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.
I recently took one of those online tests to see which candidate is closest to my desires. It came up with Fred Thompson and John McCain having the same (highest) score for my choices.
Now, I feel very comfortable with Fred Thompson, but why did McCain rate the same? I am uncomfortable with John McCain.
I suspect that it is his claimed positions, rather than the positions he has taken over the past several years.
AND...it looks like Fred (my first choice, my second being Duncan Hunter) and Duncan are completely out of the race.
What’s a conservative to do?
What's a conservative to do? Wait for this to play out at the convention. It's not going to be over after two primaries in states that total 11 electoral votes. This is a media driven primary and Republicans shouldn't get sucked into it like they have.
“I can understand the supporters of the other republicanseven Ron Paul. I really dont understand McCain supporters.”
Judging from that statement you must not place a lot of emphasis on the Global War on Terrorism or Iraq, of which McCain has the most credibility on.
I don’t know about the Telegraph but the N.H. Union Leader and the Boston Herald are not exactly liberal newspapers and they gave full-throated endorsements for McCain and McCain only (no accompanying Democrat).
Done. Welcome aboard!
McCain-Feingold-Thompson? Yes, what about it?
Free Republic Opinion Poll:
Would you be for or against McCain?
Member Opinion
against 92.4% 2,989
for 7.6% 247
McCain and Stem Cell Research Round-up
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II
U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero
John McCain: The Manchurian Candidat
McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists
McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)
John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS
A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)
McCain Seeks to Change California Primary
McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero
Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)
Not Childs Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]
McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)
Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)
McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]
McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats
McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)
John McCain Goes Left for Money
McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing
Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain
Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO
More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)
The following links posted by raving utter and lifted by me
How Cindy McCain was outed for drug addiction(stole drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team)
John McCain: Hypocrite by Mark R. Levin
John McCain and the Kemper Marley organised crime network
McCain and his Chicom Connections: Posts #17 and #18 by Calpernia
More links I found...
TEN REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT MCCAIN (Free Republic thread from 2000)
It depends on the meaning of never (McCain's Convenient Memory) **NEW**
Judging from your comment anyone who doesn’t like McCain is against the War on Terror. Judgements can be tricky things. :-)
The WoT is a huge issue, obviously. If management of the war were the only issue for a president, though, then I say we petition for Petraeus to run for POTUS.
And all that is great (some of that is debatable I think, but I don’t know all the details about McCain), but he lost me on immigration. What’s the point of winning WoT but being invaded from the south?
And if we’re talking experience, couldn’t you put Hunter in there too?
“I dont know about the Telegraph but the N.H. Union Leader and the Boston Herald are not exactly liberal newspapers and they gave full-throated endorsements for McCain and McCain only (no accompanying Democrat).”
Fine, enjoy amnesty for illegals because that is what you will get with McCain. Plus more campaign finance reform. Plus other assorted bad things like no tax cuts. Don’t know how any thinking Pub can back McCain when he has stuck the stiletto in the backs of the conservative base time and time again. But then again, some people are masochists.
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