Great news: McCain set to remake GOP in his own centrist image
posted at 2:23 pm on October 2, 2009 by Allahpundit
Thus is a new generation of amnesty-supporting Republicans made. Can you feel the excitement?
It’s all part of an approach that is at odds with most other recent failed presidential nominees, whose immediate response to defeat was to retreat from the electoral arena. But those familiar with McCain’s thinking say he has expressed serious concern about the direction of the party and is actively seeking out and supporting candidates who can broaden the party’s reach…
In mid-September, McCain invited his favored candidates to the St. Regis Hotel in midtown Manhattan to rub shoulders with 40 of the senator’s top donors at a reception for the Arizona Republican…
McCain told POLITICO in a brief interview that he was determined to play a major role in the GOP’s rebuilding effort—beginning with the party’s 2010 campaign.
“I think it’s important, at this stage in my career, to try to support candidates that I think represent the next generation of leadership in the Republican Party,” the 73-year-old McCain said on his way to the Senate floor for a vote last week.
The main beneficiary of McCain’s largesse so far: Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk, whom you’ll remember for his crucial House vote in favor of cap-and-trade and who currently counts among his informal advisors one Steve Schmidt. Exit question: Given the demand there’ll be for Palin on the campaign trail once her book blows sky high, and given that she’s obviously going to position herself to Mitt’s and Huck’s right as the “true conservative” choice, aren’t we practically guaranteed a McCain vs. Palin proxy fight at some point? But where, oh where, is such a fight likely to take place?
Blowback
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Five spiral crash x3.
lonestar1 on October 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
I have made many negative comments about McCain but when I feel like going over the top with them I remind myself that without McCain the American conservative movement would be in utter angst right now agonizing over that the only choices left to them in 2012 would be Romney, Huckabee or maybe Pawlenty.
I will say it again thank God McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. Think about it folks where would we be as conservatives without Sarah Palin.
Thank you Maverick for bringing about the possible resurrection of Reagan conservatism. For that I can even forgive your daughter for the stupid comments that she has made over the past 9 months.
technopeasant on October 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Dude, that was cold.
Blacksmith8 on October 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Nah, I don’t buy it. He might think he’s leading the party, but he’s not.
Oink on October 2, 2009 at 3:08 PM
I suggest you pay attention. No one is impuning his service to this great country….we just want him to STFU and stop giving the WH to people that HATE this country.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Maybe I should whine like the Palin-bots…
Oooh, Allah…another McCain hit piece?…Stop it!
I find it disgusting that so many conservatives feel no shame about throwing a war hero, a man always strong on defense, a true American in every sense of the term, under the bus.
IF that’s what conservative values are these days, perhaps it’s best the Palinistas split to a third party.
JetBoy on October 2, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Do you think McCain will be pushing his little pet, Lindsay, for the presidency?
silvernana on October 2, 2009 at 3:10 PM
The guy got crushed by Barky.
Please, please just go away.
Filecchio on October 2, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Oh man that will be so epic.
I want to see Palin campaigning for Rubio and McCain campaigning for Christ. Underdog vs. RINO.
Please let this happen!
jhffmn on October 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I thought he swore to us that he “got the message” after the amnesty fight.
His presidency would have been one endless string of betrayals to the conservatives in the GOP. I doubt that he would have been materially “worse” for the country than Obama has been and will undoubtedly continue to be, but a presidential victory for McCain would have been for the GOP what the Hindenburg was to zeppelin travel; irrepairable.
TexasDan on October 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Heh.
“Thus is a new generation of amnesty-supporting Republicans made. Can you feel the excrement?”
Where did I put those danged reading glasses…..
Intrepid on October 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM
The problem is that we cant win without those whacknuts.
They cant win without us, either. The difference is that we understand it, they dont.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Dear Senator McCain,
Thank you for your military and political service. I know I could not endure what you did in the Hanoi Hilton and I salute you and have great respect for you.
