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The Battle Begins--McCain vs. Obama.
The Weekly Standard | Frontpagemagazine ^ | February 13, 2008 | Stephen F. Hayes

Posted on 02/13/2008 4:44:50 AM PST by SJackson

JOHN MCCAIN AND Barack Obama swept the Chesapeake Primaries, as expected. With his victories last night, McCain further solidified his status as the almost-certain nominee of his party. Obama, meanwhile, has taken a lead among delegates to the Democratic convention and is now arguably the frontrunner.

With the outcomes last night widely expected, aides to both Obama and McCain had plenty of time to craft victory speeches that would reflect their candidate's thinking on the state of the race. And with varying degrees of intensity, both men used that freedom to begin to frame a McCain-versus-Obama general election contest, something that is starting to look more likely than not. If that happens, viewers watching the speeches tonight saw a preview of the coming debate.

McCain, for his part, borrowed extensively from Hillary Clinton's dualist critique of Barack Obama: Hope is no substitute for action, and experience matters.

(Excerpt) Read more at frontpagemag.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: mccain; obama; potomacprimary; stephenfhayes
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To: SJackson
a McCain-versus-Obama general election contest, something that is starting to look more likely than not.

Says who? I'll believe it when the hosue lands on the witch and the good witch removes the Ruby slippers.

81 posted on 02/13/2008 6:53:40 AM PST by 1Old Pro (I feel sooo calm, that I'll probably forget to vote for McLame.)
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To: MBB1984
McCain doesn’t stand a chance. Look for a rout.

Agreed, he is about as excited as Bobe Dole before they invented Viagra.

82 posted on 02/13/2008 6:54:51 AM PST by 1Old Pro (I feel sooo calm, that I'll probably forget to vote for McLame.)
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To: LadyNavyVet
That's true, but since 2006 the party leadership seems to be MIA. Still, they don't pick the candidates. If a viable conservative candidate had emerged, the nomination was his for the taking. Can't blame the party for that, can't really blame anyone. Though it would have been nice to still have Santorum and Allen in the mix.

If, and I think it's still an if, it's Obama, things could change. Obama has a lot of problems on the issues, and likely some mysteries yet to arise from his Illinois legislature experience, McCain is simply going to have to make that point.

83 posted on 02/13/2008 6:58:23 AM PST by SJackson (If 45 million children had lived, they'd be defending America, filling jobs, paying SS-Z. Miller)
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To: PennsylvaniaMom
"I can't believe I am saying this, but those who can cross over in the primaries should...Hillary!"

I wish I could because obama scares the hell out of me. Smooth talker, all hat no cattle as they say in Texas!!

Mcmaniac is even worse, I'm really depressed over the choices we have and the way the media runs the elections these days.

We are in a downward spiral in this country. Taxes are bound to go up............I will say though, they won't get any more from me.

84 posted on 02/13/2008 7:05:11 AM PST by WestCoastGal (I’ve got to get my dukes up. Be ready, I tell you. Got to watch those hands.” Jr........)
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To: RepRivFarm

Please check McCain’s voting record before you post inaccurate assertions.

Here, I’ll make it easy for you:

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0061103


85 posted on 02/13/2008 7:12:27 AM PST by mossyoaks (Victory for W!!)
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To: MBB1984

40-45% max for the grumpy old white man


86 posted on 02/13/2008 7:13:29 AM PST by junta (It's Poltical Correctness stupid! Hold liberals accountable for their actions, a new idea.)
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To: mossyoaks
Looks like we’re doing just that. Now I wouldn’t be surprised to see a McCain/Clinton ticket.
87 posted on 02/13/2008 7:19:07 AM PST by sunny48
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To: PennsylvaniaMom
I won't be comical...it will wind up being frightening. What exactly is Obama's 'change?' Anyone? Its not too late

You're mistaken, his positions are out there and if he's the nominee the GOP is going to have to hold him to them. Among the many

A living Constitution

Publicly funded partial birth abortion.

Abortion on demand for minors without parental consent

An assault weapon ban which includes a ban on "assault weapon ammunition", along with restricted access to handguns and ammunition bans.

An end to discrimination against gays in society and the military

Increased reliance on the UN

A reduction in military spending

Normalization with Cuba

Tougher enviornmental laws including tough emission schedules

No drilling in ANWAR

Increased Federal funding of railways, including local commutor lines

A more progressive income tax

A cap on consumer loan interest rates and ATM fees

Universal single payer health care

Supplemental food programs and increases in food stamp, Head Start, school lunchs-you get the idea relative to existing programs.

Funding to develop affordable housing, restrictions favoring low income at the expense of market rate housing.

