John McCain's CPAC Speech

John McCain 2008.com ^ | 2/7/08 | John McCain

[Sybeck1]

Some don’t understand. The Democrats wanted Bush to lose the WOT, not Democrats.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

I know in this country our liberty will not be seized in a political revolution or by a totalitarian government. But, rather, as Burke warned, it can be "nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts."

McCain/Feingold.

[Red_Devil 232]

Yes he is. It was mentioned on another thread here at FR that McCain supporters were bussed in. That is where the cheering came from. Tom Delay just confirmed it. He said that McCain spoke to the young people carrying his signs and that the room was salted with McCain supporters. Sad Sad Sad!!!!

[wilco200]

sorry I don;t understand your post.

FYI - we have not won the war on terror (and we’re celebrating ramadan in the White House to boot)

[Biggirl]

...And the time is getting short, he needs to prove himself, otherwise he will be regarded as a RINO.

[sirena]

You’re soooo right!!!!

If he was serious about securing the border(and other conservative issues) why isn’t he doing something in Washington right now to prove it?

[BlueStateBlues]

Nominate, yes, but when the Dim Senate rejects the nominee, he’ll cave faster than Paris Hilton. It’s all for show, both McCain and Paris.

[Scarchin]

I will most likely vote for the Republican in November -

However - the selection of Hucksterbee as VP would be too much. I would then vote third party or Obama.

[Joe Bfstplk]

>>“I have only found true happiness in serving a cause greater than my self-interest.”>>

Charles Keating’s, for example.

[Cinnamon Girl]

No.

[Republicanus_Tyrannus]

I will attempt to formulate a comprehensive rebuttal to the Senator's remarks as a conservative. I believe that I can "hit it out of the park" as the kids used to say, and I believe I can show why Senator McCain should -- no, sorry, must -- step aside himself and do a service for the country by endorsing JC Watts, or Duncan Hunter, or Fred Thompson instead of pursuing his ambition of becoming POTUS.

Good Afternoon.
McCain-Kennedy. McCain-Leiberman, and McCain-Feingold. Contrast them with our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the thoughts and ideals of the Founding Fathers.
And finally, I shall close with this note: personal ambition is always last when you consider the good of the country, Senator. I suggest you think on that truth over the next few months.
Thank you, and may God Bless our United States.

I believe my rebuttal is comprehensive.

[Edit35]

Good speech.

Twenty minutes of verbal sound waves from an man seeking favor from an angry crowd (CPAC) does little to boost my trust.

There's no behavior I despise worst among conservatives than playing class-warfare anti-wealth business-is-evil card .... something McCain has been doing the past seven years.

The second behavior I despise is someone who disparages and insults faithful voters (practicing Christians) for simply stating their morals and beliefs.

McCain is guilty of violating BOTH of those things.

His personality was on its best behavior today. He has been krass and juvenile the past 10 years.

Lastly, I believe McCain will become more and more flustered as the lib-media-Obama-loving Dems start launching attacks..... McCain could easily explode, and THEN where will the GOP be?

Up the creek without a candidate.

Only time will tell.

[gitmogrunt]

"He makes NO MENTION OF ORIGINAL INTENT."

"No mention of strict interpretation.

You make Outstanding points....he is playing Lawyer with his wording.

I don't see how any one can trust McCain.

[JohnnyZ]

Remember what Romney said a couple of weeks ago: “He’ll say anything to get elected president”

And that's why Romney's candidacy failed -- because he would say anything and promise anything to get elected. See my tagline.

[MNJohnnie]

No what will marginalize Conservatives is this demand that no matter what the Republican Establishment does, Conservatives can be relied upon to show up and vote for it. You want to be able to treat Conservatives the way the Democrats treat the black vote. That truly would marginalize us.

McCain’s record of the last 10 years is virtually 100% anti Conservative. He needs to build a bridge to us. He needs our votes. He not going to get those votes by arrogantly demanding them as his due. That is what he did today. Not going to work. We are not at all marginalized by saying “Hey, a Liberal is a Liberal” why waste our time and money supporting Democrat Lite?

He cannot win without us. Words aren’t enough. He is going to have to match his words with some solid actions to assuage Conservatives who doubt him based on his record.

[o_zarkman44]

What did we expect mccain to say in a speech to CPAC?
What we wanted to hear.
And he said that.
Can we trust him? Trust has to be earned. Not yet John.

[Brookhaven]

I don’t know how it went down live, but it reads as an excellent speech.

“Often elections in this country are fought within the margins of small differences. This one will not be. We are arguing about hugely consequential things.”

This was the crux of the speech.

War on Terror
Taxes
Abortion/Right to Life
Judges
Spending
2nd Amendment (Gun) Rights
Health Care

McCain and Hillary/Obama are polar opposites on these issues.

[Tarpon]

McCain speech == Bob Dole II — Without the charisma. About as inspirational as watching paint dry. Who thinks this is going to get one independent voter to vote FOR McCain? Why when you can have the real deal goodies candidate.

People don’t vote against, they vote for and prefer leadership instead of droning on and on and on about nothing. Soaring rhetoric is not McCain speak, since he has taken AMNESTY out of his repertoire.

Any tired old guy could given this speech on any boring suject of your choosing.

What to do, elect a conservative House in 08, forget the Presidency, ain't going to happen.

[Corin Stormhands]

He said that McCain spoke to the young people carrying his signs and that the room was salted with McCain supporters. Sad Sad Sad!!!!

You know, I keep seeing this all over FR. I don't know how much is true, but it's a standard campaign practice, especially when TV is involved.

If y'all don't realize that every campaign does this you're not as politically savvy as you'd like us to think. It's a major principle that conservative guru himself, Morton Blackwell, taught for years (and maybe still does) in his campaign seminars.

[pillut48]

You're scaring me!!!! :-O