Choices Update: A video reminder of the choice
posted at 9:05 am on May 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John Hawkins has delivered a reaction to John McCain’s apparent backtracking on border security yesterday that will undoubtedly reverberate around the blogosphere this weekend. Hawkins called McCain a “liar” and says that he will not vote for McCain in the fall. Both seem like overreactions to me, and John ignores some unpleasant reality.
First, I don’t read this statement as a huge surprise:
“Senator Kennedy and I tried very hard to get immigration reform, a comprehensive plan, through the Congress of the United States,” he said. “It is a federal responsibility and because of our failure as a federal obligation, we’re seeing all these various conflicts and problems throughout our nation as different towns, cities, counties, whatever they are, implement different policies and different programs which makes things even worse and even more confusing.”
He added: “I believe we have to secure our borders, and I think most Americans agree with that, because it’s a matter of national security. But we must enact comprehensive immigration reform. We must make it a top agenda item if we don’t do it before, and we probably won’t, a little straight talk, as of January 2009.”
McCain never pledged to give up comprehensive immigration reform. He pledged to secure the borders first, but even in the extensive quotes that John has in his post, he never promised to stop seeking a comprehensive solution for illegal immigration afterwards. Even in this sequence, he talks about border security first. I don’t see this as “breaking his security pledge”, as John puts it.
John and I have debated this before, and I know him to be an honest, impassioned, and effective advocate of strict enforcement policies, and opposed to any kind of normalization. If he chooses not to vote for McCain, he will make that choice with integrity and commitment. But not voting is a choice with consequences in a two-party system, and those consequences will impact a lot more than border security.
After November 5th, either Barack Obama or John McCain will be President. We can be politically correct and claim that Bob Barr or Ralph Nader could somehow overcome the combined weight of the Republican and Democratic parties, but realistically they can at best act as spoilers. Uncast potential votes for either candidate makes it more likely their opponent will win; conservatives who sit on their hands make it more likely that Obama will win the White House.
Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be more committed to border security than John McCain? Not if they’ve paid attention. Obama is at best the same as McCain on immigration, and more likely to acquiesce to Democrats like Dick Durbin on another full-blown amnesty. Even if we consider that a wash, where else does Obama look better than McCain to conservatives?
- Spending? No. Obama wants to eliminate the Bush tax cuts and increase federal spending by another $280 billion a year, with an eye towards nationalizing health care.
- The war on terror and national security? Please! Obama wants to dismantle our nuclear deterrent, end work on missile defense, and do a full-scale retreat from Iraq just as the country has begun standing on its own for security.
- Foreign policy? Only if conservatives have suddenly discovered a desire for direct meetings with sponsors of international terrorism like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Castro brothers, Bashar Assad, and Hugo Chavez. Even Obama’s own allies think this a bad idea.
- Abortion? Obama voted to support partial-birth abortion.
- Judges? Obama voted against the confirmation of John Roberts, putting him in the minority of Democrats.
The consequences of an Obama presidency go far beyond immigration. That is what voters need to keep in mind, especially given the likely Democratic victory in both chambers of Congress this fall. Immigration and border security are important issues, but they’re not the only ones, and stark differences exist between Barack Obama and John McCain. That’s what our vote should consider — all of the consequences of the election.
Jazz Shaw has more thoughts at TMV.
Update: A reminder of what an Obama presidency would bring, from Macranger and Rick Moran:
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Ed, I’m not surprised at the attacks against you for “carrying McCain’s water”, even though you supported Romney. McCain-hating all-or-nothing far-far-right hyper-purists aren’t known for their rational thoughts.
jgapinoy on May 23, 2008 at 12:27 PM
McCain is mostly conservative, & after he’s elected, we can hold his feet to the fire to keep him that way.
jgapinoy on May 23, 2008 at 12:28 PM
With a veto-proof Dem majority, no president will be able to stay in Iraq.
As for the Straights of Hormuz, I have a feeling that Israel will solve that problem before it is too late.
OldEnglish on May 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM
LOL…. catchin up on reading…
Just saw the McCain Blog points stuff….
somthing tells me no Points for me!
LOL
Romeo13 on May 23, 2008 at 12:33 PM
All those points Ed made above with the little black dots are being totally ignored by the McCain haters.
