Attention, GOP: John McCain is the problem
In critiquing Glenn Beck’s CPAC speech taking the Republican Party to task for failing to own up to its Big Government lapses, Bill Bennett cites various Republicans who have admitted the party’s culpability. But see if you can spot the glaring problem with his defense of the GOP:
From Jim DeMint to Tom Coburn to Mike Pence to Paul Ryan, any number of Republicans have admitted the excesses of the party and done constructive and serious work to correct them and find and promote solutions. Even John McCain has said again and again that “the Republican party lost its way.”
If you didn’t gag when you read this sentence, you are not paying attention:
“Even John McCain has said again and again that ‘the Republican party lost its way.’”
“Even John McCain?” The Republican party “lost its way” on core limited government principles because of McCain’s radical progressive agenda. Question for Mr. Bennett: Can you please provide the exact citation and context of the so-called admission you attribute to McCain?
Because to this day, McCain refuses to admit his own individual responsibility for supporting the pre-socialization of the economy started under George W. Bush and continued under Obama. And fellow Republicans continue to whitewash McCain’s fiscal irresponsibility record.
McCain has never admitted he was wrong about his support of:
*The $700 billion all-purpose, earmark-stuffed TARP bailout;
*The $25 billion auto bailout;
*The $300 billion mortgage entitlement bailout; and
*The first $85 billion AIG bailout.
His latest McLame-est excuse for supporting TARP? He was “misled.” Via the Arizona Republic:
Under growing pressure from conservatives and “tea party” activists, Sen. John McCain of Arizona is having to defend his record of supporting the government’s massive bailout of the financial system.
In response to criticism from opponents seeking to defeat him in the Aug. 24 Republican primary, the four-term senator says he was misled by then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. McCain said the pair assured him that the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program would focus on what was seen as the cause of the financial crisis, the housing meltdown.
“Obviously, that didn’t happen,” McCain said in a meeting Thursday with The Republic’s Editorial Board, recounting his decision-making during the critical initial days of the fiscal crisis. “They decided to stabilize the Wall Street institutions, bail out (insurance giant) AIG, bail out Chrysler, bail out General Motors. . . . What they figured was that if they stabilized Wall Street – I guess it was trickle-down economics – that therefore Main Street would be fine.”
Nearly 15 months later, commercial lenders still are in shaky condition and the commercial real-estate industry is in trouble, he said. On Friday, President Barack Obama announced $1.5 billion in funding for new measures to help Arizona and four other states hit hard by the tanked housing market and by joblessness.
But McCain stopped short of calling the TARP a mistake.
“Something had to be done because the world’s financial system was on the verge of collapse,” he said. “Any economist, liberal or conservative, would agree with that. The action they took, I don’t agree with.”
All the warning signs and red flags about Henry Paulson’s incompetence and untrustworthiness were there before McCain joined the Chicken Little crowd. (See September 22, 2008, “Why Henry Paulson must be contained.”) Stalwart fiscal conservatives like GOP Rep. Mike Pence saw through the smokescreen and kept their heads. McCain’s trying to have it both ways — refusing to admit he was wrong, blaming crapweasel Paulson for duping him, and creating the illusion that he’ll be competent enough to resist the next inevitable bailout temptation when White House, Treasury, and Fed officials hit the panic button.
He blew it on TARP.
Blew it on the auto bailout.
Blew it on the mortgage entitlement bailout.
Blew it on the AIG bailout.
Blew it on amnesty.
Blew it on campaign finance.
Blew it on global warming.
In short: McCain blows.
I’ve already warned about McCain Regression Syndrome. The GOP hasn’t even begun to cure itself.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
Palin-endorsed Deb Fischer wins Nebraska Senate primary; will face Bob Kerrey in November
May 16, 2012 11:02 AM by Doug Powers
46 Comments
Newt Gingrich: I’m ending my campaign, but seriously, think about the moon colony idea
May 2, 2012 04:39 PM by Doug Powers
78 Comments
Romney sweeps Tuesday primaries; ‘Better America begins tonight’
April 24, 2012 10:34 PM by Doug Powers
109 Comments
CNN meteorologist blames Texas tornadoes on climate change
April 4, 2012 10:37 AM by Doug Powers
95 Comments
Pelosi’s Advice to GOP: Free your party from the extremists who took my gavel!
