[nathanbedford]

It is distressing to review the replies in this thread because they present a mirror image of the replies normally encountered on a thread concerning Pat Buchanan. When Buchanan preaches what has been criticized as "isolationism" he is typically attacked ad hominem with little attention given to the merits of his argument. John McCain is being criticized ad hominem as a warmonger even while Pat Buchanan is routinely criticized as an isolationist or an anti-Semite

Now we have a thread criticizing McCain not for the merits of this position but directed against the man. No one is more opposed to John McCain that I am but we must get out of this dangerous habit of dismissing opinion and even fact because of we repudiate the source. I've read McCain's remarks and find nothing to repudiate even as I repudiate the man. McCain was careful to say, "That does not mean re-ignition of the Cold War." In that context, who can argue with his main point:

"Crimea has exposed the disturbing lack of realism that has characterized our foreign policy under President Obama," McCain wrote. "It is this worldview, or lack of one, that must change."

Pat Buchanan can be right about domestic or foreign policy issues even if he is wrong about Israel. John McCain can be right about our policy being exposed for a "lack of realism" even as he is wrong about Syria or about domestic policy issues too numerous to catalogue.

Whatever happened to debating the merits?

[goldstategop]

This is the guy who wouldn’t lay a glove on Obama during his election campaign and who told us we had nothing to fear from him.

I am still waiting for McCain’s apology and I don’t think I’ll ever get it.

In listening to him, I just wish he would shut up and go away. Tha’s how I feel about debating his views on the merits.

[ctdonath2]

Alas, debating merits loses its luster after enough repetitions, and people start thinking war would be more exciting.

[corkoman]

Valid points and good intent - I suppose it is the decades of errant McCain behavior leading many here to summary execution with any of his latest proclamations.

I confess a tendency to this response as it seems absurd to soberly contemplate the latest actions of someone routinely displaying irrationality. Your sense of civility and desire to focus on merits is admirable.

[Lazamataz]

Whatever happened to debating the merits?

We're tired.

[FreeReign]

Now we have a thread criticizing McCain not for the merits of this position but directed against the man. No one is more opposed to John McCain that I am but we must get out of this dangerous habit of dismissing opinion and even fact because of we repudiate the source.

+1