John McCain R.I.P. - Part I

I'd planned on not writing anything about the death of one of my least favorite politicians,  but given so many awful editorials ( like National Review's),  I changed my mind.

McCain the Media Creation
I don't think there's ever been a Senator who did less and was more famous than John McCain. People forget that McCain was NEVER in the Senate leadership and only headed one Senate Committee - Armed Services - for 2 years.

 His actual power in the Senate, as 1 out of 100 Senators,  was quite limited, and was primarily devoted to stopping the Republicans from doing things.  He helped defeat the Bush Tax cuts, saved the "Nuclear option", and prevented Trump from repealing Obamacare. When the Democrats were in power from 2008-2014, he faded into the background, except to talk about foreign policy

His positive accomplishments were few.  There's "Campaign Finance Reform" which helped the Democrats and little else.  But he never got Amnesty passed (because of the Republican House) and couldn't stop Gays in the military.

His primary focus was foreign policy. He was constantly rattling on about foreign policy and going to Iraq and meeting foreign leaders (who all loved him).  But there's no evidence that Bush or Obama gave a damn what he said.  Certainly Trump didn't care.

But Man - Could he Talk
But no one was quoted more, or racked up more TV time than John McCain. For almost 20 years, from 1998-2017, it seemed like Johnny McCain was on a Sunday Talk show every week.  His constant attacks on his fellow Republicans, his support for Globalization, Wars in the Middle East, Open Borders, Amnesty, and Bad Trade deals made him a favorite of the New York Times and Washington Post.  And therefore, all the TV networks. If the press ever wanted a Republican with a bad opinion of Trump or Bush, or some praise of Ted Kennedy or Amnesty for Illegals,  Johnny McCain was there.

But his actual political accomplishments were almost nil. Ultimately, he was a talker - not a doer. Its fair to say, that Mitch McConnell - in 4 years - had more *real* impact on the country as Senate Majority leader - then McCain has had in 30 years in the Senate.

McCain - We are all Iranians Now

Crazy McCain is at it again. Incredibly, I agree with Uber Hack Joe Klein. Per Klein:

"For two years now, John McCain has been entirely consistent on Iran: every last statement he’s made—at least, those that I’ve seen—has been (a) fabulously uninformed and (b) dangerously bellicose. He’s still at it, apparently. There is no question that President Obama’s more prudent path is the correct one right now. There is also no question that the neoconservatives are trying to gin up this situation into an excuse for not engaging with the Iranian government in the near future—and also as a rationale for their dearest, looniest dream, war with Iran.

***

The point is, neoconservatives like McCain and Wehner just can’t seem to quit their dangerous habit of making broad, extreme statements based on ideology rather than detailed knowledge of the situation in Iran and elsewhere."

That's the big problems with people like McCain. They're always looking for a fight, some war or conflict to start. To them its always 1961 and its time to "bear any burden" and to hell with all that boring domestic stuff - why Paraguay is on the march and must be stopped, its Hitler all over again! Always its the same story - we need to go on a crusade & blow up stuff.

We need to be engaged in the world, but remember what two Presidents said:

"America does not go abroad searching for monsters to destroy" and "Speak Softly, and carry a Big Stick".

Former Republican POTUS nominee back attacking Republicans

From the WaPo:

"Two and a half months removed from his defeat in the race for the presidency, colleagues say, McCain bears more resemblance to the unpredictable and frequently bipartisan lawmaker they have served with for decades than the man who ran an often scathing campaign against Barack Obama. In some instances, he's even carrying water for his former rival.

"Mac is back!" one of his devoted friends in the Senate declared as McCain walked into the chamber Wednesday to deliver his first speech of the 111th Congress: a blunt admonishment of Republicans delaying Hillary Rodham Clinton's confirmation as secretary of state."

