[McCain's]Progress with Christian conservative elites (Please read)

The Politico ^ | July 02, 2008 | Jonathan Martin

[2ndDivisionVet]

A good sign for the McCain camp from an absolutely essential constituency. It's not so much that these leaders can move thousands of votes, but to have them off the reservation and teeing up unhelpful quotes for the next four months would have been a huge problem for the GOP.

Reports Michael Scherer:

At a meeting Tuesday in Denver, about 100 conservative Christian leaders from around the country agreed to unite behind the candidacy of John McCain, a politician they have long distrusted, marking the latest in a string of movement that bodes well for McCain's general election prospects among the Republican base.

"Collectively we feel that he will support and advance those moral values that we hold much greater than Obama, who in our view will decimate moral values," said Mat Staver, the chairman of Liberty Counsel, a legal advocacy group, who previously supported Mike Huckabee's candidacy.

"There are people who came through the primary with very mixed emotions of the candidate," Staver continued, noting that many in the group had been in Denver to attend a separate meeting for pastors. "This event was to put those aside."

The group included leaders like Phyllis Schlafly, the longtime leader of Eagle Forum; Steve Strang, the publisher of Charisma magazine; Phil Burress, a prominent Ohio marriage and anti-pornography activist; David Barton, the founder of WallBuilders; and Donald Hodel, a former secretary of the Interior, who previously served on the board of Focus on the Family. Jim Dobson, the head of Focus and an outspoken critic of McCain, did not attend. The McCain campaign was also not directly represented at the meeting.

A second person who attended the event, but asked not to be named, said that the group was motivated principally by a desire to defeat Barack Obama. "None of these people want to meet their maker knowing that they didn't do everything they could to keep Barack Obama from being president," the participant said. "You've got these two people running for president. One of them is going to become president. That's the perspective. That that's the whole discussion."

[2ndDivisionVet]

Read that two or three times, if need be, especially the money quote: "...the group was motivated principally by a desire to defeat Barack Obama. "None of these people want to meet their maker knowing that they didn't do everything they could to keep Barack Obama from being president," the participant said. "You've got these two people running for president. One of them is going to become president. That's the perspective. That that's the whole discussion."

[Man50D]

Supporting a socialist like McCain does nothing for the conservative cause.

[2ndDivisionVet]

When we’re both in line for gruel at the reeducation camp next Spring, remind me about what a socialist Senator McCain is and why President Obama is no worse than Johnny would’ve been, okay?

[usconservative]

"None of these people want to meet their maker knowing that they didn't do everything they could to keep Barack Obama from being president"

McCain wasn't my first choice, and I've certainly been very critical of him here on this forum. In my view, he's flip-flopped on several key issues (such as border security, building the wall first for example) and I really doubt his sincerity in changing his positions.

Having said that, he does at least have a record of being a fiscal hawk, and I for one have a strong desire to see fiscal responsibility return to this country. Based on his record of not pursuing earmarks for example, I've come to the conclusion that this country has a far better chance of returning to fiscal responsibility without massive tax hikes that will kill our economy, and our American way of life under a McCain Presidency than under a Marxist/socialist OBama administration.

And because of that, I will vote for McCain this November. My mind's made up.

The tipping point for me, was Weasley Clark's criticism of McCain "not necessarily being qualified" to be President and his allusion to McCain as a POW during the Vietnam war. I'm not a Vet and I didn't qualify for service due to a physical disability of my own however I have nothing but the highest regard for those who put their butts on the line to defend this country. In every way John McCain put his arse on the line for this country during the Vietnam era. Where was Weasley Clark?

If suffering through more than 5 years of torture as a son of a Senator, and being credited for helping keep others alive as a result so they could come home from the Vietnam war isn't a demonstration of McCain's character, courage and integrity, I don't know what is.

One last comment, wasn't Weasley Clark fired by the Clinton Administration as Nato Commander in Chief? Isn't this the same Weasley Clark who was turned away from the Presidential Nomination in 2004 by his own party? Isn't this the same Weasley Clark who claimed not a single loss in Bosnia/Kosovo, while allowing millions of people to be slaughtered during that conflict because he kept our troops on the base while the slaughter and fighting happened?

