The Candidates: John McCain
February 21st, 2007 | by Scott |Yeah, I know it’s still a long way until the ‘08 elections. But this one is intriguing to me on several levels:
1. It’s the first presidential election since 1988 that I’m not a card-carrying member of the GOP.
2. It’s the most wide-open field in my lifetime with no one seeking re-election of attempting to move from VP to POTUS.
3. The diverse make-up.
Over the next few weeks I want to take a moment to look at each of the aspirants, both contenders and pretenders. I will alternate between both sides of the aisle so I won’t be accused of stacking the deck. Each thumbnail will be my own individual impressions. I will try to be as fair as possible but of course my subjectivity will be apparent. But I’m sure you will set me straight in the comments. 
Side Note: As always, I want this to be a civil forum. I know that political discussions are given to ad hominem attacks and pejoratives. Let’s avoid that here.
What better place to start than John Sidney McCain?
For the longest time I have been a McCain fan. His positioning himself as a maverick and unwilling to play politics was a breath of fresh air within the beltway. I even thought that my vote for him in ‘08 would be a rubber-stamp if he decided to run again. After he was so cruelly sabotaged in 2000 by the Bush campaign I hoped for a comeback.
Pros: Knows the horrors of war first-hand, his work on campaign finance, awareness of global warming including his work with Joseph Lieberman to raise awareness, a benevolent approach to immigration reform, and his commitment to end torture as an interrogation device, cash cow, a candidate that has cross-party appeal.
Cons: Age (he would be older than Reagan was when first elected), an increased penchant for capitulation to the current administration on the Iraq war, recent reversals of positions that seem to be tied to the nomination
Analysis: The McCain of 2000 is a candidate that would make me reconsider voting GOP. But, that is not the candidate of 2008. It seems, from my perspective, that McCain has realized that he may be electable but he can’t get the nomination unless he caters to the far-right.
It seems that he has made the decision that he will remain unswervingly devoted to the war in Iraq and that will be the hill he dies on. As a result, I question his strategy to remain so committed to the Bush doctrine. It’s a long way away and a lot can happen that will prove him to be more shrewd than I think he is. But it seems like a fool-hardy move in the light of the current climate.
Moreover, he seems to be painting himself as more conservative this time around. Recent comments reversing previous positions on Roe V. Wade, reconciliation with Falwell, and ruminating about Bob Riley as a potential running mate indicate a swing to the far-right. My question is whether or not this is out of growing conviction or the realization that a moderate cannot win the nomination in the GOP. Based upon his experience in 2000, my cynical nature opts toward the latter.
21 Responses to “The Candidates: John McCain”
By jasonk on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
I have been really intrigued by McCain all along, for many of the same reasons you have listed. He is a maverick, and I’ve always liked the way he refuses to tow the party line. And, I was frustrated by the way Bush keel-hauled him in 2000. I guess all is fair in love, war, and politics.
His move to the right is predictable. He wants to be president, and the only way to get the nom is to ease ever so carefully to the right on issues like abortion. I was glad when he said he would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned, but I doubt that he really means it. He probably figures that it won’t matter anyway, since no president has the power to overturn it.
I don’t know if I agree that he is taking a firm stand behind the Bush war policy. It seems that he is positioning himself well in that arena. For example, on Sunday he said that the war in Iraq had been terribly mismanaged, and that Rumsfeld was one of the worst defense secretaries in history. He regrets the price that has been paid for the mismanagement of the war. That is big, considering Bush’s firm loyalty to Rumsfeld. To me, it is a brilliant strategy. Distance yourself from the president, but remain firmly committed to finishing the job, the right way.
His age is only a factor when considering his choice for running mate. As old as he is, he can bring great experience to the office, which is sorely needed right now. But he’d better have a top notch replacement waiting in the wings, just in case.
If the election were today, I would vote for McCain.
By Politics and Culture on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
I’ve never been a McCain fan, although I do respect him and some of his views. His work on campaign finance made things worse. He has capitulated to those who believe that human activity causes global warming, he’s more of a politician than a leader, and he is not a true, Reagan conservative.
I don’t think he will get the nomination, and if he does, he won’t win. We generally don’t like to elect Senators.
By Scott on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Jason, I hear your point. Maybe it’s not the policy, but he is standing behind the administration and the war. And that concerns me.
I still have to consider age, though, when pulling the trigger regardless of who the running mate is.
By Scott on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Politics,
I’m not sure he can get the nom either. He has to win Dobson back to do that.
