Posted on 08/04/2008 7:26:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
ELKO - The Nevada sky was clear and blue for the first time in weeks Saturday over the Nisbet Cabin in Lamoille, but the festivities on the ground were decidedly red as the Elko County Republican Central Committee held its annual steak fry with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on hand to stump for presidential candidate John McCain.
“I've known John McCain for over 20 years,” said Hatch, the senior senator from Utah now in his 32nd year in the Senate. “We all know his story, his service to his country, the price he paid. I've seen him stand up to the whole Senate.”
Hatch urged the dozens of local Republicans in attendance to unite behind McCain, and he specifically asked Texas Rep. Ron Paul supporters who believe they've been disenfranchised by the state Republican Party to unite under one candidate.
Hatch said McCain was “tough” and is a “true, blue conservative in most ways,” and he believes McCain can fulfill his promise to balance a federal budget deficit - expected to hit $10 trillion in a year - by 2013.
Hatch also said McCain was adamantly opposed to earmarks, also known as pork barrel spending, and conceded the national Republican Party has “lost its way or at least people think we did.”
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He said there has never been a fiscally conservative majority in the Senate during the more than three decades he has served. “There's always been eight to 10 liberal Republican senators” hwo have prevented a supermajority of 60 votes required to pass sound fiscal policy.
Also on hand was Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., who very well could face off for the second time against a surging Jill Derby, the former leader of the Nevada Democratic Party.
“I feel fortunate to know Dean Heller,” said Hatch. “He's a good addition (to the House of Representatives), a tough guy and I'm really proud of him.”
But it was McCain's bid for the White House that brought Hatch to Lamoille.
“With McCain, what you see is what you get,” he said. The former war hero and Senate maverick would reduce taxes, maintain a strong military, and not allow profligate spending, said Hatch.
Hatch credited McCain with the idea of the military surge in Iraq, which has resulted in less violence in the country. “He's a true hero,” he said of the man who spent seven years in the notorious North Vietnam prisoner of war camp dubbed the Hanoi Hilton.
McCain, said Hatch, would spur economic growth by cutting the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent.
If Congress approves the tax burden decrease, he said America could “out-compete” any country in the world.
Hatch said McCain's opponent, Barack Obama, D-Ill., “was a nice person and a good speaker, intelligent and glib, but nobody knows what he stands for.”
The Utah senator said an Obama presidency would result in higher taxes and liberal U.S. Supreme Court justices who would legislate from the bench. He noted six of the nine judges are more than 70 years old, and at least three of the more conservative justices are expected to retire and would be replaced by the next president.
Strict constructionists who adhere to the Constitution are the type of justices the high court requires, he indicated, not activist judges who make law rather than follow it.
According to Hatch, McCain has a “huge advantage” over Obama when it comes to foreign affairs. On Democrats in general, Hatch said, “They want us to become the new France. I don't want us to become the new France, although I like France and its people.”
“People know he'll do what he say's he'll do,” said Hatch of McCain, and that includes how the nation fights the war on terror, state's rights, and conservative spending.
While Ron Paul supporters are upset with Nevada's Republican leadership over what they consider improper and even illegal suspension of the state convention earlier this year and the cancellation of a second attempt to convene, Hatch implored the Texas congressman's supporters to get behind McCain.
The outcome of the election depends on that support, he said.
“Ron Paul is one of my friends,” Hatch said. “He's one tough guy, but those supporting Ron have to get behind McCain. Every vote counts.”
Later in his speech, Hatch made another plea: “Ron (Paul) won't win the nomination. All he can do is hurt McCain and help elect Obama.”
Acknowledging Obama has widespread support and that Democrats are geared up, Hatch believes undecided voters will choose McCain.
He also advised attendees not to fret over McCain's age - he'll turn 72 Aug. 29. “John's mother is tougher than he is and she's 96 years old.”
On local issues, McCain as a senator from the West understands mining and agriculture, said Hatch, and he would protect those interests that he said are so vital to the nation.
Another “you better support McCain or else!” thread.
McCain talks tough now, but if he wins, how long do you think it will be before he is putting his signature on some Osama/Hitlery/Reed sponsored legislation? Or nominating a Kennedy/Shummur selected judge?
Now wait a second here. I thought all Paul supporters were anti-war, skinhead, 9/11 Truther kooks? If this is so, then why is Hatch pandering to us then?