An end to discrimination in lending based on source of income

Expanded welfare

Insreased aid to education

Hate crime legislation and an end to racial profiling

Increased funding for tha arts

Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment

Right to strike for Federal employees

Pay equity for women

Federal living wage

Drivers license and path to citizenship for illegals

Welfare, social security and medicaid to illegals

You can find more at IVI-IPO 2004 US SENATE QUESTIONNAIRE or any of the issue sites. He has positions. Unlike Hillary, the Republican candidate simply has to capitalize on them.

88 posted on 02/13/2008 7:31:13 AM PST by SJackson (If 45 million children had lived, they'd be defending America, filling jobs, paying SS-Z. Miller)
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To: MBB1984; ari-freedom
McCain must be proactive if he really wants their vote. He can win it if he gives assurances at least on some crucial issues, such as judicial nominees, that he will be a true conservative....A true conservative Vice President nominee would also be a very prudent investment for victory.

So would legislation, his specialty. Once he's comfortable he's won the nomination he should introduce and push two of them

First, make the tax cuts permanent. It's a no brainer and puts the dems on the record.

Second, a bill directing GWB to spend the money allocated to build the fence. This year. Perhaps expand the funding. If GWB want's to fight it in the courts ala Nixon, let him.

89 posted on 02/13/2008 7:37:01 AM PST by SJackson (If 45 million children had lived, they'd be defending America, filling jobs, paying SS-Z. Miller)
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To: RepRivFarm

Bull crap Mccain s record has been pro life for over 25 years
Mccain doesnt want to repeal tax cuts. He wants to cut spending
Mccain is Nra compliant sheese
Your first amendment rights? supreme court ruled Mccain won. Money isnt free speech


90 posted on 02/13/2008 7:38:37 AM PST by TinaJeannes
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To: iopscusa
IMO 2008 will be compared to 1972, Nixon vs McGovern

On the other hand, it could be more like the Nixon vs Kennedy. Kennedy won that one on personality. Obama could do the same.

91 posted on 02/13/2008 8:00:35 AM PST by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)
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To: SJackson

I think a lot of the viable candidates saw the handwriting on the wall. Just look at all the Pubbie congresscritters who are calling it quits. That doesn’t happen in an election year when they expect the party to do well. And if we have to have a sacrifical lamb this year, I can’t get too broken up if McCain’s it.

Obama’s strength is that he doesn’t have a past to run against, and McCain does. He’s an empty vessel into which people can pour their particular hopes, dreams and frustrations. He’ll also have his base sewn up and will be able to play to the middle. I expect him to pick a reasuring white male centrist for veep to help him do that.

Unless McCain and the party are at the top of their game, he’s going to be hard to beat.


92 posted on 02/13/2008 8:06:43 AM PST by LadyNavyVet (“I will offer a choice, not an echo.” Barry Goldwater)
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To: ari-freedom

“many conservatives don’t even try to reach out to hispanics and blacks. it’s a big problem”

There’s no point in wasting time, money, and effort trying to coax blacks and Hispanics (particularly blacks) to “vote Republican”.

They will inevitably support the Democratic candidate by huge margins (the notable exception of the Cubans notwithstanding). If the Democratic candidate happens to be black, or Hispanic, the numbers will be overwhelming.

Trying to court such votes is as useful and productive as is carrying coals to Newcastle.

A fearless prediction: Obama is going to win the “black vote” by 95% or greater. Even black registered Republicans are going to vote for him (even if they won’t admit it). It would have been the same with women regarding Hillary.

Those blacks and/or Hispanics who DO vote conservative are smart enough to do so on their own, and need none of our cajoling.

- John


93 posted on 02/13/2008 8:12:24 AM PST by Fishrrman
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To: P-Marlowe
The fact is that Romney was a left winger when he ran for governor.

When Romney dropped out two days after the super Tuesday primary, he had amassed 4.1 million votes total compared to John McCain's 4.7 million votes.

Huckabee at the time had around 1.8 million, if memory serves.

Romney was hardly unconvincing. He had wide support, but because of the GOP's winner take all system, he realized he could never catch McCain, who had won California, NJ, NY, New Hamp, South Carolina, and FLA --- and thus was waaay ahead in the delegate count.

If the GOP had the same system as the Dems, Romney and McCain would still be neck and neck in popular votes and Romney would still be in the race.

And that's not taking into account that flat out corrupting absentee ballot system in Florida and elsewhere whereby 30% of the votes were cast up to TWO FREAKIN' MONTHS before the primary day.

Romney began to surge after Christmas when the vast conservative network on talk radio and in print realized he was the best Republican candidate ......

But millions had already cast their absentee ballots for Thompson, WHO WITHDREW BEFORE SUPER TUESDAY, or Guiliani, who people finally realized was flat out awful, or Duncan, who by then people realized was going no where.

This entire primary has been a Chinese fire drill of errors and Murphy's Law mishaps, which unfortunately ruined the GOP's only fresh faced Washington outsider who had a chance in the general election.