But you do realize that I’m one of those who believe that human activity causes global warming? If not, read your latest Christian Chronicle
By greg on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Apparently he doesn’t…
By greg on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
off topic, but… just read that article this morning while poking around over there (because of GKB’s recent post linking to another CC article). Pretty good article.
By Scott on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Thanks. Apparently there will be a picture of me in the print version. I thought it was a balanced article. Of course, I know I’m in the minority.
By Steve Duer on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
He is who I would vote for, though the survey I took the other day had him half way down my list.
By Politics and Culture on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Scott,
I assumed that you were in the “human activity causes global warming” camp. That’s OK. I don’t think that affects our status as brothers in Christ.
I will check out the CC article.
By KS on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
McCain has a legit shot in the GOP. He has made statements towards the war that I would agree with. Right reasons, wrong strategy. I like the fact that he has a plan, not just bashing the President.
I do agree that it will be difficult to get the nomination, but if he does he is one of the few that could win in the general election from the GOP.
By justmundie on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
On global warming -
I’m a weather geek. I frequent message boards that have a significant number of meteorologists on it and, while there is diversity of opinion there, the biggest camp is that human causation is negligible and that the main aspect in climate change is natural. They disagree on what natural source is causing it. Some say the interior of the earth is warming, and others that the sun is going through a warm period. And 95% of them think Al Gore is full of crap.
And onto politics, McCain-Feingold has actually made things worse. In limiting donations the way they have, the main cash flow is your crazy groups (moveon.org or james dobson) who now have control of parties rather than, say, The DLC or a moderate republican group. Its caused more polarization and, oh yeah, there’s a little issue with free speech.
And McCain is no maverick. He positions himself for power just like anyone else. He knew he would get attention for going against the president and so he continued to do it. It may have something to do with how he was treated in South Carolina, but he’s certainly a politician like the rest of them. And if he were the Repubolican candidate, I would either write in Jesus or vote libertarian.
By Scott on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
95%? Hyperbole machine in overdrive, Justin? I can respond with other reports that say human causation is more than negligible. There is disagreement but saying that 95% are on one side is pure deception.
I agree that McCain-Feingold is flawed. But I applaud the intent.
I also agree that McCain isn’t a maverick. He was in 2000 but it didn’t get him elected. And hence what we have now.
Ultimately, he is a long way from getting my vote.
By Jeff on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Why do any of us think that we have any idea what any politician stands for? The fact has been proven repeatedly that the brotherhood of the elephant and donkey have learned how to exploit our form of government. They say whatever they need to say to get elected, promptly forget about it and legislate in favor of their chosen special interest. To think that we have any idea how McCain, Clinton, Obama, Romney, or anyone else will govern is naivete.
I hate being so jaded.
By Scott on Feb 21, 2007 | Reply
Jeff, I would hate being so jaded as well. I understand that our system is deeply flawed and the propensity for political double speak is great.
But I think it’s painting with a pretty broad brush to say that those who align themselves with a particular candidate is naive.
I think we can see the values of many candidates through their voting records. Is it perfect? Not by any stretch. But some things do still get done.
By Lane on Feb 22, 2007 | Reply
I really like McCain based upon his recent comments on Rumsfeld. He came out to say that he has managed this war poorly, and was one of the first “big name” Republicans to say so.
I’m not really sure how I feel about McCain, but then again, I don’t know that any of the candidates thus far are going to meet anyone’s expectations on how to run this country.
I like the idea of getting someone like Giuliani or Mitt Romney who has not had a presence in Washington. However, I like Obama and the fact that he’s young and eager.
Come to think of it, I’d like to know your thoughts on Romney, Scott. Do you think he has any sort of legitimate shot? Do you think any Republican has a legitimate shot against Giuliani?
By Scott on Feb 22, 2007 | Reply
I think there are several republicans who have a shot against Giuliani. Romney is one of those. In the GOP it’s all about whether or not you can get the nomination. I plan on talking about Romney in 2 weeks. I’m going to look at a Democrat candidate next week.
By Belinda on Feb 22, 2007 | Reply
Have you ever listened to McCain/2000 and the current version?? BIG differences. I had pretty much voted republican until 2004 too. The way I see it, McCain has sold his soul to the Bush regime. And he’s not the only one.
By Scott on Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
It sure seems that McCain has backed his truck up to the White House loading dock. It’ll be interesting to see if this strategy pays off for him.