And Ed didn’t mention that McCain has been a crusader against gov’t waste for decades, & he has never had an earmark.
jgapinoy on May 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM
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That might solve the nuclear problem (for a while), but will not address the whole problem as you still have AQ’s plan to take down Saudi.
Think_b4_speaking on May 23, 2008 at 12:36 PM
The Dems would have to gain ten seats in the Senate to be able to invoke cloture, and I don’t see that happening.
And I really don’t wanna depend upon either Israel taking out Iran’s nuclear program (something I doubt if they could do alone), or just watch as Israel is forced to invoke the Samson Option and let their 200+ nukes at Dimona fly moments after they’re dealt a lethal nuclear blow from Iran.
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 12:36 PM
A stupid idea. Someone at the McCain camp is wasting time counting points? And every McCain supporter will have to endure “you’re in it for the points” mockery.
jgapinoy on May 23, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Yes, like destroying the democrap party. I won’t vote for McCain under any circumstance.
Zorro on May 23, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Iran can’t afford to shut it down. That is a two edged sword, and they don’t have an economy which could withstand the loss of cash flow for very long. IIRC, they also have only one refinery. Our economy is vulnerable to shut down but not to the extent of their own, plus it increases the chances of internal dissident activity and the potential for regime change. Closing the Strait carrys some extremely high risks for Iran’s power base.
a capella on May 23, 2008 at 12:40 PM
carrys s/b carries.
a capella on May 23, 2008 at 12:43 PM
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They wouldn’t shut it down totally - just for exports from Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar……
Think_b4_speaking on May 23, 2008 at 12:47 PM
The cosequences of an Obama presidency indeed go far beyond immigration; they extend to a devastating and genocide-permitting withdrawal from Iraq, a credible claim of victory by Al Qaeda and Iran, our two most violent and implacable enemies, and a grevious maiming of this country’s standing with both our allies and our adversaries, for the foreseeable future. Those are the circumstances under which those who truly understand the stakes involved and who truly care for the safety and security of this nation must feel compelled, for the safety and security of our nation, to vote for McCain.
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 12:47 PM
You know Ed, there is one really big consequence that no one seems to really understand, the Democrats long-term strategy. Their goal is to consolidate all three branches of government. Those that think that they are going to let Obama fail so miserably that the American people will be crying for a return of a Conservative in 2012 are fooling themselves. They have nothing to base that on but “hope” for “change”. It won’t happen. Obama will be the incumbent and the DNC will not toss him out for Hillary in 2012. Eight years of President Obama, just think about what that means.
Texas Gal on May 23, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Think what it means on the Supreme Court, too.
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Act of war. The end result would be the same. They won’t do it unless as a last resort. They are better off with the threat, just like a kidnaper loses his leverage when he kills the victim. Of course, if Israel or the U.S. goes after the nuclear sites, they might try it, but I assume we would try to take out their abilities to do that first.
a capella on May 23, 2008 at 12:56 PM
And we would do all that under an Obama Presidency, a capella?
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 12:57 PM
If you do not believe that the D’s will not have a 60+ seat majority in the Senate and a large majority in the House of Representatives, you can quit reading now.
The only powers that the President has are the veto and a bully pulpit.
Regardless of what Sen. McCain wants in regard to a victory in Iraq, or in appointing constructionist judges to the Supreme Court, the reality is he will not be able to get them confirmed. He also will not be able to control the GWOT, given the balance of power in the Congress.
So, all of the rhetoric as to a vote for a third party, or a write in, or a non-vote is just that, rhetoric.
Conservatives, through our elected officials in the Republican Party have blown it. We did not hold them accountable and we did not enforce our will. We had the ability to do that, as we did last summer over the Comprehensive immigration bill, but we did not, and now we will pay the price for that failing.
I weep for my country.
JustPlainBill on May 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM
And beyond. If he gets in with a supermajority Congress and judge selection a given, the rules will change dramatically and elections will have a tendency to have foregone conclusions. Make no mistake,..an Obama presidency will have a ripple effect far beyond what we can foresee now.
a capella on May 23, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Then we can only hope and pray that the Blue Dog Democrats will save our efforts in Iraq - something that they could do under a McCain Presidency, but not under an Obama Presidency.