And lastly, without using those two or three 5-second YouTube snippets from 1994, and aside from his 2002 statement to not change abortion laws, do you have any other specifics to back up your claim that Romney was this 'left winger'.... when he ran for Massachusetts governor.

Romney was supported by the NRA, and got high marks from the National ProLife coalition.

94 posted on 02/13/2008 10:26:50 AM PST by Edit35
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To: Rock&RollRepublican
And lastly, without using those two or three 5-second YouTube snippets from 1994, and aside from his 2002 statement to not change abortion laws, do you have any other specifics to back up your claim that Romney was this 'left winger'.... when he ran for Massachusetts governor.

Posted on 11/11/2007 8:26:20 AM EST by Josh Painter

“My hope is that, after this election, it will be the moderates of both parties who will control the Senate, not the Jesse Helmses.” - Source

“In my view, it is not a good idea to go into a [Contract With America] like what was organized by the Republican Party in Washington, laying out a whole series of things which the party said, ‘These are the thing’s we’re going to do.’ I think that’s a mistake.” - Source

“Look, I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.” - Source

“I remember in my earliest political experience my father fighting to keep the John Birch Society from playing too strong a role in the Republican Party. He walked out of the Republican National Convention in 1964, when Barry Goldwater said, ‘Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.’ Because he saw that as a tacit approval of the effort the John Birch Society was making to influence the Republican Party. I think that extremists who would force their views on the party and try to shape the party are making a mistake.” - Source

“We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them. I won’t chip away at them. I believe they help protect us and provide for our safety.” - Source

“Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.” - Source

“I don’t think [The Brady Bill’s mandated waiting period] will have a massive effect on crime but I think it will have a positive effect.” - Source

“I don’t line up with the NRA.” - Source

“I’ve been a hunter pretty much all my life.” - Source

“I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have, since the time when my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, we should sustain and support it. I sustain and support that law and the right of a woman to make that choice.” - Source

“I think it would be a positive thing to have women have the choice of taking morning-after pills….I would favor having it available.” - Source

“There will be children born to same-sex couples, and adopted by same-sax couples, and I believe that there should be rights and privileges associated with those unions and with the children that are part of those unions.” - Source

“All people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.” - Source

95 posted on 02/13/2008 10:46:56 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe

I said WITHOUT those out-of-context YOuTube videos, several of which you simply quoted.

But I am glad to respond anyway.


The “return to” Reagan Bush comment was in specific reference to a loaded question from a far lefty reporter in which they accused Romney of wanting to run deficit spending with large tax cuts.

The John Birch Society IS a bunch of wacko’s on many issues -— not that Barry Goldwater’s comment at the 64 Convention was wrong.

Why do you think the John Birch Society has largely been deleted from the conservative movement??? Because they went wayyy over the top.

The tough gun laws comment.... what the heck does THAT mean.... that he won’t chip away at them. He doesn’t say he wants MORE restrictions, does he??

And for all those who hate Romney for the LEGISLATURE-crafted assault weapons bill, do you realize the NRA helped Romney CHANGE the bad parts of that legislation and then gave its blessing?????

Solid conservatives come down on both sides of that issue, regardless of how much you disagree with the AWB. The NRA ended up donating to Romney during his campaign and Governorship of Mass.

They also lent him their phone banks and other resources for fundraising .... which indicates THEY did not see Romney as some “gun grabber” or whatever the Romney haters claim.

The “hunter” comment is just sheer juvenile attempt at slamming Romney. I own several guns. And I TOO consider myself to have been a hunter all my life, even though its been decades since me and my cousins went squirrel or rabbit hunting. Sheesh!!

The abortion comment: Romney has publically apologized, just like Ronald Reagan apologized for HIS acceptance of abortion previously. Romney as Governor of Mass went on to pass a number of bills that the National ProLife committee applauded and the pro-abortionists HATED.

And before you mention it, the $50 co-pay for abortions was COURT ORDERED!!!

Furthermore, Romney crafted legislation prohibiting RU-486 from being given to minors, and Romney also crafted legislation which mandated abstinance education in public schools....

The abortionists hated Romney and AGAIN, the ProLife crowd loved him. Romney ended up with an A- and a B+ grading respectively from two different ProLife organizations, one national and one state.

As for the homo adoption comment, Romney was stating a fact, that the LEGISLATURE had legalized homo adoptions...

The last “smoking gun” comment you post is actually the most laughable ... where Romney simply states that everyone should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts.

He did NOT say that homo scout masters should be allowed to fondle kids. He did NOT say homo’s should be hired, or should take little boys on camping trips.

The comment simply meant, as Romney explained later, that the Scouts should not have a litmus test when signing up youngsters or their parents to join the Scouts.

Think about it. What would YOU have the Scouts do?? Put down on the application form.... “Have you ever had a homo thought enter your head? Ever??” or “Is your son a homo? Has your son ever fondled himself?”

