Posted on 02/06/2008 1:59:01 PM PST by SE Mom
WASHINGTON (AP) — One might expect Republican senators to cheer the prospect of a colleague becoming the party's presidential nominee.
In the small and clubby Senate environment, however, John McCain's emergence as the undisputed GOP front-runner Wednesday caused a good bit of grumbling, downcast looks and strained attempts at diplomatic comments by associates who have felt the brunt of his sarcasm or clashed with him on policies. ... "A lot of people around here are going to have to recalibrate their attitudes toward John McCain," said Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah, one of several Republican senators who have clashed with McCain. ... "John needs to reach out" to conservatives who feel he has derided or ignored them on key issues, said Bennett, who has endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. " ... Republicans, meanwhile, are split between those who embrace McCain's independent, gung-ho style, and those who feel he has gone out of his way to dismiss evangelical leaders, deep tax cuts, expanded oil and gas exploration, and other touchstones of conservative orthodoxy. ... "These are issues that are constantly brought up by conservatives, that give them some angst," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, another Romney supporter. ... "McCain is going to have to reach out," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who supported Rudy Guiliani but has not yet followed the former New York mayor into the McCain camp. ... "One of the worst bills in my 31 years here is McCain-Feingold," he (Hatch) said, referring to a campaign finance bill that restricted the political parties' ability to pour money into targeted races. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
Not a chance.
And I am not advocating leaving the party. I am advocating securing the foundations.
I have voted for every Republican president for over 30 years, including President Ford and Sen. Dole.
My vote is mine to give, or not. And I choose not to give it to someone who, when they “reach across the aisle”, is reaching to the base.
Becki
Or vote 3rd parties and Democrat so the Republican leadership never pull a stunt like this again...
“but just in case, where do we move to?....”
In my view, a third party.
Heck, I’d like to have a second political party.
You forgot the “/s” tag
McCain will deserve a big dose of his own medicine if he becomes Prez. There about 40+ GOP senators minus the gang of 14, who have a lot “get even” to pay him back. There are a lot of them still walking around with knives in their back waiting to return the favor.
McCain will be a lame duck the day he is sworn in.
The Republican Party is now in ‘shambles’. I am not optimistic about facing a united, enthusiastic and passionate democratic party—when ours in is just a big mess right now—with no one that can unite it and bring the conservative base solidly onboard (even Hillary can’t do that at this point).
In a word: No.
I agree....but I prefer to call it a vote against Hillary or Barry...
He can Poundstone, and pound sand when he’s done.
“This McCain situation is just another way to justify this action. They don’t want to hold fast with their beliefs and work in the party. They think running from the situation is the answer.”
You can’t push a rope.
Have you been a victim of Stockholm Syndrome long?
Listen, I will not give up bedrock principles for party’s sake. The Republican Party has left me; I have no obligation or reason to stick to their ankles like a puppy dog.
You know if you pound stone long enough it becomes sand.
All you liberal/socialist/evangelicals -- whoever you are -- go for it. Knock yourselves out trying to get McCain elected. I'll be watching your carnival act from the sidelines.
There are some who are ready to jump ship and are encouraging others to follow their lead. These are people in the Third Party Camp who have been pushing such a venture for a long time. This McCain situation is just another way to justify this action. They don’t want to hold fast with their beliefs and work in the party. They think running from the situation is the answer.
You’re thinking we ought to “hold fast to our beliefs and work in the party”. That sounds an adult and noble idea. Just who is it you would suggest we work WITH? Arlen Specter? Lindsay Graham? John McCain? Have you honestly seen ANY evidence they are interested in working with conservatives who believe in LESS regulation, SMALLER government, FEWER taxes, SECURING the borders, SAVING the babies??
Please understand - they do NOT want to work with us. They want our votes every time elections roll around. Period.
Some useful quotes found in this piece...
Senator McCain’s Liberal Record
1. Amnesty = McCain / Kennedy (D)
2. Censorship = McCain / Feingold (D)
3. Gas Tax Increase = McCain / Lieberman (D)
4. McCain’s Proposed Democrat Ticket = Kerry / McCain (D)
5. Turncoats Who Asked to Switch Parties: McCain / Jeffords (D)
6. McCain’s American Conservative Union Rank= 47th / 100 = RINO
7. New York Times (D) Endorsed: McCain
8. Opposed Bush Tax Cuts = McCain + All Ds
9. McCain wants to keep the Death Tax
10. McCain wants to raise Social Security Taxes
11. McCain / ACLU (D) is Pro-Terrorist Rights
12. McCain/Kennedy(D)/Edwards(D) Tobacco = Trial Lawyers Dream Act
Why vote Democrat when you can have
A REAL LIBERAL: JOHN McCAIN!
Top Ten Reasons to Vote For McCain
1. Amnistía Si! Vota Para McCain!
2. Shut Up and Vote McCain / Feingold!
3. $4.00 Gasoline, here we come!
4. Clinton / McCain: The NY Times’ Ticket!
5. RINOs 4 McCain!
6. More Payroll & Death Taxes!
7. Gitmo Detainees Agree: Vote McCain!
8. Kill Conservatism: Vote Liberal, Vote McCain!
9. He Can’t Possibly Stab You in the Back Next!
10. He’ll find out who really stole the strawberries! – Vote Captain Queeg McCain!
Yes, Republicans should show McCain the same loyalty McCain has shown Republicans.
Sometimes there just isn’t enough ice.
I’m going to do everything in my state to make sure he does not get elected! He has turned on our party numerous times (if you read this forum regularly, the proof has been in many posts), you would know that true conservatives will not, and can not support him.
A united, passionate, energized Party (the democrats) vs. a demoralized, divided, fractured Party (GOP) is a recipe for disaster next November if I have ever seen one.
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