Is anyone surprised? Back to his old tricks - but from the Senate not the White House -thank goodness. And Nicole Wallace (McCain Campaign) chimes in about how much she *loves* Barrack:

"

Obama deserves our thanks for letting Republicans root for him, as well. He has created a space within his wide net of support for those of us who fought for John McCain’s candidacy by honoring the McCains at a dinner the night before his inauguration and by listening to McCain’s ideas on national security, climate change, and government reform. The Obamas have also returned the civility and warmth directed at them by president and Mrs. Bush in a way that sets this transition apart from others in recent history. This generosity of spirit has had a ripple effect throughout Republican circles. Two former senior aides to President George W. Bush said to me over the weekend, “I expect him [President Obama] to be there for eight years.” A former senior official of Bush’s re-election campaign predicted that he would contribute to Obama’s re-election effort."

McCain Wanted Lieberman as VP

From Newsweek:

"McCain had initially wanted Joe Lieberman. The two senators were fellow romantics, deeply imbued with a sense of righteousness and honor. In mid-August, when NEWSWEEK's editor Jon Meacham was interviewing McCain aboard the campaign plane, the discussion turned to "The Winds of War," Herman Wouk's mega-bestseller about World War II. The main character, a naval commander named Pug Henry, was a favorite of McCain's. As it turned out, Lieberman—sitting just across the aisle and listening in on the NEWSWEEK interview—was a friend of Herman Wouk. "Let's go see Herman!" Lieberman piped up. "Yes!" exclaimed McCain. The two began planning a road trip out to Wouk's California home. "We can shake the money tree," McCain cackled (Wouk lives among the wealthy in Palm Springs, Calif.).

McCain loved to travel with Lieberman, a fellow maverick who had stood fast on Iraq, nearly at the cost of his Senate seat in liberal Connecticut. McCain's other traveling buddy, Lindsey Graham, urged McCain to pick Lieberman, still a nominal Democrat, as a way to show that McCain put country over party and as a way to answer the Democrats' choice of the first African-American presidential nominee. "We've got to match history with history," Graham declared." But when McCain brought Lieberman's name at a secret high-level meeting held in Sedona, Ariz., to consider veep choices on Sunday, Aug. 24th brought up Lieberman, his top aides balked."

Interesting. First, McCain wanted a liberal democrat as his VP and only backed off because it was political suicide. Secondly, why did McCain wait until August 24th to start selecting his VP? The Key seems to be "McCain had initially wanted Joe Lieberman." which indicates McCain had always planned on selecting Lieberman as early as February 2008 and was hoping a late announcement would allow him to ram through Lieberman before the base could react. That, of course, turned out to be wrong - and it led the last minute selection of Palin.

This also explains Kristol's column of late August about what a "great choice" Lieberman would be. Along with J Pods, Rubin's Dick Morris, the WSJ ed page. And also Novak column about Rove calling Lieberman requesting him to decline any VP offer by McCain. Looking back, Goldberg was OK with Leiberman on May 23, 2008 and later in August *** and so was Lowry. York was neutral. Frum supported Rudi for VP and then attacked Palin as "unqualified". No record of his opposing Joe lieberman.

Finally, I find it interesting that no one has really criticized McCain for waiting so long and giving Palin no chance to prepare. There's no reason why Palin could not have been offered the VP in early August and then secretly prepped for a late August roll out.

*** This was Goldberg take on a Lieberman VP Slot on August 12, 2008

MG: Let’s talk a little bit about the latest rumor mill about VP choices. Joe Lieberman keeps coming up for John McCain. Is that a good Vice Presidential running mate, a good pick for Senator McCain?

JG: Here’s the problem for McCain, first of all, is he needs a Vice President to do like ten different things, and none of the potential candidates can do more than five. You know, he needs someone who can placate the base, win over independents, neutralize the age issue, I mean, a whole list of long things. Barack Obama just needs a safe white guy. And so McCain’s got a really tough pick to make. I think there are a lot of good arguments for Lieberman, but there are also a lot of bad arguments for Lieberman. I think there are a lot of conservatives who are just going to think that’s a bridge too far. I mean, whenever I talk to my fellow conservative friends about it, they always say well look, it would be nice if we just had one conservative on the ticket.

