McCain’s Sister Souljah Moment?
posted at 7:06 pm on February 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Apparently, John McCain doesn’t like the asinine emphasis on Barack Obama’s middle name any more than Obama himself. After talk-radio host Bill Cunningham introduced McCain at a Cincinnati rally, the presumptive Republican nominee apologized for the disrespectful tone taken by his emcee. Allahpundit has the video in this post where McCain explicitly repudiates Cunningham’s repartee — and the audio where Cunningham returns the favor, but here’s the quote:
“I apologize for it,” McCain told reporters, addressing the issue before they had a chance to ask the Arizona senator about Cunningham’s comments.
“I did not know about these remarks but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them,” he said. “My entire campaign I have treated Senator Obama and Senator (Hillary Rodham) Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign.
McCain called both Democrats “honorable Americans” and said “I want to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them.”
Let’s just start off by acknowledging what Cunningham didn’t or wouldn’t admit — the emphasis on “Hussein” in remarking about Obama isn’t intended on ensuring proper identification. It’s a rather naked and intellectually dishonest way to play on the Obama-as-crypto-Muslim meme and/or engage in a little free association with Saddam. It’s a clever ploy, one that allows the purveyor to say (as Cunningham did later), “Hey, I’m just using his real name!” as a dodge for what he really had in mind.
Some may disagree, but I consider that both politically and intellectually lazy. It overshadowed some other perfectly legitimate and serious issues, and in this race, issues will be the key. Playing games and appealing to fear won’t win this election — or else Hillary Clinton would be beating Obama like a bass drum in a Fourth of July parade already.
McCain got handed an opportunity today, and he made the most of it. He could have shrugged off Cunningham’s introduction, but instead he chose to make it an issue before the press could do it. McCain repudiated the attack and emphasized that he would not allow his campaign to pursue that kind of politicking. In doing so, he set the stage for the general election and established the kind of credibility he will need to aggressively pursue Obama’s record and lack of experience.
McCain’s repudiation of this tactic gives him the credibility to claim that debating Obama’s record won’t be a stealth attack on his heritage. It makes it very difficult to paint McCain as dishonorable in deed or intent later in the campaign, when McCain has to aggressively attack Obama’s agenda and his standard Left-liberal platform. If he didn’t repudiate Cunningham, every contrast he painted on the stump between himself and Obama would be tainted by that lapse.
McCain passed his test. And as Allahpundit suggests, his campaign should probably try harder to avoid these tests in the future.
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I agree, Captain. Personally, I didn’t find Cunningham’s remarks particularly offensive, but McCain doesn’t have the benefit of being able to go “eh, what’s the big deal”.
Vyce on February 26, 2008 at 7:10 PM
First, glad to see you over here, Cap’n Ed. I was sorry to hear about CQ closing down and you leaving BTR, but I’m sure you wouldn’t have made the move if it wasn’t a good one.
Absolutely agree with what McCain did. Let the Democrats tear each other down with name-calling and cheap shots, while our guy stays above the fray and talks issues. (Though I can’t help but wish McCain had been that classy vis-a-vis Mitt Romney, but that’s a done deal now.)
GoHskrs on February 26, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I don’t think the Sistah Souljah analogy is a good fit, Captain. No one was wondering whether McCain was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the right. It’s not like he needed some new opportunity to kick us in the yarbles.
see-dubya on February 26, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Well said, Cap’n.
mikeyboss on February 26, 2008 at 7:13 PM
I wonder how long the Democrats will allow him to play nice?
Jay on February 26, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Good job, McCain.
I still don’t know why Cunningham did what he did..
Some of his points were valid, the over the top, rhetoric was NOT needed.
Chakra Hammer on February 26, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Thank God there is more common sense in the blog content than in the blog comments.
DaveS on February 26, 2008 at 7:14 PM
yep
ernesto on February 26, 2008 at 7:15 PM
Spot on Captain.
