Why many conservatives can't vote for McCain

The Everett Herald ^ | February 10, 2008 | Mona Charen

[2ndDivisionVet]

I posted a squib on the National Review Web site about a robo call I received from John McCain. (Virginia's primary is Tuesday.) The call stressed that he would, if elected, be a down-the-line limited government conservative who would never raise taxes, would defend life, would enforce immigration laws and would win the war on terror. The candidate is trying, I said, to meet conservatives "more than halfway." The response of readers was, shall we say, emphatic.

One lady wrote that she would never vote for him as "He is the most disloyal, ill-tempered man and he brings out the worse in all of us. ..." Several readers made the point that after decades of suffering abuse at McCain's hands, conservatives are not going to fall into line for him now, no matter what blandishments he offers.

I know how they feel. The problem with McCain is not just that he strays. George Bush has strayed from conservatism, too. So has Fred Thompson. Certainly Mitt Romney has as well. But Sen. McCain has a knack for saying things in just the tones and accents that liberals prefer. In 2000, he condemned the late Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson as "agents of intolerance." In 2004, when Sen. John Kerry was getting his comeuppance from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, vets who had known him during the war and couldn't remain silent as the Democratic nominee distorted his war record, McCain weighed in by calling the Swift Boaters "dishonorable and dishonest." When the Bush Administration was being vilified as a nest of Torquemadas for using waterboarding on three occasions, McCain came forward to condemn waterboarding as torture.

[don-o]

We're full up here.

Like this guy?

[verity]

Voting for Obama Carter by default.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

McCain will not carry twelve states.

---

I dont think he will carry ANY states...even AZ.

With the loss of the conservative base...McCain will be fighting for liberals and moderates w the DNC nom. That is a loser strategy

[APFel]

Uh, sure. You lose points for the bizarre pop culture reference, though. I have no idea who that is.

Is that guy crazy, and so you are calling me crazy? He clearly isn’t young, so you aren’t calling me a crybaby or telling me to “grow up” (which is a refreshing break! Thank you!!!!)

APf

[Coldwater Creek]

No you are not wrong about Thompson. Just about him being God’s man for the job!

Actually, what amazed me was how fast the wormed turned against Fred on FR after he endorsed McCain.

GO TIGERS!

[Coldwater Creek]

I just won’t take the chance. Sometimes, one just has to swallow one’s pride, and take the lesser of the evils.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

There is a certain amount of ironic logic in your points.

The election of a Democrat President could save the Republican Party from its takeover by John McCain liberals.

The election of John McCain will destroy any voice conservatives have in a major party.

If conservatives are to be disenfranchised, let it be by upholding principle against an enemy rather than by supporting a traitor in our own camp.

Trying to win at all costs is the sure pathway to hell. It will inevitably lead to a mountain of regret.

We cannot change the hearts and minds of the multitudes of the misguided.

Ultimately, we have to live with ourselves.

Life is not just passing time between elections. It can be more meaningful by holding something true and consistent inside yourself.

If the world is marching toward hell, do we have to follow?

In the long run, we are dead.

Must we die in shame?

[TN4Liberty]

Actually, what amazed me was how fast the wormed turned against Fred on FR after he endorsed McCain.

Another misrepresentation on your part, but I've learned that facts don't seem to bother you too much when it comes to politics. Go pray that God will send you another prophet that you can throw out of the village. There is a long history of that, you know.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Forget him, he was for amnesty

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Sounds to me that you are just the kind of voter mv nutts wants.So how do you plan to drag the party back from its leftist lurch when you will vote for a liberal light candidate?

[Coldwater Creek]

No! I believe that you are the one misrepresenting the facts!

[ScubieNuc]

I just won’t take the chance. Sometimes, one just has to swallow one’s pride, and take the lesser of the evils.

This isn't about my pride, it's about who I believe will do the most good for America. I don't see McCain as a lesser evil. I see him as an equal evil.