April 3, 2012 03:34 PM by Doug Powers
74 Comments
Categories: GOP,John McCain,Subprime crisis
Pundit & Pundette
» Patterico's chilling account of harassmentNice Deb
» The Organized Left Now Stalking RomneyNRO
» Unleash Biden!NewsBusters.org
» Very Annoyed Matthews Rips ‘Horse’s Ass Right-Wingers’ Who Cite ‘Thrill Up My Leg,’ Calls C-SPAN Host a ‘Jackass’
McCain: I was misled on the bank bailout!
Hey John, you’re not being tortured at the Hanoi Hilton anymore! Don’t blame it on being brainwashed! Step over here, there’s an ice floe with your name on it.
One promise he made was to call out all of the corruption in the government…by name. I guess the club of 100 is not a big enough stage for him to start doing that. Or is it just the rules of that august body don’t allow it? The schmuck.
You said it right there Michelle. The national GOP, no matter what they say is in it for themselves and to keep their own power intact. They can’t see any issue with McCain, because they are just like him.
GO AWAY JOHN!!!!
PLEASE
Oh my goodness. I guess having J.D. running against dear john has got him trying to say he is ‘seeing the light’. I hope the voters don’t fall for this. I don’t know much about J.D., but I’m sure he could be worse than dear john.
L
letget,
s/b could not be worse
L
Bennett was out of line when he put words into Beck’s mouth. He wasn’t comparing the best Rep congressman to Pelosi or Reid. And if you did want to make a comparison of that sort, you should compare how much of the progressive agenda Pelosi and Reid have pushed during their time to how much of the Republican platform was achieved during Bill Frist, Trent Lott, and Bob Dole’s time in the same seat of power. When the Reps were there, did the federal government’s power increase, or did it give power back to The States?
Drive it home Michelle …
McCain is the problem not the solution.
That’s pretty apalling to hear from Bill Bennett. It’s the John McCain part of the party that has enabled us to get where we are. When the answer is “less government” and the Democrats proposed “gobs and gobs more” government and the conservative idea that the policy is terrible is winning out in public opinion, it’s the McCain wing that’s always there to give them 80% of what they want and say “my friends, we compromised”.
Now we’re at the point where we don’t have anything else to give if we want to keep any semblance of freedom and the “McCain wing” will be there cheerleading for compromise in the name of photo ops and media approbation.
Another bald-faced lie! If these guys ever told a truth, their teeth would ignite!
I would like to thank you, John McCain, on behalf of a grateful nation, for your devoted service to your country. Please retire to the rest you so deserve. You can stop helping us now. We can take it from here.
A response to Bill Bennett>
I admire Bill Bennett’s activities and his writings. I often refer to his “Leading Cultural Indicators” to make a point. I do, however, have to differ with Mr. Bennett regarding the points that Glenn Beck has been making for a number of weeks. Beck’s first point is that the progressive movement is alive and active in both political parties, and that it is dangerous to the constitutional foundation of America. Beck’s second point is that the center of politics in this country has moved progressively left and virtually nothing has been done to stop this movement since the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Beck’s third point is that the founders warned us over and over again about the tendencies of politicians to assemble power unto themselves and grow a government that would become overwhelmingly dominant as a result. Beck’s fourth point is that there are historical precedences for what is happening today and the outcomes are not positive unless the American people stand up and reject progressive “busy body” intrusions into their lives and freedoms.*
Is there a difference between the Republican and Democrat parties? Of course there is. The Democrat party is progressive and socialistic in its policies and actions. There are few moderate Democrats but those who reject the Party’s progressive ideals soon find themselves marginalized and unsupported for elected office. The Republican party is now realizing the horrors of what is happening but appears unable to change with the current leadership. Fortunately, the Republican party is being forced by its members to understanding and then use the fiscal, cultural or social principles that are the foundation of the Party. The tea party movement, which consists of independents who have abandoned the parties, disaffected conservative Republicans, and a few Democrats who understand the dangers of socialism, is a massive grassroots political force that will impact elections well into the future. Although the Republican Party’s principles are those of the tea party movement, far too many elected Republicans give lip service to those principles as if they were some quaint and curious lore from the past. I would hate to tell you how many times I have heard Republican politicians say “I am a fiscal conservative” and then go on a massive spending spree once elected. Many of my peers say “Is that a Republican? If so I want none of him or her”.
Bill Bennett is correct in saying that there is a difference between Republicans and Democrats. It is nice to see that the blurring of this distinction is being eliminated. I say let clarity rule and let the philosophical differences between Republicans and Democrats be more than just words in some creed.