The GOP needs to fight this campaign on the real issues, not on innuendos and attacks on how Obama was brought up as a small child. When somebody provides evidence of him over the age of 10 attending a mosque, reading the Qur’an, praying to Mecca, going on Hajj, or observing Islamic holidays with his family, then I might start believing it.
The attack dogs will be spitting bile against Jonny Mac though tonight.
Pax americana on February 26, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I have a lot of issues with Sen. Obama; and I have to say that what name his parents gave him at birth is not one of them. His ideas and policies are far more scary and worthy of discussion much more than his middle name.
Branch Rickey on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
One thing I don’t understand for 7 years they called President Bush, anything but a child of god. Now poor little Barry is ridiculed and all of America wants to do a RodneyKing and just get along.
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
So if someone was running for Prez in postwar 1940s with the middle handle of “Adolf”, it wouldn’t get a nod?
Hussein as a middle name isn’t clever or subtle. It’s his actual middle name. It also points to his life connections with Islamic issues that all the honorable folks can give him a pass on, but not lazy folks like myself I guess.
McCain is going to have a lot more cow pies to avoid once this gets going just on the fact that he is White. “Hussein” as a middle name speaks volumes, but will soon be off-limits, and bleeped off television shows if he gets elected.
Hening on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Bingo!
Bob's Kid on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Ed
We can talk about how 6 Republicans here in Mn stabbed us in the back later but for now, I agree with your assessment of the Cunningham comment. I also think McCain took the high road. My only concern continues to be the incessant penchant for conservatives to always take the high road. This isn’t the best situation to get ” down and dirty” obviously, but enough of monotone response to things. And, let’s not be afraid to call Obama a Liberal, Obama hates that, too!
MNDavenotPC on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Totally agree, Cap’n! One has to be careful as to who one accepts endorsements from.
Viscount_Bolingbroke on February 26, 2008 at 7:20 PM
McCain can turn this around on Barak and say “Why dont you tell your backers to stop with all the talk that my campaign is racist ? I didnt hesistate to tell mine to stop it with the low road crap”
William Amos on February 26, 2008 at 7:23 PM
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
And for 7 years we correctly pointed out that they sounded like complete asshats.
Don’t be an asshat.
DaveS on February 26, 2008 at 7:24 PM
…until he loses, which he will. You cant defeat liberals with liberal-’lite’.
It doesn’t matter anyway.
Get ready for your own ‘Sistah Souljah’ moments to come. He’ll never make it to November without stabbing his own in the back once again….repeatedly.
John McCain represents no one’s best interests but John McCain’s.
I swear, All those people carrying his water have battered wife syndrome.
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Hadn’t seen it that way. For sure, emphasizing Obama’s middle name is lazy and cheap, and we should avoid it, opting instead for approaches you suggest. But I’d add some qualifications, among others:
-Team McCain was careless not to have scrubbed the Cunningham intro before it was presented.
-The Dems cannot be expected to reciprocate the civility.
-The popular memory of McCain’s repudiation of this tactic can be expected to last about one week, and not much longer.
So what good does it do?
petefrt on February 26, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Cunningham set it up, Mccain hit it out.
TroubledMonkey on February 26, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Was there ever a question that any attack by McCain on Obama wouldn’t have been about his heritage? Of course not. Will future attacks by McCain on Obama’s record be characterized as an attack on his heritage or race…of course it will! It never matters how docile we try to make ourselves; it never matters how conciliatory we try to sound, it earns us nothing in the area of coverage. I’m not saying McCain should have supported the idea of emphasizing Obama’s middle name, but the denunciation of such usage isn’t going to gain him anything. And since when is an apology a showing of strength. Again, I’m not saying that he should have said, “Heck yeah! that Hussein guy is a shmuck!” But sheesh! I’m sorry this guy used my opponents middle name as an innuendo? Really?
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 7:26 PM
On par with the Clinton’s “What’s wrong with his picture in Somali garb?”
We don’t need to follow in the foot steps on the Clinton slime machine.
Topsecretk9 on February 26, 2008 at 7:28 PM
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:19 PM
And for 7 years we correctly pointed out that they sounded like morons.
