Posted on 05/22/2008 12:13:34 PM PDT by redtetrahedron
Sen. John McCain has long presented himself as that rare bird in politics: an inveterate straight-shooter. But does campaign strain have McCain’s Straight Talk Express veering off course?
A string of incidents stemming from the senator’s two presidential runs suggests he’s no less fallible than any other candidate — and just as capable of adjusting facts to suit his purpose.
1. Confederate Flag Over South Carolina Capitol, April 19, 2000 During the run-up to the South Carolina Republican primary in February 2000, McCain was asked whether he felt the Confederate flag should be removed from atop the statehouse.
Non-truth: McCain stated publicly that it was up to South Carolinians to decide.
Truth: Two months later McCain said he believed “the flag should be removed” from the Capitol. “I feared that if I answered honestly, I could not win the South Carolina primary. So I chose to compromise my principles,” he said. “I broke my promise to always tell the truth.”
Source: “Excerpts from McCain’s Remarks on Confederate Flag,” New York Times, April 20, 2000.
(Excerpt) Read more at elections.foxnews.com ...
Realistically, I’m not sure I can convince people to vote for him...especially those who passionately dislike him. I’m just suggesting that it does no good to help the socialists with their work. Personally, I don’t agree that McCain is more likely to get amnesty or global warming or several of the other pieces of legislation you mention through. If the Dems have a huge majority, we’re screwed anyway, and I can’t reasonably see McCain being MORE liberal on these issues than Obama, so having McCain is a push at the very worst, and for me, having him on judges, the war, taxes and spending is worth the risk.
Wonderful. He will never cease to amaze me. However, in our current two party-dominated system, I still believe that a vote withheld (or a vote for a third person) will be a vote for Obama or Clinton. I am voting AGAINST Obama/Clinton, mainly because of judge nominations the war on terror.
I understand your position. It is held by many here as well. I’m not trying to get folks not to vote for McCain, though I do want to make sure they fully understand who they are voting for. Is he better than Barack Rodham O’Clinton? Of course he is. In some areas, such as the war, by leaps and bounds.
But who is more detrimental to conservatism? Who will illicit the strongest fight against liberal policies by the republicans? The RNC putting up McCain’s global warming plan on their website was a very bad sign.
But frankly, I don’t have a dog in the fight. McCain will likely win, the GOP will continue its leftward drift, the post Reagan equivalent of the post Thatcher Tories.
I’m through with the GOP anyway. They need a legit challenge from the right in 2012. I intend to help that happen.
Cheers.
It kind of makes you wonder if Hillary actually believes that she was sniper fire, etc., just as she imagined a “vast right wing conspiracy. Or is that us?
Your post (#21) is first class. Many, many thanks.
A good, solid CONSERVATIVE VEEP nominee on the ticket might still persuade me to also vote AGAINST the true Marxist candidate. I can’t imagine that McCain would actually consider such a running mate as might satisfy me, though. The larger point is my total disgust at the Republican’s “presumptive” nominee and his sheer stupidity along with his penchant for pandering; it is beneath even McCain to reverse many of his long-held beliefs, and is just one more sign that he has gone over to the dark side. No acceptable CONSERVATIVE running mate? Then, no lastvirgil holding his nose ever again. I’ve had it with that strategy, it has never worked, I’ve always felt dirty, and in need of a shower after having done so, and I can not, WILL NOT, compromise my vote in such a way ever again. I did that with Dubya — twice — look what it got me.
Having just spent Memorial day with fellow Veteran’s, active duty brothers and sisters serving this nation and their families and friends. I can assure you they spoke quite openly about who they prefer to win this election!
So as to your remark, I disagree “It’s not a pointless question.” Only someone sitting in the comfort of their home, not risking anything, or understanding what is at stake would ASSume so.
Look up the name of Maj. Duane Dively. He flew the U-2. He gave his life on June 22, 2005 returning from a mission in Afghanistan and when returning to base in the United Emigrants his U-2 crashed costing him his life. Beth, his wife is still grieving his loss, but still feels he died for a worthy cause. She along with every person we spoke to this Memorial Day is supporting Senator McCain. EVERY SINGLE ONE!
But I guess those who risk it all, don’t count!
The thing is, they KNOW who the enemy is. And they KNOW that they WILL follow us home (with a vengeance) if we do not finish this job.
Look up SandRat in the forum. Read the list of terrorist attacks on the United States, and tell me that this ENEMY is going away!
Some people are Ostriches. It’s a nice safe place, having your head in the sand. The problem is, that SMALL little head is only a tiny portion of your body. When the rest is blown away, it won’t keep you alive!