If you have some reasoning other then "lesser of two evils", I'm willing to listen, but I've been going over this alot, and I don't see the advantage of McCain over a Democrat.

We all have to live with our conscience after we vote, and I can't be true to myself, God, or my values if I vote for McCain.

[Nea Wood]

Have you considered that God might have “had enough” from America after 35 years of legalized “choice” and 40 million dead?

That's why we have to pray for mercy, NOT that we will get the leaders we deserve.

[bannie]

I'm no fan of his; but ...If he gets the nomination, people had better determine whether or not they want to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

[TennTuxedo]

I am one of the many conservatives who was angry that there wan;t anyone reflecting my values left in the GOP race. I did consider voting third party or sitting at home on election day. However, common sense started taking over after a few days.

There is too much at stake to waste my vote and others votes with this election. To sit out or vote third party will not send any kind of message that will help my children or myself.

The next president will make decisions regarding our national security and how we handle terrorists. The next president will likely have to nominate a few Supreme Court Justices. The next President will have to take on what is likely to be a Democrat super majority in Congress.

If those are things you wish the two biggest Washington D.C. LIBERALS, Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama, to preside over and rubber stamp, then continue to stay away. Think of what your children and grandchildren will have to live with in the future. They will have angry conservatives to thank for the mess they will inherit.

I'm not ecstatic over the choice I face, but I am now recognizing the alternatives and I refuse to damn my child to such a mess because I wanted to act like an angry child.

Wake up people. We may not like it, but we have to work together if we are going to make the conservative movement live on. and grow.

[ScubieNuc]

Ultimately, we have to live with ourselves.

Life is not just passing time between elections. It can be more meaningful by holding something true and consistent inside yourself.

That is so true.

My oldest (the one who is anxious to join the military) is very interested in this election. He has been asking me alot of questions about what I think about the candidates and who I like the most. I think it is important to show him that holding to the values you believe in and know to be true, is more important then just voting for someone who isn't a Democrat.

It will be him and his generation that will shoulder the burden of this elections results, and I believe it's better to do what is best in the long run, then show him it's alright to compromise your beliefs just for the sake of the Republican party.

If the world is marching toward hell, do we have to follow?

In the long run, we are dead.

Must we die in shame?

As a Christian, I know that I will have to answer to God one day for my actions. I believe that even extends toward how I vote. I can't imagine the story I would have to give to excuse voting for McCain.

Along those same lines, the ultimate purpose of a Christian is spreading the Gospel of Jesus, not the gospel of the GOP or free interprise or lower taxes. Whether America is run by a Democrat or Republican matters less to God then whether a person has accepted God's gift of salvation through Jesus.

[Ulysse]

Dems TROLLS ?
This is also called the politic of the WORST if you truly believe your words....If so, you can’t ignore it could take at least 8 years before a come back of conservatives BUT it’s not certain!

You shouldn’t ignore in addition that 2 or more dem’s presidency could make huge damages to USA on different grounds.

Surprising that you don’t even think that it’s also possible to elect Mc Cain and then fight against him if he takes decisions you disagree with.Elections in Congress are also a great pressure mean

[ScubieNuc]

If he gets the nomination, people had better determine whether or not they want to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

That is a completely wrong analogy. It's more about taking a stand on principles and having the party that used to support those principles stab you in the back.

What people might have to determine if they really stand for something or do they waver when the group they associated with threatens to "cut off their nose."

[bannie]

I disagree.

I voted for Perot—which was, actually, a vote for clintons. I’ll NEVER do that again!

[Coldwater Creek]

My only hope with McCain is that he won’t finish the military off, like the Dems are apt to do.

My husband’s body lies in a National cemetery. Everyone time I go there, I think of the sacrifice that these people have made to keep us safe.

One our boys is an active duty Naval officer. I will never forget the day that the Cole was bombed. No live amo in their weapons. Unh Uh. The lesser of the evils, not by much, but enough for me.