Don’t be a moron.
DaveS on February 26, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Here’s a book I am finishing that I would recommend to all:
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by John Mccain and Marshall Salter
bnelson44 on February 26, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Absolutely! McCain knows who he is. He doesn’t need to try to be so darn defensive. Let Cunningham’s words be Cunningham’s words. And let McCain’s words be McCain’s words.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 7:29 PM
oh for goodness sakes AP! Get these shills off here & lets have an honest site again.
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 7:29 PM
McCain snuffed out the spark before it became an uncontrollable inferno, so good on him.
But McCain will lose by more than 10 pts. come November, and that I’ll bet on.
omnipotent on February 26, 2008 at 7:30 PM
I’m in MN too, point the anger at the majority of Democrats and not the 6 Republicans, the Republican Governor vetoed it and the Democrats kept pushing for it.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/15998752.html
6 GOP legislators stripped of leadership positions
What an idiotic way to look for increased funds.
Chakra Hammer on February 26, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Good opinion, Ed.
waterhouse on February 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM
It would be nice if the MSM would let it be that way.
Chakra Hammer on February 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Asshat you say DaveS, so what at least I’ll take that like the man I am.
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Except that Shrillary and Barry O. have little regard for the Constitution and will plunge our country deep in to Socialism should they gain power, I guess he can call them honorable. I wouldn’t.
Mallard T. Drake on February 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM
All I can add here is “yay, he took the high road”.
If he expects them to return the favor, McCain is delusional.
He can ’set the stage’ all he wants, but he’ll be the only one arguing on it – the dems will be busy, oh I don’t know, actually winning the political election in the meantime.
I’m not sure why the republicans have decided of late to keep bringing daisies to a gun fight. When McCain speaks of Obama and Clinton, he more often than not sounds like he’s making a commercial *for* them (I have a lot of respect for him/her, he/she would make a good president, etc).
C’mon, John, let’s get deathly serious about this – the dems and their lackeys won’t be pulling punches – but they will be laughing all the way to the WH while you pull yours.
Midas on February 26, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I’ve been commenting here for months. Where have you been?
bnelson44 on February 26, 2008 at 7:34 PM
lol DaveS they changed the words on ya.
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I agree. McCain is a good boy. He’s not a racist just like Jack Kemp isn’t a racist. Good for him. We need more men like him in the Republican party.
spmat on February 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Taking the high road sort of includes expecting no favor in return. You know, the whole “I do it because it is the right thing to do” concept…
freevillage on February 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Mention Obama’s terrible statist views and his awful kumbaya-we-are-the-world naive approach to foreign affairs.
Not on his middle name or his father’s religion.
SteveMG on February 26, 2008 at 7:36 PM
That is what is great about HA. Different flavors of ‘true’ conservatives. We are the mutt channel. Sorta like the rest of the party.
Bnelson has a lot of street cred here. We all bump heads sooner or later.
Limerick on February 26, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Maybe a few times :)
bnelson44 on February 26, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Obama hs no right to kick McCain that is our full time job. I want McCain to be president so we can be as obnoxious to him as he was to us.
William Amos on February 26, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Thanks for that analysis. And you won me over.
I, for one, am NOT running for President. And I enjoy being snarky. I do not trust BO as far as I could throw him.
CrimsonFisted on February 26, 2008 at 7:42 PM
I dont like the ‘new’ McCain love thats popped up recently. I believe alot of it is just shills who signed up at the latest enrollment.
If Nelson isnt one, I offer an apology but there’s little doubt that the shills are here & they shouldn’t be allowed to taint an honest site.
….my opinion
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Does anyone know if this is how Cunningham addresses Obama on the radio everyday?
I heard him say that this is how he identifies him daily on his radio show as sarcasm, innuendo OR outright slam on the senator, why was he asked to be on the stage?
I personally have no difficulty with him saying what he said if that is his norm. For Senator McCain to repudiate someone for what he normally does may be a bit short-sighted. It carries with it the potential to be a middle finger toward some conservatives.
