McCain and the general election

Steve A Jonesboro IN — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:38:11 GMT

Wow! If mccain is the greatest change agent in their party, I would say they are in some serious trouble!!

McCain and the general election

Kathryn in Bham — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:40:53 GMT

The continuing perseverence by Gov. Huckabee to stay in the GOP race is a win/win for the GOP. First of all, it allows the republican party to stay engaged, allows the media to continue to cover the issues that are of most importance to the entire conservative base; from social issues, to foreign policy and the all-important economy. By continuing to offer the discussion, the competition and the options for the remaining states who have yet to cast their votes, Mike Huckabee's participation in the GOP race keeps the GOP relevant. How can that be bad for the party when we are losing votes to a very liberal democratic race?

McCain and the general election

KIRK ANOTHER OLD FART — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:42:02 GMT

MCCAIN IS AN OLD FART !

McCain and the general election

Ron Allen — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:47:42 GMT

He can match that level of enthusiasm by rallying around pigs and dogs.
Seriously, he is a bit too old to handle the rigors of tedious campaigning, I guess. Maybe he can resort to the Internet.

McCain and the general election

evie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:49:29 GMT

I certainly hope Obama breaks that pledge. He is going to have a lot more smears to refute than McCain will (not from McCain directly, but the Republican slime-machine generally). It's going to take a lot of money to beat down the muslim/madrassa, black church, etc. smears.

McCain and the general election

Nicholas, MN: A YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPER — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:05:24 GMT

Kathryn in Bham: I'm just curious (for fun) to know one thing you dislike about M. Huckabee, because even Clinton and Obama people can't possibly like everything about their choice.

I like Huckabee fine, a nice enough guy, and I agree that he is fine to continue contesting. I was surprised by how much I disagreed with him on positions at ...
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/select_a_candidate/poll.php?race_id=13

I've also noticed that MSNBC still shows that Romney has more delegates than Huckabee.

McCain and the general election

Bill, Phoenix,AZ — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:11:02 GMT

I have lived in AZ since 1979 and have never voted for McCain. I have voted for other Reps over the years as well as Dems. I have never got a since of McCain being anything other than a carpetbagger from Florida that kicked his first wife to the curb after getting back from Hanoi and got a newer richer model from an AZ congressional district he could win in a walk. When wife number two got in trouble with drugs he played deaf and dumb. Excuse me but I don't want someone in the oval office that did't have enough brains or commpassion to see that his wife had a serious problem.

McCain and the general election

Kira, Utah — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:19:41 GMT

Kathryn, while I agree with you to a degree, my question is this: is maintaining the competition in the race is so important, why did Huckabee call for Thompson and Romney to drop out? Romney STILL has more delegates than Huckabee and he hasn't competed in the last 6 primaries. I agree that if the GOP wants to maintain media attention, it benefits from competition, but why not the more the merrier? Frankly it looks like Huckabee is fine with this scenario as long as those "competing" aren't taking potential "conservative" votes from him... Besides this is contradictory to what the pundits say- that when there is a definitive candidate, that allows him to start a national fundraising run, choose and announce a VP, began strategizing against the democrats, etc.... either way could be right and could garner media spotlights... I'm no longer voting for the GOP in this election, so I couldn't care less who ends up with the nomination- I predict (and hope) they'll both lose in the general; but I am getting tired of Huckabee's arrogance.

McCain and the general election

Jim Curry, Woodridge, IL — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:30:12 GMT

Hey Bill in Phoenix, get over it. Talk about a carpetbagger, look at Hillary Clinton. She never lived in New York until she decided to become a NY Senator so she could run for president. And Obama, he is the "accidental senator" from Illinois who has not even finished his first full six-year term yet. We still don't know if Obama is a good senator. Clinton and Obama have always wanted nothing less than to become president. McCain has been an AZ senator for years, despite you never having voted for him. Most people his age would rather be retired. Do you just want to surrender the presidency one of two ambitious, unqualified democrats? I don't really care if McCain divorced his first wife; it does not have any bearing on his job performance. We don't need a nice guy or a tough gal for president; we need an experienced person. McCain is that person.

McCain and the general election

Kira, Utah — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:32:29 GMT

Nicholas- thanks for the link. I was happy to reconfirm to myself that I am supporting the right candidate based on my beliefs/political views.

By the way, MSNBC is right- Romney IS still leading Huckabee in delegates... even after not competing in the last 5 states and DC. CNN has good numbers for it too...

