Tonight: Hillary exits, Obama exults, McCain exhorts; Update: McCain praises “my friend” Hillary; Obama clinches, McCain speech bombs; Update: Hillary congratulates her “friend” Obama, “committed to uniting the party;” “I will be making no decision tonight;” Update: Obama thanks his grandmother and Hillary
Scroll down for updates…9:03pm Eastern CNN/AP report Obama has “effectively clinched” the nomination…McCain delivers speech ploddingly…better read than said…9:36pm Eastern Hillary takes the stage…9:53pm “I will carry your stories and dreams with me every day for the rest of my life. The question is where do we go from here…This has been a long campaign. And I will be making no decision tonight. But this has always been your campaign. To the 18 million who voted for me…I wanna hear from you.” Hillary tears up…10:12pm Eastern. Obama takes the stage. Does he know where he is tonight?
While the night wears on and the re-deification of the Obamessiah gets underway, let’s revisit that MSM ogling video to give you a taste of what’s to come:
***
Definitely a two-popcorn bag night if you’re a political junkie. It’s the final Democrat primary night of the campaign season. Polls close in South Dakota at 9pm Eastern and in Montana at 10 pm. The scene is set for Hillary’s farewell.
With grace or gritted teeth?
Expect a strained mixture of both–with a large dash of “I am Woman, Hear Me Roar.”
As for those VP rumors, I’m not buying it.
Meanwhile, Obama gets ready to party.
And via Drudge, McCain will attempt to grab some of the spotlight with an Iraq speech exhorting against Bush and Obama:
You will hear from my opponent’s campaign in every speech, every interview, every press release that I’m running for President Bush’s third term. You will hear every policy of the President described as the Bush-McCain policy. Why does Senator Obama believe it’s so important to repeat that idea over and over again? Because he knows it’s very difficult to get Americans to believe something they know is false. So he tries to drum it into your minds by constantly repeating it rather than debate honestly the very different directions he and I would take the country. But the American people didn’t get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama. They know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They’ve seen me put our country before any President — before any party — before any special interest — before my own interest. They might think me an imperfect servant of our country, which I surely am. But I am her servant first, last and always. ….
I disagreed strongly with the Bush administration’s mismanagement of the war in Iraq. I called for the change in strategy that is now, at last, succeeding where the previous strategy had failed miserably. I was criticized for doing so by Republicans. I was criticized by Democrats. I was criticized by the press. But I don’t answer to them. I answer to you. And I would be ashamed to admit I knew what had to be done in Iraq to spare us from a defeat that would endanger us for years, but I kept quiet because it was too politically hard for me to do. No ambition is more important to me than the security of the country I have defended all my adult life.
Also look for more McCain-Hillary kissy-kissy.
Currently showing on the McCain campaign website:
***
Update: 8:42pm Eastern. Right on cue, McCain praises Hillary for inspiring him. “I’m proud to call her my friend.”
Update 9:03pm Eastern. McCain still talking and plodding along. Fox is the only one of the networks still carrying the speech. It’s pedestrian–and even McCain seems to have lost interest in his text. He read a line about Obama making a good first impression, and the audience inexplicably laughed. Did I miss something?
Update 9:10pm Eastern. It’s done and he seems relieved. Join the club.
Update 9:25pm Eastern. Mark Levin on McCain:
Not to offend those who might be offended, but this speech is a mash and tough to digest. You have to get through the self-congratulatory praise of independence and commander-in-chief pose from the Senate, then you have to try to follow the inconsistency of some of his big-government ideas vs. his anti-big-government rhetoric, and his inconsistency even on his supposed strength — the surge in Iraq vs. closing GITMO and conferring additional rights on the detainees. I am also put off by some of the anti-Bush stuff. Distancing himself from Bush is one thing, but he almost exclusively (as best I can tell) criticizes him, giving Bush little credit (tax cuts, Supreme Court appointments and yes, the surge, which Bush ordered not McCain).
Update 9:36pm Eastern. Hillary takes the stage. Hillary congratulates Obama. “Our party and our democracy is stronger and more vibrant as a result…It has been an honor to contest these primaries…it is an honor to call him my friend…take a moment to recognize him and all his supporters for all they have accomplished…”
Thirty seconds into the speech, she whips out the gender pride/gender card. Thanks all the little girls and old women who supported her. Thirty-five seconds in, she delivers a website plug for hillaryclintondotcom.
