Enough of this crap.
What is the evidence, based on actual votes cast in Republican primaries, that actual "rank-and-file Republicans" HATE John McCain?
Admittedly, I live in New Hampshire, where John McCain beat W 2:1 in the 2000 primary, and where he is more popular than he is in Arizona.
But still - there is no evidence that rank-and -file Republicans "hate" him, and you know it.
Enough of this crap.
I could bury you with voting records and polls showing you that McCain was not the first, second, or third choice of the overwhelming majority of rank-and-file Republicans.
Many "rank-and-file" republicans distrust (not "hate") McCain for many reasons -- Campaign Finance Reform, Gang of 14, Immigration Reform, Opposition to Bush Tax Cuts, Opposition to ANWR oil production, etc. just to name a few. The evidence based on actual votes cast in Republican primaries (a system that was brilliantly designed to give signficant early influence to the most liberal states with open primaries where democrats and independents can help select our candidate) is that there was no strong front-runner. It also showed that while Rudy G was considered by some to be the "most electable" GOP candidate he was overwhelmingly rejected by the GOP base, yet he and McCain were arm-in-arm when Rudy finally figured that out. What the actual primary voting showed was that in the absence of a solid conservative choice early on, you get stuck with a Bob Dole or a John McCain as the GOP nominee.
“Hate” is a strong word. I don’t hate McCain, I just cannot be persuaded that he can be trusted. I also dislike his past efforts to undermine conservatism and open the borders to illegals. But “hate” is a strong word that I would not use.
I like McCain.
Jim, I have voted pubbie all my life and most assuredly will this time too but I just do not like McCain. I will hold my nose and pull the lever for McCain.
I do not like his amnesty b.s. nor his constant attacks on G.W. Bush after Bush took the 2000 election instead of McCain.
McCain has shown himself to be a RINO in many many matters and nearly left the party to run with J. F=ing Kerry. But hey on the other hand he is better than the “magic Negro”.
A pitiful choice for president we are confronted with.
Er, anti-McCain sentiment has bee all over these boards since, oh I dunno, forever? Conservatives have had a longstanding mistrust of the man for quite awhile now.