The Man!
Giving the best speech of his life before the CPAC members, a relaxed John McCain drew absolutely clear distinctions between himself and any potential Democrat opponent, and he did it in a tone that sounded very familiar to those of us who were around twenty-eight years ago - he spoke strongly, confidently, and with conviction... and humor. But he also spoke with humility.. And he had the Reagan twinkle and warm smile.
I don't mind saying that McCain convinced me, and from the sounds of the audience, he convinced them too. You might say he pulled an Obama. But in fact, he out-Obamad Obama, because he spoke about real things, real issues, and he took real stands. You had to love him telling the audience that he'd veto any bill with earmarks.
I was trying to compare how I felt about McCain with how I felt about George Bush at the same point in the election cycle, and I remember telling a friend that I didn't trust Bush. I don't feel that way about John McCain. Maybe it's because I know more about him, but it's also because McCain's word seems to mean something.
Of course the work is really just beginning, but what a start! And if it was all an act, John McCain is a better actor than The Terminator. Godspeed, Senator. I don't love you, but I like you, and even more important, I feel good about you.
Comments
In an insane asylum such as America has become, normal people seem like nut jobs.
I won't be voting for McCain in 2008 based upon his previous record, despite what he is promising. I'm trying to avoid making the same mistake twice.
I certainly understand how you feel, since I never voted for Bush, but I think things are different now. Not voting for Bush would possibly have brought us Gore or Kerry. both of whom seemed decidedly less of a threat to this country than Hillary or Obo (Gore hadn't yet appeared to be insane).
But if one of the current Dem candidates get in, it won't matter what either Bush or McCain did. A Dem presidency right now could be ruinously transformative.
If Clinton gets into office, I agree with you that it would be disastrous. Mostly because of the possibility of her reelection. If Obama makes it to the White House (highly unlikely), I think he will quickly become a Carter-esque one-termer that would, hopefully, have the same effect that Carter had upon his vacating of the Presidency.
This means that I'm expecting my vote in November to either be thrown to a third-party/independent candidate, or in with Obama (if he can actually make it that far) in the hopes that he'll fizzle out as quickly as I expect him to. As such, I will definitely need some convincing to vote for McCain. He's sold me on his military stance - always has. I just don't know that he'd be much better than Hillary.
Hey man, you don't need my help, everything you need to consider is in your last paragraph. If you don't mind, I'd like to parse it:
"This means that I'm expecting my vote in November..."
May I suggest you substitute "gambling?"
"..with Obama... in the hopes that he'll fizzle out as quickly as I expect him to."
Hope is passive and often relies on actions beyond your control. Can you keep your fingers crossed for four years?
"McCain... He's sold me on his military stance"
Do you really need more than that? What if we're attacked again during those four years? Could you live with yourself if there's a Dem in the White House... or Black House as the case may be?
"I just don't know that he'd be much better than Hillary."
But what if you found out the hard way that you were wrong? Remember how "decisive" Mr. Bill was? Would the first woman (although that's debatable) want a conflict she initiated on her legacy or would she want to show she's as strong as any man? I snort, you side.
I can't defend McCain, nor do I think some of his prior stances are behind him. I only think that with Dems you get double trouble.and that there is immeasurably more at stake now than there was when Bush ran and terror was little more than a glint in the Islamic's eye and none of them were on the verge of a nuclear weapon. Not to mention that Hillary would likely undo all the progress we've made in Iraq and Barry would even permit genocide to get us out.
Maybe ask yourself what you stand to lose with a McCain Presidency that you wouldn't lose with a Dem.. or with four more years of Bush?
OK, I did just think of something I'd like to offer on my own: what are our four paramount issues? I submit they are defense, spending, judges, and immigration. I further submit that McCain is unmatched on the first two, likely to be acceptable on the third, and no worse than Bush on the fourth. Case closed?
I was going to ask you to tell me about McCain's thoughts on spending that make him 'unmatched,' but then did the research myself. Looks like you may be right, sir.
But, to what were you referring when you said 'judges?' Were you referring to the Supreme Court, or were you identifying 'activist judges' as a whole?