 at 12:44 AM
BTW, everyonce in awhile i listen to Colmes radio show and I was listening to it today, this is an exchange, it made mt giggle.. paraphrasing..
Caller: I consider Myself a Conservative Democrat!
Colmes: A Conservative Democrat? Hmmm
Caller: Yea, well.. I’m gonna vote for Hillary, can you tell me what qualification’s that Obama has? WHAT! NAME ONE!
Colmes: well.. My Dream Ticket would be Hillary/Obama
Caller: I could go for that!
——————–
LMAO!!!
OMG… The only reason my I listen to Colmes is because his show is on the XM Radio Fox News Radio, i forgot to change the channel after the CPAC coverage.. :}
Sometimes it’s funny to listen to Colmes though because he lets his callers talk for awhile.
Chakra Hammer on February 8, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Even though I’ve been witt Mitt for months, in a strange way I feel relieved that the issue has been decided. Romney showed class, McClain showed what an …acerbic, small minded individual he is.
He’s Presidential like I’m Pa Kettle.
It will be much easier to sit out the election if McCain picks Pawlenty or some other Rino as a running mate. If Romney were willing to accept the Veep slot, it would go a long ways towards uniting the party. At least for one election.
President John “Grampa Simpson” McCain-what a sad day for America.
Along with many others, I assume that the Dems will run Clinton Obama-I’ll know Nov 2nd who I’m voting for.
God help us all.
Doug on February 8, 2008 at 1:16 AM
Absolute tripe. Romney has been the one shunning McCain, and he has too many weaknesses (e.g. with the evangelical base, his flip-flopping) for him to be credible. Mack has plenty of conservative options, and the time now to mull them over.
I’m warming to the idea of McCain/Forbes. The one sure way to hammer the Dems is on the economy this year, a subject on which even Obama will look hopelessly feeble. A strong pair of fiscal hands will boost McCain no end, in addition to his personal strengths on opposing bloated federal spending. This, plus McCain’s popular appeal on security, foreign policy, and pro-life issues, would be a formidable ticket.
There you have a rounded conservative ticket, which doesn’t appear too closely tied to GWB’s unfortunately deeply unpopular presidency, and which appeals to independents looking for a strong pair of hands on the tiller.
Unbeatable.
Pax americana on February 8, 2008 at 1:24 AM
He had his entire career in the Senate to win conservatives with action and we got McCain Feingold, Amnesty, slurs on the American worker, and slams to the MIA/POW families.
I am through eating doo-doo for the RNC.
A brilliant friend’s analysis: they did everything they could to make sure we had only open-borders advocates to vote for this election. At all costs, preserve the wealth for all those at the top who benefit financially with imported voters for one more generation or less, until the Chinese negate even this benefit
I have no interest if any of the co-conspirators are run as VP, including Guiliani, or Fred who could not wait to throw their delegates to McCain or the Huckster, who will pause for effect and then hand it over. They all lied about amnesty while campaigning, in order to con voters
I am also tired of the line that the DEMs will be worse. McCain has pre-emptively limited free speech for his own election. I cannot afford an ad in the NYT, but the groups that could will not be able because of McCain Feingold.
McCain is more open borders than the DEMS. They all suck up to LaRaza, seek voter registration and non-assimilation, but it is McCain who has slurred the American worker as lazy. It is mainly DEMs who still make protectionist noise towards China while the Country Clubbers are busy learning Mandarin and McCain slobbers over the Vietnamese to get the sweatshops open to trade
I am so over it
I see no reason to believe McCain will appoint constructionist judges when he fronted McCain Feingold, ran a shell game instead of a primary, led the fight to force amnesty repeatedly against public uproar. McCain has proven beyond a reasonable doubt he despises strict constuctionism
The only thing I gain by supporting McCain is new carpet at his country club called the GOP, a continuation of disgraceful manipulation of the primaries, a promise from a deconstructionist liar that he will appoint constructionist judges, and a weaker stand than the DEMs on protecting our nation against the many abuses that have come from unequal trade rules with China.
I will be voting but I will not vote for McCain
regardless of VP choice.
It is wonderful to be free. They did me a favor
I have wasted too many votes for a shell game
entagor on February 8, 2008 at 1:44 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUhM0BrZjsM
Chakra Hammer on February 8, 2008 at 1:59 AM
Whoever is the GOP nominee, selecting a black or woman as VP would be an almost shoo in. A black woman would be perfect.
msflea on February 8, 2008 at 2:26 AM
INTRODUCING your new GOP establishment leader … Juan McCain!
