[arturo]

I quote Reagan only because so many on the right have made him the patron saint of conservatism in spite of the fact that, as much as I admire him, too, he did in fact have his own baggage.

You are right about the earmarks and it drives me crazy when Republicans don't differentiate themselves from the Dems that way. But that seems to me a plus for McCain, who has campaigned against them and authored the amendment banning earmarks from the omnibus spending bill March of 09.

We are never going to have candidates who we agree with 100% and it makes no sense to cut off our noses to spite our face. All I can say is, I'd rather have McCain in there than Obama. Say what you will, McCain would have never allowed a bill like Obamacare to get past his desk. He would never go abroad apologizing for this country, nor make enemies with Israel, etc., etc.

[NYCslicker]

It is a plus for McCain, and the fact that its a plus for McCain is a sad commentary on the GOP and proof that they have not yet learned the necessary lesson.