Posted on 09/04/2008 12:59:22 PM PDT by BGHater
The clash includes issues of the environment, immigration, and gay rights
As a senator, John McCain holds a reputation for diverging from many of his Republican colleagues on core party issues. Now, as the party’s presidential candidate, his record and policy views are putting him at odds with the overarching party platform adopted this week.
On major issues like the environment, immigration, stem cell research and gay rights, the platform, which expresses the party’s philosophy, clashes with Mr. McCain’s longstanding positions or does not go as far as he has proposed in addressing subjects such as climate change.
It is not an uncommon for the Republican platform — which often conforms to the conservative consensus of the assembled delegates — to take a different position than the presidential candidate, who must appeal to independent voters in the general election. But given Mr. McCain’s recent efforts to align himself more closely with party’s conservative orthodoxy, the differences are still striking.
And on at lease one major energy issue, oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the policy document conflicts with the views of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, Mr. McCain’s surprise choice as a running mate.
'Impossible' to satisfy all factions
Authors of the platform, written by a cross-section of party leaders with input from thousands of Republicans by way of the Internet, say they tried to strike an ideological balance and that it would be impossible to draft a position paper that would satisfy all factions of the party.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Did the NYT forget Obama’s 4 more years mantra or what?
McCain is supposed to be more of the same isn’t he?
What happened here?
typical
the liberal media trying the devide and conquer now routine
pathetic and cringworthy
Trying to make trouble for McCain with his base. How kind of you, Old Gray Lady.
We all know the problems with McCain in the past. Let’s hope he gets better in office, because he and Sarah are what we’ve got. But the times would prefer Osama Hussein.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I am a conservative and I disagreed with the Platform at the OK GOP Convention. We had parts in there that said withdraw our troops immediately from Iraq. It had so much wrong that I voted NAY on adoption along with about half the delegates but the Ron Paul types along with the very far right got their platform as they joined together to get the worthless piece of paper passed.
My opinion of platforms is that they belong in the round cylinder that sits by a desk.
No candidate could run on what I saw in the OK GOP Platform and get elected.
McCain still hasn’t renounced the failed policies of the past such as “McCain-Feingold”.
McQueeg has the opportunity to either bring the party together or destroy it for good. Palin is a great pick but he hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he needs to do to earn my vote yet.
“Obama policies differ sharply from the U.S. Constitution.”
There, fixed it for you.
Yeah, he really has momentum right now. I just feel he will brink up God’s Children tonight and that will let out some of his steam.
McCain is a moderate on many issues. This is nothing new and has been discussed on Free Republic many times. That’s part of the reason he picked Mrs. Palin, because she is a conservative (especially on social issues) and will help bring out the conservative base for the ticket.
In terms of actual governing, the party platform doesn’t mean much, for either party. When McCain is elected, he will implement those policies he believes in (and that he can get passed), whether they are consistent with the party platform or not.
Hey McCain, you’d better not screw up tonight or you will be remembered as a naval aviator who was shut down in Vietnam, and no more. Don’t say that you can work together with the democrats (screw’m), don’t say you believe in global warming (screw it), don’t say anything about offering amnesty to illegals (screw’m) or you will be political toast.
Your smart and good-looking VP put the knife in the MSM swine and the dem bottom-feeders — it is now up to you to shove it in deeper and kick off the handle.
This won’t work either. Though it might convince a few more disaffected dems to vote for McCain.
We've noticed that with the last several Repub Presidents.
The fact some nonchalantly overlook these flaws is what makes Conservatives angry.
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