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The Great McCain Story You've Probably Forgotten
Slate ^ | April 9, 2008 | Michael Lewis

Posted on 11/01/2008 7:16:15 AM PDT by Entrepreneur

For the past few years, Udall has lain ill with Parkinson's disease in a veterans hospital in Northeast Washington, which is where we were heading. Every few weeks, McCain drives over to pay his respects. These days the trip is a ceremony, like going to church, only less pleasant. Udall is seldom conscious, and even then he shows no sign of recognition. McCain brings with him a stack of newspaper clips on Udall's favorite subjects: local politics in Arizona, environmental legislation, Native American land disputes...

...Beneath a torn gray blanket on a narrow hospital cot, Udall lay twisted and disfigured. No matter how many times McCain tapped him on the shoulder and called his name, his eyes remained shut.

A nurse entered and seemed surprised to find anyone there, and it wasn't long before I found out why: Almost no one visits anymore. In his time, which was not very long ago, Mo Udall was one of the most-sought-after men in the Democratic Party. Yet as he dies in a veterans hospital a few miles from the Capitol, he is visited regularly only by a single old political friend, John McCain. "He's not going to wake up this time," McCain said.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: digg; feingold; mccain; parkinsons; udall
In light of the way Obama shuns his impoverished brother and illegal alien aunt, this is the perfect time to take a look at how McCain treated Mo Udall during his final days. The contrast is telling.

Obama talks about compassion. McCain lives it.

As a conservative there are a lot of things about McCain that drive me nuts politically, but he's one heck of a man. The more I learn about McCain the man, the more I like him. The more I learn about his opponent, the more he disgusts me.

McCain displays his humanity to family and friends. If his opponent ever had any humanity, it's been crowded out by his naked ambition. Beware, this is the stuff of a tyrant.

The column is short. I recommend reading it.

1 posted on 11/01/2008 7:16:15 AM PDT by Entrepreneur
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To: Entrepreneur

Decency comes through. May it one more time Tuesday.


2 posted on 11/01/2008 7:21:26 AM PDT by romanesq
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To: Entrepreneur

well said.


3 posted on 11/01/2008 7:26:40 AM PDT by buckeye27 (If keeping your own money is selfish, what is DEMANDING someone else to spend their money on you?)
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To: Entrepreneur

Good article.

It’s also a reminder of why McCain still has a fighting chance in this election. Without crossover Democrats, he cannot win, but there are many people in both parties who respect him for his character and for the respect he has shown through the years for people with whom he may not agree.


4 posted on 11/01/2008 7:29:13 AM PDT by Jedidah
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To: Entrepreneur

Thanks for posting that. The more I learn of McCain the more I respect him. He is a fine role model and will be a grand President.


5 posted on 11/01/2008 7:37:19 AM PDT by Tomato lover (McCain/Palin -- Jesus is the answer)
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To: Entrepreneur

The character is a man is show by what he does when he knows nobody is around. McCain always passes this test with flying colors.


6 posted on 11/01/2008 7:38:52 AM PDT by Hildy
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To: Jedidah

I can’t believe that we may be on the verge of electing a shallow narcissist with neither accomplishment nor experience over a great and decent man who has been tested in the forge of combat. I don’t agree with Mac on every issue, but this is a man I want by my side when the wolves are snarling two feet away, when the stormtroopers are pounding at the gate, when the ammo is running low. Wake up, America! Vote for the hero, not for the zero.


7 posted on 11/01/2008 7:44:04 AM PDT by maro (Repeal the 8th Amendment)
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To: maro

You’re preaching to the choir here at FR. Go post this story where some undecideds might read it.


8 posted on 11/01/2008 7:47:39 AM PDT by Jedidah
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To: Entrepreneur

McCain is a man. Bambi is a boy and an opportunist.


9 posted on 11/01/2008 7:50:10 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
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To: Entrepreneur

It’s a very poignant article, and timely, too. The next few days all come down to who is best for America. It’s John McCain, just like this article implies.


10 posted on 11/01/2008 7:51:53 AM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
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To: Entrepreneur

File this story under “Good deed not going unpunished.” McCain isn’t leading and probably won’t win because of his personal decency and decorum. He’s refused to use Jeremiah “God Damn America!” Wright, that screaming fool, Father Pfleger, sub-prime real-estate provider Rezko, or Weatherman cop-murderer and flag-trampler Bill Ayers against Obama. Hell, he’s even refused to use Obama’s time-lapsed, tiered, multi-faceted, nuanced, dishonest denials of relationship with them. McCain might have wanted to win, but he wanted to win clean, and he’s probably not gonna win clean, because Obama (and most Democrats) just want to win.


