Home > The Barr Code > Archives > 2008 > February > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USConservative cred elusive for McCain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I spent three days last week in Washington, D.C., where, like a recovering alcoholic, I am not infrequently drawn for sustenance and comfort. Part of my time on this latest trip was spent at the 35th annual Conservative Political Action Conference, known among political junkies and media hounds by its acronym, “CPAC.”
CPAC this year attracted a record number of participants — nearly 7,000 conservative activists of all ages, from mid-teens to octogenarians and beyond. However, most of the time the constant rush of young people charging through the all-too-narrow corridors of the huge but still inadequate Omni Shoreham Hotel made it seem like everyone there had overdosed on Red Bull. Still, it was a most interesting experience in this year in which the nation is poised to elect its 44th president.
Noticeably absent this year were a handful of presidential wannabees who had generated such excitement at last year’s event. Nowhere to be seen was “America’s Mayor,” Rudy Giuliani, who last year had sought to soothe continuing concerns over his liberal philosophical bent by sharing his personal conclusion that no other single human being on the planet was his equal in defending America from the scourge of terrorists. Apparently voters had, in the interim 12 months, reached a quite different conclusion.
Also silent was former Sen. Fred Thompson’s booming voice and TV-crafted persona, although reruns of “Law and Order” might still soothe the yearnings of his fans, who had tried in vain to inject a dose of adrenaline into his energy-deficient campaign. Mr. “Tough on Immigration” Tom Tancredo’s one-trick pony gave out long before CPAC 2008 rolled around, as did Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback’s evangelical express. Duncan Hunter, the congressman who’d hoped to ignite a dark-horse candidacy at last year’s conference, was nowhere to be seen, apparently still in the dark.
Notwithstanding the far smaller number of presidential candidates at the 2008 event, the excitement was even more pronounced; but the responsibility to kindle it was left to a foursome of commander in chief hopefuls — John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. And of these, one (Romney) announced he was dropping out while speaking to the convention. Even more interesting, however, was that Romney, Paul and Huckabee all received arguably warmer and more enthusiastic responses than the front-runner, McCain.
And therein lies a serious problem for the senator from Arizona. Even those speakers who came to his defense — conservative journalists Robert Novak and George Will, for example — were treated to repeated booing at points during their defensive deliveries. Even as Novak, Will and other conservative pundits who’ve attempted to rally conservatives to McCain’s camp have ticked off reason after reason why he really should be considered sufficiently conservative to be elected by conservatives as a conservative, many conservatives become more, rather than less, skeptical of his conservative bona fides.
The skepticism is based at least in part on the fact that a rule of thumb in politics is that if you have to spend your time trying to convince voters that you are not something, you probably are. Shakespeare once again had it right — he “doth protest too much, methinks.” Of course, McCain’s problem also has to do with the fact he authored the law bearing his name that is among the most, if not the most, anti-freedom, anti-participatory legislation of the modern era — the McCain-Feingold “Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act.” The simple truth is, when your ability to convince voters of the validity of your message is hampered by the very law you authored, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Still, all is not lost for the elder statesman from Arizona. In every election, at least some Republican voters have shown themselves as willing as their Democrat counterparts to lay principles aside for electoral victory. Unfortunately for McCain, the number of conservative voters predisposed to do this again this year, after the disappointing experience of the last eight years, is unlikely to be sufficient for him to overcome his considerable ideological baggage, especially since many of those voters already have tasted of much more exciting and principled candidates like Paul and Huckabee.
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By GodHatesTrash
February 13, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
McCain, if he seriously wants to be President, doesn’t need to pander to these knuckledragging morons. But watch, he will. Look how he has been smooching Bush and Rove’s bums.
By Rob
February 13, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
I do not agree with McCain on anything. He wants to give the USA to Mexico like Presidente Jorge Bush. McCain is a lying man running on a war record that is 60 years old. He got shot down and sat out the war in a prison… some hero.
By wgadget
February 13, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Ron Paul/Bob Barr
Hope to see you at the Grand March on Washington, D.C., Mr. Barr!
By Jill Thompson
February 13, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
I will be at March with you. Long live the Republic!!
By Copyleft
February 13, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Suck it up, conservatives… you’re going to vote for McCain this November, so quit pretending otherwise.
The GOP can take you for granted, because they know in the end you have no choice. You’ll ALWAYS vote for whoever has an R after their name, no matter what their record or position on any issues.