She’s very mellow (for Hillary). Wonder if she had a drink before she took the stage.
YES, WE CAN! chants break out. She tells her supporters every vote they cast was a “prayer” for this country. She’s proud they stood their ground. 35 million people voted in the primary. “I’m committed to uniting the party.”
“None of you is invisible to me. I see you. I’ll keep fighting for you.”
“A lot of people are asking, ‘What does Hillary want?’ I want what I’ve always wanted in this campaign. I want to end the war. I want health care for all Americans. I want the nearly 18 million Americans who voted for me to be respected, to be heard…I have an old-fashioned notion…that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their own dreams…This nation has given me every opportunity and that’s what I want for every single American.”
A small dig: “I’ve been working on these issues not just for the past 16 months, but for the past 16 years.”
Pats herself on the back for demagoging the subprime crisis.
Hillary rallies her troops with memories of campaign successes. “I will carry your stories and dreams with me every day for the rest of my life. The question is where do we go from here…This has been a long campaign. And I will be making no decision tonight. But this has always been your campaign. To the 18 million who voted for me…I wanna hear from you.” Plugs the website again. “In the coming days, I’ll…determine how to move forward. “I want to conclude tonight by saying thank you, thank you to the people across America.”
Huge roar of applause. Bill Clinton clapping from the sidelines.
Hill’s eyes are leaking.
9:55pm Eastern. Hillary ends with a heart-tugging health care anecdote about an elderly supporter she met.
Cackle count: Zero.
Update 10:12pm Eastern. Obama is in St. Paul. He gets it right. He thanks everyone, his staff, his wife, his daughters…and his grandmother “who’s somewhere in Hawaii…who poured everything she had into me…this is for her.”
“Tonight, after fifty-four hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end.” Huge applause.
“Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.” Massive applause/chanting.
Obama’s salute to Hillary:
At this defining moment for our nation, we should be proud that our party put forth one of the most talented, qualified field of individuals ever to run for this office. I have not just competed with them as rivals, I have learned from them as friends, as public servants, and as patriots who love America and are willing to work tirelessly to make this country better. They are leaders of this party, and leaders that America will turn to for years to come.
That is particularly true for the candidate who has traveled further on this journey than anyone else. Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she’s a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she’s a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight.
Snarky Obama jabs McCain:
In just a few short months, the Republican Party will arrive in St. Paul with a very different agenda. They will come here to nominate John McCain, a man who has served this country heroically. I honor that service, and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine.
Can’t make it through all the cliches. Agh. Here’s the full text if you must know what the teleprompter was scrolling for Obama.
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Trackbacks
- Plains Feeder: Shovel away, Barry
- Meet the New Boss « The Old Right Daily
- The Underground Conservative | Ding dong, the witch…
- OMG! McCain might choose Hillary for his VP! | The TIW Blog
- The World According To Carl
- McCain’s preemptive strike on Obama (and courtship of Clinton supporters) at The Liberty Preservation Alliance
- Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator
- The Other McCain: 'Trainwreck' of a speech?
- Altitude
- PostLeft.com - » The Night of Three Speeches: McCain Leads Off
- They’re Coming To Take Her Away Ha Ha : BigMouthFrog
- Chris Matthews’ Leg Briefly Achieves Elevated State of Consciousness During Obama Speech « Chris Matthew’s Leg
- Obama Wins; Hillary Stands By Her Man: « Riggword Weblog
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Categories: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Right Wing Nut House
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» Zimbabwe to “Elders”: Get lost
I sure wish a real conservative was planning some backroom shenanigans to replace McCain!
On June 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 pm, Joy said:
Only the ones that our hostess wants you to see, apparently.
Either that, or I used a random word that the filter didn’t like.
Sam.i.am, that is so funny, you just made me less sad for moment for our future with that image. and I love the name. I read green eggs and ham to my son all the time.
This campaign has been an amazing experience. Raise your hand if you thought Barack Obama would inch out Hillary in a bloody slugfest a year ago.
No matter how you feel about Obama or Democrats in general this has been a fascinating ride.
