I know you are, but what am I?
By absentee Posted in Republicans | Spotlight Blogs — Comments (184) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Promoted from the diaries. How can we not, when he writes this well on what we need most: Republican community healing?
I know you are, but what am I?
I know you. You're conservative. You are a conservative. You think taxes should be cut. You think government should be smaller. You think Roe v. Wade was, and is, a tragedy. I know you.
You revere the constitution. You revere the Founding Fathers. You read their biographies. You love America. You love it so much it hurts sometimes. You would die defending your country and, what's more, you'd kill. I know you.
I know you, because you are me. I am you.
I am a conservative. In fact, I'm the stereo-typical conservative: Southern; white; evangelical Christian; veteran; upper-middle class; white-collar job; blue-collar pickup; gun-toting NRA member. I'm a Christian by belief, I'm gun-owner by choice, and I'm a Marine by God.
I vote Republican. I mean that as a universal truth, not an observation. I was a Marine, we pick sides. I vote Republican, I donate Republican, I volunteer Republican. I started the first young Republicans in the history of my high school, where I was also in the Marine JROTC. I've never voted for any non-Republican. I don't vote for Judges unless they've been endorsed by the local Republican party. I give money all year, every year. I also donate to conservative political action groups.
I went to boot camp immediately after high school. I could have gone to college. In fact I had a scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute and I was accepted at The Citadel. However, I was a passionate young fellow, I didn't want to wait. Gulf War I was active when I enlisted, and action was still possible. I left for boot camp five days after I graduated high school, the day after the Fourth of July holiday. When I hear Taps, I feel a lump in my throat. I don't cry ... Marines don't cry. When I hear the National Anthem at a ball game, I feel it in my heart. It means a lot to me. I'm proud of this country, and by God I love this country.
I am you. I am with you on the issues. I'm not merely pro-life, I am anti-abortion. I have contempt for pro-abortion positions. I am a capitalist. I am a member of the Club for Growth. I believe in free trade. Capitalism is freedom. The freer the economy the freer the people, and history has shown this to be so. The converse argument has been shown so as well, as a dark and bloody past will attest.
Here is how I feel about my guns:
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.
My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other.
Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy.
Amen.
I know you are conservative, and so am I. But there is a difference between us. I am voting for John McCain in the primaries. I'll pause and let you calm down.
I am a conservative, and I feel it is necessary to repeat that. I don't drink Kool-aid. I support John McCain. I've posted a few blog entries to that effect. They are located here (the decision), here (veteran care), here (why South Carolina wasn't the death of conservativism), here (analyzing George Will's McCain attack), and here (about those who decide not to vote in November). Those sum up my position so far fairly well, though not completely. I would add the comment about the troops in response to docj, located here, because it gets at the heart of one of my main issues.
I am not going to write about voting for McCain in this blog. I am making a point. John McCain, as we are aware, is not a conservative. However, he is conservative, as in he is more conservative than he is not conservative. This has been belabored many times at Redstate, but suffering fools is becoming tiresome. I usually try to be a non-confrontational blogger, but patience wears thin. When someone claims that John McCain is a liberal, they impugn my character, not to mention insult my intelligence. Reagan's Eleventh Commandment was not merely for the benefit of the candidates.
Vigorous debate is always welcome. However, as a community we should have some kind of underlying thread of agreement that makes us such. Merely being members of Redstate is not enough to make us a community.
I will give you an example: Pliny. Pliny is an Australian. Pliny is not, from what I can discern, of the same political stripe as United States Republicans. But Pliny is inarguably a member of this community. He cares to persuade us on Global Warming. He is quite active in that regard. He shares something with the rest of us that makes him part of this community: a belief in the good faith of our positions. Pliny believes we can be persuaded about Global Warming, because he believes it is real. He believes doing something about it is right and true, that it is just. He takes it for granted that we wish to do what is right and good and just.
How about flyerhawk? Flyer spent a long time as the only resident liberal. He has a few fellows here now. How is it that flyer stays engaged on a Republican website for so long? Respect. Flyer believes that we are good but very wrong people. He is part of this community.
So we share something as a community, there is an underlying premise that binds all into a group. A ragtag bunch to be sure, but a real, identifiable group. This group is one I have called mine for over three years. It can be trying at times. I had a legendary falling-out with Neil Stevens a few years ago which nearly had us banned, and which was essentially of my own making. (By the way, sorry about that Neil. Have a beer on me.) This thread that binds us all has been put to the test during the primaries. It has been bent, but not broken.
I think it is high time that another principle be at play here at Redstate. I do not mean to discuss rules and regulations. I discussed no rules just now when describing this community. This is one of those grassroots principles. It will alleviate some of the uglier commentary at Redstate, and will help us to elevate our discussions to their former high tone.
The principle I refer to is this: It is possible that principled conservatives support John McCain. That's it. That's all. There is a tendency to frenzy with regard to McCain. No, no, don't tell me there is not. This is amply evident. It is not rampant, and it is not to the exclusion of reason, but it is there. This tendency has resulted in some, particularly newcomers, toward extreme position-taking. You are either against McCain, or against us.
But I am not against you, my friends I AM you. I love this Country, I love this party, and I love this website. I believe John McCain will be right for this country, and I believe he will be Right for this country. I recognize that I could be wrong. A scan of my commentary and blogging at this website will reveal my support is tempered and, initially, was tentative. I have my reasons.
You see, that is the key. I have my reasons, and I have my reason. It is possible principled conservatives support McCain. It is more than possible, it is so.
I know you are a conservative, but what am I? I AM a Conservative. So I have always been, and so I shall always be.
It is safe to say that Senator McCain will remain a topic of discussion around here. It is also safe to say emotions will run high. However, the next time you are sighting-in on someone with a kill shot, just remember whose side they are on. It's probably yours.
I appreciate that.
You know, while I've got you here, I've been meaning to ask about your username. Is that in reference to Joplin?
absentee
I've had another user name on other sites, but felt better just being me. The only thing I have in common with Janis Joplin is the spelling and the fact that my singing voice sounds like I have a throat full of broken glass.
after her maternal grandmother. No Joplin connection either.
Romney, are you the candidate for change, or the changing candidate?
Sure McCain, you can have my #$&^%#@$ vote if you want it.
FDT's Principles
My thoughts exactly.
Those who criticized Rudy, Huck, and Romney didn't attack the people who supported them as being traitors to the party or the movement. They criticized their candidates' positions (or former positions) on issues that mean a lot to many of us.
Some of this venom the last two days towards not only McCain, but anyone who says that they will support him now that it looks very likely that he will be our nominee, is really unseemly.
I'm surprised so many people could be so motivated to go on blogs and declare their unwillingness to support or even vote for McCain against Hillary in November. If you aren't going to, then that is that, no reason to castigate the rest of the party faithful out of spite or bitterness.
All the talk of letting Hillary ruin the country so the Democrats get the blame and "I would have voted for McCain until the timetables controversy" stuff looks really desperate. It definitely is not a formula for attracting more support for your candidate.
those who say that don't seem to consider that the potential devastation doesn't just apply to politics. There will be lives on the line, an economy in tatters, and God knows what other kinds of havoc will be wreaked. Politics is not the whole world.
... who you may have heard talking to Rush about me the other day, was almost one of those abstainers. I think I've talked him out of it.
He's a principled conservative too, but not as much of a party man as I am.
And thought it was really cool hearing your blog name put out over the golden mike airwaves. He made some good points that Rush seemed to not want to hear. Bad for business perhaps? Anyway, you do sound like a conservative but I don't think you support McCain. It sounds more like you don't support anyone else. I seriously see nothing good in a McCain candidacy, and if it's him versus Obama, I may just write someone else in and let the pieces fall where they may.
Go ahead, make your jokes, Mr. Jokey... Joke-maker. But let me hit you with some knowledge. Quit now.
-White Goodman
I disagree with Eyrik about the reception your brother received. Rush did sound distracted, however, which I think often happens because of his loss of hearing as much as anything.
And your bro sounded GOOD.
This was another excellent diary. Very well-reasoned and sensible, just as you intended.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
Yes, I agree people that believe what Democrats say about Republicans, right as that Republican becomes the clear front runner and is polling ahead of both their potential candidates, are indeed traitors to their party.
Either that or just mind numbingly stupid.
John Bolton for President
"FEAR THE 'STACH!!!"
but your post is not completely clear.
From the article:
...John Weaver, McCain’s chief political strategist.
McCain consistently shot down the rumors, though Weaver acknowledged this week that the senator did talk to Democrats about leaving the GOP.
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Vista really sucks!
But, I now realize that I was reacting instinctively for my distatse for McCain over 2 or 3 issues:
(1) He threw conservatives under the bus by co-sponsoring McCain-Feingold with the leftist, Russ Feingold.
(2) He threw conservatives under the bus when he sandbagged Bill Frist on the issue of stopping the Democrats from using an unconstitutional filibuster against Bush's judicial appointees.
(3) He teamed up with Ted Kennedy to co-sponsor an immigration bill so liberal that Bush promised to veto it.