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 1:04 PM
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Yes, but we are assuming for the sake of argument that Barry is the president, and he will not only pull our troops from the region, but I sincerely doubt he would ever authorize a strike against Iranian nuclear capabilities. It is indeed an act of war per my scenario three, if Saudi does not succumb willingly to Iran.
Think_b4_speaking on May 23, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I really don’t know. Obama doesn’t like America the way it is, but he is smart enough to realize you can’t have a Marxist utopia without productive labor, and you can’t have that without energy, so he’ll be like a rat trapped in a corner. I would prefer to think McCain will be at the helm, because the outcome is more foreseeable. That’s why throwing away a vote by staying home isn’t wise.
a capella on May 23, 2008 at 1:10 PM
This:
“Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be more committed to border security than John McCain?”
Is not the issue…Do we, the party base, believe McCain on immigration? That is the issue and I don’t. I also will not vote for the RINO our party elders have inflicted on us.
When I see the party fixing our RINO favoring primar schedule, punishing off the reservation RINO’s, and taking action to stop all the pork and spending, then I will consider votin for the party choice.
Till then I’ll write in someone.
When we ask ‘is McCain better than Obama’ we become part of the problem. McCain is not a republican or a conservative so I cannot vote for the fellow, and won’t.
JIMV on May 23, 2008 at 1:17 PM
“McCain is mostly conservative, & after he’s elected, we can hold his feet to the fire to keep him that way.”
That worked so well with the gang of 14, oil drilling, repeated attempts to cram Amnesty down our throats, his vote on tax cuts, and campaign finance reform.
JIMV on May 23, 2008 at 1:19 PM
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That’s fine - please consider voting for Nader. It is still a warning to republicans, while not helping Barry.
Think_b4_speaking on May 23, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Just like we held Bush’s feet to the fire, right? McCain will make Bush look like Lou Dobbs.
You don’t have to go to the extreme right to find animosity toward McCain. It permeates the GOP.
The only good things I hear about McCain is how bad the Democrats are. That is truly sad for Juan.
voiceofreason on May 23, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I consider the Republican Party, and in fact America, to be incredibly fortunate to have McCain. Of all the Republican candidates who ran, none of the others could possibly have done what McCain can conceivably do: pull in enough Independent and Reagan Democrat voters to defeat Obama and win the Presidency, and thus save us from a GWOT disaster in Iraq.
With their eye on the general election prize, the Republican voters have chosen wisely in the primaries.
Salamantis on May 23, 2008 at 1:22 PM
The Uber-incompetent, airheaded, smarmy, lying neo-Marxist Obama should not be rewarded with the presidency just because McCain isn’t conservative enough.
McCain will fight with at least one arm.
Obama would surrender with both.
profitsbeard on May 23, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Not to beat a dead horse, but why are you still, repeatedly using an image from The Onion on articles that have nothing to do with The Onion?!? It drives me insane.
DaveS on May 23, 2008 at 1:28 PM
I agree, it was a wise choice. McCain is the only one who can possibly pull in the Independent and Reagan Democrats, it’s a similar strategy to the success of the DNC and their Blue Dogs.
McCain solves the fiscal conservative issue and he’s not a whip on national security. Those aren’t the issues with the base. It’s immigration reform and they probably figured that percentage could be overcome with the Independents and Regan Ds. I think the unforeseen development was the identity politics that emerged in the Democratic race. Either way that one goes, McCain will likely pick up a good percentage of the losers supporters.
Keeping my fingers crossed until November!
Texas Gal on May 23, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Whoops.. :-) that should be whimp
Texas Gal on May 23, 2008 at 1:50 PM
In two years, when the Republican Party is essentially no more. I want all you McCaniacs to do one thing. Look in the mirror and say it’s my fault. I pushed and elected John McCain. We’ve surrendered in Iraq, because McCain was willing to work across the isle, and I know it was predicted by many, and I refused to believe it. The economy is in the toilet, with 12% unemployment from McCain’s cap and trade system. Millions of illegal immigrants are even now preparing to vote Democrat to thank them for the amnesty over the objections of the Racist Republicans.
