McCain Rallies Online Backers Against Stimulus [and to support his own stimulus package]

Real Clear Politics ^ | 2009-02-03

[rabscuttle385]

Sen. John McCain is urging his supporters to sign a petition opposing the economic stimulus bill, saying in an e-mail from his "Country First" PAC that the plan "is big on giveaways for the special interests and corporate high rollers, yet short on help for ordinary working Americans."

"I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration," McCain writes. "Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt."

He says that every spending proposal in the bill should be evaluated to determine whether it would actually create jobs. "If the answer is no, it does not belong in a so-called stimulus package." The Arizona Republican says he appreciates Obama's outreach to the GOP, but that "the time for talking has come to an end and we must now begin some serious negotiation."

[rabscuttle385]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John McCain
Date: Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Subject: Fwd: Economic Stimulus Package

Dear McCain Supporter,

Yesterday, the Senate began debate on an economic stimulus package that is intended to get our economy back on track and help Americans who are suffering through these difficult times. Unfortunately, the proposal on the table is big on the giveaways for the special interests and corporate high rollers, yet short on help for ordinary working Americans. I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration. Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt. We need a short term stimulus bill that will directly help people, create jobs, and provide a jolt to our economy.

I believe we need to evaluate every bit of spending in this stimulus proposal with one important criteria - does it really stimulate the economy and help create jobs - if the answer is no, it does not belong in a so-called stimulus package. Furthermore, the stimulus must include significant direct relief to American workers in the form of payroll tax cuts and programs to help homeowners keep their homes. Finally, we need an end game to this stimulus so that when our economy recovers, these spending programs do not remain permanent and saddle our children with a skyrocketing national debt.

I appreciate the discussions President Obama is having with my Republican colleagues, but the time for talking has come to an end and we must now begin some serious negotiation. But as of yet, Republicans have not been given the opportunity to be involved. The House of Representatives passed a stimulus bill without a single Republican supporting it. In the Senate, the Democrat leadership is trying to jam the existing proposal through regardless of reservations from a number of members. With so much at stake, the last thing we need is partisanship driving our attempts to turn the economy around.

I have long been a fighter against wasteful spending in Washington and long an advocate for a balanced budget -- that will never change. I realize we face extraordinary challenges with our economy today, but that is not an excuse for more irresponsibly from Washington. I hope you will join me in saying no to this stimulus package as it currently exists by signing this petition.

Sincerely,

John McCain
Chair, Country First PAC


Sign the Petition

Please visit this page if you want to remove yourself from the email list.

Paid for by Country First PAC
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee
www.CountryFirstPAC.com

[rabscuttle385]

The Juan McCain Truth File. "I have great respect for Al Gore." —John McCain, October 2, 2008 FR Keywords: mccaintruthfile, mcqueeg, mcbama Please tag all relevant threads with the aforementioned keywords. This can be a very high-volume ping list at times. To join the ping list: FReepmail rabscuttle385 with the subject line add  mccaintruthfile. (Stop getting pings by sending the subject line drop mccaintruthfile.) Republican Commissar’s Warning: By joining this ping list, you may be subjected to the delusional rants and ramblings of McCainiacs, of "moderate" Republicans, of pragmatic conservatives resigned to voting for the lesser of two Democrats, and of countless GOP shills who simply want to meet a new overlord.

[Badeye]

He rallied all six of em, huh?

Gee....

[skeeter]

McCain cannot possibly believe that he’s the best person to lead the republican party at this point. Or can he.

[mojitojoe]

LMAO, he has six? Are you sure? LMAO

[rabscuttle385]

McCain cannot possibly believe that he’s the best person to lead the republican party at this point. Or can he.

IMHO, McCain is insane enough to try.

[nbhunt]

the best? NO....all we got? YES

[goodnesswins]

McCain - YOU’RE sooooooo 1970’s

[Badeye]

Keep in mind I’m counting Lindsay “Yew Shut Up!’ Grahamnesty, and Joe Lieberman as ‘two’.

[Retired COB]

McCain cannot possibly believe that he’s the best person to lead the republican party at this point. Or can he.

Like all others who ran and lost, John McCain in now irrelevant.

[amyjane]

Well he’s far from my favorite — but it couldn’t hurt to sign the petition, which looks pretty generic to me with no mention of Senor McCain.

http://www.countryfirstpac.com/petition/economic.aspx

[blam]

McCain is a RINO POS and should get his butt off the stage. I woudn't trust this Scum-bag (or is buddy, Lindsey Graham) with one of my dogs.

McCain has betrayed me and my country enough...Go Away!!!

[Cedric]

significant direct relief to American workers in the form of payroll tax cuts

My employees will sure like that part!

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Knowing McCain...he will get the “Buy American” provision changed to “Buy Mexican”.

McCain helping Americans....yeah right

[DwFry]

Knowing McCain he created a new one just to get illegals signed up for social security.

[pallis]

Go away John Juan, we don’t like you or your plans. Would a real Republican leader please stand up? And I don’t mean Olympia Snow.

Maybe Sarah could get together with some governors (not Arnold)and some businessmen, think tanks, and produce a real stimulus plan.

[Cedric]

Sen. John McCain is urging his supporters to sign a petition opposing the economic stimulus bill

Although McCain is virtually irrelevant, in the short term, this cannot be good news for Obama.

[VinL]

the proposal on the table is big on the giveaways for the special interests and corporate high rollers,

***************

And the fraudulent Paulsen slush fund bailout you voted for was what?

[KC_Conspirator]

Good for McCain.

[rabscuttle385]

Although McCain is virtually irrelevant, in the short term, this cannot be good news for Obama.

Actually, it is good news for Obama, because in the end there will still be a slightly watered-down version of the Democrats' stimulus bill that McCain will support, and McCain will manage to draw Republicans out to support said bill. Plus, his tactics muddy the waters for the proposals of real conservatives like DeMint.