What the Republicans must do to Avoid another McCain

McCain was not the choice of a majority of Republicans. He was a lucky bastard who used the crazy Republican primary process to win a victory with 35 to 40 percent of the vote. If Conservatives want a decent nominee they'll have to do the following:

1) Get rid of open primaries. Its crazy that liberal democrats get to vote and choose our nominee.

2) Get rid of - or reform - winner-take-all. McCain won an incredible amount of delegates in winner-take-all states with just 35-40 percent of the vote. So, get rid of it or modify it. I'd suggest WTA for anyone who get over 50 percent of the vote or for very small states like Wyoming - otherwise we need proportional representation.

3) Stop front loading the Primaries. McCain won the nomination by Feb 2008. Was this a great advantage? No. The primary season needs to be stretched out, so we conservatives have time to mobilize and stop terrible nominees. Its insane to nominate your candidate in February and then have him hang for 6 months until the convention.

4) Reduce the Power of the Blue States. California, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, D.C. Hawaii, etc. have too much say in who gets nominated. These states haven't voted Republican in 20 years and aren't likely to vote Republican for the rest of the 21st century. Why are we giving DC Republicans any votes? They only get 15 percent of the D.C. vote!

5) Stop having Liberal MSM types hold our Debates. It was crazy to watch debates hosted by Chris Matthews, liberal editorial writers, and CNN & listen to endless questions that were of no interest to Republican primary voters. Or hostile questions that were designed to make Republicans look bad. For every question on illegal immigration you got 2 stupid liberal question on the Genesis or evolution. Global warming was discussed more than taxes. Crazy to have our candidates talk about their issues and not ours. So have the debates moderated by Conservative talk show hosts, conservative TV anchors, Fox News, even Republican politicians.
I'd love to have watched a debate moderated by Brit Hume or Rush.

McCain Lost - Thank Goodness

I didn't vote for Obama but McCain lost - so I couldn't be happier. This backstabbing, 72 year old warmongering hothead never should have been nominated. I predicted he would lose and he did. He now goes back to the Senate and "reaching across the aisle". How long before he & the NYT ed op page kiss and make up?

[Just read this on Kaus " Reader C.C. suggests a "perfecta option"' in which you guess the date McCain "will self-servingly apologize, and be immediately forgiven, in the course of an exclusive interview with Joe Klein." My money is on next Wednesday"]

Anyway, I no longer have to dread 4 years of his stabbing conservatives in the back. Or 4 years of conservatives defending him - like some abused wife - for every sell-out and liberal policy. I no longer have to dread Joe Lieberman as AG or Secretary of State. I no longer have to dread the Republican party lining up behind amnesty & illegal immigration. I no longer have to dread listening to Grahame every day or McCain bombing Iran or starting a new Cold War. I no longer have to dread his taking Republicans on a death march that would have been ended with veto proof Democrat Congress in 2010.

Obama may make mistakes and pass bad laws. But if so, the country will hold the Democrats accountable and elect Republicans in 2012 to fix them.

Hoover and Taxes

McCain mentioned Hoover raising taxes during the Great Depression. And yes he did sign a rate increase in 1932. However, the Great Depression started in October 1929 and had been going on for 2 1/2 years before Hoover raised them. Further, the Tax Burden in 1932 was so small that the increase in income taxes made little difference. Total GNP in 1932 was $58 billion, total internal revenue receipts $1.5 billion. Federal Internal Revenue taxes therefore were less than 3% of GNP. And there was no social security payroll tax.

By comparison during the Boom year of 1950 internal revenue receipts were $40 billion out of GNP of $284 billion - almost 15 percent.

