The McCain Mutiny

IBD ^ | February 11, 2008

[Kaslin]

Republicans: George Bush insists John McCain is a true conservative. James Dobson says he's not. Meanwhile, Newsweek predicts "there will be blood" in the GOP. We predict a Republican president. There has to be.

---

McCain wasn't our first choice, but in the field that remains, he's the best choice. It would be disastrous for America if those conservative purists who'd make the perfect the enemy of the good let America go down a path from which it might not recover.

President Bush, speaking on "Fox News Sunday," responded "absolutely" to host Chris Wallace's question of whether John McCain was a "true conservative." McCain is "very strong on national defense," is "tough fiscally," "believes the tax cuts ought to be permanent" and is "pro-life," Bush noted.

For Obama and Hillary, none of the above apply.

Bush did say, "I think that if John is the nominee, he has got some convincing to do to convince people that he is a solid conservative." Indeed he does, as evidenced by Mike Huckabee's win in the Nebraska caucuses over the weekend.

McCain has done well in primaries where independents could vote for him. In caucuses dominated by party activists, he's done poorly. The caucuses of Maine, Minnesota, Alaska, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada and Wyoming were all won by Romney. One might dub McCain the "rebel without a caucus."

Ann Coulter may vote for Hillary Clinton, but we will not. The time for Coulters and the true believers to have rallied behind Mitt Romney was before Super Tuesday. It is by waiting for the next Reagan that they've risked sticking us with the next Clinton.

[CottonBall]

I loved Reagan, but someone needs to get a wake up call. He compromised as all Presidents must. We will lose if we don’t unite.

Reagan compromised his principles and his conservative ideology? I think not. At least, not very often.

If you haven't noticed, conservatism has already lost. It's not a player in this election. You can keep encouraging the GOP to turn left by supporting them if you like, but you'll reap what you sow.

[VictoryGal]

> The rnc is calling me every week... “but you gave so much in 2006”...

Yes. Me too. I tell every single one that I am unhappy with every choice that is before me from the RNC, that I donate directly to candidates I support. And they hang on, and splutter, and I calmly hang up.

Sadly, even though I tell them it is futile, they continue to waste money calling me and sending me stuff in the mail.

[CottonBall]

McCain pushers seem to think they can fear conservatives into voting for him, because they have NO evidence he will govern differently than Hillary or Obama. I will vote for actual conservatives for Congress, as it will be Congress (representatives of we the people) that keeps any of these nominees in check.

bump!

[CottonBall]

Freepers who pound their chest in protest are simply juveniles having a hissy fit. sorry, that’s what it sounds like. If you have a problem supporting McCain, as I do, just call it a vote against an onslaught of unfettered socialism.

Now that's very adult-like: using insults to motivate people!

McCain will further destroy the GOP, from within. The Rs in congress will be put in the difficult position of having to either open defy their president (and their party, who provides funds for their re-elections) or go along with McCain's liberal agenda. Having a RINO in the WH has already led to a fractured party - just wait and see what a full-fledged liberal McCain will do.

[CottonBall]

He may not be perfect but he’s certainly right on many, if not most, conservative issues.

You must be looking at different conservative issues than I am!

[CottonBall]

Losing an election is like losing a battle in a war. Losing permanent control of the Republican party is like losing a war. If McCain wins the USA will end up with two leftist parties.

Spot on.

[Yosemitest]

If you're really at a loss for what to do, then leave that spot blank on the ballot. Continue to vote conservative on the rest of the ballot.

Me ... I will NOT support McCain. I will vote against him, even if its a democrat. I believe, yes believe, that if the democrats take the White House, we'll get a backlash against them in 2010, and we'll get more conservatives, than if McCain is in office.

[CottonBall]

McCain’s idea of uniting the party is telling everyone they need to unite behind him.

And telling us to 'calm down', like we're overly excited children.

[WOSG]

“Reagan compromised his principles and his conservative ideology? I think not. At least, not very often.”
Reagan accepted half a loaf or 75% instead of stubbornly insisting on all or nothing. To do so is not compromising your principles but advancing your cause as best you can. Reagan did that.

“If you haven’t noticed, conservatism has already lost.”

Since when is pessimism and fatalism a conservative virtue? we always have the choice to advance the cause as best we can. what are the top 5 things conservatives need to achieve in the next 5 years? Are they more likely to happen with a Republican or Democrat president?

[CottonBall]

You will notice that every Republican President or Nominee was more liberal than the one before him. The pattern is obvious. We keep voting for the lesser of two evils and our version of the evil becomes more evil every election. The only way to break the cycle is to STOP SUPPORTING THEM.

You are so right.

[CottonBall]

There is little or no difference between McCain and the DNC front runners.

