McCain Is The Right Choice
By Sen. John Thune Posted in 2008 — Comments (62) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I serve in the United States Senate with John McCain and know his character well. In fact, our families’ history together goes back more than half a century. In World War II, my father served as a Navy fighter pilot under the command of Senator McCain’s grandfather, Admiral John S. McCain Sr.
Senator McCain spent 22 years as an active duty naval aviator and served with distinction in Vietnam. As so many people know, his 23rd bombing mission ended when a surface-to-air missile ripped through his aircraft. He sustained very serious injuries, only to be refused healthcare and badly mistreated by the North Vietnamese.
He then spent more than five years as a prisoner of war. During this time, he was tortured by the North Vietnamese, where he was armed only with his Christian faith and unshakable foundation of American values.
Please read on . . .
John McCain’s experiences as a prisoner of war speak volumes about the strength of his character. He is a man of honor and commitment, which is why he has fought so diligently in the halls of Congress for the benefits owed to his fellow veterans.
During his years in the Senate, John McCain has authored, supported, and voted for key legislation to protect the dignity and benefits of our nation’s veterans.
He proposed legislation to allow equal access to healthcare for military vets, and was the key sponsor of a 2005 bill restoring benefits lost to Medicare-eligible military retirees. He has led the fight to give vets in rural areas the same level of care as those in urban areas, and has bolstered the availability of mental healthcare for our homeless vets.
I also serve with John McCain on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and have traveled with him to Iraq and elsewhere to visit our troops and military installations. What always strikes me is the genuine respect and admiration our troops have for Senator McCain. Our troops, who are serving so valiantly around the world, know a true American patriot when they see one, and recognize a friend and tireless advocate in John McCain.
That is the John McCain I have come to know and respect, and it’s the kind of leadership we need in the White House. America needs a forward-looking executive who has a belief in the principles that make this country great. And it is exactly this belief that forges such a strong connection between John McCain and his fellow veterans.
John McCain’s bond with his brothers-in-arms has motivated his longstanding advocacy on their behalf, and it has reassured my support of his campaign to be our next president.
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McCain Is The Right Choice 62 Comments (0 topical, 62 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
I question your choice of adjectives. Since the election, Senator Thune has proven himself about as conservative as the President. Not very!! Just because he has an R by his name does not make him conservative. Among other things he is a major porker.
Friends can forgive a lot.
If Fred doesn't run, I'll probably vote for McCain.
I appreciate your taking the time to address us, and while McCain is not at the top of my list I agree that he is an honorable and decent man and I will join you in supporting him if he proves to be the party's choice in 2008.
Two things. One, I will never, ever, under any circumstance vote for John McCain.
Two, please come back and post again on another subject. Like maybe how the Republicans are going to stand up and tell Harry Reid to go to hell. Or how the Republican leadership will shut down the Senate until a clean military funding bill gets passed.
Thank you.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
McCain isn't my first choice (I'm still hoping Tommy Thompson will become viable), but I wonder why you will "never, ever, under any circumstance vote for John McCain." Yes, his view of the First Amendment is disturbing and I chafe at his penchant for regulation, but is he really all *that* bad?
"The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions."
I'm with you. McCain has made his disdain for conservatives more than clear. He will never, under any circumstances get my vote. For me the deciding issue is illegal immigration.
1. CFR. The original purpose of the first amendment was to protect political speech. Campaign financing should have no limits on donations but should require immediate disclosure and open data base access to donations.
2. G14. This exercise in a need to have other Senators like him has thus far cost us a minimum of 7 very well qualified judicial nominees and gained us exactly nothing. Neither Roberts or Alito could have been successfully filibustered. Now that we do not have control of the Senate, the Constitutional option is no longer an option. Hope you like the way Leahy picks your judges.
3. Tax rate reductions. Never met one that wasn't sponsored by a liberal Democrat he liked.
4. "Support for the war." This really irks me. He's constantly put forth as the President's most able supporter. For several years, every time he mouthed support he would take a shot at Rumsfeld, etc. His support has been "fair weather" at best.
