[Philly Nomad]

There’s a difference between a Republican and a Conservative. McCain is a Conservative. GWB is a republican.

All throughout freerepublic posters cry out for a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. And we have that person in the name of John McCain.

While McCain doesn’t agree with today’s GOP Base, he matches up quite well with Ronald Reagan. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “I didn’t leave the republican party, the republican party left me.”

[DoughtyOne]

There’s a difference between a Republican and a Conservative. McCain is a Conservative. GWB is a republican.

While I agree with your initial premise here, I don't see either Bush or McCain as a true conservative.

All throughout freerepublic posters cry out for a Republican in the mold of Ronald Reagan. And we have that person in the name of John McCain.

I believe that what you have been reading is a crying out for a Conservative in the mold of Ronald Reagan.

While McCain doesn’t agree with today’s GOP Base, he matches up quite well with Ronald Reagan.

Ronald Reagan was an honorable man.  John simply doesn't qualify after the Keeting Five fiasco.  John does match up quite well with the Republican leadership today.  And it was that leadership that wasn't impressed with Reagan at all.  As for the base, if it is accepted that it is Conservative, there is a reason for him not agreeing with them.  He is not a Conservative.

To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “I didn’t leave the republican party, the republican party left me.”

The actual phrase was this.  "I didn't leave the democrat party, the democrat party left me."

Reagan had been a long time democrat in the days when Kennedy was king.  Then along came McGovern and Carter.

[WOBBLY BOB]

You’d never hear the current candidates ever say “Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem.”

[timm22]

While McCain doesn’t agree with today’s GOP Base, he matches up quite well with Ronald Reagan. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, “I didn’t leave the republican party, the republican party left me.”

In what ways do you think McCain is more authentically conservative than the GOP base?

In what ways has he - unlike your average Republican - stayed true to the Reagan legacy?