In the year 2013 …
posted at 8:20 am on May 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John McCain has a new campaign ad out today, envisioning the state of the nation and the world at the end of his first term of office. He will give a speech in Columbus, Ohio today to coordinate with the ad, laying out his vision for a McCain presidency, emphasizing themes of national security and economic growth, two key issues for Ohio voters. The ad itself, though, seems rather weak:
John McCain, looking through a crystal ball to 2013 and the end of a prospective first term, sees “spasmodic” but reduced violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden dead or captured and government spending curbed by his ready veto pen.
The Republican presidential contender also envisions April’s annual angst replaced by a simpler flat tax, illegal immigrants living humanely under a temporary worker program, and political partisanship stemmed by weekly news conferences and British-style question periods with joint meetings of Congress. …
- “The Iraq war has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced.”
- The Taliban threat in Afghanistan has been greatly reduced.
- “The increase in actionable intelligence that the counterinsurgency produced led to the capture or death of Osama bin Laden, and his chief lieutenants,” McCain said. “There still has not been a major terrorist attack in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.”
- A “League of Democracies” has supplanted a failed United Nations to apply sanctions to the Sudanese government and halt genocide in Darfur.
- The United States has had “several years of robust growth,” appropriations bills free of lawmakers’ pet projects known as “earmarks,” public education improved by charter schools, health care improved by expansion of the private market and an energy crisis stemmed through the start of construction on 20 new nuclear reactors.
- Democrats are asked to serve in his administration, he holds weekly news conferences and, like the British prime minister, answers questions publicly from lawmakers.
The ad, I believe, tries to do everything at once. Instead, it would have served better as a series of ads with a little more meat on the bone. It doesn’t say too much about John McCain but instead sounds like a generic wish list that any candidate could use. Who isn’t for economic growth and a reduced threat of nuclear terrorism? I may not like Barack Obama as a candidate, but I’m certain he’s for them, too. I’d prefer to hear how McCain will accomplish it, but the only area in which we get a hint of that is with better health care through consumer choice.
The speech sounds more interesting, especially in charter schools and his plan to appear regularly in front of lawmakers. I had no idea the Supreme Court held audiences — oh, wait, he means Congress! It’s an interesting offer, and one that would play to McCain’s strengths. He does best in town-hall formats, speaking extemporaneously, and the constant engagement on the floor of Congress in joint session could do wonders in breaking policy logjams. It certainly has the virtue of novelty, and it could help defuse the bitter partisanship that has afflicted the political class since Watergate.
McCain looks ready to push again for the League of Democracies idea, although Glen Johnson’s view that McCain wants to “supplant” the UN may overstate McCain’s position on this. He has offered this idea as a parallel to the UN as a means to rally the free world into action when the UN stall, but not as an outright replacement for Turtle Bay. McCain hasn’t made that suggestion the center of his foreign policy and has been quiet on it lately, so the context in Columbus should be interesting.
His take on the war on terror seems measured and responsible. Realistically, it will not end in the next few years, especially with Pakistan as vacillating as it is under current leadership. The US will need to keep pressure on radical Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing to isolate Iran and Syria in the Middle East. If we do that and maintain our forward strategy against terrorism, then McCain’s vision is quite realistic and avoids any pie-in-the-sky promises.
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Forget Ron Paul! John McCain is the Saviour of All Mankind!
Yay!!!
fossten on May 15, 2008 at 8:26 AM
I like the ad. It gives some concrete goals that sound achievable, unlike the airy-fairy Hope and Change nonsense that Obama is offering or Obama’s gigantic new government programs that nobdy thinks he can actually get implemented.
It’s also an optimistic ad. McCain thinks America is still fundamentally an optimistic country and is not going to buy the Obama line that it’s 1932 and we need another New Deal.
rockmom on May 15, 2008 at 8:27 AM
Also in the speech he is talking about how he will run for a second term, hey McCain, expect what happen to Ford to happen to you, and have a conservative challenger for president in the primary.
BroncosRock on May 15, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Can’t wait for this speech. I was firmly against McCain during the primary season but I am hoping over the next half year he gives me good reason to vote for him instead of against someone else.
12thman on May 15, 2008 at 8:32 AM
I’ve been trying to gauge how the Dem’s age bashing will play. Watched McCain’s global warming speech and must admit he sounded like an old kook.
Of course when Al Gore says the same thing he sounds like a fat, pompous kook. So it has something to do with the subject matter.
But still, when McCain gets wound up I get this vision of Mathau & Lemmon in “Grumpy Old Men”.
miles on May 15, 2008 at 8:32 AM
These two points do not go together. Also, the Democrats will already be in control of Congress so the likelihood of any of those initiatives getting through is slim to none.
