Why are so many Republicans freaking out about John McCain’s primary success?

Townhall.com ^ | February 1, 2008 | Lorie Byrd

[Bubba_Leroy]

I’ve given quite a bit of thought to that question this week because I happen to be one of those freaking out over the prospect of a McCain nomination.

Some cite McCain’s positions and past votes and say he is on the wrong side of too many issues, but the same can be said of George Bush. Why does McCain seem to ignite such emotion and strong opposition in so many? There are a lot of positions McCain has taken that have angered conservatives, to be sure. Opposition to the Bush tax cuts, McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, Gang of 14, the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill, global warming and drilling in ANWR are just a few.

The strong negative reaction from conservatives is not solely because of his positions on issues, though. The reason so many conservatives are concerned about the prospect of a McCain nomination and a McCain presidency has almost as much to do with the way McCain has taken the positions he has, as the positions themselves.

As I often tell my children when they get in trouble for talking back or giving me attitude, sometimes it is not what you say, but rather how you say it.

I was not happy about McCain’s opposition to the Bush tax cuts. As disappointed as I was with his vote, though, what really angered me was the "tax cuts for the rich" rhetoric he used to explain his opposition. I think it is horrible when Democrats play that class warfare game, but realize that many of them actually believe it and even those who don’t believe it know they need to say it because that is what their base wants to hear. It was hard for me to imagine any reason a true conservative would want to say such things. I still can't.

For many years McCain has displayed what appears to be a need for the love and acceptance of the media and Democrats. He often seemed to go out of his way to find fault with those in his own party in order to further cultivate his maverick persona. Instead of being a representative of the Republican party, or even of conservatism, he often emphasized his differences with others in the party and the movement, or allowed those in the media to do so for him.

I suspect many of those “freaking out” about McCain being the standard bearer for the Republican party have gone through the same progression I have over the past year.

McCain has been working hard for a year or so now to assure conservatives that he is one of them. His strong support for the war effort and the surge went a long way in making that case. He also softened his rhetoric against those in his own party. Over the summer I forgot many of the reasons I had opposed McCain as a presidential candidate. When he was down in the polls and did not appear likely to have a shot at the nomination, it was easy to forgive and forget.

When McCain started winning primaries and took the lead in the national polls, though, some of those reasons for my original opposition starting seeping back into my memory.

One of my earliest recollections of a negative reaction to McCain was in 2000 over what appeared to me to be a meltdown in South Carolina over “dirty tricks.” In 2000, going into the South Carolina primary, McCain ran a television ad accusing George Bush of “twisting the truth like Clinton,” while at the same time complaining about negative campaign tactics. I couldn't help but wonder how he would react to criticism and dirty campaign tactics from Democrats in a general election.

Comparing a fellow Republican to Bill Clinton back in 2000, knowing there was a good possibility that candidate would end up being the nominee and Democrats could use those words to discredit him, did not sit well with me at all. It led me to believe I could not trust McCain to do what was in the best interest of the party.

In 2001, speculation that McCain might change his party affiliation to switch the balance of power in the Senate only fueled that mistrust.

In 2004, McCain made his "dishonest and dishonorable" comment regarding the Swift Boat Vets. He sided with John Kerry, rather than with 250 plus Vietnam vets, including some fellow POWs. He didn't just say that he would have to look into the claims of the Swifties, or that he didn't know the specifics. No. He called the actions of those men "dishonest and dishonorable." Not only did he not apologize for that comment, but he reportedly entertained the idea of running with John Kerry.

I had put much of that out of my mind though. It is now 2008 and my desire to see Republicans retain control of the White House, and particularly to see a Republican commander in chief, seemed most important and polls repeatedly showed McCain the candidate most likely to beat a Democrat in November. The performance of McCain in the most recent debate, characterized by some as angry and sneering, along with what appear to be unfair attacks on Mitt Romney over the issue of a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, brought it all back – the temper I saw in 2000, the repeated high profile breaks with Republicans on big issues and the flirtations with Democrats about switching parties. Unlike some conservatives I am hearing from, I will vote for McCain in November if he is the nominee. Even for all his faults, McCain has many strengths and is vastly superior to Hillary or Obama. He has impressed me on the conference calls he has held frequently with bloggers where he has patiently and candidly answered any question put to him. Foreign policy/defense is one of my top issues, and I think McCain will be strong there.

It will take a lot to convince me that he can be trusted on issues important to conservatives, though, or even that he can be trusted to positively represent the party. He has built his entire political persona on showing how much he differs from Republicans and conservatives. That does not bode well for those wanting a White House that is more conservative than the current one.

[null and void]

The lemmings aren’t listening.

*sigh* I know. I feel like St Francis, preaching to the traif birds...

[Hawthorn]

>> You forget the number 1 and 2 issues that are of most immediate danger and McCain is on the wrong side of; namely:

>>1. Waterboarding - Empirically, this has been an extremely valuable way of extracting information on pending attacks and has probably saved countless American lives.

>>2. Closure of Gitmo - This would lead to premature release of terrorists whose religion compells them to pick up where they left off and kill us.

Extremely important factors. No question at all. I couldn't agree with you more.

I didn't list them, however, because I was trying to demonstrate that even without a list of his terrible policy positions over the years, McCain is a fatally flawed candidate who will never be POTUS.

[null and void]

Gondring ~ If he is the nominee, I would feel compelled to vote for him because of my son’s service in the military.