When we’re looking at being an asterisk in the percentage of congress, just keep telling yourself McCain was the best choice. When detainees from the recently closed Club Gitmo blow up American Troops, blame Bush. When McCain accepts bi-partisanship in the form of socialized Medicine, blame yourself.
You’ll have done it after all. Telling me that I need to reach across the aisle and appeal to independents and Reagan Democrats.
Reagan didn’t get them by being Moderate, he got them by being Conservative and educating them on what Conservative meant. He didn’t join them, he called on them to join him. He pushed tax cuts through a Democratic Congress, by popular accord. He didn’t join them in junk science cap and trade crap. He informed the population what Conservative was, he didn’t redefine it to mean Liberal Lite.
If McCain is elected, the Republican Party is essentially doomed. The press will guarantee that the Democrats go blameless for all of McCain’s failures while using socialist nonsense. Hope you enjoy $4 a gallon gas, because when McCain’s environmentalist Wacko polices get enacted, that will be cheap gas of yesteryear in no time flat.
Snake307 on May 23, 2008 at 1:59 PM
I hope those inclined to stay at home, or waste their vote on a third-party protest candidate, will keep the enormous power of the presidency in mind. I’m not sure everyone is clear on how high the stakes are. We’re still paying the price for Carter and Clinton – look at the Supreme Court, various liberal activist judges in lower courts, a nearly-nuclear Iran that Carter midwifed, and a crater in Manhattan that would never have existed without Clinton’s staggering incompetence. A president causes shock waves far beyond the four or eight years he holds the office. Personally, I think the ripples an Obama administration would cast through the 2020s and beyond would be even more frightening than the specific acts he would take, or fail to take, in office – and I’m plenty scared of those.
Think also about the effect a conservative abdication of the presidential field would have on the swing voters. These are not people who would salute the wonderful integrity of a conservative movement that would rather throw an election than vote for their party’s candidate. Instead, they will be more likely to admire the disciplined and unified party that won the election, and view the scowling ideologues of the Right as an unappealing fringe. Massive victories tend to shift the center of gravity among the electorate.
Finally, I would ask our most ardent McCain opponents to remember how eagerly the Left seizes power, and how ruthlessly they use it. If you give Obama large enough coattails, the Congressional situation will become even worse, and Obama will be emboldened to indulge his worst instincts even more. I don’t think it requires much imagination to see the media of 2009 insisting that a Democrat who wins with 60% or more of the popular vote must be given virtually limitless power, and many of those swing voters will find this persuasive. As badly as the odds were stacked against the GOP in 2008, a Democrat administration can make them MUCH worse in 2012. How many of you McCain opponents fancy your chances against an incumbent President Obama, hailed by a loving press as a history-making transitional figure, his State of the Union speeches held up alongside the Gettysburg Address as masterpieces of American oratory… while Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, and the others watch quietly and sadly from retirement, their talk-radio empires long since wiped out by the Fairness Doctrine? What sort of candidate do you think the GOP will field, after the health-care and energy industries have been nationalized, and the Democrats are running ads that say the Republicans want the poor to die alone in the dark?
Doctor Zero on May 23, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Same arguement… the other guy would be worse…
I’ve been registered independent for a few years now… ever since I watched the Republican majority in congress act like democrats.
” than vote for their party’s candidate” is the key phrase… I am not a Republican… I am a Conservative… because the Republicans no longer show themselves to be conservative.
McCain is NOT a conservative. Therefore he has not EARNED my vote, and he certainly is not ENTITLED to it (as some of you argue) because a bunch of nonconservatives and the media have made him the Republican nominee.
Romeo13 on May 23, 2008 at 2:10 PM
If this is what happens, then we will get what we deserve and so will you. I am very “clear on how high the stakes are” and I WILL NOT VOTE FOR MCCAIN. No amount of pseudo-jedi mind tricks (”McCain is a conservative” . . . “McCain is who you want” . . . etc.) will cause me to say, “You know what, come to think of it, McCain IS the guy for me.” He doesn’t stand for the majority of things that I believe and neither does the current Republican Party. After all of the incredibly disgusting BS that the Republican Party has stuck in your face and told you basically to go suck on it, you will blame me and people like me because we didn’t vote for McCain. I like the advice that I heard earlier on this site - spend your vote-buying check from the government on arms and ammunition. I ask you all again - What will it take for you to say goodbye to the Republicans? Thank God that the Founders were not so docile as you McCainiacs.