Seems to me Weasley Clark doesn't know how to put his butt on the line and be accountable for his decisions. At least McCain has demonstrated the character, integrity and tenacity to do so.

And that makes John McCain a far better candidate for President than Barak OBama (and his now formerly assumed VP candidate Weasley Clark) would ever be.

This is why I'll now willingly crawl through broken glass on election day to vote for McCain. There is just no way on God's beautiful earth that I could possibly stand idly by and let the most unqualified, post-racially divisive, corrupt politician ever to come from the people's socialist republiK of Illinoyed to ever step foot in the White House as this country's President. I live here, I know what OBama did in Illinois (absolutely NOTHING) and there's simply nothing in his "experience" that would qualify that man to EVER step foot in the same Oval Office that Ronald Reagan once occupied.

[usconservative]

Supporting a socialist like McCain does nothing for the conservative cause.

And allowing the most un-qualified person ever to run for and win the Presidency of the United States does?

I simply cannot stomach the thought of Barak OBama sitting in the same Oval Office that Ronald Reagan once occupied and used to return this country to it's greatness.

The thought of OBama sitting in that chair and implementing his marxist/socialist policies, undoing all of Reagan's hard work simply sends enough of a chill down my spine that I'll crawl through broken glass on election day to vote for McCain.

It's my hope that McCain would at the very least begin restoring financial sanity to this country.

[ishabibble]

How does a POTUS Obama help the conservative cause?

[ConservativeDude]

I’m a little worried about McCain’s numbers right now.

And I dont’ see much life from the campaign that suggests they know how to move them.

But we’ll see.

[Man50D]

How does a POTUS Obama help the conservative cause?

How does supporting a socialist from either the socialist Democrats or GOP advance the conservative cause?

[ishabibble]

The U.S. Military and the SCOTUS are the two main reasons that Obama must be defeated. Our nuclear program is another. Here is Barry telling you to your face that he will gut our weapons programs.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1997985/posts

The more this guy talks, the easier the choice becomes. I was a staunch Duncan Hunter supporter, so I didn't get what I wanted, either. That is not the issue anymore. I'd like to keep my country, though, and Mr. Marxist/Black Liberation Hopenchanges has made it clear that he will take it away. So, it's McCain ‘08 and a healthy and active course of addressing my gov’t at every opportunity. It won't be easy, but if Obama gets in, I doubt that we could ever recover.

[Chinstrap61a]

"How does a POTUS Obama help the conservative cause?"

We have several in our forum that have taken the idiotic position that they'd rather let Obama and the former Weather Underground terrorists take over the country than see John McCain get their votes.

They claim that they are sticking to their "conservative principles" but to anyone with the reasoning abilities above 5th graders they'd understand that our country would be wrecked with that tactic.

Real conservatives actively work to heal the country and to influence everything we can through hard work. We can do that with a McCain administration - and in fact, it already appears that McCain is adopting a more conservative direction. We won't have much effect on Obama and the San Francisco wing of the Democrats.

[txrangerette]

You wrote well in expressing your point of view.

A couple of factual nitpicks:

Where was Clark when McCain put himself on the line in Vietnam?, you asked. Implying Clark wasn’t involved. But he was in Vietnam, and left with combat wounds. I don’t know the details of what happened to him, but he was there long enough to get wounded.

In the Balkans, I don’t think millions of people were killed. It was a bad scene and many civilians were killed and Clark was a very poor general, but millions? No.

Those nitpicks aside, as I said, you wrote a good post.

I don’t spend my time arguing with people who literally pride themselves on their vote decision, whatever it might be, and throw back in your face with glee and gusto any point made to the contrary.

You didn’t do that in your long post...all you did was explain your own decision.

But the rest of this thread is the kind I’m speaking of...

[sthguard]

Please don’t confuse Chicago liberals and the multi-generational welfare leeches that keep them in power with the rest of Illinois— most everything outside the city is red state.

