For John McCain

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | February 3, 2008

[moderate_conservative]

Facing an uphill battle in the November elections, Republicans need to nominate a presidential candidate who represents the best traditions of the Grand Old Party: fiscal responsibility, devotion to national security and honest conduct of the nation's business.

Republican voters should consider themselves lucky. They have two candidates highly qualified to occupy the Oval Office: John McCain and Mitt Romney, two principled political figures who could chart a new course for our country and lead it forward with honor.

In a close call, our endorsement goes to McCain, a war hero, experienced player in the U.S. Senate and Washington politics, a principled conservative and a leader with an extra something -- that crucial capacity to stir our souls.

If the GOP's chances in November don't look so good these days, they certainly don't look any worse than McCain's own hopes of securing the GOP nomination just a few months ago. His campaign bank account empty, forced to lay off staff and dismissed as a viable contender, McCain soldiered on against the odds and now appears poised to capture the party's nomination.

His character, political courage and grasp of the crucial issues facing the country guarantee that McCain can energize Republicans and capture the independent voters the GOP will need to retain the White House in the face of the low poll numbers of President Bush.

No one can read his account of the cruel years of torture and solitary confinement in the Hanoi Hilton without feeling a lump in the throat. He never broke.

And anyone who reads his memoir, Faith of My Fathers, understands the foundation on which McCain built a reputation as a politician of the highest ethical standards not afraid to defend unpopular positions and fight for what he believes in. He clung to his belief that the U.S. should increase the troop commitment in Iraq, which caused his early lead to evaporate, and most thought would kill his chances to be president.

McCain is a free thinker who judges each issue on its merits, not on its political implications.

Like the GOP base, McCain understands -- in a way Republicans feel that the Democrats fail to comprehend -- that America faces an implacable enemy in Islamist fanaticism. He articulates eloquently the conservative belief that the consequences of defeat in Iraq would be crippling to the U.S. military's morale, damaging to national security and a signal victory for America's enemies. Like the GOP base, he believes that it wasn't the invasion of Iraq that was a mistake, it was the misguided strategy that didn't put enough boots on the ground. Continued success in the surge will enable McCain to make that argument persuasively to war-weary American voters.

On domestic issues, McCain adheres to Republican orthodoxy that cutting taxes, government spending and regulatory red tape are necessary to preserving a strong economy. McCain risked political suicide last year to promote, unsuccessfully, a reasonable and humane immigration reform package, which included border security provisions, along with a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants.

McCain now says he knows America wants border security first. But he has not hedged on his commitment to treat illegal immigrants with compassion. It may be unpopular in some conservative circles, but immigration reform is of vital interest to traditional Republican allies in business.

While boasting core Republican credentials, McCain also has proved that he can reach out to Democrats and work cooperatively toward meaningful solutions -- a trait in rare supply in today's deeply divided capital.

McCain has also been a consistent and loud voice against pork-barrel spending, he is in favor of campaign finance reform, and he has warned about the risks of global warming.

If he is nominated, as we expect he will be, McCain should make Romney America's No. 2 Republican. Given McCain's advanced age, a vice presidential choice has never been more important. A man of impeccable personal integrity, Romney has amassed an enviable record of accomplishment in the business world, public service and elective office. He built a lucrative venture capital and investment business, valuable experience for a White House faced with today's economic insecurities.

He raised the Olympics in Utah from the ashes and led them to a successful conclusion. And as governor of Massachusetts, one of the nation's bluest states, Romney demonstrated how a Republican leader could work with a Democratic legislature to promote economic growth and tackle a complex issue such as expanding health care. Romney has excelled in everything he has done.

But it is McCain we want to see at the top of the ticket. The Democrats are promising the voters what Republicans see as a simplistic and defeatist way out of Iraq -- just withdraw the troops. Straight-talking McCain sees different realities and declares, "The American people deserve to know that the path ahead will be long and difficult."

