Why I Will Vote for McCain By Daniel Oliver

NRO ^ | 19 February 2008 | Daniel Oliver

[K-oneTexas]

Why I Will Vote for McCain Conservative resolve (mine, not his).

By Daniel Oliver

John McCain is not a conservative, but I will vote for him anyway.

After all, in 1952, conservatives, grumbling that Ohio senator Robert “Mr. Republican” Taft had not been nominated, voted for Eisenhower because he was clearly the better alternative to Adlai Stevenson. And they voted for Ike again over Stevenson in 1956.

In 1971, a Who’s Who of conservatives, including the senior editors of National Review, suspended their support of President Nixon because of both his domestic-policy failures and his tendencies in foreign policy.

In 1972, however, National Review endorsed the reelection of Nixon, describing the Democratic candidate, George McGovern, as “not something with which a grown-up superpower can play.”

Was Eisenhower a conservative? No. Nixon? No. Bush (either one)? No. McCain? No. Republicans, yes — it’s a famously big tent — and with some conservative positions. But having conservative positions is not the same as being a conservative.

What is a conservative? Essentially, someone who is temperamentally suspicious of government. That’s why conservatives argue for limited government, economic freedom, low taxes, and fewer regulations. The bumper-sticker version might be: “If in doubt, keep government out.” That demonstrates a healthy skepticism of both government’s competence (think Katrina clean-up) and its fuzzy benevolence, which generally involves toying with any activity that begins with the letters A through Z, scolding people for their behavior (and, er, persuading them to change it), or redistributing their wealth.

The skeptical view of the redistributionist function of government can be described, with apologies to William Graham Sumner, as A and B deciding how much C should give to D.

The behavior-modification efforts of government can be seen in innumerable campaigns and diktats like anti-smoking and anti-obesity crusades and campaign-financing laws.

A useful rule of thumb is: No one who voted for, or signed, the McCain-Feingold Act can be considered a conservative. Unless he recants and repents.

John McCain also opposed Bush’s tax cuts (though his vote may have been less an anti-tax-cut vote than an intemperate anti-Bush vote — but that is not good either) and he favors global-warming programs that most conservatives think are foolish and harmful (if in doubt, keep government out). And — sigh! — he favors importing prescription drugs from Canada, which is not just economic nonsense of the first order but suggests college-level economic illiteracy.

Nevertheless, McCain is clearly a Republican, with some conservative positions. He has promised to appoint judges who will interpret the law, not make it. He has promised to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. And he has promised to fight government spending, to veto any bill with earmarks, and to roll back entitlement programs—positions that, these days, it is an act of nostalgia to describe as “Republican.”

Meanwhile, Senator Barack Obama has been named the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate by National Journal. Senator Clinton can’t be far behind. Against them, Senator McCain would seem the obvious choice for conservatives. But some of them think a term or two in the political wilderness would be beneficial.

Conservatives have been here before. As National Review said in 1972, “There are those, including some of our colleagues, who believe that four years of McGovern would catalyze a recrudescent conservatism. We disagree that the chance is worth taking. McGovern is the erector set of big-think intellectuals, otherworldly dreamers, and children. Belloc warned that dangerous toys should not be given to little boys.”

Senator McCain might help his cause with conservatives if he stopped calling himself a conservative. He is damaging their brand name. And conservatives should stop, now, demanding that he be a conservative: that is not a condition precedent for being the better choice for president. Conservatives should remember that the fault McCain is not a conservative is partly their own: They have not succeeded in making conservatism the iPod in the marketplace of political philosophies.

To conservatives, John McCain sounds like the Devil. That is his fault, not theirs. He has dissed them and enjoyed it. That is not presidential, and if he does not stop he will not be president. He should make—and is making—amends, and not for his own sake, or for the conservatives’, but for the country’s.

It is time for conservatives to accept reality (accepting reality is another conservative trait); and the reality is (1) John McCain will be the Republican nominee for president and (2) he will make a far better president than the Democratic alternative.

Dangerous toys should not be given to little boys.

Or to little girls.

— Daniel Oliver was chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Reagan. He is now a senior director at White House Writers Group and chairman of the board of National Review.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Yeah I guess Busta-mecha would have been better then Rino Arnold?

I don’t have control over backstabbing Arnold, nor the California electorate that rejected ALL his propositions for reform. at least he tried, then he went full rino.

But WE all have control over who gets put into the election hopper. we slacked off and we got McCain. So there it is.
Whining now won’t help. It’s done. And you note nearly 60% of Freepers have the sense to grit their teeth and vote for the SOB to keep the damned democrats out of power.