[ishabibble]

I now have a hard time distinguishing between the “temper tantrum” real FReepers and the trolls from the Left. They are both putting out the same message...vote Obama.

I just cannot understand it.

[YellowRoseofTx]

I could rant for hours about how bad this election cycle is the worst in my lifetime. I am so angry with the GOP for sticking us with McCain, but Obama scares the life out of me. I don't care how much everyone who has a TV, radio or political voice plays down Obama's muslim roots and connections, I can't shake the idea. That frightens me more than his communist beliefs, which frightens me a lot.

McCain is anything but conservative and I'm sure he is only planning on one term and will do what he damn well pleases because of that. He will shove amnesty down our throats without fear. I don't trust his Supreme Court nominees either, but it's a given the kind Obama will put forth.

The only reason I can find to vote for McCain is for our military. I can't find any reason to vote for Obama or to not vote at all and chance Obama will win. I will whole heartedly vote for the conservatives down ticket.

I am praying a lot that the majority of young voters who look at Obama like he is the second coming will not make it to the polls.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

When another person does not believe the same way you do, insult them first before attempting to understand them.

That way, you may best avoid the flaws in your own outlook, as well as be allowed to keep over reacting to other points of view. In doing so, you push others away from your way of thinking and are allowed to keep flexing your knees in a highly exaggerated configuration.

[kellynla]

“The U.S. Military and the SCOTUS are the two main reasons that Obama must be defeated.”

Ditto

There are millions of unborn babies and American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines and their families depending on it.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[sirchtruth]

I admire your consistant push for McCain. I know you think it would be much better to have him than Obama for President. I do too, but again as I've explained to you I predict a majority of conservatives will not vote FOR McCain because he is a liberal coddler and a conservative backstabber, so he is going to have to win with independents and fencesitters.

It would probably be a much better tactic trying to convince milquetoast nambies than grassroots conservatives who know better!

[rep-always]

Amen and Amen. Well said. I have the same view.

[Coldwater Creek]

Ditto's!!!!!!!!

The very though of our military having to salute Obama, makes me want to vomit!

[RoadTest]

“Supporting a socialist like McCain does nothing for the conservative cause.”

No, but NOT supporting his candidacy will do a lot for (B. Hussein Obama’s) Communism.

[CDHart]

Good read. I agree with you.

Carolyn

[nina0113]

I am praying a lot that the majority of young voters who look at Obama like he is the second coming will not make it to the polls.

Maybe some nice conservative LEOs could ease up on enforcing the drug laws for a week or so beforehand. That should do it.

[RoadTest]

“I am praying a lot that the majority of young voters who look at Obama like he is the second coming will not make it to the polls. “

I agree with you in that prayer.

[ovrtaxt]

No it doesn’t. It does nothing for neither.

[Man50D]

A John McCain Timeline thanks to DoughtyOne

John McCain's Whimsical World of Conservatism
Food for thought for the Hillary Clinton Wing of the GOP

