The Case for John McCain

The Case for John McCain

On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.   Back in 2000, US Senator John McCain ran in the GOP primaries against George W. Bush.  He resumed his quest for the Presidency in 2007.     One could make the argument that both men were running for president well before the 2008 election cycle actually began.

            Now are at the point of final decision.    Many voters in “early voting states” have already cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.  The undecided voters are still yet to weigh in, along with Democrats, Republican and Unaffiliated voters in 50 states across the United States.    The pundits, polls and conventional wisdom say that Barack Obama has won the election.   In fact, the Obama campaign is building a huge stage and preparing for “world victory party” event in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.   But don’t count John McCain out just yet.

            Here is the case for John McCain:  First, he is well versed and experienced in military affairs and foreign policy.   With 22 years of military experience in the US Navy, 6 years of brutal imprisonment in the Hanoi Hilton, and his time of service on the US Senate Armed Services Committee, John McCain has been involved in every major foreign policy and military decision over the past 25 years.    As the Commander in Chief, this hands on experience really matters.    Senator Obama simply lacks the experience, judgment and resolve in military and foreign policy matters.

            Secondly, Senator McCain has demonstrated a conservative perspective in the selection of judges, yet he has maintained a pragmatic approach in the US Senator.   He as worked with Democrat and Republican presidents to confirm the most qualified judicial appointments.    John McCain supported Justices Alito and Roberts.    And he was part of the Gang of 14 that was composed on 7 Democrats and 7 Republican Senators that helped break the partisan logjam that was holding up judicial confirmations.

            Thirdly, John McCain is a maverick.  He has challenged his own Republican party, the President of the United States and the Democrats on the other side of the isle.   He has also worked with members of his party and the opposition Democrats when compromise was necessary to move a difficult issue forward.    Was he always successful?  No, but he did make progress on many issues.   Did McCain challenge the status quo?   Yes, but not without being criticized by his own GOP colleagues and Democrat Senators.  As for Senator Obama, his has a very thin resume of accomplishment in the US Senate.    He has been too busy running for higher office to actually get things done in the US Senate.

            The fourth reason for electing the Maverick from Arizona is that, John McCain has made friends and his share of enemies.   Both friends and enemies respect and know who John McCain is.    Not a perfect person, but an accomplished American.  A man who still goes to the nursing home to visit former Congressman Mo Udall, a fellow Arizonian who reached across the isle to help the younger candidate McCain over 40 years ago.  Senator Obama on the other hand his an interesting web of “friends’, who tend to be on the radical left of the American politic, and when these “friends” are not politically expedient, they are cast aside in favor of Obama’s ambition and looking good.

            The fifth reason is John McCain’s position supporting the culture of life.   From his pro-life record, to his family’s adoption of those less fortunate, Senator McCain has made the case for the human and civil rights of those youngest and least cared for in American.   His answer to Rick Warner’s question about when the human rights begin for an unborn child was straightforward.   In contrast, Barack Obama tried to dodge one of the most critical civil rights question of our day by responding that a clear answer from him was above his pay grade.    Really?

            Finally, John McCain is a reformer and advocate of lower government spending.   He has proposed a spending freeze at the Federal level and he has targeted Congressional earmarks and pork barrel spending.    In the first Presidential debate, Senator Obama couldn’t answer the “what programs or initiatives would you cut or delay?” question from PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer.   Senator Obama has no clear record of reform as an elected official, nor has he stood up to his own party on issues of reform (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Congressional earmarks, unlimited amounts of campaign dollars or government corruption).     John McCain has taken on reform issues from campaign finance, to immigration to the reform of Fannie Mae.    Along with Governor Sarah Palin, a President McCain will reform the broken culture of overspending in Washington.

            The case for John McCain is solid and strong.    While his opponent is well spoken and smooth, he lacks what John McCain has: credible authenticity to be entrusted as the President of the United States.

© 2008, Four Corners Media, Jasper Welch  www.jasperwelch.org

Mr. Smooth vs. the Maverick: 1st part of Debate #2

Nashville, Tennessee. Tuesday October 7, 2008. A town hall format for the Presidential debate.  NBC’s Tom Brokaw, from the MSM legacy media, is serving as the moderator.  Brian Williams, the new MSM news guy at NBC is still miffed that he wasn’t selected to moderate.  Can’t even get an interview with Sarah Palin.  But we are here for the Presidential debate.

For the Dems, Mr. Smooth, the young politician from south Chicago.    Running an insurgency campaign, following the Independents model created in the University of Chicago, south side elite and African American neighborhoods.    For the GOP, the Maverick from Arizona, the warrior who has been through many tough times, including his present political challenge to catch up with Mr. Smooth.   This is the second time in the boxing ring for both candidates.

            Expectations are high.   Can the Maverick change the debate and get his momentum back?   Can Mr. Smooth satisfy the doubters?  Can he appear Presidential enough to win the election?   Will the format favor the Maverick?