5. He's a Media Whore.
6. The torture amendment. This piece of crap was used by anti-American elements all over the world to the effect of "see even the US Senate says US troops are torturing people". It accomplished exactly nothing.
7. Close GITMO. A fools errand. Bring the prisoners held in GITMO to the US and you invite a new round of terrorist friendly lawyers filing a new round of challenges.
8. ANWR/Kyoto. Please. Let's just shut down the US economy. Even the Canadians have figured out that Kyoto is foolish.
9. McCain/Kennedy immigration reform - amnesty. No enforcement.
10. In his time in the US Senate he has only sponsored "important" legislation with the most liberal of Democrats. He works better with them than with conservative Republicans.
11. He has no signature legislation that isn't crap (CFR, torture, immigration) and he's been in the Senate for 20 years.
12. His defense of John Kerry and his comments about the SwiftVets. McCain doesn't choose his friends well.
13. He cares more about the comity and traditions of the Senate than he does about the country.
14. I have no confidence that he would appoint judges who are constructionist, they would threaten CFR. His votes in favor of previous nominees are without meaning when it comes to who he might nominate in a position that would actually realign the court.
15. Temperment. Age. Lack of executive experience. Did I mention that he's a media whore?
16. He's never found a problem that the federal government couldn't solve. Whining about ear marks aside, the role of the federal government would continue to expand under McCain.
How's that for starters. I haven't had my first cup of coffee yet. If necessary, in a couple of hours I can add to and elaborate if necessary.
Bottom line, as much as I dislike and distrust the Democrats, Hillary or Obama will do less damage to the Republic than McCain.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Rumsfeld is one of the reasons the administration has taken so long to find a new strategy, and is also one of the reasons our military is stretched thin.
Too bad the Pres. didn't listen to McCain.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
which I won't, McCain is still not fit to be POTUS. Period.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
i respect your opinion. in fact, i do believe you are much more fully informed than i am.
if you have a second, i'd be interested in your response. if you're too busy, i understand.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
First of all, I'm not necessarily convinced that the "problem" was Rumsfeld. In my view from the mount, the problem in Iraq has been RoE's not troop strength. In any event, even if the problem was troop strength, my problem with JM on this issue is that at virtually every opportunity to discuss the war, he couched the correctness of the foreign policy position with whining about Rumsfeld, about troop numbers, etc. I view his "support" somewhat like Lucy and the football with Charlie Brown.
I freely admit that I have absolutely no use for John McCain with respect to his holding elective office (including being the Senator from my state). I am not an objective observer. I am perfectly willing to impute the worst of motives into his actions and in the case of his support for the war, my read is that he's been tossing some red meat to the base by saying he supports the war out of one of his faces while pandering to the media who hates GWB with one of his other faces.
Bottom line is that I do not trust the guy one iota on anything.
That said, I do respect his family. After all, his son is an enlisted Marine.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
"at virtually every opportunity to discuss the war, he couched the correctness of the foreign policy position with whining about Rumsfeld, about troop numbers, etc."
I'd like to believe he has finally figured the thing out, but even if he has, it took him way too long for somebody who wants to be President. Johnny Mac had many opportunities to really help defeat the enemy in Iraq; instead he chose to take an "even-handed" approach that seemed intended to appease the Dems at the expense of the 'Pubs.
Today he again exhibited his somewhat tenuous hold on reality when he officially announced his candidacy. Senator, the Super Chief has already left the station, and you aren't on it. It's time to re-configure yourself into the role of elder statesman. That's a role in which you can still do your country much good, if you just remember that Democrats don't need your help when they decide to attack your fellow Republicans.
Harry Reid on Iraq: “I say we’ve lost. Let’s bring our boys home in, oh, say 18 months. In the meantime, no more funding for them.”
I'm willing to give that particular point up. I STILL wouldn't vote for JM if he was running against Lucifer. Or Hillary. But I repeat myself.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
to elaborate, I just heard the FoxNews chick talking about McCain on Iraq and she noted that even though McCain is talking really tough about the war he's going to great lengths to separate himself from the President...
I didn't hear what McCain said, this is strictly second hand but I thought it was interesting. She happened to be talking to Jon Kyl and he went out of his way to note that McCain is "his own man".