However, that said, I will not just vote for McCain, but I will send him money (at least $500) if he can successfully defeat my hero, Mitt Romney.
to a fantastic essay. Thanks absentee. You have restored my sagging hope.
This country could use absentee in Washington. And I'm only half-jocking.
Heath Shuler could use a replacement in WNC. He has turned into a Nancy Pelosi democrat instead of the conservative democrat he ran as.
"Where I stand does not depend on where I'm standing." Fred D. Thompson
---
Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
I have always been a side chooser. That is why I was a party man as a dem and am a party man now in the GOP. Its why when, as a child, the Browns were playing Bengals, I chose the Browns; why when the Knicks or Celtics played the Lakers I chose the Lakers; and why if x played y, I chose x or y.
As an American, I choose America, and that's why I will campaign hard for the GOP nominee. America is x. Our enemies are y.
x is my choice. And that is why a conservative patriot must not only vote for McCain if he is the nominee, but also campaign hard for him.
Now, back to campaigning for Romney....until
great column dude
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
You really should run.
And you know I don't support McCain. I'm a conservative and an economist so I guess that means that I'm forced to look on the dark side all the time, but I dread the idea of McCain as the standard bearer for my party.
But you wrote a great blog anyway and I wish you would run for office.
And I loooooove the Marines.
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
I've always thought your username was fitting. I didn't know you were an economist. I'm a math dud. You know what they say about Marines right?
Muscles Are Required Intelligence Not Essential
absentee
Sure McCain, you can have my #$&&^%#@$ vote if you want it.
Fred Thompson's Principles
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It has been a very tough primary season, and in the heat of battle some things posted have been over the top IMO. From what I have read in your blogs you have strategic reasons for supporting McCain so vigorously. We disagree, but I will gladly eat crow and humble pie if things work out the way you think that they will. If you are wrong will you do likewise?
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
Gladly. Like I said, I pick sides. I'd have been vigorous for our nominee. I think the party is important, too. It is not a mere shell for us to pin our philosophies on as it suits us. It's our team. When the Panthers lose, I am quick to say what they have done wrong, to curse Fox's decision-making. But they are my Panthers, and I'd never root against them.
I think McCain will do certain things that I want done. If he doesn't you'll hear me say it. Probably in another long-winded and verbose self-indulgence. ;)
absentee
Pliny believes we can be persuaded about Global Warming, because he believes it is real.
So does John McCain. Global warming is a fallacy of the nth degree. And anyone that believes that it is mostly man-made(like most of those global warming people) are wrong, including our current president.
They all believe global warming is human caused. They disagree some on solutions, but not as much as you probably think. McCain at least wins some moderates over by being loud about it, but he's not much different from the other candidates on global warming.
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Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
Unless I missed something, even Rudy didn't agree with McCain-Liebermann. I will stand to be corrected if another candidate endorsed the proposed legislation. Those of us who continue to believe in small and limited government see this as an exercise in excess. Costs have been tagged in excess of a trillion dollars.
In fact, this is one facet of the McCain candidacy that really escaped enough scrutiny, particularly as to costs.
Admittedly all four viable candidates from the two major parties lean toward Big Government Nanny Statism, but this bill potentially woud dwarf the other soft socialist programs that have been put forward.
As for this diary, it is very well written and recommended for that reason.
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
..and I live near his district (well, actually pretty much everyone in central NC lives near his district :D) so I would help!
There's also Brad Miller in district 13...
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I'm not voting for Ron Paul because it's not expressly prescribed in the Constitution.
-- Mark Hemingway, The Corner (NRO)
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
You sort of address my emotional reasons for not getting hysterical about a McCain presidency and Adam C sort of addresses my intellectual reasons for not getting apoplectic about a McCain administration.
When the choice is between someone I don't like and someone I don't trust, I've decided to support the one I don't like first.
Plus it's highly persuasive.
Darn, I'm going to end up voting for McCain & feeling good about it!
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
in which the flesh and blood McCain resembles the Rush parody to the point that he may need to get a new parody!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Last night was the first debate I've missed yet. Sound asleep having worked all through the night before.
absentee
his lady in waiting. Paul was court jester and McCain was a visting foreign monarch!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
enough!
HA :)
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
but it seemed to have a negative a effect.
Romney, are you the candidate for change, or just changing?
Sure McCain, you can have my #$&&^%#@$ vote if you want it.
Fred Thompson's Principles
==== 13 ====
sign up both of my live orange cats so they could both recommend it too :)
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
Romney, are you the candidate for change, or just changing?
Sure McCain, you can have my #$&^%#@$ vote if you want it.
Fred Thompson's Principles
It was a tough, tough decision for me, and I do not begrudge those who have decided otherwise. And I pray that you are right, and I am not, because John McCain is going to be the next President of the United States.
Great work absentee!
Although we disagree on McCain... I think it's good for us to debate the worthiness of each candidate, examine their record, and tell others of the reasons for our choice.
The bottom line for me is I've always been a conservative -- politicians will come and go... but I remain loyal to conservatism!
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report
but I couldn't disagree with you more. McCain is not a conservative. He has proven that time and time again.
I absolutely will not vote for him. I am writing a substantial check to a group which will oppose him through the general if necessary and I am considering voting for the Dem nominee because McCain is more likely to get unwanted legislation through, than a Dem president is.
"I think the American public wants a solemn ass as a President, and I think I'll go along with them."
------------- Calvin Coolidge
First, thank you. Second, I think you were right in pointing out the negative commentary about your religion on a different thread.
Third, "McCain is not a conservative" is what you said. Here is what I said: "John McCain, as we are aware, is not a conservative."
I agree with you. He is not A conservative. He doesn't belong to our group. He is not in our demographic. I agree. I've always said that, it's always been true.
But he is more conservative on issues than he is not conservative on issues. So he is conservative, but not A conservative. For many of us, he is not conservative enough on enough issues to be happily considered conservative. I just happen to believe that my relative joy in observing reality is moot.
As for the rest, I think you are making a number of grave errors. But we've all been down that road already. I'm content with you agreeing that I can be conservative and vote for McCain. In return, I will believe that you can be conservative and not vote in the election.
I can't extend that to voting for the Dem, though. I can only go so far.
But I appreciate you commenting here.
absentee
"I am writing a substantial check to a group which will oppose him through the general if necessary and I am considering voting for the Dem nominee because McCain is more likely to get unwanted legislation through, than a Dem president is."
So basically you are thinking of voting for Hillary, and then on top of that becoming an activist against McCain in the general election?
Sounds like you're on the wrong website. Perhaps you should check into one of those moonbat sites.
McCain is not a Conservative. You are right about that. Neither is Mitt Romney though. He's campaigning as one now to try to get himself the nomination. His father and him both fought against true Conservatives like Barry Goldwater all through their careers.
For the following reason. Imagine a similar "amnesty" bill came up. If it were passed and reached the president then McCain is likely to sign it. Less R's will oppose it because the R president will be in favor of it.
If, however, an "amnesty" bill came forward, then the R's will more likely be able to fight against it tooth and nail and score points with conservatives while they do it.
An even better example would be a Global Warming "capping" bill. Just think about it - what would be worse for our country. A McCain presidency will mean more unfavorable legislation gets passed.
In reality, I don't think I could ever go through with it but I hope you can at least see my point.
*I will never surrender to John McCain*
For the following reason. Imagine a similar "amnesty" bill came up. If it were passed and reached the president then McCain is likely to sign it. Less R's will oppose it because the R president will be in favor of it.
Didn't we just have this exact scenario? Bush, a Republican president, favored CIR and pushed for its passage. It still never reached his desk. But you are arguing that with McCain instead of Bush as president something else would happen with that bill in Congress?
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
however, McCain would there would be some sort of asterisk that McCain would claim says he learned and that he's going to "secure the border first", while still granting amnesty.
Global warming legislation would be a disaster. It will happen under McCain without a doubt. That in itself, is reason enough to oppose McCain.
*I will never surrender to John McCain*
President Bush has the exact same position on the "Amnesty" bill that McCain did. He and members of his Administration fought tooth and nail for it. There's no question he would have signed it.
On Cap and Trade, which would you prefer: a version that McCain and at least some members of the GOP in Congress have input on, or a version written completely by the liberals in Congress and signed into law by Hillary?
It's quite ironic that so many Romney supporters have frequently pointed out that the only reason he took so many liberal positions in Massachusetts, and did things like his healthcare bill and the AWB, were because he had to deal with a Democrat legislature. He had Ted Kennedy with him when he signed that healthcare bill into law. So he and McCain have something in common on that note.
Difference is, being Commander-In-Chief while we're involved in 2 wars and fighting terrorists is a big issue. That's where McCain has the edge.
Now is not the time to help someone like Hillary Clinton win the White House because your candidate didn't get the nomination. There's too much at stake.
Send a message by writing in Fred's name. I can't vote for McCain either. Seems to me like he doesn't like conservatives very much.
"Where I stand does not depend on where I'm standing." Fred D. Thompson
0.25% can't get over Fred dropping out of his own accord because he couldn't garner enough support? As Dan says, ideas don't run for President, people do. Fred was an awful candidate (I even donated money to him), that doesn't mean that his ideas were rejected.
