Posted on 01/04/2008 12:22:47 AM PST by billorites
When I head into the voting booth Tuesday, I will be casting my vote for John McCain. If, a year or so back, you had told me that thats what I would be doing come primary day, I would have politely told you that youre nutstheres no way I could vote for the maverick Arizona Senator. So what has happened? How could I possibly be supporting somebody that gets regularly panned by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and others that I respect on the right?
The answer is easy: the New Hampshire primary process. Because the hallmark of our states unique position as the kickoff for the presidential races is retail politicking, we get to see most of the candidates up close and personalif we choose to do so, which I have.
In addition to taking advantage of the intimate contact afforded all New Hampshire citizens at public events and meetings, thanks to my online activities here at GraniteGrok.com, my weekly column in the Laconia Daily Sun, and the Saturday morning radio program, I have had additional opportunities to interact with several of the candidates and their closest advisors on a very personal level.
With the multitude of ways that the presidential wannabees have at their disposal to engage in real, one on one conversations with as many people as possible, one hopeful stands out from the rest: John McCain. I can attest that this is a man who doesnt pre-screen the questions that come his way and is ready to take on all comers.
While I like Rudy Giuliani, my second choice in this cycle, he just doesnt hold a candle to the Senator when it comes to having the ability (desire?) to answer standard questions from the regular folks outside of the town meeting atmosphere. In one instance, when walking beside me towards his campaign bus, the mayor refused to answer a simple question about the trash-to-energy industryquite expansive in New York State telling me that he simply cannot walk and answer substantive questions.
I was then politely sidetracked by one of his handlers. Needless to say, as I was feeling rather disposed to vote for him at the time, I was taken aback by this brush off. Dont get me wrong, I wasnt trying to pull a do you know who I am moment or anything like that, but his local NH people actually DO know who I amand knew me to be favorable to Hizzoner at the time.
McCain and his people are completely opposite in this regardand not just for the likes of me. At every town hall meeting that I have attended, the campaign staffers have had to practically drag their man kicking into the bus in order to make the next stop in a timely manner. The problem? He is so comfortable with his beliefs, opinions, and thoughts, that when he engages the folks, he actually communicates with them for real.
When you have nothing to hide, and you are up front with your core beliefs and ideals, there is no trick question one might come up with that cant be answered.
In addition to his connectivity with the people, there are the issues themselves.
Many Republicans believe that their nominee must stand opposed to abortion. There is no ambiguity here. Sen. McCain definitely fits the bill on this one.
For people like me, the new world war with the Islamo-fascists trumps all else. I believe that the path to victory starts with the front in Iraq. Nobody has been a stronger advocate for finishing the job than John McCain. And while you might be able to fathom his knowledge of the military and governmental players from about the globe from bits and pieces you catch at public appearances and on TV, I can assure you that you have only scratched the surface.
Several months back, I had the chance to take a ride on the Straight Talk Express, where I ate chicken wings with this genuine American hero. We had nearly an hour of conversation about a variety of things, including some details about military strategies and the realities on the ground in Iraq. I cannot stress enough how impressed I was with his understanding and awareness of these matters. Add to that his personal experience in Vietnam, and you get a person with insight from the perspective of the soldiers that must fight wars as well.
This is a man that will be ready to be commander-in-chief on day one. Beyond that, I have participated in a number of Blogger Conference Calls with the senator. Given the wild West nature of the blogging community, these were no-holds barred exchanges where, again, the sense of his awareness on a variety of matters both great and small was always plainly in evidence.
But Doug, what about illegal immigration? I am confident that McCain gets it when it comes to this one. At a town hall meeting in Wolfeboro just after the defeat of the so-called comprehensive immigration bill, he duly noted that Americans had spoken and want the borders verifiably sealed before anything else gets done in this area. It is the rare politician that acknowledges being wrong on a matter, and recognizes the collective voice of regular people.
Beyond all that, I think its imperative that the Democrats are prevented from gaining the presidency during this moment in time. McCain still carries great appeal among independents and even a fair number of Democrats. In a phone conversation with a prominent local Democratic leader this past Monday, he admitted to me that if McCain were to end up as the President, he would be OK with that. The President must stand ready to be the leader of ALL Americans, not just members of one party or the other. It is a good bet that McCain has the ability to attract enough votes to win it all for the GOP next November.