Stop lying about Smoot-Hawley (and Hoover) Mr. McCain

Honestly, someone needs to defend Herbert Hoover and poor Smoot Hawley against McCain's Constant and unfair attacks. On October 7, 2007 at the Republican debate McCain said:

SEN. MCCAIN: ... But I'm a student of history (Ha Ha). Every time the United States has become protectionist and listened to the siren song that you're hearing partially on this stage tonight, we've paid a very heavy price. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Acts in the 1930s were direct contributors to World War II. It sounds like a lot of fun to bash Chinese and others, but free trade has been the engine of our economy in the last half of this year, it will continue to be, and free trade should be the continuing principle that guides this nation's economy.

And in the last debate McCain said:

Well, you know, nailing down Sen. Obama's various tax proposals is like nailing Jell-O to the wall. There has been five or six of them and if you wait long enough, there will probably be another one. But he wants to raise taxes. My friends, the last president to raise taxes and restrict trade during tough economic times was Herbert Hoover.

And McCain's friend, Senator Grassley Said in 2006:

"You know, when you talk about a 27 percent tariff if a country doesn't do something the way we want them to do it, then, you know, that's what we did with Smoot-Hawley in 1930, and that brought on the Great Depression," said Grassley, whose state was hit hard by those tariffs.

Where to begin?

First, Smoot-Hawley did not bring on the depression. The stock market crashed in October 1929 and Smoot- Hawley wasn't even signed until June 1930.

Secondly, Smoot- Hawley did not bring on the depression because the amount of exports and foreign trade was relatively small in 1930s America. In 1929, the boom year, exports accounted for 5 percent of GNP or $5 billion. During the 30s exports ranged from 2.8 to 3.6 percent of GNP. In dollar amount from $1.6 to $3.3 billion. Note that in 1950 after we had started GATT and reduced Tariffs exports were still only 4.9 percent of GNP or $13.3 billion. In 1960 with Tariffs further reduced, Exports were $21 billion or 4 percent GNP. Our GNP in growth from 1929 to 1960 was not driven by exports since they actually decreased as a percentage of our GNP.

Thirdly, 65 percent of all imports (by dollar amount) were not subject to any duty tariff (or tax) under Smoot-Hawley. That's right -zero, nada, zip.

Fourthly,Under Smoot Hawley the average import (includes free and subject to duty) was taxed 18% in 1931. But that wasn't much different than 1929 average rate of 13.5 percent and actually lower than the Average Tariff Duty of 29% levied in 1901, or the 20% average rate in 1911. Note the rate was 15% in 1924.

Fifth, the claim that Smoot-Hawley directly contributed to WW II is insane. The tariff was actually higher in 1914 - so I guess the US tariff is responsible for WW I too! (Has Smoot-Hawley been blamed for the Holocaust? Probably) The fact is US imports were not that significant. We only imported $4 billion in 1929 and 65 percent was NOT subject a tariff. Twenty-five percent of our trade was with Canada. Total imports from Asia were only $600 million in 1929 and $300 million in 1932. Imports from Germany were $250 million in 1929 and $80 million in 1932 under Smoot-Hawley. The drop in imports from Germany comes to $160 million or approximately $3 per German per year.

Sixth, 1930s US exports declined in total dollars for reasons other than raised trade barriers in response to Smoot-Hawley, for instance:

• A general price deflation, which meant the export dollar amounts decreased even though quantity stayed the same.
• A fall in demand due to the world wide economic depression.
• The raising of Tariffs against US goods due to other countries internal politics.

The question of other countries internal politics is an important one. Germany was suffering massive unemployment (over 25 percent) and had no desire to import US manufactured goods. The UK decided to raise barriers on all non-UK goods and devalue the Sterling to jump start its economy. Meanwhile, Japan was building its own industry up and wanted to protect it against US competition. Later in the 1930s these countries started gearing up for WW II, and had no money to spend on US autos or cigarettes.