1982/00/00 McCain enters Congress, with his family accepts first of nine trips some aboard Keating's leer jet, three of which include stayovers at Keating's Caribbean resort (goes unreported for up to 7 years)
1983/09/28 McCain joins 26 other Republicans to vote with the Majority Party Congressional Democrats to demand U.S. Troops exit Lebanon, winds up on the losing
1983/09/28 Cindy McCain and her father invest $359,100 in a Charles Keating strip mall
1987/00/00 McCain has received $112,000 by this time for Congressional and Senate campaigns, from Charles Keating, his relatives, and his employees, the largest amount to any Keating 5 member
1987/04/02 McCain joins four Democrats to intercede on behalf of his S&L Owner friend Keating with Ed Gray, chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and also banking regulators (2 meetings)
1988/02/11 McCain votes to affirm Anthony Kennedy as a justice for the SCOTUS
1989/00/00 McCain discloses Keating trips as his involvement in the S&L scandal breaks, reimbursing $13,433.00 with no repercussions as late as seven years after the fact
1993/10/10 McCain co-sponsors an unsuccessful bill to cut off funding of United States troops in Somalia
1993/08/10 McCain joins the Democrats and most Republicans voting to confirm Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the worst justice on the court today. Three Republicans vote Nay.
1993/01/13 McCain and Kerry release the Select Committee report urging the MIA issue be put to rest so that Vietnam could be granted normalized relations with the U.S., over objections by MIA family and veterans groups. Video1 Video2 ( I do not endorse all of the information presented in video1 here. The video does touch on a number of topics, and I think most are germane ) If I could have found video that contained most of this information without touching on McCain's POW experience I would have posted it instead. Still, there are parts of McCain's POW experience that are troubling. I'd just rather not go there. Video2 shows how one MIA family rep is treated, confirming some of the reports in Video1.
1994/07/24 McCain joins with the Democrats to confirm nominee Stephen Breyer to be an Associate Justice on the SCOTUS. Nine Senators voted Nay...
1997/00/00 McCain leads the opposition to the Coats Amendment, preventing government funded fetal tissue research ( derived from "a legal act" [abortion] ) Amendment defeated!
1999/08/19 McCain stated, ""Certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade,"
2000/00/00 McCain joins Democrat Russ Feingold to introduce Campaign Finance Reform, an effort funded by George Soros Article
2000/00/00 McCain was the keynote speaker at the ultra-liberal Philadelphia convention sponsored by George Soros while John F. Kerry keynoted at another Soros event on the same day...
2000/11/20 McCain participates in the production of a gun control spot for Oregon's Proposition Five. (Circa this date, prior to the November election.) Article
2001/00/00 McCain founded the Reform Institute funded by George Soros
2001/05/15 McCain introduces the Gun Show Loophole bill S890, with Carper, Lieberman, DeWine, Clinton, and Schumer co/sponsoring Analysis
2003/03/19 McCain joins Democrats to vote against drilling in ANWR
2003/10/30 McCain joins Lieberman again, this time to introduce the Climate Stewardship Act (Gorebal worming et al) Thomas Bill S139
2004/06/04 McCain signs letter with 58 Senators, "We write to urge you to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research."
2004/08/05 McCain announces he deplores the Swift Boat adds against Senator John Kerry, and asks the White House to refute them
2005/00/00 McCain resigns from the Reform Institute he founded with Communist billionaire George Soros
2005/01/28 McCain declares, "I want us in the ICC (International Criminal Court)", but I would like to see more safeguards first
2005/05/12 McCain joins Ted Kennedy to introduce McCain/Kennedy immigration legislation that would wind up making illegal immigrants citizens
2006/04/28 McCain states, "I would rather have a clean government than one where quote First Amendment rights are being respected that has become corrupt."
2006/09/06 McCain joins Dole to write op-ed for the Washington Post, states in part, "We should publicly remind Khartoum that the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes..."
2007/02/17 McCain states he will close Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainment center on his first day in office video (same as date link on the left)
2007/03/22 McCain gets the pledged support of Chuck and Sue Cobb, Jeb Bush's Florida Director of the Free Trade of the Americas Agreement effort
2007/06/00 McCain joins Baldwin, Shays and Meehan to file an amicus brief against the Wisconsin Right to Life organization brief The wrong side of a pro-life issue, helping pro-abort Feingold
2007/06/18 McCains Gitmo problem, close the base, grant Geneva Convention status, stop water boarding...
2007/10/25 McCain still wants us to sign the L.O.S.T. treaty in time, but does have concerns over sovereignty issues.
2008/03/00 McCain makes his first attempt to tell a state (North Carolina) Republican Party what to do. The RNC joins him.
2008/03/24 McCain hires Meg Whiteman to cochair his Presidential campaign. Whiteman is another wishy washy at best Independent, who has donated to leftist candidates and still doesn't have a clue what side to come down on with regard to illegal immigration. She is leaning toward running for Governor in California and being courted by it's Republican leadership. Links to CalCowGirl's comments regardint Whiteman's donations. Article above.
2008/03/26 McCains speech to the World Affairs Council, Europe may get veto power over some of our foreign policy...
2008/04/08 McCain casts last Senate vote during his Presidential Campaign. By the EOBD 06/24/08, he has missed 367 votes or 61.4% of the Senate votes in the 110th Congress. His last vote before the one he cast on April 8 was cast on 03/14/08. Link
2008/05/09 McCains interview with O'Reilly... I won't drill in ANWR... it's pretty... I'm an environmentalist.
2008/05/12 McCain Joins the Goreball Worming Cult, sounding more like Al Gore every day... McCain's Oregon add Video
2008/05/13 2008/05/13 McCain takes an Environmental walk, with the leader of the Cascade Land Conservancy
2008/05/15 2008/05/15 McCain states he will appoint Democrats to his administration, during a Republican teleconference and during a Columbus stump speech
2008/05/27 McCain announces support for severe cutbacks on our nuclear weapons, withdrawing battlefield nukes from Europe and giving our nuclear waste to an international body
2008/06/04 McCain states, "I disagreed strongly with the Bush administration's mismanagement of the war in Iraq."
2008/06/14 McCain tells Clinton supporters they should back him because he voted for Ginsberg and Breyer Said this to Conservatives on 2008/05/07
2008/06/21 It is announced McCain and Obama will address open borders group in Los Angeles on July 18th, 2008, Communists and worst of U.S. Illegal Alien apologist groups...
2008/06/21 McCain and team realize he has so little credibility on judicial appointments, that they announce he will let Fred Thompson vet his judges. That's 06/21/08's version of truth...
2008/06/28 McCain declares, "I will make comprehensive immigration reform my “top priority,” during my first 100 days in office. He assures Latino leaders that they will have an ally in the White House.

