Tammy Bruce: McCain's CPAC Speech

McCain's CPAC Speech

First, if that Reagan introduction video thing was actually true, he made a very smart move by 86ing it.

Let me start off by saying, while it was no kumbaya moment, I was more impressed than I thought I would be. I appreciated his more reserved comments about illegal immigration, adding to my comfort level was Senator Tom Coburn's introduction of McCain.

Coburn, btw, would make a pretty good VP choice for McCain. His record on immigration, amnesty, even English to be the official language of the United States, is impressive. Having Coburn in the second spot would me Infinitely more comfortable with McCain. Appealing to the south is what has created some talk that McCain mike consider Juckabee, of ll people, to be the VP. There are plenty of decent men and women McCain can choose who appeal to the south. As the senator from Oklahoma, Coburn is one of them. And, as noted, he has the demonstrable record on one of the main issues with which McCain cannot be trusted.

One thing I must say I love about McCain, and serves as n indication of fiscal conservatism, is his no vote on Bush's obscene and preposterous prescription drug program for seniors. That is one aspect where he is quite different from Bush.

His comments about the war in Iraq and his commitment to winning there were impressive, but he still said nothing in detail about his commitment/feelings about executing the wider war on Radical Islam. That he did not address his commitment in a larger sense to the longterm problem concerns me. He also did not remind people about his desire to close Gitmo nor his obsession with making sure we are unable to effectively interrogate terrorist captives.

Of course, he lauds his commitment to small government and an end to entitlements, in fact he pledged to veto any bill that has even one earmark in it. That's impressive but here's what it doesn't wash with--how can you claim to be a small government conservative who's against entitlements and earmarks when your very own illegal alien amnesty/guest (slave) worker program would have been the biggest entitlement program/earmark in the history of the United States? McCain made it clear he will veto efforts to give entitlements to Americans, but still seems invested in the idea that illegal aliens should get the entitlement of amnesty and a promised job.

This is why one speech is not enough. I want to see and hear more and we need to see who he's leaning to when it comes to the VP spot.

Here's the transcript of McCain's remarks for you.

UPDATE:

Bryan at Hot Air has great video of the reaction to McCain's entrance into the room. You can see where the McCain supporters were jammed and the, well, lackluster or hostile response from everyone else.

Posted by Tammy · February 7, 2008 12:53 PM · Permalink
Politics

Comments

Now that I've calmed down a bit after the Romney announcement, all I will say is that McCain has nine months to impress me.

Posted by: PeteRFNY at February 7, 2008 01:37 PM

He was pandering and lying just like he has done all campaign long. None of the conservatives there cheered for him. The cheers came from a crowd packed with McCain staffers and a McCain rent-a-mob according to Politico. No vote from me.

Posted by: davenp35 at February 7, 2008 01:50 PM

You're probably right about Coburn, but I remember being annoyed & troubled about how long it took him to declare himself a 'no' vote on the '07 amnesty. Inhofe quickly jumped out & said he'd be voting no, but Coburn took days longer, iirc.

I have one huge problem w/any of JM's promises: I simply don't believe him. To this day, he insists his amnesty wasn't an amnesty. That's insulting. That's just not someone I can trust at all, no matter how much I may like what he says. As for his fiscal conservatism, didn't he vote to give illegals Social Security during the shamnesty fight? Oy...

Posted by: fiona at February 7, 2008 01:52 PM

The speech intrigued me enough to listen to him some more. I am willing to allow that he understands that his position has President is different than one as Senator and that he is at least somewhat truthful in his promise to listen to his fellow conservatives and admit error.

If he is being truthful on his voting record (and he did say that he voted against the tax cuts initially because there were no spending cuts - that's okay in my book), then despite the amnesty bill and even the torture thing (which I can also understand coming from a POW who was tortured) and Gitmo, I'm starting to be willing to give him a chance.

Yes, he's got 9 months to impress me and make me really believe that he will be the conservative we need right now.

Posted by: ladykrystyna at February 7, 2008 01:54 PM

Who thinks McCain will inspire one independent to actually vote FOR him? Bob Dole II, much older and without the charisma.

Posted by: bill-tb at February 7, 2008 02:01 PM

Well...Great..I still think of McCain as a party of one (his views are correct and YOU just need to calm down and SHUT UP)! Aside from what he said at CPAC, he is still McCain.

