20 reasons to support McCain
(Denver Post, Oct. 19) Democrats and Republicans both have a lot to answer for in the mortgage mess. Yet one party is going to hold the White House for the next four years. Here’s a way of looking at the presidential election without regard to partisanship. It comes down to the caliber of the individuals who are asking for our trust, and the kind of America we want to live in. On one side there are the Pilot and Mrs. Palin, a war hero and a tough frontierswoman, a maverick senator and a reform governor. On the other side are the Wizard of Ob and his sidekick Jolly Joe, a Chicago hustler and a Washington hack. The Wizard scares me, because if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Our country will be in better hands with the old Pilot flying. McCain’s my man.
Twenty reasons come to mind, based on the rival candidates’ positions. It’s the Pilot for economic growth and job creation, for avoiding big tax and spending increases, for encouraging world commerce and preventing the return of 1930s-style trade barriers. He and Sarah will maximize America’s energy resources, traditional and alternative alike. They’ll restore prosperity sooner; no New New Deal for them.
The Wizard wants health care to become a government-sponsored enterprise, much like Fannie and Freddie, heaven help us. He’s against parental choice of schools, bowing to teacher unions. He’d sign the labor proposal denying workers a secret ballot. His ACORN allies specialize in voter fraud.
Pilot McCain would appoint judges who respect the constitution like Roberts and Alito, in contrast to Wizard Obama’s liberal activist judges. Rabidly anti-gun, the Wizard would trash self-defense and the Second Amendment. He’d muzzle talk radio with the Un-Fairness Doctrine. Saving babies after botched abortions is “above [his] pay grade;” so is protecting traditional marriage. Unbelievable.
The old Pilot’s wings wobble, it’s true, on securing our borders against the illegal alien invasion and refusing to reward immigration lawbreakers with amnesty or citizenship. But you know Mac will still fight harder for our national identity than the multicultural Wizard with his America-hating church background.
And speaking of Obama’s 20-year tutelage under Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who wants radical pastors like him and Father Pfleger as unofficial chaplains to the First Family? Not me.
A president able to say “God bless the USA” with no profanity or KKK sarcasm was never more needed than today, when perhaps 10 percent of a billion Muslims desire religious war for our annihilation. That makes Pilot McCain by far the safer choice to lead America’s war on terror.
The Wizard of Ob is such a naïf on national security, it makes Bush’s gullibility toward Putin seem cunning. Amazingly, he blamed the victim in Russia’s rape of Georgia. He promised an unconditional summit with the Iranian madman who wants to nuke Israel. He stubbornly insists on surrender in Iraq. He ranks below Clinton and Carter in understanding peace through strength.
This brings me, if you’ve been counting, to No. 20 in my list of reasons to prefer John McCain over Barack Obama for President of the United States, party labels aside. The final and most important reason is character. The crusty old Pilot, airborne for all these years, has it beyond a doubt. The weaselly Wizard may or may not. The shadows enshrouding his resume, the special effects propelling his campaign, just make you wonder.
Was Mac faultless as a POW or in the Keating affair? No. Yet his integrity is manifestly that of an Ike or a TR. Whereas about Barack, we can’t be sure. The Wizard’s voice is alluring, but what’s behind the curtain? These stormy days are no time to gamble. Trust the Pilot, America.
The author can be reached at John@BackBoneAmerica.net
GREAT RATIONAL, even tho put forth w/tongue in cheek titles.
by C.M. AGUALLO | Friday, Oct 17, 2008 | 10:41 amb/c we are Positive people, and know the GOOD of America, we are behind McCain. For us, the glass is half full.
IMO, it should be a requirement that President candadites serve a full tour of duty in the Armed Forces, AND PASS a test in re to the U.S. history and our Constitution.
Now id the time to go w/someone who will think of the future of This country, and not someone who wants to mutate it.
Bravo, well done, John. There’s another reason I won’t vote for Obama : His family (other than wife & Children..photogenic)is never shown to us.What of reletives here & in Africa? Any friends who can attest to his good will or good deeds when he was a “community organizer”? It seems we are to take this man on good faith & abstraction. Rather than applaud his money-raising ability, we should be very wary of the possibility this election is being bought..by whom? I worry we’re sinking to the depths of a Banana Republic, & I fear for America.
by MARILYN KELLY | Sunday, Oct 19, 2008 | 9:18 pm…ACORN paid volunteers to go out and canvas registrations, and human nature being what it is, some people decided not to do the work and get paid anyway. These individuals didn’t care who signed up or how and then turned in spurious registrations which ACORN is obligated to turn over along with the good ones, and which they did so after conscientiously marking the ones which were obviously bad. Voter ID laws being what they are, there was never any chance of Mickey Mouse or Tony Roma showing up on election day to cast one of their 72 ballots.
