McCain and the Bitter Conservatives

American Thinker ^ | June 15, 2008 | Andrew Sumereau

[neverdem]

John McCain is clearly the preferable option for conservative voters come November. Although liberal in his views toward immigration, government intrusion in free speech, environmental issues, campaign finance reform, health care, education mandates, and a host of other issues that run contrary to conservative orthodoxy, McCain is solid on two (alas, two) vital issues that make the difference; spending and judges. From the frustration of eight years of a Republican Administration that began with so much hope and promise it pains one to say it, but there it is.

Against the prospects of a President Obama, McCain wins.

A victim of circumstances and timing in many ways, Senator McCain carries the sins of Bush and the free-spending Republicans into the 2008 election minus any counter balancing virtues. The coming election has an eerie deja-vu feeling. The Democrat nominee is young, glib, dare one say it, slick; beloved by a media most happy to shield him from criticism. He is facing a cranky old Republican Senator with visible war wounds, famous for his temper, and viewed with apprehension by the religious right.

In addition, John McCain is detested, and deservedly so, by many Republicans of all types. Beyond issue and policy differences, and they are legion, his personality grates. His conceit of "straight-talk" and "maverick"-like independence so superficially applauded (up until now) by the mainstream media is almost Clintonesque in its narcissism. If only other politicians had his courage, he implies, things would be fixed straightaway. The big special interests have all the other elected officials in their pockets. Only Maverick-John tells it like it is! Yet the truth is that McCain could serve well as poster boy of the arrogant elitist beltway insider, friend of Hillary and Ted, foe of the unwashed. The party habit of selecting the next in line (e.g. Dole) has rarely produced such an unappealing candidate at such a critical time. In many ways he reminds one of Adlai Stevenson, who famously frustrated his supporters with his holier-than-thou ways during two failed contests against the popular broad-smiling Ike.

Despite what will surely be the focus of McCain's campaign, foreign policy and experience will not decide this election for conservative voters. One may point to the war in Iraq as the defining issue come November and see a big advantage for McCain. Not necessarily so. History will decide the wisdom of our foreign policy over the last seven years, whether the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions were a legitimate response to the threat of organized terror, or the overreaction of predisposed warriors intent on using the events of 9/11 to democratize the Middle East.

It is clear, in the short term that a McCain administration will cling to the ongoing military effort. He is a very sure bet on a continuation of aggressive and largely unilateral foreign policy. But unlike domestic issues, Presidents, as Truman said, "ride the Tiger" in foreign affairs.  They are controlled by events and often forced into moves at odds with their original intentions. Bush came into office as a critic of nation building and yet leaves committed to the rebuilding of Iraq. Johnson's Great Society fell victim to his own escalation of the Vietnam War. Clinton sent troops to Haiti. As Chief Executive of the federal branch they must protect our borders and command the military by constitutional decree. Democrats, even Carter, have found that once in office the requirements and prerogatives of military power seldom are resisted.

On domestic issues it is no better. He is with Kennedy on education and immigration, with Fiengold on campaign finance, with Gore on the environment. For the committed conservative, he speaks and acts as Bush-lite without the few rhetorical bones thrown in for appearance's sake. Each day, it seems, he appears to make a pronouncement, or suggest a policy, or chastise an enthusiastic supporter, in order to please the main-stream media and send conservatives off wailing and gnashing their teeth.   

So the question of the day is how can a candidate that turns off a large portion of his base, who will most certainly be put on the defensive by a biased media, who appears old and uncool to the great unlettered new generation of voters, succeed?

"Front Porch" campaigns put several Republicans in the White House starting with Abraham Lincoln. In the good old days Presidential candidates found it undignified and unbecoming to campaign for votes all over the country. They let their surrogates and followers go through the unending exercises so necessary yet so unseemly in the election process. Incessant bragging, boasting, and cajoling, voicing hypocritical platitudes, and bribing voters with empty promises and spending sprees in search of Utopia was not the stuff of our Founding Fathers. McCain would benefit from a restoration of this practice but in the age of 24/7 cable news and Internet blogs this is not practical.

McCain must recognize that he has some substantial advantages, chiefly his opponent's weaknesses. Also, conservatives, though unhappy, will do the right thing for the country if only through a sense of duty. Further, experience and genuine heroism are good to have on your resume.

But McCain also must recognize the depth of conservative despondency. He will not win by giving his base a reason to stay home. Unlike liberals, conservatives have lives and interests outside politics that serve as outlets for the impulse to do good and improve the world. And they are angry and demoralized, make no mistake.

For many voters and activists, thirty years of hard work in the conservative fields has produced a bitter harvest of uncontrolled spending, judicial legislation, preposterous congressional pork barrel earmarks, uncontrolled borders, and arrogance.

McCain is in a fight against the manufactured illusions of "hope" and history.  He needs every vote he can manage. Before he once again decides to berate conservatives, propose liberal policies, befriend the political opposition and (why?) laud the Clintons, he should perhaps better find a nice photogenic porch. Sit on the porch. Do this and conservatives on November 5^th will surely hold their noses and pull the lever for what is best for the country.

[org.whodat]

preferable option for conservative voters come November

What a crock!!!!

[singfreedom]

That was, pretty much, my reservation, too. For a country as large, and varied, as the U.S., I think it would be very difficult indeed.