Posted by: Boomer at February 7, 2008 02:24 PM

Actually, I expect he will impress all of us very much in the next nine months, and a McCain victory in November would be a wake-up call to the insurgents in Iraq, which is a good thing.

But no matter who wins the White House, we will be spending four years being decidedly un-calm and vocal about the legislation that moves through Congress.

Posted by: Ferdy at February 7, 2008 02:33 PM

I agree with Peterfny and Ferdy -- nine months can do alot - I will vote for McCain -- no Hillary - no Obama.

Kathy

Posted by: Kathy at February 7, 2008 02:44 PM

I hate this! I hate this! McCain IS okay on Healthcare. I'm not real excited about his okay-ness there though. Yeah his speech sort of, in a way maybe sounds okay (that same kind of okay I am NOT excited about), but does he REALLY want smaller government? He's at least (very much the least too I have to say) not avoiding the fact that we question him and his "conservatism." He will have to be held fast and hard in accountability--to us the people. Unless God changes it, it seems to me, you can trust a chameleon to be a chameleon and a shark to be a shark. We even keep them in cages and aquariums though, don't we? Kind of wish we didn't have to, but there you go . . .

Posted by: Tirian at February 7, 2008 03:09 PM

Well, it's in... McCain is the chosen one of what is left of the Republican party.

But, he will not rally any confidence with his whimsical words of political word smithing. He will not woo the right, the true conservative who have put up with this kind of garbage far too long.

So, (I) became unaffiliated with any of the above beginning today. It's now down to the core ethics of what it means to be conservative, have values and a willingness to stand up (or sit-down) and fight for that which we believe - NOT A JOHN MCCAIN, NOT NOW, NOT EVER or should I say NEVER AGAIN!

We are in for a political fire-fight, a real "blood letting" for the next four years and hopefully we (true conservative Americans) can thwart this next battle by changing seats in the congress - it is our only hope!

Posted by: Steve Taff at February 7, 2008 03:25 PM

But Tammy, McCain has had such a history of back-stabbing his fellow conservatives, how can we trust his current suck-up to the base? I don't trust that the face he puts on today will be the one that remains if he takes office. I couldn't vote for McCain any more than I could vote for Hillbilly or even Obama.

Posted by: CynDaVaz at February 7, 2008 03:54 PM

No power on earth could get me to support or vote for this scumbag. This wolf just can't get his brissly ass in the sheep costume.
President Hillary won't be so bad. She'll galvanize the conservative movement better that anything else I know of. Now Bill as Secretary General of the U.N. might be something else.

Posted by: HellDogger at February 7, 2008 04:10 PM

Trusting anything that comes out of a politician's mouth is a dangerous proposition, and when it's McAmnesty talking, I trust the words even less.

We can't let up on him or let him off the hook for anything prior to the election and most certainly not after if he's the next president. It will be our "Amnesty Summer" multipled by 4 years.

Posted by: Kelly at February 7, 2008 04:41 PM

Now why on earth would McAmnesty's VP choice make a difference? Veeps don't control the president! A VP only gets to vote if the senate is in a stalemate.

You all can look at McAmnesty all you want. But think about this, a fence won't do anything but waste money if we don't enforce the law.

Look who is on McAmnesty's campaign staff and you are looking at the type of people he will appoint.

[Three words that slightly contradict your point that a VP has no power or influence--Vice President Cheney.--ed.]

Posted by: Katablog at February 7, 2008 04:59 PM

Katablog, and ed., interestingly, McCain could make CHENEY his running mate: the VP isn't term-limited.

Posted by: Dave J at February 7, 2008 05:31 PM

"They won't recognize and seriously address the threat posed by an Iran with nuclear ambitions to our ally, Israel, and the region.

I intend to make unmistakably clear to Iran we will not permit a government that espouses the destruction of the State of Israel as its fondest wish and pledges undying enmity to the United States to possess the weapons to advance their malevolent ambitions."

I hope he means it. Obama wants to invite Iran, Syria, the PLO, Sudan to lunch and ask "Why can't we all get along". I like McCain's statement but it would resonate more truthfully if Giuliani or Romney had said it.