Just my thoughts!!
rightwingpastor on February 26, 2008 at 7:42 PM
It’s the middle. Win the middle. You can’t win without the middle. Their also known as the silent majority. It’s the middle. It will always be the middle, it always has been the middle. Brilliant move. Your in check, Obamamessiah.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I wonder why he didn’t use the same approach when a supporter asked him “How do we beat the b*tch”? No apologies then. Liberals are all touchy feely and get their feelings hurt so easily and at the same time spew vile hatred toward “this adminstration has done this or neglected that”. You can’t have it both ways.
Les in NC on February 26, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Dadmag: Your youngest daughter Bridget is adopted. Why did you decide to adopt Bridget?
McCain: Well it was primarily my wife’s Cindy’s idea. She was in Bangladesh and she and some of the medical personnel visited Mother Theresa’s orphanage to try and help the children there. There were two little baby girls there. One had a heart problem the other a severe cleft palate. Cindy was very concerned about their ability to survive and their need for medical treatment, so she decided to bring them here for medical treatment. She fell in love with both of them. We decided to adopt Bridget. Two close friends of ours, adopted Mickey, the other child.
Dadmag: You knew about your wife’s decision before hand?
McCain: (laughs) No. She arrived and said “Say hello to your new little daughter.”
Dadmag: A bit of a shock?
McCain: Yes indeed.
Dadmag: And how has it worked out? Are you happy with the decision to adopt Bridget?
McCain: Oh yes! She has enriched our lives. She’s a wonderful child, a complete part of our family and we love her.
Dadmag: Your other children accepted her well?
McCain: Oh yeah sure. She’s the toughest of the four. The youngest always has to be the toughest.
Dadmag: During your campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination Bridget became something of an issue in South Carolina didn’t she?
McCain: Yeah. There were some pretty vile and hurtful things said during the South Carolina primary. It’s a really nasty side of politics. We tried to ignore it and I think we shielded her from it. It’s just unfortunate that that sort of thing still exists As you know she’s Bengali, and very dark skinned. A lot of phone calls were made by people who said we should be very ashamed about her, about the color of her skin. Thousands and thousands of calls from people to voters saying “You know the McCains have a black baby” I believe that there is a special place in hell for people like those.
Dadmag: That must have made you pretty angry?
McCain: Yes, except that you have to consider the kind of people who do it. Getting angry doesn’t serve any useful purpose. But the calls increased my zeal for winning. (laughs)
Dadmag: There are an awful lot of African American children who could be adopted, but there are those who object, including African American organizations which have a policy against interracial adoption.
McCain: I see that barrier more and more breaking down. I think we are making great progress. We just need to make a lot more progress.
Dadmag: You had to go through an extraordinary process to adopt Bridget. A very intrusive process by the bureaucrats. They came to your home and rifled through your drawers. According to what I’ve read, adoption agency officials even asked about your sex life.
McCain: They were very intrusive. Unfortunately it is a disincentive to some parents because it’s so much easier to go overseas. And that leaves us, in this country, with thousands of children who want parents and thousands of parents who want children. One of the goals I’ve had for a long time is to try to encourage a much less convoluted process in order for parents to adopt a child.
http://www.dadmag.com/archive/060400jmccain.php
Chakra Hammer on February 26, 2008 at 7:47 PM
But see, that’s the thing, their going to call it like that whether McCain apologized or not.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 7:48 PM
This whole “guilty by association” meme doesn’t apply to democrats who never, ever have to aplogize for anything or for anyone. They are like The Borg. They invade our space and we fall back. We’ve had too many retreats already.