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Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
You think a democratic president with a Democratic legislature is less likely to get democratic legislation passed than McCain? How does that logic work? McCain migh5t veto some Democratic legislation you disagree with. OBama or Hillary will veto NONE of it.
Are you saying you disagree with McCain on EVERY issue?
List all of the issues that are large and important to you and please tell me on which ones McCain is to the left of not _you_ but to the left of _Obama or Hillary Clinton_ because They will be the other nominee for president - last I checked YOU aren't running for office. This 'The candidate must be perfect' routine is rather narcissistic and self defeating for the republican party. The phrase 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' comes to mind.
I am only commenting on the first part of your post.
"You think a democratic president with a Democratic legislature is less likely to get democratic legislation passed than McCain? How does that logic work?"
The short answer is yes. It has been explained above, but the reason McCain will do more damage and pass more legislation is his alliances with the Democrats. He writes legislation with the most liberal of Dems, he supports many of their positions, he wants the favor of the media, and he agrees with them on judiciary nominations. If a Dem is in the White House, Republicans can oppose that President and use every trick in the book to stop legislation. If McCain is in the White House, they cannot stand against him without damaging the party. If Hillary changed parties and got the nomination (I know this is impossible, but it is a hypothetical), would we (conservatives) support the nominee? I think many here at RedState would say no, but the logic of many others would require them to vote for the Republican. We should not vote for a candidate just because they have an R next to their name, even in the general election.
I am not saying I would vote for a Dem, but a GOP president that votes with the Dems will face no opposition if the Republicans follow Reagan's 11th commandment (also mentioned previously).
The Chad
"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Every time I get even a little more accustomed to the idea of a McCain presidency, he pulls another "saying the word 'timetables' means surrender" or "there are greedy people on Wall Street who need punishment"
I'm sorry, but I may never be able to pull the lever for McCain, I have had too many nightmares of debates with Hillary in which Hillary says "Global Warming Bad!" and McCain responds "Yep."
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"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" ~Ronald Reagan
I won't be voting for him in the primary, but I'll be behind him *when* he's the nominee.
Either way, great blog!
Kelly
PS. Thanks for your service.
thank you, thank you, thank you!
This would not have needed to be said at the Red State I joined. Of course there have always been debates, arguments, and hyperbole, but the stuff going on lately actually makes me want to sign on less. I really love this site, this is "my" site, I come here to debate/discuss politics, and only use other political sites to read and learn.
This is a great post Absentee, people need to stop attacking other Redstater's saying they are not conservative simply based on whom they support in this election. I have seen so many newbies join just to spew bile, and I have even seen some oldsters move from rational to less than, imho.
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Molon Labe!
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Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
I've admitted to sour grapes, probably a little hyperbole but I feel like I'm getting herded to a place I don't want to go. The slaughterhouse? RedState McCain supporters; You had to expect some kicking and braying from the herd. As a conservative, I feel like just another special interest group vying for a few scraps from what used to be a pretty conservative party.
Choosing sides. It always comes down to that doesn't it? Absentee, it was my honor and privilege to work with Marines for several years on a couple of amphibs and I can only dream of writing a post as eloquent as yours. Thank you. I will choose sides (with a bit of kicking) and support the Republican nominee. My wife, son, daughter and son-in-law will all go vote for Senator McCain if required but the Republican Party is on very thin ice. We are awfully close to an all out revolt.
What the hell is going on out here? - Vince Lombardi
Seriously, absentee, good job.
We need to debate issues & values; records & principles. In those debates things become heated among humans, however we need to keep pulling ourselves back to the issues, values, records, & principles.
I'll support McCain if he is the nominee. Still going to have to go with Romeny in the primary based on the closeness of match to my values & principles. I would imagine that the attack machine he would face during the general election should move him further to the right on many issues & show who his true friends are...
I don't agree but I am with you in that We are one. I will vote for Huckabee in the primaries not because he is my ideal candidate but because I can swallow the issues we disagree about easier than I can with the other two.
But God help me, I can't march off the cliff with you and vote for McCain. Not so much because we disagree but because he is so disagreeable when he leaves the reservation.
I'm fighting with myself because I too have become tired if the bickering and backbiting and I want to swear off attacking my fellow Red stater's But I can't when it comes to Senator McCain. With him it's not enough to disagree with me he has to rub my nose in it when he does it.
We are one now based on your post because I can't see a single issue that we disagree about and we will be one when this is over but for me I'm down to a one and two choice and a blank ballot as the third.
To compromise with evil is to corrupt good!
Go Mike Go!!!
ANd how disagreeable will it be to you when Hillary or Obama, with both chambers of COngress also democratic, start ripping into the laws of the country and demolishing any progress made over the last quarter century? Is your dislike of McCain really worth that?
He isn't my first choice either, but come on. .
"ANd how disagreeable will it be to you when Hillary or Obama, with both chambers of COngress also democratic, start ripping into the laws of the country and demolishing any progress made over the last quarter century? Is your dislike of McCain really worth that?"
I truly believe that John McCain is a bigger threat to the Republican Party and Conservatives in general than the opposition party.
Do you guys really believe that once McCain is through the primarys and no longer needs conservatives to win the nomination that he's going to be talking as he is now?
To compromise with evil is to corrupt good!
Go Mike Go!!!
excellent diary!
This past week has been frustrating, and I'm glad you wrote something that rose well above the emotion and frustration.
1. McCain, 2. Thompson, 3. Giuliani, 4. Romney
I hate this whole mess. Hate it, hate it, hate it.
I can no longer expend any energy defending those I am not vigorously excited about supporting. So much so that, after talking with my sis-in-law about other Texas issues, I have pretty much decided that I won't even vote in November. And that will be a first since 1988. Hubby probably won't either.
However, if there were more adults in the room like you, we might be persuaded.
*Do not consider this a comment to RS, because I am not commenting on RS anymore. It is simply a shout-out to a good dude that deserves a Hooah!
That is all.
Sorry we've lost you, if that's the case.
If I understand your non-comment, you're expressing the situation that's most damaging of all. If you stay home, there will be a Congressman and perhaps a Senator and a governor who won't get your vote, either. I'm afraid that you're not alone.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
I take your comment as a sign you're not completely off the reservation.
Remember that Presidents sometimes deliver things that are not in the "package" that we vote for. For example, who knew that in George W. Bush we would be getting the right man at the right time for the War on Terror?
Can we afford to risk Hill/Obama in similar circumstances?
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
I have an deep seated hatred for McCain. But you won't hear me criticizing any who chose to vote for him in the primary or general. I recognize many conservatives are facing a tough choice and some are coming on the side of voting for him.
I just ask for the same courtesy when I tell you I'm a lifelong conservative, and I will *NEVER* vote for him. Nope, I'm not going to defend a single position of Romney, just state that he's someone I can begrudgingly support.
More than anything, I resent McCain because he came to my state and campaigned for gun control.
This came up as a lunchtime discussion today. It was a "safe" group of only conservatives, and I ask who they would vote for if McCain is the nominee. At least 1/3 were of similar opinion on McCain; nope, no way no matter what. With that hatred from the base, I don't see how he will win.
Many in the Democratic base hate Hillary in a similar manner. I suspect even more will hate her following Bill's continuing injection of race into the campaign.
We could see records set for low turnout in a presidential election.
Another fantastic read.
"Hey, I call 'em like I see 'em. I'm a whale biologist."
craptastic shooting by both teams. Until someone finds a jumper, give it to amare evry time and hope he stays away from the off fouls
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http://www.vcao.net
I won't vote for McCain in the primary, but I will vote for him in the general.
Thanks for reminding us that there is more about us (and our candidates) that are the same than there are differences.
"I won't vote for McCain in the primary, but I will vote for him in the general."
This is exactly the type of attitude we need from conservatives. I can fully understand conservatives' frustration with McCain. In my view, in 2000-2001 he was trying to be a "maverick" just for the sake of being a "maverick." Since then, however, he has taken many conservative positions, particularly with respect to taxes, spending and the war. I hate McCain-Feingold, but there is plenty about McCain to be supportive of. I believe many conservatives will come to this realization after Super Tuesday.
---
According to Democrats, it’s greedy to want to keep your own money, but it’s “justice” to demand someone else’s.
--Jonah Goldberg
Excellent post. At the end of the day we are all Americans and I truly believe that all of us, from our politicians to the riff-raff, hicks and hippies alike, want nothing less than what is best for our nation that we love.
There are two kinds of arguments one can have: policy and value. Policy arguments are those based on scientific fact, say a proposition like "How do we cure our oil dependence?" or "What can we do about the loss of manufacturing jobs." On these topics I truly believe that we can always find a middle ground that will allow us to make progress. Value arguments are based around topics like abortion and gay marriage. These are things that I know from experience its impossible to sway people's opinions on. In my opinion, the government has no right to legislate over value propositions and to be honest, why should any of us even try? Our values change with each generation.
Ideals are different than values, though they can define them. As a nation we embrace a set of ideals that include individualism, self-reliance, compassion, equal access to justice and personal freedom.