King of the Britons on May 23, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Not exactly the same argument… I’m saying not only would the other guy be worse, but the fallout from the other guy will make the battlefield radioactive for the better part of a generation, and your options in 2012 or 2016 are likely to be even worse than McCain. I’m saying that I don’t like McCain much more than you do, but I just can’t bring myself to sit back and let the country suffer to get a better candidate later - because I’m not even sure we would get a better candidate later, and I’ve got to be able to look at myself in the mirror in January of 2009.
I propose, with all respect, that maybe one reason the Republican majority has been acting like Democrats is that conservatives with energy and wit have been declaring themselves independents. The Republicans would like to have you back… but then again, they’d also be happy to replace you with another constituency that seems less likely to abandon them. You aren’t going to convince them to stick with you by giving them the cold shoulder.
Speaking only for myself, I don’t think anyone is entitled to your vote… that’s why I write in an effort to persuade, rather than thinking up colorful insults for the McCain-haters and smirking about how much I’m going to enjoy the coming apocalypse. I just have a terrible sense that we’re approaching a terrible intersection of the tides of history, and I don’t think we’re going to get to make too many mistakes, or get to wait out too many election cycles. I think we conservatives need to stay in the fight, and while I’m all in favor of smacking the crap out of McCain right up to Election Day, I think we lose more than we gain by pre-emptively declaring we won’t even show up at the polls. Your mileage, of course, may differ.
Doctor Zero on May 23, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I understand your point, but take a slightly different view of both history, and whats coming down the pike…
This country has a HUGE amount of built in momentum, and inertia. Its actualy pretty difficult to change things in a hurry, and the country tends to balance itself out when it leans too far one way, or the other.
I would rather work to get Conservatives elected to Congress, than to work to get McCain elected. THAT is the counterbalance needed at this time (and yes, that includes Blue Dog Dems).
Problem is that the Reps in Congress are clueless. They had TWO chances to vote fiscaly conservativly this week, and failed both times. They are not even fighting the big Government machine any more.
We survived Clinton, and Nixon, and Carter… its not the end of the world if a Dem or a crook gets elected…
Romeo13 on May 23, 2008 at 3:20 PM
You might have put your finger on the essence of my disagreement with the “screw-you-guys-I’m-going-home” caucus. I don’t think America deserves what might be about to happen to her. I can’t just abandon her without a fight, consoling myself to the thought that someday, battered and bruised, she’ll come back to me and fall into my arms. A confident ideology does not withdraw into a dark corner, muttering about how right it is, while everything falls into ruin behind it. History only happens once. Besides, what I really “deserve” is an iPhone and a heavily armed robot butler that looks like a Japanese schoolgirl.
That’s just it… I’m not concerned about who to blame. The blame game will be a rather hollow excercise after what may lie ahead. We should be less interested in blaming idiotic voters, feckless Republicans, slimy Democrat politicians, or biased media types, and more interested in WINNING.
I hope you won’t inform Darth Rove of my failure. He’s not a forgiving sort. We’re all pals here, right?
If we were “docile” we would indeed be failing to uphold the virtues of conservatism. I’m completely on board with giving McCain hell about every mistake he makes. I just don’t want to abandon the political battlefield. McCain may not be listening closely to the base, but I can assure you he won’t listen at all to those who loudly declare they will never, ever vote for him no matter what. I notice the Left never seems willing to just march home and fold their arms, waiting for better times. I’m for an active and engaged conservative electorate - but by definition, when we announce we won’t vote, we cease to be an “electorate,” don’t we? And anyway, there haven’t been any “docile” posters around here since Allahpundit gave up on Kirsten Powers. :)
Doctor Zero on May 23, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Two Questions…
1. Does the Republican party represent Conservative governing policys?
2. IF, the Republicans are not representing conservatives, how will any group ever evolve to represent conservatives… if the conservatives continue to vote Republican?
Romeo13 on May 23, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Thank you. I see things the way the “MDS”ers do, but the things you write really help keep things in perspective.
