McCain hoisted by his own campaign finance petard
posted at 8:33 am on February 22, 2008 by Michelle
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The nation’s top federal election official told Sen. John McCain yesterday that he cannot immediately withdraw from the presidential public financing system as he had requested, a decision that threatens to dramatically restrict his spending until the general election campaign begins in the fall.
The prospect of being financially hamstrung by the very fundraising system he helped create is the latest in a series of bitter challenges for the presumed GOP nominee, who still faces a fractured conservative coalition as he assumes the mantle of party leadership.
The warning from the FEC campaign after McCain launched his Silky-like fund-raising appeal in the wake of the NYT attack:
Within hours of the article’s publication, McCain sought to turn it to his advantage, sending out a fundraising appeal decrying the “baseless attacks” and urging contributions. “With your immediate help today, we’ll be able to respond and defend our nominee from the liberal attack machine,” McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, said in an e-mail.
But McCain’s attempts to build up his campaign coffers before a general election contest appeared to be threatened by the stern warning yesterday from Federal Election Commission Chairman David M. Mason, a Republican. Mason notified McCain that the commission had not granted his Feb. 6 request to withdraw from the presidential public financing system.
The implications of that could be dramatic. Last year, when McCain’s campaign was starved for cash, he applied to join the financing system to gain access to millions of dollars in federal matching money. He was also permitted to use his FEC certification to bypass the time-consuming process of gathering signatures to get his name on the ballot in several states, including Ohio.
By signing up for matching money, McCain agreed to adhere to strict state-by-state spending limits and an overall limit on spending of $54 million for the primary season, which lasts until the party’s nominating convention in September. The general election has a separate public financing arrangement.
But after McCain won a series of early contests and the campaign found its financial footing, his lawyer wrote to the FEC requesting to back out of the program — which is permitted for candidates who have not yet received any federal money and who have not used the promise of federal funding as collateral for borrowing money.
The consequences:
If the FEC refuses McCain’s request to leave the system, his campaign could be bound by a potentially debilitating spending limit until he formally accepts his party’s nomination. His campaign has already spent $49 million, federal reports show. Knowingly violating the spending limit is a criminal offense that could put McCain at risk of stiff fines and up to five years in prison.
Hoisted by his own campaign finance petard.
Can’t say I’m reaching for the Kleenex.
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I think McCain is learning some very hard lessons lately.
carbon_footprint on February 22, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Well, as much as I’m a McHead, this doesn’t look good. But why does McCain need money now? He’s pretty much got the nomination wrapped up…unless his campaign is really in a lot of debt.
JetBoy on February 22, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Coulter’s column on this nails it in her own inimitable way.
http://www.anncoulter.com/
The MSM has way too much say in this election,thanks Johnny.
bbz123 on February 22, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Maybe, just MAYBE, these idiots will think twice about messing with things (campaign finance) that have far reaching implications. Maybe, just MAYBE now, they’ll stick to the things they’re best equipped to deal with. Like, steroids in baseball, and cheating in football. Go Arlen Specter, socialist from PA for the Senate.
RWLA on February 22, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Petard;explosive device formerly used in war for
bursting gates,etc.
Can’t say I’m reaching for the Kleenex.
No,but after been hoisted by an explosive device,
I’m sure soft Charmin will have to do!Haha
canopfor on February 22, 2008 at 8:48 AM
McHead? Isn’t that what Ronald McDonald gets from Mrs. McDonald? (Hi wife not his mother. At least not anywhere but West Virginia and Kentucky)
RWLA on February 22, 2008 at 8:49 AM
John McCain needs reform.
MT on February 22, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Oh yeah, he’s the man. Caught by his own bear trap. Too bad. The democraps will have a good laugh at his expense (again).
Zorro on February 22, 2008 at 8:52 AM
So the FEC doesn’t give senior-citizen discounts?
emailnuevo on February 22, 2008 at 8:56 AM
It’s karma but unfortunately this doesn’t just affect John McCain; it affects everyone of us who wants to keep the dangerously seductive and radical Obama out of the White House.
Buy Danish on February 22, 2008 at 8:57 AM
DANG I was hoping they would :-)
TOPV on February 22, 2008 at 8:59 AM
When the the people who are now finding humor with McCain’s election troubles have to put up with 8 years of Obama or Hillary becasue they were to rigid to support McCain, that will be Karma.