I have to disagree. With McCain, the Rs in congress will either have to follow him off the perverbial cliff or risk being shunned by their party. With a Dem in office, they can unit against them and stop the liberal legislation PLUS unite the party around conservatism.

[WOSG]

“I will vote for Huckabee in the Tx primary and I will stay home during the general.”

Huckster is a big Govt nanny-stater. If you are going to vote for a non-conservative like that in a *primary*, why could you not vote for a not-very-conservative guy who’s at least good on foreign policy when the opponent is a far-left Liberal Senator whose #1 policy will hurt us in the GWOT.

“I’m not doing “as I’m told’ any longer”
It’s about doing what makes sense for the country is all.

We still get to raise up our pitchforks if McCain pulls any crazy immigration stunts ... the difference is this:
IF OBAMA WINS HIS COATTAILS MEANS A DEMOCRAT MAJORITY THAT WILL PASS IT ANYWAY AND IGNORE WHAT WE SAY.

We get half a loaf and a little leverage or no loaf and zero leverage.

[CottonBall]

If McCain loses, he will blame it on the conservatives. The party will be split and it will take a long time to heal the wounds.

I think if he wins, the party will also be split. The current fracture is due to a RINO president - a McCain presidency would do it in altogether, IMO.

[cartoonistx]

[WOSG]

There’s not much good in being a conservative, if it doesnt help advance conservative ideals.

Bush’swerent conservative? And yet the Bushes gave us Roberts, Alito and Thomas, and losing in 1992 and 1996 got us Breyer and ginsburg. And a lot more differences besides.

Is it a conservative virtue to be a rigid ideologue who longs for the impossible, yet shies away from the possible?
what conservative things do you want to see happen? Will a President Obama help make them happen?
Not a challenge, just a food for thought question.

[CottonBall]

Reagan accepted half a loaf or 75% instead of stubbornly insisting on all or nothing.

That's NOT what McCain has been doing. He's been siding with the Democrats to pass THEIR agenda. Not to get them to help with a conservative agenda.

Since when is pessimism and fatalism a conservative virtue? we always have the choice to advance the cause as best we can. what are the top 5 things conservatives need to achieve in the next 5 years? Are they more likely to happen with a Republican or Democrat president?

You're responding to one statement I said out of context. I said that conservatism has lost in this election. Show me a conservative amonst the 3 likely presidential candidates. There isn't one. And as far as your question goes, my top issues aren't likely to be achieved with either a liberal Republican or a liberal Democrat. But with a RINO, the Rs in congress will cave. With a Dem, they'll oppose them. Gridlock is our best bet for the next 4 years.

[willk]

“I haven’t heard that Rush has said he won’t vote for McCain. Did I miss it?”

Rush said today that if he was to endorse McCain then many of the moderates and independants would not vote for him.
I think Rush will hold his nose and vote for him.

[CottonBall]

There’s not much good in being a conservative, if it doesnt help advance conservative ideals.

McAmnesty won't advance those ideals either. He likely has more disdain and grudges against conservatives and conservatism than the Dems do.

If you want to support and vote for McCain, by all means, do so. But those of us here have the right to disagree and vote otherwise. The 'less of evils' speeches worked in '00 and in '04. They are wearing thin. And the Republican candidate this time around is beyond the pale.

[willk]

Another great IBD editorial.

[WOSG]

“I said that conservatism has lost in this election. Show me a conservative amonst the 3 likely presidential candidates. There isn’t one.”

I am not speaking out of context. your comment is pessimistic and fatalistic. I was jumping out of my chair trying to fight the tide - SINCE BEFORE IOWA - that was crystal clear to me ... a Huck/McCain double team that was taking down the Thompson/Romney combo ... but guess what. it’s a done deal.

This is now - mccain got a 65% ACU rating last year, lifetime is 83%. prolife, good on spending, not good on nanny-statism and immigration. right on iraq.

2008, with mcCain v Obama *CAN BE A VICTORY FOR CONSERVATIVES* if we make it so. you say conservatives lost. I say we lost only when we give up.

Which would be the crushing defeat for conservatives?
a moderately conservative RINO or the most liberal senator in the country as president?

Since when is pessimism and fatalism a conservative virtue? we always have the choice to advance the cause as best we can. what are the top 5 things conservatives need to achieve in the next 5 years? Are they more likely to happen with a Republican or Democrat president?

Instead of dismissing my questions, why dont you actually consider them. Consider the question: How can conservatives make silk purse out of this 2008 election?

“And as far as your question goes, my top issues “ ... which are ????

“Gridlock is our best bet for the next 4 years.” Dem President + coattails does not equal gridlock. it equates to the total destruction of everything we believe in. see, you *can* be foolishly and unwisely hopeful about things when you set your mind to it!!!