So quit pretending you have an actual choice. The Republican party owns your vote, pure and simple. The only question is what rationale you’ll come up with between now and November for your inevitable vote for McCain, as the talk-radioheads will undoubtedly instruct you.
“McCain: Because the alternative is (shudder) unthinkable.” Repeat that phrase several times a day, and eventually you’ll accept your role as obedient little Republican sheep.
By GodHatesTrash
February 13, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Why does McCain toadie up to this trash?
Supposedly he stood up to his captors in Vietnam - why is he sucking up to Bush and Rove and these kkkonservative kkklowns? These people trashed his wife and children in 2000, now they are his best buddies.
These people are vicious stupid hatefilled paranoid morons. Trash all. And McClain bows and scrapes to them.
Disgusting display of spinelessness.
By AmericanConstitutionalist
February 13, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Give me a break! CPAC is a Neocon/phony “conservative” outfit that loves singing the praises of RINO frauds like Dubya, McAmnesty, “Flip” Romney etc. John “McManiac” is a open borders, pro-amnesty, pro-North American Union, anti 2nd Amendment, Machiavellian empire-building leftist. Like Hildabeast ClinTAX & Obuma, McKennedy is controlled by the same Globalist Elite masters. McAmnesty is a total fraud that has NO business anywhere near Washington DC!
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd341.htm
By Jeff
February 13, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Copyleft:
I’ll write in the name ‘Ron Paul’ before I’ll EVER CONSIDER punching the button beside ‘John McCain’.
By USAF Vet Dan
February 13, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Funny how the main stream media has and continues to embrace Boom Boom McCain like an over-bearing mother protects her only child, and then talks about how participatory conservatives reject him. Without the media’s interference, McCain’s and Ron Paul’s vote tallies would be swapped.
The main stream media’s blatant act of electoral sabotage has been exposed to those who are awake. Those who are awake are now busy waking up those who aren’t. It’s only a matter of time before the kingdom of the MSM and their elite puppeteers comes crashing down on their heads.
That will be one sweet day!
By lovelyliz
February 13, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Conservative credentials are elusive for most GOPers these day.
It comes down to the difference between a conservative and a neo-conservative.
Conservatives say they are strict consitutionalist, support smaller government/fiscal responsibility, are isolationist and want to keep the government out of our private lives. For the most part their legislative agenda supports this.
Neo-cons say they are strict consitutionalist, support smaller government/fiscal responsibility, are isolationist and want to keep the government out of our private lives. For the most part their legislative agenda shows that, in practice, they are anyhting but.
By Ray
February 13, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
It is hard to imagine any politician really telling the truth. All of them have their finger in the air telling the electorate what they want to hear. Pandering the entitlement crowd for votes and giving away the farm to our “less fortunate” will wreck this country before Bin Laden even has a chance to do us in. We are footing the bill for those 43M or so people who do not pay taxes in this country and these people generate lots of votes. Just ask Hillary.
By Monica
February 13, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
You’ll ALWAYS vote for whoever has an R after their name, no matter what their record or position on any issues.
But we can’t say the same about democrats, can we? Because democrats are never as prejudiced with their thinking as republicans. Whereas republicans dismiss a candidate because he is black or because she is a woman, democrats would never dismiss a candidate because he is a former minister.
By Logical Dude
February 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
So, McCain has a more moderate viewpoint, and brings in loads of moderate votes, while the other candidates aim for the same shrinking pool of ultra-conservatives.
And people wonder why he is getting more votes… he appeals to more people!
And the McCain-Feingold act was a bipartisan effort to try to help reduce the “buy your way to the election” mentality. And he is getting burned by his own party for trying to be bipartisan? Or is it because they didn’t want the oversight?
By Ray
February 13, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
When are we going to get to the point where we put away the D or the R in the ballot box? That designation has done this country more harm than any other one thing in politics. Whether or not you are a D or an R shouldn’t really matter. We need the following from our elected officials: l. Protect us from harm from those who would like to do us in. 2. Help support this effort with a tax base that is fair to ALL Americans. 3. Launch the Mother of All stem cell research programs with the Billions that we are spending to protect our oil interests. 4. Make that electric car that Ford has prototyped that gets 150 miles on one electric charge. 5. Make oil an pollutant that no one wants. Kiss the Arabs goodbye. 6. Quit giving away billions to foreign countries that hate us. 7. Protect our environment for future generations to enjoy. 8. Enact term limits for all those vote hungry politicians who place their election ahead of the welfare of this country.