Posted by: Ripper at February 7, 2008 06:34 PM

I am concerned by McCain's friendship with his odious bobo Lindsey Graham the RINO Senator from South Carolina.

Posted by: Ripper at February 7, 2008 06:39 PM

McCain's speech convinced me that he has both good speech coaches and speech writers. It failed to convince me, however, to vote for him. His past actions speak to me so much more loudly than do his present words, and those actions reveal a deep contempt for us, the American people. Yes, he and I think similarly about some issues, such as the prescription drug program for seniors. My liberal friends and I also think similary about some issues, such as the duty to responsibility appreciate our earth's natural resources. Agreement in some areas is not enough, however. McCain has demonstrated his disdain for Americans, and I cannot in all good conscience support him for that fundamental reason.

Posted by: predoc at February 7, 2008 06:41 PM

EVERY time I hear all this good, lovey-dovey, he's-really-a-conservative rhetoric from his supporters and endorsers, I just hearken back to all that he did in the Senate since 2000 to effectively turn back conservative principles. I hearken back to the Senator's own words about Conservative Judges, like Roberts and Alito (whom he now says he'd support and nominate), and his rhetoric towards evangelical, Protestant Christians like Pat Robertson and the Late Dr. Jerry Falwell. Yes, he apologized for his words aobut the latter, but then, I remember that his "apology" came in an election year ('06) and shortly before he formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States of America (early '07), and to me the whole apology just rings very hollow and shallow.

To all you McCain fans, supporters, and endorsers out there, I must let you know that your man still hasn't convinced me. I've taken second, third, fourth, and fifth looks at McCain, and all I hear in my brain are the newsreels from the years past reminding me that this man betrayed values I hold dearly to. He has, time and time again -- despite lending some sort of "support" -- turned his back on Conservative values, and, for all intents and purposes, has acted like a sore loser to George W. Bush in the 2000 primaries and election process. I cannot, and I will not, in principle, in good conscience, and with a clear and honest heart before God Almioghty and before the mirror I look into every day, vote or support in any way, Senator John McCain for POTUSA.

Should he gain the nomination for the GOP, it is my intention to vote 3rd party on the presidential ballot, or write-in. I won't sit at home on my hands and be like some others who've decided to "sit this one out", and if I can't conscience-ly or consciously vote for McCain, then it's a sure bet I won't vote for Obama or Hillary. All this to say, John McCain has shown himself to be a true politician, n that he says what people want to hear, when they want to hear it, and then, in the name of political expedience or personal gain, will turn his back and turn and do something quite the opposite.

John McCan is to be honored for his service in VietNam, for his refusal to leave his comrades-in-arms without him in Hanoi Hilton. That was then; this is now. Whiel he did not leave his fellow military men in POW camp back then, in 2000, he certainly left Conservatives in the political vairation of hanoi Hilton. Because of thus, I cannto and will not vote for him.

Posted by: Jason_L at February 7, 2008 07:50 PM

I respect various opinions. McCain is who he is. He will not be able to change my mind. I used to think I supported him. But no. Too abrasive, too much of a loose cannon, too much of a long time DC politician.

Do I vote for Barrack or Hillary? Do I sit it out? Do I hope Mike Bloomberg runs as an independent? Help?

Posted by: WHT at February 7, 2008 08:23 PM

NY is an uncontested state. As a New Yorker, my participation in this election cycle is mute. The liberal Democrat candidate will always win the general election. So, now that our primary is over, election day is merely a formality. Too bad we weren't able to help Romney here. I just heard a replay of McCain's CPAC speech. I can't recall anything he said, because I couldn't be bothered to listen to the unbelievable. For what it's worth, I'll be sitting this one out.

Posted by: ChrisL at February 7, 2008 08:47 PM

He did what he had to do. He did a good job. Strange, however, how the chorus of Conservative elite are now changing their tune about McCain. I am stunned by this actually.
However, I am voting for him in the general election..regardless. I refuse to allow Hillary or Obama near the CIC chair. I shall fight for my party from within, loudly, beginning the day after McCain is inaugerated.

Posted by: Trinity at February 7, 2008 09:48 PM

"I respect various opinions. McCain is who he is. He will not be able to change my mind. I used to think I supported him. But no. Too abrasive, too much of a loose cannon, too much of a long time DC politician.

