If you have two candidates -- one of which will win -- then one of them, by definition, is the better candidate and one of them is the worse. As bad as McCain is, he is better than the eventual democrat candidate (be that hillary or Obama). That is not a winning campaign (at least our candidate doesn't suck as badly as the democrat), but that is all we've got right now.
After his "global warming" performance yesterday, I'm wondering if we've even got that.
We say McCain will probably be better on Iraq. Probably. But he seems to have no vision of the War on Terror beyond Iraq.
Despite his past record, we think he'll be better on taxes. We think.
Despite his duplicitous past dealings, we think he'll be better on judges. We think.
Despite his previous actions, we think he'll be serious about controlling illegal immigration. We think.
Based on his rhetoric, we think he'll be better on spending. We think.
Based on his actual performance over the past eight years, though, do we actually believe McCain will stand firm on these issues? Or any issues at all? His history is that of an opportunist -- not a principled legislator. Will he really appoint strict constructionist, original intent judges -- since such judges would likely find McCain-Feingold unconstitutional?
Once McCain clinched the nomination, he had roughly nine months to earn conservative votes. Three months have passed...and he's actually moved further to the left, seemingly turning his back on the party's base.
Let's say McCain does win. Will the Republican party and conservatism be better off for it? Or will Republicans like McCain be firmly in charge of the party, creating a permanent minority and making conservatives politically homeless?
With every passing day, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to take John McCain on faith. I'm willing to be convinced...but he's making no effort.