The McCains and War: Like Father, Like Son

TIME Magazine ^ | July 29, 2006 | MASSIMO CALABRESI

[Alexander Rubin]

You know, I don't think I would support McCain for President. And he is a RINO. But, I think that despite that, he's a fine man. And he's raised (and is raising) a fine family. And he is a patriotic and strong supporter of America and the free world.

So, despite my many disagreements with him on policy issues, I want to say G-d bless John McCain.

Now, watch me get flamed. ;)

[Alexander Rubin]

Hey Salem, McCain's son is joining the Marines and going to war. Better alert some of the FReeper Marines and Marine veterans, to give him the ol' virtual "Semper Fi".

[Gay State Conservative]

Let's hope that this kid isn't captured by the enemy and tortured for six years so that as he grows older he'll be a completely sane and reasonable guy.

[big'ol_freeper]

Can't say I disagree with anything you wrote. Considering the opportunities a senator's son could take advantage of because of his father's position, the fact that he will serve says something about both father and son.

I do wish he was a conservative though.

[Gay State Conservative]

So, despite my many disagreements with him on policy issues, I want to say G-d bless John McCain.

The closest I'm willing to come to praising McCain is to say that,IMO,he's one of the least repugnant democRATS in Congress today.

[Dog]

God speed to Jimmy McCain..

I won't flame you...:-)

[moose2004]

I went to college with McCain's oldest son (he is a former naval aviator who flew A-6 Intruders out of Virginia Beach), and while I have some political disagreements with his father, I must say the McCains are a fine, decent patriotic family. God bless all of them.

[Alexander Rubin]

I also truly wish he was a real conservative. But McCain was, and is, a patriot. And he is a sane and reasonable fellow, partisan rhetoric aside (and yes, I indulge in it too, lest someone here accuse me of vast hypocrisy :D ).

As big ol'_freeper said...he could easily weasel his son out of hard duty, or discourage him from joining. But he didn't. And he won't. And his son will serve, and I have no doubt, serve well.

McCain is a RINO. And he is not a true conservative. And he is sometimes a little wishy-washy on issues, and, IMHO, is a little too optimistic about a lot of things (like illegal immigration). But that is no reason to bash the man. Just because we as conservatives should not support him for President, does not mean that we should denigrate him utterly, or insult him.

He does what he thinks is right, and does his best, and is honest and committed to his principles (though they are different than mine) and his country. He works hard, and tries to compromise, and tries to be reasonable.

More people should be like him in America, and around the world. It would be a better place. Though, hopefully they would be more conservative.

Don't bash the man just because you don't like his poliitcs. That's why I dislike many Democrats and can respect many others. Ad hominem attacks get us nowhere. We want a vigorous intellectual debate, heated yes, but not empty partisan rhetoric. Find flaws with the issues, not the man.

And hopefully, the son turns into a conservative. ;) Jimmy McCain in 2040! ;)

[Jameison]

"Let's hope that this kid isn't captured by the enemy and tortured for six years so that as he grows older he'll be a completely sane and reasonable guy."

Amen to that.
One thing I can't accuse his dad of being, is either or reasonable.

[Jameison]

Just saw you post after I posted mine and just had to smile.
It's like we are talking about 2 different men.

[Jameison]

Correction:

Amen to that.
One thing I can't accuse his dad of being, is either sane or reasonable.

[mewzilla]

...the fact that he will serve says something about both father and son.

But is it the same thing I wonder....

[Alexander Rubin]

He's very sane. He's just overly optimistic. Foolish and sane are definitely not mutually exclusive.

And I mean reasonable in the sense of being capable of rational thought (admit it...you've agreed with him at least a few times :D ), and not being excessive or extreme (which is one of the things many of us criticize him for...If anything, he's TOO reasonable, and TOO willing to compromise, and TOO moderate).

[Alexander Rubin]

I think so. They were (or will be) both volunteers. They both could weasel out if they wanted to. Try to separate the politics and the men. If we can't...then we're a lot more screwed than we think we are.

[PattonFan]

In the meantime, I know 3 families personally, and others through word-of-mouth by acquaintance, who are sending their sons to war.

McCain's son should not be used for political purpose..he is doing what any young patriot should..and many HAVE.

McCains son serving does not make McCain a better..uh, politician..panderer..I don't know.

I know this is not news when its my neighbors son...

[Reagan Man]

>>>>You know, I don't think I would support McCain for President.

If its a choice between the moderate-mavarick John McCain or the liberal Rudy Giuliani, I think many conservative folks will choose McCain.

[Alexander Rubin]

Possibly. Rudy is fairly liberal, even for a RINO. I like him too, but I think he wouldn't make a great President. And he'd be bad on a lot of issues I care about.

Still, I hope we get a genuine conservative candidate, who gets elected.

[Jameison]

" I think many conservative folks will choose McCain."

Nope.

"* Just last week, Gallup released a poll showing that four out of 10 Republicans consider "front-runner" McCain to be an "unacceptable" candidate. And he does worst with self-described conservatives, half of whom deem him unacceptable. But 73 percent of Republicans call Rudy "acceptable."


http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/rudy__the_front_runner_opedcolumnists_ryan_sager.htm

McCain is about as popular amongst conservatives as a hole in the head.
All those years of being a"maverick", pandering to the liberal media,the dastardly McCain/Fiengold, and pocking conservatives in the eye has paid of handsomely for McCain the snake... by earning him the contempt of conservatives.

[beagle9]

McCain over Rudy any day of the week. Just compare voting records. McCain is actually better than he appears while Rudy is worse than he appears. The only 2 issues that McCain is really bad on are immigration and finance reform. I think it does say alot about him (good) when his son enlists.