I’m as far right as they get in my personal ideology, but I don’t get the absolute dismissal of politicians who don’t cater to every believe of every Conservative. Ronald Reagan of 1979 would not be good enough for some today. I say this as a long time Michelle fan, and I still adore her, but I am starting to become turned off by some of our own pundits.
scotth on February 22, 2008 at 9:00 AM
So we can keep on beating the sh*t out of McCain - he’s NOT the candidate we desire - but the alternative to him is even scarier. Obama will ruin this country in 4 short years. Ruin it. Come up with an alternative (Republican) to McCain - who at this point would it be? Sadly, not Romney or Thompson in my opinion. So do we just continue to contribute to sinking McCain?
mimi1220 on February 22, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Great column. Thanks!
Buy Danish on February 22, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Can’t he just stop acting like an idiot?
The primary election was a referendum on the Clinton’s legacy. Just about anyone could have beat them, they ran a ridiculous campaign that reminded everyone about who they really are.
The General will be a referendum on Obama. Let’s hope that even McCain will be able to beat him by the end of the year.
Silly season needs to end - back to reality or Oops, there goes sanity?
Dorvillian on February 22, 2008 at 9:07 AM
It’s funny because he wrote it, and he’s getting shafted by it. It’s called poetic irony. And is it ever delicious.
amkun on February 22, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Some choice! Continue to financially support McCain, in the hope that he can beat Obama, or suffer the death of a thousand tax hikes if Obama walks in unopposed!
OldEnglish on February 22, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Yeah, that’s just great. Now that it looks like we’re stuck with him, he’s somehow painted himself in a corner where he might not be able to spend what he may need against the opposition.
CP on February 22, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Waiting to hear from FUNKY CHICKEN, HINEY VON PEUPS, & THE CHOSEN ONE… who all told us WE were so stupid to believe that McCain was WRONG on his attack on our preciouse FIRST AMENDMENT (among LOTS of other things.)
HE IS A FLAWED CANDIDATE AND CAN NOT WIN WITHOUT THE BASE.
Chirping, chirping, chirping.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Here we go!
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 9:21 AM
F-u-n-n-y !
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:21 AM
What exactly was the point of his campaign finance reforms if they were optional?
Also, it seems to me that if you’re going to willingly handcuff yourself, you would do so with the assurance that your opponent would as well. Um.. Apparently that’s just me.
amkun on February 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM
John McCain needs to withdraw. Apparently, he can’t even run a campaign… step aside with your walker, John, let a REAL CONSERVATIVE back in to win ! (and Huck is NOT a conservative. Evangelical and Conservative are NOT the same word.)
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Huckabee becomes an even more important character in this charade, no? If he were to drop out could McCain formally become the nominee?
ctmom on February 22, 2008 at 9:24 AM
The irony here is wonderful considering how McCain is constantly lecturing us on what a wonderful thing he did with Russ “impeach Bush” Feingold.
That being said, McCain will never be a party leader. He is too divisive and too much in love with all things Democrat to ever be trusted by conservatives. He may end up the GOP nominee but he will be as much a leader after he loses in November as John Kerry or Al Gore.
highhopes on February 22, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Thank you for making my morning! I can just see McCain waving his AARP card at the FEC building. ;-0
highhopes on February 22, 2008 at 9:28 AM
It’s much more fun dictating to others than it is living by the dictates.
tarpon on February 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Quite the system you’ve snagged yourself into, huh Juan?
Serves you right.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Gee McCain, what’s the matter? Something about this doesn’t feel right to you? Perhaps you could argue that in court.
“Your Honor, I John McCain, am having my free speech rights violated by the McCain Feingold Campaign Finance Law.”
Now that’s funny. Go ahead McCain, tell us all how you intend to beat the Democrats in November when you can only spend another six million dollars until September. Sure it’s fair, after all, it was supposed to get the evil money out of politics, and show everyone how public funding of elections was fair.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 9:31 AM
You’re right, of course. It’s just that some of the mcCain “fans” on this site are simply disgusting with their rrants about how great John mcCain. I’m still sick about Mitt dropping out.. Most of us could see that McCain is a train running full speed ahead to a wreck… it’s only a matter of time.
I just don’t have any confidence that McCain can win. We might have to accept that it’s going to be Obama (and Clinton, I think she will be VP). That ticket would be almost unbeatable with our best candidates but MCCAIN??? It’s really not a very hopeful situation.
