Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks on the steps of the Yavapi County Courthouse, Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Posted on 04/05/2008 2:42:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Republican White House hopeful John McCain promised on Saturday to cooperate with his Democratic rivals if he is elected president, despite deep divisions between the two parties.
"Despite the increasing harshness of our debates, and the lack of respect it often occasions for each side's good will, I still believe we can and must come together on issues that cannot be addressed without our cooperation," McCain said in a speech in Prescott, Arizona, the last stop on his biographical tour over the past week.
"Let us argue with each other then. By all means, let us argue. Our differences are not petty, they often involve cherished beliefs, and represent our best judgement about what is right for our country and humanity," McCain said.
"But let us remember, we are not enemies," he said.
McCain invoked the memory of two major figures in Arizona state's politics, Democrat Mo Udall and Republican icon Barry Goldwater, who he said worked in a spirit of respect and cooperation even though their political views were wide apart.
McCain, a maverick who Democrat John Kerry wanted to name as his running mate in his 2004 White House bid, has often forged agreements with his counterparts across the aisle in the US Senate.
He often underlines his "respect" for his Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and has disavowed some right-wing partisans who have tried to suggest Obama might secretly be Muslim.
Thursday however McCain had sarcastic remarks about Obama, portraying him as a national security neophyte who knows little of US history, and accused him of being "disingenuous" about his own Iraq stance.
McCain also took a disdainful swipe at Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, who branded him as an "opportunist" as he relates his personal history of military heroism.
"I think it was Bob Dole (1996 Republican nominee and World War II veteran) who said you don't want to get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it," McCain said.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks on the steps of the Yavapi County Courthouse, Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Vietnam veteran Terry Paul, center, of Prescott, presents republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, a gift after he delivered a speech on the steps of the Yavapi County Courthouse, Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The old saying goes, “It takes two to tango.”
Bush has been trying to cooperate with the Democrats for eight years. A lot of good it has done him or our country.
I don't think they got the memo. As far as I'm concerned, if they consider ME an enemy (they do!) that's enough.
What's laughable is that I'm beginning to think that he believes this.
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It’s been such a success in California..
More progressive drivel.. all the candidates are deep in it.. sad to see the GoP is ready to jump into the hog wallow too ..
The result?
McCain-Feingold
McCain-Leiberman
McCain-Kennedy
McCain-Kerry
McCain-_____________(insert name of any and every imaginable Democrat here).
If you liked the direction the country went in the last eight years, you'll LOVE the next eight...
He is going to screw us. (not that it needed saying.)
But that does not include me!
we’re screwed
And McLame’s idea of cooperation is to do what ever the democrats want. See any piece of legislation with his name on it. Enough said.
LOL,, Thanks!
“But let us remember, we are not enemies,” he said.”
It is too late, we all ready understand that we are.
Yes we are my friend. And I can't wait to see what his idea of an "Alito or Scilia type judge" looks like. I'm thinking Souter or Stevens.
If McTraitor is not the enemy of the ‘Rats, he’s in the wrong party.
What's sad is he does.
And that is the problem.
Yet more evidence that Ann Coulter is right!
How much cooperation are we talking about?
Heck we already have conservatives voting in the Democratic Primaries, for Hillery no less!
Looks like the right and left are getting along just fine.
For all of you who vote for McCain because of the Supreme Court or the WOT. Here is your answer. You are gonna get screwed in the name of cooperation.
Strict Constructionists. Yeah right. A Teddy Kennedy reconstructionist is what you are going to get.
Then what will you do? Say, He promised, and I done been cheated. You knew in advance so you get what you vote for.
Sarcasm/>
But when has he ever done that?
With a potential 20% crossover vote from the Demo side, it is exactly the correct thing to say. He is a better politician than most people think.
Hey! He knows where Arizona is.
It's going to be a long four years, no matter who "wins".
McCain is no idiot. He knows that this language will piss you people off. But guess what, it pisses off the lefty extremists, too.
But the Vast Center eats this up. Makes him look like Teddy Roosevelt or Eisenhower. Puts the people ahead of the party. That's what voters want this year: a guy who will knock heads together and get things done. You'll see this as McCain's rhetoric resonates in the general.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Guy is totally nuts.