SouthernGent on February 26, 2008 at 7:49 PM
That is a good point, Les in NC. He was a little less touchy about the “How do we beat the bitch” question.
see-dubya on February 26, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Apology accepted. Guess we haven’t bumped into each other before. I have been here and supporting McCain from the beginning. Even when he seemed to have no hope. My initial support for McCain was for selfish reasons, he supported my son who was and is again in Iraq (he is a 50cal gunner in a combat unit, you know the guys who stick their heads out of the tops of humvees (now MRAP) and are targets for snipers. McCain supported the surge when it seemed like it was only him, Lieberman, and VDH supporting the surge. We remember that. My son has always been a strong supporter of McCain, and I have supported my son in his effort since he cannot do it himself. I fully expected McCain to be overcome by Rudy or Mitt. That didn’t happen, and I have been loyal to McCain. I recommended the book because it gives an insite into what McCain thinks about courage, honor and virtue. Which seems to be the theme of this thread.
bnelson44 on February 26, 2008 at 7:52 PM
You are praising McCain for not playing with Obama’s name, and then you use his name in conjunction with a messianic concept in a pejorative sense. But don’t worry, I’ll apologize to him for you. That way, if there are any middle earth people reading this thread they wont be put off by your right wing extremist rhetoric.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 7:53 PM
I believe that there is a special place in hell for people like those. >:}
Chakra Hammer on February 26, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Obama’s views and policies domestically and on foreign affairs are awful. He apparently has learned nothing from history.
Let’s shout those out at every turn.
These side issues about his name and his father’s religion aren’t going to help us beat his ideology.
SteveMG on February 26, 2008 at 7:57 PM
I thought when McCain trashed the Swift Vets as being “dishonest and dishonorable”, that that waa the Sister Souljah moment.
Or how about when he went after the preachersa? How about when he went after all the nativists who want immigration laws enforced?
McCain has had one Sister Souljah moment after another. That is his problem.
Buddahpundit on February 26, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Thank you.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, Richard Milhaus Nixon, Dwight David Eisenhower, George Herbert Walker Bush, George Walker Bush. Seems middle names are prevelent among those who would be or were President. Why is it a cheap shot to use B. Hussein Obama’s middle name? This fight is so important that no tool or method should be left to chance. If you think Obama plans to play fair, you are not paying attention. That idiot wants to talk to Chavez, Ahmadinajad, and R. Castro. His close friends are either radical Muslims, Hater Christians or ex Weathermen. Stop treating this man with kid gloves, he has no issues.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on February 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
AMartinez on February 26, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Nah… I think it went into moderation, so I resubmitted it myself, thinking that moron would work just as well. I think they subsequently approved the original. Oh well… double the goodness!
DaveS on February 26, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Well said, Ed. More importantly, what does it say about the Republican crowd that whoops it up and calls in talk radio and posts blog comments defending such action.
How many of you know John McCain’s middle name ????
Give up ???
It’s Sidney.
sanjeevn on February 26, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Heh. Okay. I read ya.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Can’t Cunningham think past the next news cycle. Useful idiot to the Dems
Hummer53 on February 26, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 8:04 PM
I love when so much can be said without saying much at all.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I think m-cain did the right thing,but he is no Fred THompson!
beachkatie on February 26, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on February 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM
In history books, sure. Of course, many people actually choose to use their middle name. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for example, uses her maiden name and her married name… that’s very common, although it is usually hyphenated. George W Bush was given the ‘W’ designation to distinguish him from his father.
I have no idea what Dennis Kucinich’s middle name is. I have no idea off the top of my head what John Edward’s name is. I have no idea what Howard Dean’s middle name is. I don’t care, and you didn’t seem to be notably obsessed with informing me about those.
Get over it. If you would just admit that you’re a bigot, life would be much easier. It’s already VERY apparent to everyone else. The more you defend it, the stupider you look.
DaveS on February 26, 2008 at 8:07 PM
I thought when McCain trashed the Swift Vets as being “dishonest and dishonorable”, that that waa the Sister Souljah moment.
Or how about when he went after the preachersa? How about when he went after all the nativists who want immigration laws enforced?
McCain has had one Sister Souljah moment after another. That is his problem.
Buddahpundit on February 26, 2008 at 7:59 PM
BINGO
Les in NC on February 26, 2008 at 8:08 PM
I am not with McCain on this one. I don’t agree your take on it either. He should be proud of a name like Barack Hussein. And McCain shouldn’t say it is innapropriate to use a persons legal name. what is wrong with the name Hussein? Is it not alright in this country to have a wonderful Muslim name? What’s with all the discrimination people? I say Barack Hussein should stand up for his name and talk more about his history and his family.
Rusty Allen on February 26, 2008 at 8:09 PM
WHY DO CONSERVATIVES ALWAYS TALK BADLY OF MCCAIN IN THE GANG OF FOURTEEN?
I never knew exactly what that was until I dug around today. Seems like seven senators from both sides of the isle came together to stop fillabustering Bush’s judicial nominees. This way they get an up or down vote. Question: Why does Mav get pummled by this? I’m confused. Someone please explain. Is it because he reached across the isle again?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:10 PM
My friends, you know…it’s more fun to disagree with John Sidney McCain than it is to agree with him.
But, dammit, I just can’t.
He did the right thing. Barry got this albatross of a name because his whack-job mom married some guy that took off soon afterwards. The implications of pointing out his middle name are obvious and unfair.
Let’s just agree to disagree with Barry over things like his policies and initiatives.
Keep It Classy.
Dorvillian on February 26, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Agree 100% and you pass my test with that comment.
Dash on February 26, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Agreed, now someone explain any policy or initiative he has besides the Global Poverty Act. The rest is HOPE and CHANGE, just Hot Air.
Les in NC on February 26, 2008 at 8:15 PM
McCain learned his lesson when he didn’t correct the B-word used about Hillary.
jgapinoy on February 26, 2008 at 8:15 PM
He’s a bigot because he doesn’t want someone with Muslim heritage elected OUR leader?
Add me to the bigot list too then.
Please stop using political correctness to bully people into ignoring basic survival instincts.
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Cunningham says McCain threw him under the “straight talk” bus. LMAO. He was on CNN. Candy Crowley says it’s a non-story, but they are still talking about it. CNN recalls when Bob Kerrey (D) did this…used Obama’s middle name.
SouthernGent on February 26, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Dittos.
petefrt on February 26, 2008 at 8:19 PM
I’ve never understood the need to cheap-shot with Obama’s name, especially since there are so many legitimate reasons to criticize him. It ticks me off when commentators like Rush do it. Conservatives shouldn’t let ourselves be associated with such sleazy tactics.
–Anthony (Los Angeles)
irishspy on February 26, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Not exactly analogous: First Lady Is Assailed By Giuliani on Mideast
But, I do recall the (proper, in my book) uproar at the time that HRC didn’t repudiate Mrs Arafish on the spot. Yes, this Hussein stuff is relatively harmless, wink & a nod stuff; but good for McCain.
melchitt on February 26, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Indeed.
Weight of Glory on February 26, 2008 at 8:31 PM
It’s because Republicans had the opportunity, if a clearly qualified nominee was filibustered, to get enough Dems to agree to change the rules to prevent filibusters on nominees. Now that Republicans are in the minority, the Gang of 14 looks better now than it did at the time.
pedestrian on February 26, 2008 at 8:34 PM
E_F’nXactly
toliver on February 26, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Do you have to be a hotair veteran to have street credit? What if your like myself, and the comments are just too legit to ignore?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:35 PM
pedestrian on February 26, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I’ve been bouncing from thread to thread trying to figure it out. No one would answer. Thank you. So in the end, it was about fairness, and Mav stepped up to do the fair thing?Yes?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Bill Cunningham is yet another conservative who has been Sister Soulja-ed by McCain. He seriously thought on taking on Rush in 2000.
What conservative can McCain repudiate that you “true conservatives” would find offensive.
McCain is a disgrace and will lose in a landslide this November. If he cared at all for the GOP, he would ask for a brokered convention.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:40 PM
McCain is a disgrace and will lose in a landslide this November.
What statistics backup this assertion?
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:42 PM
You need a statistic that he’s a disgrace?
How about the statistic of him trying to legalize, behind his countryman’s back, an invasion of their country?
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Here’s McCain v. Clinton. Here’s McCain v. Obama. Both Dems will campaign circles around the demented old man.