Bennett, McLame, Gingrich–all the problem. None of them represent the Conservative view. The Repubs in office should tell Obama to go pound sand on his healtcare manifesto. Adios to those who attend his PR meeting.
Every dollar taken by the government, regardless of the merit of intent, is a loss of individual freedom.
There’s a reason why the elderly are so easily mislead – senility. McCain is exhibiting many classic symptoms. He needs to be farmed out to a nursing home. GO, JD!!
I pray the voters in Arizona won’t be misled by McShame’s phony mea culpa.
Lord, deliver us from evil.
John “I was misled on the Bank Bail out”
McLame has the balls to say this? John, its called reading something before you sign off on it.
I recall him saying words to that effect during his nomination acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention.
And he was right: the Republicans did “lose their way,” and they’re still trying to find it again.
There comes a point, though, where all the bitter anger and ostentatious indignation at McCain becomes bizarre.
Yes, he lost in 2008 when he might’ve won had he made better decisions in September and October of that year. But last I checked, he’s not the self-appointed or designated “leader” of the GOP, doesn’t control the party’s agenda, and isn’t running for president again.
In short, he’s a senator now, one of 41 Republican senators. Whoopee. Still railing against him as some sort of anti-Christ more than a year after the last election and almost three years until the next one is like continuing to kick the vending machine a year after it ate your quarter: there comes a point when people stop looking at the vending machine, and start looking at the person who just can’t let it go.
Something else to be wary of is, “Tea Partier Hubris Syndrome.” It’s real, it’s growing, and if the donks somehow manage to snatch victory from defeat this November, it will be a proximate cause of that outcome.
John McCain
Lindsey Graham
Orin Hatch
Bill Bennett
Charlie Crist and many more are nothing but Obama Lite.
Thats the difference between the democrats and these republicans.
John McCain hates real conservatives. John McCain would never vote to reduce the size of the government by 80-90%.
Beck Speaks the truth. No more RINO’s. No more progressives.
Twice on the McCain-Feingold issue and more than that on the TARP issues candidate McCain was asked if he thought his points were constitutional–”I WAS A POW-I DEFENDED THIS COUNTRY” and never answered the questions. Please Senator reach across the isle and stay there.
http://www.jdforsenate.com/
McCain is wrong on the Second Amendment and lies about the “gun-show loophole“.
as evidenced in Arizona in 1982 and 1986
McShame should be retired for the good of the republic.
McCain’s military service and POW incarceration can never be forgotten…
that said…
His Progressive choices are dangerous to our Republic. It is time for Mac to step down or be voted out in the 2010 Conservative Tsunami!
Bring on a TRUE Conservative!
He needs to made an example of like the IRS did to Wesley Snipes.
He must go.
Nail… meet head.
and let’s not forget he supports open borders and shamnesty!!!
Don’t shoot the messenger…..
McCain has commented many times, that we have ‘lost our way’ in terms of spending and fiscal responsibility.
One example of several:
http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060116-2104-politics-mccain.html
McCain is no one I was going to vote for and he needs to be gone from the Senate. I understand Bennett’s point and he is entitled to it.
It is Bennett’s opinion nothing more. If people have a problem with it, they should ask Bill Bennett. All I am seeing out of these posts is more angry spewing.
Fine, point taken, lessons noted. Now can we get on to winning the 2010 election? I know its more fun to beat the dead horse again, but kids its time to get to the hard work of stopping the Progressives.
Sorry, didn’t see your earlier psot.
Dittos!
Rather like the sad case who swears he has drunk his last Demon Drink shortly before going on the next bender. We wish the sad case well but do not trust him with our wallet or liquor cabinet do we?
You’re right, McCain. The Republican party did lose it’s way.
But, you were one of the one’s leading them away.
Now, go away!
The fact that John McCain can not bring himself to simply say he was wrong is why he is a large part of the problem. Bennet also uses the Massachusetts win of Scott Brown as an example of how the GOP understands the problem- yet they barely supported him, missed the boat entirely in NY23 and have taken some very wimpy positions on key conservative positions (hey McCain, does amnesty ring a bell?). No, they still don’t get it. They think it is about supporting the Republican party first- A lot of we Teaparty people believe it is conservative values first, party is less important. I held my nose and voted for McCain last time, I will not do so again. After all, they will have had 4 years to listen. But will they? Bennett seems to be deaf.
