A post by Pat
Paul Harris, UK Guardian correspondent stationed in New York, takes notice that McCain is too far right. He realizes McCain is in one of the toughest fights of his political life and expected some of his “traditionally liberal” attitudes to shift right. Harris is pretty much throwing up his hands over how far right McCain is sounding these days. Me too.
John McCain ditches his liberal past and turns hard right
When does being a maverick turn into a shameless flip-flopper? Pretty much about now, according to many observers of the long and storied political career of former Republican presidential candidate John McCain
…McCain’s traditionally liberal attitudes to immigration reform were always likely to take a bit of a hit. But few people can have predicted just how far McCain would go in rowing away from the previous positions that won him praise as recently as 2007 when he co-sponsored reform legislation with famed liberal Senator Ted Kennedy. McCain then appealed for illegal immigrants to be treated as human beings, and granted a path to citizenship in return for payment of back taxes. He was praised by liberals, and even Republican opponents admired his political guts.
It is hard to imagine that he was once seen as a politician who stuck to his beliefs and always put a good policy ahead of self-interested politics Since he lost to Barack Obama in 2008 he has retreated into the Republican right wing as the Tea Party’s grip on the party’s activist roots has strengthened..
But McCain was never the principled rogue many of his former media fans believed in. As he himself said recently: “I never considered myself a maverick.” Which is in itself a reversal of his previous position. In the 2008 campaign, the term “maverick” was used prominently. Perhaps it should be replaced with “just another rightwing politician”.
It is unbelievable that McCain is this far to the right. He isn’t just another rightwing politician; he is just another arrogant politician who thinks people are stupid.
Don’t worry, Paulie, old boy. Once he’s safely re-elected, your former hero, Juan McAmnesty, will go back to being the same old liberal sell out whom you have long admired. You can write column after column about how the old Maverick is standing on principle against his party’s right wing. But first things first.
John McCain has secured a place in history as a footnote (or hyperlink) in the Sarah Palin story. He served his country honorably. He played hard and played to win in the game of politics. The rules have changed. Time for a “Game Changer”.
Exactly Ru !
I would like to present another view straight from Arizona on McCain: http://tucsoncitizen.com/the-cholla-jumps/2010/07/09/obama-and-democrats-want-their-old-john-mccain-back/
For weeks, I’ve been posting my thoughts on various blogs & publications about McCain’s liberal record & associations and the fact he will use his ‘last term’ as an excuse to go nuclear in ADVANCING Obama’s agenda – IF re-elected. JD is also out there pounding this fact. The amazing thing to me is this: I have not spoken to one person in this city who actually likes McCain or thinks he deserves another chance; yet, I see people supporting him who are aligned with the Pima Co. GOP and considering a run for office in the future & think he’s the person who will win anyway – and they don’t want to piss him off! That’s a sign he should be OUT yesterday!
Glad to report the Pima Co. GOP is broke! : ) They’re mad because certain precinct committeemen (…), activists and such are telling people to donate ONLY to the candidates they support – not to the party. The party itself is supporting McCain & has backed him up all the way. The Pima Co. GOP is also responsible for Raul Grijalva (congressman who advocated boycott) winning for so long. When Ruth McClung (the GOP candidate) asked for their help, they told her she couldn’t win in that district, so they haven’t helped her – she’s done it all from her living room! (please support her at http://www.ruth4az.com)
I’m not at all convinced McCain has this election in the bag. I know the Rasmussen report does not show JD ahead at all, but McCain is below 50% and still falling. We have our debates coming up this weekend, and I am confident it will be a turning point along with the ads that will be out in another week or so. These are the weeks people will start really aligning themselves, and we also know July 29 is the date SB1070 goes into effect. The more people are reminded of McCain’s past positions on the border/illegals, the more I think they will carefully consider what’s at stake. At least, I hope they do. There’s no reason for a state who backs SB1070 with 80% approval to support McCain. In fact, the ONLY way to truly suppport Brewer and SB1070 is getting McCain’s sagging ass out; otherwise, we’re in for some difficult times. Maybe that’s God’s lesson in all of this: making us REALLY have to work for our nation so we don’t screw up like this again!
Though I have some very real disagreements with JD, I’ve spent enough time with him and spoken to him directly to know he is a good guy who is dedicated to protecting this nation’s borders, enforcing existing law and putting troops on the ground as well as giving Border Patrol everything necessary to do their jobs. That is the most important thing affecting AZ at the moment – and that issue alone translates into other issues such as education, national security, healthcare, crime, jobs, welfare, child care, etc. JD understands that clearly. He has also taken McCain to task on his claims that he (Mac) needs to stay in the Senate because he’s leading the fight against Obama. JD asked, ‘Since when?’ It’s rather sobering when you realize that McCain – or any Senator – could have stopped healthcare reform back on Christmas Eve by simply saying, ‘Mr. President – I object!’ then a formal reading of all 2,000+ pages could have been conducted and it would have died because no one wants to sit through that hell – plus, it was not completely written. So McCain helped it along just as he is with Amnesty (he did tell Tucson last week that we need a guest worker program), Cap & Trade (hell, he co-wrote the bill in 2003 & it will be the model Obama administration will use; funny how the O administration is getting the model for socialist takeovers of healthcare & climate with Republican bills), regulation of vitamins, detainment of US citizens, etc. And isn’t that what we want in a candidate that is on the right?
I know I went off the point of the article somewhat, but Paul Harris only has to look at McCain’s voting record to see exactly where McCain REALLY stands – sort of. We know some of those votes are out of convenience or political necessity; but we’re also aware of McCain’s true passion and alliances: (please watch the entire thing; McCain’s treatment of AZ is in the last couple minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue2duZZ1yGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJOYv4j32Rg
Oh, and let’s not forget this classic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMM8-ycSkJM&feature=related
I agree with your assessment of McCain. He was broken and he can’t forgive himself so he’s displacing his guilt by doing what he believes to be helping the weak. He doesn’t regard his position as a responsibility to serve the people of Arizona. He sees his position as a means to fulfill a personal mission. Sorry, but being a U.S. Senator isn’t for therapy, not even for war heroes.
See this about creating an avatar.
McCain is a liberal hack in conservative clothing. He has voted in a cosistantly liberal fashion since he gained office. And sadly the only reason he gained office is because of his status as a POW. As a “war hero” he couldn’t be embraced by the doves in the Democratic party. (Kerry’s actions after his return from Viet-Nam and his accusations against troops there won him his place with the pacifistic waste products of the ’60s and ’70s)
Now we see that John merely does and says whatever he thinks we want to hear, as Conservatives, to secure his place in office. Only one problem I see with your actions Mr McCain, we’ve grown wise to your games and we’re Not gonna listen to you any more. Take your self hatred and your anger at your country and go stand in the corner until you cure yourself of your recto-cephalic affliction.