Posted on 08/29/2008 8:51:20 AM PDT by Señor Zorro
August is rolling over into September and, before we know it, election day will be upon us. Perhaps it is merely my impression, but most here on FR seem to have settled down with the idea of John McCain both as the Republican nominee (which he is certain to be, regardless) and, even, as President of the United States. The initial candidate debate has all but faded and virtually all here have gelled back into the Republican camp instead of the "Republicans for Romney", "Republicans for Giuliani", "Republicans for Hunter", etc. ad nauseum, ad infinitum. No doubt, this is precisely what the party dons are happy to see: lively debate during the primaries and then the base falls lockstep in line with the leadership in their infinite wisdom.
And it makes me feel like I am in the Twilight Zone. Compare the tenor of the threads, between McCain's maverick moments during Bush's presidency, especially the "Gang of 14" incident, and now. Does anyone remember the hate for "The Maverick"? The "Traitor"? Two years ago, how many here would have voted for McCain. The reason for the change, most would say, is political pragmatism. We gotta stop Obama. How many here would pick Gerald Ford over Ronald Reagan today? Not many, I should think. Yet, when Carter won the general election, we, as a nation, got Reagan after Carter managed to spend four years highlighting everything that is wrong with liberalism. It is easy to say that we will take McCain so that we will not have Obama. It is giving up the long term good to maybe (I stress maybe; the winner of this contest will be far from certain) prevent a present evil. A lesser evil. That is precious little consolation.
As soon as that line is crossed, there will be no chance left of the Republican party going back. They know that the faithful will plod along, voting Republican though the Republican party has long since turned its back on their principles.
I will vote third party--not because I think that the candidate will win (numerically, I think it is all but impossible, though God works miracles in his own time). Nor because I think the candidate is ideal (if that were the standard, not a single human being could be elected to any office), but because I will not cross this line in the sand.
It is your right to not vote for McCain. However, not voting is in fact a vote: a vote of no confidence or a ‘negative vote,’ if you will. Please don’t be naive in thinking there are no consequences to that choice.
Not voting, or voting third party gives the other guy an advantage. In 1992, lots of principled people voted for Ross Perot instead of George H.W. Bush. Did Bush the First screw up as President, breaking his no new taxes pledge? Damn straight he did. So we ended up with Bill “43%” Clinton as President. Ross Perot had a snowball’s chance in hell, everybody knew that. Yet enough people were upset enough with Bush 1 to take their votes away from him and give it to Perot anyway. Was it their right to vote for Perot? Absolutely. But the consequence was Bill Clinton: Lewinsky, Scandals, Waco, Terrorist attacks that go unanswered leading to 9/11.
If the election is close, as I expect it will be, the difference between McCain winning or losing could be the votes he didn’t receive from people like you. Again, it’s your right, but I expect no complaints about the Obama Presidency from anybody who did not vote.
Now, in an ideal world a candidate has to earn my vote 100% of the time. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal world. The fact remains that one of these guys will become President of these United States. One of them most certainly will put us on an accelerated path to socialism, increased taxes, large and intrusive government, weakened national security, and an energy policy by the Brothers Grimm. The other guy is John McCain, who is certain to p*ss us off at times, but has a good record on limiting government, cutting spending and taxes, and will be strong on national security.
As the expression goes, if you’re dealt lemons, you make lemonade. I suppose that would also apply when Obama manages to squeak out a victory. I don’t believe for a second the majority of these PUMAs everybody likes to talk about will go for McCain. When push comes to shove, they will pull the lever for Obama, that’s how the cookie will crumble. When Obama wins, I will need a lot of sugar to make that lemonade palpable...
I just keep wondering where all these principled conservatives were during the primaries, now that you mention it. A lot of blame was placed by them on the primary system and yadda yadda yadda, “things ain’t fair and it’s the media’s fault and these moderates...” But then and now they don’t offer any true alternatives, solutions, or ideas to address the situation. I was with Fred, but Fred wasn’t as with it as we all hoped. Perhaps the fundamentally conservative party you refer to isn’t so fundamental or conservative anymore.
Out of curiosity, who of the initial Republican field would you have preferred? What do you think of Sarah Palin? I honestly can’t get over the fact that you’d rather not vote for McCain then vote against Obama. I’m not looking to persuade you, and I hope I’m not offending you. I just don’t see the logic and rationale in what you’re saying.
JP
Yesterday changes the dynamic.
I’m actually voting for Palin 2012 or 2016. The kool thing is, I can help get her closer to winning this year.
[OK, NOW I’ll take a break.]
MaggieCarta wrote: “My thoughts, exactly. Although, I doubt that any Hillary supporters will back McCain now with a pro-life veep pick.”
Think you’d better check this link out and think again:
http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=26109
MaggieCarta wrote: “My thoughts, exactly. Although, I doubt that any Hillary supporters will back McCain now with a pro-life veep pick.”
Think you’d better check this link out and think again:
http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=26109
Great Post! I don’t love McCain but there’s no way our country can afford Obama - not $$-wise, not future-wise and not security-wise.
He’s already said he’ll decimate the military and just imagine what we’ll do when the terrorists see that! We’ll be ripe for the picking because they know Mr. O will run to the UN for ‘permission’ to move.
No way.
Yep.
Can’t count on Berry being on popular, he could usher in a new era of pinkoism.
Thanks, guys, I’ll take your word for it.
Give it up already... Yours is an obsolete cause... It’s McCain or H... Clearly you’re perfectly happy with H... How troll-ish of you
Are you serious?
Good post!
Get over it... You extremist “pure” conservatives lost this-go round... Shoot for ‘10 and ‘12... And ease up on the saki... Take a stroll through Repungi... It’ll make you feel better
I hear ya. I sincerely hope to be pleasantly surprised with any SCOTUS nominees a McCain administration may put forth. Truth be told, whatever administration gets in, I think the SC is a likely wash--swap out a couple libs for a couple of libs. In all candor, I really don't see the McMaverick nominating judges who would strike down McCain-Feingold.
Well, we'll see what happens. Apparently, disgruntled Hillary voters will be taking up the slack for me and any other recalcitrants.
Absurd statements are posted such as a vote for third party is a vote for Obama. That is absurd. We have two unqualified persons running for POTUS. although lite on experience, the best qualified one in this race is Palin, but she is only a VP candidate.
McCain never received a majority of GOP votes. Democrats and others crossed over to vote for him because they liked him the best of all candidates. I cannot think of one good reason to vote for him. Same goes for Obama. Third Party is the only alternative.
Per NYC Republican, it's now "extremist" to be "pure" (i.e. to have principles) and refuse to back a liberal.
How the hell is being conservative "extremist"?
What puzzles me is a liberal repub who has supported de-facto democrats here on FR as you have would somehow be pleased with the choice of a conservative on the GOP ticket. Still scratching my head on that one.
Do yourself a favor. Ask mommy and daddy as part of your next allowance to invest in a good Japanese spell checker, OK? Come back when you have it right. We can have a really "extreme" discussion, OK? lol
One moment, FR dissenters to RINOism are labeled as "plants from D.U." and/or "shills for Obama", and then they have them as "extremists" on the Right. The truth is neither, of course, but it is certainly lost on them. I find it amusing at the very least.
And yet, count your second hand on your watch, you too are in for an attacking by the juveniles in our midst who somehow got access to Mom and Dad's computer or are using one at the Country Club or the basement of the Eisenhower Building in D.C.
Oh, we will work hard alright. That is a promise.
No, he isn't. Gosh I hate those kinds of statements.
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