I have to “respectfully” disagree with your negatives. I haven’t seen a voting record supporting everything you say. He might be for some of these things. But having listened to the farmers sides of things we really need to figure out the immigration matter. Unless you think high schooler’s would be willing to do the work we see being done in California (and other farming states.) Because America is going to be VERY hungry if we don’t figure this thing out! Personally, I don’t see America’s youth stepping up and doing this kind of hard labor. It “does” need to get worked out, legally!
I do know that he is against ANWAR, and I disagree with him on that. I “have” however, heard him say we should drill for oil off shore and elsewhere. As to ANWAR he needs to GO THERE and see how the Oil companies are extremely responsible environmentally. I know, I worked at Prudhoe Bay (the North Slope).
Lastly, if we pull out of the middle east and our enemy comes “here” the horrors of war will be visited on the United States in ways that are unimaginable (it “will” become about oil then, in ways that don’t take much of an imagination to figure out. Try fighting a war without oil/gasoline!) The positives happening in Iraq and Afghanistan haven’t been making it to the viewing public, because the media isn’t unbiased, they are a political machine! (I know we aren’t the ONLY house in America that has heard the statistic’s about how liberal the media is!) I’ve repeated Bin Ladens words on this board before, he says we get scared and run... I pray we aren’t about to repeat history.
All the “negatives” anyone lists about Senator McCain will be “irrelevant” if Obama or Hillary wins this election!
They’ll pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan (and if it’s only Iraq, I assure you the effects will be the same) and we’ll have a major war on our soil.)
It will also be a huge betrayal to the men and women who are fighting this war and fully intend to WIN. They are the ones paying the ultimate price. The least we can do is stand behind their efforts. It feels “hugely” weak and lame, and yes, unpatriotic, to be sitting here in the comfort of our homes, while they are uncomfortable, missing their loved ones, being harmed or killed, yet WANTING to win this because they KNOW the enemy is lethal! But, they are willing to lay down their lives for us. All they want is a public that will stand beside/behind them.
Are they getting that?
Again, read SandRats profile here on FR to get a little history lesson on who we are fighting. This didn’t just start in 1998!
We have often said it should have been mandatory viewing for all American’s over the age of 18 to see the beheadings visited upon innocent Americans by Al Queada. It was hard to watch, but those of us who did, had a full understanding of WHO this enemy is.
People need to QUIT relying on the media to BRAINWASH them and start looking up the TRUTH for themselves. We’ve heard it repeatedly that Americans “need” another 9-11 before they wake up. We hope that isn’t the case. Not when our troops and yes, this President and those who serve this country in other ways, have protected us so well. (I know, it’s not the popular thing to say that the President might have done something GOOD!)
That was the resounding talk at the Memorial Day events we went to this weekend, when we spoke with those serving our great nation. Believe me, we are served so well!
Try hanging around troops some day. “ACT” (if you must) as though you support them, that you don’t understand why the public doesn’t get it, considering the enemy we face. That you don’t get how people can even consider the Democratic candidates... (you’ll get a real eye opener.) Then for the FUN of it, state how you support Sen. McCain.
Even if you have to FAKE IT!
Watch how the troops react.
Don’t mention your doubts about McCain, because trust me, your going to hear a lot of good things. We happen to think troops going off to war, with the possibility of not coming home, deserve a Commander in Chief they can look up to, even DIE UNDER HIS COMMAND, as they have been doing.
That happens to be Senator McCain. And,.. believe it or not.. though the media is trying to destroy him, they respect President Bush. Which is why you haven’t heard a huge outcry from people. They know their son’s and daughters know we fight an ominous enemy. One that wants to KILL their families, friends and countrymen.
EVEN THOUGH, people have jumped ship, and tried to play the blame game. People like us, and the troops, remain loyal to a Commander in Chief who is taking horrific heat. But, so are they in battle.
It still comes back to Al Queada and other enemies, like Syria and Iran (etc.) Like I said, look at SandRats profile page. People need a history refresher!
FRegards VH&W
I know Vets_Husband_and_Wife and they are fine vets and freepers. This post is pure abuse against her.
Tough. They had better get used to it. I’m a fine vet and a fine FReeper too. Just ask me. If you and they want to vote for a lying liberal, knock yourself out. Just don’t berate me about being ignorant and unpatriotic because I refuse to gulp your koolaid.
You have been attacking Republican candidates every election. It is amazing how you pop and post like crazy during these times.
You want to back that up or just keep talkin' smack? BTW- republicanism does not automatically invoke conservatism, especially now. You have been around here long enough to figure that much out. Maybe you need to detox from the McCain koolaid first.
All anyone has to do is look at your about page, donor and poster history to know who you are.
Gee, I feel special now knowing a brown shirt is watching over me. I’m touched.
Get over it.
A phrase right out of the McCain playbook. You guys really need to come up with some fresh content.
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