Would that be as ironic as a Ted Kennedy supporting Prohibition???
(That’s right, the Kennedy clan “supported” Prohibition, Daddy Joe just made $$$ zillions $$$ illegally running booze.)
When it became clear that Obama was the second coming of Joe Stalin, I tried to console myself that things wouldn’t be as bad if McCain (my choice at the time) had been elected. Now, I’m not too sure. And Bill Bennett is absolutely jumping the shark by trying to cover for him.
Regulus and Flyover, I understand your point(s). But what the conservative movement needs is BETTER LEADERSHIP. Hint, McCain is not it whether he “gets it” now or not. I no longer trust him in that regard, no insult intended as I admire his military past. But one has nothing to do with the other and some people still believe it does. The republican party, conservatism’s best hope, needs new blood- but the old blood is hogging the stage, and being used by the MSM, IMHO, to derail the rise of conservatism. If he really wants to help he should step aside with regard to being seen as the voice of conservatism. He is merely conservative lite. And, look, if he stepped out of the spotlight, noone would have to suffer derangement, right? Wouldn’t it clear the decks for a true conservative?
Full agreement. How I dread what RINO the GOP is going to inflict upon us in 2012.
I guess one could argue that McCain isn’t the problem as such but is instead highly indicative of the GOP disease: A) despise the base utterly (an attitude that is catching on with an increasing number of supposed right-wing columnists and pundits) and B) at the first opportunity make deals with democrats.
And don’t forget to make your military service a get-out-of-jail free card.
Look, I honestly don’t want to hate McCain. I admire his person bravery and would wish him well in retirement, so much so in fact I really, truly wish he had retired a long time ago. If that be disrespecting an American hero, have at it.
blockquote>It is Bennett’s opinion nothing more. If people have a problem with it, they should ask Bill Bennett. All I am seeing out of these posts is more angry spewing.
Agreed. But their ‘spewing’ illustrates a problem with the GOP: If the current intellectual and political GOP leadership are this disconnected from reality in the heat of battle with a marxist in the whitehouse, what level of confidence does that give us thst they will lead us to ultimate victory over the Obamans at all?
Its kind of like having Pee Wee Herman as your commanding General in the present, when you really needed General Patton…like yesterday.
McCain = Problem.
The math on this is fairly simple.
Bill Bennett needs to give it a rest. He is approaching the end of his relevance too and for some reason these people simply cannot go quietly into that good night…
The GOP didn’t lose its way! John McCain is one of those people who has helped push the GOP off the cliff! What a load of tripe!
Basically, the old guard had their chance. They did some good but they let the Democrats rig the rules of the game. I don’t want excuses, I want results. If they old guard can’t deliver, I will look for a new cadre. The old guys (and gals) can be advisors but they should let the new crew lead. In combat, the Generals plan the war but the Captains lead the troops. I think Carl Rove would understand that analogy.
Oops…
Agreed. But their ’spewing’ illustrates a problem with the GOP: If the current intellectual and political GOP leadership are this disconnected from reality in the heat of battle with a marxist in the whitehouse, what level of confidence does that give us thst they will lead us to ultimate victory over the Obamans at all?
Its kind of like having Pee Wee Herman as your commanding General in the present, when you really needed General Patton…like yesterday.
Without people like Bill Bennett we can forget winning in 2010 or 2012. Best stop blowing bridges with like-minded conservatives and start building them.
I do not know who John McCain is anymore. I voted for him in this last election cycle because he was the selected Republican candidate. I sure did not want Obama. McCain is a progressive I’ve come to find out and is a wuss to boot. Progressives we don’t need. Wuss’ we don’t need. He did not initially come to the aid of his running mate when she was being trashed by McCain’s own people. That turned me against him to the point he will never get my vote on anything. EVER!
I do not know who John McCain is anymore. I voted for him in this last election cycle because he was the selected Republican candidate. I sure did not want Obama. McCain is a progressive I’ve come to find out and is a wuss to boot. Progressives we don’t need. Wuss’ we don’t need. He did not initially come to the aid of his running mate when she was being trashed by McCain’s own people. That turned me against him to the point he will never get my vote on anything. EVER!
Come on Michelle, McCain is the GOP link to the youth! You KNOW we can’t have Ron Paul’s organization of college kids to define a movement for the GOP.
