Mccain continues nosedive toward conformity

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Originally Posted by Preechr

In that light, McCain may have appeal to voters, but voters don't decide who the Republicans will run. Please explain to me just how the primaries are a democratic process... better yet, explain it to President of the United States Howard Dean. It's a show, not an election. Political parties are run like businesses, not lynch mobs. This is a decision made through a process of focused intelligence with regard to specific goals not necessarily understood by all Republican Party Members. I'm not talking about shadow government, illuminati stuff, but I'm willing to bet the inner circle has a perimeter that stops somewhere before uncle Bob and his buddy Barney chucking back dollar beers at the Republican Party Monthly Mixer over at the Moose Lodge.

Ask John McCain if primaries matter. Do you honestly think it was "THE REPUBLICAN PARTY" that axed the McCain campaign in 2000, or was it a crafty and twisted campaign staff???

You either don't see the weakened role the actual party structures have had in politics for the last 20-30 years, or simply refuse to.

Why the hell would the GOP hand the reins over to a man with a solid record of inclusiveness and non-partisanship when the Democrats are on the ropes?

Wow, you've really bought into the John McCain fan club, haven't you?

The guy is a war hawk who wants to balance the budget. He gained recognition for his bi-partisan efforts, particularly the campaign finance reform. But the guy has otherwise voted as a Republican. Check out his interest group rating for his legislative record:

http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rati...an_id=S0061103

* Fall 2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Conservative Index - The John Birch Society 90 percent in Fall 2004.

* 2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Christian Coalition 83 percent in 2004.

* 2004 On the votes that the Americans for Tax Reform considered to be the most important in 2004, Senator McCain voted their preferred position 90 percent of the time.

* 2005 Senator McCain supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 72 percent in 2005.

* 2003-2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 22 percent in 2003-2004.


I like McCain, but the "independent" McCain has partly been a product of smart messaging and a friendly media.

I think what's screwing me up is that you seem to think the GOP is weak and vulnerable right now for some reason, where I see it as the Republicans are trying to decide on the best way to finish the execution while leaving the smallest mess to clean up.

The GOP is weak right now. People are down n the government, and the party in power is the likely target. If you don't believe me, ask your man Newt. He knows it too.

..or independent. I know I haven't given you a chance to respond to my latest round of proving you wrong, but self-fulfilled prophecy? This isn't the ending to a chick-flick, Kev... this is politics. Because it sounds good just doesn't factor into who runs our country.

Ugh, excuse me, but who has swallowed the "straight talk" kool aid here?

What i meant is that McCain has been picked by many,including press, pollsters, and pundits to be the frontrunner for the nomination....right now. My point was that this can play in McCain's favor, because the more people say it, and the more th press covers it, the less likely it is that he'll get strong opposition for the nod.

And besides, according to you, it's some nefarious backroom dea that decides all of this. If voter don't really matter, than doesn't that play in the favor of the "independent" who is everyone's darling...?

But when he doesn't get the nod from his party, what will he do then? How will he run if he runs as an independent? I'd rather see you getting all excited over that prospect than building youself for an obvious disappointment. If he was Governor McCain, we wouldn't be having this argument, but alas he is not, and we are... and I'm right. You watch.

Who gives this nod, preechr? What party?? The RNC? The GOP governors association? Republicans in Congress? Wealthy Republicans?

You are absolutely off on this one, sorry Preechr. I'm not excited about the prospects of anything. I know what I see happening, and I see McCain positioning himself to be the srongest candidate-- both inmessage, legislative record, staff, and grassroots organization.

Not only have you failed to explain who these "Republicans" are who are out to get McCain, but you've failed to explain why these shady characters would be opposed to McCain as the candidate.

Polls mean nothing and any Governor can beat any Senator any day. 28 states have Republican governors right now, but Ahnold doesn't count. Want another Texan? Rick Perry might be freed up next year. How about another Bush? Wouldn't that be fun? I doubt Pataki could pull it off, but that's the four largest states in the union all represented by Republican governors right there... remember I said Ahnold can't run so California was implicit.

Polls mean enough to all of the Republican candidates who want or have McCain stumping for them in 2006.

I already said senators have a tough time. However, that's generally because they have a long record of legislation to answer for. McCain flaunts and embraces his record, which adds to his "straight talk" persona. McCain came out of a losing primary battle more popular than when he entered. Find a Democrat who could brag about the same.

McCain, in short, has done a good job over the lasy eight years to step beyond his senate position.

How bout Bill Owens? There's a success story for you. First Republican governor in Colorado in 28 years, and he got re-elected. Solid background in the private sector, better than Bush on education, infrastructure and taxes... This dude's on FIRE.

I'm glad you like him. I'm sure a lot of folks who voted for him would agree. McCain would kick his ass today.

Hell, Haley Barbour or even Ernie Fletcher could whup any Senator you've got. Notice please that I'm throwing out names most folks have to look up. That's who you want to run if you're Karl Rove.

See above. As I've already said, it's still early, but McCan may b the exception to the rule. He would beat these gentlemen today, IMO.

McCain's too dangerous, and Republicans aren't desperate enough, as I said before, to be running Senators anyway. I'm not even sure he could get on the ticket in the number two position if he'd even take that.

Good grief. Preechr, what are the issues McCain is too dangerous on? Security? Taxes? Abortion?

And your last comment about him struggling to get a VP slot (were he to accept it) is the sillies thing you've ever said.....EVER!

There's plenty of good meat out there in the herd of Republican governors, but a lot of them are up for re-election this year, so it's premature to make any guesses. It'll be a governor, though. Bank on it.

You may beright, but to dismiss the possibility of a popular senator is silly.