Posted on 02/07/2008 3:42:21 PM PST by americanophile
With the departure of Mitt Romney, all conservative hopes for retaining the White House have diminished. The 2008 Republican presidential nominee will be Senator John McCain.
Under the best of circumstances, retaining the White House following a two term presidency is difficult - in recent decades only Ronald Reagan was able to achieve this feat with the election of his sitting vice president, George H.W. Bush. This year, it is particularly difficult. No president in recent memory has been as despised by the left as George W. Bush. Between an expensive and unpopular war, worries over a souring economy, etc., Bush is anathema to the left and unpopular among independents. Their frustration over his policies and the sheer indignity they feel at having what they believe to be an ignorant and unworthy man who beat Al Gore and John Kerry leading our Nation is palpable.
Given these factors, it is hard to see how any Republican could be elected, but to make matters worse, the GOP is about to nominate the one Republican that will do more to dissuade the enthusiasm, and financial support of his own party’s base than any other.
McCain would be the oldest man ever elected as a first term president, and his stances on important issues combined with what many conservatives feel is the relish with which he opposes them on those issues, has made for bitter feelings. Moreover, despite his soft-spoken demeanor at victory rallies, McCain is not known for his magnanimity, and most conservatives are not optimistic that McCain will reach out to them with anything approaching the same spirit shown to those across the aisle. Indeed, McCain’s initial admonishment to his conservatives critics to “calm down” has done little to assuage that pessimism.
But it’s not all bad...
(Excerpt) Read more at gopublius.com ...
“McCain is not known for his magnanimity, and most conservatives are not optimistic that McCain will reach out to them with anything approaching the same spirit shown to those across the aisle.”
Oh BULL! McCain reaches out to us all the time!
(he usually approaches from behind with a stilletto in his hand)
“Yes, but I watched McCain’s speech today and I don’t think that quote is accurate now.
“McCain is for extending the tax cuts”
Voted against them using libspeak “tax cuts for the rich”
“cutting business taxes”
Co-sponsoring McCain - Liebermann which will levy massive new taxes on energy companies.
“WINNING the wars”
Was he planning to take the next 100 years to do it?
“against new entitlements”
One of his few selling points.
“for a strong national defense”
He has referred to those that want the border closed and the criminal aliens deported as lazy bigots, an open border isn’t what I call “strong national defense.”
“against government health care”
Given that you listed this AND “new entitlements” twice, well I think you lose debating points for that.
“against new entitlements,”
see above response
“for conservative judges.”
See; “Gang of 14”
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