So why do people like you keep repeating the idea that ACORN is committing voter fraud? The fact of the matter is they let themselves get ripped off. The Amoral Majority keeps saying that Obama sanctioned voter fraud, but I have YET to hear any explanation for how any number of registrations that can’t cast a ballot are supposed to help Obama! A guy who registers multiple times for promises of beer and cigarettes isn’t going to transform into a one-man landslide.
by As I Understand It... | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 2:05 amBravo!
by blondegenes | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 2:05 amEnough of a reason to NOT elect McCain is the fact that he would put in place, a person who is absolutely NOT qualified to run our country into #2 position. That alone proves that it is more important to pubs to win an election than to do what is best for America. IOW, he has proven that he is FULL NEO-CON. He will do what is best for himself.
This is a bit different than the way that Hillary ran her campaign. She planned to win the election by Feb 4th, and had NOTHING in reserve or any plans if she lost. Basically, she acts like today’s CEO.
OTH, Obama has LOTS of long range plans and appears to be putting America’s need’s first.
The great news is that Obama has pretty much won already.
by g.r.r. | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 2:22 amUh, first off, cute names for all four. Cute, but immature. But then, immature seems to be the order of the day. Let me say first that I’m still undecided on who I’m voting for, but these sort of articles simply don’t help. Listen to Colin Powell and study both candidates. And while you’re doing so, let the readers do the same. Elections are serious, and should not be left to peoples’ emotions, but the apparent intent your writing is to reach emotions rather than deliver pure fact.
Couple points:
- It’s well known that McCain’s tax plan will cost us money. Best case he leaves us another trillion in debt; worst case more than three trillion. Don’t think for a second he’ll ‘restore prosperity’ in even two terms. He doesn’t understand economics. His comments on NAFTA make that obvious. Obama’s? Well, no one likes to feel like he’s going to be Robin Hood, but when Republicans grouse about that, they forget that we can’t just drop the programs for the less fortunate. They also forget that nobody has control over what they’re born into. While Obama’s redistribution ideas suck, I like Obama’s intent to provide more opportunity.
- Obama’s not saving babies after botched abortions. You’re sounding worse than Lush Rimbaugh here. His “above my pay grade” comment was intended as funny, but was inappropriate. However, it was in response to the question of when does life begin and not at all about abortion. Scarier was McCain’s instant response of ‘at the moment of conception’, which was a canned response premeditated for the church setting they were in. Tell me Mr. Andrews, if your daughter (pretend if you don’t have one) got raped, would you want pro-life or legislation that supports the mother’s safety and well being?
- I wish peeps would go research Obama’s religious background and then let that go once and for all. Lots of stuff out of context on a topic that’s causing emotions to boil.
- Character? McCain has been revealing his character all along, what with constant bashing of Obama (he even bashed Obama in response to the debate question of why can’t we stop bashing) and oft sidestepping of questions (again, to bash Obama). I just don’t trust a man that campaigns like that. His choice of running mate was for votes and nothing more. That’s irresponsible. Oh yea, she’s a reformist; a reformist that two months ago couldn’t find Washington DC on a map. A perfect state and local politician, but woefully ill prepared for international and national politics. Obama’s character? Dunno, but it sure is scary how many ‘present’ votes he has, isn’t it?
Now again, I’m not sure who I’m voting for, but it sucks to have to dig deep to find McCain’s beliefs, rather than him just telling us in speeches, ads (today for the first time in two months, I saw a non-bashing ad by McCain) or debates. Sure they’re on his website, carefully crafted and canned, but I want to see his face and his eyes when he says them.
As for the chick from Alaska, I would love for you to look me in the eye and tell me that you’d be confident with her in the Oval Office. There’s a decent chance we’d see it if they were elected. ‘The old pilot’s wings wobble’ indeed. You don’t elect a man in that sort of health to the presidency. The position will test the healthiest of men (or women), much less someone already on his way out. Palin in the Oval Office would stand there shivering like a kid that just got out of the pool but has no towel.