9. Make EVERY foreigner who wants citizenship in this country come as a legal immigrant with the proper credentials and skills to further our dream rather than stand in it’s way.
I don’t care what we call ourselves, whether a D or an R but we are going down the wrong road and we need to get back on track. We will not do it with self serving politicians leading the way.
By freedom
February 13, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
A vote for McCain is a vote for Clinton and/or Obama. I will not sacrifice my priniciples for the %$#@ rebublican party. I will write Ron Paul in as well!
By CM
February 13, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
I don’t have any deep pychological “need” for the Republican Party to win at all costs. If they lose the election as a result of their devolution to the left, so be it. Having to submit to natural consequences might teach them a valuable lesson.
My former Romney vote goes to Ron Paul, who is RIGHT about a very great deal.
By PeteWeird
February 13, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
You’ll ALWAYS vote for whoever has an R after their name, no matter what their record or position on any issues.
Funny that, I’ve been a registered Republican for over 20 years and I’ve voted only twice for Republican Presidential candidates. Why? Because they are not Republicans anymore, they are the same as the Democrats; Collectivists.
McCain won’t get my vote.
By Jeff
February 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
New grassroots movement: Sacrifice the Republican Party Nomination and write in Ron Paul! Make him the first President in US History elected by write in votes!
By Copyleft
February 13, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Monica: No, I wouldn’t dismiss any former minister as a candidate—as long as he respected the Constitution, of course.
Have you got one in mind?
By The truth
February 13, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
I laugh at the people on this blog who say that conservatives are slaves to the GOP. Conservatives stand on a set of principals, that when used, make this country wonderful. Ronald Reagan for instance. IF you liberals think that conservatives are going to come and vote just because he’s the candidate you have another thing coming. Look at the numbers for republicans. Dismal compared to the democrats. I’d rather Osama or Hillary win and get the blame for a huge mess than a conservative. The same liberals were trash talking about dems taking over the house and senate. THOSE MORONS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING! Democrats are pawns to the hippies of moveon.org!
Remember: Democrats=Socialism
By WR12
February 13, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
The Republicans are going to loose big-time in November.
The party leadership all got behind McCain and endorsed him and when they did so, they effectively handed Hillary the keys to the Oval Office.
I am a lifetime Republican who thought we couldn’t loose going into this election cycle but I now think there is no way we can win. Even I will be voting Libertarian or Democrat this year because I absolutely refuse to vote for the Anmesty-for-all, but Free-speech-for-none candidate annointed by Charlie Crist, Arnold the Governator, and others.
By Lynn
February 13, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I watched the CPAC speeches and have to agree with you. After watching McCain that day and reading up on his platform I’ve decided that IF he gets’ the nomination, this will be the first time in 30 years that I won’t be voting republican. (Unless I write in Ron Paul). I will not vote for Huckabee either. Nomatter how hard I try I just can’t take Huck seriously. Oh what a sad state America is in when these are the candidates we have to chose from (democrats included). sad sad sad
By Fielding J. Hurst
February 13, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
McCain is a Pander Bear.
FJH http://brushfires2008.com
By Kristin
February 13, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
For the person who said the conservatives will vote for McCain in November, you’re wrong. I consider myself a conservative but there is no way that I will be supporting McCain with my vote. If the Democrats take the White House, we deserve it. That’s what the Republican party gets for propelling a wolf in sheep’s clothing forward. For me, Ron Paul is our only hope.
By the truth
February 13, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
A message to all conservatives and libertarians. Watch for Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. He is the newly appointed governor who ran on a strict conservative platform. I hope he can clean up the democrat run state and get it up to par. If he does then I would support this guy. I would probably quit my job and volunteer on his campaign.
By lovelyliz
February 13, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Remember: Democrats=Socialism
Republican=Corporate Fascism
More likely corporate welfare
By woodman
February 13, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Republicans are going to lose this election because they have so feverishly tried to stand behind Bush. Who pandered to their every whim until he blew a gasket on the Border. The “conservatives” have succeeded in making themselves look as stupid as Bush. NOBODY likes Bush and he is the face of the GOP and the conservative movement. You hooked your wagon to the wrong mule. It was evident 3 years ago that the Republicans had successfully run themselves out of town. Just like Newt did.
By Juni
February 13, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
A Republican, but McCain will not get my vote.