And, yes, it makes me sick. But, sorry, McCain can’t win without the “racist, bigoted” base.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:33 AM
The petard was a sort of bucket, filled with black powder, that was hung on the outside of barricaded gates and then set off in the hope of blasting the gates open so the city or fortress could be invaded. If the intrepid petardier did not leave the area quickly enough he was often killed in the subsequent explosion.
Many years after the petard itself fell into disuse - courtesy of the cannon - the phrase describing the unfortunate end of a careless petardier still continued and comes down to us today as a way to describe someone who is ultimately brought down or injuried in some way by circumstances of his own creation.
The correct wording, however, is: hoist with his/her own petard.
NemoParticularis on February 22, 2008 at 9:34 AM
amkun, exactly what McCain himself wrote is arguable, as legislators rarely do the actual writing of any bill. That is usually accomplished by aides. And Feingold’s name is also on the books, not just McCain’s.
scotth, her lack of maturity bruises the party now.
Michelle, you omit the significant crux of this FEC matter: AWOL FEC quorum due to Democrat refusal to conduct votes on Bush nominees. THAT Democratic legislative tactic will eventually provide the ripe opportunity for America’s destruction. On the immediate and limited topic of McCain’s funds, one could argue that the current FEC chairman has it in for McCain, as Mason certainly does not have the quorum REQUIRED to enact anything at this time on this matter, pro or con McCain’s or anyone else’s request.
maverick muse on February 22, 2008 at 9:36 AM
And yet, we are still being told by the McCainiacs to shut up and support the party nominee- no questions asked. If McCain wants my vote, he is going have to show some humility and understanding of how truly divisive he is with the base of his own party. He may be the media darling of the NYT and WP but he doesn’t have the respect of many of the people he needs to count on to rally the base in November.
Not a hopeful situation at all.
highhopes on February 22, 2008 at 9:37 AM
I was just going to blockquote that bit. It seems as long as Dems refuse to allow nominees to the FEC, they can seriously debilitate our campaign efforts.
Stenwin77, say it with me now: “John McCain will not withdraw. He is the party’s nominee.” This delusion you have that McCain is going to withdraw, Huckabee won’t take his place, and some great Conservative is going to come riding in and take the nomination, is getting a bit sad. If McCain takes the number of delegates from Mitt that he’s expected to, he already has the magic number.
amerpundit on February 22, 2008 at 9:39 AM
While the MSM have been losing circulation/ratings for years, their power and influence (and bias) have increased, thanks to the Maverick… and George Bush, who signed McCain-Feingold into law.
Within the space of 24 hours we’ve had two classic examples of the chickens coming home to roost, with McCain as the victim.
Everyone on our side predicted the MSM would turn on McCain. The only one who didn’t see it coming, apparently, was McCain himself. Rush’s “spurned lover” analogy is spot on. “Darling, how could you do this to me! I thought you loved me!”
You can’t play nice with Liberals. Bush learned that very quickly, now McCain. These Liberals are implacable. Too many Conservatives talk about conceding an election in the vague hope of winning the next one. It happened in 2006 and it’s happening again this year. Liberals never think like that. They would never, ever dream of conceding any election to us. We have to be as partisan, implacable and cynical as they are before they destroy us.
infidel65 on February 22, 2008 at 9:44 AM
*groaning in pain*
I can’t take it, can I go back to not knowing I have a knife in my back and am bleeding profusely?
Please, make me numb again!
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 9:44 AM
risk of stiff fines and up to five years in prison.
I don’t even want to go there.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 9:47 AM
amerpundit, say it with me now…”John McCain can NOT win in November against either Obama or Clinton.”
Of course he has it sewn up. And, of course, he realizes he won’t win -except that darn pride keeps him thinking he can. If he really had the best interests of the party and the country in his head, he would withdraw. Stranger things have happened - and in THIS campaign season, it may.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:49 AM
I would think that Romney’s won delegates would have as say as to whether their numbers are added to McCain’s delegate count. Isn’t that typically settled at the convention?
captivated_dem on February 22, 2008 at 9:52 AM
He who lives by bipartisanship demagoguery will die by bipartisanship demagoguery.
