Observers Say McCain Sealed His Fate in the GOP with 'Compromise' Role

AgapePress ^ | June 2, 2005 | By Bill Fancher and Jody Brown

[Jim Robinson]

A leader of the modern conservative movement says the bipartisan deal to end the filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees was all about the presidential election of 2008.

Arizona Senator John McCain was one of the seven Republicans involved in brokering the recent controversial "compromise" that suspended a Democratic-led filibuster and allowed judicial nominee Priscilla Owen to finally get an up-or-down vote before the full Senate. The deal called for allowing two other nominees to go before the Senate for a confirmation vote, but permitted Democrats to continue their filibustering tactics on future nominees.

Paul Weyrich, the founder and director of the Free Congress Foundation, has been on the Washington scene for decades. Weyrich is convinced "pure politics" were behind McCain's efforts to broker the judicial compromise that ended the filibusters before Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist could lead a change of Senate rules ending the unprecedented blocking tactics.

"I think John McCain could not stand to see Bill Frist [become] a hero to the conservative movement, which he would have been had he been able to deliver," says Weyrich. He feels the Arizona senator's hopes of someday moving into the Oval Office took over.

"To try to derail Frist's possible campaign for the presidency, McCain was willing to undercut his president, undercut his majority leader, undercut Republicans in the Senate, and undercut the country," Weyrich says matter-of-factly. "It is the kind of raw, nasty politics that most of us abhor [and] the kind of issue that is not going to be forgotten. In my opinion, this absolutely seals his fate in Republican primaries and conventions."

Weyrich is not alone in that assessment. Grover G. Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, told FreeRepublic.com that by his actions, McCain has essentially written himself off as a potential nominee.

[Eva]

I take it that you are no longer a McCain fan. I remember when you got mad at me for posting something about the accusations about McCain raping the wife of another former POW. It turned out that the accusations are part of the Congressional record of the Congressional Ethics committee. The man is a real Clintonesqe sleaze.

[McGruff]

McCain has essentially written himself off as a potential nominee...

Duh!

[conservativecorner]

I wrote a check to McEwen for Congress this morning in the hope that Senator DeWine's son can be beaten in the Republican Congressional Primary Race. Conservatives WILL GET our political pound of flesh from those who back stabbed the President, but more importantly the country and the Constitution.

[conservativecorner]

If you can find another person like yourself that will make two of you. McCain is toast in the Republican Party.

[.cnI redruM]

This, alone, didn't do it. McCain has a list of transgressions. The Climate Stewardship Act, The Illegal Immigration Enhancement Act, The Free Speech Suspension Act with Special Exemptions For Rich, Marxist Billionaires From Central Europe, and so much more. McCain has become a sarcoma on the GOP. He needs to be chemo'ed.

[Guenevere]

Please let it be so.

[gaspar]

Remember, it was McCain who gave Arizona Janet Napolitano our leftist governor. Oh, and by the way, when was the last time that Napolitano visited southern Arizona?

[Chapita]

You've got it, Bro!

[moose2004]

I think this hurt McCain with conservatives, but it probably strengthened him with moderates. Watch McCain drift to the right as 2008 draws closer, more pro-life statements, vehement support for a conservative judge to replace Chief Justice Rhenquist, more hawkish comments on The War on Terror, more pro-Israel comments, and I'll wager he'll try to lead the push to make most or all of President Bush's tax cuts permanent. He wants to piece together a coalition of the following in order to win the Republican nomination in 2008:

1) Some conservatives
2) Moderates, both Republicans and democrats
3) Independents

He calculates that with this group he could win the nod. I think he has a chance, but it will be tough for him if he faces a good conservative candidate (George Allen I hope).

[zeugma]

He's setting himself up to run as an "independent", so as to throw the election to the clintons.

[SteveH]

McClintock acted against the party for his own perceived career.

Party above principle?

(What would RR do? ;-)

[clamper1797]

He's toast Jim

[wildbill]

I think McCain has already made the calculation that he cannot win the GOP nomination. Therefore, his actions on several important issues (amnesty, social security, etc)in addition to the procedural matter on judicial appointments must be looked at as either:

1.The beginning of a campaign for President as the head of an 'independent' political movement.
2. Acknowledgement that his political career is about over which allows him to act upon his 'maverick', but no less deep-felt, ideas.
3. An attempt to wrest control of the Senatorial process from both the left and right and place himself in the center as arbiter of the national will.

[spokeshave]

"Judas McCain had already sealed his fate before this"

I just received a begging letter from McCainiak....can't repeat what I wrote back on it.....as would get me banned for foul language.

[Fudd Fan]

Blunt? You're so blunt that your point is lost.

I've only been posting since February, although I lurked for quite a while before that. Exactly what is the "old FR"?

[handy]

I don't think I could vote for McCain for Pres. No way in the primaries - I'd acually work against him. In the General Election I don't think I could pull the lever for the guy.

[JennyG]

Liberals will try to keep him politically viable, but he has no real base of any consequence in the Republican Party.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

I have this feeling that McCain realizes his "fate is sealed witht he GOP" and that he has no future in the GOP.

He will remain a GOP Senator, but will run as an Independent in 2008. If he feels that he will not win when the poll numbers are out in 2008, he will accept Hillary Clinton's offer to run as VP.

A Hillary Clinton taking the RAT vote along with McCain taking the turncoat and "middle of the road" vote would be unstoppable. There are just to many idiots in this nation and too many naive people (50% of the people think Hillary is a "conservative") to prevent this.

My bet: Clinton/McCain will be the RAT ticket in 08, and I fear they will win.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

The question is: when will he make his Dim status official?

He will not make it "official" as it will tarnish (what is left to tarnish on this traitor?) his "military hero reputation" if he pulls a Jeffords and swiches parties. What will happen is Hillary will ask him to be her running mate and he will accept. He wants it to look like he is needed to save the nation and being drafted by Hillary would look more "honorable" (please pass the puke bag) than pulling a Jeffords.

Being that he will be 72 in 2008, and realizing that if Hitlery wins, he will be 80 in 2016, he knows his only chance is VP. He will never be President but will accept VP.

[Nov3]

You know I agree on a lot of things with you but I still can't believe you still support McJudas