Your political career has become a complete disaster; fighting for the presidency with 6 aces left in your pocket on Obama and not using any of them, reigning in Palin when the ONLY reason most republicans voted for you was due to your wisdom in picking her on your ticket, your belief in
global cooling…global warming“climate change” which WILL destroy more jobs in the energy sector, your support forundocumented workersILLEGAL ALIENS who are ravishing this countrys medical system, traffic congestion and destroying our achools with ESL mandates and lack of parental support.The last two election losses were an indication on your future political party makeover, leave now while you still have your dignity intact.
The return of the true CONSERVATIVE republican party is rising: see tea parties, 9/12 DC march and healthcare meetings.
dthorny on October 2, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Once again, her timing is impeccable. Mac, his staffers and the GOP insiders think her book is coming out next year. So they think they have time to hash out their takeover of the party, yet Sarah springs a surprise on all of them: early book release and a telling title that warns them she’s going to spill some of the beans.
They’re in scramble mode now and considering they’re not all that bright, they will mistakes as they try to cling to power in the Party.
yogi41 on October 2, 2009 at 3:13 PM
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Edify me, son.
Good4Onan on October 2, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I have a question for you two…..
Do you believe, as maverick believes, that Barack Hussein Obama will uphold the constitution?
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I thought there could be a foot tapping incident in a men’s room…
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Oy. Just when I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, McCain tries to convert it to an oncoming train.
BuckeyeSam on October 2, 2009 at 3:14 PM
BTW, now is the time for the GOP to get rid of those stupid open primaries, and to revamp the primary system so this kind of candidate doesn’t happen again so easily.
TexasDan on October 2, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Of course she would! Haven’t you heard, the only way you can pay credence to the idea of constitutionally limited government is if you love Jesus. If its not about Jesus, you’re a dirty libertarian…and those cats have no right to dictate to ‘real american’ conservatives like Palin. Remember kids: Palin = Real American = Hardline Conservative = Loves Jesus. /s
Seriously though, Palin minus the Jesus stuff would definitely have less support among this crowd.
ernesto on October 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM
I feel sick…
Diane on October 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Didn’t Meggie’s say that all the old people needed to leave the stage so the young-uns can take over? something about “they had their time”.
she should start with her dad.
ramrants on October 2, 2009 at 3:16 PM
I have a lot of respect for Sen. McCain so I won’t dump on him but I beg him to retire with the little grace he can still maintain after November’s colossal failure. If McCain and Graham are the future of the Republican Party, all hope is lost.
Monica on October 2, 2009 at 3:17 PM
And I am sure you drones will lap up whatever she puts in your bowl.
Page 415:
“…and then I walked into the dressing room and Senator McCain was raping Mark Satler while drinking Jew-blood. In the corner was a dead puppy with a mallet next to it. I said ‘I am leaving’. He then told me that he would kill Piper if I left. So I soldiered on”
Palinista: Oh! She was sooo brave!
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:17 PM
ernesto on October 2, 2009 at 3:15 PM
And would they (this crowd) deem her a RINO?
Good4Onan on October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
dthorny on October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Sure thing, sugar britches.
Small government, lower taxes, the belief in the individual and rights given through the constitution.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
He said the only thing that could cure his presidential ambition was imbalming fluid. How long do we have to wait?
Mangy Scot on October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
People often support people who think and belive like they do in politics? No way!!
Dog bites man, dude.
TexasDan on October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Here’s a tip: Try showing even a minimum of civility toward the “whacknuts,” and maybe they (we?) will begin to believe in the “understanding” that you congratulate yourself for possessing.
CK MacLeod on October 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
When he said it, I surely did. But, of course, has Jim Demint said on the record that Obama is violating the Constitution? Palin?
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Keep swinging you’re getting closer to the ball everytime. Now just a little bit closer to the plate. Don’t look at all the other kids laughing. It’ll be okay. Go ahead. Swing again.
Blacksmith8 on October 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Yeah, I know…I went off a bit at the end there. I certainly have been against any “purging” of anyone in the GOP, as we CAN only win as a united, not divided, party.
Thing is, we’re far more apt to to do the “giving” in the give and take that’s absolutely going to be necessary in the coming few years. The “Palin right” if you will, does not want to budge one iota on anything. Heck, they see that as a good thing.
