Posted on 01/01/2008 1:08:36 AM PST by Norman Bates
Eight years ago, when he was running as a political maverick against Republican establishment candidate George W. Bush, we endorsed John McCain for the GOP nomination for president of the United States.
We did so because of his integrity.
We did so because of his leadership.
We did so because of his forthrightness and his refusal to pander to voters by telling them what they wanted to hear.
A lot of things have changed in this country during these last eight years, starting with the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, which resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans and led to the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
But not everything has changed. McCain is here once again, crisscrossing the Granite State in his Straight Talk Express tour bus, displaying the same integrity, vision and, yes, straight talk that marked his earlier, unsuccessful run for the presidency.
Oh, and one more thing hasn't changed: our support.
Today, we endorse John McCain for the Republican nomination for president. At a time when some candidates present themselves to voters as something they haven't always been, we find the Arizona senator to be the genuine article. You might not always agree with his answers, but you won't leave a conversation wondering where he stands.
McCain also has established a reputation during his 24-year congressional career as standing up for what he believes – regardless of whether it's in line with party leaders or his president. If that means working with someone from across the aisle, then so be it.
And it's that kind of leadership – someone willing to put conscience ahead of party – that is going to be absolutely critical in persuading Congress to abandon the paralyzing partisanship of the past in order to work together to resolve the many domestic and foreign challenges of the future.
During the course of presidential campaigns, there are usually a handful of memorable moments that resonate with voters.
One of those came during the Republican CNN/YouTube debate of Nov. 28 in St. Petersburg, Fla. In response to a direct question from CNN moderator Anderson Cooper on whether waterboarding is a form of torture, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney went to great lengths to avoid answering the question.
While making clear he opposed torture, Romney said repeatedly that it would be inappropriate for a presidential candidate to describe specifically "which measures we would and would not use."
"Well, Governor," McCain responded, "I'm astonished that you haven't found out what waterboarding is."
When Romney insisted he knew very well what it was but still didn't believe it was appropriate to talk about it, McCain responded that he was "astonished" anyone could actually believe that waterboarding wasn't torture and as such a violation of the Geneva Convention.
"And, Governor, let me tell you, if we're going to get the high ground in this world and we're going to be the America that we have cherished and loved for more than 200 years, we're not going to torture people," McCain said.
That fire-in-the-belly response should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the senator's remarkable pre-congressional career. Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Twenty-two years in the U.S. Navy, interrupted by 5-1/2 years of grueling captivity as a prisoner of war after being shot down in his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam in October 1967. Recipient of the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service to his country.
John McCain not only has earned our gratitude for his meritorious service to his country, but once again our endorsement for the Republican nomination.
Chortle...
Is New Hampshire the new Massachusetts, or what? Someone needs to change this primary system ASAP!
I can understand the supporters of the other republicans—even Ron Paul. I really don’t understand McCain supporters. McCain-Feingold, amnesty for illegal aliens (which just incensed me)... When the MSM calls you a “maverick” you know something isn’t quite right. Reaching across the aisle to dems is fine, bending over for them is something else again.
He’s an honorable man who has served his country. We all respect him for that. I don’t see him as president though.
Oh really...?
SEN. MCCAIN "NEVER SUPPORTED AMNESTY"? (McCain's Claim from Sunday)
It depends on the meaning of “never” (McCain's Convenient Memory)
All the basically liberal newspapers endorsing McCain. Something wrong with this picture? They love it that McCain is soft on the torture question because they don’t believe it should be used themselves. Heaven help our country if it comes down to questioning a terrorist one day who knows where the dirty bomb is hidden.
Would you please add me to The McCain List? Thank you.
Don’t forget he flip-flopped on which Protestant group he belonged to. In South Carolina, he’s Baptist. In DC, he’s Episcopalian.
If John McCain gets the nomination, I will be very sick. He is a two faced RINO and I can not trust him. Amen.
I agree - the Presidential race has always been rough!
But now the liberal media doesn’t care if actual voting people don’t like their liberal choices! The liberal media just ignore the other conservative candidates that are too conservative for their tastes! And only cover those who are liberal and agree with their ideas - like McCain!
It makes me sick! Where are the conservative media reporters!?
John Who?
That’ll be a cold day in......
John McCain is not a conservative. He has always tried to play both sides of the aisle to his own advantage. I respect him for his service, but that’s about it.
Amen.
Another RINO the elites are trying to shove down our throats.
> We did so because of his integrity.
>
> We did so because of his leadership.
No, they endorsed him because the Nashua Telegraph are communists and see little difference between him and the Shrew, Hillary.
> We did so because of his forthrightness and his refusal
> to pander to voters by telling them what they wanted to
> hear.
No, he refuses to honor the Constitution and panders to the Left.
Another endorsement for the closet socialist from another communist rag.
Ho hum.
NH has had way too many invaders from Taxachussetts. They loved NH for it’s low taxes and pristine beauty. But now they are turning it into the same socialist hell-hole from which they escaped.
McCain’s definition of what “never” is is the same as the majority of our politicians. It is the definition of “amnesty” that they get confused. So, McCain can say he was “never” in favor of amnesty because he defines what “amnesty” is just like Jorge Bush, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, etc! If an illegal “earns” their way to legal by paying a fine and being good, that is NOT amnesty.
New Hampshire?
Being down here in NC we don’t get to vote until May.
I’ll go vote in the primary. We’ll see who the contenders are around then.
I have friends who are all over the board on the Republican runners but nobody, I say again, nobody is pulling for McCain. None of them have been called for a poll either.
McCain/Feingold
While I still would like to see Fred Thompson win I don't understand the hatred expessed here for McCain. He has been more hawkish on the War on Terror than either Huckabee or Romney. I believe this country would be safer with him in the White House than either one of them. Domestically, he is slightly more conservative than either of them. I would vote for McCain in a heartbeat over any of the Democrats or Huckabee or Romney.
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