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McCain, Graham warn of potential trouble for GOP next year
Dateline Alabama.com ^ | 11/21/05 | AP By BRUCE SMITH

Posted on 11/21/2005 11:57:23 AM PST by TexasCajun

With the war in Iraq, higher energy costs and breakneck government spending, the GOP faces a tough round of congressional elections in 2006 unless things change, two key Republican senators warned during a campaign appearance.

"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

McCain and fellow-Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were interviewed by The Associated Press when they stopped here Sunday night to campaign for Republican state Attorney General Henry McMaster.

"But we can recover," McCain said. "Reagan recovered. Clinton recovered. We can recover."

The party must show "progress in Iraq, we need a comprehensive energy package and we need to stop this profligate spending," he warned.

"If the election were tomorrow, we'd be in trouble," agreed Graham, who said the party must work to cut spending.

"If we really want to do well in 2006, we need to have fiscal discipline like Republicans campaigned on," he said. "We have lost our way as a party. Our base is deflated and taxpayers don't see any difference between us and the Democrats."

Graham said the party has to again reach the voters.

"You don't have to stop being conservative, you got to start connecting," he said, adding "we need to adjust and if we don't adjust, we're going to be in trouble."

The party, he said, must be honest enough to admit that things aren't going as well as hoped in Iraq.

"Democrats who have this cut-and-run strategy - the public doesn't want to follow that. They want to follow Republicans who understand the war is not going as well as it should but who understand that our security is better off with a successful outcome in Iraq," he said.

The message in Iraq, McCain said, "is we are making progress, we have to make progress and we regret the loss of every single young American. But the benefits of success are enormous."

McCain has been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2008. He said he will not make a decision on a race until after next year's elections.

McCain, looking at Graham, told the crowd of about 100 people that "some people have said this might be a very attractive vice presidential candidate."

The crowd clapped and whistled. Graham simply smiled.


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; 2006; 3rdpartycandidate; amnestynut; armyofone; bushbasher; bushsfault; campaignfinquagmire; congpuppet; democratbuttkisser; dncplant; donthateme; donttortureme; fondafan; gangofidiots; gop; johnkerryfan; johnperot; legendinownmind; matthewsfantasy; mccainiac; mcvain; mecain; mediadarling; mediapony; mosttvshowsinaday; noteamplayer; paininthebush; partydivider; perotof2008; presidentialfantasy; rinos; rossfan; toomuchazsun; wendelwhiner; wheresthecamera; wrongwaymccain
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To: stocksthatgoup

Hmmmmm I didn't think they had the equipment to begin with.


21 posted on 11/21/2005 12:10:53 PM PST by Khepera (Do not remove by penalty of law!)
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To: TexasCajun

Just more of the same from the MSM, namely, the 2006 election is already lost (just like the 2002 election was and the 2004 and the 2008 will also be). Regardless of how inept the Republicans are, they still offer something while the dems still offer, well, does anyone know because I sure as hell am unable to tell.

I know, I know, the Republicans aren't securing the borders, are spending outrageously, are backing down too much etc. But, the next election is far away and I see positive signs of the Republicans getting their acts together, a deficit reduction bill, that brilliant vote on withdrawing from Iraq, Alito, Bush and Co. coming out and fighting against the anti-war slugs, and finally, the dems themselves (the dems might be the best thing the Republicans have going for them right now).

One thing is for certain, no matter what the Republicans do in the next year, the MSM will continue to write stories that all is lost, abandon all hope, the Republican base has gone, the dems have the Republicans right where they want them, etc. etc.


22 posted on 11/21/2005 12:11:17 PM PST by FlipWilson
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To: svcw

Only Republican Politicians who happen to be male, and these two in particular.


23 posted on 11/21/2005 12:11:56 PM PST by asp1
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To: TexasCajun

Heckle & Dr.Jeckle


24 posted on 11/21/2005 12:12:51 PM PST by TheForceOfOne
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To: DTogo
AMEN! Well said, DTogo.
25 posted on 11/21/2005 12:13:21 PM PST by meema (I am a Conservative Traditional Republican, NOT an elitist, sexist , cynic or right wing extremist!)
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To: TexasCajun
"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

No thanks to you, RINO a-hole.

26 posted on 11/21/2005 12:13:26 PM PST by Recovering Hermit
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To: svcw

gild ( P ) Pronunciation Key (gld)
tr.v. gild·ed, or gilt (glt) gild·ing, gilds

1. To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold.

Yes this is what happened to me. Not the gelding thing that's reserved for well... you know... McCain and his buddies.


27 posted on 11/21/2005 12:13:44 PM PST by Khepera (Do not remove by penalty of law!)
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To: TexasCajun

Graham is a weird guy.