Admittedly that may be a hard sale in an election year. But it's what Republicans believe, and in McCain they have the standard bearer who can carry that message to the nation and who stands the best chance of convincing Americans that a Republican president needs to lead the nation in seeing Iraq through to a successful end.

Republicans are hungering for a thoughtful Republican who knows how to get things done. That is evidenced by McCain's wins in states as diverse as New Hampshire, South Carolina and now Florida, where only registered Republicans could vote.

Cast a ballot for John McCain. Cast a ballot that counts.

[Yosemitest]

"every opinion should be shown equal respect."

Who are you kidding???

You have to earn respect around here. Some opinions are worth the a--hole they came out of!!!

[DeaconRed]

I am sorrry, but if MCLAIM is the choice of my party, I will either sit this one out, or (I can’t believe I am touching these keys), I will vote for the RAT.

[Fred]

Folks I really would like to support Myth, however, I just have a few questions. Here are a few articles that I found on the net regarding Myth. Boy, I sure would appreciate some answers to these very factual articles and youtube postings. The part that concerns me the most is when one hears Myth in his own words. Any suggestions

Myth on Republicans

Myth trashs Reagan

Myth trashs Republicans

Myth trashs Reagan Otra Ves

Myth trashes the Contract with American and the Republicans Again

Myth on Illegal Immigration

Mitt Romney Supports Bush/McCain Amnesty Plan..IN HIS OWN WORDS

Illegal immigrants toiled for governor Romney'

Romney's lawn care company hires illegal immigrants...AGAIN!

Why did Mitt Romney hire illegal immigrants to work in his mansion?

Why do anti-illegal imigrant people hire illegal immigrants?

Romney's Lawn Trouble

Romney painters facing inquiry...violating labor laws and hiring illegals..otra ves!

Myth on Abortion

Myth trashs Pro-Lifers

Myth on Healthcare Debacle



RomneyCare still a spiraling fiscal disaster

Romneycare Mandates..Massachusetts Health Plan Denounced As Imminent 'Disaster'

Romney quiet on health care because his plan is a dismal failure

It's hard to tell everyone you're the heir to Ronald Reagan while you're touting Hillary Clinton's health care plan. There is no material difference between the two

Myth on Liberal Judges

Romney appointed liberal judges in Massachusetts

Romney Jurist Not Tilted to Gop

Myth on the Second Amendment

Mitt Romney - Gun Control

Mitt Romney Flip Flops on Gun Control



Myth on the Taxes

Romney's tax record gets a closer look

Romney oversaw millions in fee hikes as Massachusetts governor

Romney - Increased state fees and taxes by three quarters of a billion dollars

[Yosemitest]

I sincerely hope you have more than a 'public school' education.
If not, ... you're about to get one.

[Bull Market]

It should be noted, and Rush made this point clearly, that in that voting guide Hillary would NOT allow her administration to lose Iraq. Not because of principle, but because of ego, legacy, and definitely politics. She would want to be re-elected, and losing Iraq is not an option for middle America.

So if you alter that chart accordingly, you’ll find that McCain and Hillary are EXACTLY the same.

[Yosemitest]

Unfortunately it isn't my chart. It's one that I linked to.

[Bluebird Singing]

from the Sun-Times endorsement of Johnny: “experienced player in the U.S. Senate and Washington politics,”

Dear McCain operative,

Experienced “player” is what makes me sick McCain. I’m sick of the politics of Washington. McCain is the worst of it.

Did you all see the video of the woman who gets kicked out of an Arizona town meeting by McCain’s aids for wanting him answer a question on the illegal immigration crime problem in her town? He’s dispicable.

[Bluebird Singing]

Here’s a link for the video from the town hall meeting where McCain won’t “dignify” a question about the impact of illegal immigrants in an Arizona town.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1073039/dont_ask_mccain/

[Mark-in-Kentucky]

Piss on John McCain. Unless he was on fire, in which case I wouldn’t bother.

