Posted on 08/26/2008 7:29:23 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
There has been plenty of whining from conservatives concerning whether John McCain would select a pro-choice vice president. I just hope whining is all it is. As my colleague Dan Calabrese pointed out on August 21, the political leanings of the VP concerning abortion are largely irrelevant. The only way to meaningfully decrease the number of abortions is to convince people that abortion is a bad idea, not to legislate.
But this conservative whining must be starting to concern McCain and his political strategists at least a little. Maybe these people who keep complaining that McCain isn´t conservative enough are actually considering the possibility of not voting.
On one hand, Barack Obama simply isn´t popular enough to be truly threatening. He´s inexperienced, doesn´t understand the issues very well, doesn´t exude patriotism and has some horrendous relationship baggage. When you tally it up, it amounts to a major risk. And as past elections have shown, it´s been risks like these that have ultimately pushed people past the summer excitement and back into the autumn safety of conservative candidates who, if nothing else, seem more or less transparent.
But on the other hand, the support of the conservative base is an important element of this seasonal routine. So even if the swing voters play their role perfectly, as I suspect they will, it probably won´t be enough if a significant portion of the conservative base doesn´t vote.
So I must pose a question to the whining conservatives who are threatening to stay home on November 4, sitting in their La-Z-Boys with arms crossed, puffed up blood-tinted cheeks, and brows furrowed like a toddler who doesn´t want to take a nap. Are you prepared to deal with the consequences of an Obama presidency?
Realize that the average age on the U.S. Supreme Court is currently 68. John Paul Stevens is 88 and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75. Obama would select at least one, probably two new justices.
Bills that put crushing new requirements and taxes on businesses would almost certainly pass a Democratic Congress, and be signed by a president who has never run a lemonade stand in his life, much less a business. Don´t expect him to start vetoing bills just because they would drive our country´s deficit beyond anything prior.
Realize that Obama would not be aggressive on terrorism, that Islamofascists are probably licking their lips at the prospect of a passive American president who would be content to play defense, and would even take seriously the lip-service of radicals like the Iranian president. With an appeaser as our commander in chief, terrorist networks would inevitably regain strength, and more innocent people will die. Call it a scare tactic or anything you like. It´s completely logical.
Realize that 3 percent of Americans pay about half of America´s taxes. If we elect Obama, those numbers will be even more lopsided. Obama has pledged to increase taxes on the wealthy, who would, in turn, hide their money. That´s a brilliant plan if your goal is to completely stifle an economy.
Realize that Obama probably won´t allow America to drill for its own oil. Have you enjoyed watching our Congress take a vacation when we need them the most? With Obama at the helm, there will be even less pressure on them to do their jobs and get Americans the oil they desperately need. Expect more of the same naïve lip service that describes local oil-drilling as the problem, and not as the obvious solution it is.
Realize that when Obama talks about creating jobs, he means he will be building even more government agencies. He is not talking about letting the economy naturally flourish and creating jobs by getting the government out of the way. If you are ready for an even bigger government than our current one, Obama is your man.
Of course, Obama would not be without an upside. The evening news would be much more upbeat when the media´s biggest crush becomes the most powerful man in the world for four years. There would be no more of the incessantly grim ramblings to which we´ve become so accustomed.
Finally, realize that Obama has good intentions. I respect that he is an idealist, even if I disagree with his ideals. And if we do elect him, I don´t think America will crumble. I just think he would leave it in even worse condition than the one in which he found it.
So to conservative boneheads out there, standing in the corner, pouting because your first choice isn´t the Republican nominee, it´s time you got over it.
I don’t hear conservatives “whinning”. I hear them promising to vote their conviction for the sanctity of human life. The author’s basic premise that this is whinning is false.
Seems to me, Nathaniel Shockey, that you are the friggin whiner. I will not be sitting in my recliner being all mad. I will be on the golf course, out hunting, going to work, living my life and being happy, no matter who wins this damn election.
However, if anything makes me mad, it is a pantywaist moderate,GOP butt kissing simpleton opinion writer demanding that I vote his way or else!
keyes = obama
remember OBAMA BEAT KEYES HANDS DOWN what was it 80/20?
seriously, what is it with people and dead end candidates.
