McCain defends his conservatism

The Yuma Sun, Yuma, Ariz. ^ | 2010-06-12 | Chris McDaniel

[rabscuttle385]

Senator John McCain's record as a staunch conservative came under fire during his Yuma town hall meeting Friday evening at Booth Machinery, prompting the senator to fire back in his own defense with a level of fiery passion reminiscent of his younger days.

“It seems to me that every time you run for election you tack very much to the right…” Steve Replogle, a member of the Colorado River Tea Party, told McCain during the town hall.

“I have personal questions in regards to your positions. You have at times advocated cap and trade… amnesty, and the McCain-Feingold Bill made it illegal for you to publicize the voting record of an elected official within sixty days, which … seemed to me, to be the biggest assault on political free speech in the history of this country.”

Replogle said he is troubled by McCain's history and advocacy.

“I mean I had vowed that I would never vote for you again after you passed McCain-Feingold… if we can't get people to stand on their record, if we can't hold them accountable to the way that they vote, they can say whatever they want. It's what they actually do that we have to know and be able to publicize in order to have an accountable government.”

McCain responded vigorously to defend his conservatism.

“…I have received the support… and awards, from literally every conservative organization,” he said.

“…I stood up when other people were earmarking and pork barreling and (involved in) corruption. I investigated Abramoff… and he eventually ended up in jail. So did members of congress. I have fought fraud, abuse and waste throughout my time.”

As in previous speeches during his presidential campaign, McCain discussed his “maverick” approach to politics to prove his level of conservatism.

“I stood up for the surge when it was going to cost me my entire campaign…” he said.

“I fought for what I believe in. Now you may not agree with what I believe in, but I will leave it to the judgment of the organizations that grade, and support and endorse people because of what they have done.

“I will be glad to… put my record for being a fiscal conservative up against anybody's. I fought against my own party and fought against President (George W.) Bush… and you may not like some of the positions I've taken but I am a proud Ronald Reagan conservative and I am proud of my record and I'll match it up against anybody's.”

Bob Lovelace discussed the issue of immigration at length with McCain.

“We the people don't have to be afraid of social activists, and we don't have to be afraid of this La Raza socialist movement in this country,” Lovelace said.

“And we don't have to be afraid of the president of Mexico… When he crosses our border and he criticizes the laws of our state, and he says that we are prejudice and we are guilty of… racist discrimination, when we know that we are not, then senator, it is becoming very obvious to us who the bigot really is.”

Lovelace called on McCain to take immigration reform head on.

“We've got to stop this, senator…” he said.

“It doesn't matter how you phrase things. You can say, and you often do say this… you say that you never have been for amnesty meaning that you have a plan. What we are really worried about right now… is repeating the same old pattern, and that is what's fixing to happen right now. If you don't stand up… and if you are not willing to stand up, we'll find somebody else that will.”

In response, McCain said the first step is to secure the border.

“(Senator) Jon Kyl and I are committed to getting the border secured. There has been improvement in Yuma, there has not been improvement in the Tucson sector and we have to get the border done completely…”

McCain went on to talk about what other issues are important to him.

“The most important thing is to make sure that our future is secure, whether the issue be jobs, the economy, illegal immigration (or) the national security issues...” he said.

“I am most proud to be effective for the state of Arizona in Washington, and achieve a number of goals, but there's a number of goals that need to be attained , and one of them… here in Yuma is protecting our bases, protecting the men and women in the military. I think I have a very solid record on that respect.”

McCain said he has been consistently going to bat for conservatives.

“I have been fighting against this administration, and leading the fight as they have shifted to the left. I believe that the tea parties and the frustration that is being displayed across America is going to be manifested this November.”

[P-Marlowe]

Did he once say “I was wrong” ??

[mainerforglobalwarming]

Mr. McCain ‘entertained’ the idea of being Kerry’s running mate. He is pro-amnesty, pro cap and trade, and then there’s the McCain Feingold crap. Please Arizona voters wake up and send this man into retirement.

[JSDude1]

WHAT CONSERVATISM?

[AuntB]

BOOK: “The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don’t Trust McCain - And Why Independents Shouldn’t’

http://www.amazon.com/Real-McCain-Conservatives-Independents- Shouldnt/dp/0979482291/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221912231&sr=8- 1

Book Description

Thinking about voting for McCain? Read this book. Cliff Schecter’s hard-hitting profile explores the gap between the public record of Senator John McCain and his media image. Drawing on a range of sources and adding his unique perspective and humor, Schecter guides the reader though McCain’s long history of expedient flip-flops—especially on his signature issues of national security and campaign finance reform.

Far from a straight-talking maverick, McCain emerges as a temperamental political chameleon who will do or say virtually anything to become president of the United States. On issue after issue—including the invasion and occupation of Iraq, torture, abortion, and gay rights—The Real McCain reveals a politician who started as a Goldwater Republican, experienced a brief period after sanity after his loss to George W. Bush in 2000, and began pandering to the very groups he challenged after deciding to run again in 2008.

From the Back Cover

Cliff Schecter provides us with some real “straight talk” about John McCain.
Paul Hackett Major, USMCR

[NonValueAdded]

defends it??? I’m amazed that he could find it.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

I don’t understand. He’s growing rare birds on his property?

[Man50D]

What Conservatism?

[chapin2500]

He would be lying without the teleprompter??