BOOOOOOOO …
I wonder how many conservatives[?] he will drag down with him this time around.
DannoJyd on February 8, 2008 at 5:57 AM
Does anyone here remember the amnesty bill? Why are we all screaming about what he could do when we actually have the power to influence what he does. He’s never had his feet held to the fire by anyone while he was in the Senate. He’s running for president It’s a whole different ballgame now.
Ever heard the old addage “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?”
If we are as loud with his presidency as we were with the amnesty bill, he’ll have to listen to us. He’s expecting us to vote for him then do nothing? I don’t see it that way.
We are only the victims as long as we allow ourselves to be victims.
You’re looking at it all wrong. We’re being bullied by our own party.
What do you do with bullies? You stand up to them. YOU MAKE THEM FEAR YOU.
Does anyone see what I’m saying?
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 7:00 AM
“remember what you wish for, you just might get it.”
A vote for McCain is our way of giving him what he wants. And not in a good way. If he gets the presidency, he answers to us, after all, we did him the favor. Now we dictate what we get in return.
Call it a “deal with the devil” mentallity.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 7:03 AM
The GOP won’t listen, but McRINO will never win.
Virtually the entire nation is calling for change, especially the youth of this nation, and the GOP answers this call by nominating a crusty 72 year old that is no more forward looking than a rear view mirror. This is the same old bullsh-t thinking that got them their a$$ handed to them when they nominated Dole. Dole is a great American, but he is not what the country was looking for, and neither is McRINO.
McRINO is the same old song, just different wrinkles. But you people go on with your charade, your probably safe. It’s your children and grandchildren that will pay for your foolishness.
leanright on February 8, 2008 at 8:21 AM
Listening to Geraldo on F&F this morning, I wanted to smack him. To paraphrase, the reason that we ended up with McCain is because he reached across to the Latino/Cuban American vote, so it is our fault that someone more conservative is not the candidate. To Geraldo, it is all about the politics of winning that vote, which is now at 10%.
So. We are experiencing a change because of immigration. Is this a good thing, as Geraldo suggests? Or is this why we need to build the fence and maybe even slow down immigration?
Connie on February 8, 2008 at 8:22 AM
And here I was waiting for Queeg McCainez to start talking about “logic” or “strawberries.” When a politician says “I respect your opposition” it means the opposite and you’re being suckered.
BTW, I have this lovely beach front property in Yuma that I know you can’t pass on……….
TwinkietheKid on February 8, 2008 at 8:52 AM
Does anyone notice how the far left Kooks has memeber of the Senate like Pelosi and Ried eating out of their hands?
Ever wonder why we don’t possess that kind of power? Because we’re wussies.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 8:54 AM
It’s not being suckered. People like Pelosi and Ried fear their base of kooks because they hold their feet to the fire. We throw up our hands and complain that nothing changes and then expect it to by not voting for them.
Really, what kind of change do you expect will happen by handing it over to the Democrats? Will not voting make the country any safer. No. You put the fear into our guys just like the Daily Kos and HuffPo put into the left. We make them respect us again.
You can’t respect someone who whines when they don’t get their way. Get over your pride and fight back. Take the party back the same way this country was founded, by fighting for it!
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM
“I respect your opposition” Means just what he said, he thinks of us as his opposition. He is no friend to conservatives.
leanright on February 8, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Yes, I remember it: and that’s not how it went down.
McCain didn’t change his mind. While we were flooding the capitol switchboard, he was in cloakroom berating his fellow senators for failure to vote for the craptastic legislation, or for offering amendments to put lipstick on the pig. The grassroots won by putting the fear of defeat in those senators facing re-election this year. McCain was no gracious loser, either. It took him months (probably practicing in front of a mirror) to be able to mumble out the lie that he “heard” us.
We’ll be able to influence McCain in the White House as much as we influenced Bush to stop pushing amnesty for eight years. In other words, we will have no influence, and all the delusional rewriting of recent history won’t change that.
Nichevo on February 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
What do you propose then? Kind of between a rock and a hard place here, and we all know that “why me” has never been a good motivating slogan.