And if the 8-year old kid said, yeah, then what.... Prohibit that kid from joining????

YOu Romney haters take all these things sooo out of context its ridiculous.

No on is saying Romney was a super duper rock-ribbed take-no-prisoners conservative while running in Massachusetts. The state is 85% Dem liberal for heavens sake.

He tried to convince voters that he would not be this intolerant bigot, which the Democrats were accusing him and ALL MORMONS of during the entire 1994 and 2002 campaigns.

Men DO change, and Romney certainly has done the honorable thing by moving to the right.

Yet you just hate him that much worst.

If you analyzed every comment made by Fred Thompson ...you would likewise find many troubling things.


96 posted on 02/13/2008 12:53:02 PM PST by Edit35
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To: All

Time for the negativity to stop!
None of the GOP candidates was “perfect”.
McCain has emerged as the last man standing. It’s up to us now to see that he is elected. We can’t give the WH to the dems - no matter what issues you have w/ McCain.

It’s time for all of us to start talking about Mccain’s “positives”. I personally am happy that he is our Republican candidate - moving a little toward the center (for now) is okay because it will allow our party to get more votes & hopefully stay in power. Right now that is the important thing.

We can’t let a dem Prez get to appoint all those SC justices! This election is about so much more than our personal grievances. We must start “accentuating the positives” about our candidate & our party or it looks like we don’t have a consensus - we won’t attract any new voters that way!

It’s all about the numbers, people! And if we keep bad-mouthing our own candidate, no one else will support him either!

Now, get over the fact that Romney, Huckabee, Thompason, Hunter, etc. ain’t gonna be on the ballot this time around. McCain is putting his neck out there & he needs all of our support!

If you can’t get behind McCain, then quit damagng the Republican party & keep your mouth shut! /rant]


97 posted on 02/13/2008 12:59:52 PM PST by mossyoaks (Victory for W!!)
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To: Greg F
Texan conservatives better start evangelizing for conservativism in the latin community, and better fight tooth and nail against amnesty, or . . .

With many Latino's having been brainwashed in the class-envy school of politics, it will be very difficult for the GOP to make any inroads into the Hispanic community.

The best hope we (the GOP) has is to attract support with some sort of law & order/ better opportunity platform.

One thing is for certain.

We have GOT to stop this tsunami of illegals from overwhelming our southern states --- because without faster assimilation, these new illegals will still have socialist type mentalities which they developed growing up in their native countries.

If American society ever abandons its Eurocentric Judeo-Christian way of life, we are doomed to drift in the collective multi-cultural winds.

Like I said, illegal immigration is a MUCH bigger threat to my grandkids than alQaeda or Hezbollah ever was or will be .... because alQaeda cannot just invade across the Potomac River at will.... while the Third World socialists can EASILY become so powerful they would vote to adopt Spanish as the primary language, they could vote to change our borders, or sell Arizona back to Mexico, any of a number of scary things.

I am not being hysterical. Just looking 50 to 100 years down the road.

98 posted on 02/13/2008 1:54:27 PM PST by Edit35
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To: Rock&RollRepublican
YOu Romney haters take all these things sooo out of context its ridiculous.

I cast my vote FOR Romney. He was the best we had at the time. (that's not saying much, but it says something).

Men DO change, and Romney certainly has done the honorable thing by moving to the right. Yet you just hate him that much worst.

I don't hate him. I've never hated him. I've never trusted him, but then he never gave me the opportunity to do so. He dropped out of the race and handed the nomination to John McCain (whom I also do not hate and whom I also do not trust).

You need to get over the idea that just because we work against a candidate at a certain point or that we do not eagerly support him, that we "HATE" them. Your post drips with an "I'm-a-victim" mentality. I have seen that a lot among those who supported Romney principally because he was a Mormon. I suspect that if Huckabee were a Mormon and Romney was a Baptist that most of those here who were eagerly supporting Romney would have been ready to crawl across a mile of broken glass to vote for Huckabee.

There was not a lot of "there" there when it came to Romney. That was his biggest problem. That is Huckabee's biggest problem too.

With McCain there is a lot of "there" there, but I don't like what's there.

Now if you can stop your hate fest against those who opposed Romney, I think you will be a happier person for it. McCain is going to be the nominee. I'm probably going to vote for him. If he picks Giulliani as his running mate, then I won't vote for him.

Cest la vie.

99 posted on 02/13/2008 2:52:30 PM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Rock&RollRepublican
Why do you think the John Birch Society has largely been deleted from the conservative movement???

Because the John Birch Society was largely an Anti-Communist organization and thanks to Ronald Reagan, we defeated Communism. Hence there was no more need for a John Birch Society.

FWIW, Ronald Reagan was a member of the John Birch Society.

100 posted on 02/13/2008 5:39:18 PM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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