By Roy
February 13, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
The biggest reason these “conservatives” hate McCain is because know-it-alls like Coulter, Boortz, Hannity, and Limbaugh tell them too. As for McCain voting against the Bush tax; a question for CPAC? While you’re increasing spending into the trillions, is lowering taxes really a conservative thing?
By Ronald W. Sprague
February 13, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
I am a 76 year old natural citizen of America, a conservative voter that will tell you right here and now that I can never vote for McCain that would let an International tribunal court dictate to the laws of the United States.
Witness McCain’s speach to the CFR on why he thinks that the solution to our problems is a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT and that is why he is for a NORTH AMERICAN UNION and for AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMAGRANTS.
If McCain gets the nod and RALPH NADER gets into the race, I will vote for NADER. I never thought that I would say that, but I would never vote for the two SOCIALIST (commies) running on the Democrat ticket, and at least Ralph Nader would not give our country away.
By JeffnDallas
February 13, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Like several others posting here, if left with no other choice on the ballot, I will gladly write in Ron Paul’s name come the November election!
I will also be joining my fellow conservative patriots at the march in Washington D.C. now being put together by the Ron Paul Campaign!
Let the REAL “Revolution” begin…!
By Matt
February 13, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Roy,
Republicans don’t hate McCain because talk radio tells them to, they hate McCain because of his actions. He has repeatedly done things to alienate them and he relinquished his “foot soldier in the Reagan revolution” credentials long ago in favor of pandering to Kennedy and the Dems.
Talk radio just gives them a place to vent their frustration and be among like-minded individuals.
It’s unlikely they will vote for him in November and it won’t be because they were told not to. Rather it is because they are principled and as a conservative, McCain is a phoney.
By Stu
February 13, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
McCain is not my first choice by a long shot, but I refuse to do what many conservatives are doing - CONFUSING IDEOLOGY WITH PARTISANSHIP! Conservativism is an ideological identifier - which means that it is a product of personal belief constructed by years of both nature and nurture. Partisanship is different. A political party is an organized group with the only goal of getting people elected to important government offices. You can bash McCain as non-conservative - but please consider the alternative if he doesn’t get elected! When Clinton issues an executive order her first day in office to do away with the Bush tax cuts - many so-called conservatives will be sad. When Obama yields to party pressure and begins an all-too-quick removal of US troops, we will yearn for a McCain presidency. Don’t cut of your nose to spite your face - 4 years of McCain, however objectionable, will be a cake walk compared to democratic control.
By AmericanConstitutionalist
February 13, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Stu, don’t be fooled into buying the fraudulant “Left/Right paradigm”. McAmnesty is controlled by the same masters that puppeteer Shillary Rotten ClinTAX & Obuma. The GOP & DNC “leadership” are two sides to the same coin! All three of these traitors are 100% in support of open borders/full amnesty for illegal invaders, the North American Union/SPP, the NAFTA/NASCO Superhighway and BIG government empowerment and spending. Educate yourself on the truth that the “mainstream” media tries so hard to bury…
http://www.jbs.org
By RonPaulLove..ution
February 13, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Another Honest Man! Thanks, Barr. You and the rest who have stunned and delighted me during the Ongoing Ron Paul Campaign restored my faith in people,as Dr.Paul also Cured My(voting) Apathy.I had raised my five children, telling them I am waiting for the Second American Revolution, just not knowing what would shock that many people into action. Thank Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. that it will be peaceful, and successful. See you at the March.
By CM
February 13, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
I do believe that Clinton will raise taxes immediately as I remember well their last batch of retroactive tax increases — oh, “contributions” they called them at the time….
I don’t think she’s going to be the nominee though, though it will get so ugly between now and then as to not even be comprehendable.
By Ron Holland
February 13, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
I’ll never vote for McCain but prefer Ron Paul, Romney and Huckabee in that order.
Ron Paul spoke at the FreedomFest conference last year and he has been invited again this year to join our 100 plus speakers and 1,000 plus attendees in Las Vegas on July 10 -12 at Freedomfest 2008. We must do what we can to get the message of liberty, a return to limited constitutional government and free markets out to the American public. See www.freedomfest.com
By BUzzer
February 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Hey lovelyliz,
Before you use words like Fascism, consult a dictionary. You have no idea of its meaning. You along with all the other liberals only have a small vocabulary from the comments on this blog. Get out from under that government education and work on your education. Oops, a liberal work, that’s a joke. Maybe we should give you a certificate as it is not your fault - yeah right. .