When I vote for a candidate I tend to embrace their stance on policy. I'm turned off by candidates that try to legislate values. As the 3rd of a line of ex-marines I embrace those who share my ideals.
Our goal as Americans should not be to beat the Red team or the Blue team. Our goal as Americans should be to set up policies that guide the country on a successful course that lets us all freely explore and embrace our values, whatever they may be.
Thanks
--
"You and I both want whats best for our country. That we disagree doesn't make one of us a bad person, it makes us both Americans. That's why, when they come to take our guns away, you won't care that I'm the liberal."
but it might be worth repeating. First we have men and women fighting and sadly dieing for our right to vote. We owe them that much and far more. Having said that might I suggest a strategic vote. If you don't like any of the present candidates then vote for whoever you think will come in second. At this time is appears to be Romney. That way if he wins enough delegates it could throw the convention into a brokered event where someone could come out of nowhere and that person might be more appealing to you and maybe even a majority of voters in the general election. The worst that can happen is that we end up voting for one of our present front runners in the general election. I've done this before. I can say that at least I tried to make a difference. When it is all said and done, in the general election I will vote for our candidate because even with all their flaws they will be better than who ever the other side nominates.
Amen!
While we're threatening to "sit this one out" or fragging our own leaders, here's what they're saying over at The Nation:
The policy agenda for the Democratic front-runners is significantly further to the left on the war, climate change and healthcare than that of John Kerry in 2004. The ideological implosion of conservatism, the failures of the Bush Administration and, perhaps most important, the shifts in public opinion in a leftward direction on war, the economy, civil liberties and civil rights are all coming together at the same time, providing progressives with the rare and historic opportunity to elect a President with a progressive majority and an actual mandate for progressive change.
Let's not forget that if we lose in November, the Dems will have the White House PLUS both Houses of Congress PLUS their first true mandate since Carter eeked out a 50.1% majority of the popular vote in 1976. Let's not forget we're still the minority party in this country.
Those who would rather have Hillary than McCain had best remember the warning about getting what one wishes for.
If they have all three legs of the stool, they will change things so conservatives who are worried about how pure the Republican candidate is get the chance to worry about that again.
"If they have all three legs of the stool, they will change things so conservatives who are worried about how pure the Republican candidate is get the chance to worry about that again."
Exactly. Consider this:
John Paul Stevens is 87 years old.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 74 years old.
Antonin Scalia is 71 years old.
It is plausible that the next president will appoint three justices to the Supreme Court. A Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama presidency, combined with a Democrat-controlled Senate, will ingrain a liberal position in the Stevens and Ginsburg seats, and could feasibly replace the conservative stalwart Scalia. I know we've questioned McCain on judges, but does anyone believe that Hillary or Obama would be better?
Vote with your heart in the primaries, but vote with your head in the general.
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According to Democrats, it’s greedy to want to keep your own money, but it’s “justice” to demand someone else’s.
--Jonah Goldberg
I'll say one thing for the bile and vitriol hurled at McCain in this election, it's opened my eyes on a lot of things. For one, I don't think I'll be spending any time listening to talk radio any more. I now understand how my liberal friends have felt all along.
Second, I've determined that I must be a RINO since I'm not one of the "true believers". Funny, like you, I've done all that good stuff for Rpublican candidates for the last 20+ years. But now it turns out I was a RINO.
You learn something new every day.
Lastly, if you visit the comments on Hugh Hewitt's site, you'll find the Kos Kids of the Right. There was nothing magical about liberals that led to hate and yelling, it can happen to conservatives, too. Luckily for all the rest of us, Kos Kids don't have much influence.
Visit The Scratching Post!
in my history at RS that I have been ready to bow out....just got sick of it all.
The timing of words like this have kept me here, renewed my faith. As someone said upthread, I proud to stand with you Abs.
Now let's win this damn thing, once and for all.
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
...just like the Attack of the Paulistas and the Invasion of the Huckabots.
The RedState community will rally around the eventual Republican nominee, whoever that might be, when they have the chance to ponder the alternative the Dems offer in November.
It is dismaying to see the number of folks who apparently think that the political process is a game to be won 100% on one's own terms, else it's not worth playing at all.
The game is inherently one of compromise (not to be confused with compromising one's principles).
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
To be sure, he is the last pro-life, pro-defense democrat, of which there once were many. But he is a democrat. His instincts tell him that government is better than private enterprise, that individuals need "protection" from big bad corporations. He believes that government has the right and the duty to coerce "correct" speech, and to dictate the time of that speech. He believes that all problems are opportunities for government action.
You have never voted for a democrat, neither have I. I will not start now.
SO instead you will let a democrat(YOu made an absurd assertion, but I'll run with it just because here) that ISN'T pro life or pro defense win just so you can remain pure, damn the consequences?
because he would automatically split the republicans. If a democrat is elected, the opposition will be united. If McCain is elected, half of the republicans will automatically follow the presidential lead.
I do not want H or O as president, but at least then we know what is necessary as the opposition. With McCain, we'll never know.
THat is. .unrealistic.
WIth HIllary and Obama you KNOW, for a fact, that the mi,liatry results will be DISASTEROUS. ANd you also know very well that there are plenty of 'Squishy' republicans that will go along to get along with a Democratic president.
Exaggeration does not help your argument.
ANd even more - you woudl rather have a purely liberal SUpreme court justice - possibly even many of them - in the supreme court for more than twenty years, rather than, say, a couple squishy Kennedy's - probably the worst case scenario for McCain. Even if you claim it might be ano9ther Souter, at least with McCain there woudl be a CHANCE of getting good justices, with HIllary or Obama, it would be Ruth BAder-Ginsberg or bust.
?
For the Supreme Court, I doubt it will be a conservative. McCain has shown over the last week that his quest for the White House will outweigh any respect he has for the truth.
Unfortunately, this war will outlast either McCain or Hillary (or Obama). At some point the other side is going to have to recognize that the war will go on.It will have to be fought, regardless of the presidential party affilation.
On the domestic front, we get what? Open borders, more taxation, more regulation, more "campaign finance reform", and a so-called environmental policy that will devastate our industries for the sake of 1/2 of 1 degree of "climate change", but only if the proponents of that theory are correct. Already the man is pushing legislation that will dramatically increase our energy costs.
I would hope that the republicans will decide to be a conservative party, and to offer real alternatives to liberalism. With McCain, they do not.
anyone here who would vote for a dem as a protest vote. The old adage about ""cutting off one's nose to spite his face" comes to mind.
I appreciate, dear Absentee, your well-shared convictions. But I regret that they are not mine. Mr. McCain has disappointed me.
Since 2000, we have had a President who mangles language in every press conference; his tongue-stumbling has driven me to distraction. Mr. McCain offers no refreshment here. His language skills are -- at least to me -- embarrassing.
The liberal media adore Mr. McCain, and I believe they do so because they view him as eminently beatable in November. Moreover, they adore him because they can "live" with a McCain presidency should the Democrats lose in the general election. This is similar to many Republicans admiration of Mr. Obama: he's a liberal we can live with -- ostensibly -- over Mrs. Clinton. But I am not one to adore what my liberal peers adore; Mr. McCain's popularity among them serves as a warning bell to me.
In Wednesday night's debate, Mr. McCain proved to me that he is undeniably weak, for he confuses assertiveness with intellectual competence. He rarely finished a sentence without some grammatical or syntactical blunder (Mr. Romney's oratorical skill was not particularly impressive either). And Mr. McCain's bewildering assertions regarding Mr. Romney's alleged "timetable" for Iraq were ridiculous; Anderson Cooper's incredulity revealed McCain to be the weakling he is.
No doubt you disagree. I am sure many others do as well. But I can't vote for Mr. McCain, at least not right now. Alas, I am one of those conservatives tempted not to vote at all. It is a lonely place, as others know. This morning, alienation seems far more likely than one nation, even one red nation, that's for sure.
Peace.
Bill Gnade
‘It will never be known what acts of cowardice have been motivated by the fear of not looking sufficiently progressive.’ - Charles Péguy
Despite all of that. . .you would rather have Hillary CLinton or OBama making decisions about the security of the country WITH the backing of a Democratic congress, than hold your nose and vote for McCain?
Both OBama and Hillary have all of the qualities you listed at least as bad if not worse than McCain, yret you have no problem helping one of them into office, where you get to have those qualities unalloyed by ANY conservatism?
Dear Irish,
I don't know if you were responding to my comment or not. If you were not, then ignore this comment.
To many of us, a vote for Mr. McCain is nearly identical to a vote for Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama. I am skeptical enough to believe that both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama vis-á-vis Iraq are currently playing to their leftist base; but in the real world of foreign policy, both KNOW that they will maintain the Bush policy toward Iraq, all the while covering their butts with prevarications and equivocations. On national security, I really believe that neither a McCain nor a Hillary Clinton administration will depart far from the Bush Doctrine.
Hence, I see little to worry about in this matter. (Of course, I am known to change my mind rather quickly on some issues since I am always learning new things).