Next on JMac’s agenda……FIRST LOOK AT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM REFORM!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 22, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Any bets that B. Hussein Obama’s choices for the FEC will be approved with no problem when he’s President? Now, once Obama’s, minions are in place, perhaps we’ll all have the joy of watching Maverick John McCain, the Republican Nominee, and loser in the General Election marched off to Prison for violating McCain Feingold, his own campaign finance law. Now that’s a funny situation waiting to happen.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Ah yes, the silly accusation that people who have decided that McCain is worlds above Obama are spewing profanity and accusations of bigotry, etc. Projection? Oh yes.
Here we are, off on another of our unginged rants:
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:01 AM
LOL
TOPV on February 22, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Was it McCain’s “experience” that led him into this fiasco? New slogan “Experience you can’t count on!”…LOL
Too funny
TOPV on February 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Well, I guess this comment could have hurt stenwin’s feelings:
M
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Dr. Cwac.Cwac is right on the money here. Personally, I can’t decide what I want to see more. President McCain screaming that the House of Representatives decision to investigate him for violating McCain Feingold CFR during the campaign is reason to impeach, or John McCain being hauled off for violating that law and being sentenced to prison.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Mav doesn’t give up, that’s how he survivied the commies.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Uh Oh. bigred hurt your feelings too I guess. You “lifelong conservatives for Obama” are so easily shocked by vicious rhetoric.
And that Bill Bennett. What a firebreather “McCainiac” he is too.
But keep cheerleading for the Obama victory. Because 4 years of a Liberal Fascist will really teach that GOP a thing or two.
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:06 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 9:49 AM
You’re joking, right?
The elites among the conservative movement are shoring up his support. It. Ain’t. Gonna. Happen.
If you truly, truly, truly, truly, truly are a Romney supporter, then why rail against Mitt Romney’s unity request?
I suspect you are more concerned with the unification going on in the GOP, while the upcoming cat-fight in the Jackass party will make McCain look electable to center-left.
Your criticism focuses on only one fantastic idea, disunity in the GOP after the inevitable. Transparent as a single 42 year old woman desperately seeking a husband.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:06 AM
People said the same about Bush. He can’t win against the anti-war Kerry. Polls pointed to Reagan losing to Carter.
Don’t underestimate the ability of the Dems to screw this up. If anyone can, they can. Even James Carville acknowledged that the other day.
amerpundit on February 22, 2008 at 10:08 AM
As for those who have taken to labeling Senator McCain a liberal, we reject that.
A liberal does not have a zero rating from NARAL and a 17-percent voting record with the AFL-CIO (the same rating as Sen. Jim DeMint, by way of comparison).
A liberal does not have this written about him by Sen. Jon Kyl: “On the ever-important issue of life, Senator McCain has a record of voting for pro-life legislation: He has voted for bans on partial birth abortion; he has supported Unborn Victims of Violence Act and parental notification for minors; and he has voted against using federal money to distribute morning-after contraception in schools. He has repeatedly cosponsored the Child Custody Protection Act, which prohibits the transportation of minors across state lines in order to circumvent state laws, requiring instead the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.”
A liberal does not vote to defund Planned Parenthood.
A liberal does not go on television and radio to defend Sam Alito and John Roberts.
A liberal does not go on the road to campaign for Social Security retirement accounts.
A liberal does not support the surge or the stay in Iraq.
A liberal does not support extending Bush’s tax cuts.
A liberal does not get the endorsements of Tom Coburn, Jack Kemp, Steve Forbes, Rudy Giuliani, Sam Brownback, Tim Pawlenty, Phil Gramm, Jeff Flake, Jon Kyl, and Ted Olson.
Senator McCain may have some liberal positions, but he is not a liberal. He is a conservative with some liberal positions. But on life, taxes, and national defense, his record is, in fact, very strong.
Let us repeat. We know the “yes, but,” argument against Senator McCain - and agree with some of it. But let us not fool ourselves that there is no difference between Senator McCain and whomever the Democrats nominate. (What we have written above about Senator Clinton holds true of Senator Barack Obama as well).
Over the past two years, the conservative movement has lifted Senator Joe Lieberman onto their shoulders higher and higher (rightly, in our view), and yet many of the same people who have done that have sworn off of Senator McCain. Notwithstanding much of our praise for Senator Lieberman, he is far to the left of Senator McCain - with a lifetime ACU rating of 17 percent and an ADA (Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal counter-part to the ACU ratings), in 2006, of 75 percent.