BigD on May 15, 2008 at 8:33 AM
In real life in 2013, America has bow down to Iran, Russia because McCain won’t drill for oil. With his Cap and trade garbage, he will destroy the economy of the United States so by 2013 we will be a second rate country.
BroncosRock on May 15, 2008 at 8:33 AM
You said it. It would also allow for a “how we got there”. The idea behind it is great, they just need to execute a little better. Question: I’m in PA, a battleground state, and I haven’t seen a single McCain ad. Where are they running?
malan89 on May 15, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Get that dang song out of my head.
Please get that dang song out of my head!
locomotivebreath1901 on May 15, 2008 at 8:36 AM
PaulBot located. PaulBot must be terminated. 1…2…3…4…PaulBot destroyer launched.
malan89 on May 15, 2008 at 8:38 AM
By 2012 he will be impeach so his conservative VP can take over and fix McCain’s horrible two years in office. That is what I pray and hope will happen. So McCain can’t run for a second term because he is impeach and no longer president. So that by 2012 election we will have a president Senators and Reps who is challenging Democrat incumbent, who runs on conservative ideas and win back the House in 2012.
BroncosRock on May 15, 2008 at 8:39 AM
Our veto will keep us in the UN after the League is born.
indythinker on May 15, 2008 at 8:40 AM
I’m not sure the desire to be like the British Prime Minister is so great, unless he fancies himself to be the second coming of Winston Churchill, which wouldn’t surprise me.
The ad does rather over-promise.
BigD on May 15, 2008 at 8:47 AM
McCain/McCain ticket?
The VP does Congress, John. If you want to stay on Capitol Hill, then run as VP or dissolve your POTUS campaign.
Otherwise, it’s time to show your hand.
WE CALL. Fess up.
Who’s to be in your league, Mr. POTUS?
Name names behind you, willing to commit to participating in your presidency, VP to Cabinet POSSIBILITIES at least.
Unless we count the mariachis,
McCain is still running as a one man band.
Who were his co-pilots back in his military days?
What have they to say of their working relationship?
maverick muse on May 15, 2008 at 8:59 AM
The Book Of John McCain
1.1 And McCain said “Let the invasion of Iraq ends by 2013,” but we are still in 3013 and U.S. troops are still in Mesopotamia.
1.2 And McCain said “Let there be Climate Change,” but climate did not change.
1.3 And McCain said “Let there be Campaign Finance Reform” but McCain was the only one who got screwed by it.
1.4 And McCain said “Let there be Amnesty for Invaders” but the American people did not listen to him.
1.5 And McCain said “Let me go Spanish” but the Latinos did not vote for Republicans.
1.6 And McCain said “Let me go on TV’s nightly comedy shows” but he made a fool of himself.
1.7 And McCain said “Let me be a maverick” but maverick in his case was a synonym of ‘idiot.’
1.8 And McCain said “Let me debate the Democratic candidate” but it was ridiculous watching him debating himself.
1.9 And McCain said “Let me concede power, maybe I can get a share” but again, McCain got screwed and he lived in a nursing home in Florida.
1.10 And McCain said “I will always be a Maverick” but the “Maverick” died as a maverick and was buried in the “Mavericks Cemetery” along with George W. Bush.
Indy Conservative on May 15, 2008 at 8:59 AM
You get some weird comments in the mornings, don’t you, Ed?
malan89 on May 15, 2008 at 9:02 AM
This ad pro- warm fuzzies wets the public appetite. The sequels can focus on details IF McCAIN has such to provide.
That he is providing the “vision” or concept first is fine. So let McCain unfurl his banner with the sun behind him.
But the footnotes will tell the real story.
maverick muse on May 15, 2008 at 9:05 AM
John McCain — Maverick to the World!
Sorry, I think I’m getting carried away.
BigD on May 15, 2008 at 9:05 AM
It’s pretty good as a “brand image” ad. This is the beginning of McCain’s campaign to differentiate himself from Obama, and I expect there will be more policy-specific followups.
Gilda on May 15, 2008 at 9:07 AM
The world is going to end on December 21, 2012, so none of it really matters anyway….
Think_b4_speaking on May 15, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Thank God I had an empty trash can near my desk. BARF
McCain is a complete Jack-as_.
I’m sick to death to think that this IDIOT is the GOP nominee.
Worst election cycle since Bob Dole.
The GOP needs new blood.
jake-the-goose on May 15, 2008 at 9:08 AM
McCain: :
LegendHasIt on May 15, 2008 at 9:18 AM
We’re going to solve energy independence with flipping windmills? This is a horrible ad! It is very dangerous to make predictions like this, and his climate change tour does diddley squat for National Security; indeed it could be argued that his positions are gravely harmful.