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
for sharing your thoughts with RS!
while McCain isn't my first choice, I'll be there fighting hard for him if the alternative is Mayor Giuliani, and certainly against any Democrat should he earn our nomination. there is much to admire about Senator McCain, and we ought not forget that amidst the recounting of the things that annoy us.
John McCain is not at the top of my list either, however I will wholeheartedly support him in 2008 if he ends up being our guy. I've had my issues with a few of his antics in the past, but there isn't a more principled voice in the Senate in defense of our mission in Iraq right now. I wish more people would stand up like Senator McCain and challenge whiny losers like Harry Reid.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
see this article as just playing to the deep military presence on this blog? The Senator does not type one word about McCain's policies or platforms but rather inundates us readers with military references and reminders of McCain's POW experience, which we all are familiar with. I would hope Sen. Thune would see that the readers of RS will not vote for a candidate solely based on the fact he has good standing with the troops. I would be much more interested with hearing Sen. McCain's plan for ending the Iraq War or how he's going to make my education more affordable.
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
I'm pleased that someone as distinguished as Senator Thune would honor and credit this site with his presence. Many endorsements, particularly where policy preferences are similar or not yet solidified, hinge on aspects of a candidate's character and I can think of few personal narratives more heroic than Senator McCain's.
and would point out that many reading the Senator's post are far from aligning with Sen. McCain's policies. So why not take this opportunity to convince us that we should solidify our views to correspond with McCain's? I would be hard pressed to find any reader of RS who is not aware of McCain's stellar and utterly heroic military experience and character. Certainly this will be a factor, but why not open a discourse on his policies? I personally would be more interested in knowing what his plan for the future is rather than being reminded of his military service. I have heard few definitive policy statements by Sen. McCain, while I can recite his experience in Vietnam to a t. He's not going to have a shot at my vote if he runs too strongly on his military record.
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
One, just what do you mean "ending the Iraq War"?
Two, why should the federal government do ANYTHING to make your education more affordable? In the first place, show me somewhere in the Constitution that indicates your education is a federal responsibility (and don't even go near the Commerce Clause). In the second place, why are you getting an education? Do you expect that it will have sufficient economic value in the future to offset it's current projected cost? If not, why are you bothering to pursue it?
Oh, and point three (it's a freebie). If making your education "more affordable" costs me a nickel, or costs either of my sons a nickel, it's an unaffordable cost to us. We've all managed to graduate in our respective fields without student loans or family money. I would suggest selling your silver hammer.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
Calm down for a minute. Deep breath.
I mean "ending" in the sense of establishing a self-sustaining government that doesn't rely nearly as heavily on American forces for security. What's his plan for Iraq?
And the education thing, I was simply stating an election issue that is important to me. No need to jump down my throat. You vote for your reasons, I vote for mine. I'm not trying to argue the Constitutional basis for higher education.
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
Check out McCain on The Daily Show tonight, perhaps he can clear some things up. Should be on with Jon in about 15.
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
Before someone pounds you into Nickels.
The Senator has provided a basis for his support with policy references. If you want McCain’s positions, look at his website.
Also, spare us the deep military presence nonsense.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
I would be much more interested with hearing Sen. McCain's plan for ending the Iraq War or how he's going to make my education more affordable.
Could I suggest, ever so gently, that there should be a considerable list of things between the Iraq war and funding your education that our readers would be interested in?
Just two important factors in getting my vote.
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain
Oh, you mean by dismantling the DOE and ending government subsidies?
"Senator Obama is for making college 'affordable,' as if he has never considered that government subsidies push up tuition, just as government subsidies push up agricultural prices, the price of medical care and other prices." -- Dr. Thomas Sowell
Senator Thune,
Thank you for sharing with us here. Being from your neighboring state of Minnesota, I applaud the people of South Dakota for their incredible wisdom in sending you to Washington.
At at time in our Country's history when we need leaders more than ever, and we have to sit here and watch the Leader of the United States Senate disgrace our Land, it is a welcome sight to see Senator McCain stand tall and strong. He has shown us the man he is and Senator Reid has shown us the coward he is.