I’m just trying to rally troops any way I can. I’m already used to the idea that the next president will be a Democrat.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
That’s right!! I will cast aside (yet again) my principles, hold my nose (McCainez’ own mother’s advice) and vote for the democrat, er, I mean McCainez. I have to compromise, swallow my pride, etc. Bah! The social-dems fear the quasi-commie kossacks and (huffn’ n puffn’) posts because they ain’t got jobs other than showing up at Pelosi’s (et al) doorstep and make a scene. I’ve got a job and better things to do with my life than go protesting everyday.
This is my first shot into the heart of wishy-washy lefty loving RINOS that are performing a coup within the Republican party. I ain’t votin’ for Capt. Queeg.
End of line.
TwinkietheKid on February 8, 2008 at 9:59 AM
If you honestly think they are going to miss our votes you’re naive too. The party wants to move to the center. They’ll attract new voters to replace us. Most of the people upset around here will simply swallow their pride and pull the level for McCain becuase of the fear of a Democratic president Nothing’s gonna change that way and you know I’m right. So I thought, since their going to do that anyways, why not find a way to use that to our advantage instead of crying about it. But I am just trying to come up with ways where we can use what we got.
What difference does it make anyway? We don’t have a voice because we don’t use the one we got.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 10:22 AM
No
If you vote for them you have given them your proxy
A proxy is a surrender of power. It does not instill fear, it instills courage
McCain is too old to worry about re-election
He is lame duck his first term, although that is a moot point since he cannot be elected
That is why Reid and Pelosi ended the Iraq war and brought the boys home
It is not whining to reject a strategy that voting for a candidate who represents views you do not support will instill him with fear
It is rational thinking
This country was created by people who refused to accept the leadership chosen for them and wanted each man to have their own vote
This country was not founded on the premise that votes must be surrendered for the higher good or that the higher good will be defined for us by others
In other words, they fought for Liberty, not Obedience
The most rational whine is history may be found in the Declaration of Independence
After they signed the Declaration of Independence (a whine) the Founders did not join the Kings’s army to gain control of England. They did not say ‘Let us surrender to Burgoyne instead of Cornwallis to instill fear in the Crown’
Was it pride? Were they wusses?
—
The pol-op spin above ramming the internet post-McCain is more than disingenous, it is insulting.
These talking points will eliminate the targeted voters from the GOP, which may be McCains’s ultimate objective
It does not conflict with my own new objectives, since the GOP no longer supports my needs
entagor on February 8, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Okay, well, then what message is not voting going to send to people who don’t if we do or not?
I’m not shilling for McCain, but sitting on our hands has worked so well for us in the past. No wonder we’re being ignored.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 10:47 AM
It’s a work in progress. If they continue to be defeated by their own party, even dumba$$ RINOs will get the message sooner or later.
The RINOs did not destroy the GOP in one election year and we can’t rebuild it with one election. The best way to turn our party around is to shove McRINO right back up their a$$es. It’s a start. Let’s get started on 2012 by taking the congress back.
leanright on February 8, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I’m sorry, but I’ve always been of the mindset that “the squeaky gets the grease”.
I just don’t know what to do yet.
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 11:18 AM
“squeaky wheel” is what I meant
Pcoop on February 8, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Fed has not…yet.
kcd on February 8, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I have an idea. Jeff Sessions has a 14 point pledge regarding illegal immigration. The only candidate that has signed it is, believe it or not, Huckabee. I think we should flood McCains website with the request of: If you sign the pledge, you get our vote.
kcd on February 8, 2008 at 11:52 AM
The problem with leveraging McCain is that he cannot be taken at his word.
He already has heard all the arguments. He is not a compromiser. McCain has not trouble at all making dirty deals to undercut the opposition (see the alliances he formed on the amnesty bill)
If you rattle the cage and threaten to not vote for him, he will read the polls and decide how much he has to promise.
Once he is elected, you will have a signed promise from a dishonest politician as your collateral for the vote you loaned him.
The biggest problem with McCain is his ability to carry grudges for slights. The amnesty bill was the biggest rejection in his career. He could not even withhold his contempt at CPAC when he childishly admitted that
not enoughmost of hisenemiesopponents on the Immigration bill were good people.McCain is not as strong as Hillary. He cannot hold back contempt not even to win an election.
That does make him useful if you enjoy placating lunatics
If you think he hates Bush, guess again what he feels about the closed borders crowd.
He loves the sucker punch
entagor on February 8, 2008 at 1:25 PM
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