Senator Clinton’s respective ratings? Nine percent from the ACU and 95 percent from the ADA.
Senator Obama’s respective ratings? Eight percent from the ACU and 95 percent from the ADA.
Senator McCain’s respective ratings? 82.3 percent from the ACU and 15 percent from the ADA.
We do not have perfect nominees and never have. As John Hinderaker pointed out recently, since Calvin Coolidge, we haven’t even had a pure “conservative ideologue” in our party elected president. And even that one “purist” was not free of blemishes and criticism, much as we rightly venerate him.
http://www.bennettmornings.com
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
And on liberty?
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Saltysam, hey, do you want 75% or 0%?
And on most facets of liberty, I’d give McCain some credit. So let’s give him a 50% on liberty. That would make his cumulative score an 87.5% vs 0%
I’ve always favored a B+ to an F-.
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I lost my brother 3 years ago… he left 4 little kids. My anger at McCain being the candidate is that he CAN’T win. I believed that Romney could beat OBama. No, I DO NOT want a Dem in the WH, but look at the reality of this situation.
And I have to ask, the sacrifice of our troops (and I know it all too well) and then to come home to the invasion of our country from Mexico??? Where is the sense in that?
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I’m supporting McCain. We need to keep leftist pos Obama out of the White House. But I shed no tears on this issue, either. Stupid, shortsighted laws have painful consequences.
Jaibones on February 22, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Please stop copy/paste spamming these McCain threads. We know that you support McCain. You’ve broadcast your opinion loudly and constantly.
And stop acting the Chicken Little while you’re at it. The country wont be destroyed by four years of Obama. All this crazy hyperbole I see only makes it more clear that McCainiacs are out of touch with reality.
HebrewToYou on February 22, 2008 at 10:22 AM
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Would that be the same pro life John McCain who said he wouldn’t vote for an amendment banning abortion? Or would that be the same Conservative John McCain who said he wouldn’t vote for the amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman? Which Conservative John McCain are we talking about here?
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I’m sorry, it just struck me in the funny bone.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Saltysam, well, unless by liberty you mean liberty to get a partial birth abortion.
In that case, McCain gets a zero and Obama gets 100%.
Therefore we have 75% for McCain and 25% for Obama.
A C still beats an F.
funky chicken on February 22, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Oh, sorry. I know, it’s the Conservative John McCain who wanted to grant Amnesty to millions of people who’ve broken dozens of laws and called the opponents racists.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM
D
I certainly see your point about the irony of this situation, especially after those “bigoted, racist” conservatives screamed over the attack on our 1st amendment… but I would not want McCain to go to any prison -I think he’s suffered enough of that !
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Okay;
life, 50% liberty, taxes and national defense.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Conditions when I might vote for McCain.
1) Hell freezes over.
2) I’m visited by a representative of God and told that it’s God’s will. (Proper ID would be required to confirm that the individual in question is a fully accredited representative of God. Of course, we’ll probably have no difficulty with that confirmation with the Real ID act.)
3) I’m drunk on election day. (Not too likely. I haven’t been drunk in more than fifteen years.)
4) I go certifiably insane. (In which case I would be unable to vote, that whole crazy people can’t vote rule)
So in other words, it ain’t going to happen.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:28 AM
uncertain inalienable rights?
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:29 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Well it wouldn’t be like his time in North Vietnam. It would be hilarious though. In all honesty, I’d break out the popcorn and enjoy the show.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Any rediculous comments about Maverick not being the right Republican candidate to lead the troops, and you know who you are, are a reach. Mac dragged the bushies kicking and screaming to support the surge strategy. The troops love Mav, he’s one of them. Please let Romenee fade away and go back to what he knows best: Investment Banking. That’s what he is, that what he will always be. You might have a Romeny presidency one day, but not this generation. His daddy lost, he lost,
maybewhen one if not all of his sons decides to run in 2030 you can have your jollies then.THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Revised: …certain unalienable rights, that among those are 75% life, 50% liberty, taxes and national defense.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I’m sorry for your loss.
Snake307 on February 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
LATEST FOX NEWS POLL: OBAMA UP A MEASLEY 3 PTS. NOW THE NEW IAEA REPORT SAYS IRAN’S AT IT AGAIN. THAT’LL HELP MAV EVEN MORE.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Really??