Ron Paul has been arguing that the R party has lost its way for 20 years now and the R party hates him for it.
Instead, we get a large dose of a priveleged fat blonde ditz of questionable and agnostic sexuality whose only accomplishment is being born to a politician tell us how we are going to get the youth vote. (encouraged by AllahPundit)
I’m sorry to break it to you but Paul encourages people (especially college kids) to ask him what he thinks. Most of the GOP demands the opportunity to tell people what they think and nobody cares.
Thank you Michelle. I was attacked mercilessly yesterday when I made the same points about Bill Bennett’s tone deaf statement.
Feelings were hurt but (sniff, sniff) I’m okay now.
Yes, it does. The question is how do we correct the problem?
We have their ear, so I would recommend that “leaders” like our gracious hostess, Michelle, now take the opportunity to sit down with the likes of Bill Bennett and have a dialog. I have great confidence that a boatload of good would come out of conversations like that.
The calendar on my wall says it is time for that to start happening.
Still, it’s my frickin quarter, init?
We’re not railing against the anti-Christ, as much as, just trying to nip in the bud, a crapweasel trying to slease another term so he can reach across the aisle to backslap his liberal buddies, who insist on fisting the rest of us, without so much as a “by your leave”!
Bennett is a self described neocon and “big government conservative” (an oxymoron if ever there was one) so it isn’t surprising he would criticize Beck and defend McCain.
He’s one of the people who put the party and the country in the shi**er and he’s one of the people being pushed away by the tea parties.
Go retire with your friends John and Newt, Bill. The three of you have done enough.
Gee, maybe we can’t win without Bill Bennett in 2012 but I know we lost WITH him in 2008.
Bill Bennett “jumping the shark” to defend McCain is, well, ludicrous. And if he really believes this then he is too far gone. And if he is willing to lie to us to protect the “old guard” then he things we are too far gone!
I am tired of being lied to by the GOP! If I wanted lies I’d be a Democrat!
Now I REALLY feel guilty….
You are a great American, a Patriot and will always have my respect.
Different paths, same destination!
NO Ron Paul!!!
He has said he would bring ALL troops home, stick our collective head in the sand (my paraphrase), and increase funding to first-responders.
NOT MY CHOICE AS A LEADER!
Ron Paul: Good on economics, bad — very bad — on everything else. I don’t know if this circle can be squared, though I do believe for the GOP and conservatives in general it is worth the effort.
The last time I checked we all got kicked around the block.
I would suggest everyone take a look again at what Bennett wrote. I do not see that his motive was to give McCain cover. My interpretation is that he is trying to make the point that more Republicans “get it” than Beck believes.
Now he may be wrong, but that is what he’s attempting to say. To reinforce his point, he continues that EVEN JOHN McCAIN has acknowledged it.
I considered that a left-handed slap at McCain. He’s implying that even the least clueless guy in the room in finally coming around.
I am convinced that McCain was only nominated because of cross-over votes in the primary, coming from the SEIU and ACORN. He is the Progressive Mole in the Republican Party.
I agree MM. Mccain has been too wishy washy and on the maverick side of too many issues. I suggest to the military hawks, that fiscal sanity mandates we either turn our military into a mercenary force by making the nations we protect pay for their services, or we bring them home and start putting the soldiers paychecks into our economy. We can’t protect the EU just because they don’t want to, and we shouldn’t protect japan and taiwan when they wouldn’t do a damn thing to assist us in any form, economic, militarily or otherwise. We sell them some planes, and they reverse engineer these into their planes. What allies.
Again, I agree Flyoverman. Hopefully, this has already begun.
Bennett wasn’t very kind to Beck’s reference to his being a recovering alcoholic. Didn’t Bennett have a gambling problem? Did he join Gamblers Anonymous? In retrospect, the GOP has been rolling the dice on the economy and the budget, so maybe its appropriate.
Thank God McCain wasn’t elected into the White House. We would have Cap&Trade and Amnesty already along with a few more stimulus packages. At least the Republicans will fight Obama. McCain is obviously showing signs of losing his seat, thats’s why his friends are coming out to support him. Don’t be surprised if The New York Times runs some hit pieces aimed at Hayworth and some articles in support of McCain. They loved McCain in the Presidential Primary and dumped him as soon as they got the Republican Nominee they hoped for. They and the rest of the State Run Media will back him again. This is just the beginning. Just ignore them and give any support you can to Hayworth.