McCain and the general election

Bob Weisman, Skokie, IL — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:46:14 GMT

In the upcoming Obama vs. McCain election, "true" conservatives will have to either leave their values at home, go to the voting booth, hold their noses and pull the lever for McCain or stay home. If it's the latter -- I smell a "Goldwater" coming. The debates will present Americans with some truly stark contrasts on so many levels. I have't felt this excited about an election since Bobby Kennedy ran.

McCain and the general election

Kathryn in Bham — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:02:51 GMT

Nicholas -
Thanks for asking...I do think that it is important to examine both common ground and differences. I took the quiz that your link provided...very interesting. I did not answer three of the questions, as I was not sure as to the particulars and didn't want to answer ignorantly. I discovered a couple of particulars that I would not agree wholly with Mike on. I do not know much about the program Congress wants to pass to help with healthcare for the middle of the road bunch (including myself) who are between existing assistance and self-coverage. Based on the information provided, Huck is against it, however, it doesn't expand much on that. I definately believe we need to revamp our healthcare system - desparately! I don't believe in a 'universal healthcare', but I believe that the federal government will have to be involved in restructuring the current system where drug and insurance companies dictate our healthcare.
-I also think that it is important to focus on our education system. I believe that today's society places such a value on education and not enough on what we do WITH our education. I'm not sure that Huck has a plan to deal with that...

So, yes, I do have some disagreements. And I do have many common ideals. I believe that this is what has carried Huck this far...he is staying in this race because it is not JUST about whether or not he gets in the White House in Nov. It is truly about the fact that he has a vision for change and hope in this country based on his years of executive experience and his experience as a hard-working American citizen.

McCain and the general election

Kathryn in Bham — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:10:25 GMT

Kira-
Please forgive me for not knowing, but when did Huck call for the others to step down? I remember it being said all along that he was only staying in to distract Mitt's support and that he was only trying to 'smear' him because he is a mormon, but I don't recall him calling for his dropping out. I think most of the controversy between the two of them was based on what we all know is a very biased media who was trying to create the mormon/christian 'I'm better than you' crap. Honestly, I think that there is a respect between the two camps that is not really known.

McCain and the general election

Bill, Phoenix,AZ — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:17:02 GMT

John McCains experince amounts to being a prisoner and a professional politian. The point I was making was that he couldn't see that his own wife had a serious drug problem and that was right in front of face. Gee what could he overlook in the oval office

McCain and the general election

Houston — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:19:34 GMT

Jim Curry [[ Do you just want to surrender the presidency one of two ambitious, unqualified democrats?]]

We don't want to surrender the presidency to McBomb, who's even admitted he doesn't know diddly about the economy. The only thing he seems to know how to do is to throw away more money we don't have on wars we don't need (to borrow from Obama). The Bush/McCain policy of perpetual war is really great for Blackwater's economy and Halliburton's economy, but not so good for the US economy.

McCain and the general election

Nat, Tenn — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:33:13 GMT

I respect John McCain for his service to our country, but I find it sad that he has not shown in Washington the same kind of honor that he showed on the battlefield. He has been in Washington for over 25 years and has barely done a thing to solve America's problems.
McCain is not a conservative or a true Republican at all. He's a flip-flopper, who changes his views according to when an election is going to take place. Not only has he tried to limit Americans expressing their views to their leaders in Washington, but he has also voted to give social security benifits to illegal immigrants. He said he would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade but just a few years ago he said he wouldn't. As a judicial commitee member, he has kept good judges who were very qualified from being appointed. If he has acted like that as a senator there's no telling what he would do as president. Mike Huckabee is the only candidate who has had a consistent conservative stand when it comes to the issues that are important. He cares about the American people, not the system, and has ideas that will work for America. McCain has proved that he can't unify the party, but Huckabee can and will. When Huckabee came to Arkansas they were 200 million in the red, but when he left they were 850 million in the black. He has ideas that will work for America and the leadership skills to carry them out. So I urge all those who want America to stay strong and free to vote for Huckabee, a man who is true to his word and true to his country.

McCain and the general election

Alex in Portland — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:37:11 GMT

Are we still writing Ron Paul off?

Any larger economic problems just before the conventions, and his time will come!
:-)

McCain and the general election

Rob, San Diego, CA — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:38:16 GMT

I worked hard to defeat McCain's amnesty plan. I do not support him. I think he is bad for America.

McCain and the general election

Disenfranchised Voter, MI — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:47:32 GMT

Is it possible for either democratic candidate to arrive at the golden number of 2025 delegates without seating the Michigan and/or Florida delegates?