Hillary might be a better choice, in that case.

USS Alaska ~ My son is also a military man, and he and his pals {the ones that I've met, hate the bitch}.

There is no way a demonRAT is better for the military.

With Hillary, we can always hope for a coup, I suppose...

[Jane Austen]

I agree.

[callisto]

What form of government do you propose for our current population?

IMHO, a return to the intent of our Founding Fathers. But if you are asking based on the demographic balance in our nation, I find that we, Conservatives, are moving into the minority and that the majority, whether citizens or illegal immigrants, would like to transform our nation into a Socialist, Marxist state. The problem, as I see it, is that once liberal, socialist programs began to be instilled into our government many in the last 2 generations have been raised to desire and expect to receive everything with no effort on their part. The irony is that many of those who promote the socialist agenda have no intent on that agenda actually applying to themselves as they hold themselves above the law, no matter the law. As proven in other countries, socialism is a method of control over the "little" people and a redistribution of weath, among other things. They know that it would bring about the downfall of our nation and goes against the founding principles upon which our nation are based. But they appear not to care.

[Twinkie]

If you want to be scared further about John McCain, just click on over to “Wikipedia” and read the entries on him over there. It’s an eye-opener.

Then click in Mitt Romney to see the difference in the two men; like daylight and dark.

I’m going back over and read Huckabee’s now and see what his report is like.

[citizen]

Looks to me like the article author has answered her own question quite thoroughly.

[stockstrader]

I agree. I am especially bothered by his 'class envy/class warfare' comments. I am sick and tired of this 'tax cuts for the rich' crap--it sounds just like an democrat!!

McCain is very condescending about Romney's success in the business world--almost as if McCain has absolutely no respect for anyone who has succeeded in the business world (not surprising since he hasn't spent one day IN the business world).

McCain's demeaning comments to Romney about what it takes in the business world is hardly a good way to win conservatives.

[null and void]

Americans do not want those jobs. I could see my teenage daughter working the fields with her cell phone: “Hey Pam, I’ll meet you at Bennigans as soon as I finish picking two more acres of tomatoes.” AINT gonna happen.

Nor will your kid flip burgers. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid wash cars. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid mow lawns. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid wash cars. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid stock shelves. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid mop floors. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid bus tables. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Nor will your kid _______. Those jobs don't go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.

Indeed, neither your kid, nor anyone else's has much chance of getting what used to be called an 'entry level' job. They won't have an easy time developing a work ethic, associating work with pay, or recognizing just how much of a paycheck goes to taxes.

The ones whose parents can afford it (or can get scholarships) will graduate college with no clue about the day-to-day realities of working.

[4integrity]

I was about to reply to Friend’s comment that...the ONLY reason I would vote for McCain is because of the WOT and his the war in Iraq. Then I read E’s comments which, imho, are so spot on! Friend....wise people, your grandparents...leopards do not change their spots and neither will McCain.

So, even though he supported the surge( as he OFTEN tells us), seems he’d favor giving terrorists civil trials (paid for by American taxpayers) where potential liberal jurors could set them free. And, thanks to his ILLEGAL immigration policies, those who want to kill Americans can enter our great country without much trouble.

Now, I’m not so sure I’ll vote for McCain....wow, how did we get here??? GOD help America.

Friend, thank you for your service to our great nation!

[Incorrigible]

 

 

[snarkybob]

“Nor will your kid _______. Those jobs don’t go to part time high school students, they go to cheaper full time illegal aliens.”

It doesn’t look too good for traditional blue collar jobs either, especially in the construction industry. Painters, sheetrockers, roofers, carpenters, cabinet makers, tile and carpet layers, stone and brick masons. Those used to be real jobs that would allow you to support a family. It appears those days are gone forever.

[Brett66]

Another factor; besides McCain's embrace of liberalism, is that conservatives have endured 8 years of being stabbed in the back from Bush and congress.

We're mad as hell and not going to take it anymore, we can't abide another pseudo conservative that betrays us on key issues.

McCain is a betrayer X2, we've seen how a "compassionate conservative" can toss us and our issues aside, we're not going to take it anymore.

[McGruff]

conservatives have endured 8 years of being stabbed in the back from Bush

Or. Republicans and President Bush have been stabbed in the back by John McCain for the past 8 years.

[gitmo]

I’ve decided that voting in this primary will have to be followed by GI purging and a long shower. No matter who I vote for.

[null and void]

Construction used to pay laborers $12-15/hr. Now they pay ~$7/hr. The walls aren't straight, or square, but the are sure cheap to put up.

All they cost was skilled American's jobs.

It doesn't look good for any job that can be done outsourced to anyone with a computer and a dish outside their mud hut either.

Nor for any job that can be done for 1/3 the prevailing American wage by an H1-B.

What career advice should I give my 14 yo son?

I have no idea.

[no dems]

I don't like him because he is a mean-spirited, hot tempered, cranky, old, Liberal fart who is out of touch with Conservative reality.
There; that didn't take nearly the space this Townhall.com article did.

[Luke21]

“Because he’s the only democrat running who doesn’t stand a chance in hell of winning.”

Oh did I laugh. Good one.

[stockstrader]

I also have a couple of major problems with McCain when it comes to national security.

His refusal to drill ANWR--is a NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE (when it comes to reducing our dependence on foreign oil).

Also, his willingness to support a form of amnesty--only encourages more illegal immigration--which does have national security consequences.