Although Senator McCain is not my choice for the Republican Presidential candidate, he certainly has proven himself as a true patriot.
There is no question John McCain is a patriot who has served this country. There is probably no way we can completely reward that sacrifice.
However, help us reconcile the Senators positions on McCain- Feingold, opposition to tax cuts, habeus corpus rights for terrorists and judicial filibusters.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
In fact the Military Commission Act which he helped write along with Warner and Graham TOOK AWAY the ability of enemy combatants held at Gitmo to file lawsuits in federal court.
Going back and undoing this part of the MCA has been a cause celebre among some libs like Dodd and even GOPers like Specter. Many lib legal scholars hate McCain for his work on the MCA.
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/04/supreme-court-declines-to-...
It's late and been a long day.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
Sometimes "mavericks" break away from the pack because they're natural leaders, but sometimes they break away from the pack because they get lost easily.
Thank you for posting on Senator McCain and for voicing your support. I'm sure Senator McCain is an admirable man in his own way and it is good of you to stick up for him.
However, the problem many of us have with him is not his honorable service record or devotion to the troops.
Instead, the problem we have is with his apparent disregard for the first and second amendments.
I have an issue with someone who would sponsor legislation designed to limit my ability to know the facts about any candidate at any point in the election process, much less 30 or 60 days before that election. To apply this limitation on speech to all organizations except the MSM only galls further.
I have an issue with someone who fails to absolutely recognize that the second amendment protects my right to own weapons - whether for self defense or hunting.
Quite frankly, I don't care how much he loves the troops if he fails to love this country and its law first.
I think he has been a good Senator and has served his constituents well. He needs to continue to do so until he retires.
"I have an issue with someone who fails to absolutely recognize that the second amendment protects my right to own weapons - whether for self defense or hunting."
Huh?
Sen McCin is and has been a staunch supporter of gun rights. What are you talking about?
He spoke out brilliantly the day after the VT shootings, arguing that it was not gun rights that needed to be reformed, but rather the ability of universities to deal with the "rights" of mentally deranged students to remain in school.
Gimme a ref or a retraction.
Its true that he spoke out well after the VT shooting, and he did vote against the ban in the '94 Crime Bill, but he isn't totally pro-RKBA either. He has supported(and I believe, co-authored)bills that would require background checks for private sales and a few other bills that were not as highly visible as the ban, but were still definitely gun control.
Your comments are appreciated.
However, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances.
> John McCain’s experiences as a prisoner of war speak volumes about the strength of his character.
I disagree. One form of bravery, decades ago, says nothing about John McCain's character today. The statement you made is too broad. Taken to an extreme, this type of argument would lead to a conclusion like "any soldier who showed his bravery in combat will be a perfect human being for the rest of his life".
"Once Hillary is elected she will create a new form of secret police." -- Dick Morris (her ex-employee)
many reservations that core Republican voters have about him.
I'm persuadable, though. More than anything else, I'm looking for a good Commander-In-Chief.
Senator, I thought much more of you before you became a Senator. I'm not impressed by celebrity or the opinion of politicians that have time and time again sold out Conservative principles.
I'm with you. John Thune may be better than Tom Daschle, but that's a low bar. To me, he has been an incredibly disappointing senator.
Senator Thune, I highly respect you and value your opinion, but unless Sen. McCain is the last Republican candidate left, I cannot support him. McCain-Feingold cannot be justified under any circumstances. If he had just voted for the bill, I might be able to forgive him, but I cannot support someone who has reduced the only speech that is truly protected under the First Amendment.
I can definitively say that this is not the article I thought John Thune would first write on RS, if ever he were to write one. Thanks for your thoughts, Senator, but I can definitely say that I won't be voting for Sen. John McCain ("R"-AZ) anytime soon.
I must say, this post did nothing to encourage me about a conservative comeback next year. How disappointing.
I don't care, McCain (who I supported in 2000 vs Bush), will never, ever, get my vote. I will vote for Hillary before I vote for the writer of the the McCain Fiengold, the Gang of 14 manifesto, the person who for six months in 2001 did every thing he could to kick this president in the ankles and constantly attacked the party. There are some things that are unforgivable and I found him to be a sore loser, a whiner and an overall media hound. Not one penny, not one vote will he get from me.
stay out of my bedroom and out of my billfold
Senator wants to give amnesty to the illegals.