Well since Grandpa won’t beat B. “Hussein”… I guess you won’t have your jollies ever :-)
TOPV on February 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Mc Cain won’t do anything but the same stuff Bush did…
bomb them a little, claim victory, then spend billions of dollars rebuilding the country..
wait, he won’t be able to because:
1. He won’t be President
2. If he happens to luck in there somehow, he’ll have signed over the US to Mexico
3. We won’t have any money to fight a war because of all our lopsided trade agreement
Shall I go on Chosen (or do you get it). We can go slower at this if it helps ;-)
TOPV on February 22, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Michelle clearly hasn’t reached the “acceptance” phase yet. A few more months of Obamania sweeping the nation should do the trick. As John Derbyshire said in last week’s Radio Derb: “I have resolved that I would never vote for John McAmnesty, but the more I listen to Obama, the more my resolution wavers.”
I suspect this will be a similar pattern among conservatives. As the threat of another Clinton presidency recedes, and you hear months upon months of the “change” that will be coming from the most unreconstructed leftist candidate the Democrats have put up in in several generations, getting behind a war hero who flipped off the commie North Vietnamese even as they were breaking his arms is going to get easier and easier.
Dudley Smith on February 22, 2008 at 10:37 AM
One day sooon, my FRIEND, you will have to realize that YOUR man will lose in November. I will feel for you (well, maybe) because I and many others have felt the pain, and felt it recently.
Pride goeth before a fall…
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Mav will take a ton of Hillary votes. As much as I dislike dems, there is a sect or wing of the party that doesn’t buy all this hope and change. Conservatives are always yelling about how Mav can’t win overwhelming majorities of the party. Guess what? Either can Obama. Once we have a few international incidents near the election, this will end up being easier than I thought.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Ann Coulter makes some great observations about the current campaign finance laws in her recent article:
Ann Coulter
How to Keep Reagan Out of Office
Note how the current laws increase the power of the Mainstream media-anointed candidates, incumbents, celebrities and the super rich.
The current laws would likely have prevented the Reagan revolution.
TheBigOldDog on February 22, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I appreciate that. I can still barely speak of it. And I don’t often, but when people throw the rightous indignation card up, they often don’t know what experiences others have gone through. We all react to world and personal event so differently.
I have been worried all along -and for many months- that Obama was going to get the nomination. With that in mind, I truly believed that out only chance was Romney. McCain might have beaten Hillary, but without the base, I’m not so sure.
However, Romney had his own problems with the base, unfortunately. But picturing a debate with Obama, McCain just isn’t gonna cut it.
For those who throw the current polls up as gospel (re: McCain vs. Obama and/or Clinton)… well, that’s just not the picture it’s going to be in November.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:45 AM
And for every ton that McCain gets, Obama will get NINE tons. Plus, he will get almost all of the independents. Plus he will get plenty of squishy Republicans.
You think it’s all about the war. I think it should be, but I don’t think it is in the minds of the American people. Things are calming down in Iraq and Americans are starting to think it’s over.
The economy is going to be the problem. (A Romney strength) Everyone is talking “HEALTHCARE”. (Another Romney strength, although I wasn’t totally fond of his plan, at least it wasn’t socialized).
The main problems, though no one says it, with our healthcare system are: (1)uninsured ILLEGAL ALIENS sucking the system dry, and (2)we need TORT reform. (Something Bush promised but, shock, it never happened !)
Add to that, the Media putting hot, harsh lights on McCain during debates.. McCain sweating, looking more than his age, against young, strapping Barry Obama…
It’s probably over.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Dudley Smith on February 22, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Smartest guy in the room.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
So, if we can get him elected and convicted, he can be President from prison? Sounds like a win for Republicans and Democrats alike. He’d get lots of cross-over votes I bet.
Stashiu3 on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I guess all the polls that call it a statistical dead heat are wrong. my bad.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 10:56 AM
No, most of us love Bush, can’t stand “Mav”, either the McCain one or the Tom Cruise one.
Stashiu3 on February 22, 2008 at 10:59 AM
If all things were equal, I think McCain would have a chance to beat Obama, BUT, he doesn’t have the money nor the activists that stuff envelopes and drive people to the polls (literally and figuratively). Obama has tons of money and a large cult of people who will be Jehovah Witness like knocking on people’s doors and getting them to the polls. I worked as a precinct captain once. It is hard work and you have to be really dedicated to getting your guy in - you need an office of volunteer’s to stuff envelopes and call EVERYONE on the election rolls. You need to knock on doors and get people motivated. The very people who do this for the GOP are the very people who hate McCain.