But you’re absolutely correct. Neither side of the GOP is going to “win” without the other. And it pains me to no end that we, as a party, have split so.
JetBoy on October 2, 2009 at 3:20 PM
You’re dodging the question. And the rest of it, does not matter.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:20 PM
I’m not religious but I am a conservative Libertarian and the Jesus stuff doesn’t bother me one bit. At least she has some values.
Monica on October 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM
That works both ways, bro.
JetBoy on October 2, 2009 at 3:21 PM
So, let me get this straight, AP.
Are you now in agreement with Beck that having McCain as the leader of the GOP is a bad thing?
Because you ridiculed Beck last week for saying essentially the same thing.
I believe you used the words “Epic fail” at the time.
Chris of Rights on October 2, 2009 at 3:22 PM
But you aren’t representative of the majority here at HA. Im sure people without religious convictions can look past hers, but people WITH hardcore religious convictions have a harder time looking past the lack thereof. That was my only point.
ernesto on October 2, 2009 at 3:22 PM
OK, CK Jetboy, myself and many others have put up with alot of crap on these boards for not being an oh-so-perfect TC. We have been called traitors and worse. So spare me the sob-story, this is my party too. I shut my mouth and did my duty with nary a whine when my man did not win the primary, so forgive me if I am not sympathetic to your “plight”
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:23 PM
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:18
No prerequisite for jesus? So, an Atheist would qualify given compliance with the aformentioned?
Sugar britches??? Are you related to Mel Gibson?
Good4Onan on October 2, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Palin wrote this
McCain backs candidates supporting cap and trade.
Palin = conservative. McCain = RINO.
QED
jhffmn on October 2, 2009 at 3:25 PM
I dont know how to answer the question but the trend is towards, no.
However my question is very relevant. By chastizing McCain, a Senator and leading political figure, for saying that, you imply that your expect persons in that position to say the opposite. So I find it very relevant.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Careful, now. Hornetsting might burn you with her silver cross.
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Ah, the victim. I believe that you got exactly what you wanted in 2008, a squishy candidate and that failed. So, what else do you want?
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Clearly you and I disagree about the causes of that loss.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM
So now the Progressive
Republicanswant to call the shots? I’m tired of the third party can’t win….with McCain remaking the Republican party in his own image….there is one thing for sure. The Republican party won’t win. I’m filling out my voter registration card and going back to being an independent today!njpat on October 2, 2009 at 3:27 PM
There was a poll linked here showing the majority of conservatives would back an atheist candidate.
I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I can attest to my atheism, and I support Palin.
jhffmn on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
If McLame wanted to do the biggest service he has ever has done for his country, he’d just STFU and get very lost.
If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have Obama in the White House.
TexasJew on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
sorry quoted wrong post.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Maybe not but I suspect that a lot of commenters who aren’t religious or who don’t care either way just don’t talk about it, either because it is irrelevant to them or a small fear of ostracization. I have a small hunch that people the religious here overall are more tolerant than you or AP give them credit for. Hopefully some jerk won’t come along promptly and prove me wrong.
Monica on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
She called you sugar britches because you called her “son”.
RushBaby on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Nope, but I’m not your son…I have the sweater puppies to prove it.
You don’t believe in God, that’s your issue, but it won’t exclude from voting for conservatives.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
What plight? Holding up the Constitution?
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
As if whining isn’t your default approach already…
Kensington on October 2, 2009 at 3:29 PM
No being called mean things by the people they are trying to kick out of the party.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I think Johnny Mac should wait till Palin’s book is out. He may want to clean his own house before trying to “fix” the Republican Party.
Sheesh. W and Mac are the Sacco and Vanzetti to the Republican Party. Whatsamattayou!
EMD on October 2, 2009 at 3:30 PM
The fight between Palin and McCain will come at the Cuda’s choosing and only if she sees McCain clearly attempting to derail here campaign or continue to destroy the GOP by going to the left of center like he is doing now.
Only ONE thing can cause a third-party: The GOP continuing to be moderate or continue as they have to the left of center.
Then, there will be no choice except a third-party.
I still believe though that Sarah will try her best to persuade the GOP that being the anti-Obama party is better than being the Obama-lite party.