You make some good points about Obama, but sadly they’re amidst poorly researched comments and more bashing than McCain. I didn’t see where the original article was printed, but I sure hope it was commentary, because otherwise it was very irresponsible journalism.
This thing is already emotional. Let’s point to facts and facts alone to make choices.
Well shit. You got enough responses to your commentary that there’s about a snowball’s chance in hell that you’ll read this, but I do thank you. I’ve been quite frustrated with this campaign and you gave me the chance to sit down and get it out.
Peace to ya, Mr. Andrews,
by Drew | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 4:39 amDrew
Your reasons for voting McCain are fine however, his choice for a running mate and his age and ailing health, make the choice for McCain for President, a vote of confidence for Sarah Palin for President should something happen. That is a disaster.
Here is one Colorado soccer mom’s thoughts on it:
http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/A-Soccer-Moms-Take-on-Palin.288169
by Snuffy40726 | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 7:45 amHere, here. Keep the wizard at bay.
by John | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 9:33 amI’m not sure why, but I expected an intelligent, articulate argument from Mr. Andrews on behalf of Senator McCain. Instead I got a page full of half truths and full out lies. Yup, I said it, lies. I have no problem with those who oppose Obama due to differences on policy, but I’ve had it with hacks who throw out the standard spew of sound bites…baby killer, socialist, terrorist, closet Muslim and would be willing to talk to Hitler if we could only bring him back to life. Obama has clearly addressed each slime attack in your article, but it’s easier to hate than hope, isn’t it Mr. Andrew. Shame on you.
by Jamie | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 10:34 amJohn,
I don’t get your list at all. You don’t offer 20 reasons to vote for McCain. Allow me to explain. If I say to you, “John, you should eat McDonald’s hamburgers,” and you ask “Why?”. To which I reply,”Because guacamole may have been made with peppers that caused E. coli poisoning this summer.” What? How are your points of any credibility when your list connects either insignificant or unrelated points or points that have been oft cited and long-proved to be incorrect? Do you think by spreading lie or bending the truth about his opponent you create a respectful case for your candidate? Quite the contrary. In fact, if you knew much about human nature you’d realize you encourage people who support your candidate’s opponent immediately upon finishing reading your list, go to http://www.barackobama.com and donate another $15 as I just did, and I would encourage everyone who reads your list to do the same. Your right wing neo-con smear campaigns are illegitimate and stoke the fires of hatred. They do not effectively support your candidate.
You offer nothing in support of your candidate but neo-con rhetoric. You suggest that McCain will select better Supreme Court Justices. But you don’t really know that for sure do you? You presume he will because you presume he will pick people that are right-leaning in some way. How sad. How sad that the job in the country that should be the least partisan (remember that there is no mention of political parties anywhere in the Constitution)–the strict legal interpretations of the Constitution should be turned into a party issue in the first place. Regardless, if John McCain is capable of selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate, he’s just as capable of selecting Joe Lieberman as a Supreme Court Justice. You don’t know who this man will pick.
I’d also like to make another point here about the abortion issue. The cases on which Barack Obama voted that you and your smear-mongers keep citing are all being mis-cited. And Barack Obama might actually be the most pro-life president we’ve ever had. He is not an abortionist as you and your neo-con cronies label him. He has said on many occasions including the last debate that no American is in favor of abortion. And, you know what, he’s 100% correct. Being pro-choice does not make you pro-abortion–a common assertions that’s factually inaccurate. Being pro-choice simply means you don’t want the choice to be up to the government or the religious right. You want the choice to be up to the individuals who find themselves in a God-awful situation that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Do pro-choicers agree that it’s okay to kill. NO! But given the options of back alley abortions where young women are rendered sterile or dead, given the horrendous alternatives to choice, no, we cannot accept that. The decision needs to be in the hands of those who are affected at the time. Let states choose you say. No, this is a federal matter. There are some things that states should not be able to decide. Nonetheless, if you actually took the time to read what Barack Obama actually says, you would see that he is not really in favor of abortions. He’s much more in favor of working to help guide young people so they are not in the situation of having to contemplate abortion. Do you get that?????????????? I don’t think you do. Do you get that if the pro-life and pro-choice people got together and invested all their time and energy into preventing unwanted pregnancy instead of fighting each other, they might actually accomplish their mutual goal of ending abortions???!!??!?!?!?!? Wake up, JOHN!