So, its unclear how much was due to retaliation for Smoot-Hawley. However, given that only 1/3 of $4 billion imported in 1929 was actually subject to any tariff duty, I doubt retaliation was a significant factor.
Added: McCain refers to the "Smoot-Hawley Acts". There was only one Smoot-hawley. In 1934 FDR started to reduce the Tariff rates by bi-lateral negotiations. So there were no "Smoot-Hawley Acts.

McCain and the Freddie Mac Letter

Get Drunk and Vote 4 McCain has a letter showing McCain "warning" about the possible risk Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae's posed to US Taxpayers. This is supposed to support McCain's debating point that he was warning the country about the current financial crisis.

The problem is that its not "McCain's Letter", its Chuck Hagel's letter and its written in support of Chuck Hagel's bill S190. 19 other Republican senators signed the letter. As for Senate bill 190, the bill that was to reform Freddie and Fannie, it died in committee. The history of this bill, shows Hagel introduced the bill in January 2005. It was voted down in committee in July 2005. McCain didn't co-sponsored the bill until May 2006 with 3 other senators & McCain did not co-sponsor the bill in the next Congressional session (Jan 2007).

The other key point is that the Republican Senate killed S190. And I see no evidence that Bush supported it.

McCain's supporters can talk all they want - but the fact is that Republicans controlled the Executive branch and Congress from Jan 2003 to Jan 2007 and did nothing to rein in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. McCain other than co-sponsoring the letter has no record of warning against the current crisis or sub-prime mortgages.

McCain vs Obama - Round One

Initial thoughts:

McCain did poorly. He was never a good speaker or debater. Flubbed his scripted one-liners, lots of senate speak, mindlessly rattling off places he visited. Invoking Henry Kissinger (lets all bow our heads) who is popular with who?

Ugh, and talking about how Corporate taxes are too high! Maybe the 700 billion bailout will make the corporate fat cats feel better. Babbling about $18 billion in earmarks when the defense budget is 500 billion and the total budget is 2,000 billion.

And why the constant laughing and creepy smiles while Obama talked? That will lose him votes. And the KGB talk about Putin was scary.

He'd better hope for the "Bradley effect" or he's toast.

What Happened to Georgia?

I haven't heard much about Georgia lately. What happened War hawks? I thought Russia was invading a small defenseless country on its way to world conquest. It was 1938 all over again. (Just like it always is).

But Russian tanks haven't rolled into Tbilisi - they appear to have stopped in South Ossetia. Hey, Putin how are you going to conquer the World when you refuse to conquer Georgia? Quit slacking off! Oh well, maybe Putin's just lulling us into a false sense of security before he marches on Turkmenistan. He's just like Hitler (or Stalin) y'know. Here's what he said on Thursday:

"Speaking at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin told CNN that Russia had to send its troops into South Ossetia to rebuff Georgian forces in order to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.

He also rebuked the U.S. administration for not having done more to stop Georgia's attack early Aug. 8. Led by U.S.-educated President Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia is the most enthusiastic U.S. ally among the former Soviet republics.

"In the interview with CNN, there were lots of tough but truthful comments," Peskov said. "But in the interview, you also can see a desire and readiness to cooperate with all countries."

And doesn't McCain care anymore? I thought "we are all Georgians now"? I guess Georgia doesn't matter now with all the important stuff going on -like a convention. Sad, one day "its the greatest international crisis since WW II"** and a couple weeks later its all forgotten.

**"My friends, we have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War. This is an act of aggression." --on Russia's invasion of Georgia, Aspen, Colorado, Aug. 14, 2008

Georgia - Are conservatives losing their minds?

What the hell is wrong with Conservatives? Upset that the Iraq war is winding down and want a new war? Bored with all the attention being paid to their own Country? The amount of belligerence and paranoia against Russia is getting absurd. Putin isn't Hitler. He's not a Communist Dictator. He's not even Gorbachev. Russia not trying to "conquer" Georgia**, Russia is not trying to "destroy a small democratic country". We are not "all Georgians now".