As for my choosing not to vote at all, I believe I can do that with clear conscience: if the United States is going to screw itself with a bunch of progressive nonsense, let it come from the Democrats and not a vacillating Republican. Perhaps I am in this for the long haul: a Republican defeat in '08 may be the best thing for the party -- and the country. Let's let the leftist baby-boomers have their way; it will not take long for us all to see the emptiness and futility of their ways. This campaign season is indeed not only (for the Clintons) a referendum on Bill Clinton's presidency, it is a referendum on the tedious and vacuous sixties. One or two more election cycles, and we might move past nostalgia and finally get into policy making and governance that work; that are rooted in fact, not in romanticism.
(Am I mistaken, or is Mr. McCain a bit vague about whether he will appoint conservative, strict constructionist judges to the SCOTUS? Alas, a McCain presidency brings no certainty in this matter.)
Let me at least say this: I want a president I can be proud of. You know what I mean: I am talking about that president who looks like he or she BELONGS on the red carpet when greeted in some foreign land; I am talking about that president who does not look like a buffoon when standing next to a Tony Blair. I want consummate competence, not partial competence. I want a president who can make a simple announcement without needing to read his statements, and can do so without giving the media dozens of opportunities for mockery, scoffing, and parody. To me, John McCain already is a parody; if not, he surely is poised to be. Can't we get a president who can not only put one foot in front of the other, but also keep his foot out of his mouth; one that can put two paragraphs together without notes and without making a mistake?
Peace.
BG
‘It will never be known what acts of cowardice have been motivated by the fear of not looking sufficiently progressive.’ - Charles Péguy
. .you want perfection, which means that you are never going to vote for another presidential candidate again.
I agree with your article.
I migth only disagree with one idea. I sincerely believe that John McCain is a conservative. If there is some sort of monolithic Conservative designation where 100% of conservatives agree on every point 100% of the time let me see this list.
Justice Scalia believed that flag burning was protected speech others disagreed. I certainly believe Scalia is a conservative. Is he the exact same type of conservative as Justice Rehnquist was. Probably not yet both are conservatives.
Is it a shocking idea to oppose tax cuts without 1st also agreeing to control spending. I love supply side economics, but where is the commitment to cutting spending?
I hold those who have served in the USMC in the highest regard.
Thanks for sharing the rifleman's oath. I'm going to get that framed and put it on my wall where my kids can read it.
An excellent post with which I disagree almost in its entirety.
I am not you. I am here not because I am Republican, but because small gov't Republicans are the most likely to be persuaded to take the plunge and support libertarian ideals, inside or outside the party I care not which. I am libertarian, not conservative. I am southern by birth, northern by upbringing. I am white, raised in a Christian household, rejected it as superstition masking, not enhancing, some excellent ethical teachings. I am upper-middle class; white-collar job; no pickups, but two 4WD wagons; gun-owning, rarely toating, don't belong to any advocacy groups. I vote idea over party. I am loyal to the nation that protects me and mine, to family, to friends, but to no party. I am capitalist to the core, yet think corporations ought to have neither rights nor protections under the law beyond those of the individual stockholders - there should be no corporate person. I am pro-life but not anti-abortion (and will not threadjack by detailed explanation). I am a live and let live kind of guy, and ask that all show me the same respect.
I will not vote for a politician with whom I disagree so much, and who has demonstrated an extreme disrespect for my positions and values.
I gave Fred money and was disappointed at his performance. Now, I have to support the next best thing and that is Romney. The game isn't over just because the press says it is. I very much appreciate what absentee said, but I cannot get McCain's sneer out of my mind's eye the first time he said he "got the message" on immigration. On several occasions he clearly has not been able to hide his great disdain for "we the people."
If anyone is shocked at the vitriol for McCain, it is in part because he has shown complete disrespect for his fellow Republicans numerous times in both the Senate and the House. His nastiness is legendary.
Another reason to differentiate between McCain and Romney: Romney negotiated with Democrats to make legislation acceptable, while McCain jumps over to the other side--both feet in and turns around to curse his fellow Republicans. He does not negotiate; he does not lead. Your point, absentee, about the general election is well-taken, but the game is not yet over. I hope that conservatives will rally behind Romney as the only possible candidate who can beat McCain.
The Chad
"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." ~ Rush Limbaugh
That was an absolutely great post (and I am not just saying that because I am a fellow Charlottean).
I hope McCain's advisors are reading posts like yours and Ben Domenech's. You and Ben have made the best arguments for his candidacy that I have heard. McCain would also do well to reach out with an olive branch to Conservatives in a thoughtful, conciliatory manner such as you have done.
Thanks for doing this.
They should have linked to you :)
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Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
I want to make clear that I'm not saying someone can not be a Republican or even a conservative and vote for McCain. I'll have no animus whatsoever towards you if you vote that way.
I do find it baffling though that anyone is voting for him in the primary while there is still another choice. Mitt Romney while definitely questionable in some areas is far more acceptable to the entire party.
For me, it is beyond just politics with McCain. While I do disagree with a vast number of his positions, there is more to it than that. McCain has the uncanny knack of failing his conservative friends right at the moment when he is needed most. I realize he votes conservative on many things. He just seems to wait when it really really counts and then fails us.
I personally feel betrayed by him. It is personal I'll admit. Those daggers in my back have his name on them.
So I will vote Republican until I have no choice but McCain. Then I will vote for whoever has the greatest chance of beating him. I won't sit out. If I sit out I am costing McCain just one vote. No I will vote against McCain and for his opponent. This is a 2 vote turnaround.
So I regret that I can not do any more damage to this man than my pitiful vote. Perhaps sending money to his opponent is an option. Anyway thats where I am at. I will not come back to McCain.
Romney is a hold my nose and vote guy. McCain is too much even for that.
The voting results seem to differ with you on this. Furthermore, the fav/unfav ratings nationally show Rs like McCain more than Romney. I won't go off topic and discuss the why part of this, but the premise is incorrect. McCain is more acceptable to the party and Super Tuesday will probably reinforce that point.
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Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
As the saying goes, it takes two to tango and McCain has actively burned bridges and stepped on toes to the point that it is understandable why many hate him. Furthermore, he has done very little up to this point to welcome others in.
It comes down to getting what one pays for and this hatred is something McCain has invested in for a long, long time.
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I am a Positivist Pastafarian for the alliteration alone.
A week or two ago, Absentee's diary about blogging cliches made it to the front page...
...and THEN it made it to The Corner!
And THEN absentee was mentioned on Limbaugh.
AND NOW REDSTATE PROMOTES ANOTHER DIARY AND PRAISES IT HIGHLY?
absentee, I think you owe the rest of us an apology for making us look so bad.
I may need to start using a real name. National Journal's Hotline put me in some good company here (you have to scroll down to McCain II), with Jonah Goldberg, Mark Kilmer and John Hawkins, and my lack of a human identity was humorously conspicuous ... especially considering my chosen pseudonym.
absentee
kidding, I love the whale guy!
congrats
Now, go ahead and use the real name if you must, (when I did, I put my pseudonym in parentheses and stated talking in Bob Dole third person to my alter ego. I now have no friends!), but by all means, don't run for Meck sheriff!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Wouldn't that be like Batman admitting he's Bruce Wayne? Appearing on all those talk shows would take sooooo much time.
But then I noticed you didn't say you'd be using your real name.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
I suggest either Pudge Heffelfinger or J. Jonah Jameson.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
You have looked into my eyes and caught a sense of my soul. My Spider-man obsession predates my own memory.
absentee
You'll want to leave your sig with your old name in place though, of course.
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
Amen. And high five. And I'm still not voting for McCain.
I respect you absentee. And I care for you. And I am on your side. And I feel you extending the same sentiments toward me. That binds us as you say.
This is certainly a community for those who are on the same side. But I must say that I am injured by the instructive discovery of my error in thinking that the first two sentiments are the honored foundation upon which influence is supposed to be built here at RedState. Rather, it turns out that “reason” is often the false pretense upon which influence is enforced. This is cynical to be sure. But that is precisely why I have – and will – put it to a stricter test. There is a subset here – people at all levels of contribution -- which may be bound in our way. But it is not the norm unless we include its façade which is actually just a style of mind control.
This exchange woke me up to a way of thinking I had not considered. I wondered why I had not seen it that way when another had. So I considered that psychology of projection wherein the way one perceives others is often based on what one sees in oneself. Then I began to recognize many instances of telling-us-what-to-think talk; accompanied with harassing insult for non-compliance. I encountered concrete personal experiences of this; and this from people with whom I had entrusted communal respect and care.
What you have beautifully idealized in this thoughtful and well written blog is what I have eulogized in many of the particular instances that comprise our community. This primary has issued me several woes, but this is the severest. That respect upon which I predicate my interactions has been gutted. It galls me and I believe I recognize others who are chewing that same clove of garlic, whether or not they recognize it as such. So your post is oh so bittersweet.
