MM has not been a help with this issue. In fact she has made it more difficult for Republicans to come together.

By come together, I assume you mean she should STFU and vote McCain. Don’t worry about all those issues that McCAin is really bad on; just stop talking and vote. Hey Terrye, this is a campaign. McCain is supposed to convince people to vote for him, and immigration is a valid issue, where he happens to be WAY off; many folks, such as myself, won’t trust him on it because of how he conducted himself during the immigration debate. MM may vote for him, but she’s going to keep pressure on him. Rather than bash her, you might learn to think for yourself and not just be a campaign shill. Coming together doesn’t mean doing whatever John McCain wants. He wants support, then he needs to earn it. If their support is conditional on him getting his head screwed on right about immigration, then he better do so. My problem is I wouldn’t believe him, even if he did promise enforcement first. I think he’s a hack and La Raza owns his a**. People like MM do a lot more for the political process by shinining a light on these self serving dirtbags than people like you who drink the kool aid and spout the talking points.

For now, charmed. In November, my money is on gravitas.

forest on June 20, 2008 at 11:20 AM

I hope you are right. It seems like everyone wants to be charmed, but those may be the more vocal ones. I hope the ones who appreciate gravitas will come out of the woodwork on election day.

Romeo13 on June 20, 2008 at 12:52 PM

What he said (paraphrase) was that it was:

1> secure the border first
2> then work on the current illegal resident issue by
…..a> going to the back of the line
…..b> establish a guest worker program that requires employers to verify an workers status or face penalty or prosecution

That is what I heard. Others may have had different ears on.

if the American electorate wants competence and experience.

Ed, please! You have to vote for the _____________ (insert lefty flavor of the day). I’ve said it to friends before and I will say it until St Pete goes to kick me downstairs. I vote for leadership, expericence and issues. Not for race, color, gender etc. If that makes me a sexist, racist, etc then so be it. McCain’s not my first and best choice from the Conserv Repub POV but he is so far above and beyond BO.

What did he say, if anything, about the border?

Because MM has a post about his “secret” meetings with Hispanics, where he said that he would push his same old agenda of “Comprehensive” reform from day one of his administration.

“They do not combat him energetically, they sometimes even applaud him. To his impetuosity they secretly oppose their inertia; to his revolutionary instincts, their conservative instincts; their homebody tastes to his adventurous passions; their good sense to the leaps of his genius; to his poetry, their prose. He arouses them for a moment with a thousand efforts, but soon after they get away from him, and, as if dragged down by their own weight, they fall back.”

Does America appreciate gravitas, or do they want to be charmed? That would make an interesting study if the two started appearing together for these events, which apparently won’t happen. McCain did very well last night — if the American electorate wants competence and experience. We’ll see.

Ed, that is way too editorialized.

I am sure is sick of saying the same things, but we have a long way to go in this race. He obviously has the energy, he just needs to bring back some of the charm.

Kafir on June 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM

I looked around the net….Outdoor Life has a YouTubed interview with McCain from May. He states he is not a hunter but loves to fish. At least he doesn’t duck(no pun intended) the issue. I understand his hunting position as I’m an avid gun advocate/owner but don’t hunt. Just not my cup-o-tea. I don’t mind plunking a varmit but find the local butcher much better at that job then me.

Does America appreciate gravitas, or do they want to be charmed?

Judging by what rates high on television these days, I’d say the answer is “to be charmed”. The general population is too intellectually lazy to want to have to think about things like plans, solutions and in-depth analysis of substantive issues. They want quick soundbites that make them feel better, and then want to pawn off the hard work to someone else to think about.

That’s why Obama is doing so well. He’s like the reality tv show of today’s entertainment world. Instead of psychological thrillers or complex dramas, he’s the stupid human tricks of the presidential campaign and people like to be able to watch him while tuning out the real world.

Texas Rainmaker on June 20, 2008 at 12:12 PM

Good point, that’s why I believe, based on his looks, the Dems and MSM were scared to death of Mitt Romney.

Just a photo of him with a 30-06 in his hands and his foot on a caribou would be worth 500,000 votes.

Limerick on June 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Even better if he could have the ANWR sign as a backdrop, if there is such a sign.

ANWR, ANWR, ANWR, ANWR, he needs it pounded into his skull. Energy is THE biggest story going forward these next few months. It may be the biggest story these next few years.

It is the only location of readily available crude with a pre existing infrastructure not 35 miles away.

McCain, get your butt on a plane.

Judging by what rates high on television these days, I’d say the answer is “to be charmed”. The general population is too intellectually lazy to want to have to think about things like plans, solutions and in-depth analysis of substantive issues. They want quick soundbites that make them feel better, and then want to pawn off the hard work to someone else to think about.

That’s why Obama is doing so well. He’s like the reality tv show of today’s entertainment world. Instead of psychological thrillers or complex dramas, he’s the stupid human tricks of the presidential campaign and people like to be able to watch him while tuning out the real world.

I ditched my Ducks Unlimited membership because they put up with that charade. Every actual hunter in the country was laughing their asses off over that one, while putting a checkmark next to Kerry’s name on the list of “people I never want walking behind me with a gun.”

I think the NRA’s twitching over this election… Barry is a true-blue gun banner, but Mac has jumped on the gun control wagon whenever it’s bought him favorable MSM coverage.

You talked about McCain’s better moments, when the issues were veteran’s issues and Iraq. How did he do on energy, economics, immigration or other topics, or did they not come up?

Limerick on June 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM

Well Lim, I know the right people I could get it taken care of. But depending on when he comes up (if he ever does) don’t you want me to do a smack down on him and make sure he goes to ANWR? Now that I am sure I can get someone to do!

upinak on June 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM

Just a photo of him with a 30-06 in his hands and his foot on a caribou would be worth 500,000 votes.

Ed Morrissey on June 20, 2008 at 11:21 AM

Thank you Ed. The fact I am anywhere from 4 to 1 hour(s) behind everyone sucks and I never get to see any of the campaining.

BUT, if McCain ever comes up here… I can try to do a live audio feed, so you can all here what he would say to the Alaskan people. Wouldn’t that be a interesting spin.

He instead proposed that the VA offer all-inclusive medical insurance to those who do not need specialized, post-combat care…

That’s what I’ve been saying–give them health insurance, and choice. Make the VA compete for patients. Do NOT just add to the bureaucracy by giving us universal government care.

The second someone says “hussein” I stop reading. Why go any further? Even with a decent argument, you are marginalized.

lorien1973 on June 20, 2008 at 11:16 AM

as in Rush’s parody…mccain will soon be calling BHO ‘rosebud’…