A movie couldn’t do this justice. We need a 6 part HBO miniseries event.
Obama- Will Smith
Michelle Obama- Angela Bassett
Hillary- Meryl Streep
Bill- Chris Cooper
McCain- Martin Sheen
Chelsea- Lindsay Lohan
Rev. Wright- James Earl Jones(or an aged up Lawrence Fishburne)
Father Pfleger- Robin Williams
Sean Hannity- Rosie O’Donnell…seriously, Cate Blanchett just played a brilliant Bob Dylan. Name an actor in Hollywood who looks and sounds more like Hannity than Rosie O’Donnell.
Make it happen. HBO 2011.
Does anyone else notice all the flags being waved behind him during his speech?
mbviews said:
Let’s see, why can’t the conservative voice be heard? Hello? McCain-Feingold calling… ring a BELL? Amnesty is conservative? NOT! Throttling US economy to kowtow to Al Gore’s and Maurice strong’s fantasy about global warming is conservative? NOT! Almost deciding to switch to the democrat party is something a real conservative would think of doing? NOT! Real conservatives vote against tax cuts and then whine about cutting spending when they’re called on it? NOT! Conversatives are just horrified to think that someone who is likely to be planning to kill thousands of innocent people would be waterboarded - NOT!
Ann Coulter mentioning McCain’s American Conservative Union rating:
Let that sink in a bit - McCain is more conservative than Lincoln Chafee. … Joe Lieberman is more conservative than Lincoln Chafee!
Keep it up Goldwater, you are exposing yourself and I’m in too good of a mood in general to take the thread down with another insultfest. Keep it up. Whatever.
mistressjustice: I like the HBO line up but some of the actors are wrong.
Angela Bassett is way too pretty to play MO and Lindsey Lohan is also too pretty and wacky to play Chelsea. Martin Sheen is too young to play McCain. I think Mr. Potter from It’s a Wonderful Life is perfect, if he were not dead (The great Berrymore) Rev Right should be an aged Danny Glover, since they probably think alike.
15,000 were listening to Obama outside the arena in St. Paul = a total of at least 32,000+ including those inside. Get ready for at least 70,000,000+ popular votes for Obama, probably closer to 80,000,000. Remember that John Kerry got 58,000,000 in 2004 and you’ll understand what is about to happen this fall, a total massacre.
RealImmigrantChick said:
But I think dead might be an asset in this case ..
Oh puke.. living through this once is bad enough, I can’t even imagine reliving it in a movie! Besides, no actors could imitate this real life horror flick.
And by 2011 it will be worse than a joke.
Dances -
wow! what an evening. 3 completely unqualified candidates making their case. The exciting part is on the Democrats side. Pure friggin’ entertainment. When will quality come back?
LOL! Mitt Romney wins Montana! Details here at CNN’s ElectionCenter. At least something went right today.
Olympian - LOL!
McCain came in THIRD… well roflmbo
FINALLY some good news!
Well, sheeeesh. My bad. That was from February.
As far as I can tell, Hillary did not announce a decision to exit the race.
Got ya!
For Hillary, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ (’Con Te Partiro’)
Take your pick…
Andrea Bocelli and Sara Brightman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLHq7rgHOLk
or Karolina Pasierbska (from Poland):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ8l3PuXXLQ
This whole thing is hilarious and all. Ok, it’s settled. So when do MM, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Rush, et al, say out loud, that B H Obama is a racist and as such, regardless of everything else, is not in any way qualified to be the POTUS? I’ll hold my breath…
Nice to see Obama brought his grandma out from under the bus tonight for some air. I wonder how long his typical white grandma will stay out.
Don’t forget 29% of Republicans are voting against the presumed GOP nominee in SD today. For conservatives, it will be a pleasure to see McCain have his ass handed to him.
If Barack “The Messiah” Obama were to choose Hilary Clinton as Vice President, I think she’d be making a phone call to Nico Bellic for “assistance”.
Barry! Stay away from grassy knolls, and learn how to catch Bosnian Sniper Fire with your teeth!
Yeeeeeah. I’m definitely not voting in this election. If my parents hound me to vote (which they probably won’t; they share my sentiments), I’ll probably write in Benjamin Franklin or Race Banon as a “protest” vote.