RushBaby on May 23, 2008 at 3:38 PM
What the hell, was the cameraman sitting on a swing when he filmed that?
DKK
LifeTrek on May 23, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Two Questions…
1. At the moment, taken as a whole, no. It did before, and I think it will again. I wonder if it might be useful to ask how it got to be the way it is today. We know the base of the party isn’t happy with its behavior over the last few years, and has been extremely vocal about it. The other party’s voters haven’t been responding well to post-2004 Republicans either. So why are they doing the things they’ve been doing? Maybe once we solve that riddle, we can bring them back to their senses.
2. I hate to say it, but I think we’re stuck with the two party system. I just don’t see any way to break it that doesn’t involve a horrific loss of influence with the electorate, and corresponding cost to the conservative cause. Even under the best imaginable scenario, the New Conservative Damn It We’re Serious Party would begin with no congressional influence, a fraction of the money the existing parties have, and no political machinery at all. It would take an awfully long time to gain anything like equilibrium with the GOP, and all the while, the consolidated Left would only grow stronger, and move further Left. I don’t think it’s too hard to imagine the NCDIWS Party could ultimately replace the GOP in, say, 2030, and find it literally impossible - essentially illegal - to run against the ruling socialist party. Conservative destiny seems inextricably linked to the GOP.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea to execute a purge or two at the congressional level - arguably something we’ve been doing since 2006 - and in a local election, that might mean a largely symbolic third-party vote. I don’t think that tactic works at the presidential level. We can afford to cut some dead tissue away from the body of the GOP, but we can’t amputate the head and survive.
Doctor Zero on May 23, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I will teach our soldiers to knit…so that we can knit the world a sweater…..
Dpet on May 23, 2008 at 4:08 PM
How exactly are you going to do that? And don’t jerk around, be specific.
nottakingsides on May 23, 2008 at 4:09 PM
“…and finally, I will build a large Trojan Horse and give it as a gift to Iran.”
hoi polloi on May 23, 2008 at 4:53 PM
AUDACITY TO FAIL
Obama will create a NEW bureaucracy above and beyond what the government already has in order to cut $10s/billions from spending, promising to slow our ability to produce combat materials that will no longer be necessary in his world without nuclear weapons.
CHANGE WE CAN DIE FOR
maverick muse on May 23, 2008 at 5:01 PM
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Good analogy
Think_b4_speaking on May 23, 2008 at 7:07 PM
A comment @ Ace’s that made me laugh.
Spirit of 1776 on May 23, 2008 at 7:29 PM
That’s certainly one take. Of course the Congressional Republican leadership look at McCain and think (and have said) that now what they need to do is increase the size of the Government, and drastically increase spending so they’ll be more accepted (like McCain). SO SCHIP, the Farm Bill, the housing bailout… and who knows what else (those are the ones they mentioned in their press release that they needed to support to be more like McCain and get their numbers up).
Yep, thats good for Republicans. Bad for conservatives and Conservative viewpoints in general, but good for “Republicans”.
So exactly how far left are you willing to push the party to “win”? And what do you win if you succeed in electing more and more liberal politicians, while also pushing the currently elected Republicans to more liberal positions?
Is that really a worthwhile goal?
gekkobear on May 23, 2008 at 7:57 PM
So while we do some minor trimming, we elect McCain therefore showing the Congressional leadership that being more Liberal is a winning strategy and push the “good” Republicans into the bad strategy…
Is this like selling at a loss, but planning to make it up in volume?
gekkobear on May 23, 2008 at 8:00 PM
If Israel intends (and I believe they do) to solve anything, they must do it while GWB is still in office: For even if McCain is in the WH when it happens, they will be condemned. I have little faith in Maverick.
seanrobins on May 23, 2008 at 8:10 PM
ED:
I this what conservatives and destined for between now and November: A bunch of desperate attempts by people too scared to admit that McCain will doom us as sure and the Dems…just maybe a little bit slower?
We need to stop kidding ourselves…say, Yeah, we’re gonna vote for McCainiac, rather than let BHO win…but let’s stop trying to make ourselved happy about it. The effort is dishonest, and very depressing.
seanrobins on May 23, 2008 at 8:16 PM
It’s an interesting point, seeing as Congressional leaders came out a couple days ago and said we need to remake the Rep party in his image.