McCain lost his way like an old senile man wandering the neighborhood half dressed holding a spatchula. Let’s send him home so his moron of a daughter can look after him.
Amen. A repudiation of McCain by some of the blue-blood Republicans would go a long way towards trust that the GOP might actually want to shrink government.
The era of McCain is over.
McCain’s idea of Republicans having lost their way may be that they haven’t gone far enough left/Progressive.
No McCain, No Hucklberry.
The President should never take an oath to a calling higher than our Constitution. Huckabee already has.
My two cents: McCain, Gingrich, et al are some fine men but quite frankly, their leadership led to (or perhaps allowed ) this beloved country going off track – so far off-track that it is somehow acceptable to sacrifice liberty in the name of compromise and bi-partisanship. The art of the deal (Washington style) can no longer be synonymous with leadership – it is, in fact, the epitome of legislative cowardice.
I was listening to Fred Thompson’s Show on streaming radio an hour ago. Never heard his show until today, but very well know who he is. He was pissed at Glenn Beck for ripping on John McCain and the GOP. He went on and on and on about all the good McCain does fighting earmarks, etc. He was angry at Beck for the CPAC speech. Beck was right. Identical situation to Bill Bennett. Can someone please advise me the Cut-Off Age for a Republican’s opinion to remain relevant???
After 30 years in congress and he gets “duped” by anyone is good excuse to make sure he has seen his last days as a representative of the people.
Good night Juan
rightisright…is RIGHT! hehehe
If you can be “duped” into a progressive socialist vote…
you should NOT be in the GOP!
A confused grandpa does not belong in the Senate.
I want to hear Sarah Palin say “John, you know I admire you, and you helped get me where I am today, but my loyalty can only go so far – and this is just too much.”
And then endorse JD.
The Progressive movement has been trying to defile The Constitution since the days of the Fabians. They have rewritten and revised history to the point that most voters in this country and most citizens under 60 don’t even know what a vile infection this Progressivism has always been.
What is that line – ‘…the greatest trick Lucifer ever played was convincing the world he didn’t exist.’
I have to admit that I skimmed Bennet’s piece, and I thought his larger point was good. (That Beck sometimes over-sells the “there’s no difference between these Ds and Rs). I didn’t even see his mention of McAnus.
This is partly because we all fall too easily into the error of confusing terms. We often use “Republican” when we should be more careful to say “conservative”. There ARE vast differences between the good conservatives in the legislature and their collectivist opponents. Beck does it too, and paints with too broad a brush at times.
But McAnus is easily the most dangerous man in America, IMNHO. Yes, even more dangerous than THE ONE. Had he been elected, we would be MUCH further along the Fabian road.
There is such a thing as “old man’s disease”. Even Goldwater suffered from it in his decline.
Case in point…
http://correspondents.theatlantic.com/mickey_edwards/2010/02/why_im_not_at_cpac.php
We weren’t the people misleading him. He listened to the wrong crowd. Again.
I
Sorry to say, it ain’t gonna happen. But it should be pointed out if it wasn’t for her Juan McAmnesty would have found himself at the bottom of an avalanche. In my opinion it was a tit for tat, they are even.
Uplander beat me to it, the statements by McCain about the GOP losing it’s way wasn’t what WE mean when we say that they lost their way. WE mean they have gone too far away from the Constitution and conservative principles.
McCain meant that they haven’t been left ENOUGH! McCain believes that the GOP should have compromised MORE with the left.
The AZ primary is the #1 priority for conservatives. If we cannot rid ourselves of the progressives within the GOP, we cannot prevail.
oldsters like Bennett and McVain had their chance and they blew it. they blow, like the post said.
wait until Nov to see how much old losers like these two matter, less than zero.
I wish I could move to AZ just to vote for JD to finally rid us of this lying amnesty-pushing turd called McVain.
Hear, Hear Michelle this guy has got to go. He, along with Newt Gingrich, Orrin Hatch and a few others are positioning themselves to be the “Heros That Saved The Real Republican Party” from itself and the Tea Party kooks. God Forbid.
And, as we have seen in McCain’s last couple of years, they will have the full backing of the our wonderfully objective MSM.
How these people can think they can find common cause/ground with this administration and the other side of the aisle is nothing short of living the life of a Lewis Carrol character.
They need to be “made gone daddy” as my daughter used to say. We Are Daddy.