The South Dakota Republican vote is interesting. McCain, running unopposed and having the nomination in the bag, gets only 71% of the vote. That is lower than the totals for the last several primaries, where he was in the mid 70’s.
To get anything less than 90% of a vote when you have no competition is like almost losing a baseball game to a team that fails to show up.
The trend is not a good sign for McCain, and it is a reflection of his dismal efforts to “unite” the party behind him. If anything, it appears that his support is actually falling - pretty amazing when you consider the fact that there are no other candidates on the Republican side.
With Obama as the Democratic noominee, McCain better stop dreaming about getting Democratic crossovers. They won’t be there, particularly once Obama starts slowly softening his hard line on cutting and running from Iraq and moving more toward the center on other issues. People are going to go with the newer model, especially when it has the same price tag as the old Ford Maverick.
The irony for McCain is that the only issue he now has a prayer of getting crossover votes on is the one on which he refuses to budge - immigration. There are plenty of Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans that are fighting mad about it, and would cross over to vote for someone who promised to listen to them and enforce the law rather than adding 30 million new residents who have zero interest in assimilating into US society.
Obama is going to outflank him on Iraq, and I’d bet that Obama is going to open up to drilling for oil in places like ANWR. Given McCain’s position on “pristine” areas like ANWR (never mind that the oil and gas companies are drilling in residential neighborhoods in places like Texas), Obama will also outflank McCain on energy issues.
So conservatives take a pass at the polls in November, conservative Democrats stick with their party, and independents go with Obama. Get ready to witness a good old fashioned butt kicking come November.
Guess the excitement is over for the night. Really enjoyed the posts, especially enjoyed realimmigrantchick’s.
Like many of you, voting for McCain is too hard, but voting for BO is impossible for me. Rather vote for Hillary if possible. Think the rinos do need to get stomped. They might learn something???
And maybe mbviews will learn a little gentility and knock off the insults to MM.
John McCain steped on his lip tonight, as always. His, “What great things I did” (wrong things)–I reached across the isle (wrong on that John). He is doing an Obama throwing President Bush under Obama’s bus.
Does John McCain want to be President? Oh, I watched Miss Hillary’s speech too. Did she win?
Do I stay home or what? This is the first election I ever thought about that. John McCain is the Republican Party’s Michael Dukakis, give that man a ride in a tank.
On the ogling video I see Barry O’Bama talking on what appears to be a cell phone on what appears to be an airplane in flight.
Isn’t that illegal? FCC violation?
We Californians have been given the line : For the “GOOD of the party” your must hold your nose and vote for the LOTE!!!
What is the saying? As goes Califonia so goes the nation.
We know what the Lesser of Two Evils has gotten us - NADA-ABSOLUTEMENTE (sp) NADA.
# 97 RIC-You are so right on! We will no longer fall in line.
This Danish - Irish woman has her back up- loves this great country - and will no longer take part in the slow slid to socialism!!!!
As goes CALIFORNIA…
It’s getting late.
I know — the answer is NO.
Are the results all in?
…slow slide …
It IS getting late!
Great analysis on #124 Jim M. I still think Obama will have trouble getting back Reagan Dems and Independents who are uneasy about his personal associations. If the Rev. Wright stuff hit back in February, Obama would have been toast on Super Tuesday. Luckily for him, it hit when he had an enormous lead in states and delegates.
I have found it curious that McCain couldn’t open up a big lead in the polls over the past 3 months while the democrats were involved in a bloody knife fight. He has been given plenty of time to look presidential and inevitable, but hasn’t nailed it down. Your views may shed some light.
RealImmigrantChick:
You can expect to get spanked by President Obama’s gutting of our military, his vow to stop development of missile defense, his allowing Iran to build as many nukes as they like, his Supreme Court appointments of hard-core Marxists, his retreating from the war on Islamic terror. The list is endless. McCain, for all his stupid liberal positions, will do none of those things. Obama’s “Changes” may alter our history for the worse for decades to come. Look at what Carter did in the 1970’s. Almost 30 years later we are still suffering the effects of his Iran policy that gave the world the cancerous radical Muslim power base that we are dealing with now.
We may not recover from Obama’s spanking. He may end up spanking us to death.
