One of the constant themes in Hanson’s writing about the Iraq is that there were no good choices back then, only bad and worse. McCain is a bad choice with Obama and Clinton being worse.
I cringe that I might have to vote for him in November, but the alternative is worse. There is no doubt that the Republican party is in crisis, and there is no doubt that conservative movement is in search of trusted leadership, and is in a conflict with the GOP establishment, and is deeply dissatisfied. One thing should not be forgotten in our anguish: the politics is all about power. If you let somebody else take power, you lose. It is preferable to perfectly cynically choose bad over worse AND continue to build your own case for better until you have enough to seize the power by yourself. You want GOP to be more conservative - elect more conservative people everywhere, and continue pressure that we have seen a few times over the last years (Meyers, Dubai, immigration bill). It does work. Lets not choose the way of libertarian party’s irrelevance.
If McCain is the nominee, I am definitely voting for him. In 8 years, B.J. Clinton weakened our military, gave us "don't ask/don't tell", refused an offer of Bin Ladin's head on a platter, and gave us the Gorelick "wall". These things collectively led to 9-11. We cannot trust the Clintons/Obama with 4 years, let alone 8.
And I'm not buying the idea that "a dem win will galvanize republicans in 2012". If Hillary and a former muslim named Obama cannot galvanize the republicans NOW, nothing will. And it won't make a difference how galvanized we are if we are dead.
Very well said.
Last week I was depressed about it all and thought I might sit home. Now I’m not much less depressed, but I think it makes sense to vote McCain over the dem.