[Theodore R.]

I think that the GOP will anoint McCain because: (1) The party tends to prefer candidates who have previously run for and lost the party nomination. I know that GWB is an exception to that rule, but in a sense for many Republicans GWB was the third candidacy of GHWB. (2) He is well known, and many primary voters will support only the candidate that they have heard about. (3) He is seem, probably falsely, as a maverick and an independent who can attract moderates and even some liberal Democrats. (4) There is such a fear of the inevitability of the return of the Clintons that the GOP will nominate once at odds with key party positions in order "to win." (5) The GOP does not shun aside candidates who are past the age of 70.

[Redmen4ever]

McCain will do what he can to accomodate conservatives and shore up his base. This means he will not seek to re-write the party platform, and he will probably name a youngish conservative to be his running mate, perhaps SC Governor Mark Sanford. Even so, I think there will be a Pat Buchanan-type in the mix, who may get a quarter to a half percent of the vote, perhaps finishing ahead of the Libertarian and the Green candidates.

McCain's strong showings in opinion polls - where's he's nearly 20 points ahead of Hillary - make him a very attractive candidate for Republicans, given the tough shape we're in, in the generic Congressional ballot, and in battleground states such as Ohio. We are not so far back, and continued economic growth and some withdrawals of troops from Iraq, will strengthen our numbers. But, we can't take victory in 2008 for granted.

[zook]

If McCain is nominated, he will have my full support. This is especially true since hearing him defend the port deal on This Week this morning. That took guts.

[Faraday]

He has been loyal to the president regarding the Iraq War, for the most part.

Like when he called for Rumsfeld's removal from DOD. Hillary can only dream of restricting the rights of the people with as much success as McCain has already had. I will never vote for McCain. Nor contribute funds, nor attend rallies, nor go door to door. All of which I did for President Bush.

[NeoCaveman]

McCain/Graham

Saddlesore Canyon '08

[SUSSA]

When Ted Sampley and other Vietnam vets “swift boat” McCain like they did Kerry (and they have more to work with) Hillary or any other Democrat will beat him. I just hope they do it in the primaries instead of in the general election.

[ImpBill]

Let's see in '96 I became non-afliated with any party after 30 years of voting, contributing to, and working for GOP candidates as a loyal party member. I continued voting GOP and even donating money at times.

The time may just have come to sit out my "golden years" on the Golf Course on election days. Especially if it is a Xlinton/McInsane ticket for the top.

[Just mythoughts]

There is no difference in MacCain and first senator Hillry. Neither can pass anger management classes.

[mombonn]

Mclame will never get my vote, no matter what. I'll go to the polls in 2008, but mclame will NEVER get my vote.

[lonestar]

McCain has health issues--on top of all the others!

[lowbridge]

JOHN MCCAIN is NOT FIT TO LEAD THIS NATION.

[Seaplaner]

McCain now holds all the cards.

I don't care much for John McCain (D) Arizona, and I've written so many times here at F.R.

I so fear Hillary Rodham, however, that if McCain got the GOP nod, I will not only vote for the fungus, I'll send him some money. (My fear of Hillary and what she would do to this country and my family is that deep.)

Withholding a presidential vote from any Republican (McCain, Rudy, and so on) would be voting for Hillary and her Marxism.

Don't forget the BIG LESSON of Ross Perot!

.

[guitarist]

I understand the loathing many here have for McCain. Much of it he has brought upon himself. But two points:

-He will not win without throwing some red meat to social conservatives. He supports state amendments banning same-sex marriage even though he opposes the federal one. And in most years he gets close to a 100% rating from pro-life and other conservative groups for his voting record.

-Why do so many think Rudy is okay and McCain not? It's RUDY that is pro-abortion and so very supportive of homosexuality. (McCain is pro-life on most votes and mixed on homosexuality.)

Support Frist or Huckabee or Brownback or whomever in the primary, and then whoever is our eventual nominee, support him in the fall. What's so complicated about that?