By midschteach
February 13, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
To the individual who sadly feels he is trash and God hates him, Name-calling is a poor substitute for intelligence. Keep thinking that the conservative voice does not matter. We are intelligent enough to act, rather than shoot off foul mouths in order to draw attention. The candidate we should write in is MItt Romney. He is the conservative choice. If McCain gets the nomination, his only chance of bringing everyone together is to make Romney VP. Huckabee does not have the intelligence to be VP, much less President,.of course neither does either Democrat. The recent primarys are simply protests against McCain not support for Huckabee.
By JN
February 13, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series: “Libertarian cred elusive for Barr”, drug warrior.
By MrLiberty
February 13, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
The republicans still have a chance. They can forego insane McCain and vote for Ron Paul at the convention. He is the ONLY one who can beat the socialist the Dems will put up.
The fundamental problem with conservatives is that they want the title, but they don’t want to hold any principles too firmly. War is the biggest government program there is. Yet they love war. Pre-emptive war is a war crime, and a crime against humanity, and a crime against Christianity. Most so-called conservatives don’t care.
After their loss, the best answer conservatives will come up with will be that they needed a rock star like Thompson in earlier to get people excited. The true conservative is already supporting Ron Paul and will know exactly why the race was lost.
Americans of every flavor should be asking themselves two questions about the presidential contest.
Why do 2 political parties in this country get to decide who can and cannot run for president?
Why do we allow the media in this country to decide in advance who will be a “qualified” candidate and them allow them to force all others out of our consideration?
When you stop worrying about the outcome, and start waking up to realize that the problem is with the process, then we can finally work towards a better america.
In the end, it will be the same argument over the giant douche and the turd sandwich as last time, and the time b-4 that, and so on and so on. “Well, he sucks, but the R or D sucks more. You wouldn’t want to vote for someone that actually has the same principles as you, then R or D will win.”
We must retake the state houses, for they are where the horrible ballot access laws are written that make it impossible for independants and third party candidates to run for office. A principled libertarian challenge is all that will ever keep the republicans in check, and a truly liberal party that cares about civil liberties would give the dems cause to finally show some principles.
Oh, and Mr. Barr. Please drop your plans on running as the Libertarian candidate and trying to lead the Ron Paul revolution. You voted for the Patriot Act and I strongly doubt the truth of your transformation into someone that actually cares about the constitution, personal liberty, and freedom. Run for your old congressional seat and let the Revolution run without your distracting influence.
By Write ins
February 13, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
People who are writing in peoples names in the ballots are idiots. You might as well write you don’t care. Your candidate loss and now it is time to choose one that is closest to your beliefs. Your not going to prove anything or change history by adding a name in. Get real and get over it, there will be a president so go vote for the ones left on the Ballot. My candidate loss and I voted for the one closest to the one I wanted.
By MR LIBERTY
February 13, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
SHUT UP ABOUT RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO ONE CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Steve
February 13, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
TO ROB: **SIX YEARS IN A PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, AND YOU SAY McCAIN SAT OUT THE WAR. DID YOU KNOW AFTER 2 YEARS THEY OFFERED TO LET HIM OUT AND HE REFUSED UNLESS HIS MEN ALSO WERE ALLOWED TO LEAVE? YOU ARE ONE SICK SOB..
By Don
February 13, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
McCain now calls for support from conservatives; that they should put aside differences and give their support and, presumably, money to his campaign. Yeah, sure. Does he deserve support from conservatives in return for the way “he” supported conservative issues in the past like McCain-Feingold or McCain-Kennedy or his Gang Of 14 activity? I’m sure that McCain’s immigration advisor, Dr. Juan Hernandez, is just delighted by your imminent nomination, as is the president of mexico. Senator McCain, you made your bed with liberal Democrats and the neocon factions who originally came from the Democratic party. Go lie down with them and seek their comfort. Read my lips Sen. McCain. Under no circumstances sir; under no circumstances.
By Todd
February 13, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Well, the GOP is not going to win this election. Even if McCain won, the GOP would not.
I see two problems. McCain does not have my support, nor the support of any of the conservatives I know. Instead, he has the support of the all the “moderates” (who don’t even know what McCain stands for, similar to the supporters of Obama). Second, McCain’s eligibility is questioned. Even if he wins the Electoral College, his eligibility will be challenged based on the fact that he is a citizen-at-birth, as dictated by statute. There are many who are questioning his eligibility as a natural-born citizen. He was born in Panama to US parents—which under US law makes him a citizen. The Supreme Court has never ruled on this and we will see another Gore v. Bush (2000) where nine justices will decide our next president.