[COBOL2Java]

In a close call, our endorsement goes to McCain, a war hero, experienced player in the U.S. Senate and Washington politics, a principled conservative and a leader with an extra something -- that crucial capacity to stir our souls.

[COBOL2Java]

Are you sure he lied?

Being a mentally-unbalanced individual, I'm sure John McCain doesn't think he lied. He lives in his own self-absorbed reality. Witness the numerous times he loses his temper when someone dares to challenge his preconceived notions.

I would not in any circumstances vote for John McCain, not if either Hillary or Obama were the alternative. Evil is safer than crazy. Leftie amateur inexperience is safer than crazy. I don't want an unstable man like McCain anywhere near the nuclear football. Finally, the country will go to hell in a handbasket with McCain OR Hillary. I'd rather it be blamed on the Democrats, not on the Republicans.

[moderate_conservative]

OK, you will not vote for McCain. BUT (again), have you got any proof that he lied? Thanks.

[ketsu]

Best troll ever. It's just conservative enough to avoid a Zot, but just liberal enough to make everyone on here froth. You also get points for your choice of moniker. Perfect balance there too, you *seem* to be just enough of a fellow traveller that the mods won't ban you but everyone else will hate you for betraying conservative principles.

Bravo.

[COBOL2Java]

OK, you will not vote for McCain. BUT (again), have you got any proof that he lied? Thanks.

You're kidding, right? Please, tell me you're kidding. Then again, perhaps you missed the most recent Republican debate. McCain apparently believes that if you repeat the lie that Romney supported timeframes for withdrawal of troops often enough, then that makes the lie true.

OK, I guess we're down to what the definition of "is" is. If a person with a tenuous grasp of reality repeats things which, in the real world, are obviously not true, does that make him a liar? I guess not. So no, by that definition John McCain is not a liar. However, he is a dangerously unstable man, who couldn't recognize reality if it slapped him in the face.

[COBOL2Java]

Best troll ever. It's just conservative enough to avoid a Zot, but just liberal enough to make everyone on here froth. You also get points for your choice of moniker. Perfect balance there too, you *seem* to be just enough of a fellow traveller that the mods won't ban you but everyone else will hate you for betraying conservative principles.

I think you're right. "moderate_conservative" is either a paid operative for the McCain campaign, desperately trying to convince conservatives that McInsane is one of us, or a troll looking to stir things up. From this point on, responding to his/her/its inane postings is a waste of my time.

[dforest]

Welcome. McCain and his name dropping team disgust me.

I do not like him and will not be voting for him.

[ketsu]

I think you're right. "moderate_conservative" is either a paid operative for the McCain campaign, desperately trying to convince conservatives that McInsane is one of us, or a troll looking to stir things up. From this point on, responding to his/her/its inane postings is a waste of my time.

I'll go with operative. A liberal troll would have more ill will and get joy out of baiting people here(e.g. "you're going to vote McCain and like it! LOL").

I'd put my bet on a *Romney* operative. A McCain operative would know better, they'd come in touting their conservative credentials and support McCain from the right. All this "moderate" stuff is just *begging* for flames. It has to be intentional.

[dforest]

Sometimes. I repeat: this site is great and every opinion should be shown equal respect.

Some opinions are just without merit. This is a conservative forum, not Fox News. We don't pretend to be, fair and balanced, when it comes to back stabbing liberals.

[ought-six]

“Apparently, we have a LOT OF STUPID REPUBLICANS in Illinois.”

The GOP in Illinois is on life support. It has become irrelevant.

[DocH]

moderate_conservative?

There ARE no "moderate" CONSERVATIVES.

There ARE, however, "moderate" "republicans" (read that, ignorant, confused, WIMPS), and...

There ARE decidedly LIBERAL RINOs (giuliani, ahnold, etc.), or supremely erratic LIBERAL (sometimes) to moderate (sometimes) nutjob RINOs like mccain.

NONE of these types derve CONSERVATIVE support - EVER.