John McCain, Republican Nominee for President of the United States of America
March 4th, 2008 at 11:37pm Mark Noonan
I look forward to a really fun, really interesting fall campaign against whichever part of HillBama wins the Democratic nomination:
I understand the responsibilities I incur with this nomination, and I give you my word, I will not evade or slight a single one. Our campaign must be, and will be more than another tired debate of false promises, empty sound-bites, or useless arguments from the past that address not a single American’s concerns for their family’s security. Presidential candidates are judged on their records, their character and the whole of their life experiences. But we are also expected to concentrate our efforts on the challenges that will confront America on our watch and explain how we intend to address them.
America is at war in two countries, and involved in a long and difficult fight with violent extremists who despise us, our values and modernity itself. It is of little use to Americans for their candidates to avoid the many complex challenges of these struggles by re-litigating decisions of the past. I will defend the decision to destroy Saddam Hussein’s regime as I criticized the failed tactics that were employed for too long to establish the conditions that will allow us to leave that country with our country’s interests secure and our honor intact. But Americans know that the next President doesn’t get to re-make that decision. We are in Iraq and our most vital security interests are clearly involved there. The next President must explain how he or she intends to bring that war to the swiftest possible conclusion without exacerbating a sectarian conflict that could quickly descend into genocide; destabilizing the entire Middle East; enabling our adversaries in the region to extend their influence and undermine our security there; and emboldening terrorists to attack us elsewhere with weapons we dare not allow them to possess…
…I will leave it to my opponent to argue that we should abrogate trade treaties, and pretend the global economy will go away and Americans can secure our future by trading and investing only among ourselves. We will campaign in favor of seizing the opportunities presented by the growth of free markets throughout the world, helping displaced workers acquire new and lasting employment and educating our children to prepare them for the new economic realities by giving parents choices about their children’s education they do not have now.
I will leave it to my opponent to claim that they can keep companies and jobs from going overseas by making it harder for them to do business here at home. We will campaign to strengthen job growth in America by helping businesses become more competitive with lower taxes and less regulation.
I will leave it to my opponent to propose returning to the failed, big government mandates of the sixties and seventies to address problems such as the lack of health care insurance for some Americans.
We’ve got a long, uphill fight, fellow GOPers, but John McCain is hitting the right themes and telling it like it is - I’m geared up and happy, ready to have at it.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Republicans
38 Comments
1. Kahn | March 5th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Of the three candidates,
ONE has demonstrated the ability to compromise.
ONE has risked pissing off large numbers of people in his own party.
ONE has the scars to prove it.
ONE is a military veteran. One understands, REALLY understands how a much a commitment to service and country can cost.
ONE has the scars - actual scars to prove that also.
It’s not Hillary Clinton. It’s not barack Obama.
2. breast cancer talk »&hellip | March 5th, 2008 at 12:14 am
[...] The Local Onliner always has something good to say. I like this one posted earlier today. Follow the link for the whole thing.…failed, big government mandates of the sixties and seventies to address problems such as the lack of health care insurance for some Americans. [...]
3. Gaijin | March 5th, 2008 at 1:52 am
The GOP is going to get DESTROYED in November. I can’t wait. Not only will the Dems take the White House, we are also going to increase our majority in both houses. Look on the bright side though, at least Ruch and O’Reilly will have something to complain about for the next four years…well at least four.
Peace, Gaijin
4. Mark Noonan | March 5th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Gaijin,
Anything is possible, but pardon us if we procede on the assumption that we’ll have a different result.
5. kjstrouble | March 5th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Kahn,
I could not agree with you more. It will be very interesting to see who McCain nominates as his VP.
Gaijin - God I hope you are wrong. Given the times we live in, I am not sure the United States could survive a Clinton or Obama presidency. And I am sure we will not survive it without another 9/11 style attack.
6. clark smith | March 5th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Truer words were seldom spoken by one so habitually mavericky. His Senate record—by which he admits he will be judged—STINKS from a conservative perspective. Just putting that out there.
It’s very distressing for me to see a man who as Senator has so often used the Republican standard to wipe his grizzled backside, now elevated as the future Standard-bearer of the Party. It’s so wrong; it’s like some kind of cruel joke. The guy who for years has infuriated conservatives by schmoozing with the MSM as the media’s go-to RINO-dial-a-(media-)whore, is now poised to be King of the Party! How has it come to this?
I guess I’m just glad he didn’t say something like this after clinching the nomination last night:
Oh, I’m not naive; I expect he’ll flip his share of metaphorical middle fingers to conservatives in the months ahead, and—if he becomes President—even more emphatically in the years ahead.
I expect little from McCain from a conservative standpoint, so my disappointment—when he acts down to my meager expectations of him—will at least be mitigated.
What little I would dare to hope from him is somewhat of a spine in foreign policy, and Supreme Court nominees that—while disappointing—are at least not to the left of moderate. If he didn’t come through on foreign policy and judges, I’d call him a complete bust.
Beyond that, about as much as I can say for him is he’d be better than corrupt Clinton or clueless Obama, which is saying about as little as is possible to say.
