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Give Senator John McCain the S.C. victory he deserves
Charleston Post And Courier ^ | Thursday, January 17, 2008

Posted on 01/18/2008 7:28:43 AM PST by a77

Eight years ago we urged voters in South Carolina's Republican presidential primary to support John McCain. His record since then has left us even more convinced that the Arizona senator should be the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

Not only has the senator continued to live up to the "straight talk" theme of both campaigns, he has provided the country with positive leadership in critical areas. Well known for an independent streak that has led to deviations from the party line, John McCain mainly reflects mainstream conservative values, as evidenced by his calls for less government regulation and a reduction of federal spending, his opposition to tax hikes, his advocacy of Social Security and Medicare reform, his push for an overhaul of the tax code, and his support for a strong defense.

It is in the latter area that the senator, a former Naval aviator who survived more than five years in captivity in Vietnam, where he suffered physical and mental torture, has been the most effective. His was the knowledgeable voice that got the administration's and nation's attention when he spoke out on what was going wrong with the war in Iraq. He also was among the earliest and most steadfast supporters of Gen. David Petraeus' successful 'surge' strategy.

Never one to duck the tough issues, Sen. McCain has taken the lead on a reasonable solution to the illegal immigration dilemma, which he described to us in a recent interview as one of the most heartfelt emotional issues he has dealt with in his 26 years in Congress. His state is among the most adversely impacted, and he knows better than most the need to secure the borders before any new reform legislation goes into effect. He believes the failure to seal the borders as promised in connection with the discredited 1986 immigrant reform effort is at the root of much of the current public frustration.

While political hay can be made by calling for the blanket deportation of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in this country, that's unrealistic. The senator's more sensible approach calls for deporting the estimated 2 million who have committed crimes while in this country. The remaining 10 million would be punished through fines, required to learn English and to get in line for citizenship behind all others who are here legally. He makes the irrefutable point that it is the federal government's failure to act that is giving the illegal immigrants de facto amnesty.

The McCain spur to congressional action on immigration and other critical issues would be the power of presidential persuasion coupled with his willingness to use his bully pulpit to "call the names" of those who refuse to come to the table. He would preface negotiations, he said, by offering to give all the credit to those willing to work toward a solution. "Politicians," he reminded us, "crave approval." He's also ready to play tough with those who refuse to cooperate by "telling the American people" who "won't sit down with me." That's the kind of straight talk a lot of politicians in Washington would be loath for their constituents to hear.

In fact, the senator clearly feels regular communication with the American people has been sorely lacking. He pledges press conferences at least once every two weeks and also said he would go on television once a week — even if only C-SPAN would cover it — to update the American people "on what's happened where our young people are in harm's way."

In terms of national defense, what he describes as the 'war against radical extremism' would never be far from his thoughts. While he believes al-Qaida is on the run, "it is by no means defeated," and Iraq will continue to be the central battleground. He is encouraged by signs that there is an increased recognition around the world about the nature of the struggle, and he is well equipped to make America's case in the international arena. Certainly as the victim of vicious torture at the hands of the enemy, there is no one more credible to reassure this country and the world "that we will never torture another person in American custody."

He has equal credibility on the domestic side, particularly for his opposition to wasteful spending in general and, specifically, such hot-button, pork-barrel earmarks as a $230 million Alaskan "bridge to nowhere."

The senator notes that he has never asked for an earmark for his state in all his years in Congress and rightly believes that public disenchantment with his party is due to the level of pork-barrel spending that occurred on the Republican watch. He pledges to veto every single piece of legislation that contains an earmark.

What's more, he will make sure the American public knows about such earmarks as the $3 million allocation to study the DNA of bears in Montana and promises to do so with a bit of "good natured" chiding, much in the style of his mentor, Ronald Reagan. We could use more of that kind of humor in Washington.

The 71-year-old senator's also willing to poke a little fun at himself, momentarily pretending to doze off, for example, when the media ask age-related questions, including whether he would be too old to withstand the rigors of being president. In a serious vein he points to the energy level he has displayed during the debates and campaign, noting that age questions should be balanced with those of judgment and experience.

He notes that in the eight years since he first ran, America has been attacked and currently is engaged in two wars. He rightly points out that this is no time for "on the job training."

John McCain correctly gauges the nation's thirst for a problem solver who can cross party lines. He points to Sen. Joe Lieberman's endorsement of him in New Hampshire on national security issues, despite differences on domestic issues, as a "singular" moment in that campaign and as evidence of his ability to attract independent and Democratic votes.

On Saturday, South Carolina voters will once more have the chance to give him the boost he needs to be the Republican nominee in November. Of all the contenders in that primary, he has the best chance of forming bipartisan coalitions to solve this nation's domestic problems and the most credibility and experience in international affairs.

For the good of the country, give tried and trustworthy Sen. John McCain the chance to be president with a much-deserved S.C. Republican primary victory.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: amnesty; elections; endofthegop; endorsement; gangof14; mccain; mcpain; mediabarf; republican; rino; sc2008; wheresthebarfalert; youdeserveabarftoday
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To: Santa Fe_Conservative

We’ve had single digits a lot.

I hope you have one of those earth sheltered sun washed green house assisted low utilities fees houses over there! LOL.


101 posted on 01/18/2008 8:26:45 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: a77

You would have to ask McCain that question. I have no clue why.