If our Democrat friends admit this possibility as being one they can live with, then perhaps we can at least throttle back some of the bitterness that has gripped our nation since the 1992 election. Thats a notion Im sure we can all agree with.
We will not be able to successfully finish the war unless there is a degree of unity among the people of our nation. It will take a real leader to make that happen -- one who can convince Americans of the rightness of our cause. This will take someone who is trusted, and can explain things in plain fashion. I am convinced McCain is up to that task.
Doug Lambert is co-owner of the GraniteGrok.com blog and writes a column for the Laconia Daily Sun.
Nor mine.
McCain: "Clean Government" More Important Than 1st Amendment [video]
Transcribed:
McCain: "He also mentioned about my abridgment of First Amendment Rights, i.e., talking about Campaign Finance Reform. My response to that criticism is I work in Washington and I know that money corrupts and I and a lot of other people were trying to stop that corruption and obviously from what weve been seeing lately we didnt complete the job. But...I would rather have a clean government than one whose quote First Amendment Rights are being respected that has become corrupt....if I had my choice I would rather have a clean government......[chuckle]"
America must either remain a constitutional republic or submit to international law because it cannot do both.
Unlike the rest of the Republican field, reporter Bob Egelko said, Sen. John McCain has said he would like to see the United States join the international court, although he would first require more protections for U.S. personnel. The ICC would strip Americans of Bill of Rights protections if they were apprehended and put on trial for alleged international crimes. The article did not explain how McCain would change the institution, which is now in existence, in order to require those protections. Most of the rest of the world, led by the European Union, rejected any safeguards for U.S. citizens.
Senator John McCain, who is on record in support of U.S. participation in the U.N.s notorious International Criminal Court (ICC).
Is that your position too?
What bilge! Yes, he has a few ideas. But look at his actions. I honestly do not think that McCain is all there. If it is between him and Hil, I will vote for Hil. Not a threat, just a promise.
This guy makes a great case for making McCain Secretary of Defense, otherwise he’s a bitter, angry old man. McCain believes that anyone, who disagrees with him isn’t wrong, but evil, then immediately personalizes that disagreement. McCain does not have the temperament to be President and he doesn’t wear well.
No conservative can get fired up for McVain. And, that’s why he can not win the Presidency. I will not vote for McVain under any circumstances.
Ok, Fred, get out there in SC and have a good ol' southern BBQ with all the fixins.
>>Not a very solid vote of confidence.
I will not vote for McCain.
His support for amnesty and his McCain Feingold b.s. negates his chances with me.<<
I wasn’t really trying to give him a vote of confidence...
Just acknowledge reality in New Hampshire and give him a tongue in cheek slogan.
>>I don’t see how McCain can call himself an American!<<
He served his country and was a prisoner of war - I won’t be calling him “not an American” just because I disagree with him on policy.
I'm guessing massive head trauma...
Never McCain.
When Hoover declared for the presidency in March of 1928, he was being sought after by both parties to accept their nominations. Hoover selected the GOP as his political vehicle, but he was just as comfortable with the 'rats as he was with the GOP. Hoover, like McCain, was a political crossdresser, who felt at ease with both 'rats and Republicans.
Hoover was a green eyeshade budget balancer who raised the top marginal rates substantially to reduce the deficit. This is one of the reasons that the thirties turned out so badly for America and the world. I believe that McCain is a proponent of higher taxes to cover a budgetary shortfall in the spirit and tradition of Hoover. Just like Hoover, a McCain presidency will create a legacy, that in my humble opinion, will insure a 'rat restoration that could last a couple of generations.
Nonsense. Keyes made it perfectly clear in the 2000 debates that McCain is not anti-abortion in any reliable way.
Unfortunately for him, "John McCain. You could do worse." ain't much of a campaign slogan.
Policy? The ICC would strip Americans of Bill of Rights protections if they were apprehended and put on trial for alleged international crimes. The article did not explain how McCain would change the institution, which is now in existence, in order to require those protections. Most of the rest of the world, led by the European Union, rejected any safeguards for U.S. citizens.
You don’t support that do you?
Really? Because he's got this Nam Vet's!
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**
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LOL! No doubt.
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