China is not a democracy. China is occupying a small little country call "Tibet". So why is China our friend and not Russia? Why can't Americans for once just STFU and stop acting like every country in every part of the world is somehow our responsibility.

I'm agreeing with Matt Ygelesis - something is very wrong.

**GLENN BECK: "Yes, Allen, let me go to you. I’ve been warning people for a while now that Russia is trying to corner the market. While everybody is saying, oh, they’re just waiting for us to lead the way on global warming. They`re going and they’re buying all of the carbon reserves that they can get their hands on. This is a play for the control of the globe in the long run, don`t you think?"

Lets Go To War with Russia - Why McCain is a dangerous Man

Obama and Captain Queeg's response:

Obama:

I strongly condemn the outbreak of violence in Georgia, and urge an immediate end to armed conflict. Now is the time for Georgia and Russia to show restraint, and to avoid an escalation to full scale war. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected. All sides should enter into direct talks on behalf of stability in Georgia, and the United States, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community should fully support a peaceful resolution to this crisis.

McCain:

"For many years, I have warned against Russian actions that undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent days Russia demonstrate that these concerns were well-founded.

This afternoon I spoke, for the second time since the crisis began, with Georgian President Saakashvili. It is clear the situation is dire. Russian aggression against Georgia continues, with attacks occurring far beyond the Georgian region of South Ossetia. As casualties continue to mount, the international community must do all it can to avert further escalations. Tensions and hostilities between Georgians and Ossetians are in no way justification for Russian troops crossing an internationally recognized border. I again call on the Government of Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its forces from the territory of Georgia."

Georgia and Russia have a border dispute. Russia has 140 million people and thousands of nuclear weapons. Georgia has six million. Georgia was part of the Russian Empire/USSR for almost 200 years. The Russians gave Georgia Independence 18 years ago. This is Russia's backyard and their business. We have no dog in this fight and we should be working with the UN, NATO, and the parties involved to bring peaceful solution to the situation. McCain's imperialist and belligerent response bods ill for this country if he is elected. He is frankly, a scary man, a JFK/Wilson crusader who wants us to "bear any burden, pay any price". As someone said, McCain platform seems to be :

• The illegals are never going home;
• The jobs are never coming back;
• and more wars.

Added: McCain's top Foreign Policy adviser Randy Scheunemann, is also a paid lobbyist for Georgia. Interesting.

McCain - Lets Win This for Teddy

McCain is back pushing Amnesty. Is anyone surprised? Look at his record:

McCAIN: THE AMNESTY KING FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS

2003- Sen. McCain was a co-sponsor of S. 1645, the AgJOBS amnesty.

2003- Sen. McCain was a co-sponsor the S. 1461 amnesty for millions of illegal aliens.

2005- Sen. McCain and Sen. Kennedy introduced S.1033, the McCain-Kennedy Amnesty for virtually all illegal aliens, co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman.

2005- Sen. McCain was a co-sponsor of S. 239, the AgJOBS amnesty.

2005- Sen. McCain voted against providing funding for additional Border Patrol and ICE agents by voting against the Byrd Amendment to H.R. 1268.

2006- Sen. McCain voted against extending the border fence in the Sessions Amendment (2) to H.R. 5441.

2006- Sen. McCain voted to prevent the border fence from being built by voting in favor of the Managera Amendment to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006.

2006- Sen. McCain voted to allow illegal aliens to receive Social Security by voting to table the Ensign Amendment to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006.

2006- Sen. McCain voted against funding additional immigration investigators by voting against the Sessions Amendment (1) to H.R. 5441.

2006- Sen. McCain voted in favor of S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. This bill would have awarded amnesty to 10.2 million illegal aliens.

