I respect John McCain. He is a great American. I voted for him in the 2000 New Hampshire primary. If Mitt Romney wasn’t running, he would probably have been my second choice. It would have been either him or Fred Thompson. However, I am very disappointed in him that he would misinterpret statements made by Romney about Iraq. Furthermore, we did not hear a word about this timetable issue from John McCain until a few days before the Florida primary when Romney looked to be winning. By waiting till the last minute, Romney had little time to defend himself against an unjust criticism. It reminds me of something an older man once told me. If someone repeatedly says, “I’ll be honest with you,” chances are they are being anything but honest. If someone was honest most of the time, they wouldn’t feel they needed to underscore that they were being honest this time. John McCain should let others judge whether or not he is a straight talker as opposed to calling himself one (the Straight Talk Express). One of the reasons I like Mitt Romney better than John McCain and Mike Huckabee is because he lacks the self-righteousness that the other two men display. McCain calls himself the Straight Talk Express. Huckabee wears his religion on his sleeve. Mitt Romney on the other hand just leads by example. He doesn’t misinterpret statements by his opponents the way McCain does. He has run negative ads, but his ads have been factual and have been based on his opponents’ records. McCain, on the other hand, has run ad hominem attack ads. He ran one in New Hampshire quoting a liberal newspaper calling Romney a “phoney”. Then McCain gets on TV and complains about all the negative ads Romney has run. He makes the charge that Massachusetts had a bad economy under Romney, but it was very difficult for Romney to do as much as he wanted with a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature. However, even though John McCain knows this, he says it anyway. Mitt Romney is as much of a straight talker as John McCain and every bit as religious as Mike Huckabee, but he chooses to let others notice that on their own instead of telling people, “I’m a straight talker. I’m religious.” Sadly, this may be his downfall. Evangelicals flock to Huckabee because he quotes scripture and constantly reminds them of his religiosity. Decent people flock to McCain because he calls himself a straight talker, and that is something we all want in a President. Super Tuesday voters have a week to decide. Will they choose the Straight Talker, the religious candidate, or the man who is both of those things but doesn’t feel he needs to brag about it? If Super Tuesday voters give the candidates more than a cursory glance and look at their backgrounds as opposed to simply believing what candidates say about themselves, we may have a new frontrunner next Wednesday.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m a Romney guy but if it comes down to Hillary or McCain with no third party, I will possibly still vote McCain. But I will absolutely not donate to his campaign.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Ditto Kevin
Though watching the debate last night… Huckabee impressed me for the first time.
Really wish it was McCain endorsing Rudy this week…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
In 2004 I worked as a grunt volunteer for Bush in Arizona. I saw firsthand the large numbers of people working their butts of for Bush, we had an incredible GOTV and still barely won. I’ll probably still vote for McCain if he is our nominee, but WHO is going to pound the pavement and make phone calls and drive people to the polls for this guy on their own time? Not me. Frankly, McCain is acting like a disingenuous jerk who seems to think that we owe him the nomination; I just cannot see Republican’s flocking to volunteer for him like they did for Bush in ’04. And with the enthusiasm of the Democrats, based on the number of primary voters they are getting compared to the Republicans, I just can’t see McCain getting enough people to the polls in November to overcome that.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Mitt Romney: The candidate John Kerry DIDN’T want as vice-president.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Come guys – get on board – we owe this one to McCain
January 31st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Love the satire Jeffery; Swift would be proud
January 31st, 2008 at 12:19 pm
What and why do I owe anything to Skeletor?
January 31st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Clarence,
It is good to have you posting once again. I have missed “My Man from NH” and your front page posts.
I was wondering if you have heard any rumblings about a Giunta gubernatorial run here in our native state. I’ve heard some rumblings and trying to find others who have heard the same thing.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
#5 Not a chance. He doesn’t represent our Republican Party ideology. He isn’t campaigning for our platform. Sorry, NO.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
John, if anything, we absolutely do not owe him anything! Here is what he has done for me:
I must confess something here to everyone. Before this race, when I meet a person who once was POW, I had this urge inside to get down on my knee, bow my head, and tell that person I really appreciate what he has done to keep us safe. Of course, I do not, but if I have a hat on, I definitely do take it off. I would come up to him, put out my hand, shake. I would have said “thank you very much” but I do not speak (I’m deaf). I do try to show as much of my gratitute in my face to that person. Sometimes I would shed a tear or two. I do really appreciate what our military men and women have done for this country.
However, now, when I heard the word, “POWâ€, I am filled with angry. I feel like I have to slaugh out at anyone or anything within the immediate region, just for the sake of it. And I am feeling that way only because of how McCain has worn it on his sleeves. He really has tainted this honor of which all POWs still do deserve. I thought the anti-war sensition in this country is bad enough, but I cannot help but wondering how it will be after McCain become our president. I fear for the lives and honors of all veterans, both present and past.