Not that there aren't some decent people who think they are Democrats, but NONE OF THEM are in elected office.
All the Dem politicians represent only the concerns of their "special interest grup", and that's usually AFSCME, NEA, a Farm Bureau Co-op hot for cheap Mexican labor, and so on.
McCain has been around those people so long he thinks it's normal to be that way.
He hasn't got a hair if he doesn't start visting with and debating Conservatives. Without us he's just another government subsidized beet farmer in Arizona.
yup but FReepers have survived worse... altho this does present a unique opportunity to engage the enemy within... no matter who wins. a silver lining perhaps and all the more reason for folks to embrace free speech and a free internet within reasonably good taste or intent.
if we get a couple scalia-like appointees out of the deal, all the getter. ;-) (Hey , I know I know, but a guy can dream still?)
He’s been visiting the Hildabeast’s dentist or something, snorking some of that anesthetic that changes your memories.
I detest McCain. But, my arm wants to pull the lever for him. My left one.
End of story.
Same bunch of pukes sniffed out James Webb in Virginia and voted for him in vast, overwhelming numbers.
Guy's a regular fascist puke who'd love to send most of the folks who voted for him to a death camp ~
Why do we Americans want to hand over the control of our elections to the Ku Klux Klan and the Neo-Nazi movement?
Let 'em keep voting for Hillary in the primaries, but let's keep 'em out of our side in the General Election.
“McCain calls for cooperation among Democrats, Republicans”
Vomitous, wretching, damned traitor.
McCain is no idiot.
agreed,, that he finished near the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy ought not weigh him down at the apex of his career, it’s what he’s done since then... albeit some acts of his and issues he has actively supported and lead are radiantly hot and rightfully contentuous issues for our times and as we all know politically charged atmosphere we live in 24 by 7.
There is no “vast center”. Our electorate is laid out along a three dimensional bi-modal saddle. That means there are two clusters at some remove from each other. Guys who go for the elusive “center” do not improve their vote totals. They have to go to the very heart of the other side to get more voters.
“Then what will you do? Say, He promised, and I done been cheated. You knew in advance so you get what you vote for.”
They ought never forget the story of the scorpion and the frog.
and I personally could care less for his language.
It’s a free country still, he can say anything he wants, unfortunately, due to his CFR work, some can’t.
The problem is McCain has backed up those words with actual deed.
I'm no idiot either. I've seen him at work.
McCain the Manchurian candidate
Obama the New World Order candidate
Clinton the Mafia candidate
Choice!
Oh, I agree. If McManiac is elected, conservatives will look back on the years Bush was in office as a golden age.
What's laughable is that I'm beginning to think that he believes this.
He's a senator, it's the ultimate insiders club. He's been there for 20 years or so, it warps him to beleive the cordial behind-doors socializing they do in the Senate is the way things will stay if he's in office. Uh-huh, tell that to Truman who loved being a Senator but when he becam prez was assaulted by his former colleagues.
And when is McCain going to say he'll coopperate with conservatives? I'm tired of our candidates telling us how we need to be flexible and more liberal. We've had that approach since 1988. 20 years of poking us in the eye is enough!
I agree. He’ll pick a liberal in the name of bi-partisanship, and the GOP in Congress won’t be able to mount a fight against a supposedly Republican President. He runs as a conservative democrat, and if he wins, he’ll remember who elected him - and it won’t be Republicans!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The BOHICA Express
I can only shake my head at those who think McCain is going to appoint strict constructionist judges. He will appoint judges that he can get by the Democrats easily.
Voting for him for that reason is useless.
When it comes to the WOT? Get ready for the Democrats to defund the war asap if McCain wins. Our hairsprayed and pomaded Republicrats that are left will fold like cheap suits that they are.
Well, that about covers the 2 reasons to vote for McCain.
We best get ready for plenty of misery. No matter who wins, it’s coming.
Gee. It’s Mr. Magoo.
Wouldn’t it be nice if McCain cooperated with Republicans?
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