McCain promises war over Supreme Court

Drudge Report ^ | 07/12/2005 | Matt Drudge

[Imani]

Sen. McCain [R-AZ] Strong Words On Supreme Ct Nomination at Dallas Fundraiser: 'During the campaign, President Bush said he will appoint judges who will strictly interpret the constitution... thinking anything else is either amnesia or ignorance... elections have consequences... whomever he nominates deserves an up or down vote and no filibuster... and an up or down vote is what we will have'...

[Sgt_Schultze]

He might fool the "moderates" but he won't be able to fool the conservatives. There's a reason why our party's mascot is the elephant - conservatives don't forget.

[pointsal]

Heck, I am just holding my breath to see what this REALLY means.

I am pretty short on "trust" for Senator John.

[Rutles4Ever]

McCain has his eyes on 2008. He badly needs the Southern Christian/conservative Catholic vote.

[alarm rider]

"After screwing Frist with the "Deal", now McCrazy is stealing his thunder by getting out first with the Nuclear option. The guy is a self-aggrandizing snake."

Frist let himself be screwed. He hasn't seen the light on that as of yet. The RINO's needed to be stomped as soon as Frist took control, but business as usual- Frist didn't use his power and they ran over him. It's a bit late to close the barn door now. Frist is toast. When someone like "Linsey Light In The Loafers" can get one over on you, you are not paying attention, or paying attention is not possible for you.

You are right about McCain. You can never, I mean never trust this guy.

[Solamente]

He wants the up or down vote to vote "down."

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Now that's how I like to hear him talk!

[COBOL2Java]

Rove gave him his strawberries, and he's happy.

[Crolis]

I've always had the impression that in the game of political chess, Bush has always played with the next 5 or 6 moves in mind while his opponents react to immediate concerns. This seems to be why he is so successful in baiting them into a postion that eventually turns to Bush's advantage.

I'm inclined to think that the "compromise" deal and even some of McCain's behavior are guided or orchestrated with long term goals in mind.

Now the pieces look set up to make the Dems look like they aren't acting in good faith when they obviously will attempt to filibuster, and McCain -- who has broad appeal from so called moderates and more conservative democrats -- lends credibility to execute the nuclear option, as was the term of the deal.

Meanwhile the administration has the MSM running off on a wild goose chase on the Plame/Rove issue and not focusing attention on Dem posturing on the SCOTUS nominees.

I'm guardedly optimistic but I think slowly we are in a position to really press the advantage. GOP leadership knows that if they piss off the base, 2006 and 2008 are not going to go well for them.

[sportutegrl]

McCain is sounding very presidentially hopeful...

Possibly a move to the right before the primary.

[vollmond]

Uh, I think that is nuculer. :)

I think it's knucklehead, as in, "Senate Republicans have all gone knucklehead on us."

[auggy]

"Well, this is surprising."

He is Republican about 10% of the time.

He isn't to be trusted.

[brooklyn dave]

Oh now McCain is fluttering his conservative feathers?

[Redbob]

"I think the repbs in AZ. sent him a message."

And what would that message have been?
"Get behind the President or we'll stop drinking Budweiser!"?

[Always Right]

McCain is sounding more conservative than Bush on this issue. If Bush nominates Gonzalas, the GOP will become the minority party real soon.

[savedbygrace]

Does McCain realize that he saying he wants a justice who will declare the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Law unconstitutional?

Just wanted to repeat that so everyone can read it.

[razorback-bert]

Hmmm, I must have slipped into an alternate universe.

In a couple of days I will slide back to the real one.

[God luvs America]

actions speak louder then words.....

[daybreakcoming]

Remember he was in Dallas Texas at a FUNDraiser when he said this. It won't pass the stick test.

[Slip18]

Ain't it, though? I'm just glad his buddy, Daschle, is gone.

[Crolis]

I think that is a possibility and I'm not so sure it's a bad one.

Most of the money is on Hillary for 2008, and we all know if she wants the nomination, it's hers for the taking.

I've chatted with some coworkers who are clearly left of center and most of them would vote McCain in a McCain/Hillary match up.

If we think longer term than the 2008 elections, the selection of a good conservative running mate could potentially keep the presidency in GOP hands through 2016.

I expect that McCain will move back right over the next 2 years and try for the nomination again. If he sticks to his guns and we get two good nominees in, the base will back him in 2008. And if he puts a good ticket together, perhaps McCain/George Allen, I think we can fend off whatever the Dems have to offer.

If Kilgore wins in the Virginia Governor's race this year, that means he can appoint another Republican to fill Allen's seat should he move to the Vice Presidency.

It would explain why the GOP is trying to be very careful with Florida and why they are discouraging Harris. From what I remember, there is one more election cycle (2006) where the Dems have to defend more seats than Republicans.

The GOP want to maximise their odds I'm sure.