2007 Sen. McCain was heavily involved in the backroom negotiations of S. 1348 with Sen. Kennedy and Pres. Bush this was an amnesty (permanent residency & path to citizenship) for more than 12 million illegal aliens.

2007 Sen. McCain cast several votes to protect the amnesty in S. 1639 and to move the amnesty toward a vote.

2007- Sen. McCain is a co-sponsor of S. 774, the DREAM Act. The bill would grant in-state tuition and amnesty to more than a million illegal aliens under the age of 30.

2007- Sen. McCain is a co-sponsor of S. 340, the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 (AgJOBS). This bill would grant amnesty to millions of illegal agricultural workers.

—

John McCain is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life

Jack Kemp endorses McCain.

Wait, wasn't McCain against tax cuts? Oh well, did you know John's a war hero?

And now Mitt joins the John McCain fan club and Coulter comments.

McCain - Living in the Past

Pat Buchanan is a mixture of good and bad. But his recent column on McCain's backward looking world view is on the mark:

Thinking is hard work, said Twain; that is why so few engage in it. For too long, conservatives have not been thinking, but living on the inherited intellectual capital of the past. They have failed to see that the world has changed since Reagan’s time and we must change with it.

The truth is the prospective Republican nominee is frozen in the past. Though an invasion of his nation is taking place on the border of his own state, John McCain is still reciting Emma Lazarus on the Golden Door. Though China manipulated its currency to seize our markets and loot our industry, and the EU imposes VAT taxes — tariff equivalents — on U.S. imports, McCain is still babbling on about Smoot-Hawley.

Though the Cold War has been over a generation, McCain has become more bellicose. He warns us new wars are coming, demands the ouster of Putin from the G-8, threatens Iran. If there is a single trip wire for war laid down in the time of Acheson and Dulles that John McCain thinks we should pull up, or a single alliance he has urged us to review, this writer has not heard of it.

With the president at 30% and the party about to lose seats in both houses, conservatives should not be closing ranks but demanding to know why.

John McCain at CPAC - still supports amnesty

Here is the crucial passage from his CPAC speech on illegal immigration and amnesty:

On the issue of illegal immigration, a position which provoked the outspoken opposition of many conservatives, I stood my ground aware that my position would imperil my campaign. I respect your opposition for I know that the vast majority of critics to the bill based their opposition in a principled defense of the rule of law. And while I and other Republican supporters of the bill were genuine in our intention to restore control of our borders, we failed, for various and understandable reasons, to convince Americans that we were. I accept that, and have pledged that it would be among my highest priorities to secure our borders first, and only after we achieved widespread consensus that our borders are secure, would we address other aspects of the problem in a wa y that defends the rule of law and does not encourage another wave of illegal immigration.

First, McCain is still proud of his amnesty bill and proud that he "Stood his ground" and tried to ram it through without debate or hearings. Proud he "stood his ground" with Ted Kennedy. Proud of being opposed by the vast majority of the American people. And proud, very proud, of not being 'weak' and listening to the American people. He has a personal investment in this bill. Its a matter on honor.

An excellent preview of his administration. HE will make the decisions, based on what HE thinks and if the rest of the Republican party - and the American People - disagrees, well they can just P**S off.

Secondly, McCain is telling us exactly what his plan for illegal immigration is. First, HE doesn't think we need a fence to secure the border, but because Americans (i.e. racists and yahoos) do - he's willing to bow to political reality and give Americans a 'goddamn fence'. He doesn't REALLY think its important but is willing to do the minimum amount necessary to fool the yahoos. To McCain border security is a matter of politics not policy

Thirdly once the "borders have been secure" he will press forward with Amnesty a position which he has never repudiated. Along of course with a massive increase in H-1 visa's and legal immigration. As for employer sanctions or internal enforcement of the immigration laws, well he didn't promise that did he ?