I don’t think I would mind McCain so much if he came by his positions honestly. I can’t stand patting a guy on the back that is so quick to lie to me. Ugh.
Spirit of 1776 on May 23, 2008 at 8:20 PM
What does he have against The Enterprise? I mean how does he expect to get there?
- The Cat
MirCat on May 23, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Well done Romeo.
I, like many here, no longer identify as a Republican and have re-registered as “no affiliation”. McCain is not my first, second or third choice for the high office of President of the United States. As a Reagan Conservative I will not vote for democrap lite ever again. I see McCain as corrupt, vain, dishonest and boorish. If he ever fires Juan Hernandez, I might think he’s serious about homeland security… maybe.
Zorro on May 23, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Sorry, but I can no longer vote for the lesser of two evils. I have done so now for several elections, and have watched the GOP continue to slide left into the slime.
Voting for the lesser of two evils, is still voting for evil. There is no “against” lever in the voting booth, and I can no longer compromise my values and integrity any longer.
When I stand before God, I will be judged for my actions. I know that as a Christian, this isn’t my real home and this will never be a perfect place.
I will vote my conscience in the fall, even if I have to write in a vote to do it.
dominigan on May 23, 2008 at 9:58 PM
I guess I see my responsibility to my country trumps my personal reservations about McCain or the GOP given the choices we face in ’08 with the recognition that we face 8 years under a President Obama. That to be followed by a permanent Democratic majority, a Legislative branch that dictates to the Executive branch, a Judicial branch that places into law the manipulation of our Constitution, and the consequences of a socialized America. Truly I fear Obama more than I fear McCain.
Texas Gal on May 23, 2008 at 10:25 PM
McCain will be a nuisance but Obama would be truy dangerous. The Republicans are screwed for 4 years with or without McCain’s navy in there.
Mojave Mark on May 24, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Ill be damned if the 4th largest state and the largest swing state in the country should vote before say Mississippi
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Oh great, now religion is brought into this.
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Those who oppose McCain in hopes of a conservative messiah sometime in the future are living in an alternate reality( i.e., the twilight zone). We must all face the fact that the American electorate is not going to elect a President who is anything near to a 100 percent conservative. Our only hope is that we can keep them voting in the middle of the political spectrum. It is highly unlikely that we will ever live in a world where we are not going to have to vote for the lessor of two evils when it comes to our conservative principles. We all need to face this fact and support the only remaining viable candidate that will not threaten the very existence of conservative principles in our American system of governance. A vote against John McCain in November is simply a vote for the ultimate downfall conservatism in this country. If McCain were the equivalent of an anti-Christ, I could see religious reasons for not voting or voting for a 3rd party candidate, but we aren’t anywhere near that point in this election cycle. One time in the past, I wasted my vote on 3rd party candidate (Perot) and watched in horror as the country slipped even further toward the dark side. I will never make that mistake again.
NuclearPhysicist on May 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Message from the Republican Bloggers to Senator McCain. Senator, they won’t drink the cool aide. They keep insisting that you’re nothing but a back stabbing double crossing untrustworthy son of a Bi*ch.
I always feel bad for those who try and carry the water for someone like McCain. So far, you’ve all tried to invoke Reagan’s 11th Commandment. Problem is, Too many of us aren’t tied to the Republican Party, we see ourselves as Conservatives first, and not as Republicans, especially the big government double standard Republican party we’ve seen over the last eight years or so.
If Zell Miller was the nominee of the DNC, we’d all line up happily behind him. Of course, you RNC water toting folks would insist that McCain is more conservative then Miller, but here’s the thing. Miller is far more trustworthy.
So when McCain loses in November. You’ll blame us Conservatives because you’re nominee couldn’t out Liberal a Democrat. Tell McCain to keep running left. He’s got the nomination sewn up now. Shit on the Conservatives, you don’t need them. You’ll win with your base, Democrats.
Here’s the dirty little secret. When Obama is nominated, the Hillary or nothing crowd won’t vote for Obama. The Republicans will go into the polls knowing that McCain is losing badly on election day. Most will sit it out rather than spend hours voting for the Maverick. Too many won’t be able to plug their noses and tap the screen for McCain. They won’t like the idea of pulling and praying that McCain stays moderate, having given up any hope of him being conservative.