All I can say is 2012 can’t come soon enough.
By Dave C
February 13, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
In the next 32 years our national debt because of the Social Security problems will expand by 500%…Then the severe problems will begin! Some legacy we will be leaving our future generations…And then we elect more of the same! Too bad! Think before you vote!
By Gspot
February 13, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Rob; your “He got shot down and sat out the war in a prison… some hero.” shows what an idiot you are. Read the book “Faith of my Fathers” and then tell us that he ‘sat out the war’. You don’t have to like him or agree with him, but he is certainly more of a hero than you have ever thought about being.
By Gomes
February 13, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Mc Crasy is a fraud. Proof? How many Mc Nuts supporters you know? None? Thats what a tough.
By Marge
February 13, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
The Republican Party leadership mistakenly canonized McCain and again thumbed their nose at the Conservative base as they try to change the meaning of the word conservative and core principles once held by the Party faithful. They refuse to listen to the base. We were screaming at them before the last mid-term elections about George Bush and his liberal policies (spending, not enforcing immigration laws, etc) and they blamed everything on the unpopularity of the Iraq war. More outrageous was their phony response to reach out to “Hispanic voters” and elect Mel Martinez as chairman while we were telling them “Its illegal immigration, stupid”. Still they refused to connect the dots, even when their donations dropped to nil and seemed totally powerless to influence Jorge Bush and his policies. They seem to think that we all better get in line and adopt their new platform under threat of “we need to beat Hillary”. Frankly, we are tired of holding our noses and voting for the lesser of two evils. Anyone who did any research on this in advance, would know how unsuitable and hated McCain is by much of the base, but McCain McAmnesty put his ego and personal ambitions above everything else. Falling in line, the blood brothers from the Senate and prior administrations, gave their endorsements and nods of approval hoping they would be in McCains good graces should be be elected. After all, you would not want to be on the receiving end of The Maverick’s temper. So, once again, the Party itself has demonstrated extremely poor leadership and lack of focus on how to win the support of its candidates. Let them shift to the middle and left and nominate a candidate who has openly defied and cursed the conservatives. McCain is a disgrace. We are sick of his claims to be a “Reagan conservative” and his “I am a hero” POW commercials. No hero praises himself like that. Besides, military service is wonderful and honorable but what he has done as a legislator for the last 25 years has been shameful. He won’t get my vote nor any conservative I know.
By samwaterman
February 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
we must remember that this is the ———-United States of American —not the United States of Israil—we must support Israil but not let them take over government policy like they did with Bush and get us into war—Look at the -John Warner act of 2006- and see if this act follows republican ideals.
By samwaterman
February 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
we must remember that this is the ———-United States of American —not the United States of Israil—we must support Israil but not let them take over government policy like they did with Bush and get us into war—Look at the -John Warner act of 2006- and see if this act follows republican ideals.
By samwaterman
February 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
we must remember that this is the ———-United States of American —not the United States of Israil—we must support Israil but not let them take over government policy like they did with Bush and get us into war—Look at the -John Warner act of 2006- and see if this act follows republican ideals.
By Copyleft
February 13, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Marge: You’re almost right, but with one big exception…
Far-right conservatives are no longer the “base” of the Republican Party. They’re the fringe. THAT’S why they’re being ignored by party leaders this cycle.
By Marvinator
February 13, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
I have voted almost exclusively republican except for a very few local elections. I voted for Jorge Bush twice and although anyone could second guess tactics or policies I solidly supported him. But I QUIT supported him over failure to secure the border and instead his push to bring illegals into the country. Now we’re offered McCain. McCain is the “poster child’ for bringing illegals into the country. He’ll give amnesty to the 20+ million already in the country (Why does no one have a firm number?). With unsecure borders the floodgates are open. The Mexican government forces their working age (and fighting age) men to the north rather than giving them an opportunity in their own country. Its not racists to say that the poor native Indian Mexicans (you don’t see too many Castillian’s forced out) deserve a chance in their own country. Mexico is a country of the “haves” and “have-nots”. The Mexican government is corrupt and US politicians are right in there with them. The “right thing” to do is support Mexicans IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. IMMIGRATION AND TRADE IS FINE. OPEN BORDERS AND ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES TO FADE AWAY FOR THE SACK OF BIG BUSINESS AND GREED IS NOT! Whats wrong with a prosperous Mexico where the wealth is more evenly shared? Why do so many Mexicans have to come north? Mexico has resources including vast oil reserves.