Do I vote for Barrack or Hillary? Do I sit it out? Do I hope Mike Bloomberg runs as an independent? Help?

Posted by: WHT"

WHT - under no circumstances vote for Nanny Bloomberg who is my mayor here in NYC. Bloomberg is a decent mayor (thanks to Rudy Giuliani handing over to him a much healed and improve city) but Bloomberg is emblematic of nanny state liberalism. He also has the bedside manner of a lcaims adjuster.

Posted by: Ripper at February 8, 2008 06:30 AM

Unbelivable.
All of the respondents who will sit this one out and Helldogger who thinks that President Hillary, won't be so bad, to me are very scary.
If you don't vote, you have no right to complain,is as true as ever.
The Conservatives were all in favor of Bush, in the last two elections and look what we have. a man who managed to squander his political capital, on the Immigration issue. Even his most ardent supporters, have a tough time justifying what he has become.
I think that we have to look at what each of the candidates offer, and vote accordingly. We are not going to get Ronald Reagan, ever again. The sooner we realize the better.
The writer that mentioned electing members of the House and Senate who have Conservative viewpoints, is right on the mark. Maybe those of you who are planning to sit this one out, can see your way clear to act on that agenda.

Posted by: Sean H. at February 8, 2008 07:51 AM

I have a lot of problems with McCain too. He's changed his stance on an awful lot of things that matter to conservatives. And as a libertarian, I see an authoritarian streak in him that really troubles me.

But I'm going to support him and vote for him. Here's why: With a Hillary or Obama adminstration, we know what we're going to get. With a McCain administration, we at least have a chance. Romney's concession was a very important step. McCain cannot ignore that and expect to win. Conservatives *will* get a seat at the table now. McCain knows this is his last shot; he isn't getting any younger, and if he doesn't win the Presidency this year, he's toast. He *must* have the backing of the party base. He knows all this. Now that Romney has cleared the decks, conservatives have six months to get their candidate and their message out for the general election, while the Democrats are unable to respond because they're still tied up in primary fights. That's an absolutely huge advantage, a gift that no Presidential candidate has had in more than half a century. Let's not blow it, because we probably won't get another chance like this in our lifetimes.

Coburn as Veep? Interesting idea. I personally would be fine with Duncan Hunter, but conventional wisdom says that won't play; an all-Western ticket doesn't have the geographical balance. And neither Hunter nor anyone else the GOP could realistically put on the ticket would be able to swing California, so there's nothing to be gained there. My suggestion: Michael Steele. He's a rising star in the party leadership; he's got experience in a governor's office, having been LtGov of Maryland, a former blue state that is in the process of turning red. He would be acceptable to the South, and he could possibly swing some of the iffy mid-Atlantic states like North Carolina. And it would be great fun to watch the identity-politics Democrats squirm over it!

Posted by: Cousin Dave at February 8, 2008 11:14 AM

The RNC called me this AM to renew my membership. I declined and gave them an earful of how I will not support a party that is making this left turn against the will of the bulk of Republican voters. That nominating this poor candidate will be a recipe for failure in November.
I'm glad they called, as I was planning on calling and cancelling my RNC membership this afternoon anyway.

Posted by: TroyBoyWisconsin at February 8, 2008 11:48 AM

Cousin Dave, you are right, I think, that we at least have a better standing with McCain than with Obama or Clinton. Either of those two would probably try to steamroll us, not that it would come close to working. But with McCain, no matter what, we are going to have to hold him accountable by the lepels, all the time, and precisely to us. Not even to himself, whoever that is. Of course, we the people always need to hold the government accountable so they get it that we are really in charge. Something Tammy said when she threw in her lot with Romney is sticking with me. It was to the effect that "I'm no longer looking to the President to make my dreams come true." No politician can do that. That's my responsibility in cooperation with God and my own heart and mind. That's why we the people need to stand up and tell these Washington persons (I'll be kind) what their job really is. We really do have to tell them who they are as it respects what happens to this nation. They cannot tell us who we are. We cannot let them think they can.

Posted by: Tirian at February 8, 2008 01:46 PM

By Category

By Month

McCain's CPAC Speech

Comments

Post a comment