28 posted on 11/21/2005 12:14:10 PM PST by Siena Dreaming
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To: TexasCajun

FYI -- Nike Jet landing gear down, landed safely.


29 posted on 11/21/2005 12:14:59 PM PST by TexasCajun
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To: stocksthatgoup
I think Graham disappoints more than McCain. McCain has always been the left's darling. At one time I was a fan of Graham's (never McCain). Not anymore.
30 posted on 11/21/2005 12:15:13 PM PST by asp1
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To: TexasCajun

McLame and GrahamCracher are republicans? Coulda' fooled me!


31 posted on 11/21/2005 12:15:44 PM PST by ozzymandus
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To: TexasCajun
"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Spoken like a true RINO!!! It's people like McCain and Graham who have created many of the problems in the GOP. I wouldn't vote for McCain if my life depended on it.

32 posted on 11/21/2005 12:16:57 PM PST by NRA2BFree (TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.)
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To: svcw

Well, possibly, except for the brave ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan! And the women there? Whoa! I won't even go there!

I've seen some photos of some mighty feminine looking women soldiers that would put these "manly" political wonk cowards to shame, as well they should. Come on back home ladies and run for some political offices, ya got some voters waitin' for ya!


33 posted on 11/21/2005 12:18:28 PM PST by brushcop (We lift up our military serving in harm's way and pray for total victory and a safe return.)
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To: TexasCajun
McCain, looking at Graham, told the crowd of about 100 people that "some people have said this might be a very attractive vice presidential candidate."

They make a cute couple, don't they?

34 posted on 11/21/2005 12:23:24 PM PST by JohnnyZ (Veterans' Day. Enough said.)
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To: TexasCajun
.....we need a comprehensive energy package

LOL! What the hell does this mean?

No drilling, no nukes, no wind power farms.......gerbil wheels perhaps?

35 posted on 11/21/2005 12:24:17 PM PST by zarf (The BCS sucks.)
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To: TexasCajun
And you guys are part of the problem.
36 posted on 11/21/2005 12:25:36 PM PST by Mike Darancette (Mesocons for Rice '08)
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To: All
Yeah right!!... with traitors, renegades like you two... and let's include McRenegadeCain's twin soul brother, Hagel who seem to think that the way to help the Republican party it's by betraying their own party, cutting down the president, and aligning themselves with the Rats and the Left media. (former MSM). Yes, It could happen that the GOP will lose some of its present power next year. But unless we on the conservative wing are meaningless in terms of numbers, these bastards/traitors, with lack of political courage, if think THEY WILL BENEFIT from this, they will have a surprise in their hands.

One think I must give the rats credit... they stuck together and I must say they are doing pretty good for the opposition party.

I always tell my Conservative pals, don't worry about the Dems, worry about our own Rino's... their lack of conviction, their weakness... because they are the ones that will divide us, and defeat us. They are the ones who will open the fort's doors to the enemy. We would have to be retards to support them... and that goes for my own senator Warner of VA. I will not vote for this man again.

37 posted on 11/21/2005 12:26:00 PM PST by ElPatriota (Let's not forget we are all still friends despite our differences :))
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To: clee1
Spoken by the two leading reasons for discontent amongst conservatives.

Really, are these guys that clueless?

38 posted on 11/21/2005 12:30:32 PM PST by Obadiah ( Deuteronomy 6:5)
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To: TexasCajun
McCain and fellow-Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were interviewed by The Associated Press when they stopped here Sunday night to campaign for Republican state Attorney General Henry McMaster.

And I just happen to have a pic of their "press conference"...

McStain is on the Right...

39 posted on 11/21/2005 12:33:59 PM PST by Itzlzha ("The avalanche has already started...it is too late for the pebbles to vote")
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To: DTogo
There is progress in Iraq, Senator, but you RINOs won't acknowledge it and vote for crap like McCain Amdt. No 1977.

McCain's Torture and Interrogation Amendments

Action under S.1042
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.

S.AMND.1556 relates to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government.
S.AMND.1557 relates to uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under the detention of the Department of Defense.
S.AMND.2425 relates to both, "cruel treatment" and "uniform standards for interrogation."

S.AMND.1556 Proposed 07/25, Considered 07/26, Withdrawn 11/04
S.AMND.1557 Proposed 07/25, Considered 07/26, Withdrawn 11/04
S.AMND.2425 Proposed 11/04, Considered 11/04, Passed 11/04 on a voice vote.


Action under H.R.2863
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006.

S.AMND.1977 relates to both, "cruel treatment" and "uniform standards for interrogation."

S.AMND.1977 Proposed 10/05, considered 10/05, Passed 10/05 : 90-9 / Roll Call Vote No. 249

40 posted on 11/21/2005 12:34:20 PM PST by Cboldt
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