Across America every small town is swamped by illegal immigrants. The schools are packed and walk into any emergency room and its full. Illegals even qualify for food stamps and welfare, and free college in a some states. If you’re a US citizen you work every overtime shift you can, you can’t make your mortgage payment, you stay broke and if you work a little harder you can get a little broker. But you are the ones paying for all these free services. Big Business wants cheap labor and US politicians (MCCAIN) WILL SELL YOUR COUNTRY OUT! If your Hispanic or illegal WE ARE ON THE SAME SIDE!!! You are getting exploited by your own government and big US business. WE are getting exploited by our politicians and big business, too. Big business is screwing poor people on both sides of the border. Imagine that! There is a difference between business and greed!
Democrats talk about national health care and free education for everyone. We cant even pay for that now! Wait til we’ve got 50 mil more illegals!!
Is it too much to ask that we secure the borders, FIRST. McCain wont do that. He gives it lip service but watch him. He never says exactly how he’s going to do that. He says he’s going to have the border governors certify the borders are secure. So that means pro-illegal immigration Richardson (AZ) and smooth talking Perry (TX) are going to wave a wand and proclaim the borders are secure. Then McAmnesty and a wave of humanity. Im patriotic and I intend to vote, but I’ll be voting a write-in name. In the mean time go ahead and put your name on the overtime list!!!!
By Nick
February 13, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
McCain is one of the very few politicians in the country who has some integrity left. The conservatives are just jealous that all of their so called “leaders” have nothing but hyppocrisy.
By Marge
February 13, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
McCain,McAmnesty,McIloveIllegalAliens, McICurseAtAnyoneWhoOpposesMe has NO Integrity. His voting record matters; not his rhetoric at a “Ronald Reagan conservative”. Who is the hypocrite?
By Michael Knight
February 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I must say this election is and will be quite intersting. I will be voting,and I find it refreshing to here a candidate say it takes all Americans to effectively have changes in direction for our Great country.
By David
February 13, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Has anyone ever read one of these posts and said… “wow that changes my whole thinking”… no they have not. All of you just cram it because nobody cares what you say.
By gravel kucinich paul nader
February 13, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
barack obama mike huckabee vs machine
huckabee obama: we understand your disgust. subversion of democracy.
know this: gravel kucinich paul nader will fight any ticket with clinton or mccain on it.
your eyes & ears are open…
Mike Gravel Dennis Kucinich Dr Ron Paul Ralph Nader united by truth elicit fear smear blacklist.
Too many lies, democracy rising democracy now. Rage against the machine.
Honesty compassion intelligence guts.
No more extortion blackmail bribery division. Divided we fall.
By David
February 13, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Gravel Kucinich guy…thanks for the case in point.
By Bobby
February 13, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
The R and D system is set up by the elites to polarize the nation, limit choice, and funnel/force everyone to pick the lame loosers over and over again. We the people must get behind an independent or third party like Nadar. The libertarian in R clothing Ron Paul has some backbone in opposing the war, more so than the big establishment democrats. But Paul is a loon if he thinks free markets run wild will somehow be good for everyone. The robber barrons have stripped out country raw and gotten away with it. The middle class has lost its benefits, job security, and ability to organize. Not that taxation will solve anything. More revenue in the fed govt hands will just get wasted away. But there is a difference between Rs and Ds and what they ‘spend’ or don’t spend on. Rs can no longer claim to be non-spenders. Sure they slash all domestic programs, leaving we the people out as road kill. But they deficit spend us all to hell on their wars for profit. The Ds on the on the other hand want to slash military spending and spend on domestic concerns. So it’s not a matter of who spends and who doesn’t. They both do, just for different purposes. I used to be life long R until I came to realize this. So as a swing voter now, aka independent, I have freedom and am not bound to the lies on either side.