Now perhaps I have a blind spot like PFP exhibits in his successive comments. If the source of this gall lies in my own character flaws, then I may resolve it by turning it inward upon itself. I have a disciplined habit of circumspection and I have not yet discovered such a source but sometimes the discovery of blind spots requires outside intervention. Otherwise, there it is. The regular experience of gagging on my vomit to keep it from spewing forth on those that invoke.
I’m injured. Others are similarly injured. And we are not a set clearly scribed out by our particular perceptions of the various candidates.
Your exchange with trevino was specifically regarding conservative media figures. I do not think that they think they are tribal chiefs. I do not think that they think "you must agree, because I am smart, and you are not" or have any disrespect for people at large.
Rush and Ann and Sean, they aren't thinking about that at all if you ask me. They are type A personalities. Type-As are seers. In the minds eye is the perfect future, the absolute choice, the right move. It is crystal clear and ultimately desirable.
They are frustrated when you do not see it. It's the same here.
Sometimes we all see this path ahead. It is lighted, it is clear. We are frustrated when others don't see it. We all think, if I could just say this the right way, if I could just make you see what I see ...
It's a foible. Sometimes it causes us to act in nasty ways, sometimes it causes to make appeals, it has different manifestations.
This is a big election for Rs. There is a lot at stake, our choices are undesirable, and at long last, we are just not happy about it. No matter all of that, the situation remains as it is, and it remains complex. There cannot be consensus because the water is too muddy. We cannot look at the scale because there are too many scales.
What should you fall back on to make your decision? Even first principles leave no clear path here. Abortion? War? Foreign policy? Where do you stand?
When stakes are high and the decisions difficult, when the picture is uncertain, when the outcomes are unpredictable, people get frustrated. Persuasion can become frenetic, even desperate. But I don't think this is indicative of attempted mind-control.
I believe I am thinking and acting practically. I don't believe it is always necessary to do so. I think under different circumstances it might be better to stand against John McCain. This time I think I am making the right call. I could be wrong. It is a gamble in many ways. But I am one of those people who cannot stomach the sideline. I make decisions, sometimes hard ones.
This blog entry was not to be persuasive regarding voting for McCain. Sometimes I am wrong. This could be one of those times. I just don't want to end up in that most terrible place, surrounded by conservatives who I agree with on everything, yet considered the apostate for my vote.
Also, consider two things. One, McCain voters feel just as prodded to drop their support, and just as ostracized for not doing so. Two, in a situation such as this one, it is natural to feel prodded and poked too hard. This is electoral politics, after all. Struggling for votes is an inescapable feature of this beast.
absentee
There is hardly a word I would contradict in what you say. I am one of you. I see no mind-control here.
You must well know what I personally think constitutes apostasy. And it is not you. To my woe, it is some of those that are bound to us in every respect.
My decision to vote for Sir John if he becomes the nominee has never been in doubt. It is a woe, for I personally believe he has a screw loose, but this woe is the least of them. If my assessment of him is correct, it will eventually become a woe born by all of us who vote for him, but even more sorely by those who supported his nomination. But this is not what our dialogue is about.
It is about our community.
I have previously resolved – as you do above – that harsh interactions will occur and must be tolerated due to that frothing of the gut that is so hard to master. When the angry right blanches forth, I can state my claims and just step aside before my composure is broken… on a good day anyway.
Reason is a prod. I use it as such for others sake. And I consider it great day when someone uses it as such on me. Even reason can be a prod too hard, so we learn that it is best to back off and give a man or woman the space to make up their own mind.
Reason can be used as a tool of personal power though by those who would and do wield power.
Like you, I don’t view the CSM as cattle herders. I believe that tells us something about ourselves which is constitutive of our bond. But I allowed myself to consider an alternative view of others among us based on the fact that that some here do so accuse the CSM. And to my horror, that cynical view of these others is confirmed by very specific encounters. From hence issues my severest woe.
Some of what has been happening in our community is just this unwise prodding due to the excessive frothing of the gut. That may hopefully dissipate with dry heaves. It’s the latter which threatens to leave a permanent scar. At the moment I see these as two distinct phenomena. While it is not clear yet how to classify every interaction in terms of them, in some cases I believe it is demonstrable. The latter phenomenon issues forth in deeper feelings and doubts about character. I have seen others raise these issues by intuition. Even without the explicit analysis which confirms the intuition, I expect these feelings and doubts will fester.
It would be a relief to me if my perception of the latter phenomenon would be shown to be in error. But that would involve very specific cases that might be unseemly to get into. At any rate, they aren’t with you bro’. But this is why I find your post so bittersweet and why I doubt we will all be able to celebrate what it heralds. I’ll try to give the benefit of the doubt according to the perspective offered in your reply– which I already shared -- but I don’t think that is getting me over this crash into cynicism.
Alas... thanks for listening. And again, your blog is beautiful to me and it captures the sweetness of what can and should be.
McCain is not a Conservative, and he is not even conservative, except in the sense of not being part of the Inclusive Victims Movement ™.
He is not even as conservative as the man he hopes to replace. But neither is he a liberal in the modern sense.
He, like George Bush, is a cratocrat, a believer in the power and goodness of government. ![con v lib, libertarian v cratocrat (JM, GWB)](http://bp1.blogger.com/_Ajz-qim2Ujw/R6NTbZRndjI/AAAAAAAAAEY/ZfLhzSOMrZQ/s320/crato.png")
--
Gone 2500 years, still not PC.
The Communists are the people highest in the "Dangerous but good" quadrant. Tell that to anyone who complained about living under Stalin. Except that you can't ask any of them, because they're dead.
The big problem with Pournelle's chart is that there's a lot of correlation between the two axes. People who believe mankind to be perfectable through the power of reason (vertical axis) tend to believe in using state to bring us our utopia (horizontal axis).
The lesser problem is that he was incredibly lazy in filling in who goes where. As far as I'm concered,a nyone who treats fascism as something radically different from other forms of socialism, rather than just a refined socialism, is engaging in wishful thinking.
Not enough people make the point he makes on his vertical axis though. It's a critical one.
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Fascists are "Nationalist" Communists, not extreme conservatives. That's a common fallacy that's promoted by liberals and the media.
Communists and Fascists hate each other because socialist revolution along 'class' lines, and socialist revolution along national or 'racial lines, are completely incompatible.
Fascism is Socialism made less international and more saleable.
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Thanks, Neil and Twister. I've never studied the intricacies of the subject, and fascism has always been a mystery to me. Every little tidbit that helps explain it is helpful.
The "Third Worst Person in the World" and aiming higher.
Your heartfelt and reasonable entries and those of others have begun to wear away at my distrust of McCain. I find myself wanting to hope that things will be ok if he wins this thing. He does have some positives, after all!
This site is so much better when the rancor is left out of things.
I'm a card-carrying member of the They All Suck club. This should not be taken as commentary on the supporters of either Mitt Romney or John McCain (or even, for that matter, Mike Huckabee or HWSNBN).
I think supporters of these men are grievously wrong about these men. I think supporters of these men are possibly/probably engaged in a lot of self-delusion about their preferred candidates. And I have not been shy about saying so.
But at the end of the day, I have no doubt that at the nougat-filled center of every poster here there's a heart that wants to do what's best for the country, and in a knife fight I want men like absentee on my side no matter our differences.
I can appreciate what you are trying to do, HOWEVER, you cannot compromise your beliefs because "[McCain] is not A conservative, but he IS conservative." A more accurate statement would be "he is not A liberal but he IS liberal." I am as frustrated as anyone with the divisiveness in our party. We have compromised and compromised and ended up with a party that is hardly discernible, and many don't understand what conservatism is anymore. If I didn't know anything else about the maverick, his endorsement by the NYT would be enough of a red flag to deter my vote. That is why I will vote Romney in the primary, and if that fails I will write in Fred. I will then wash my hands of it and wish everyone luck.
I agree with you doonuts. I LOVE what you say absentee. Any time a man in uniform (who really loves his country) speaks, I cry. I cry every time I hear John Micheal Montgomery's "Letters from Home". I cry during the National Anthem, I cried when Bush began to talk about our men during the SotU address.
I will not sit out of the election. I will not vote McCain. I admire his service to our country, I do not think that alone can make him a good president. I will not personally attack McCain, nor will I personally attack anyone that votes for him. I respect everyone's opinion.
I do believe that McCain is as liberal as he is conservative. I voted for him 8 years ago. But the man that stands before us today is not the man I voted for 8 years ago. His views on guns, global warming, speech restriction, etc do not impress me. But for all of you voting for him, vote for him. For those voting for Romney, vote for him. Everyone should vote for the man (or woman) that most represents their views and their values.
Thank you absentee for such a moving statement. Thank you for reminding people that it is their duty as an American to vote, no matter who it is they happen to vote for.
MelZ
I am opposed to McCain and my comments have been sharp about it. However, in a few of my last comments after Florida, I admitted a willingness to pull the handle for McCain because it is a better alternative than what the Democrats have to offer, even on judges. Though I am highly skeptical McCain will appoint a judge who will overturn McCain-Fiengold, we have a better shot at decent judges than if a Democrat was naming them.
All that being said, I have a revulsion for McCain that is just enormous too. It is due to him throwing conservatives under the bus several times too many. I will not let that go! He earned the right for me to feel that way about him.
