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The Better Angels of Our Nature: History, Race, and Truth. A Speech for John McCain
Modern Conservative ^ | Steven Travers

Posted on 03/29/2008 11:23:54 AM PDT by connell

A Speech for John McCain
Written by Steven Travers

In 2000 I ran for the Presidency on the strength of what we called the "Straight Talk Express." In my two decades plus in Congress, and in my military career, I have been known for just that: straight talk and honesty. Today, I want to address these and other themes. America is talking about race and history. Unfortunately, truth is too often a casualty.

I have been called a "Maverick." I am a conservative Republican, but many members of my own party have criticized me for reaching across the aisle in order to forge coalitions with Democrats. To that I say the great state of Arizona sends me to Washington every six years not to toe a partisan line, but to get things done. I offer that America will in November send me to the White House as President not of the Republican Party or the conservative movement, but of the American people. One of my heroes, General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower, did just that. It is his example I hope to follow. I believe those of good conscience in all parties would agree this is a worthy course.

America is a divided nation. My biggest goal is to bridge that divide. As you know, I spent time as a prisoner of war. It was a trying time, but through faith in God I came to understand eternal Truths. Today I wish to offer some truth. I am not afraid to speak honestly with America, even if it comes with occasional political cost. My experience in the "Hanoi Hilton" taught me that whether I am elected to the Presidency or not, I must hold true to my principles and that an honest approach to our problems is in the...

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; mcbackstabber; mccain; race; republicans
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1 posted on 03/29/2008 11:23:56 AM PDT by connell
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To: connell
I am a conservative Republican

With respect, please convince me why should I read on after this whopper?

2 posted on 03/29/2008 11:25:30 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Election 2008: Now the evil of two lessers.)
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To: connell

The speech is pure tripe. Many lies (I am a conservative Republican). He (McCain) can stay true to his beliefs and ideals all he wants. He will do that without my vote.


3 posted on 03/29/2008 11:26:44 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: connell

In 2000 I ran for the Presidency on the strength of what we called the “Straight Talk Express.”

Now it’s the B.S. Express.

“I have been called a “Maverick.”

Try “backstabbing son-of-a-b!tch” in this house.

“I am a conservative Republican”

You are a liar.


4 posted on 03/29/2008 11:29:04 AM PDT by Grunthor (I promise in November to be just as loyal to the GOP as Juan McAmnesty has been)
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To: connell
One of my heroes, General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower,

That would be the one who mass deported illegals at gunpoint?
You are going to do that, Sir?

...in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower deported 1.3 million Mexican nationals (called Operation Wetback)

http://www.federalobserver.com/archive.php?aid=11145

5 posted on 03/29/2008 11:49:20 AM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: Grunthor

“If [Bush] is a reformer, then I’m an astronaut.”
- John McCain, 2000


6 posted on 03/29/2008 11:50:54 AM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: connell

The Straight Talk Express broke down long ago. Mac’s traded it in for a different model: The Bulls*it Express.


7 posted on 03/29/2008 12:04:24 PM PDT by E. Cartman (Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.)
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To: connell
Nothing Mac says will matter with conservatives. There are already too many decades and decades of betrayal.
8 posted on 03/29/2008 12:05:48 PM PDT by E. Cartman (Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.)
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To: connell

“Straight Talk Express.”

“I’m a conservative liberal republican”. Ummmm, yeah, that’s some “straight talkin”.


9 posted on 03/29/2008 12:18:28 PM PDT by NoGrayZone (A Lesser Evil Is Still Evil.)
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To: Colonel_Flagg

I know most here don’t like McCain. I’m not really his hugest fan either, but I am trying to see the positives. Is there any one that speaks to the postives? Or any list here that I can take part in that actually does not trash him constantly?


10 posted on 03/29/2008 12:52:21 PM PDT by amutr22
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To: connell

Eventually i’ve come around to see the case for reparations.

The descendants of all the freed slaves should
compensate the descendants of all the Union dead
who freed them.


11 posted on 03/29/2008 1:00:55 PM PDT by Eleutherios
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To: connell
I am a conservative Republican

HAR!


McCain=Liar

12 posted on 03/29/2008 1:01:43 PM PDT by luvie (The Republican Party's strongest when it is fearlessly conservative! RL \:D/)
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To: connell

Good grief! This is the oatmeal speech - mushy, not much substance and awful stuff when served cold.