I am not surprised that McCain has not won the overwhelming number of veterans in this race so far. He barely get more than Romney. He has done much to harm the respect they all deserve in this race! I am urging you all, for the sake of our military men and women, not to vote for him!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
7 – he was being sarcastic
1 and 3 – That’s one thing about McCain that would actually be a relief – I’d have a ton more spare time on my hands, even though I’d likely wind up voting for JMac in the end anyway.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I want to be clear in that I am referring John S. of comment #7, not John McCain, in my comment #10.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
5: Why do we owe it to McCain? crickets.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Great points Clarence.
McCain’s “Straight Talk” name brand has taken a serious hit with his lie/distortion.
The other three episodes of him saying he denied or didn’t remember saying things (lack of knowledge about the economy, Alito “too conservative” quote, and one other that I’m blanking on now, but it happened right before NH between McCain and Novak) only start to paint a picture that McCain plumb out of Straight Talk.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Last night:
McCain earlier:
And yet another one of John McCain’s ‘friends’ and now campaign manager Rick Davis arranged McCain to meet with a close ally of Putin.
Aide Helped Controversial Russian Meet McCain
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/01/25/ST2008012500226.html
January 31st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Guys, it was sarcasm. JB caught it…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
16
Ok I’m glad, you never know there are some people who would actually support the guy and think we owe it to him because he was a POW.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Wasn’t it Mitt Romney that spoke for a dead Ronald Reagan when he said “Ronald Reagan would have found to be reprehensible.”
Yeah, speaking for dead people, that’s where it’s at!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
15.
What really bothers me is that McCain keeps listing out his endorsments and is actively asking peopl to judge him on his endorsements. He can’t answer a question now-a-days without saying Jack Kemp and Phil Graham (usually repeating at least one of the names more than once and seeming to have a problem recalling many . . . not sharp at all).
“Choose me because I have guys who are even older than me who are my old Senate buddies and want me to win.”!
Great strategy John!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Romney: A Republican Jackass
http://ktracy.com/?p=827
January 31st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
The only ticket that could beat the Democrats in November would be McCain/Romney. McCain for Moderates, Romney for Conservatives. McCain for foreign policy, Romney for the economy. McCain for endorsements, Romney for money. There are so many reasons why these two would be great together. It’s unfortunate they don’t get along.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Yes Sampo . . .hurry and change the subject back to Mitt!!
It’s getting old “my friend”
January 31st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
If McCain is the nominee, I hope Hillary wins. If the president is going to be a dishonest liberal, better that it be a Democrat.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
UA 20,
That link says that Romney never congratulated Huckabee after the Iowa win?
Bogus, I was there when Romney said he did so at his “concession speech.”
Notice how there’s no link in that post. Lame stuff.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
http://www.anncoulter.com/
January 31st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Kevin O.
I wouldn’t vote for a McCain/Romney ticket (and I’m as big of a Romney supporter as they come). I just don’t think McCain is fit for the office . . . and he surely wouldn’t take Mitt’s advice.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Why is it that you Rombots refuse to vote for McCain or Huckabee, but then give us grief for our distaste of Romney? If we vote for McCain or Huckabee, we know what we get – - there is no telling what Waffling Mitt would do or to who he would continue his pandering.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
First of all, I will rally around McCain if he is the nominee, but he is not the nominee yet. He doesn’t even have 10% of the delegates required yet. It is far from over. Secondly, RayinNH mentioned the possibility of Guinta running for Governor. I have heard that too, but even though I’m a Manchester guy, I do not plan on supporting Guinta in the primary. Guinta just seems like too much of an opportunist. He also doesn’t seem very conservative, especially on social issues. He supported Giuliani. I’ll support him if he gets the nomination, but he wouldn’t be my first choice in the primary. I like state senator Joe Kenney from Wakefield. Kenney is much more sincere; Guinta is strictly political. However, I don’t think any Republican has a chance against Lynch this year.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
27. There are plenty of ways to tell what you’d get with Romney, Huckabee, and McCain. That’s why people are refusing to vote for the latter 2. I personally can vote for McCain, but not Huckabee. And Huckabee as McCain’s VP would probably seal that. But I don’t understand the distaste of Romney. What is it based in?
January 31st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
GOV RICK PERRY TO ENDORSE MCCAIN TODAY!!! YES!!
January 31st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
UA (#27), perhaps we are the very people that McCain have insulted deeply and strongly — that is, we are conservatives? As you can see, McCain did not do well among conservative and strong conservatives so far in this primary season. I cannot understand why you cannot make the connection between “Rombots” and conservatives on your own. At least I do consider myself as one, and a few Mittheads I know are too. That is, we are for closed borders, smaller government, less regulations, and free market. Does McCain sound like he’s a good fit for us?
