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petey23
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 6, 2008 - 06:02am PT
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This was a first draft of an op-ed piece I was working on that I scrapped when I lost interest in the premise. Given the events of the last 2 weeks, other things have taken priority politically and otherwise, so this doesn't really seem relevant anymore. Nonetheless, I thought I would share it with the Supertopo community so that they can tear it apart as they see fit.
How John McCain lost the Centrist Vote
In a political environment full of cynicism, and pessimism, John McCain seemed different. In 2000 I saw members of my party engage in negative push-polling that destroyed the McCain campaign’s chances in South Carolina, and I saw Senator McCain pledge honesty in his ads and statements. I saw him take unpopular stands on the issues that divorced him from his own party. I admired John McCain.
More than that, however, I agreed with him. Respect and admiration for a candidate is important, but I also valued that he was a conservative in the old sense. He was a free trade fiscal conservative, who opposed Bush’s reckless tax cuts in the face of a looming national debt. He was that now-rare Republican politician who voted against a Federal Amendment banning gay marriage, who accepted a scientists’ view of stem cell research, and who held an enlightened view of global warming. He had me when he called Falwell and Robertson “agents of intolerance.” He was a Republican after my own heart and that of many others: a free marketer who wanted government to stay out of the bedroom.
I was excited to see Obama and McCain—both respected candidates who tend towards positivity—fight for the presidency in what The Economist called “America at its best.” What we’ve received has been nothing of the sort.
I overlooked McCain’s support of the foolish gas-tax holiday, recognizing that a bit of populism and pandering in an election year is not unheard of. I looked past the Hagee endorsement, admitting that political expediency sometimes requires you become friends with unsavory individuals. I understood when McCain altered his views subtly on abortion, comforting myself with his 1999 statements that he would nominate Supreme Court justices based on experience and that an abortion litmus test would not be implemented.
But then McCain reneged in his opposition to the Bush tax cuts, signaling a move away from fiscal conservatism. After blasting the President for not supporting spending cuts to match his tax cuts, McCain has decided to support making those cuts permanent, without citing where he will cut revenue aside from those ubiquitous earmarks he is always condemning. This is fiscally irresponsible on a huge scale, given the size of the national debt and the recent economic crisis necessitating a $700 billion piece of economic crisis legislation.
He moved away from his moderate stance on illegal immigration, arguing for militarizing the borders in contrast to his earlier positions that angered the right-wing of his own party.
He also engaged in negative campaigning. In fact, independent sources indicated his negativity had far surpassed that of the Obama camp. Where had the McCain of old gone?
And finally, he exercised what many Americans are considering to be poor judgment when he chose an inexperienced running mate with limited command of the issues. An inexperienced, but dynamic young voice in the campaign would have been a positive thing. But McCain was so blinded by his need to appeal to the religious right that he made what--by most objective standards--was a dangerous decision. Conservative pundits and independent journalists alike are wondering aloud what this says about McCain’s judgment and whether it bodes well for his decision-making on tough issues and in times of crisis.
Speaking frankly, John McCain is alienating his once-strong supporters in the center of American politics. I would demand “Bring back the real McCain!” but I’m starting to wonder if this is the first we’ve ever seen of him.
It’s not too late Senator.
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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He is a maverick no more. He abandoned his beliefs that differed from the party. He has lowered himself to attack ads as a last ditch resort to gaining votes.
Palin is a total tool, scripted and delivered with the McCain smirk and grin.
There is nothing christian about Republican politics.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Nice, but you left out his flip flop on torture. Something that deeply disgust me. And yes, I would be more likely to vote Republican if they really were conservatives, but the party no longer is.
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jstan
climber
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While McCain is home in Sedona Palin is sent out to work the crowds as his front man.
His campaign clearly believes McCain is not personally able to build support for himself.
But that is the first skill a president must have in a democracy. To be able to build support.
Draw your own conclusions.
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WoodySt
Trad climber
Riverside
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At this point, it pretty much depends on the two coming debates.
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jstan
climber
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Woody:
Care to share the data you have on this with us?
McCain is going to great lengths to persuade us he is a Maverick. This is probably true. He was 895th out of 899 cadets at Annapolis, reportedly because he loved to jerk his commanding officers around. He got poor performance reviews. He was quite happy to accept participation in a "system" while refusing to work with it.
These are the qualifications for a person who plans to become a tyrant. Not the qualifications for a President in a representative democracy.
McCain is running for a job that does not exist, at least as far as centrists are concerned. On the other hand some of us may yearn for a tyranny. They assume, of course, they will be good drinking buddies with the guy at the top and they will become wealthy.
Just like they became wealthy under Mr. Bush.
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petey23
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 6, 2008 - 11:42am PT
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John: That is one issue that I forgot, which also upset me at the time. I suppose I've become used to disappoint over the last year or so, so maybe I forgot that.
Warbler: I agree with your assessment--this is part of the reason that I abandoned the article. It no longer seemed relevant, because I no longer feel it is possible to fix his position in the eyes of centrists.
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WBraun
climber
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McCain has become a total slime ball in his campaign.
Palin is even worst, because she's so stupid she hasn't a clue to what she's doing.
Most disgusting two politicians ........ please go away you two.
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Witch Hunter
Social climber
Templeton, CA
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Don't put it pass the people of this country electing him. If you all thought the last eight years were bad, just wait and see what John and Sara will bring for Christmas.
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Chaz
Trad climber
So. Cal.
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If you are the one in control of your own life, it doesn't matter who the President is.
I don't give a sh#t who gets elected next month, MY world will rock just the same regardless.
I feel sorry for you people, though.
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dirtbag
climber
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"MY world "
That's a good summary of Republican principles the past several years: "MY world." In other words, it's all about me.
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Binks
Social climber
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McSmear has only succeeded in smearing himself. He's a miserable creature now and it can be seen in his eyes. Millions of Americans held him in good esteem myself included. He squandered it all. He's shown that he's nothing but a slime ball in this campaign. Country last. The racist and low ball tactics continue from his court. Gone is any pretense of being more qualified at tackling the actual issues.
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Yeah it's way, way too late for him.
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho
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It's a sad state in Amerika where the country has been so dumbed down by 8 years of a so-called administration that a genuine spitback ditz from the crystal meth capital of Alaska is thought of as intellegent by a significant percentage of comrades.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Seems like Palin is now the hatchet person al la Cheny. She can do no better than calling Obama a terrorist ...... What evil LOSERS the republicans have become. I used to be a republican not so many years ago.....
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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don't overestimate the intelligence of the american voter.
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Witch Hunter
Social climber
Templeton, CA
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And speaking of Palin, how long until Obama starts pointing out the she is "literally" sleeping with the enemy?
Also, did anyone catch Palin's comments last week about how her treasonous husband and her couldn't afford health insurance for her family until she and Todd "found good union jobs"?
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Chris2
Trad climber
The Gunks to Joshua Tree
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There is one certainty with Palin. Win or lose in this election, she is going to be a force to deal with for many years to come!
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rockgirl
Sport climber
Flagstaff, AZ
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How's that? When McCain/Palin lose this election, Palin will be forced to crawl back under the rock she came from and will fade into history a la Ferraro.
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