California Governor is NOT the same as President of the United States of America. Leader of the freakin free world. Commander in Chief of the US armed forces.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Nor will he get mine. If the SOB wins, which I don't think that he can, he will do it without my checkmark on a ballot. I'm done enabling the GOP in their leftward bent.

[K-oneTexas]

I read a lot he by those opposed to McCain. Who would like nothing better than to register this disgust with him. To do that they would allow socialist to take over the White House.

I am not enthralled by McCain. But I will not vote for a socialist ... Hillary or Obama. McCain, a liberal Republican, is not a socialist.

Republican choices this time were slim. Moving from staunch conservative to liberal conservative, I see the following.
Hunter, a staunch conservative and my first choice, didn't run a national campaign. I don know but he didn't really seem to want to be President. His campaign was less than stellar.
Fred Thompson, a true hope for a conservative, entered the race late and didn't seem to want to run. He did not appear to have the fire in his belly.His campaign was less than stellar also.
Mitt Romney, a moderate conservative, tried to run but to my mind should have run as a leader ... cause he was the only leader in the race. A moderate republican who was governor of the most liberal state in the Union.
Rudy, a cross between a moderate in fiscal matters and a liberal in social matters, for some unknown reason (like Fred) waited to long to truly begin his campaign. Relying in Florida and not trying elsewhere (for what ever reason) doomed him.
Huckabee, not even a conservative or a republican. He is a grassroots populist wearing a republican badge and a liberal populist at that. His run is relying solely on the convincing the people to 'gore' the party, by promising all they want to hear. He is a good used car salesman. Plus, he isn't the man to do it as his statics reflect over the primaries (200 some delegates).
McCain, is a moderate to liberal conservative. yeas this spectrum exists withing this group, just as it does with democrats. He is not perfect. He is closer to conservative views on many issues but not all.

Comparing them to the socialist welfare for all, redistribution of income, decimate the military, appease radical Islam folks of the democrats who are not even for America ... I'll go with McCain.

He will fight radical Islam and with stalwart conservative in Congress will secure the borders. Two things needing done ASAP in order to secure the other core values and beliefs to make this country great again. He will appoint better judges than his opponents. Without these in place the economy nor anything else will really matter.

This is my opinion on this subject. Has been and will continue to be. No amount of talk about deserting the party and don't support McCain will change my mind. I know the past, been there, lived through it. I know his record ... he is a known quantity that can be dealt with, with the help of conservative in Congress.

I don't want to clean-up after 4 or 8 years of a dem. Even if they screw things up royally the dem party will not be destroyed. Down the road they will not even be blamed seriously blamed for anything, they'll see to that. McCain at the top of a republican ticket will not destroy the republican party either. Creation of a third party that will take its place among a multitude of third parties is really not a winning course of action. If there was a viable third party it would be on top or we'd have a three party system.

Ceremonial votes are not a solution. For those who want to vote for another party or platform because it is closer to your beliefs, please do so. But vote for what you believe in, not against an individual because you don't like them or they don't met your standard of what the candidate should be. The country, all voters will eventually pick the candidate, foisted on us by the party or the media.From what I see now a brokered election is not going to happen. Even if it did what candidate would be electable in a 30 day campaign prior to the General Election. None. McCain is the only viable chance at this date in time.

My worry now is the future. The future for my children and grandchildren. The democrat view of the future is to strip all of their self-worth and worship the big government welfare machine. Not for me. Nor for my kids. I will fight it with my last vote and my last breath.

[Cicero]

I’m not sure about that. Keep in mind two things about the 2006 election. First of all, the winning Democrats who took Republican seats were mostly “blue dog Democrats,” posing as conservatives.

Second, by that time, Bush and the RINOs in congress were already starting to offend a lot of conservatives and religious voters. I think the voters were stupid to take it out on solid conservatives like Rick Santorum, but I don’t think the reason the Dems did so well was that the electorate was less conservative. The reason was that the party was already thumbing its nose at the base.

[RTO]

More arm twisting by the elite establishment of party hacks:

HERE’S YER SIGN...

Let’s Twist their Arm (Sung to ‘Let’s Twist again’, by Chubby Checker)

Come on everybody, clap your hands…
Now I’m looking good!
I’m gonna sing my song… and you better go along!
We gonna twist your wrist… and it goes like this:

Come on let’s twist their arm… for the RINO wonder
Yeah, let’s twist their arm… like we have for years
Hey, you Republicans… John is our front runner
So let’s vote him in… this election year.

Yeah, Johnny’s on the mound, so we’re bound to win…
No way is he RINO, so here we go again!
Let’s twist their arm… for the RINO wonder
Let’s twist their arm… like we have for years

Come on let’s twist their arm… for the RINO wonder
Yeah, let’s twist their arm… like we have for years
Hey, you Republicans… John is our front runner
So let’s vote him in… this election year.

Yeah, Johnny’s on the mound, so we’re bound to win…
No way is he RINO, so here we go again!
Let’s twist their arm… for the RINO wonder
Let’s twist their arm… like we have for years

[RKB-AFG]

gotten a dismal plurality

That may be true; however, Huckabee, Romney, Thompson, Guilani, Paul, and Hunter have not been able to get a plurality of any kind.

Some states have open primaries and others have closed primaries. The states have to decide what kind of election they will have before the election. All of the candidates, Republicans and Democrats knew the rules before the campaign began.

McCain won. Not my preferred candidate. I will vote for Huckabee in Mississippi's upcoming primary because he is the most conservative candidate left. But McCain has won according to rules.

[K-oneTexas]

This is what I was speaking of on those against McCain. You don’t want to hear my thoughts ... but I must listen to yours. Little songs and diddys are not intelligent discussion on any subject.

[TigersEye]

Comparing McCain to Eisenhower or Nixon is disgusting and ridiculous on any level.

McCain’s “conservative” record. My collection.

FR links on McCain's record from Feb. 2000. MrChips collection.

[mysterio]

For some reason, the Republican party thinks eliminating conservatives, paleos, and small l libertarians is a winning strategy.

[bill1952]

He has a chance to earn my vote. Tagline.

> and with stalwart conservative in Congress will secure the borders.

Not one shred of evidence to prove that he will do that and turn his back on all that he has said and done so far. - Sorry.

[RTO]

Wow... They are desperate... Here is my answer:

Desperate RINO (Sung to ‘Desperado’ by the Eagles)

Desperate RINO…
Why don’t come to your senses?
You been out razin fences for ol’ Juan’s plow
Oh, you got a hard-on…
I know that you want more heathens…
These things they are ‘treason’ to
Ann Coulter’s crowd.

Don’t our laws have meaning, RINO boy?
We’ll beat you if we’re able…
You know the free of heart will all secure this bet…

Now it seems to me your lying has been laid bare on the table,
but you only want the votes that you can’t get

Desperate RINO, oh, you ain’t getting the plunder.
McCain you can hunger, we’ll throw you a bone…
And freedom, oh freedom… well, that’s got people talkin’.
Your prison we’re lockin’ through this movement we own.

Your defeat will choke the party mimes!
Our guys won’t show at convention time…
It’s hard to sell those white lies to their face.
We’re through with all your hype and snow…
With no money cow, the winning goes… away.

Desperate RINO… why dont you come to your senses?
Don’t tear down them fences, n’ open the gates…
It may be payin’ but there’s a boulder above you…
You better get this message: We’re through! For you its too late.

[Marcella]

“I don’t want this.”

---

Much more likely to get it with Mad McCain. Don’t want Mad McCain near that button.

[RKB-AFG]

1)I hope you are right.

2)I was truly upset to see some many good conservatives lose their jobs in 2006; good conservatives like Rick Santorum, Jim Talent, George Allen, et al.

[DoughtyOne]

Scarmongering is all they’ve got. Look at what they’re running up the flag pole.

[DustyMoment]

Why I Will Vote for McCain By Daniel Oliver

Why I Could Care Less What Daniel Oliver Does With His Vote By DustyMoment

[K-oneTexas]

Heard them all, lived through them. I still believe a Republican Administration even with McCain at the top will be better than any Democrat Administration. With a Republican Administration and conservatives in Congress (and I hope gaining more) at least the status quo can be maintained. If we swing the pendulum too far left the military will suffer, the USSC will get liberals on it and open borders will be the norm. Then a lifetime will be, our children and grandchildren, will be lost. Most especially with the court decision that will be inevitable.

[dforest]

Gee, another “why I am going to vote for McCain” article. Looks to me people have to convince themselves by putting down on paper and telling the world why they must vote for McCain. It is starting to be rather funny.

If you want to vote for him, vote for him. Who the hell cares?

[calcowgirl]

I ain’t whining... just commenting on the lack of vision.

Yes... Bustamante would have been much “less-worse” — and ARnold turned left FAR before he offered any reforms (that weren’t conservative, anyway.)

Carry on selling the snake oil!

[ElPatriota]

don't panic... this pic is only 75kb... You must be able to see it in its entire beauty! :) ....

[jwalsh07]

Four reasons to vote for McCain:

—Earlier this week, Obama voted against the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This would severely undermine our intelligence gathering capabilities in the war against radical Islamic extremists.

—Obama has voted against a bill protecting homeowners from being sued by burglars they shoot in their own homes.

—Obama would implement the largest tax increase in American history - by not making the Republican tax cuts permanent.

—Obama has voted against Illinois ‘s version of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. This act is designed to protect those babies who survive an attempted abortion.