Need I go on?
But, frankly, I have to ask: Would they be any worse than McCain? This is a serious question.
McCain would stand by the troops in Iraq, of course. But I suspect Obama and Hillary would do the same -- neither wants to be the author of a defeat. It's not a certainty, but it's reason to consider.
Aside from that, let's agree that McCain isn't a conservative. He may harbor some conservative notions, but he is assuredly not a conservative.
As evidence, nobody who put their name on McCain-Feingold or McCain-Kennedy can possibly be a conservative.
At the same time, McCain's political history is that he's disloyal, opportunistic and, thus, untrustworthy.
So, when he claims that he will do conservative things, should we believe him?
More likely, he'll "reach out" to the Democrats, just like he always has...and enact liberal legislation. Just like Hillary and Obama would've done.
He says he will appoint strict constructionist judges. But such judges would, in all liklihood, rule that McCain-Feingold is an unconstitutional infringement on our First Amendment rights. So, would McCain really do that to what he considers his signature piece of legislation?
What I'll do on Election Day isn't set in stone. With almost nine months to go, it doesn't have to be. I'm not inclined to want Hillary or Obama in the White House. But I'm not inclined to want John McCain there, either.
McCain has 8-plus months to convince me otherwise. I'm not giving him my support without his having earned it.