Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Right Nodding (McCain and the base)
National Review ^ | 9-27-05 | Rich Lowry

Posted on 09/27/2005 8:33:38 AM PDT by Aetius

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last
The one big and obvious thing McCain could do to win over the social conservative base (or at least assuage their anger and make them accept him) that Lowry fails to mention is to make explicit and unambiguous promises to nominate Scalia/Thomas/conservative/originalist type justices to the federal courts, especially the Supreme Court. Giuliani could do the same, though for him it would be harder because McCain does at least have a fairly conservative voting record to point to over his career.

To simply nullify the Courts, and to stop them from continually siding with the Left in the Culture war by imposing that which can't be properly enacted in most states, is the primary goal of cultural conservatives. We are perfectly content in taking our chances in the democratic process, but the imposition of leftist outcomes by the Courts is unacceptable and infuriating. McCain need only take our side against judicial activism, and I think he could win the nomination.

And while I do think that the media's love for McCain would drop once he faces off against a democrat (and not an evil Republican), especially if its Hillary, its probably a safe bet that he would still be treated better than most Republicans. As such, he would have a golden opportunity to use his top moderate status to point out to the public (especially moderates and independents) that the Left's demonization of justices like Scalia is based on lies; that such conservative judges would be neutral in the culture war and would not impose anything on anyone as liberal judges do. If he did this, McCain could become a hero to social conservatives.

Now having said all of that, I don't think that he will actually do any of this. He has spoken highly of Scalia in the past, but he probably fears losing the media's adoration, so he'll probably choose not to take advantage of this opportunity.

And to change topics; McCain's alliance with Ted Kennedy on a thinly-veiled amnesty will be a strong knock against him. That Kennedy is an enthusiastic cosponsor says all one needs to know about this garbage bill, and McCain would be wise to jettison it and join forces with Kyl and Cornyn and support their less offensive bill.

1 posted on 09/27/2005 8:33:40 AM PDT by Aetius
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Aetius

Words are not deeds. McCain is going to have to do an awful lot more then just talk to patch things up with the Coservative base.


2 posted on 09/27/2005 8:37:03 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (Don't get stuck on stupid now, reporters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

"McCain needs the Right to stop loathing him, and he seems to realize it."

I don't know that I "loath" him, but I certainly don't trust him. He's absolutely unreliable, I don't care how strong a stance he takes against fiscal irresponsibility. I think he's in it for the attention, and not for conservative principles. And please don't ask if I'd vote for him rather than Horrid Hillary (at least, not first thing in the morning!).


3 posted on 09/27/2005 8:38:28 AM PDT by hsalaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

Couldn't this writer show even a little bit of creativity and refrain from using the word, "maverick"?


4 posted on 09/27/2005 8:38:56 AM PDT by rhombus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie

I guess in 2008 I will just stay home. If McPain wins the primary I will not vote for him.


5 posted on 09/27/2005 8:39:35 AM PDT by sgtbono2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Aetius
The problem for McCain is that he has such a richly layered history of apostasy, including on conservative gospel like the Bush tax cuts. Some of it is of recent vintage, for instance the enforcement-less immigration bill he is co-sponsoring with Ted Kennedy. A strong conservative candidate who unites the Right can take him down.

A McCain ticket will keep me home, or force my vote to a third party true Conservative if available, on election day. For now I prefer to see Tancredo on the ticket, as P or VP, to ensure immigration laws get enforced and broders are secured.

6 posted on 09/27/2005 8:40:34 AM PDT by DTogo (U.S. out of the U.N. & U.N out of the U.S.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hsalaw
He's absolutely unreliable,

How true
He says one thing one day and something else the next
Forked tongue
7 posted on 09/27/2005 8:42:15 AM PDT by uncbob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

McCain does not look healthy enough to be President.


8 posted on 09/27/2005 8:43:10 AM PDT by goodnesswins (DEMS....40 years and $$$dollars for the War on Poverty, but NOT a minute for the WAR on Terror!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

Here's a novel idea. How about enforcing the stinking laws we do have before adding another layer to ignore.


9 posted on 09/27/2005 8:44:11 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

John McCain:

1. Pro-American patriot.
2. Pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, Life of mother

1. Traditional budget balancing Repub....will raise taxes to balance budget
2. Anti-Free Speech (Campaign Finance)
3. Gun Rights Moderate (Will allow prosecution of companies)
4. Pro Filibuster


Those are the things I remember about him. I would not support him in the primaries, but I would in the general.


10 posted on 09/27/2005 8:47:45 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie

To get elected suddenly he will be "Conservative". If you beleive that one I have some swamp land......and all that!
Please! A Leopard does NOT change his spots.
Rino is as Rino does and worse. Hopefully the majority of die hard conservatives are NOT buying this "new and improved McCain" ACT!!


11 posted on 09/27/2005 8:48:20 AM PDT by stopem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

The Man Who Would Be President ... dear God, spare us!


12 posted on 09/27/2005 8:49:24 AM PDT by GretchenM (Hooked on porn and hating it? Visit http://www.theophostic.com .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sgtbono2002

I would write myself in and call it good.


13 posted on 09/27/2005 8:50:41 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: Aetius

NEVER HAPPENED! mcpain (media) Az could never win a GOP primary without that stupid crossover rule. He's dead meat Rich. Wake up dude.


15 posted on 09/27/2005 8:58:10 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (The quisling ratmedia: always eager to remind us of why we hate them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

"For the first time in years, conservatives have listened to Arizona Sen. John McCain talk about a high-profile domestic issue and have nodded their heads vigorously"

Think about that for a minute. How far left must the current situation have drifted if you have to loook to your right to see McCain?


16 posted on 09/27/2005 8:59:41 AM PDT by Pessimist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

McCain has no chance with the conservative base. He is untrustworthy and unreliable. He is a political shell with no core principles except for power-seeking and self aggrandizement.

Should he ever manage to squeak through to nomination, the media will immediately devour him. They will deliberately soft sell him to the right during primary season, knowing they have the goods to destroy him following his nomination.

I hope we are not that stupid.


17 posted on 09/27/2005 9:00:26 AM PDT by Valpal1 (Crush jihadists, drive collaborators before you, hear the lamentations of their media. Allahu FUBAR!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius

I agree...but I think McVain will lose the primary to either George Allen or even better...Rick Perry. I don't know why he hasn't been mentioned for a possible White House run...ditto Marc Racicot, former two-term MT governor. It's early yet...and both of these governors have an excellent chance to consider running. I don't want McVain to even think about it. He's too old (will be 72 in 08) and he's had malignant melanoma twice. I don't like or trust McVain and he's got to go.


18 posted on 09/27/2005 9:03:52 AM PDT by goresalooza (Nurses Rock!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aetius
McCain’s natural constituency is the bookers on Hardball With Chris Matthews, or any other public-affairs show

Snicker.

On another note, McCain would be a disaster as president. A man who cannot control his temper always makes a bad leader. A man whose core is difficult to locate, or is rotting, is friend to dangerous levels of political expediency.

The Oval Office isn't big enough for McCain's ego. That in itself would cause mega problems.

I don't think anyone knows the *real* John McCain. What appears above the surface makes me not want to have to find out what he tries to keep submerged.

19 posted on 09/27/2005 9:04:26 AM PDT by GretchenM (Hooked on porn and hating it? Visit http://www.theophostic.com .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goresalooza

You forgot gov Sanford.


20 posted on 09/27/2005 9:08:07 AM PDT by mosquitobite (What we permit; we promote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-73 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson