No Runny Eggs

OK, it’s still early, the emotions haven’t even subsided to being generously considered “raw”. Even so, it’s time to start thinking about tomorrow and what we will do now that the last person with any hint of conservative credentials has dropped out of the race. Do we now just rally around McCain because the party says so? Do we sit this one out? Do we go to the dark side and vote for the Dem just so that the Republicans don’t get all the mud?

Let me offer this for some mashing and hashing on. Think of it as part of your cathartic process:

I’m beginning to think (and I’ll grant you I haven’t finished my creative using of foul language each time I hear McCain use the phrase “My Friend!”) that our best bet might in fact be to get behind McCain.

Before Steve bans my posting privileges forever, let me explain. I think we can all agree that McCain is as close to the squishy middle as you can be and still be a Republican. I think it’s also apparent that McCain has a fairly strong following among certain parts of the Rat brigades. I think this Rat following could, especially if Hill is the Dem candidate, put a decent amount of support for McCain from the Rats. If McCain got that support and got the support of the conservative R’s, I think there is a chance he could win the November contest in what would be considered a landslide.

Assuming the above, can we use McCain the way he has been using us? Can we take his win and leverage it for a win for conservatives?   Let’s face it, the Senate and House races are going to be terribly important this year. In fact, they may be even more important if McCain gets in. They may be the groups that keep McCain holding any level of conservative principle. I believe that if McCain wins and does so in a way that I lay out i.e. large margins, he could have some decent coat tails to use in the districts that kicked the R’s out last election. Most of those districts tossed the R’s out on relatively narrow margins. Would there be enough good will with McCain to rebalance the House and keep the Senate from becoming any worse?

Could this be the silver lining?

There’s an old story about two guys who are out hiking in the woods.   Long into their hike, in the deepest part of the woods, they stumble upon a bear.   The startled bear turns and begins to growl at the two men giving every indication that it  is about to charge.   Immediately, the first of the two men sits down, takes a new pair of high quality running shoes out of his backpack and starts putting them on.   The second man looked incredulously at the first man  says, "What are you doing?   You can’t out run that bear!"   The second man replies matter of factly, "I don’t have to, I just have to out run you!"  

OK this is an old joke but it seems to sum up John McCain’s approach to winning the Republican nomination.   McCain’s shenanigan’s in WV show that if he can’t win outright he’ll do whatever he needs to make sure that Romney gets eaten by the bear!  

Some of you folks may find McCain’s tactic in WV surprising although I can’t imagine why.   McCain has shown on numerous occasions that his need to be in the MSM spotlight far outweighs any sense of team or camaraderie, at least with anyone that would be considered conservative.   Off the top of your head, can you name any legislation that McCain sponsored that didn’t include one of the most liberal of liberals as a cosponsor?   McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Lieberman, McCain/Feingold?  

Anyone who thinks that a "President" McCain will reach across the aisle (to the right!) or move towards the right are living with greater H.O.P.E. than the staunchest Obama supporter.

While I tend to feel strongly about positions I take, I try to ensure that emotion doesn’t come into play until I’ve made a sound decision.   This is why I’ve been puzzled by why I have such a strong aversion to John McCain as the potential Republican nominee when I hear that the American Conservative Union (ACU) has given him a lifetime rating of 82.3.   Is it possible that I’ve gotten myself wrapped up in the McCain derangement rather than doing a thoughtful analysis?   After looking at the ACU it turns out that like most things McCain has said lately, while the fact snippet is true, there is much more to the story.

McCain does indeed have a lifetime rating of 82.3 from the ACU.   However, his recent ratings tell a different story.   In 2005 McCain’s rating was 80, still not bad.   In 2006 McCain’s rating dropped to 65.   Why has McCain dropped?

One might say that McCain’s drop is somehow related to issues that are peculiar to his representation of the people of Arizona.   One might say that, but if they do they would have to ask McCain’s Arizona counterpart, Senator Kyle why he has a lifetime rating of 96.9, a 2005 rating of perfect 100 and a 2006 rating of 80.   Obviously the issue isn’t representation of Arizona residents.   No, Senator McCain’s issue is that in 2006 he decided to vote against positions that are solidly conservative.

Everyone is aware that McCain went AWOL regarding the amnesty issue but does anyone remember that in July of last year McCain voted against the building of the border fence?   Oh yeah, I forgot, he’s learned his lesson now!

How about taxes?   I can’t figure out whether McCain is for or against Bush’s tax cuts.   He seems to dance around the issue each time it is asked.   Does anyone remember when McCain voted for a Senate bill that would have increased the number of votes required to LOWER TAXES from a simple majority to 60 votes?   Does this really sound like someone who thinks tax cuts are important?

How about prolife?   McCain’s record is consistently conservative when it comes to abortion.   However, in my book, prolife issues also extend to embryonic research.   I find it hard to reconcile being prolife but accepting the use of embryonic stem cells.   At the very least, embryonic stem cell research should not be funded by the federal government.   Yup, that would be the consistent prolife position but it’s not McCain’s.   McCain voted FOR the bill that allowed the use of federal funds for embryonic research.   I could go on with other examples of McCain’s recent lack of conservatism but I won’t.   The nauseating details can be found here:   http://www.acuratings.org/2006senate.htm

So why do I think I’m schizophrenic when thinking of McCain’s lifetime ACU ratings and his non-conservative rap?   The answer is I’m not, he is!   While having a lifetime rating that is not perfect but is acceptable, during the most recent 18 months his liberal leanings have become more apparent.   When the likes of Chuck Hagel and Norm Coleman have better ACU ratings than you do I think it’s safe to say that you’ve left the conservative wing of the party!  

Revisions/extensions (5:11 pm 2/4/2008; steveegg) – Fixed some formatting issues.