No statistics backed up the GOP takeover of Congress in 1994 (unless you count a single Zogby poll). If you know any conservatives, ask them if they plan on voting McAmnesty this election. Michelle’s closed poll. He is hated by most of the basde for good reason.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:50 PM
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 8:50 PM
I can understand your frustration and I respect your opinion, but the LA Times, USA Today, and Rasmeussen Polls have him leading by a small margin. It just seems when someone says he’ll lose in a landslide there would be contradictory evidence. That’s all.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Should read Michelle’s closed polls only had him at 50% support among her readers in the general against any Democrat.
And he is hated by the base for crap just like this.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Since the Times smear his average has gone throught the roof. I can understand being a lil’ frustrated at the Mav, I’m just saying he’s leading in three national polls since the smear. The source cited by Valient is an AVERAGE OF POLLS since like the beginning of February or something. They are not up to date. Sorry, don’t shoot the messanger please.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Always remember, McCain hates conservatives more than he hates the NYT.
Conservatives will have absolutely no influence on his policies and will be forced to follow him over the cliff.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Ok, however Obama is barely pulling fifty percent of his own base. There is a huge contingency amonst democrats that feel he is not ready for President. Also, many older dems in the baby boomer demographic(largest in the country) admire Mccain for his service. They also like the fact that many conservatives are out for blood. So if conservatives show up and vote McCain, he’ll have a real good chance of winning.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 8:57 PM
If McCain wins, it will be another 4 years of Bush but worse for conservatives.
If a Dem wins, at least we can stand united against the socialist policies versus having them pass under the ruse of compassionate conservatism.
I will concede your original point that McCain does have a chance this November. I believe his inadequacies as a candidate and whizzing on his base will wear thin quickly resulting in a landslide. The Reagan-Mondale landslide was 60% of the vote.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 9:04 PM
I think his buddies from the Hanoi Hilton as well as millions of other vets would beg to differ.
You don’t agree on everything; please get over it and act like a man.
Lord knows he’s not as conservative as I would have it, but I am not God, and I don’t get to choose these things.
toliver on February 26, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Check out http://vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/ for vets who recognize McCain for the POS he is.
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Valiant,
That’s clearly a kook site.
Shouldn’t you be over at ThinkProgress or something?
toliver on February 26, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Bob Dornan et al. are kooks? Tomorrow Rush, Laura Ingraham, and Michelle Malkin will be kooks. All this for the good of the party?
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Valiant on February 26, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Maverick already admitted to breaking under the torture and beatings. That isn’t new, but I forecast if they bring that up in the general. Mav will counter with his own cast of buddies who will happily go on camera to counter the charge. When that happens either good or bad, you keep reminding America, and a lot of folks who don’t know Mccain ,that he WAS A POW. It’s similar to when dems tried to smear Bush for wiretapping. On face value it looked bad, but most Americans were happy to see someone looking out for them.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 26, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Yeah, I’ve gone through the “information” on that site and I always come back to the same thing. He took a pass on leaving and admitted he “had a breaking point” when he tried to kill himself twice and gave up some nothing “intel” to the NVA after a long torture session. My reaction to someone like you calling him a POS is to ask, WTF have you ever sacrified that comes close? It’s not the faux arguments liberals make when they say to someone “did you serve.” The “chickenhawk” nonsense. This is different. Show me in your own life where you were able to summon the courage, the honor of taking a pass on four years of captivity and torture. Show me or STFU about it.
AYNBLAND on February 26, 2008 at 9:18 PM
I know at least three vets personally who see him as a traitor. Ive heard them say it myself.
A good military record didn’t let Benedict Arnold off the hook, shouldn’t let McCain of the hook either.
DwnSouthJukin on February 26, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Those crybabies [yes, that included Michele] are NOT down with that kook site.
The SwiftBoat Vets were and are legion. What you’ve got there are a handfull of nuts/LOSERS.
I was wrong to say ThinkProgress when I should have mentioned an Alex Jones site btw.
toliver on February 26, 2008 at 9:22 PM
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