[Servant of the Cross]

“I have been fighting against this administration, and leading the fight as they have shifted to the left.” … John McCain, June, 2010 in the primary fight of his life

We have nothing to fear with Barack Obama in the White House … John McCain, October 2008 during lame Presidential campaign (he only fights hard against conservatives)

My friend; we are united in our opposition to conservatives …

“I have personal questions in regards to your positions. You have at times advocated cap and trade… amnesty, and the McCain-Feingold Bill made it illegal for you to publicize the voting record of an elected official within sixty days, which … seemed to me, to be the biggest assault on political free speech in the history of this country.”

How dare you attack me! I’m a maverick conservative dammit!

[RJL]

McCain said he has been consistently going to bat for conservatives.

Very true, as long as the "conservative" was named Teddy Kennedy.

[RJL]

What would McCain be doing differently than Obama?

He'd be better at attacking Republicans and Conservatives. Nobody does that better than John McCain.

[AuntB]

FLUSH THE JOHN!

(to the tune of Frankie & Johnny)

Johnny and Teddy were Senators
On opposite sides of the aisle
They got together and drafted a bill
Guaranteed to make illegals smile
Amnesty was their game – and they had no shame

Johnny and Senator Feingold
Gave campaign finance a try
But then the highest court in the land
Said the 1st amendment must apply
Gotta play by the rules – now Johnny looks like a fool

Johnny and Mr. Obama
They both agree Gitmo should close
But bringing terrorists into the USA
Is a plan that we oppose
No, they don’t belong – and Johnny’s got it all wrong

Now Johnny and Senator Lieberman
Got together on cap and trade
Anemic hands across the aisle
Gonna send the country to its grave
It’s time to let him know – old Johnny’s gotta go

Johnny believes Global Warming
Limousine Liberals and all
Congressional junkets to Copenhagen
Everybody’s havin’ a ball
Just ask Al Gore - Johnny knows the score

S & L Man Charlie Keating
He came to Johnny one day
Said “the government boys are sniffing around
How much to make ‘em go away?”
Did Johnny take a bribe to join the Keating 5?

Now fast-forward 20 years later
Banks are in trouble again
Johnny says, “Let’s bail ‘em out
It’s just a trillion – or maybe ten.
Let’s put some wind in their sails – ‘cause they’re too big to fail.”

We know there’s oil in Alaska
Drilling won’t cause any harm
But Johnny agrees with the tree-hugging geeks
Gas is gonna cost a leg and an arm
Johnny why can’t you see what’s good for you and me?

Now everyone knows about ACORN
They get lots of taxpayers’ dough
Prostitution rings and voter fraud
And home loans to any old schmoe
No matter ACORN’s crimes – Johnny thinks they’re just fine

We’re tired of hearin’ your flip-flops
We’re tired of hearin’ your lies
You may think we’re all dummies but you can’t
Pull the wool over our eyes
You’re career’s hit a snag - so start packin’ your bags

‘Cause Johnny, you’ve worn out your welcome
It’s time to bid DC goodbye
Go write a book or learn to cook
And eat a little humble pie
Just ask Sheriff Joe – he says you gotta go

Yeah, go Johnny, go – it’s time to hit the road.
Good-bye

MUST SEE!! The ‘Flush the John’ Song has gone viral and is on YOU TUBE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJobkdeho88

[Vaquero]

He is delusional and needs a treatment facility for the lost.

ARRRRR!

[hal ogen]

If I lived in AZ I would vote against this RINO as often as I could. Resign already, you decrepit fool.

[CitizenUSA]

Based on the article, McCain never even answered the points that were being made. In response to McCain-Feingold, cap and trade, and immigration amnesty, McCain claimed he was a fiscal conservative opposed to earmarks. McCain-Feingold (suppression of free speech), cap and trade (MASSIVE government power seizure and tax increase), and immigration amnesty (fiscally insane policy intended to destroy small government conservatives politically), AND McCain replies he’s solid on EARMARKS!?!

This would be laughable if there wasn’t a chance McCain will fool the people in Arizona again.

[CitizenUSA]

stephenjohnbanker: “The little POS changed the subject.”

You’re right. Based on the article, he never directly addressed any of the points made by the questioners. He’s a typical incumbent who needs to obfuscate his past positions to fool enough people to re-elect him.

He claims he’s good on the border. Here are two good questions for him:

Senator McJerk, how will you determine when the border is secure? Exactly who or what decides?

Senator McJerk, once the border is secure, what will you do with the illegal aliens who are already here?

[sickoflibs]

RE :”“..But I would rather see him (McCain)in the White House now then Obama..”(Beowulf9)..You know something, I kind of felt that way too for a bit - but at the end of the day, things happen for a reason (and yeah, I can’t stand FuBO in the White House anymore than you do).”(NFHale;)

I never had a moment, not on the worst Obama day, where I wished McCain was President. Republicans deserved to lose in 2008, especially with McCain. Democrats won in 2008 simply because they had been out of power for so long and Republicans were bad not because they offered anything. Thinking that Republicans will win elections forever no matter how bad they are is dreaming.

At least now we have Republicans opposing democrats pushing socialism. We sure as hell wouldnt have had that if McCain won. McCain would be rounding up Republican votes and getting the blame for everything bad. Democrats are only seen as bad now with the voters because McCain lost.

[Personal Responsibility]

Senator John McCain’s record as a staunch conservative

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BWAHJAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAA

[chooseascreennamepat]

“I am a proud Ronald Reagan conservative.”

Oh Brother!

[Personal Responsibility]

What would McCain be doing differently than Obama?

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McCain has his faults - and they are many, not few - but above all, he probably would not have pushed for universal healthcare. He definitely has that over Obama.