Posted on 01/01/2008 5:32:21 PM PST by Norman Bates
LONDONDERRY, N.H.—Republican presidential contender John McCain told voters Monday that the nation needs a leader, not a manager.
The comment was directed at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whom McCain is close to surpassing heading into the final week before the New Hampshire primary.
Though he didn't name names, McCain clearly had Romney in mind when he faced a voter who noted that few senators have been elected president and quizzed him about his executive and administrative experience. Romney, a former venture capitalist, often points to his management of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics as an example of his executive skills.
"I spent 22 years in the United States Navy. I led -- not managed -- I led the largest squadron in the United State Navy, over a thousand people and hundreds of millions in assets," McCain said. "I'll put my leadership -- not management -- but leadership credentials up against anybody's."
McCain said given the challenges the nation faces, particularly fighting terrorism overseas, now is no time for on the job training.
"I think it's fine to have been a governor, I think it's fine to have been a mayor, but I've been involved, and you judge me by my record, in every national security issue and challenge facing this country for the last 20 years," he said.
With most of his rivals in Iowa, McCain has spent the last four days in New Hampshire and will be here for most of next week as he tries to slingshot his campaign forward. He won the state in 2000 by 19 percentage points over then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush and now hopes his scrappy campaign can again defeat a well-funded rival, this time Romney.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
“You do realize that Fred and John worked closely in the Senate, have similar records, and are very good friends.”
Yes. So why do you think Fred is running, instead of just supporting his old friend John? The reason is not, as we know, personal ambition. It’s policy differences, and I feel the same way.
I repeat, if you want a candidate that is pro-torture then you are free to look elsewhere because McCain will never support torture just to win your vote. McCain’s position on torture is clear. If you are in favor of torture then don’t vote for McCain.
“I believe McCain will appoint strict constructionist judges like Roberts and Alito.”
Kucinich believes in UFOs.
McCain likes to claim that his “cabin” or “ranch” is in Sedona. Actually it is a comfortable getaway home on the creek south of Sedona with some fruit trees. It is nearer to Cornville than Sedona but you ain’t gonna hear a politician say “Hi! I’m John McCain from Cornville.”
“No, he asked a friendly judge to write a letter to his draft board asking that Rudy be allowed to duck service on the ground that he was a “law clerk.” That’s a good one, eh?”
Was that a valid exemption to the draft? If it was, then he didn’t dodge the draft.
“You do realize that Fred and John worked closely in the Senate, have similar records, and are very good friends. Fred was even national co-chair of McCain’s 2000 campaign. They never attack or even criticize each other on the campaign trail.”
I’m aware of that.
I don’t think the Fredheads of Free Republic are aware of it.
“Well that is certainly going to keep the terrorist at bay!”
Especially if you stop waterboarding the terrorists for information.
~sheesh~
“Nevetheless McCain is committed to border security first and has been campaigning on that for months now.”
Is there any evidence of this commitment? Straight talk is cheap.
NOW, he's masquerading as a warrior. He's always been a closet wimp.
How could anyone ask our troops to salute a person like Rudy?
“I repeat, if you want a candidate that is pro-torture then you are free to look elsewhere because McCain will never support torture just to win your vote. McCain’s position on torture is clear. If you are in favor of torture then don’t vote for McCain.”
I repeat: I doubt the victims of future terrorist attacks give a good G*d Damn that you’re “proud” of your candidate.
Some of us actually prefer policies that save American lives.
But it’s all about McCain...
Any chance of bringing you over from the Paul camp?
The evidence is he didn’t flip flop before the bill failed which would have been the easy and convenient thing to do to propel his candidacy. He stuck to his guns, got the message, and committed to winning the trust of the people through border security first.
“Sure it is. When presented with the request by his country to serve in the military, Rudy dodged that opportunity.”
There were plenty of exemptions as to who was subject to the draft. If Rudy availed himself of one of those exemptions, he wasn’t a draft dodger.
Case closed.
Nice.
“and committed to winning the trust of the people through border security first”
Border security, employer sanctions, self-deportation by attrition, and no amnesty would do it for me. That’s what Fred has proposed.
John McCain strikes me as a sincere man. Unfortunately on several important issues he has been sincerely wrong.
Rudy is no warrior. He is a coward. When he was asked by his country to serve in the military, he both dodged and evaded that opportunity.
He both dodged and evaded the draft.
Just as he lost the respect of New York's first responders, he would not be able to gain the respect of our troops.
Why should our troops be forced to salute a coward, a draft dodger for whom they have no respect?
“For one, he led the charge against the Bridge to Nowhere. He was also instrumental in bringing down a multi-billion dollar “defense” contract sham (two people were imprisoned).”
I remember Tom Coburn leading the charge. As I recall, McCain was AWOL on the “bridge to nowhere”.
As far as anyone going to jail, that’s the Justice Department. In the Executive Branch.
The Senate, THANK GOD, can not put anyone in jail.
McCain has no Executive experience at either the Federal or State level. Zip. Zero. Nada.
As far as the Social Security Reform: nice picture. Again, I ask, WHERE WAS JOHN?
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