McCain and the general election

rbwallace52 — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:47:50 GMT

Senator McCain's only claim to "change" fame is his effort to pull the republican party to the left. He has thrown republican conservatives, and even republican moderates, under the bus so many times we have tire tracks all over us. John McCain is a Democrat in Republican clothing. He spends way to much time on the Democratic side of the isle. I would think that his constituents must be getting pretty tired of his voting record and bill sponsoring that support liberal ideals down the line. I find it disheartening, even depressing that the best the republicans can do for a presidential candidate is a Democrat.

McCain and the general election

Beth, Bradenton, FL — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:49:40 GMT

Jim, McCain's experience is years and years inside the Washington establishment in the Legislative- not Executive- branch. He has NO executive experience, as opposed to Governor Huckabee's 10+ years. In addition, I am baffled by the supposition that because he fought in a war, he is better qualified to execute one. There is nothing conventional about the war on terror, and McCain brings zero to the table except a lot of flip-flopping on how to proceed in Iraq.

McCain and the general election

rbwallace, Salem, OR — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:16:57 GMT

McCain and the general election

thats a fact jack — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:50:42 GMT

mccant will lead repubs to bigest defeat in history.

McCain and the general election

Alfredo,Rio Rancho, New Mexico — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:50:55 GMT

Wake up folks...
A vote for McCain...
is really a vote for ...
the status quo!

That should be obvious to people that have paid any attention to what McCain offers. That is: NOTHING NEW. He is an older version of Dubya, who wants more of that guy?

McCain and the general election

foobar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:16:32 GMT

Why aren't messages being posted to this site anymore? I wonder how many people have wasted their time writing things that just disappear into the bit bucket.

McCain and the general election

DontLikeDoNothingBoardModerators — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:18:18 GMT

Why aren't messages being posted to this site anymore? I wonder how many people have wasted their time writing things that just disappear into the bit bucket.

McCain and the general election

David - Oregon City — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:31:47 GMT

ITS NOT OVER IF IT GOES TO A BROKERED CONVENTION!

McCain and the general election

Terrence, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:42:39 GMT

I love how these die-hard Romney fans keep injecting him into a race that he forfeited to John McCain. I especially like how they try to blame Mitt Romney's loss on Mike Huckabee. Forgive me, but it is not Mike Huckabee's fault that Mitt Romney could not compete.

Furthermore, if Mike Huckabee had dropped out, no one would have told Mitt Romney to quit. They would have urged him to fight on against the evil John McCain.

Well, apparently Mitt Romney does not think that John McCain is so evil, since he basically gave the nomination to McCain. He also totally disrespected Mike Huckabee at the same time, suggesting that if he, himself, was quitting the race, that there was no more race.

The difference between Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee was made clear. Mike Huckabee believes that he is the right man for the job, and he will not just give up and quit, because he believes it so strongly.

One more thing. If John McCain debates Mike Huckabee one on one, McCain will lose every primary from here to the Convention. If he does not, he will look weaker and weaker going up against the Democrat.

I encourage all Republicans and like-minded Independents to research Mike Huckabee, before John McCain really does reach 1,191 delegates.

McCain and the general election

John, AkA highwaytoserfdom Boston, MA — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:52:09 GMT

John McCain has two major problems the first is he is in violation of Article II section 1 of the constitution. He is not a natural born citizen and the 14t amendment rulings make it a change in the constitution which requires a 2/3 vote. The second is there is a strong likelihood that North Vietnam will release the tapes because of Clinton's negotiations to open up Vietnam.

McCain and the general election

Dan Schlossberg, Fair Lawn, NJ — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:52:56 GMT

If McCain wants to win, he'll have to appoint a VP who is not repulsive to a huge majority of the electorate. That means no Bible-thumping Huckabee, for example. If he wants to beat Obama, McCain would do well to name Lieberman or Giuliani. If he runs against Clinton, Condi Rice would be a clever choice (siphoning off both the black and female voters). If he insists on his pro-Bush, anti-progressive course, though, McCain will self-destruct like Barry Goldwater.

McCain and the general election

MVPSDAD Delaware — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:26:49 GMT

It kills me when people start talking about experience being green and ambitions. These are the same people who think Ronald Ragen Was the greatest president of all time. Or they want to change our laws to allow a certain Cali. governor to run for the white house. If Obama is on the ticket in Nov. he gets my vote, If not I am voting for McCain. If the “super delicates decide and its not for the candidate with the most popular vote …. I am Moving to Canada.