One thing that’s hard to understand is why the white evangelicals continue to screw themselves over by voting R in lock step as one person said ‘like obedient sheep’. The notion of social or religious conservatve ‘values’ don’t exist in the real world. The warlord neocons only use these to trick the religious into thinking they’ll do something about these ‘values’ when in fact they never will, and no political solution will ever be able to force their version of a theocracy on a democratic people. That era in history is long gone. If you really want to stand up for values why not get us out of this war that kills millions for profit? Why not rein in the scandals of the R and make them accountable? There certainly are other ‘values’ , real values, to consider, that is if you are willing to break free of the political/religious propaganda.
But since both parties are bound to the almighty dollar I again argue for a third party. Those who argue for making changes within the existing parties have a point, and obviously we should not scrible in names after the primary season. But still hold out hope that a third party will enter the race so as to actually allow some democracy. But that might be wishful thinking.
By lovelyliz
February 13, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
BUzzer
Ever studied the definition of socialism/communism?
*Fascism A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
By Arnie
February 13, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
The “conservative” Republicans have had such a great run under Bush—allowed 9/11 to happen, a blundered response in Afghanistan, the collosal disaster in Iraq, K Street scandal/Jack Abrahmoff payola, Tom Delay getting booted, Hurricane Katrina debacle, sub prime mortgage mess. That’s just for starters. Why in the world would anyone want to follow in those footsteps? If I were McCain, I’d be happy that the dorky Conservatives aren’t embracing me if Bush-Cheney are their idea of how the government should be run.
By lovelyliz
February 13, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Besides names are just names and calling Hillary Clinton a socialist, communist or whatever doesn’t make any more one than does calling George Bush a conservative make him a real conservative.
If you want to know what conservative really behaves like, look to people like Barry Goldwater and even Ron Paul.
By Ian
February 13, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
I think it is funny we are questioning the motivations of the a man after blinding following one and never questioning his purpose or his goals.
Where was Rush, Ann, or James Dobson when the fiscal budget went awry? I heard the deficient grew by 65% since Bush took office. Way past the government growth that Clinton created. Or where were these Pundits when the patriot act was first enacted and started nullifying parts of the Bill of Rights. It is these things and more that make Bush less of a conservative than anyone. He certainly is no Reagan.
At this time of the GOP we need a uniter who can bring together the independents and the liberals who don’t like Obama’s inexperience. We certainly do not need a religious right conservative like Huckabee. And as much as I like Ron Paul I don’t think anyone else really does.
I think it shows when they angrily raise their collective fists and say they will vote democrat, how splintered and devise we are as a country and a party. If that divisiveness stays we may have someone in the white house who has a small intial D at the end of their name.
By FreedomJoyAdventure
February 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
McCain is a gun-grabbing RINO.
By RaferJanders
February 13, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Why is Mcain’s millitary record sealed, Why as a member of Congress did he block investigation into reports of live M.I.A. and P.O.W’s in VietNam, Why?, check his record at the Naval Academy, or his crashing during flight trainning, but still passed? Or his crash in Vencenca Italy, or on the Forestal, Personal character, Divorced his wife and married a younger women, This guy is not the man for our Country. He is a angry little Admrials son who never became an Adrmial because he could not cut the mustard,and his character was not good enough to be an Admrial, Thats where he blew it. He brought shame on his family’s Great Naval traditions. Go and research this guy with out the help of the media and you will come to the same thing I have. Ron Paul 08
By Bobby
February 13, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Whose the real conservative? First you have to ask what kind or in which area. Economic, Foreign Policy, or Social/Religious. The calls to return to the beloved Reagan years are the ones who want all three: extreme capitalism that allows the rich to rape the country, war mongering military, and social values like bombing abortion clinics. The neocons with Bush-Cheney took what Reagan started and ran with all three as far as they could go. The country now pays the price for it. So if you want more of the same then just vote R. But I think many have now awakened, and as a result moderate republican candidates have arisen and fractured the party, not so much on the religious or foreign policy, but more so on the economic concerns. And rightly so. There needs to be a healthy ‘correction’ to the Reagan-Bush-Cheney maddness. How dare I critic Reagan? Supposedly a moderate republican? He busted unions to hell. Ran up a huge national dept. ‘Secretly’ invaded countries in central america where millions of citizens were murdered just because their goverment wasn’t as cooperative as the US govt would like them to be. But as long as the killing is far way and we blindly believe our govt is doing the right thing then few people care enough about ‘life’ it to oust the war mongering murderers from our govt. We’d rather hypocritically keep them in office because they give lip service to abstract ideas like ‘family values’ or ‘the sanctity of human life’. I THINK THEIR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN THEIR WORDS!