11 posted on 11/01/2008 7:57:02 AM PDT by flowerplough (Obama, Oct. 7 debate: " You know, a lot of you remember the tragedy of 9/11 ...")
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To: Entrepreneur

Great read.


12 posted on 11/01/2008 8:01:53 AM PDT by sweet_diane (Will any American that asks 0bama a non pre-approved question be smeared/investigated?)
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To: Entrepreneur

Why is the keyword Digg in your post, but no link to Digg???


13 posted on 11/01/2008 8:26:00 AM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: Jedidah
You’re preaching to the choir here at FR. Go post this story where some undecideds might read it.

Yes, I've always thought that way but where would that be though?

I refuse to give info to any DU types.

There are new people coming here all the time. Hopefully they may want to be in our choir. : )

14 posted on 11/01/2008 8:31:05 AM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (Is ACORN founder Wade Rathke, a Bill Ayers Weather Underground Associate)
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To: Entrepreneur

This article helps explain McCain the man just as the work of Cindy McCain with needy children helps explain her.

Good deeds done in private without fanfare or hoopla. THAT is what makes the McCains decent and honorable people.

Much like many conservatives . . . my own father, without any public ado, would drop us (mom, bro and me) off at church early and then go pick up a family who had no car and bring them to church and afterwards drive them home. I vaguely recall it happening. No one gave my Dad any award for doing “what was right.” He just did it and we learned by example to do the “right thing” long before it was called “civil rights.”

John’s and Cindy’s parents were probably much like my own.


15 posted on 11/01/2008 8:35:05 AM PDT by HighlyOpinionated (All You Need is Money [Soros] and a Candidate Who Can Be Coached to Look Sincere [Obama]. A. Huxley)
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To: Entrepreneur

true character


16 posted on 11/01/2008 8:42:22 AM PDT by tentmaker
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To: TribalPrincess2U
I refuse to give info to any DU types.

There might be a few decent people, even there. If it changes one mind, that is a plus. Also, the mindless ones at DU will spew all sorts of vile hate if you post that article. Any normal person lurking there will learn the true nature of progressivism. There are also sites by Hillary Clinton supporters and they might appreciate the article and some undecided person might read it.

17 posted on 11/01/2008 8:44:01 AM PDT by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: Entrepreneur
Some context (from Wikipedia) makes the story even richer:

"Mo's son, Mark Udall, was elected to the U.S. Congress from Colorado's 2nd district in 1998. As of 2008, the younger Udall is seeking election to the U.S. Senate from Colorado, competing with Republican Bob Schaffer to replace Wayne Allard. With cousin Tom Udall of New Mexico and maternal-line double cousin Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, Mark Udall is one of three Udalls seeking election to the Senate in 2008."

IOW, Mo Udall had a son and several nephews or cousins, as a Mormon he probably had other kids as well. If article is true, that he rarely had visitors (and why was he left in D.C. rather than in Arizona), it is an indictment of his family.

"During his tenure in Congress, Udall was best-noted for his championship of environmental causes. He was also known for his devotion to campaign finance reform and the welfare of Native Americans. He authored the Alaska Lands Act of 1980, which doubled the size of the national parks system, as well as legislation concerned with protecting archeological finds, enacting civil service reform, legalizing Indian casinos, and providing for the safe disposal of radioactive waste."

A recent story disparaged McCain's support of Indian casinos, attributing it to venality, that McCain went gambling at one, right after pulling out of the 2000 GOP primaries, getting a $100 or $200 free chips from a casino lobbyist.

McCain might in fact have a more homespun reason for going to the casino in his moment of loss, given McCain's mentor Mo Udall's birthing of the movement.

The same logic also explains McCain's motivation to reform campaign finances and to seek out a co-sponsor in Russ Feingold, someone from the other side of the political spectrum.
18 posted on 11/01/2008 8:51:26 AM PDT by kenavi (BHO: The only constant is change.)
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To: GodGunsGuts; All
Digg it
19 posted on 11/01/2008 10:18:57 AM PDT by jan in Colorado (For Barack Hussein Obama TRUTH FILE see my homepage!)
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To: Entrepreneur

How is it a weathly, and a former COngrasscritter, winds up in a Vets hospital with Parkensons? I thought the hospitals were for service connected disabiites?????

Maybe it;’s just me, but where is this guys family? And why am I picking up the dime for his care?

MAybe it is a demonstartion of NationalHealhCare as envisioned by the Dems? ALso, compare his treatment vs Fat Teddy Kennady...... striking, ain’t it?


20 posted on 11/01/2008 12:10:57 PM PDT by ASOC (Have a nice day, just don't have it around me (bumper sticker))
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