Make no mistake, McCain is signally that he really cares about this issue. He wants amnesty. He wanted his bill to pass in June 2007 - and his hasn't given up. Give him 2 years to "secure the border". After the 2010 election he will be a lame duck and he will push through McCain-Kennedy - II.

McCain or McCrazy ?

From Think Progress

McCain’s record of dealing with his fellow lawmakers, the press, and members of the public, however, has been considerably less than respectful. In 2000, Newsweek dubbed him “Senator Hothead” for his vicious temper. Some examples of McCain lowering the level of America’s political dialogue:

– In a “heated dispute over immigration-law overhaul” last year, McCain screamed at Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), “F— you!” He added, “This is chickens- - - stuff. … You’ve always been against this bill, and you’re just trying to derail it.” [5/19/07]

– In a discussion over the “fate of Vietnam MIAs,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked McCain, “Are you calling me stupid?” “No,” replied McCain, “I’m calling you a f—ing jerk!” [Newsweek, 2/21/00]

– Discussing his recent trip to Iraq on The Daily Show in April, McCain told host Jon Stewart, “I had something picked out for you, too — a little IED to put on your desk.” [4/24/07]

– After Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) criticized McCain for his comment to Stewart, McCain told ABC News, “And all I can say is, to Murtha and others, Lighten up and get a life.” [4/26/07]

– Speaking to Fox and Friends in March, McCain noted that he allows “jerks from the media” to come on board his bus, the “Straight Talk Express.” [4/28/07]

– At a GOP meeting in fall 1999, McCain “erupted” at Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and shouted, “Only an a–hole would put together a budget like this.” When Domenici expressed his outrage, McCain responded, “I wouldn’t call you an a–hole unless you really were an a–hole.” [Newsweek, 2/21/00]

– In September, a high school student asked McCain whether the senator was “too old to be president and too conservative to be respected.” McCain “jokingly” responded by calling the student “a little jerk” who ought to be drafted. [9/4/07]

After the dust-up between McCain and Domenici, a senator told Newsweek that he didn’t want McCain “anywhere near a trigger.”

Buchanan on "Peacenik" John McCain

Pat gives us some straight talk on John McCain:

McCain's Foreign policy - More wars.

McCain's Campaign Platform:

The jobs are never coming back;
The illegals are never going home; and
More wars.

Captain Ed attacks Coulter

Yes, I know, what else is new? In addition to being verbose, pompous, and utterly humorless, "Captain Ed" is never happier than attacking a fellow conservative. He hates Buchanan, loathes Rush, and despises Coulter. So, Ed's the latest attack on her, for threatening to vote for Hillary was expected.

And as usual, Ed just doesn't get it. Coulter is a smart woman and she directs her humor toward smart people - who get the joke. Unfortunately, stupid people feel the need to comment on her. And so do not-so-stupid liberals and "reasonable" conservatives; who deliberately play dumb, and treat jokes and hyperbole as sober, serious policy statements.

But this is just S.O.P for Captain Ed. His constant attacks on Coulter use 2 basic tricks. Trick one, take a Coulter joke or sarcastic comment and treat it as a serious literal statement. Using this approach, you can attack anyone who makes any unserious comment. For example, isn't it shocking that Henry Youngman hated his wife and wanted someone to take her. And I'm glad someone stopped Reagan from bombing Russia in three minutes, like he threatened.

The 2nd approach, is simply to misquote her. He also tries that approach in his latest attack. You see, according to Ed: "she derided John Edwards as a "faggot" and then she refused to apologize. (!)

First, Coulter never apologizes to liberals since as shown in the case of Imus, Trent Lott, etc. an apology gets you nowhere. Conservatives are never forgiven. The whole point is to attack and destroy them, not reach some sort of understanding.

Secondly, in her JOKE she did not call or deride Edwards as a "faggot". She was making 2 points , one Edwards is a wuss, and secondly Hollywood and PC have gotten so out of hand that you need to go to rehab for using the word "faggot".