Either way, I think she wins the GOP primary, and if she doesn’t, libertarians and conservatives will not show up much to defeat Obama.
Sapwolf on October 2, 2009 at 3:31 PM
The victim.
McCain has called his own party many ‘mean things’.
Payback is a bitch.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Name the McCain 40!
McCain has done the Right a service by setting himself up as king of the hill. Whomever shoves him off will be clear frontrunner in 2012.
Did you get a politician’s permission to express that thought?
A guy who wants open borders and reimbursement for any illegals who used my SSN on their forged papers, is not an American hero.
A guy who wants to criminalize “Vote For Pedro” ads within 90 days of an election, is not an American hero.
Chris_Balsz on October 2, 2009 at 3:31 PM
There’s obviously a contingent of RINO’s in Congress that fear Palin. All they offer, and McCain is one of them, is more of the same entrenched elites ignoring us and doing what they want.
This centrist coalition of McCain favors amnesty, believes in global warming regardless of evidence to the contrary and bends over backwards for the democrats whenever they need it. I don’t want more of what’s gotten us to this point … I want to start a reversal of what been done to this country in the last hundred years.
darwin on October 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The victim.
McCain has called his party many ‘mean things’.
Payback is a b*tch.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Maybe you don’t see it, HornetSting, but that’s “impugning” where I come from.
Spin much?
I would have preferred a more conservative candidate in ’08, and want one in ’12. But it was clear from the start which of the two choices in the last election loves his country and which does not.
MrScribbler on October 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
O/T: The Olympics Loser is on TV again trying to spin the Olympics and Unemployment
kingsjester on October 2, 2009 at 3:33 PM
+100000000
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:33 PM
La Raza, LULAC, MALDEF.
Not the American people.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:28 PM
My apologies….gender-neutral screen names always throw me…nothing personal. Sweater puppies??? Yeah, I think I’ll need to see that proof. About God, I don’t remember stating that I was an Atheist. Can you explain how you rendered this assessment?
Good4Onan on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
How is his opponent, Chris Simcox I believe, doing in the polls in AZ? I want him and Graham to go away. Lieberman is doing OK by bringing a little common sense to the liberal side.
Mirimichi on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Uh… isn’t that your plight?
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Senator: Thank you for your service to our country. Now sit down and shut the hell up and go away!
jistincase on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
That is not even remotely related to what I was talking about.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Whether McWhiney likes it or not, conservatives will not go along with this. The people that will direct the party are those with the purse strings, and from what I can see, they’ve shut them closed to the RNC.
24K lady on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Those are not my words, but thanks for playing.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
McCain is as stubborn about his place in the grand scheme as he is about those Latinos finally coming around and voting GOP.
DFCtomm on October 2, 2009 at 3:35 PM
McCain sees a light in the distance and thinks he leading the train, sadly for McCain, it’s the taillight of a train long past him and fading fast.
RJL on October 2, 2009 at 3:35 PM
McCain the head of the Republican Party?
Right. And Mondale headed up the Dems.
ace tomato on October 2, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I was responding to a person who was crying because I called the TC’s a mean name. And when he clucked at me about civility, I called him on all of the crap that was slung as the centrist wing of the party for not thinking Sarah Palin was the second coming.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Pay attention NRCC and NRSC. Say thanks but no thanks. This will not go well with the activists that manned tea parties.
applebutter on October 2, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Ahem… Note to John McCain: How can your generation tell us who our generation’s leaders should be? Back off Gramps, and please take your daughter with you. It’s our turn now!
CliffHanger on October 2, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I think that is called, “Principles”
Onager on October 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
OK. You’re the centrists. Aren’t you suppose to tell us that if we all live by “an eye for an eye,” the whole world will be blind?
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
You want a religious argument, go see Allah. You asked the following question:
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Zing, zing! That’s why we like you!
MeatHeadinCA on October 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
AP – Why must you diss on my guy, Mark Kirk. I live in IL and he’s the most conservative senator that we’re going to get here. I was in Europe last summer and actually spent time worrying about him running… He’s much better for IL than Durbin and Burrris or especially mob guy ‘Lexie. Kirk might disagree with people on social issues (abortion) and the environment, but he is ridiculously smooth and good on issues like the stimulus and health care. If someone agrees with you seventy percent of the time, I’m not sure why you aren’t going to go with him.