My vision of 2013: We’re energy independent because we’re drilling in ANWR where the caribou are happy, we’re drilling off-shore, we have new refineries built, nuclear power is making a comeback, and we have stopped using food for fuel.
Buy Danish on May 15, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Worst election cycle
since Bob DoleEVER.I’d be thrilled to have even Bob Dole as the nominee now.
LegendHasIt on May 15, 2008 at 9:23 AM
McCain can keep showing positive adds of the change he hopes to bring. i dont buy it.
McCain will sell conservatives down the river.
He paid his tithe with his speech the other day and is now a full fledged alcolyte of Global Warming.
Showing windmills but talk of 20 nuke plants. Nuke plants would be productive, windmills not so much right now.
Cap and trade means tax to me. If the industry is paying for a bullsh!t scam you can bet that comes from our pockets.
He supports, in his heart, illegal immigration and i believe he will sign into laws that the liberal congress will put on his desk by voting the beliefs in his heart.
Was that a group of illegals building that house ?
Moving Gitmo and possibly giving terrorists or suspected terrorists the same rights that we are supposed to hold dear ?
No thanks.
Ill not vote for this maverick. Republicans will have to learn or maybe we will have to rise up.
palefaced on May 15, 2008 at 9:29 AM
The President needs an invitation from the House and/or Senate to speak in Congress — protocol indicates that he can’t just drop in; unless, of course, McCain has managed to change the rules by 2013, and maybe held onto his Senate seat as President. But, hey, if he can change the world, keep the polar ice caps from melting, and kill OBL, the Constitution’s a piece of cake!
You could be king,
Charlie Brown,John McCain — you could be king!Nichevo on May 15, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Actually it reminds me more of a Miss America Pageant question and answer response. “I would like to see such as World Peace…”
ronsfi on May 15, 2008 at 9:39 AM
It’s all about how McCain is not like President Bush.
Detestable, backstabbing and weak, like everything else that this POS does to his party.
TexasJew on May 15, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Excellent!
Don’t forget the maps!
Talon on May 15, 2008 at 9:56 AM
What a simpleton! What an unadulterated simpleton! Who are the idiots who nominated him? Hope you feel stupid.
ultracon on May 15, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Another terrible ad in a long string of terrible ads.
I thought it was an Obama Faith Hope and Change ad until I saw McCain at the end.
Middle East stabilized. Are you kidding me?
faraway on May 15, 2008 at 10:11 AM
We don’t need British style discussions with Congress.
We don’t need weekly radio addresses (are we still in the 40s?)
We need a leader to be on YouTube and on cable every week. Tell us and show us where we are on the major issues of the day.
faraway on May 15, 2008 at 10:15 AM
It’s so stupid, it’s almost brilliant. Here’s a stupid man relying on even stupider people to make him the King of Stupidville.
JiangxiDad on May 15, 2008 at 10:17 AM
It’s still a toss-up. Obama alone is weak and unelectable. Clinton is strong and unelectable. McCain is old and unelectable.
If Obama has the Clinton’s attack machine pointed at him, forget it. But, if Obama makes peace with the Clintons, and has the full use of the Clinton attack machine (personal research, closet/skeleton gps, etc) pointed at McCain…ouch.
McCain’s cameo from “Wedding Crashers” will get the ball roiling. I said roiling.
Doug on May 15, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Just shows your ignorance. I would have voted for Fred or Mitt. Paulbots would never do that. So your lame “Paulbot Destroyer” missed its target.
fossten on May 15, 2008 at 10:39 AM
So, when an unelectable force meets an unelectable object, what happens? Perhaps we should ask the collie…
Think_b4_speaking on May 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM
That’s all you got? If you’re against McCain you’re a paulbot? Great strawman, cheerleader. I don’t know if fossten supported Paul or not, but for myself, my problems with McCain have nothing to do with any other candidate I supported.
Fossten, gotta take issue with your cheer. A good McCain cheer needs to pop and attack the other candidate since you can’t actually promote McCain because he sucks so bad..example:
Forget Ron Paul
He’s no conservative at all!
Vote McCain
He’s got a massive brain!