Maybe at some future time I’ll feel more optimistic. Right now, though, McCain has me in a deep, dark funk.
7. CuriousGeorge | March 5th, 2008 at 5:36 am
You may be right, Clark, but I’d prefer a McCain in wartime to a Hillbama. And I’d prefer a Hitlery to an Earbama, anytime. Barry’s too shady; at least we already know about Hill’s misgivings…
8. breast cancer talk »&hellip | March 5th, 2008 at 6:11 am
[...] Top of the Ticket: National Politics Blog From the Los Angeles Times wrote an post worth reading today.Here’s a quick excerpt:…failed, big government mandates of the sixties and seventies to address problems such as the lack of health care insurance for some Americans. [...]
9. Eric T | March 5th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Clark-
I understand how you feel. I feel the same.
It is time to get on the straight talk express, whether we like it or not.
McCain still has a much better NRA rating than the AntiChrist Hillary or Unholy Obamination.
Think of the oppression we will face with
the democrats that have morphed into the party of political correctness. Jesse and Al will be assessing taxes for affirmitive action and reparations. New Hate crimes bills will criminalize your thoughts and opinions, you will be severely punished if you disagree with democrat standards such as homosexuality and abortion. High Taxes, Gun bans and religious freedom being reduced, is what you can look forward to with democrats.
McCain is our only hope at this point.
Compromise may not be all that bad on issues of good wages, social security and some of the isssues many American people care about.
My hope is that there is no compromise on Freedom.
Lets give McCain a chance. Maybe all the candidates the GOP put out will be appointed to high places in the McCain admistration, and will be there to offer advise on issues.
10. plainjane | March 5th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Good job McCain unlike most Repugs you ran a good clean campaign. You had that moral sell out on torture and the recent embrace of anti Catholic hate monger Haggee to help bring the religious right and neocons on board, but there is time for you to distance yourself from those people before the election.
I do look forward to your next photo op with President Bush at the White House where he clues you in to the true Republican legacy you will be running on, not the crap you heard from him in the State of the Union message. Let’s be honorable and go through the front door and not try to sneak in around back. Make sure you don’t forget to pick up a a copy of the Iraqi battle plans. Please send pictures!
11. Retired Spook | March 5th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I will leave it to my opponent to claim that they can keep companies and jobs from going overseas by making it harder for them to do business here at home.
I think this is going to resonate with more voters in the general election than anyone on the Dem side can possibly imagine.
12. plainjane | March 5th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I think this is going to resonate with more voters in the general election than anyone on the Dem side can possibly imagine.11. Retired Spook | March 5th, 2008 at 8:44 am
The recent primaries prove NAFTA type trade agreements are on everyone’s minds. Free trade is great provided there is a level and honest playing field. Agreements that don’t require trading partners to abide by simple human decency with respect to labor laws, safety and environmental protection is a no win. I have been to China and witnessed a factory with row upon row of 12-14 year old girls working 10 hour days living in dorms making bass boat motors for U.S. consumption. To compete with China’s antiquated labor laws, which U.S labor laws do you suggest for a factory in Ohio be eliminated?
13. Joe | March 5th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Congrats to Gramps McCain. I can at least say I will be pleased with any of the 3 candidates as Prez. McCain might be last on my list, but I’d be happy with him in there if that is the way it falls.
Personally, I don’t think it will happen, but if it does, then fine.
kjs, you an others on this site continue to throw crap out like this:
“Given the times we live in, I am not sure the United States could survive a Clinton or Obama presidency. And I am sure we will not survive it without another 9/11 style attack.”
WTF? That is just such a ridiculous statement to make.
14. clark smith | March 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Eric T.-
I know. That’s part of what’s so discouraging, though. The Republican Party has been taken over by a RINO. ‘Resistance is Futile;’ there’s nothing to do but queue into the moderate conga line behind McCain, paste on a fake smile, and stumble along with the rest of the troupe.
I know; but just listen to yourself say it—isn’t it almost unutterably sad?
I know. Like you said, we have no choice but to do so. Sigh.
15. Kahn | March 5th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Jane, I guess. But the candidate claiming the strongest anti-NAFTA stance lost in Texas and Ohio.
16. bagni | March 5th, 2008 at 10:55 am
mcmark
us green goofballs have to ask again
in the realm of manchurianess
isn’t mccain the guy who has a better chance of taking over the u.s. for the commies?
he was in a prison camp
he was brainwashed
he did crack
and now he’s back
the only thing that doesn’t align is
he really doesn’t look much like frank sinatra
again
how come no one is talking about this like they talk about the obamamanchurian
17. SteaM | March 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Long uphill battle?
Seems like it’s not the most confident language there. Getting worried?
18. Joe | March 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Reading clark smith’s post #14 sure doesn’t seem to cheerful.
I’m glad that Dems seem to like EITHER of their candidates. ESPECIALLY if they are both on the same ticket!
19. Retired Spook | March 5th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I have been to China and witnessed a factory with row upon row of 12-14 year old girls working 10 hour days living in dorms making bass boat motors for U.S. consumption. To compete with China’s antiquated labor laws, which U.S labor laws do you suggest for a factory in Ohio be eliminated?