Maybe it was me. But both my husband and myself thought McCain’s speech came off humble, especially compared to the others. We thought he brought up some good points.
We both thought it pathetic that several of the Fox reporters were putting him down.
Soundn’t like they were Obama supporters or we were watching MSNBC, CNN or NBC.
Why can’t Fox have some McCain supporters on? Have Rudy on more, have others on more giving a good word. All day long it’s nothing but Obama.
It doesn’t help even coming on here McCain is shot down. Sure, he wasn’t our first choice, but the put downs are getting old. The headline itself, “McCain speech bombs”—why must you do that?
McCain’s speech did bomb.
Why in heaven’s name does he have to fawn all over Obama & Clinton? It’s too much to take, listening to that absolute pablum from McCain.
Oh, what a miserable presidential campaign this is shaping up to be. 3 senators, no executive experience (couldn’t we at least have a Republican governor running, rather than a senator — i.e. a mere talker from the advise-and-consent branch?) and no stomach at all for the firm defense of conservatism from this putative Republican.
McCain is clearly going to let the opposing candidate, whom he prefers to treat with kid gloves as his senate colleague, walk all over him this summer & fall. I am truly dispirited by John McCain.
Rush Limbaugh finally said on his website what I have thought for months:
John McCain is “secretly trying to destroy the GOP”…
The above assessment sounds about right.
Maintain your vigilence, folks..things are about to get interesting.
post # 132…
Do you really think that by the time McCain were alloed in that he won’t do Obama-level damage?
You are dreaming….
It is indeed a two-bagger.
But the bags ain’t for popcorn.
To one of the commenters–thank you for Mark Styne’s quote:
Too bad one of them has to win.
It made my day (OK-night).
#55
I don’t know what kind of kool-aid you are drinking, but I’d like to try a swig..can you share some?
The only people McCain bucks are conservatives-why help him??
loves2 - I’ve thought that for a long time. He has hated us ever since we chose Bush over him in 2000. Although I voted for McCain in the Primary and was disappointed when he lost. I then watched him very carefully sabotage us at every opportunity. He’s even threatened to switch parties TWICE. He has had an 8-year tantrum raging against Republicans, especially conservative ones.
It would be his ultimate revenge. And with his psychological stuff from being a POW, he desperately wants revenge on someone or something. It’s obvious he wants nothing to do with conservatives.
Most people who know him know, he doesn’t just get mad, he gets even. I will not vote for this man.
Well, McCain only got 77% and Ron Paul got 21% of Montana.
South Dakota was split even more and McCain got only 70%, while the other three candidates split the rest.
Those numbers should be SCREAMING to the GOP to dump him at the convention.
Any man who calls his wife a C_ _ _ does NOT deseve my vote.
Just another black mark to add to the lists from my fellow commenters.
If Johnny Mc is so small as to call his wife vile names — he is too small to be President of the greatest country on earth.
Joy #140
Most people who know him know, he doesn’t just get mad, he gets even. I will not vote for this man.
Joy that is exactly why McCain spooks me..There is a photo of him with Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox of the NRA in a so-called “interview”, and in that photo, McCain is flashing a smile like a punk. That is a trait I remember from my gradeschool days about schoolyard bullies who mean to do you harm and are about to do something you don’t like-if he can get away with it.
Yes I have both an analytical perspective as well as a gut feeling about this guy which leaves which me wary of him in the whitehouse.
McCain has thrown the conservative party under the bus.
Hillary will throw the Democrats under the bus.
Obama throws random people under the bus.
Maybe Hillary will turn Independent and either run w/McCain or ???.
Things are about to get very interesting. Don’t rule Hillary out yet. She has something up her long sleeve.
McCain is dull and boring. I tried to listen to his speech and changed the channel within 5 minutes.
He does not motivate anyone with his lethargic tone and the appearance of reaching across the embrace the liberals. He is just blah.
Still will NOT vote for McCain regardless of who is VP pick will be.
I support no one for President as it stands for now.
If anone thinks this signals the end of the Clinton’s poltical career, take a deep breath and thnk again. The Clintons are as annoying and persistent as bermudagrass.
There is zero question in my mind that IF there was some way to convince the RNC to have a special run-off election between McCain and, say, Romney, McCain would LOSE.
