Thursday, July 24, 2008

• JOHN McCAIN’S PECULIAR PATH ALONG THE ELECTION TRAIL

What has been happening inside the McCain campaign bus? In an election where his competition has absolutely no record of accomplishment from which to proclaim evidence of policy position, or statement of fervent compassion, McCain is flailing like a novice rather than a confident career statesman.

Silly and awkward jabs at Obama's positions, whether these are flip-flops or back-trackings, … or not, make McCain look unbecoming. Most of the electorate probably forgives his momentary lapses when he says Iran while meaning Iraq, or vice versa, however his appearing out of touch with the sentiments of taxpayers is unlikely to harvest votes. His stance on Iraq has shown a particular lack of sensitivity to his public’s sentiments. The deep feelings of American taxpayers, which have been sensed by everyone from Hong Kong to Dubai, seem to have skirted the neurons of most members of the Republican Party.

Admittedly, Obama presents a fresh face for consideration by the body politic, and his rhetoric of hope is obviously a performance that resonates with most media and a broad base of taxpayers. Even with the Republicans’ peculiar and almost idiosyncratic lack of perception, the polls indicate that McCain is close to Obama in support, and gaining, even leading in some critical states. Given current attitudes toward the Bush White House, a closeness in the polls brings into question Obama's ability to win this election. Strangely, it also brings into question the Republican Party’s intent. Does the Republican Party really want McCain to win?

The national debt, the public’s debt, the war, and a sagging economy, all present the next Presidency with a no-win position. Republicans may have decided to surrender the next four years in the knowledge that they will have a much more receptive audience in 2012. In the meantime, McCain is enjoying the ride, although he should enjoy it with a little more evidence of the mettle his reputation was founded on.

6 comments:

  1. Exactly, and I have one more hypothesis. I am beginning to suspect that John McCain does not deep down really want to be president himself. He basically stumbled into presumptive status. His campaign is heading from lackluster to laughable and sadly to ludicrous. I admire and respect John McCain. I WILL vote for him in November. Although I'm a Democrat, I will NEVER vote for Barack Obama even though a like some of his ideas. I just do not trust him period. I only hope John McCain gets comfortable again enough to really connect the way he used to a 'town hall' meetings from New Hampshire to Villa Nova. I hope we all get to see that side of John McCain. Is he subconsciously undermining his candidacy for the same reasons the Republican party may be ceding the next four ''impossible'' years?

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  2. Could not agree more, Disaster waits.

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  3. The "respectability" of John McCain seems to be his perennial trump card in the media. Unfortunately, that, in and of itself, does not a good president make. He's not only old physically, he's old intellectually and in terms of political vision. Current American society has passed him and the GOP by. And neither seem capable of understanding that nor adapting to it. Both simply react in old ideological ways. This is not 2001 nor 1980. The world and US citizenry have actually evolved in the past 7 years. They've outgrown Bush, Cheney, McCain and the GOP. Fear-mongering is no longer effective, especially when the solutions to "terrorism" at home have pretty much come down to "let's inconvenience the hell out of folks" but at the end of the day, not really make them safer. People are worried about their homes and their jobs--in short, their daily existence. And the GOP have done well in these areas... by supporting the top 1% of the population. The next president will not be in any enviable position relative to these issues. There will be pain all round given the spending of the past few years. But like all administrations, both Democrat and Republican, there comes a time when everyone has had enough. The Democrats got their comeuppance in the 1990s and since. Now it's time for the GOP to taste the electoral whip. And for all you wishful thinkers, 2012 is not going to be terribly favorable for the GOP either. It is going to be politically cold for some years to come. Put on your parkas.

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  4. Anon 1 - so you are voting for McCain 'cause as a democrat you believe there should be more wars my friend, more tax breaks for the wealthy, more conservative judges, etc? Cause you just don't trust Obama? He is so untrustworthy he graduated with honors from Harard law school. Is there something missing in your stated reasoning for not voting for Obama?

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  5. I'm a Republican and will be voting for Obama. McCain has betrayed Republican ideals as badly as W has. "Tax and Spend" is a terrible way to run a government. Yet W runs our country by "Tax Cut and Spend Anyway" and it's nearly bankrupted us. McCain should repudiate this and he refuses to. So I'll repudiate him.

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  6. Republican here who would NEVER vote for McCain. Speaking of mistrust, he doesn't appear to trust his own intuition, nor does he appear to have his faculties at times. I had enough of the past and want to try something new. It will be refreshing to have finally someone who can eloquently speak than have a President who is the brunt of jokes as no #1. Respect is what we deserve and what we tragically lost by a group of "experienced" bozos current or those who "stepped" down after making a mess of a war, economy, our reputation. No my friends,, this time I will vote my conscience and not my party and I only hope droves will join me to win back our good reputation that this bozo and crew DESTROYED around the WORLD!

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