Lastly, you have just written a very thought provoking piece that it is very hard to argue with. I salute you for writing it. It says what needs to be said. My feelings about McCain have not changed, but you make pulling the handle for him in the general a whole lot easier. If you fully knew how strongly McCain has offended me by his actions you would really appreciate how enormous of a statement that is for me to make.
However, you sold me on the idea. Well done.
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("An argument is a sequence of statements aimed at demonstrating the truth of an assertion.); }
McCain is not yet the nominee, so it is best that I be who I am now, and vote on my conservative principles. This is the time of the primaries, and we should vote based on our convictionsconscience, not on our calculations as to who may win or who can win. If McCain ultimately wins the nomination, but does not realize that he has only meager support from bedrock conservatives (which will be demonstrated by not getting my vote or the other votes of committed conservatives in the upcoming primaries, he will not temper his non-conservative positions either in his platform or his presidency if he wins.
McCain is not yet the nominee, so it is best that I be who I am now, and vote on my conservative principles. This is the time of the primaries, and we should vote based on our convictionsconscience, not on our calculations as to who may win or who can win. If McCain ultimately wins the nomination, but does not realize that he has only meager support from bedrock conservatives (which will be demonstrated by not getting my vote or the other votes of committed conservatives in the upcoming primaries, he will not temper his non-conservative positions either in his platform or his presidency if he wins.
Ditto. Brother.
Stranded in a blue section of a red state.
when the person you support for President is constantly under attack by others. And I'm sure there have been plenty of folks who have attacked you for supporting McCain which I agree is quite unfair.
You write beautifully my friend and like I said above, I understand.
That being said, when it comes to John McCain, for those of us who have been so close to politics the past few years, it's as if he is the one who has been personally attacking us Conservatives time after time and sticking the knife in our backs and enjoying twisting it.
I don't have the time to describe further and am not sure if you even wanted me to address this point but I'm just trying to explain why the level of anger is often so high when it comes to McCain.
Of course, I'm the same blogger who wrote the piece "I voted against McCain today" so this is quite hard for me to respond to without rancor, myself.
John McCain has worked with the Democrats and George Soros on Gun Control. Soros wants to remove all of our guns.
What about the Constitution, absentee? Is McCain worth tossing it?
How can any of you vote for someone who takes money from George Soros? Principles? Strength? Courage?
HOw much do you think Obama or Hillary would work with George Soros on gun control? McCain woudl at least be obliged to make some motions to the right to keep from getting ejected - Obama or Hillary woudl go ALONG with Soros completely to avoid getting ejected.
I'm sorry, but that position STILL makes no sense to me.
Just as a note: Out of the original Candidates, McCain is not my first, second, or even third choice, however, the difference between ANY of the republican candidates and ANY of the democratic candidates is such a large gulf on many issues that I will vote for the republican . .whomever it may be.
RIght now, I woudl definitely prefer ROmney> Then I could vote without wrinkling my nose - but - and here is the key point, if it comes to the nominee being McCain, I for Damn sure anm gtoing to vote for him -m because we can't afford the alternative.
THis 'Purity test' for all candidates is getting absurd. The sort of ideological purity some people seem to want will NEVER produce a national candidate. Ever. Period. _REAGAN_ would have been rejected under these standards. Guys, politicians are also human beings, which means that every god blessed last one of them is going to be flawed, and none of them are going to come riding in with a big red S on their chest. You will have to hold your nose about something with all of them. But - and here is the important point my 80% - or even 55% - friend is NOT my enemy, especially when faces with a 5% friend 95% enemy.
... At least, when it comes to why I will not grant McCain my treasured vote.
It is a simplified criticism, but while you may be correct in some, a lot of people seem to be deliberately misunderstanding why (for example) I will not vote for McCain. It isn't a "purity test" where slight deviations from the "norm" are unduly criticised.
First, I've lived here in Arizona since 1976 except for around 8 years. I've dealt with McCain, seen him react, and have been forced to vote for him to "win" against various Dems throughout the years. And my vote, a precious thing to me, has been rewarded with McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, and the Gang of 14.
In my opinion, McCain-Feingold was sufficient for me to swear off voting for the Senator for any position of the Public trust at all. It was and is a contra-Constitutional Act which infringed upon my rights as a free man. It violates the 1st Amendment protections against unwarranted government tyranny as it punishes people who are exercising their rights to political speech - and in so doing violates Senator McCain and Senator Feingold's oaths making them both unfit for public office.
McCain-Kennedy was an assault on the sovereignty of the United States, was specifically made to reward lawbreakers and punish the law-abiding, & was inimical to the safety, security, and well-being of the United States and her citizens. It alone as well is sufficient reason for me to consider Senator McCain as unfit for any office.
Either of these two anti-Constitutional legislative abortions would be enough to disqualify the man from my consideration. Add in the clearly unConstitutional "Gang Of 14" collusion with obscructionists in the Democratic party who have consistently applied irrational and unfair double standards to conservative nominees as well as "preserving the privileges of the Senate" which are contrary to the clear letter and spirit of the Constitution - then you have 3 strikes and he's out.
I will not grant Sen. McCain my vote because my vote is precious to me, it is a holy thing bought with the blood of my countrymen and I will not allow my serious decision to be sniffed at and desparaged as some sort of irrational "purity test". My "purity test" is the Constitution and McCain's violation of that founding document is much, much more significant to me than his badmouthing conservatives, or his irrational flares of temper, or his smearing of opponents on the Right as "racists" or "nativists".
He never had a chance to get my vote, and he never will. I cannot and will not be cajoled, threatened, or insulted enough to grant my vote to a man I consider to be incapable of trust.
My vote is not a thing I take lightly. I will not give it to someone I think is unworthy of it.
Those are the reasons I choose to vote in another way, those and my familiarity with Senator McCain's character. Not some irrational "purity test" a person can dismiss without thought.
___________________________________
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Yes, I did. Does that make every single point I raised false? Does it make Senator McCain's actions suddenly pro-sovereignty and not contrary to the Constitution because I voted for the President during a time of war who signed one anti-Consittutional bill and vetoed another - instead of voting for a man who publically colluded with the Enemy in Paris as an officer in the Naval Reserve (treason in any other time)?
I suspect that your question is intended to dismiss all of my reasoning with a simple one line meaningless snark.
If you think it does, then I envy your self image because it has to be great fun to be able to appear to debate without actually understanding someone's reasoning. However, I'll assume you were merely laconic instead of trying to be snarky and answer your implied and transparent cirticisms/questions.
Why did I think that McCain violated his oath but gave the President a pass? Well, for one, the President didn't write it up, didn't push it though committee, and doesn't have his name of the legislation. I don't blame a janitor for the puddles of vomit he has to mop up, and I didn't blame President Bush for signing McCain-Feingold during wartime. You might reasonably claim that he bears responsibility for his signing and I can see that. There is no doubt that McCain is to blame for the legislation bearing his name. His guilt, his emnity to the Constitution take center stage here in my eyes. President Bush's actions are irrelevant to the discussion.
As for your implied criticism of inconsistency if I had voted for President Bush in 2004, I reject it as superficial and irrelevant. It has no bearing on McCain's bad acts in my book.
And no, Senator McCain cannot get me to vote for him at all unless he asks to be the VP and supports Thompson for President. Then I could hold my nose, but for McCain on his own? He will never get my vote. I will stay home as is my right - I will NOT be coerced, insulted, or threatened to give my vote to a person I cannot respect. I will not give my vote to him or any of the Democrats.
The only real hope I have is that we get a brokered convention.
I went off to dinner and just came back, I'm sorry you took it that way. I really didn't intend it to be snarky. Please don't take it the wrong way. I understand how you could read it like that but, I just wanted to know before I set about discussing (hopefully calmly) with you.
I make no bones about it that I was mad at President Bush for breaking his promise and signing McCain-Feingold. To me, he holds just as much blame as the man whose name appears on it. But like you I made the choice to support him for reelection in 2004 for several other things that are more important to me (the war and the 2 SCOTUS appointees to name the biggies). W/r/t to the constitutionality of it, well the SC has upheld that there can be reasonable limits on the 1st Amendment (not just Mc-F, but other campaign finance laws) and has overturned part of it. However, I still would like to see the 30/60 day limits overturned.
President Bush also campaigned on a guest worker program as well, I knew that going in (I'm for a fence and border security first, no guest workers programs, but I am for a path to citizenship given things such as a fine, assimilation and English proficiency - I know I differ from many on that point), but like you I put other things above it. I also joined in the fight against him on it as was grateful that it was defeated. Luckily just because we all voted for the man doesn't mean that we have to follow his every proposal (and with a President McCain I think that is more likely to happen and be acceptable to happening). We didn't oppose him on much of anything until the Miers nomination, even though we probably should have in hindsight. Not much we can do about that now, we (rightly IMO) put the war first.