A creative way to include all the candidates and yet produce a ‘one on one’ run-off like result is for every republican, (no independents welcomed thank you), to have TWO votes; one FOR vote and one AGAINST vote. You get to vote for the candidate you most want plus you get to vote against the candidate you least want. McCain would most certainly lose such an election as quickly as a run-off between him and Romney, (who I really don’t like that much either).
I don’t think so. McCain, was always the RNC’s candidate.
Just like the DNC sabotaged Hillary every chance they got, the RNC would do the same to anyone challenging their boy, McCain.
This is the most blatantly rigged presidential election I’ve yet to see in my lifetime… and I’ve seen a few.
I see no problem with having a dead actor play McCain.
Okay, I’ll say it. Obama as POTUS is the result of affirmative action. Hillary is more qualified than Obama, but black trumps white woman. But Hillary as POTUS would also be pretty lousy.
You should be ashamed of yourself, but somehow, I don’t think you have the faculties to register that idea.
I will be the first to admit that MM and I don’t agree on some topics. But it’s impolite, and rather ignorant and rude, for you to lead off your posts with “she’s a loser”. I believe that she is qualified to report on these issues (given her educational background and experience listed on her bio), has been doing so for some time, and is kind enough to let us post here on her blog. Show some respect.
However…
Based on the writings you’ve put up so far, I wouldnt let my DOG have an intellectual debate with you, as I would fear it would be considered a mauling and would have to put the poor thing down at the animal control office. I find your writings in poor taste, and its unfortunate that we have to point such things out.
McCain’s service record is something people here generally don’t attack. He served his country with distinction and honor. Not alot of question from the peanut gallery there. But McCain has repeatedly displayed his arrogance towards others, and his indifference towards those who are conservative. He takes stands on important issues, like immigration, that simply are unacceptable to most of us. You can slice this however you like, but if he’s not supporting the main ideals that someone such as myself represent, then he will not get my vote. At this point, NONE of the candidates are in line with anything I consider important, and thus, I’ll have to find an alternative.
No one is perfect. I don’t expect them to be, nor is it a requirement for anyone to hold office. He (McCain) has done some decent things while he is in office. He’s also done some really boneheaded things in his time. Again, its not that he needs to be perfect, but…there are too many major issues that he supports that prevent me from casting a vote for him in good conscience.
Just my 2 cents.
Man, I sure was pulling for HRC. Not that I would want her as POTUS, but she is better than obummer but slightly worse than mcamensty. However, I WILL NOT vote for mcamnesty. I can overlook his many liberal stances. But his support for amnesty (or any other euphamism he wants to call it) is the kiss of death for me. If he would embark on an ATTRITION policy of illegals I would get behind him 100%. But that is not going to happen.
I am voting 3rd party. Though I need to do more research, right now I lean toward the Constitution Party with Pastor Baldwin as the candidate. I have read his comentary for a while and he is the man to solve this immgiration nightmare. I would welcome any feedback on the Constituion Party platform (please no mcamnesty cheeleaders, I am doen with the pr*ck). Please though go check the party out. All ex-GOP folks must vote for the same candidate to build a platfrom for teh rise of a viable 3rd party. The GOP/Dem parties will destroy this country.
Exactly what accomplishments Barry’s are there to deny?
Not too surprising, what with conservatives on sites like this making it plain they’ll be withholding their votes no matter WHAT he does.
Maybe he’d rather spend his energy trying to get voters that haven’t repeatedly and loudly declared that they won’t vote for him.
McCain has failed to open up any lead for a couple of reasons.
First, his campaign guru, Mark McKinnon, made good on his promise to leave McCain if Obama were the Dem nomimee. McCain knew this all along, yet stuck with McKinnon and let him leave on McKinnon’s terms. This would be akin to Karl Rove Walking out on Bush 6 months prior to the general election. Why McCain chose to have McKinnon serve in such a critical position in his campaign is beyond me, and speaks volumes about his judgment.
Second, in February McCain made a promise at CPAC to unite the patry. Since that time, conservatives have been looking for a sign, any sign, that McCain would take the conservative’s concerns into account. Instead, he has moved farther and farther away. His positions on issues like immigration, ANWR and global warming have been rightly preceived as the political equivalent of giving conservatives the bird. You can also add Reagan Democrats and independents into this mix. These just aren’t Republican issues, they are conservative issues that cut across party lines.
