comment #1

AH says ...

Mr. Wells, McCain is not Bush III. Period. We can have a long argument on this, and I am sure the posters will lay out multiple reasons why this is so, but the bottom line is, if you look at the facts, that McCain is not Bush III.

comment #2

FunkDaddy J says ...

In a few metrics that REALLY matter, McCain could most definitely be considered Bush 3. Despite his reputation, he's completely dunderheaded on foreign policy. He maintains he's the only candidate to understand what's going on in Iraq and Iran and Pakistan, but he actually understands it the LEAST. Also, he's basically a self-professed idiot on the economy. And the tax cut thing. Sure, anyone would be an improvement over the current asshat, but if we want real turnaround in policy and mood, there's no one who comes anywhere NEAR Obama. Despite his faults, he's the right guy at the right time.

comment #3

Caustic712 says ...

AH, I'm not trying to have an argument about this, but when you say McCain is not Bush III, how would you differentiate them?

comment #4

brendan says ...

Man, that Matthews isn't that half bad considering he has that lunchbox PA blood flowing through him. His show has offered the most balanced and insightful reporting on both of the Rep and Dem campaigns. A Kennedy-Dem at heart, his airtime for both Reps and Dems has been a nice counterbalance to the leaning rhetoric of Fox News and MSNBC's Olbermann.

comment #5

kidkosmic says ...

The "Corruptons" are so over:

April 11, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) – Hillary Clinton used her trademark laugh Thursday to deflect a question about the $800,000 her husband earned in 2005 giving speeches for a Bogota-based group that supports the Colombia free trade agreement — the same trade deal she currently opposes.

comment #6

Mgmax says ...

Hillary has to fire her top adviser because of his outside activities being contrary to her stated policies, and it's McCain who's tied in with the lobbyists too deep.

And it's McCain voters who are too stupid to get how the world really works.

Ohhhhhh-kaaaaaaaaay.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120787191809306493.html

comment #7

AH says ...

Caustic712: Two quick things - Bush does not have any military experience and nor does he believe in evolution. McCain has served in the former and believes in the latter.

From these two things, one could argue that McCain will, if/when he becomes president, make sure that our military does not enter conflicts under-prepared and not favor theology over science. This is a major departure from the current administration.

comment #8

Doug Pratt says ...

A national presidential poll in April for an election in November means absolutely nothing. Your current Oscar favorites list is more accurate.

comment #9

MDOC says ...

I echo AH. The Republicans had an oppurtunity to nominate a Bush 3, they went with a moderate. People on both sides of the aisle are sick of the demonizing. Barack is a breath of fresh air but McCain is anything but a party guy. If you can't concede or at least understand any of the other sides perspective your own opinion loses value. I get that for most, Republican = Evil racist fat cat and it doesn't matter who wears the R. Is that any more ignorant than Ma and Pa kettle going for a war hero who they percieve more closely share their Christian family values? It's a fair argument that the family value perception may be flawed. Obama gets this, thats why he's against gay marriage. I'm not saying it's right but keep that in mind. Many Republicans get that Iraq may have been a mistake, they get that it's costs a fortune but pulling out may not be the best course of action. Opinion is divided on the issue of what to do next. Insisting on a pull out essentially because you disagreed with the operation in the first place makes me nervous. It's almost as bad as insisting on staying soley because of initial support of the invasion. How amny people really believe that Hillary will pull us out? I just think she knows she toast if she doesn't act like she will. If McCain is such an evil Darth Vader Republican, why did Kerry want him as a running mate in 2004 and why did right radio throw a fit as he was winning the primary? Until these questions are adequately answered it's anybody's race. Both parties seem to be coming towards the middle which I believe is in the best interest of everyone.

comment #10

storymark says ...

" McCain is anything but a party guy. "

A few years ago, that was true. When he ran in 2000, I would have gladly voted for him, regardless of his party affiliation.

But that was then. Aside from a couple of token issues, he's done a 180 on almost every policy issue, and has very much become a party guy.

comment #11

Mr. Buckles says ...

First of all, what concerns me of McCain is that he couldn't beat W. Dude, wtf?

That said, there are things to be learned from that defeat that have more dubious undertones.

> McCain has had reversals on a lot of important issues lately (abortion, taxes, pro choice, campaign finance, torture... kind of... he parses a very fine framework there) to embrace the base.
> To stay in good party graces for re-election, he is going to have to pander, pander, pander.

Also, his gaffes on details of ethnic and religious dividing lines in the middle east are appalling. If this is his area of expertise, he is another C student, C- maybe. And we are entering a recession if not there already - his acknowledged weak spot.

While I don't personally dislike this guy, given his age and the reality of the compromises he has to accept, the sun has set on him.

Obama is always going to have a glass ceiling with the Bill Bradley independents. This is something that one should not forget as you measure this going forward.

HOWEVER, once there is a democratic nominee, McCain will become a punching bag, one that has already provided an ample amount of materials not to mention he just won't be as nimble and vital in debates and speeches once this gets going.

comment #12

Mr. Muckle says ...

Due respect (and that's worth little, I know) but I don't think McCain is Bush III. I think he's WORSE than Bush -- a decrepit, intemperate, ignorant, militaristic, corrupt, possibly crazy, waffling jingoist.