Here’s a good speech for McCain. Stand on the steps of the ATF, whip open your coat, pull out a Reising sub-machine gun and say: “Come and get it, you $%^&$%U(!!”

That I could respect.


13 posted on 03/29/2008 1:44:44 PM PDT by sergeantdave (Governments hate armed citizens more than armed criminals)
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To: amutr22

McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958, ranked 894th out of 899.


14 posted on 03/29/2008 1:51:11 PM PDT by Afronaut (It's 1984)
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To: amutr22; Norman Bates
I've been in Arizona politics since we fought Geronimo. I have fought more battles with McCain than any six people on here. Much, if not most, of what you read here is completely distorted or untrue. I will have no problem voting for him in November. I disagree with him on many things but his record is far more conservative than some would admit.

Read it all, the good and the bad. Sort it out and make up your own mind. Check McCain's real record and compare it to what the mud slingers are saying. Norman Bates has the McCain List and he keeps it on a pretty even keel. He can add you to be pinged to articles of interest.

15 posted on 03/29/2008 2:27:57 PM PDT by MARTIAL MONK (I'm waiting for the POP!)
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To: amutr22

The problem with McCain is that his record is too complete. Even where he sounds reasoned, you know from his past that he will say one thing, possibly even follow through, but by the time he is done he will have subverted it and turned it around to facilitate liberalisms grand design.

John primises to get the border under control first.

I read that to mean before he legalizes every illegal alien crimigrant in our nation, and institutes a work visa program that will allow more legal entries each year than were coming across illegally before.

The result will be that our nation will be swamped with under-educated easily lead unable to support themselves immigrants.

John has dedicated his life to defeating true conservatism, and I am even suspect of his plans for the religious in our nation.

I won’t participate in helping John because I view him to be a (national anti-conservative) poison pill.


16 posted on 03/29/2008 2:31:36 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (New Europe, John Benedict Arnold McCain's bridge to 07/03/1776. Not even our past is safe.)
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To: Afronaut

Have a problem with our Naval graduates?


17 posted on 03/29/2008 3:52:39 PM PDT by Norman Bates (Freepmail me to be part of the McCain List!)
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To: Gaffer

I read the speech. It is not “pure tripe.” It is an excellent speech, very thoughtful, with much to admire. McCain vs either Dim is an easy call. I look forward to his inauguration.


18 posted on 03/29/2008 3:56:03 PM PDT by karnage
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To: amutr22
Allow me to sum up:

McCain actually wore the uniform, faced our enemy in combat, and suffered for his country.

He has been involved in every major national security issue this country faced since Beirut.

He is committed to winning the GWOT and seeing our forces through to success in Iraq.

He is a deficit hawk with a record of fiscal conservatism. He is committed to a balanced, responsible budget, making the tax cuts permanent, and fighting for market-based solutions to Social Security and Medicare.

He is committed to securing our borders first. He has a record of supporting conservative jurists going all the way back to Bork in 1987, and is committed to appointing strict constructionists who will faithfully interpret the Constitution and not legislate from the bench.

He is committed to overturning Roe and sees the appointment of good justices as vital here.

He believes in strengthening NATO, is pro-Israel, and is for forming a 'league of democracies' that will counterbalance UN stonewalling.

Just a brief sketch to chew on. McCain is more conservative than many will give him credit for. And I promise you that you will get no such committment from any of the above with Obama and Clinton. Feel free to peruse his official platform (you may be pleasantly surprised).
19 posted on 03/29/2008 4:11:42 PM PDT by Norman Bates (Freepmail me to be part of the McCain List!)
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To: amutr22
I don 't mind someone speaking of the positives, whatever they may be, for McCain. It just really offends me to see posts posts like this of wishful-thinking 'what-if' speeches idealizing something that isn't there. There's a whole lot of anti-conservative, anti-freedom baggage in McCain's trunk and the only good face most McCain supporters seem to be able to put on it is that "he's better than the two alternatives."

What if the three alternatives were Joe Stalin, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler? Is any of the three the best alternative?

20 posted on 03/30/2008 3:30:29 AM PDT by Gaffer
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