So, I use this as an example of where you are just plain wrong, just plain out of touch with reality, and just plain silly to continue on this path.
A far smarter thing for you to be doing with your blog and your time would be to start coming up with ways in which the ideas of the Republicans can be harnesses and massaged to be put forth in the new era of a Democratically-controlled Congress and Executive Branch. We need diversity of idea. The basal Republican ideals are needed in the conversation. But you people have created such an adversarial situation in our government that you’ve made it so that no one will want to listen to you or your ideas. Think about it.
by Jackie Resnick | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 11:30 amThis article was horrible. It could have been written by a right-wing nut job and nobody would have thought twice about it. But for it to have come from a legitimate newspaper is frightening.
I am so happy that undercover racists and islamaphobes like you wont be running our country for the next 8 years.
Colorado is going Obama bigtime!
by Ike | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 1:34 pmI agree with you 100% if something is too good to be true, then you know it is…and this man scares the living daylights out of me.
Vote John McCain for a good honest man in the White House.
by Joan | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 2:19 pmFrom your column to God’s ears. I’m praying for the hearts, minds, eyes and ears of Americans to open every day. I know it’s hard to believe that all that is being said about Obama is true, but I’ve honestly looked into it and it is. I may not be from the show me state, but I have always been someone that had to find things out for a fact. Mr. Obama can not be trusted with our Country. Yes, he is a great motivational speaker, but then he’s been working on that for a while hasn’t he? Listen to his words and the direction he wants to lead us, even if he had the ability, that’s not where we need to go. It is my wish that we would vote as WWJD instead of what does my party, the polls, the media, my union or my race say I should do.
by Teresa C | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 2:37 pmYou’ve got eight long, disappointing years ahead of you as President Obama reduces your taxes (there’s no way hacky commentary like this earns someone more than $200,000 per year) and the amount you pay for your health care. Its going to be miserable as President Obama re-balances the budget as it was before Republican President Bush set records for deficit spending. You can also look forward to learning how to tolerate other religious views rather than passively disparaging a faith for political gain (if you don’t feel like figuring that out on your own, this is a reference to your inference that Obama supports the very small minority of Muslims that support violence as a means to an end. You know he’s a Christian and you know you’re helping further the fully incorrect belief that he subscribes to Islam).
by Ron Domino | Monday, Oct 20, 2008 | 7:26 pmSo are you going to move to Canada like all of the Kerry supporters promised in 2004 when Obama restores your full ability to speak your opinion – as baseless, useless, pointless and out of touch as it may be – without fear of the government unlawfully monitoring your activity? You’re going to be stuck in a country extending full privileges of citizenship to people marrying people of the same gender. You’re only going to have one war to cheer on in a country you can’t find on the map. You might as well spend the tax cut that President Obama has headed your way on a nice vacation, wouldn’t you think? Last I heard from Sen. McCain, Iraq is an incredibly peaceful retreat these days.
You, sir, are a bonafide idiot. Let’s see, on one side you have a 72 year old liar guilty of a Savings & Loan scandal and a 43 year old liar guilty of an abuse of power and unethical conduct. On the other sides you have a transformative figure guilty of nothing, Harvard and Columbia educated, with the ability to move people and a calm, cool demeanor that is necessary during our trying times. And he’s partnered by a life long civil servant who has always fought for the middle class.
by John Leonard | Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 | 2:21 amHow is this without regard to partisanship? I was actually hoping you’d provide analysis, but I guess name-calling and spreading rumors are as good as you can expect.
by Stan | Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 | 11:20 amI was actually going to read the 20 reasons to support McCain until I read the blurb above which has turned me off as much as the Republican party. This will be the first time in my voting history to vote Democrat and it is due to the negative, disgusting tatics being forced on the American public. After 50 years as a Republican, my stomach has been turned.
by Crystal Ashbrook | Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 | 11:57 amWell said, John! I fear, however, that the ineptitude of McCain’s campaign during the last six months, coupled with financial disaster, has sealed the deal for Obama. It was McCain’s to lose, and he lost by running to the right instead of to the center, where he is most comfortable. Obama ran to the left to win the nomination, and to the right to win the election.
by Mark Brennan | Saturday, Oct 25, 2008 | 1:16 pm