Illinidiva on October 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
AP-As to where the fight will take place-Rubio vs. Crist. I have some recollection of Sarah saying she would campaign for Crist?? Does not make sense but do recall reading/hearing it very early on… So I have a slight nagging hesitation there.
McCain should retire.The party should open the tent with persuasion of conservative tenets expressed clearly and succinctly.We are on the ascendancy.We need to make more impact on the young and popular culture.
Steve Schmidt and Nicole Wallace should try another field. They failed miserably. No love lost for those two from me.
Buckeye Babe on October 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM
I’m no SoCon but I’ll take them anyday over the squishy prog wing of the Repubs. Principles indeed.
Monica on October 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM
I personally think that someone like Forbes will be the go to guy in the 2012 election, since the economy is probably going to be an even larger issue than it was in the 2008 election.
DFCtomm on October 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM
McCain won’t be able to succeed at doing this any more than he succeeded in his presidential campaign.
OT As my computer is malfunctioning, please take good care of yourselves. Until we meet again.
Loxodonta on October 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Which, by all rights, should guarantee that he loses
agmartin on October 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Thank you for taking my mind off of McCain, and on to more pleasant things….
Jerome Horwitz on October 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
How about McCain campaigns for Crist, Palin campaigns for Rubio, and then Rubio wins the GOP primary.
Would JohnnyMac get the f’in message then?
If Sarah really wants to be the leader of a new GOP, she needs to do everything she can to get Rubio to win against Crist and then win that seat.
THAT would do so much to prove that SHE is the leader, the GOP is through with old RINO white dudes, and that it is time to provide America with an anti-Obama choice in 2010/12.
If she backs Rubio heavily, and Rubio wins, that will be an earthshaking GOP event.
Sapwolf on October 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Come back, Lox.
HornetSting on October 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Well, there is the MSM
agmartin on October 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
It couldn’t be that his kissy-face approach to the opposition and big stick approach to his own party cost him the election.
If he really wants to rebuild the party he should become a Democrat… and take what he thinks is ‘the next generation of leadership in the Republican Party’ with him.
MrBrowncoat on October 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
And a dramatically stupid decision by FL voters.
Squid Shark on October 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
I am not looking for an argument, just clarification about the definition of what a RINO is because it doesn’t appear that there exists a uniform definition even among this group.
You didn’t answer me either….why again did you call me an Atheist?
Regarding those puppies, I guess that would make your husband the “dog catcher”, huh?
Good4Onan on October 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Why?
darwin on October 2, 2009 at 3:46 PM
What planet is John McCain living on? The guy who lost Virginia thinks he can lead the Republican Party back to power???
To me this just shows that he has a towering ego, almost as big as Barack Obama’s. McCain is still trying to re-fight the 2000 primary against George W. Bush. He’ll go to his grave believing that Karl Rove stole the presidency from him.
The only way a younger generation of Republicans can bring this party back is for bitter old men like John McCain to retire and STFU.
rockmom on October 2, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Is McCain a Democratic Plant? He seems hell bent on destroying the Conservative movement and moving the Republican party to the left? And why are there so many people here attacking Christians? It just so happens that many values that Christians hold also happen to be values that Conservatives hold. It seems to me that you have certain people working to undermine the bedrock that supports moral values. I didn’t hear Palin say she was going to turn the US into a huge Christian Cathedral so why is she getting attacked for her personal beliefs?
SGinNC on October 2, 2009 at 3:47 PM
In the immortal words of Molly Hatchet, Maverick needs to take the highway and take all he can hold. The man was a joke of a presidential candidate.
Percy_Peabody on October 2, 2009 at 3:48 PM
When does he stop being such a bargain? 40% Democrat? 50%? 60%? If he starts out kicking planks out of the national party platform and being McCain’s posterchild of the New Republican Man, how solid can he be?
Chris_Balsz on October 2, 2009 at 3:48 PM
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