I suggest these are just troll moles to hurt the up AND DOWN TICKET.
Blame the GOP leadership for trying to out Liberal a Liberal and losing once again.
He’s the only thing standing in the way of that monster getting into the White House. We’ve GOT to support him.
His stance on immigration is the only big thing I hold against him. Since I live in Texas, you can understand that.
But then Obama’s stance is WORSE.
‘Justice Roberts said he saw himself just as an umpire but the issues that come before the Court are not sport, they’re life and death. And we need somebody who’s got the heart—the empathy—to recognize what it’s like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it’s like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old—and that’s the criteria by which I’ll be selecting my judges.’
Spot-on. I left CA for just that reason: I was exhausted working to restore the republic in the face of democratic socialism. Now I live in NC, where every conservative vote counts heavily. The state is currently leaning perhaps by 10 points to McCain, but there’s plenty of time for the western mountain folk and those delirious types up in Durham, Orange and Person counties (not to mention the fine seaside folks up around Hyde) to remember what day the election is on and take the action I need to counteract. This state is currently one of the worst-taxed states in the South and maybe the nation. It has lagged behind neighbor states as a result (though the schools do look like temples: every junior high has a fully-functional football AND soccer field with basketball gym to match). This is prime territory for Dems to convince people to stop hedging and go the whole hog. Since the gov’t is so deep into their pockets already, why not jump on board the socialist train and grab back some of the cash? It will be tempting and the smart Dems around here will try it.
Here’s hoping they’re as dumb as the box of hammers they otherwise so closely resemble. So far, they’ve lived down to every expectation one could hope for about the banality of evil: short-sighted, slow-witted, tin-eared and insensitive. One of the most memorable local ads featured two old guys (one of whom I personally know) chatting up Kay Hagen’s advantages on a typical NC porch. Trouble was, the porch was in fact a business (signs left in sight) and the owner, while a Democrat, is committed to Elizabeth Dole. Any friend would instantly recognize the location and turn to her in considerable doubt. She protested and I think the ad has now been pulled, but you get the idea: NC Dems run the place only because NC voters are too traditional to change horses in the middle of a millenium.
OMG SRSLY??
If we can survive eight years of the Clintons, I think an Obama administration will be a breeze.
In my opinion, none.
I think that we are screwed either way.
I believe that it will be worse under Obama.
My advice would be to stock up.
When the hell are we going to learn?
Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. From taxes to fighting the WOT to judicial philosophy to energy policy to abortion to the 2nd Amendment (for starters), McCain and Obama are in fact polar opposites.
Those who maintain that McCain = Obama (and they exist on both sides of the political spectrum) are a bit mentally challenged. ...to be kind about it.
“Conservatives Refusing to Support McCain: Here´s What You´ll Get”
If McCain picks a good VP (note tagline) then he ought not have many problems with the base. We can then vote for the VP and hope for the best.
Whenever I encounter such a phrase, I know it does not come from a conservative. Maybe a Republican, but not a conservative.
“If Obama wins there won’t be a 2012.”
Why? Can he stop time?
McCain's lack of character is far more important than his military experience, and is the foremost reason that he is unworthy of the office, regardless of Obama's virtues or lack thereof.
Supporting McCain is unconscionable.
you are exactly right!! to hell with our principles! lets just vote for ‘the other guy’
Amen, and you are right on....anyone who says God doesn’t want them to vote for McCain based on War doesn’t know the Bible very well.
Time will tell.
Clinton was and still is a crook. He surrounded himself with other crooks.
The Socialists have had eight years to further dumb down the sheep.
Obama is a crook and idealist who has surrounded himself with individuals whose sole aim in life is to destroy the United States.
Obama is far more dangerous than either Clinton could dream of being.
Again, as I said, time will tell.
McCain’s 22 years in the Navy and 26 years in the Senate is vastly more important than Obama’s 160 days in the Senate and 0 time in the military.
For this very same reason, providence may have given us McCain. NOT THE BEST MAN, BUT THE RIGHT MAN.
I believe you are right, NavyCanDo. I wasn't so sure a few weeks ago, but I am now. And Russia's resurgent aggression demonstrates that Providence sees beyond our limited field of vision.
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