PC is Thought Control
LEE
We must work towards removing ALL of the cheap labor importing, big government, bailout supporting idiots who got us here until they are no longer in positions to thwart our efforts within the GOP.
Compromise is how we got here.
Building bridges with weak links like McCain, Bennet, Steele, and a long list of others that prefer to work with their friends across the aisle will result in the collapse of the GOP.
The picture at the beginning of this article.
Is Obama puckered to give McCain a kiss or am I seeing things.
Lee
John! The party is over! Why the heck are you running for Senator AGAIN!
Go away! We don’t like you anymore!!!
People actually wanted this guy in the White House. Wow.
McCain has been the problem for a long time.
The current occupant of the White House notwithstanding, I’m glad I voted for someone else. Giving in to the Rock-and-a-Hard-Place options would have sent the wrong message to the DC political machine.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Wow.
Post that everywhere you can. I have no clue how anything could be better said.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Most people go to sleep before they dream …
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Send some more of these to Senator McCain. here.
Bennett lost me when he began with a lie about how much he likes Beck.
Bennett arrived at CPAC with his long knife already sharpened…this was ~not~ a spur-of-the-moment reaction to Beck’s speech.
No one should be surprised. Bennett is a RINO and an especially sly one. Anybody who buys his populist hey-all-you-truckers-out-there-give-me-a-call radio shtick is being played for a sucker. Bennett was a McCain kind of guy all the way, although he saw which way the wind was blowing and positioned himself against amnesty during the big congressional showdown. Bennett is full of duck and dodge, but he is a typical Northeastern RINO but has decided that he can make a buck pandering to red state America. When the chips are down though, Bennett is a Jack Kemp/John McCain/Colin Powell Republican.
Rags, I hope you will go over to the Corner and read Jonah Goldberg’s take on Bennett’s remarks. It is a careful, thoughtful reaction that does not go as far as I do, but, essentially, Goldberg makes the case that Beck’s remarks did not justify Bennett’s attack, even though Bennett made some valid points. (Goldberg did not want to be confrontational and did not net it out as I have done, but he repeatedly observes that Bennett has a point in various repsects, but, each time, he explains that Bennett’s point is overblown. Goldberg defends Beck and what he said, even while acknowledging that one could make some criticisms.)
***
I agree with your other comments, especially the observation that we would be further down the Fabian road if McCain had been elected. Sure, McCain’s big-government, internationalist, socialist schemes would have been only the “lite” versions of Obama’s vision. But they would all have passed into law and conservatism would be dead in Washinton. As it is now, conservatism is more than holding it’s own, and it is the libs who are in disarray. (This is not to say that our position does not remain very dangerous…Obamacare and other horrors may still come to pass.)
One thing is for sure, we will soon know who are the conservatives and who are the opportunists. Its about time.
I agree with you 100% Michelle,
I loved Glenn Beck’s speech. I thought it was fabulous. Republicans do have a problem. I’ve said since the election that “I’m not at all sorry that McCain lost, but I’m extremely sorry Obama won!!” My yard sign said “we’re screwed 08′” and we sure have been!!!
Gtom Free Republic commenting on Bennett’s endorsement of McCain over Hayworth:
In other words, he agrees with Hayworth on the issues but supports McCain because he takes “strong” stands that only McCain can take. ????????? Lost me.
Reminds me of the late King Clancy of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the NHL’s answer to Casey Stengel, when asked to comment about a young player of marginal talent who had just been promoted to the majors, And I paraphrase extensively:
He can’t skate, can’t shoot, never seems to pass and could be better on defense but BOY CAN HE PLAY HOCKEY!!!“
Oops, left out the Free Republic link.
Scott Brown is now officially the new “maverick”.
*Once again today I have sent the RNC mailer back with freshly printed McCain and Bush pesos and a few choice words about RINO’s; If you’re fine with the same old same old like Cornyn and his commitee are with Crist and McCain, so be it, but not me; McCain as an advocacy pimp for illegal alien amnesty makes him a traitor to me, and I intend to persuade him into retirement through J.D. Hayworth!
1st: Excellent, excellent post, Michelle.
2nd:
McCain wasn’t misled. McCain helped mislead others.
As the Republican Party’s Presidential nominee, McCain pressured other Republicans in Congress to follow his lead.
Had someone who opposed TARP [for example, Mike Huckabee, who strongly and vocally opposed TARP] been the Republican Party’s Presidential nominee, other Republicans in Congress would have been more likely to oppose it.
