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Because he is a Republican.
In many ways I’m not as rabidly partisan as I used to be. The waning threat of the Republicans is being replaced by the threat of power hungry Democratic Party leaders. Everywhere you turn you read an article declaring Republicanism and or Conservatism on the way out. Bullocks. Royalists and reactionaries never say die. In their stead the bureaucrat apparatchiks of the Democratic Party will provide aegis until the House that Reagan built regenerates.
But it’s not quite over yet, as a friend of a friend reminds me:
…this is a sign to the Republican Party. One I have been holding up for years. They don’t let their candidates be their own people. Everyone has to tow the party line. The Trent Lott years were particularly stupid. I can remember as far back as 1996 when Lott and Newt were ganging up on my man for standing up to the tobacco industry.
Back then, Democrats, Independents, and even many Republicans were cheering John McCain. He’s a “maverick,” he stands up for what he believes in, even when his party disagrees or when it’s not popular.
When did this change? When did he become just another Republican?
The answer…he didn’t. He is still John McCain. He has some moments early in the campaign when he worried the faithful by courting certain religious conservatives…but, we saw how that turned out when his campaign almost fell totally apart. But, he came back to what he does best. Straight Talk. This is what I think. I will listen to your concerns, and I will seriously consider them (how many politicians actually change their mind on something when the people convince him that he was wrong? McCain did this on Immigration). But…I may not agree with you. And, if I don’t, I will tell you exactly why.
Well, I’ve listened. I’ve considered. I don’t agree with you and I’ll tell you why.
If there ever was a day when McCain was truly a Maverick–maybe back when he was considering coming over from the darkside–it is most certainly gone now. The man does triple double backflips like none other in today’s political arena. Witness my favorite shrieking banshee of teh Right:
Shamnesty John McCain is back in full force: No, he never “got the message”
By Michelle Malkin - May 22, 2008 07:23 PM…And, now, straight from the campaign trail with Arnold “Move Left” Schwarzenegger, McCain has shed every last pretense that he “got the message” from grass-roots immigration enforcement proponents and is back to his full, open-borders shamnesty push. No surprise to any of you. But his complete regression back to the “comprehensive immigration reform” euphemism is a notable milestone.
And what about those “agents of intolerance?” John Hagee, The pastor who John McCain actively sought support from? Rev. Rod Parsley? Under the bus:
Rev. Rod Parsley withdraws McCain endorsement
Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:08 PMTHE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
After saying Friday that he would not withdraw his endorsement of Sen. John McCain, pastor Rod Parsley has changed his mind.The pastor of World Harvest Church, in the Canal Winchester area, issued a statement almost identical to one he had sent late Friday night, but with one key change: the addition of the sentence “Therefore I withdraw my endorsement.”
Spokesman Gene Pierce wouldn’t shed light on Parsley’s decision, saying only “this statement is a clarification on (Friday’s) statement.”
McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, rejected the Columbus pastor’s endorsement after holding on to it for nearly three months. Parsley has criticized Islam, calling it inherently violent and saying it is “the anti-Christ religion.”
McCain also rejected Texas televangelist John Hagee’s February endorsement.
In a situation eerily similar to the immigration reform fiasco, McCain calls out the Jerry Falwells, the Pastor Hagee types for what they were, agents of intolerance. Then he reverses course to please and pander to the base of the Republican party. Another zig, another zag, and the next thing you know McCain is saying, “I just think that the statement is crazy and unacceptable,” when his newest bestest friends among the Religous Right’s statements come to light. That, Jason, is not straight talk.
One Response to “Because he is a Republican.”
May 26th, 2008 at
There are times when I question whether there is a difference between Republicans and Democrats. But I do not dislike McCain because of his affiliation, and even voted for him in the 2000 primary. I think he has become too entrenched in Washington-style politics to be effective as a leader, and has embraced to policies of the Bush administration once too often.
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