[mathluv]

I would add one nitpick. He was the son (and gradson, I believe) of an ADMIRAL, not a Senator.

[mathluv]

I, and a lot of us, agree with with what you have listed. But how would osamabama be better? One of them will be elected (unless something happens between now and Nov). I agree with Rush.

Conservatives stayed home in '06. Tell me how that helped conservatism?

[Man50D]

No, but NOT supporting his candidacy will do a lot for (B. Hussein Obama’s) Communism.

That fallacious thinking is tantamount to saying you can fight socialism by supporting a socialist. The only beneficiaries are socialists.

[txrangerette]

Right, I missed that one.

[RoadTest]

“No, but NOT supporting his candidacy will do a lot for (B. Hussein Obama’s) Communism.

That fallacious thinking is tantamount to saying you can fight socialism by supporting a socialist. The only beneficiaries are socialists.”

So - — - what’s the answer - taking up arms again?

[Man50D]

But how would osamabama be better?

You illustrate my point. Neither one is better than the other because they are both socialists. It's amazes me people fail to see such an obvious point and think the only way to combat socialism is to accept a little more socialism with each succeeding election instead of taking a strong stand for conservatism.

[txrangerette]

This was pointed out to me, that I missed upon first reading of your post, so I'm adding it to my factual nitpicks:

McCain is the son and grandson of admirals, not senators.

[Man50D]

So - — - what’s the answer - taking up arms again?

The answer is taking a stand for conservatism. Why is such a simple and effective concept so difficult to understand?

[Tribune7]

I hate to say it but if Rudy won the nomination and hit the campaign trail wearing high heels and an evening gown, I would still crawl over broken glass to vote for him just to keep Barry Hussein from being our leader.

[Little Ray]

Allowing a racist communist, possible crypto-muslim, to be elected President does even less.

I don’t like McCain, but he got the one endorsement that matters to me from a US soldier who served in Iraq and will, undoubtedly, be going back. For that reason, alone, I will vote for him.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Conservatives did NOT stay home in ‘06. In fact, they shattered records in showing up at the polls for a mid-term, according to actual counts and exit polls.

What swayed the elections in favor of the Democrats, was the moderate, independent and swing voters who also showed up at the polls in record numbers, primarily because of the war.

Add to that, a new generation of College age voters who came into the electorate in record numbers and you have a vastly out numbered Conservative voting block. (Another source, RCP and Quinnipiac.)