Third, he has let Obama put him on defense, while Obama has kept one arm behind his back. Look at the lobbyist accusation. Most people fully expect a politician to have lobbyist ties. Especially one who has grown roots in Washington. Rather than counter Obama’s accusations by pointing out his Soros connections (Mccain may have a problem here since he too has Soros ties), his connections with big money donors that for all intents and putposes are no different from lobbyists, and Obama’s ties to money of questionable repute (Rezko, Auchi, Ayers, etc), McCain starts tossing people out of his own campaign at a critical time. These people helped MCCain to get where he is today, and he cuts them lose just before the run for the general election. And rather than turning Obama’s rant about sticking with the issues that matter back onto him, McCain chooses to act on the claims raised, which only serves to validate OBama’s original accusation.
That is off the top of my head. I’m certain there are many other reasons that McCain is not gaining any traction. In fact, he is losing traction. If this keeps up, by the time November rolls around he’ll be lucky to pick up half the states that went to Bush in the last go around.
McCains sucess in early States may have come at Hillary’s expense. Her inability to see the reverse Chaos threat from McCain from over confident Hill voters led to her demise.
I am still convinced that if “none of the above” were on the bottom line of every primary ballot, it would have swept the primaries hands down. Perhaps it belongs there in the future, so that party leaders might be forced to step in and find candidates who are really worthy of holding high office.
McCain exists to put in a Democrat…enough said
I can’t stand either candidate. Let’s get real, though, here. I think it’s going to be a close election… liberal candidate vs. far left/socialist candidate. What has become obvious is that neither party is really in control of their primaries anymore. The Dems/Independents chose our candidate while participants in Operation Chaos tried to interfere in the Dem primaries. I had no problem with Operation Chaos.
I gotta tell you, though, like Terrig, I feel we’re thoroughly SCREWED. There are radical undercurrents in this country, the Far Left, The Media, Hollywood, Public Educators, etc. who are trying to overturn every single, conservative tradition that is part of our country. It’s astounding that people, on either side, will sit out the election for whatever reason.
Yes, McCain is a terrible speaker, he is arrogant/grumpy, and very untelegenic but that’s what we got. Obummer scares me, and others, sh*tless. Do you want Obummer to be Commander in Chief? Can you imagine him leading our military? My husband can’t that’s for sure.
With all the problems that I have with McCain…Obummer is even worse. This country is screwed because of the lack of proper, political vetting, and deep wish fulfillment for the first “black president.” You’re not only getting this kind of adulation from the naive, weak, and entitlement hungry of this country, you’re even seeing it from the intelligentsia and college-educated going for Obummer.
I heard something funny from Mort Kondracke on Fox News last night. He was saying to Brit Hume (one of the most underestimated, funny, and great hosts the channel has) that, perhaps, the American people, at this time, want more government in their lives in things such as healthcare. My eyes just bugged out. If Americans knew half of what military families put up with in the inadequate military health system, they’d wash their hands of it. Yet, there will be Americans who are so weak and craven that they’ll ask for a handout.
Yes, McCain is BAD but Obummer is so much worse.
We are dealing with two libs this fall:
The task we face is picking the least effective and least experienced liberal candidate that we will have to put up with for 4 years.
emjem24 It should be clear to even you that Obama is the next Jimmy Carter- a laughingstock.
McCain on the other hand has a visceral hatred of conservatives combined with lots of experience in getting legislation that is harmful to conservatives passed without hardly an uproar from within the Republican Party.
You have got to do better than to just pick an “R” over a “D” as a rationale for voting-this is the reason why we are in pickle now.
RE: post 124 by JimM
Obama can also outflank McCain’s credibility still further on immigration by backing off on amnesty (the blacks themselves are starting to complain in LA about it), and picking Sen. Webb as VP who voted againstMcCain’s amnesty, served as Reagan’s Navy Secretary, served in the Marines in vietnam, and who is decidedly pro-gun.
If Obama does this, he will really eat McCain’s lunch in the fall as he has low to no credibility on these issues.