McCain and the general election

Don Railey Kingman Arizona — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:36:08 GMT

Eight years of Bush,Cheney is a win in November for the Democrats. I'm ammused at the arrogance of the G.O.P. that they think there is even a remote possibility of McCain (a warm over of the same old war mongers "W" and Dick) or anyone claiming to be a Christian, associated with the G.O.P., taking the Whitehouse for a long long time. This country is tired of the "be very scared" of Democrats tactics that the likes of McCain and company will campaign on this fall. It's the only issue they have.
Look at the numbers of votes during the caucuses. Obama is pulling two to three times the numbers of actual votes that both McCain and Huckabby pull togather!! See the math? Or mabey it's fuzzy math!!

McCain and the general election

Rick — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:55:20 GMT

I fear that unless McCain picks the perfect running mate, he faces an uphill battle against either Obama or Clinton. He needs to be able to compete with the "rock star" democrats.

McCain and the general election

republican, Arlington, Texas — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:57:22 GMT

Quantitative miracles would have to occur for Huckabee to win the nomination. Personally, I am convinced that he is remaining in the race to keep Romney out of it. After all, if Huckabee conceded, Romney's so called suspended campaign could resurface...

Who really cares about the primaries if you believe in your party? When the general election rolls around, vote straight party regardless of who is running. A democrat in the Oval office is not acceptable. We might as well 'open our borders' fell swoop to terrorist AND illegals, not to even mention turning our democracy into communism with these ridiculous proposed social programs that will NEVER get passed anyway. Remind me again who is going to pay for these?

To quote a blog from a few weeks ago..."The Clintons would eat their young for power" Further, In the purely power mongering marriage of Billary Clinton, Bill is the right hand and Hillary is the left hand. Neither usually knows what the other is up to. Bill has largely been out of the public eye for several years. What else has he had to do with his free time, but seek power with 'entities' across the globe. Should Hillary Clinton be elected to President, the people of the United States will get 4-8 years of press, detailing the corruption that Bill had bred during his non-presidential years. Hillary will spend her Presidency in damage control of her husband's chananigans, rather than focus on her campaign promises, at the very least. The following link gets us a mere peek at what we would have to look forward to with a second Clinton presidency: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22926743/

Obama is a complete unknown. You have to admire the charisma, but this country does not run on charisma. Take a close look at the track record of JFK and you will see what charisma really got this country...Nothing!

McCain and the general election

Anna Molly — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:03:14 GMT

Whatever force John McCain ever had as an agent or catalyst of “change,” he seems to have lost it. He is wedded to the White House over the war and foreign policy, and his economic policy doesn’t sound anything like “change” to me. Only on environmental issues does he appear to be different from the average, run-of-the-mill republican. He began shifting hard to the right during his CPAC speech, and he is not likely to let up now. Why he would carve out so narrow a position so early may have more to do with the fact that Governor Huckabee is still in the race than it does with his actual thinking, but it may certainly make it harder to switch back to the middle later. In short, he is ceding the center early to either Senators Obama or McCain, who are both more than capable of taking control of it.

Someone put it to me rightly today -- right now, Senators McCain and Clinton are both playing inside the 40 yard lines. Only Senator Obama has shown any tendency to move closer to the goal line, and that’s what the American people are looking for right now. It’s a pretty clear metaphor for why people are buying what Senator Obama is selling.

McCain and the general election

Hank, Bethesda, MD. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:59:31 GMT

McCain is going to have a major problem when the GOP's conservative base adopts a platform that looks like 2004, and therefore flatly disagrees with his own longstanding positions on issues like stem cell research, 'coercive' interrogations, McCain-Feingold, immigration, and global warming. At that point he will either have to reject key parts of the platform and enrage the conservatives he is now working so hard to recruit and reassure, or endorse the entire platform and starkly abandon any claim to being a straight-talking independent. It will not be pretty.

McCain and the general election

RaferJanders BigLake Wash. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:43:02 GMT

So Jim, If John Mcain divorced his first wife and you don't care, because she was crippeld in a car wreck while he was the guest of the North Viets, and when his second wife was a little hook on drugs he just went well I don't Know, With that being said, I bet you were the first one to jump on the impeachment over a blowjob right. So you only have to have character if you are a Democrat right? But if you are John McShame then hey hes in the boys club it's ok. Hippocrits run the party, Ron Paul is the only choice, get a grip!

McCain and the general election

Jim Murray, San Francisco, California — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:49:03 GMT

I'm still having trouble with the whole McCain hero thing. I can not for the life of me see how being captured and held a prisoner makes anyone anything more than a victim, that is of course unless Mr. McCain told his captors "dont take Jerry, take ME instead, then THAT would be heroic., Yes I am a vet of that war however I was never a victim until I returned home to our soil.