First of all, Jane, China is not part of NAFTA and never will be. Second, Ohio would do well to not attempt to compete in the bass boat motor market.
20. Darva Conger | March 5th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Today Bush endorses McCain. That will end his campaign as of today. Morning, noon and night, the photos of them together will blanket the channels come November.
McCain hasn’t a chance in hell.
21. Sunny | March 5th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
The Republican Party has been taken over by a RINO. Clalrk Smith
Did it ever occur to you Mr. Smith, that you and your ilk are the RINOs who had attempted to take over the Repubican Party? You and the other neocon conservatives have ruined the Republican Party. Not even Ronald Reagan would approve of your political views.
22. Jim | March 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
PJ said “I have been to China and witnessed a factory with row upon row of 12-14 year old girls working 10 hour days living in dorms making bass boat motors for U.S. consumption”
Of course you didn’t reveal the flip side that absent these jobs which support them and their families, they might be working as prostitutes. God bless free markets where people do what they need and what they want regardless of the whole “level playing field” myth.
Anyone else hear the liberal NPR interview of foreigners following the US presidential race? True to their leftist calling, they couldn’t interview one person abroad who wished for a Republican victory. If only NPR wasn’t the only FM game in town.
And oh MSM, I for one have more confidence in McCain getting Bush’s endorsement, thank you very much.
23. Sunny | March 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
there’s nothing to do but queue into the moderate conga line behind McCain, paste on a fake smile, and stumble along with the rest of the troupe. Clark Smith
WAAAAA, this is just pitiful. Just put on your big girl pants and deal with it. This country has had to put up with George Bush for almost 8 years, wathching helplessly as he ruined almost everything he touched. If you were to get what you truely deserve, Hillary Clinton will be elected President of the United States. No matter who of the last three final candidates is elected, any of them will be better than what we have suffered through for almost 8 years. January 20, 2008 cannot come soon enough.
24. clark smith | March 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Don’t put on your big girl pants when I say it, Sunny, Bush’s greatest failing was not that he was too conservative—but that he was not conservative enough.
25. Sunny | March 5th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Bushes greatest failing was his lack of intelligence. Period.
26. Michael | March 5th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
In today’s Rasmussen tracking polls available here, McCain leads both Obama and Clinton nationally.
27. Darva Conger | March 5th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Mike:
My man! If you take a tracking poll in March of 2008 (within the margin of error) and $1.38 and put them together, you can buy a Big Gulp at 7-11.
28. plainjane | March 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Retired Spook | March 5th, 2008 at 11:11 am
First of all, Jane, China is not part of NAFTA and never will be. Where did I say they were?
Second, Ohio would do well to not attempt to compete in the bass boat motor market. Why not? To Repugs burger flipping for the man are the jobs blue collar workers should strive for.
29. Gina | March 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Congratulations GOP for your unethical strongarm tactics and corrupt system that just nominated a weak candidate who knows nothing about running a government. We all know that Senator McCain does not have what it takes to be the President elect. You have just set our country up for a disaster!
30. Darva Conger | March 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
McCain will choose Jeb Bush as his VP.
31. CuriousGeorge | March 5th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Not even Ronald Reagan would approve of your political views.
Just as you don’t do so here, Sunny-cow, you didn’t pay attention when Reagan was prez.
Sorry you’ve had it so bad for eight years. Maybe if you’d do something about your own life, you wouldn’t have to blame your misery on the government.
Better put your big girl pants on, Sun-cow. Size 222?
32. Joe | March 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
CuriousGeorge (sure sounds like keefer to me).
What a useless post that was. Thanks for adding something to the conversation.
Go back to the school yard, your 4th grade classmates are waiting for you.
33. Michael | March 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Well, I guess you’d better get an email off to Rasmussen - he is obviously wasting his time.
As I understand it, the tracking poll is telling me that as of its release (today) those are the numbers. These type polls track a question over long periods of time. Back in January Obama had a big lead. Will the numbers change? Sure. Which way? Who knows? But what it says is that nationally McCain is leading both potential Democrat candidates for the presidency.
34. Darva Conger | March 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
“But what it says is that nationally McCain is leading both potential Democrat candidates for the presidency.”
Sigh. If only the election were March 5, 2008 instead of in November. You’d win.
35. Michael | March 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Win what? Is this polling concept too complex for you? The poll doesn’t say which candidate will win in November. All it says is who is leading by measuring a public opinion sample as of today. It really isn’t that hard to understand is it?
36. Brian G. | March 5th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Jeb Bush? Yet another moron? Spare us.
37. plainjane | March 6th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Jeb Bush? Yet another moron? Spare us.36. Brian G. | March 5th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
They say he is the smart one.
38. john mccain republican tr&hellip | May 8th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
[...] of the United States of America … fight, fellow GOPers, but john mccain is hitting the right …http://blogsforvictory.com/2008/03/04/john-mccain-republican-nominee/trackback/OBAMA WINSCHICAGO ?? Democrat Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois on Nov. 2 in [...]