Making such an uninformed statement as your last sentence Merely illustrates the ignorance from both sides of the isle that dominate the last two elections.

This election will be an exaggeration of the previous list of facts I posted. All Conservatives in the Republic could show up in Nov. and I doubt it will be enough to make the difference.

[Tribune7]

How does a POTUS Obama help the conservative cause?

it doesn't but it would give some people a chance to feel super holy.

[Tribune7]

I am praying a lot that the majority of young voters who look at Obama like he is the second coming will not make it to the polls.

Dubya should flood the nation with cheap, super-powerful marijuana the week before the election.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

That is one of the most patently bone headed and ignorant statements I have seen on this forum. But from an entertainment standpoint, I give it 4 stars.

[Tribune7]

So you think POTUS Obama helps the conservative cause?

[WildcatClan]

When the best we can do is McCain and Obama, we may have to take into consideration that the country is already wrecked.

Obama is a nobody, and by this time next year he will be delineated to the “whatever happened to” stage in his life. I certainly want McCain to win, but I am not going to be the one to tell someone that has issues with McCain that it is their fault if Obama gets elected.

Each of us has our own beliefs and we each have to wake up and look at ourselves in the mirror. When we chide and berate, we drive our own farther from us. I will only say that I can understand their view. We already know these people are on the right side, more so than any of us -——— and in the end, they will do the right thing.

[mathluv]

I said I agreed with you, but one will be pres. Which one do you want?

[mathluv]

Where did you get your numbers?

[xzins]

The McCain campaign was also not directly represented at the meeting.

Again, McCain disrespects religious conservatives.

The only way this ordained, conservative Christian is supporting McCain is if he picks a viable, pro-life, pro-family conservative VP. Cino Mitt Romney is as liberal as I'll go. I'll not accept the Condi Rices and Colin Powells of the world.

That's the dividing line. Period.

[lymelady]

The only way to really do that and have it be heard is if it’s an organized movement that draws attention. My concern is that I want to take a stand for conservatism, but it won’t be heard (which yes, I know if everyone thinks like that, then of course it will never be heard because so few people will do it). In the meantime, while I’m making a futile effort to get something across that won’t be heard, there are two candidates that have the potential to win, and I see that one will do more harm in my opinion. My dilema comes in that I think they will both do harm and voting for the lesser of two evils is just going to further the evil, but on the other hand, by not voting for him it helps further the greater evil if my stand doesn’t even make a ding. It’s a hard choice. If there was a huge movement and it was sure to be heard by more than just the choir, that would make the choice much easier, but there doesn’t appear to be at the moment.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I am with you; McCain was so far down my list...but the prospect of having a liberal youngster like Obama in charge is nauseating.

[Just another Joe]

They are both putting out the same message...vote Obama.

I can tell you the difference.
The trolls say, "Vote Obomba".
The FReepers say, "I will not vote McCain."

[patriot08]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.

BABS BLABS ‘BOUT ‘BAMA
http://genelalor.com/ | JULY 2, 2008 | GENE LALOR
Posted on 07/02/2008 7:29:15 PM PDT by Gene Lalor
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2040071/posts

McCain wants much larger U.S. military
reuters | July 2, 2008 | Andrew Gray
Posted on 07/02/2008 8:06:05 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2040082/posts

McCain affirms family ties to RP
Tha Asian Journal
Posted on 07/02/2008 11:39:11 PM PDT by Ben Reyes
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2040125/posts

RNC Launches First Ad Of Presidential Campaign (In MI,OH,WI,PA)
cbs2 | Jul 2, 2008
Posted on 07/02/2008 9:50:19 PM PDT by Red Steel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2040105/posts

[2ndDivisionVet]

You don’t think that the thought of an Obama presidency will send conservatives to the polls in droves? Heck, millions of Hillary’s supporters are campaigning for John McCain just to keep Barry out of the White House:
http://www.hcsfjm.com

http://www.nobamademocrats.com

http://www.puma08.com

http://clintons4mccain.com

http://www.justsaynodeal.com

http://blog.pumapac.org