Ann NY on February 22, 2008 at 11:01 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I’m assuming the 77 in your name has something to do with your birthdate. There is this group of people called BABY BOOMERS. You may have heard of them. They are the largest voting block in the country and are getting bigger by the minute. It’s the very reason Social Security is going bankrupt. We have way more collecting than paying. Guess what, they vote. The youth vote has always left candidates at the alter, and Mav dominates Independants. Get your facts straight and stop skipping school. Don’t mess with the Chosen One kid, you’ll get burned.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Well, that’s a little different than:
“He can’t win!”
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Hope you’re right. It’s February.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 11:03 AM
My list is a little more attainable than yours:
1-JUAN HERNANDEZ (adios)
2-MIRIDA INITIATIVE (No no no)
3-AMNESTY BILL CURRENTLY IN CONGRESS (NEVER)
4-RAMOS & COMPEAN (pardonas)
5- Conservative VP on ticket
Then I will vote for McCain. Otherwise, will write in Romney.
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Michelle,
So, if the Republican’s lose the election and the country puts the empty headed marxist into Whit Houe, you’ll still be happy, because at least you got to prove your point about your McHate.
As much as I have always respected you, I have to say the more you go down this path, themore and more disappointed I am with you.
This is about the future of America, not your ego.
What do you hope to accomplish with your constant, smug snipes?
What is the endgame? Mac drops out and Romney gets the Nod? Anyone as smart as you are knows that isn’t going to happen, so what can you possibly hope to accomplish by continuing to place your ego over the best interests of the party?
Are you going to hold your breath until you turn blue, unless the GOP suddenly wakes up and dumps the candidate you hate so much? You might as well, because it would be no less mature than what you are doing right now.
(Copied from my comment on MichelleMalkin.Com)
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 22, 2008 at 11:10 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 10:55 AM
5- Conservative VP on ticket
It WILL be Lindsey Graham, but he’s probably not “conservative” enough for you. I think you would be happy with some inbred like Gary Bauer.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM
stenwin77 on February 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM
If you think Romeny is a conservative, I have some beach front property in Nebraska I’d like to sell you.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Why do moderates always confuse conservatives with evangelicals? I’m an atheist, so Bauer or Huckabee would make me even less willing to vote for McCain than I am now. There are plenty of choices that would make both the conservatives and the evangelicals happy.
Ann NY on February 22, 2008 at 11:17 AM
And you’re gonna sell the Lindsey-Graham-is-a-conservative bridge with that package?
*enthusiaitically grabbing my pen*
Where do I sign?
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Besides Immigration Reform which most here refer to as McShamnesty, Lindsey Graham has a terrific conservative record. Open your eyes America. Oh yeah, I’m for Immigration Reform which most of you have rejected. Guess what? Now you have no bill, and tens of thousand more illegals have poured across the border since the conservative hissy fit. Keep thinkin that you can round up twenty million people. lol
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Keep sellin’ the Lindsey Graham-is-a-conservative bridge.
That’s a money maker!
*practically hyperventilating, shaking with enthusiasm*
Where do I sign?
(Btw- It’s absolutely laughable that in order sell this bridge, you have to make the false claim that anti-McShamnesty advocates propose “rounding up” 20 million. Oh yeah, that’ll really sell these bridge contracts.)
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 11:41 AM
This is NOT true. We already have laws that if enforced could stop the flood of illegals! Quit saying there is no bill. The laws are already on the books. The problem is our politicians won’t enforce them.
jwp1964 on February 22, 2008 at 11:43 AM
I find it delightfully ironic that McShamnesty may be a victim of restraints on free speech! Go FEC, uphold the law and make McShamnesty stick to nis commitments!
jwp1964 on February 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
-his commitments.
jwp1964 on February 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Terrific: causing terror; terrifying
Great adjective choice, Chosen.
Saltysam on February 22, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I wonder how conservatives plan to round up twenty million people. Perhaps a mile wide snare baited with quesadillas.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM
again. How do you beat a billion dollar fence? With a twelve dollar shovel or a fourty dollar ladder. lol
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 22, 2008 at 12:15 PM
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