TARP was a game-changer in the 2008 elections. And I don’t think that was any accident. The Progressive Republicans, along with “useful idiots” who gullibly believed Paulson’s nightmare crisis predictions and believed they should “abandon free market principles to save the free market system”, twisted the arms of some conservatives who didn’t want to go along, but were made to believe they had to.
Voters blamed Republicans for TARP, and voters who wanted “CHANGE” voted Democrat.
In fairness, I think it has to be said that “idiots” who supported Huckabee are not even “useful.” (Just because a socialist is a hick does not make him less of a socialist. And just in case anyone missed what a scumbag Huckabee is on his own dime, they mustn’t neglect that, in the end, he tried to hitch a ride to the bright lights and the big city as McCain’s butt boy.)
As I read this McCain thread I can’t help feeling that something’s missing. (tapping fingers on chin) Hmmm, what could it be? What could it be? Oh yeah
Anybody seen Thomas?
Flyover, but I find spewing…. cathartic.
Also, on that last point….. McCain is pretty much a progressive.
I have mentioned before but it needs repeating in IMO. McCain has made some very annoying votes in the Senate. He was also too chummy with John Kerry.
But when you evaluate McCain, you have to balance the dumb things he did with his service in the United States armed forces. Look at the film of McCain parachuting into the waters in N. VietNam, terribly injured and being almost killed by a mob. Watch the film of McCain in captivity being interviewed while in horrible pain and surrounded by brainwashed Commie fanatics. If that doesn’t move you, nothing will. I write as someone who lost a beloved uncle over the skies of N. VietNam in 1969. I was ten years old at the time and the memories never dim. Those of us who knew the airmen who risked their lives on dangerous missions can never abandon these men.
I have the same frustrations of many others about McCain’s playing footsie with Kerry and Dodd and McCain was too close to Keating. But having said that, I would also say that his military heroism outwieighs the dumb things he has done. If you ask the men who spent five years in the communist hell hole with McCain, they will tell you how much they revered John McCain, navy airman and loyal brother to his fellow prisoners. And that should be good enough.
Kerry brought shame to himself. McCain served heroically.
Bill Bennett…
Bill Bennett used to be a Democrat some time ago. That is a hint here. I believe, unless someone says otherwise, that Bennett is a social conservative, but a big-government believer, much like George Bush. He’s happy to tell us fables about morality (like his book…I don’t like to feel that I am being lectured to), and talk about God, but when it comes to the radical idea of less government, he breaks from us.
I heard Bennett talking on his show this morning (hadn’t seen his article), and when I heard him say that the Republicans stood AS ONE against the stimulus, I just about wrecked my car, yelling at him what a wrong-headed idiot he is. NO. There were quite a few Republicans who did vote for that black hole money pit.
Marc:
We are all designed with different strengths and weaknesses. McCain is a Great Man in the wrong line of work.
Screw the traitorous RINO maverick SOB. (Benedict Arnold also had some good military moments.)
WE KNOW ABOUT McCain’s military service! Everyone does! There is no “balancing” anything out! To quote Hugh Hewitt back in 2006, “Great American, lousy senator, terrible Republican”.
It serves no purpose to always be throwing his military service in our faces. Unlike most people, I don’t feel any obligation to begin all of my comments on McCain with the now annoying “Although I salute his military service….” for the same reason that I would never kiss Saddam Hussein in the armpit (as was required) had I ever been introduced to him.
It is an insult to the rest of us if McCain expects his service to be a mandatory honorific opening all discussions about him. It is such ancient history by now and besides, he has shamed himself as a politician for decades. It is long past time for his departure.
Something must have happened in North Viet Nam that we are not aware of. Perhaps they experimented with brain transplantation and gave McCain one from a water buffalo.
And as if McCain’s direct acts of treachery were not enough, he fathered the airhead media ‘ho Megan to plague America into the next generation. But then the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Sarah Palin has DEEPLY hurt my opinion of her by supporting McCain and campaigning for him.
Is it loyalty to him because of the chance he gave her? Well, how about as a commander in chief when she has to make a decision that might get her son killed in combat? Presidents make horrendously difficult decisions on an hourly basis. Have you seen how gray Obama’s hair is after one year, and he’s a complete joke who shuns decision making?
If she cannot stand up for her principles by rejecting McCain’s plea for her help SHE IS NOT WORTHY OF THE OVAL OFFICE, PERIOD!