President Bush was presiding over some rather large increases to the federal government such as the transportation pork bill, energy pork bill, Medicare part D and NCLB, without getting much in return (for instance, I would gladly have given up more spending on NCLB in return for vouchers), but I knew with "compassionate conservatism" what we were getting in 2000 and had plenty of it by the time I cast my vote for his reelection.
My point in all of this is that there are many areas in which I knew beforehand that I would disagree with George W. Bush, and yet I cast my vote for him with my eyes wide open.
I will make the same point with Senator McCain. There are things that I disagree with him on, but there are other areas where he would be an improvement over President Bush - specifically on spending. Senator McCain voted against the transportation pork bill, the energy pork bill and Medicare D. I've heard many a conservative rail against President Bush for not vetoing those, yet fail to give any credit to a man who stood strong against them. I was one of the people who criticized Senator McCain when he spoke out about needing more troops, a change in strategy and for Rumsfeld to go. Funny thing is, he was completely right and I was wrong - and thank God he was finally listened to and we are now winning in Iraq. I give President Bush credit for sticking to fighting the war after public opinion went against him and after the Democrats took over congress in 2006. I also give credit to Senator McCain for it, he has been the strongest supporter of our efforts, even when it seemed to me like he wasn't.
For the most part Senator McCain is on my side. When it comes to the war, spending, and judges there is none better running right now. He has his faults because everyone has faults. He should have voted for the tax cuts in 01 and 03 even when it wasn't coupled with spending cuts, and even if "it was slanted to the rich." But he has a history of voting for tax cuts and has never voted for a tax hike (including the "Read My Lips" tax hike of Bush 41). I see a vote for John McCain in 2008, should he be the nominee, as an equally conservative vote as 2000 and 2004. There are places where we give a little ground on, but there are places where we gain.
Whoa, that's a lot longer than I had originally intended.
___________________________________
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I and most of my family will probrably be voting for a Democrat for the first time in our lives. I am a 70% DAV who can not stand the idea of having a liberal president from the republican party. If we must have a liberal let it be a democrat that the republican party will challenge. McCain history in the Senate is horrible. In my opinion he represents even a bigger threat to our Constitution than any of the Democratic challengers; because if he is President both parties will be in lock step behind a man who clearly wants to take away our freedom of speech. Also since I live in Texas, I see first hand the distruction this man is bringing on our Nation.
When the person wrote the article you responded to; while I appreciated his service to country. It struck me that he never dealt with any reasons to support McCaoin for his 21 years in the Senate. I believe unlike the rest of the candidates; McCain should be evaluated by his prolific and horrible legislation history in the Senate. No one man has set out to do more harm to this country legislatively in the last 21 years.
Absentee - that was a phenominal article. Gives me the chills just reading it.
I would fight with you, follow you, support you in any means I could because YOU are worthy of support - if I had your wing, there is no force that could move me - I can feel the principled and moral person that you are coming from your words.
But as a principled person myself I cannot vote FOR Senator McCain and may only be able to vote AGAINST something worse. It is a pure tragedy of modern life that there are so many people without personal conviction like "us" (the people reading this board). Senator McCain is not the leader I want. He is the leader that is being given to me by majority of folks who could care less about this country. In the purest sense - he is the result of Democratization rather than our continuing understanding of a Republican and therefore Representative form of government.
The Republicans are most likely going to lose this election because we are far more fractured than the Democrats. Senator McCain is not the reason for this fracture, he is the result.
I will, however, always think of this article when I see your name and your comments - you have framed yourself (and yes, me too). Even if you told me that the sky would turn a Maryland version of red I may have to consider the source and give credit to why God would turn from Carolina Blue. I salute you and your words. Plato would be proud.
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Vote for the party of Reagan, then get off your butt and help bring the party back in line with the principles of Reagan. We must support the GOP because it is the only place we have to work, but we need to also work to shape and mold the party.
Too many people sit and wait for the nominees to be picked (or almost picked) and then complain because they don't like the choices.
I say 2008 is the year to begin to develop the candidates and the arguments for 2010, 2012 and beyond.
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
You make a powerful case, but some people will not be moved. Let me see if I can move perhaps one more person with a small hypothetical.
Let's say you abhor abortion in every circumstance. For the sake of argument, assume that you also have a friend who is easily led and will do whatever you say when you go to the polls.
The primaries are over. You have two candidates. One believes that abortion on demand including partial birth abortion, is a constitutional right.
Candidate number two believes that first trimester abortion is not a good thing, but it should not be illegal. S/he favors an outright ban on all abortion after 3 months gestation.
How do you stay home in good conscience? Could you live with yourself if you and your puppet went fishing and you later found that you and your friend could have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory? What did you accomplish?
Doing something to advance a conservative cause beats the hell out of doing nothing. Politics is marketing. Fred put his ideas out for public consumption, but could not close the deal. As awful as primaries can be, they usually produce the candidate that is most likely to be competitive in the general election. Many of us loved Reagan, but there was only one Reagan. If we are lucky, before we die we might see another such figure, but that is not a certainty. Reagan was charismatic enough to win not just independents, but CONVERTS like Bill Bennett. He sold conservatism over the din of the mainstream media when alternative media was in its infancy. Conservatism is not like crack cocaine. It does not sell itself. If it did, Bill Buckley would be king for life. The hills are not crawling with little, as yet undiscovered, Reagans. Those of you waiting for his reincarnation may not see it before you meet your maker. Don't just stand there, do something.
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Your comment has merit.
I've been reading RS for the last couple of years, but have rarely checked the comments. I'd seen some horrible junk in comments on other blogs years ago and just avoided them automatically. I've not seen a discussion as well-mannered as the ones here and I seriously read each post for its own merit.
I've said prior that McCain won't have my vote because I have always had a problem with him. It was to me a matter of principle. I felt personally wronged due to the fact I've voted him in to the Senate (I live in Az) and when McCain-Feingold came around, I swore never to support him again.
But you reminded me of the important thing. And so for the last few hours I've been listening to the 9/11 tapes, and hearing the rolling thuds of the towers. I've been watching the tapes of the atrocities that the Enemy did in Falluja, and reread Michael Yon's "Gates of Fire".
I've heard Daniel Pearl's voice on the video. I had to stop the vid.
I've gone back, read my writings I posted on 9/11, the next day, the next. I remember what this is all about.
I'm ashamed of my selfish thinking. I was wrong. I won't chance the party of Michael Moore getting power when we're under such threat and while they're swinging so far left.
I'm not willing to chance it with them, not now. You're right.
was both eloquent and inspiring. I was on the fence a bit, but he was the catalyst to my epiphany.
iends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies...
90% of us are conflicted. But then, we remember we're grown-ups, and we're playing for keeps.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
I can vote for him, given the probable alternatives. I'm on the blandwagon with him, but can't get fired up for game day. Maybe you can put him over the goaline...
"If this ain't a mess, it'll do until one shows up." -Sheriff Bell, No Country For Old Men
and I doubt Frued ever wore a slip :)
"If this ain't a mess, it'll do until one shows up." -Sheriff Bell, No Country For Old Men
Don't bet on that. And he was probably smoking a cigar at the same time.
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Maybe. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, sometimes a foul is just a foul, and sometimes debts have to be paid off.
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... and God bless you. I sincerely mean that.
Hang all traitors and secessionists! Hang them high!
- Me
very well written. Although I disagree, it's nice to see reasonable people stating their varying opinions. As for McCain, I don't find it much different than Paul. The 70% I agree with doesn't come close to equaling the 30% I don't. I just can't let the 30% go. I don't believe people are looking for a 100% pure candidate, I just think they want someone who is working with them although they may differ from time to time. The people McCain is surrounding himself with and will be part of his administration are the same people who called me a racist and bigot last year, and I can NOT let that go. I'm sorry some of you don't understand the principal in all of this. This is heartwrenching for me and I actually can't believe I'm in the position of NOT voting for a President. I've just come to the realization that I couldn't live with myself if I voted for him. I wish I could just consider the military, my cousin was a paratrooper in Iraq, but I can't.
This situation is just depressing, but I'm becoming more at peace with my decision every day
THE problem is, with Hillary or Obama, you will get that thirty percent you don't like ANYWAY. .AND Not get the 70% you DO like.
So. . I woudl definitely calling it cutting off your nose to spite your face. I can absolutely understand and I AGREE with, not supporting him in the primary. I'm not. BUt once the choice is, say, him or HIllary? It takes me no time at all to make that choice.
Another excellent blog. I will absolutely support the eventual nominee of the party. As for this coming Tuesday, I still have no clue who I'm voting for. I may just have to stay home Tuesday. As far as I know, there is nothing else on our ballots here.
That's enough. Don't link to the same thing in every thread. Thank you for your cooperation.
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You could charm the birds out of the trees! This was such a heartfelt reachout to everyone--how can we not respond? For myself, I don't care for Sen. McCain at all, but I will vote for him. As someone who supports and admires our military profoundly (especially Marines), it was your remark last week about the troops in the field that won me over. I think of the Marine families I know, and of their loved ones who are serving us with such honor, and I cannot in all good conscience sit out this election when my vote may help to keep their sacrifices from becoming useless. Thank you for just being who you are and for being willing to share that with so many.