McCain and the general election

Opa2 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:48:33 GMT

On national television tonight, Jay Lenno called Barrack Obama "Osama." The first of many many more such "mistakes."

McCain and the general election

Brian in Phoenix — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:09:15 GMT

Bill in Phx - That was a personal attack beyond anything said in either primary so far, and completely uncalled for.

McCain and the general election

Dave, Dallas, Tx — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:30:21 GMT

As a life-long Republican, I would never vote for McCain. Why? Because he is a Democrat in kinda-sorta Republican clothing. Look at his record. He looks in his mirror and sees Hillary! His only claim to fame is that he was in a lost war 40 years ago and he has been part of the liberal establishment since he became a Senator. What has he actually accompished for the American people? Or more to the point, what has he ever done to move the Republican party ahead? The Democrats are in a win-win situation this year! A sad state of affairs for any and all moderate Republicans.

McCain and the general election

Jade, Virginia — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:17:07 GMT

The Republican Party could not have picked a worse candidate in McCain. He is a racist, war loving neanderthal. I despise him more and more everytime I hear his bomb, bomb, bomb Iran jokes. McCain will be the very reason that more terrorists land on our soil.
The Republican party has just given away the Presidency to the Democrats.
You want enthusiam ?? Ron Paul cured me of my patriotic and voter apathy by being TRUTHFUL about our government. His message is extremely exciting, enough so that other Republicans and the MSM have parroted Ron Paul. America needs a shock treatment NOW--wake up before this man becomes your dictator.
People, you need to do your homework on McCain. Go to AOL and visit the Straw Poll. Plenty of comments and links to the truth about McCain. He even introduced a bill S1033 to improve health care in MEXICO:
http://opensourceactivist.org/2008/02/06/bill-to-improve-health-care-in-mexico/

I can tell you this, I am a registered Republican and I will NEVER vote for McCain.

McCain and the general election

Matt, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:17:10 GMT

Hey Jim Curry in Illinois, I agree with you that McCain's personal behavior "does not have any bearing on his job performance." It is ironic however to see republicans defend his personal behavior yet vilify Bill Clinton in years past for his personal behavior which also "does not have any bearing on his job performance." Oh my how hypocritical yet expected !! Go Blue ! With long coattails in November.

McCain and the general election

WDRussell, East Liverpool, Ohio — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:19:45 GMT

I could agree with John(I'm a Bush clone)McCain on a lot of issues. The fact that he wants Americans dying in Iraq for another hundred years means I will vote for whoever the D's decide to run.
They could dig up HHH, strap him to a chair, and play Weekend At Bernies with him, he would still be better than John.

McCain and the general election

Monty Chase, Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:25:24 GMT

As a lifelong Republican, I am disappointed in the Party's choice for "standard bearer"...McCain can't be trusted...he says he finally "gets it", but who are you going to believe, "him or you're lying eyes"?

McCain and the general election

Brad in Rochester, MN — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:01:02 GMT

Matt in Pittsburgh, In the last year their has been alot of people commiting Purgery in front of congress, and all of them are now worried about going to prison. How much time did Bill do?

I am an Independent, and will never be naive enough to think that one Party has all the answers. It makes me sick to see how emotional people get by what politicians say or do. We need to keep emotion out of it. We have created a system special interest groups leading politicians and none of them can deliver for everyone. So when I see a candidate that is being accused of crossing party lines, and alianating themselves from the extremists in their party, that is someone who can get things done. McCain maybe the first candidate in years, maybe ever, that would fit that profile. What an oppurtunity for this country.

McCain and the general election

Aaron — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:52:19 GMT

They're all three turds in the same sh*tpile if you ask me. Obama...unqualified. Hillary...corrupt. McCain...Corrupt, Warmonger, Loose Cannon.

If we had a President like Bush, or McCain during the nuclear crisis in the 60s instead of a coolheaded guy like Kennedy I bet none of us would be here right now.

And I do see McCain as a continuation of the Bush presidency. Bush is a failure, he has thrown what credibility this country had out the window. He is incompitant as well. And McCain praises this guy! F*CK THAT!

I am a registered Republican, but if Obama is the presidential nominee I will probably vote for him, he seems very smart and fresh. I have no problem voting against the party I am affiliated with, and after these last 8 years, the republicans (aside from Ron Paul) have absolutely no chance of getting my vote.

Yeah he is young and underexperienced, but so was Kennedy.

To the person who asked what anyone doesn't like about Huckabee....""[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards,"" - Mike Huckabee...

Thats why I don't like him.