McCain talks tough now, but if he wins, how long do you think it will be before he is putting his signature on some Osama/Hitlery/Reed sponsored legislation?”
I hear you, and am not a blind JSM cheerleader! It’s just that there is SO much that is VASTLY more dangerous about Obama and his agenda for this country. And if you realize the deeply serious threats to our security that would make all other issues disappear, on this there is NO contest between the two choices. Foreign policy/the threat of radical Islam MUST be top priority, and JSM is the only choice on this.
[Sen. Orrin] Hatch to Paul backers: Support John McCain”
I always thought that Mormons were opposed to prostitution.
Orin “Dream Act” Hatch, serving since 1977.
One of the corrupt lifers. But I’m sure you knew that.
“Regardless, McCain’s dad died at age 71, his grandfather at 62.”
Just pick a conservative VP Juanito, that’s all I ask.
Awwww, ain’t they just the cutest little things though?
Well, the same thing happened in Louisiana too. The other GOP candidates forged their own ticket together to dilute Paul's impending victory in that state. I don't remember Hatch speaking out against that.
I knew this was coming, and although I'll probably hold my nose for McCain depending on who he picks for VP, I am also at the same time going to savor the fact that the GOP is going to start getting on its hands and knees for the Paul supporters. I remember reading stories of local GOP offices kicking out the Paul supporters or mocking them when they tried to register as Republicans. Payback is a female dog, Republicans. If thousands of Paul supporters stay home or write in Paul's name or vote for Barr, don't start whining to me.
“And it’s a whole lot better than Obambi.”
I see it as only slightly better however if Juan picks a good VP, I’ll vote for him.
Nice picture. See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. All you’re doing is creating unintended consequences. You think those who support Paul are going to march in lockstep to the GOP after watching their candidate get smeared?
I don't think McCain feels comfortable accepting votes from a candidate that received his original campaign money from Timothy Leary Fundraisers
Libertarian Party sounds nice until the drug dealers show up.
Mr. Speaker, William F. Buckley has often been described as the godfather of modern-day conservatism. In 2004, he wrote that if he had known in 2002 what he now knew, that he would have opposed the war in Iraq. Last June, he wrote that if we stayed much longer there, it would soon become misapplication of pride rather than steadfastness of purpose. Now, in one of his most recent columns, Mr. Buckley wrote that, ``One can't doubt that the American objective in Iraq has failed.
`` Many conservatives said before this war started that it would mean massive foreign aid, huge deficit spending, and would place almost the entire burden of enforcing U.N. resolutions on our taxpayers and our military, when traditionally conservatives have been the biggest critics of the U.N.
`` The so-called neo-con architects of this unnecessary war have led people down a primrose path in the opposite direction of and very much against every traditional conservative position.
``
I would of thought that William F. Buckley would try and reserve any negative thoughts about the Iraq war and not help the Marxist socialist left in our country continue being cheerleaders for failure.
I wonder what Mr. Buckley would think about the Surge having tremendous success now?
Of all of Paul’s supporters, I’d say - unscientifically -about 40% were Conservatives and the rest Liberals and Moonbats...
I think McCain will eventually get 70-80% of the conservatives that supported Paul, who realize that living with McCain is far better than an Obama administration. But McCain will get next to none of the Liberals...
So Senator Hatch is basically preaching to the choir.
Why would you think he keeps getting reelected? His district is loaded with military units mostly reservesand National Guards whom most of them have been to Iraq at least twice or headed that way. He has one of the most secure congressional seats in the nation. His mane is John J Duncan.
Being a conservative doesn't mean being a straight party line supporter or else. It means taking sometime tough and unpopular stands against the abuses of their own party. A trait hard to find in DC these days. It sickens me that so called Conservative media host have attacked ones such as Ron Paul. They attack Ron Paul but like one of them who claims Conservative beliefs supported Rudy? Being Conservative does not make a person a Conservative and vice versa. Walking the walk when they talk the talk however does. Not many left in DC these days who will do that.
Hatch is posturing for USSC Justice. McCain is dumb enough to put him there.
Correction: Being Conservative does not make a person a Republican and vice versa.
With Obama, the probability is 100%. With McCain, I would say that the probability is at least 50% he will appoint SCOTUS Justices that are to the right of Ginsburg. The impact depend on which SCOTUS Justice that will resign. So, I take McCain over Obama.
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