Have you forgotten how many of us Rombots are very excited about Fred as well, and were very disappointed when he dropped out. I cannot believe you have forgotten all of those, and more. But then, you have done nothing to tell us why we should still consider McCain, but you have been busy telling us how idiotic we are. And do not bring up the judges — McCain will start with the centerist judges and work toward left just to applease Democrats. He does not even like Alito!
January 31st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
McCain, why are you the best to lead the economy?
McCain: Cause i LEAD one of the largest squadrons back in vietnam…*crickets*
No, Mr. McCain, I said the economy…not fighting a war…
McCain: exactly, I LEAD a squadron, a large squadron, and the makes me qualified to lead this economy…
Wow, that is all that i can say. John McCain is absolutely amazing.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I don’t think the comment by McCain about Romney supporting withdrawal
from Iraq really had much of an impact. The Hispanic voters is what made
the difference, plus Cris’s endorsement. McCain seems to have taken the
right position (being soft on illegal immigration) to attract Hispanic
voters and this will probably also help him on Feb 5. Although there
are a lot of people (including myself) who see danger in our immigration
policy, most people just don’t see it, and Hispanic voters see lax border
security as a plus. I think we have reached a critical mass of Hispanic
voters now and the influx will just continue which is why Hillary and
McCain will be the nominees unless something crazy happens next Tuesday.
I don’t see this as a good thing, because I think Obama and Romney are
the best candidates from both parties, but neither appeals to the Hispanic
voter. But I think we had all better get ready for a cultural shift in politics
here because it seems to be coming. The really ironic thing is that we can
thank Ronald Reagan’s immigration policies for the end of conservatism as
we know it.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The image that keeps going through my head is of McGandolf the Grey versus Cruella deClinton.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
#27 – UA
Because they are not conservative or Republican on several key issues. They don’t represent the party’s ideologies. Giuliani, yep, Thompson, yep. Even ol’ Ron Paul is mostly there. McCain and Huck are the weakest. That is why the MSM and the Dems propped them up. It’s a big joke on us.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Romney just strikes me as a typical phoney politican. He says whatever he has to in order to be elected. I do not buy his reformation to the social conservative base. I think he would be good at issues such as the economy, but there are so many more issues than that. Add that to the fact that the high disapproval numbers in Mass.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
#27 – McCain has switched sides and positions WAY more than Romney. He comes out with an awful amnesty bill, and NOW he says he wouldn’t accept the bill as president because, “he has heard the people.” Well, so it took it until he was a frontrunner, and not writing the bill, to hear the people? HELLO – BIG FLIP FLOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE – as well as many other position changes. BUT, if people question him on it, they are called out as disgracing a POW – give me a break? McCain is the ULTIMATE PANDERER AND FLIP FLOPPER!!!
January 31st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hello 36 – he governed CONSERVATIVELY – look at his record. And lets see – if you govern conservatively when the state is mostly liberal – hmmmmmm – of course. Plus, some of the businesses that he attracted when gov are still coming and adding jobs. Not all jobs can happen in a nice compact 4 year time frame. Many benefits are seen later – but can also be undone by liberal reps and by the new very liberal gov. swift. And one way to tell if a person is phony – I belive – is to look at their personal life. Romney is not on his 3rd wife – didn’t leave his 1st wife after a debilitating accident…like McCain – has a loving dedicated family. Can you really fake a good personal life like that if you weren’t for real? I DONT THINK SO. Plus – again – look at his record. He didn’t accept a salary either for his service in the Olympics or as a Governor. He was basically a VOLUNTEER. Not like Huckabee who had 6 ethics violations while in office with personal money matters.
I think you need to do some homework and stop listening to John McCain’s political Machine at work in the Liberal Media.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
McCain had a squadron of what 1000…big deal. His daddy being an Admiral didn’t have anything to do with it. I’m sure he made his own way….. Just what we need another navey military guy to be Pres. The last time we had a navey guy was Jimmy Carter and he made us safe….hey! Also was good for the economy. Obama raised how much in January…..Clinton has how much money……No one wants to be Pres more that McCain except Hillary. Women will flock to her when they see that old grumpy, sleasy, unhandsome man get mean with her. Hello Pres Hillary Clinton. She has my vote.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I think that if Huckabee is truly commited to his ideas and standards than he needs to dropout and endorse someone who has a chance, that would be Romney. Maybee McCain is paying Huckabee just to stay in, after all Huckabee is really short on cash. Any vote for Huckabee really goes to McCain. I think Huckabee is in it for the money or fame or power, and that is obvious by him staying in the race and not supporting the ideals he pushes.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:42 am
To keep saying “Evangelicals flock to Huckabee” is to repeat a lie.
55% of evangelicals in IOWA (the state Huck won) voted against him. It’s actually MORE factual to state that evangelicals voted AGAINST Huckabee than to say that they handed him a win. On the other hand, Mormons out in Wyoming and Nevada voted overwhelmingly for Mitt, but no one’s highlighted that fact…
Quit hammering that point; it’s a lame and inaccurate one.