[tgusa]

I can hardly wait for the next several months of lecturing from the National Republican party. At the end of the day I’ll probably vote for McC, but the only politician who will see any of my $$ is my own reliably conservative congressman Randy Forbes (R-4th Virginia). OBTW Randy has (thus far) withheld his endorsement for President. McC is toast anyway.

[TomGuy]

Also, conservatives, though unhappy, will do the right thing for the country if only through a sense of duty.

That's a new tactic to get conservatives to vote for old Mc. --- ye ole GUILT TRIP.

Is that how desperate the McCain camp is?

Sense of duty? Sense of duty is to keep Mc away from the White House based on his history of assaults on the First Amendment.

Sense of duty? If McCain had a sense of duty, he would be representing the millions of American citizens, rather than 30-60 million illegal aliens.

[johna61]

This was written by a RAT moron who knows nothing about the revolt by the conservatives. Get ready for Pres Obama.

[org.whodat]

After your post I have decided to change my old tag line.

[Gaffer]

Although liberal in his views toward immigration, government intrusion in free speech, environmental issues, campaign finance reform, health care, education mandates, and a limitless host of other issues that run contrary to conservative orthodoxy, McCain is solid on only two (alas, two) vital issues that make the difference; spending and judges.

There, fixed it. This, without a doubt, has been the most eggregious bit of wishful rationalization that I have ever seen with respect to apologizing for this abortive 'nomination' for the GOP. God help us all is right.

[p.s., if he gets elected, by his second term, he'll be having misgivings about the two he apparently is hawking now; liberal judges and voter buyoff spending will occur to cement his second victory]

[mewzilla]

Against the prospects of a President Obama, McCain wins.

Two words: Pyrrhic victory.

[SumProVita]

You won’t laugh nearly that long if Obama is elected.

[kabar]

RAMM

[kabar]

Gas goes up, everything that it fuels goes up, wages as well.

Not for those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Immigration, legal and illegal, help depress wages. And businesses can go offshore and have goods manufactured by cheap labor.

[Smokin' Joe]

I guess you missed the seminal question. Are you trying to get away from oil completely? (Wholly unrealistic--we use oil as much more than just fuel)

Away from being dependant on foreign oil? (Which included Canada and Mexico, in fact Canada supplies the second largest amount of the oil we use--We are the single greatest source for the oil we use, right here at home)

Or do you just seek independance from Islamic/Socialist dictator oil, of which we import quite a bit, often to the benefit of those who do not have our best interests at heart?

The first is highly unlikely. After all, as stated previously, oil is used for more than fuel, and I really do not know what you would replace the chemical plant feedstocks with.

The second would only mean we have to produce and refine three times as much as we do now, or replace that 'twice what we currently produce with something else, while maintaining output.

The third would lower that amount a bit.

Needless to say, the less you want to try to replace, the more feasible the change, but there are areas of the United States where all the current and forseeable alternatives are not suitable for day to day transportation.

Distances are too great and temperatures often too extreme. Reliability becomes the most crucial element. All the environmental friendliness or political statement is moot if you freeze to death.

[Beagle8U]

“High oil prices spur innovation. I didn't ask for high oil prices or a depressed dollar but it is what I have to work with. I celebrate because we have a chance to finally kill the domination of oil.”

High oil prices will do nothing but double YOUR taxes. You will get to pay $10 a gal and your extra taxes will go the the 30% of the population that pay none, so they can buy $2 gas!

Food stamps, gas stamps? Good luck with your plan!

[nina0113]

The beauty of oil price increases is that there is now a massive pressure to find alternatives. Go alternative energy, go!

Another up-side is that companies (mine included) who have been resisting telecommuting and non-standard schedules are coming around at last. We might finally get to go to that four-day work week.

[raybbr]

...McCain is solid on two (alas, two) vital issues that make the difference; spending and judges.

Although liberal in his views toward immigration, government intrusion in free speech, environmental issues, campaign finance reform, health care, education mandates, and a host of other issues that run contrary to conservative orthodoxy...

Okay, explain to me how he will keep spending down while allowing the enactment of new govt. programs and including millions of invaders into our welfare system. He may keep federal spending in check (although the dems may acquire override power) but the mandates to follow will put a serious spending burden on states.

I am trying to envision how a McCain presidency removes the burdens on small businesses, large businesses and existing energy expansion?

[nina0113]

He doesn’t want to be beholden to conservatives in any way shape or form. In terms of judgeships, that is scarey. John McCain will appoint what his experience in the Senate says will get through without much difficulty; i.e., “moderates.”

True, but even two more Souters would be trading up from Stevens and Ginsburg. I don't think he'd stick us with another Ginsburg.

[kindred]

[Thin gruel, but I’ll be holding my nose. God help us, please?]

I will not vote for the rino liberal GOP and become the same as the other liberal party democrat base nut case fools who can not tell good from evil and always vote their pocket change away.
Conservatives must stand on principle, not the lesser of two evils, as the RNC is counting on.

[wireplay]

I don’t believe I said that it was my plan. I am simply working with what is foisted upon us.

[wireplay]

I telecommute 100% and have for over a decade. In fact, I now own my own company and never go on site. I see a lot of good coming from high fuel prices including a rethinking of how information workers operate.

Bring on $10 gas and let’s see where it leads. People get creative...

[wireplay]

Allow market forces to propel us into a post-oil world. If you constrain your thinking into ‘what is’ then ‘what is possible’ will never see the light of day.

I don’t have a solution to a non-oil based economy but $5/gal gas will shake loose a few good ideas on how to do things differently.