Nope, McCain is already doomed this Fall. He’s broke, he’s detested by the Conservative base of the Party, and he’s running further left in an effort to get Obama and Hillary’s base, who consider him Bush’s third term.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Enjoy the long road to obscurity. You got to where you are with the willing collusion of the RINO’s
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Here is the “dirty little secret”, conservatives only win when they are talking about what is really important: fiscal responsibility, national defense, low taxes.
Reagan did not win on the strength of conservative principles (if he did he would have had landslide victories in both houses in 80,82,84,86). He won because he was Reagan, so all this “we could win if we just stuck to all our principles” dont hold water with me and plenty of others.
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I will gut our defense budget and spend that money (that we currently borrow from the lowest bidder) on social welfare programs.
I will make unenforceable agreements to disarm America, and like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton before me, stand by while the irrational dictators and kleptocrats that I make these treaties with break them, to our great danger.
I will lose this election in a fashion reminiscent of Walter Mondale.
Jaibones on May 24, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I will … and I will… and I will… and I will… and I will surender…
vulcannomad on May 24, 2008 at 9:43 PM
I find all this “I cannot vote for the lesser of two evils” talk very selfish at best.
Rather than asking yourself, “Is this the candidate who best reflects/agrees with my principles?” ask yourself, “Is this the best candidate for America and her future?”
Lockstein13 on May 25, 2008 at 4:15 AM
…and, by that, I guess I have to qualify that for the readers here, to aviod all the wise cracks about other candidates-in-their-dreams :
“Is this the best candidate who is running in 2008 for America and her future?”
Lockstein13 on May 25, 2008 at 4:18 AM
On the SCOTUS, Stevens is 88 and Ginsburg is 75. We will have at least one retirement under the next president. But Ginsburg could see this as her best opportunity to be replaced by a liberal and bail. If Obama gets in he’ll get one maybe two judges. We will then have a Republican in office to replace the two more That is scary. If McCain gets in, Ginsburg will hang on. He’ll get to replace one, but then the Democrat that follows him will get to replace several.
A lot of this analysis depends on whether Ginsburg, with failing health, would be willing to quit under Obama or might cling to her seat until a Republican President gets to replace her. Anyone have any insight?
http://www.culturism.us
culturism on May 25, 2008 at 7:30 AM
Oh yes, your evidence that the biggest hawk in congress would surrender is what???? You have none expcept your own MDS.
So you really think hes going to just let everyone go?? Negative, he has said quite the opposite.
I want you to really think that through, this is the biggest myth being touted by you TC’s. Reagan won because he was Reagan. The taxpayers are ALWAYS for Tax cuts. If reagan won on his ideas, he would have brought majorities in congress along with him in every election. As you know, this is not the case.
Squid Shark on May 25, 2008 at 8:19 AM
If you Americans want to surrender the world to the forces of evil because things just aren’t fair in who you have to choose from.. then really.. lets just turn off the lights and let the entire world fall to crap.
The long-term disaster of Obama will make Carter look like George Washington.
What is wrong with you people? You have been whining since 2006.. enough already.
VinceP1974 on May 25, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Lovely, nice to get another perspective.
Squid Shark on May 25, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Well, sorry Ed, but I won’t vote for McCain come fall either.
My initial reason was McCain-Feingold and I thought that was good enough. But I have a second one that is also pretty persuasive…
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/14/1019748.aspx
There’s a link with quotes from the Republicans in Congress clearly stating that McCain’s poll numbers show that what they need is to be more big-government nanny state big spending liberals and be more “mavericky” and offend conservatives…
Somehow that isn’t a message I’d like to be sending with my vote. So either we get Obama, or we get the Republican party remade into a big-spending nanny state copy of the Democrats…
“The long-term disaster of Obama will make Carter look like George Washington.” - VinceP1974
And the long-term disaster of McCain will leave a two-party system where both are fighting for the big government nanny-state liberal path…
My question exactly. Do you not believe the Congressional Republicans, or do you think that they’ll somehow learn a different lesson if you give them evidence that this will work?
gekkobear on May 26, 2008 at 8:14 AM
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