102 posted on 01/18/2008 8:27:06 AM PST by sheana
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To: khnyny

McCain is the quintessential phony opportunist. He has done nothing during his VERY long time in public service except stroke his own colossal ego and attempt to screw the country as a by product of his back room deals and politically driven machinations.

INDEED . . .

though I think you left off . . . angry, self-serving, traitorous, vain, clumsy, bitter, rash, . . . bustard.


103 posted on 01/18/2008 8:28:02 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: edcoil

Keating Five AND Gang of Fourteen AND McCain-Feingold AND Amnesty AND tax increases, et al., ad nauseum. NO THANKS!!


104 posted on 01/18/2008 8:28:06 AM PST by Polyxene (For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel - Martin Luther)
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To: bmwcyle

On a role of TP stuffed in his mouth.


105 posted on 01/18/2008 8:28:50 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: no dems
Yeah, John McCain's amnesty votes revealed what he would do to this country, and that is scary. Amnesty for illegal aliens. His record shows he is an ultra liberal. Why, he voted against gang members and terrorists being barred from US. True. I double checked. You can read about it on FR. His recent lies that he never supported amnesty is incredible.

He is dishonest and nasty. He and Rudolph Giuliani are the only candidates with a record of adultery if one excludes rumors about John Edwards and a pregnant mistress and Hillary and Huma.

While John McCain might have served well in the military that by itself does not make him good president. He has been most of his life nothing more than a politician, a Washington insider.

106 posted on 01/18/2008 8:30:11 AM PST by apocalypto
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To: a77; All

Soooooo, how is it that McChurian,

Shrillery’s lap dog . . .

is going to do anything serious AGAINST her????


107 posted on 01/18/2008 8:30:11 AM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: a77
What if he becomes the R. nominee?

Then I guess I won't have to worry if my polling place will be changed in November as I don't intend to go near it.

108 posted on 01/18/2008 8:30:15 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
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To: a77
Will you vote for me?

I wouldn't vote for you if they waterboarded me. If the IRA kneecapped me, I wouldn't vote for you. If the Red Chineese shoved flaming bamboo rods up my rectum, I wouldn't vote for you.

Are you starting to see a pattern here?
;O)

109 posted on 01/18/2008 8:30:22 AM PST by metesky ("Brethren, leave us go amongst them." Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton - Ward Bond- The Searchers)
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To: a77
John McCain mainly reflects mainstream conservative values, as evidenced by his calls for less government regulation and a reduction of federal spending, his opposition to tax hikes, his advocacy of Social Security and Medicare reform, his push for an overhaul of the tax code, and his support for a strong defense.

Wha...Wha...What? There must be two John McCains running because this is NOT the John McCain that I have grown to know in the years since 2000.
110 posted on 01/18/2008 8:31:36 AM PST by Eagle of Liberty ("I am not a neoconservative. I am pro-American." - John Bolton)
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To: no dems
At least we know what McCain stands for and what he will do.

Really? I'm not so sure about that and what I do know about him other than his hero status and stance on the Iraq war, I don't much like.

111 posted on 01/18/2008 8:31:50 AM PST by maxter
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To: a77
McCain is the strongest Republican against Hitlery.

McCain is "the weakest link".

I suppose, if it comes to it on Election Day, I would vote for the Democrat, McCain, over the Marxist, Hillary.

(However, I will be in need of a designated driver...because I'll be drinking for the rest of the day.)

112 posted on 01/18/2008 8:31:58 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Polyxene

Jon Huntsman, Tom Coburn or John Thune are RINOs?


113 posted on 01/18/2008 8:32:19 AM PST by a77
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To: Attention Surplus Disorder

Damn, now your comparing him to the devil! You think maybe thats a little over the top?


114 posted on 01/18/2008 8:33:39 AM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: a77; jimrob

IBTZ!

Can we get rid of the McCainiacs already?


115 posted on 01/18/2008 8:34:27 AM PST by Eagle of Liberty ("I am not a neoconservative. I am pro-American." - John Bolton)
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To: a77

One of McCain’s most severe liabilities is the support of Lindsey Graham.


116 posted on 01/18/2008 8:35:03 AM PST by Savage Beast ("History is not just cruel. It is witty." ~Charles Krauthammer)
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To: Kerretarded

You are a fool.


117 posted on 01/18/2008 8:35:54 AM PST by a77
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To: Kennesaw

Puke is right! Lest we all forget that this “Republican” was vetted as a potential running mate for John Kerry.

No RINOs! We can no longer afford them!


118 posted on 01/18/2008 8:36:22 AM PST by ushr435
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To: a77

The only thing that cantakerous, loose cannon Democratophile deserves is a long walk off a short pier and I hope that once again his ambitions are frustrated.

He is not worthy of the Presidency.


119 posted on 01/18/2008 8:36:30 AM PST by ZULU (Non nobis, non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam. God, guts and guns made America great.)
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To: a77
Lindsey Graham, a US Senator (SC), is CO-CHAIRMEN of McCain’s campaign!

You post that as a GOOD thing. I can tell that you haven't been around here much because I am not sure which one is disliked more.
120 posted on 01/18/2008 8:37:13 AM PST by Eagle of Liberty ("I am not a neoconservative. I am pro-American." - John Bolton)
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