Bush has seriously weakened the country, but a McCain presidency would finish it off, like Eric Cartman smashing that World of Warcraft character in the head with a mallet.

comment #13

Mgmax says ...

That was the same comparison Paul Giamatti made in the last episode of John Adams, oddly enough.

comment #14

bents75 says ...

"Is that any more ignorant than Ma and Pa kettle going for a war hero who they percieve more closely share their Christian family values?"

You hit the nail right on the head Mdoc. Ignorance is no doubt the key word. Because christian family values have so much to do with "war." You know, because Christ was all about putting foot to ass.

Explain that part to me again.

comment #15

Rich S. says ...

You guys have been reading this blog long enough to know:

"Anyone not Barack Obama" = Bush III

comment #16

storymark says ...

"You guys have been reading this blog long enough to know:

"Anyone not Barack Obama" = Bush III"

That may be somewhat true of this blog.

Doesn't make it any less true of McCain.

comment #17

MDOC says ...

Bentz75, I appreciate that you read my post and I understand where you are postitioning your argument. You believe that a Christian can never justify participation in a war and in partcipating in any act of violence would be against the teachings of Jesus. I am not religious and I can not point to any bible verse, but philosophically any veteran of WW2 or police officer that had to fire his weapon in duty would not share your perspective.

comment #18

D.Z. says ...

Jeff: Yeah, I know, nothing comes easy. But on the positive...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080411/pl_nm/usa_politics_delegates_dc

Anyway, if Obama gets nominated, McCain's going to lose his edge when he's forced to actually debate.

AH: "From these two things, one could argue that McCain will, if/when he becomes president, make sure that our military does not enter conflicts under-prepared"

And yet McCain's voted against benefits for our troops.

MDOC: "People on both sides of the aisle are sick of the demonizing. Barack is a breath of fresh air but McCain is anything but a party guy."

And yet he supports torture as much as the rest of them.

"Obama gets this, thats why he's against gay marriage."

He's not against gay marriage, just against it being made into a Constitutional amendment.

"Many Republicans get that Iraq may have been a mistake, they get that it's costs a fortune but pulling out may not be the best course of action."

I'm sure that's how many Romans felt about Britain and Germany, too...

"If McCain is such an evil Darth Vader Republican, why did Kerry want him as a running mate in 2004 and why did right radio throw a fit as he was winning the primary?"

Kerry wanted McCain as a running mate before he turned into a Bush-lite. And right-wing radio hates McCain, because they know he's a weak candidate.

comment #19

MDOC says ...

DZ,
You win, tell me who to vote for and I'll do it. Yours is truly the superior intellect. (what movie is that from?)

comment #20

D.Z. says ...

Anyone who isn't a Republican would be a good idea.

comment #21

D.Z. says ...

Oh, and regarding that WSJ article:

"These days, corporate bashing, closed borders and class warfare have become staples of the left."

Yes, because Soros has never been attacked, the Republicans love Mexicans, and the Dems hate giving health coverage to sick children from poor families.

comment #22

K. Bowen says ...

If Obana is such a formidable canddiate, why can't he finish off HIliary Clinton?

comment #23

bents75 says ...

Mdoc. That's true. I dont consider myself a Christian. And I don't believe that wars are always unnecessary. Obviously when there's a noble or defensive purpose, then by all means.

But there's nothing noble about our current mission, and there's nothing defensive about it either - and McCain's positions on them don't add any more credibility to that argument, and frankly, aren't really founded in his so called Christian values either. That's all I'm saying.

I find the common comparison to World War II under any circumstance to be largely pointless. It's apples and oranges.

Now, if you want to compare Iraq and our current "war on terror" to Vietnam - that's a different story. But just for the record, that war too was a mistake. And McCain's cheasy 'America never has and never will concede defeat' rhretoric (even though we essentially did in the very war he's apparently a hero for being in) is just plain silly.

comment #24

bents75 says ...

And no, I'm not rooting for America's defeat.

It's no more a situation that we can win than it is one we can lose. Because it's not really a war. It's just a mess of a situation that needs to be resolved by the very people who are fueling it (ie. Iraqis)

comment #25

D.Z. says ...

K. Bowen: "If Obana is such a formidable canddiate, why can't he finish off HIliary Clinton?"

He has finished her off; she's just pretending she still has momentum.

comment #26

AH says ...

D.Z.: Is this the vote that you were talking about: S.Amdt. 3704 to H.R. 4939.

I ask because I wasn't sure which vote you were talking about. However, if this is the amendment, then please note that the bill included funding for broadcasting and natural resources, etc. You can search for the entire list on Thomas.

So, an argument could be made that the vote wasn't against the troops but against the amendments to the bill.

comment #27

D.Z. says ...

AH: Actually, I was referring to http://www.straighttalkmccain.com/news/2008/03/senator-mccain-ignoring-democrat-jim-webb
, courtesy of Crooks and Liars. But screwing the troops to make a point against another amendment is still not supporting the troops.

comment #28

AH says ...

D.Z.: Just so I have this clear, the group that who piles on other unrelated items to a bill that was intended just for the troops, is supporting them. But the group or person that stands up against it, isn't? So, you support pork barrel spending?

comment #29

Mgmax says ...

Defeat has a thousand fathers, but victory is an orphan.

comment #30

D.Z. says ...

AH: No, I'm for doing the right thing, and not making excuses.