To me that disqualifies him as a viable canidate.
Dear Sen. Thune,
I respect and admire you greatly. I am actively involved in the party at the county level in McPherson county and I worked for your election and I will do so again because you are the right man with the right ideas for South Dakota. Ditto's for Gov. Rounds.
However.....
Unless you can somehow convince me that Sen. McCain won't undermine us conservatives like he did with with the gang of 14 deal, immigration reform, and undercutting of the presidents legislation for the gitmo detainees tribunal legislation at a really really bad time right before the last election, your words ring hollow.
Personally, I honestly believe that he has nothing but disdain for conservatives and is only seeking to placate the "base" to win the primaries right now. Then once he has the nomination, he will go back to doing the same things again. If you want me to vote for Sen. McCain, you need to convince me I am wrong.
I am personally fearful that he may do the same kind of "maverick" things again as president. If you can somehow allay those fears, I will not be inclined to support Sen. McCain.
"Wubbies World" - MSgt, U.S. Air Force (Retired): "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." -Jer 33:3-
Thank you for supporting Sen. McCain, despite the many complaints about him from conservatives.
I myself have a number of criticisms of Sen. McCain, but he has proven himself on the most important issue: the war against Islamic radicalism.
Thank you again.
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
First off, let me say Welcome to Red State.
Second off, let me say, I'm proud to be a fellow alum of Biola University. I think you attended at the same time my brothers were there.
Thirdly, I like many things about Senator McCain. I greatly dislike his gang of 14 and his campaign finance "reform." Also, given his age, I think he would struggle, a la Dole to win the nomintation.
While I won't say that I wouldn't vote for him, he's clearly behind Mitt and Fred on my list of candidates (see sig below).
I wish that Senators such as yourself wouldn't committ this early to candidates when there are still some good ones (Thompson / Gingrich) thinking about getting into the race.
Congrats on your victory to join the Senate (belated) and I hope you plan to stay in DC for a long time. The other thing we need you to do is raise up the bench there in South Dakota so we can sweep the Dims out of Washington DC.
Signature disclaimer: I'm not currently paid by any campaign, but I am available. Current preferences for President: 1) F.Thompson; 2) Romney; 3) McCain; 4) Gingrich; Guiliani removed 04/03/07
I forgot immigration "reform" which is called "amnesty" where I come from.
Signature disclaimer: I'm not currently paid by any campaign, but I am available. Current preferences for President: 1) F.Thompson; 2) Romney; 3) McCain; 4) Gingrich; Guiliani removed 04/03/07
I thank Sen. McCain for his service, however I can't support him in the primary due to the many reasons listed before.
I will support if he is our nominee though.
I look forward to you speaking more on this topic come January 2008.
http://michiganformccain.blogspot.com/
"In war, my dear friends, there's no such thing as compromise. You either win or you lose."
-John McCain
McCain will not get my vote. I seriously doubt he can capture the nomimation, as his recent lip service to core conservative principles is transparent.
I am solidly behind a Fred Thompson candidacy. If Fred does not run, I'll likely support Mitt Romney.
McCain simply doesn't have the temperament to survive a run for president, never mind the qualifications. Take a look at Jon Stewart's interview last night - he completely cleaned McCain's clock, while the senator tried to drown him out, talk over him, and not answer his questions. He was visibly flustered and angry. If he can't survive a late-night comedy show, I can't see how he'll get by in the "real world."
McCain is toast.
how you'll do as president? that's a tad silly. just a tad.
(in any case, stewart deserves a beating. mccain SHOULD have gotten angry at him.)
"During my lifetime, all our problems have come from mainland Europe, and all the solutions from the English-speaking nations across the world." - Thatcher
Fred Thompson needs to quit vacillating and run.
Visit: http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org
With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see right.
Conservative John Thune endorses "Republican" John McCain...
So it ain't so.
www.rightoftexas.blogspot.com