Lame, I know, but it captures the rhythm as well as the shallow platitudes the cheerleaders start batting about when you go after him on threads like this.
austinnelly on May 15, 2008 at 10:43 AM
LOL I stand corrected, sir. I have been slain by your superior wit. [no sarc intended]
fossten on May 15, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Mr. Morrissey,
Barak Obama has gotten all the way to becoming the presumptive choice of the democratic party without being specific on most of his “promises” or “policies” he plans to impose on this nation. His generic rhetoric of hope and change has resonated to delight of his base while no one (the media or his electorate)
ask fordemands that his plans for this nation be specified and vetted.John McCain’s ad, (while you claim fairly that it appears generic), may very well have taken a page from his “presumptive” opponent that rarely leaves any “meat” that can be digested. The difference is how these two candidates intend to accomplish their specific goals. Maybe this (McCain’s) ad was intended to be anything but specific. Most of the fine folks here at Hot Air have done a fine job of vetting John McCain—thru dissection and sometimes outright disgust. Can the same thing be said about what our alternative (Obama) “candidate” has in mind for our future?
Rovin on May 15, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Except for national security and judges It hardly matters who is elected president. The Dhimmicrats will have such huge majorities the entire liberal agenda will pass overriding vetoes where necessary. If Obama wins so does Iran since as we leave they’ll take over the Shi’a areas, possibly with surrogates, and the weak Iraqi government will crumble. The terrorists will rebuild in the western provinces and Turkey may decide to solve their Kurdish problem by military means. Uncountable civilian deaths which will be ignored by the MSM since their guy is in power and a crucial gay marriage bill will be under consideration.
After Allah’s hammer mushrooms out over Israel, urgent committee meetings will be called to offer relief aid investigate and blame those responsible. Nothing else will be done.
We will be in observation mode to see exactly how our European betters replace their old laws with Shari’a law. Of course, we hope to resist but just in case we’ll know how to assure our own peaceful transition when the time comes.
Annar on May 15, 2008 at 11:05 AM
National security and judges are the biggest reasons I’m strongly supporting McCain. I hope your prediction about veto overrides is overly pessimistic in terms of taxes and domestic spending, but you may unfortunately be correct.
Gilda on May 15, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Saying Osama will be captured or dead is just as irresponsible to say now as when Bush said it.
Super-state governments are not a good idea whether they are called UN or League of Democracies.
Makes me sick.
burt on May 15, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Is this the HuffPo? Why all the negativity? It does make a difference who wins this election, and McCain is the best choice we have left.
(caution…soapbox clause approaching)
It’s time to grow up and do something positive. I’m naturally cynical, too. But being cynical is very easy…the more important work is in figuring out how to get the most out of what we have to work with.
(I’m off the soapbox now)
I am truly looking forward to an honorable campaign competition between McCain and Obama. The last two elections were W vs. John Kerry and Al Gore. This is infinitely better. For all his vaguery, I have much more respect for Obama than either of those two phonies.
Bush had his good points, but his utter failure as a communicator cast a long shadow on anything positive he ever did. McCain seems to have more of that charisma that yielded so much for Reagan. He ain’t perfect, but I think it’s time to get behind the Maverick.
connertown on May 15, 2008 at 11:21 AM
I am glad he wants to put ships on the border. I hear they maneuver very well in the desert.
Mark1971 on May 15, 2008 at 11:37 AM
good points
I’m certain the Obamaniacs are loving us on “right leaning” websites tearing a hole in McCain at every opportunity. They’ll be smiling all the way to a Dem in the White House.
kirkill on May 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Sooner or later the actuarial tables will impose their will. What is unknown is whether we will ever be informed of it. What ever happened to the American Taliban Adam Gedahn? No one ever told us if he’s flirting with his 72 virgin goats or not.
Annar on May 15, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I’m not so sure Juan can be counted on to appoint conservative judges, especially since he is really more of a liberal than a conservative.
I think the one thing Juan might eventually get to be in his favor is if he picks a decent VP.
When I hear his prediction about Bin Laden it makes me hope Jorge brings him out of hiding before leaving office. I can’t really explain why. It just does.
deewhybee on May 15, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Ha! It is a combination HuffPo/Ron Paul Day Camp for several posters (and their sockpuppets?) here, easily identified by their incessant highchair-banging and other toddlery tantrum-tossing.
But, of course, it does make a huge difference who wins this election. Thank you for bringing up many excellent points.
Gilda on May 15, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I have a great fantasy world too, it involves Denise Richards and Jessica Alba.
Squid Shark on May 15, 2008 at 12:36 PM
The music and the voice remind me of “The Exorcist”.
Django on May 15, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Here’s a reminder: if you want better candidates for President, your party must hold a significant number of
statehouses, and it must hold them with candidates whose ideology you like and whose competence is generally acknowledged, even by those why begrudge it.
If you want good Republican candidates for the Presidency, work towards electing good Republican governors (for your particular value of “good.”)
njcommuter on May 15, 2008 at 9:19 PM