            First question from Allen, what about retirees?  Mr. Smooth says the economic problems are someone else’s fault, which is the “last eight years of Bush”.   The standard line.  Good politics, but not the actual cause of the problem.  Doesn’t matter, Mr. Smooth is trying to get elected.   The Maverick announces a proposed program for the US Treasury to buy up failing mortgages so homeowners can stay in the their houses.   What?    Another multi-hundred billion-government program?  Both agree that Warren Buffet knows more about the economy and investing than either Presidential candidate knows.  Let’s go to the next question.

            Back to THE economy.  Brokaw is trying to stay in charge, but the candidates keep ignoring the lights.   It will be a problem all night: windy answers to questions.   But remember, these guys are running for president, and there are millions of Americans watching.  They need all the time they can get.  Walter has a prepared question:  What can be done to help the average American?  

            The Maverick is ready.  It is a rescue, not a bailout.   I went back to Washington to speak for the taxpayer.   How did we get here?   Problems at Freddie and Fannie.   I stood up to the lax oversight and looming problems.  Mr. Smooth over here, he took a hike.   McCain went after Obama!  New tone in debate.  Will it work?  Is it too late to slow down Mr. Smooth?

            Mr. Smooth responds.  I’ve got to correct the Maverick.   It is the fault of deregulation.   Plus I wrote letters to the Secretary of Treasury and the Federal Reserve. Wrote letters?   Do you sponsor and champion any legislation?  No, Obama sponsored none.  But that critical piece of information is left unsaid by the Smooth One.

            MSM legacy media guy:  Can the economy get much worse?   Good question, given that the stock market has lost 4,000 points (or 25% since the summer).  Mr. Smooth is on a tightrope.   His campaign instinct is to say Yes, but he realizes that he might be elected President and has to actually lead soon.  So the Smooth One said that we need to help people, and then he ran through a couple more prepared lines.  Folks trust Mr. Smooth on the economy?  I’m still trying to figure out why.  Neither candidate has been in business.  They can talk about it (THE economy), but don’t really understand it completely.  Hopefully their advisors will.  

            The Maverick was next on the economy question.   We need to stabilize the mortgage and housing market.  For someone who is not supposed to understand the economy, the former Naval Officer was sounding like he got it.   He mentioned that he and a group of Senators sent a letter on the mortgage issue, but that Mr. Smooth didn’t have his name on it.   Both candidates are getting testy, and the Maverick is getting to Mr. Smooth’s calm demeanor.

            Next question by Teresa:  How can we trust either of you with our money?   Considering the credit and financial crisis, this is an excellent question.

Mr. Smooth tries the emotional connection with an “I feel your pain” approach.  Then he proceeds to blame Bush.  It is his fault.   No one is innocent, (except for Mr. Smooth, but that is beside the point).   So let’s spend (government) money?  Have an energy plan?  Even make spending cuts?   What, actually cut spending?  A Democrat?   But then Mr. Smooth qualifies it: A net spending cut?     So we’ll raise taxes, but cut some spending, and that is a ‘net spending cut’?    A new Washington phrase is added to the liberal tax and spend lexicon.

            The Maverick weighs in.   Washington broken.   But I have been in the Swamp trying to reform the place.   Then he delivers a rehearsed line:  Let’s look at the record and well as our rhetoric.    Check out the third party watchdog groups and you’ll see the difference between Mr. Smooth and me.   Then the Maverick went after Mr. Smooth for spending, raising taxes, earmarks and not challenging the leadership in the Democratic Party.     Mr. Smooth is thinking about what could be the next question.  Can they ask about health care now?

            The MSM legacy media guy changes in the subject.  Mr. Smooth is relieved, as the economy was supposed to be his strong suit.   The question for the MSM news anchor: Health Care, Social Security and Energy Policy.  What are your priorities?  

            The Maverick jumps in.  We need to sit down, with the Democrats and the Republicans and fix these problems.   Back to the citizen questioner,  “Al, all three are important.”  And the GOP Energy policy is “all of the above”.   And get rid of earmarks.   The anti-pork crusader has to get that in.   Not a strong answer, but kept pressing Mr. Smooth on spending.   

            Mr. Smooth uses the bullet point approach.   Good debate skills.  We need to prioritize.   Energy independence is number one.   Health care is #2, and Education is #3.  The smooth one said he’d go through the budget line by line.  Really?  The Federal budget?  A flicker of hope, but it was dashed, as Mr. Smooth had to counter his opponent with some class warfare remarks.   The Smooth One brushed off earmarks.    Just doesn’t want to talk about his $928 million in earmarks for Illinois here, in a debate, with millions watching.

            The MSM legacy media moderator is really getting hot under the collar with the Presidential candidates not following the carefully negotiated rules of debate engagement.   Both candidates comply like a youngster obeys his grandmother.    They are trying, but just can’t stay within the time limits.  Finally the veteran newscaster asked a penetrating question: What sacrifices will you, as President, ask of the American people?    Hmmm.  Both candidates quickly begin to search for the debate prep answers.

            The Maverick is ready.  He understands sacrifice. The question, while economic, is on his turf of service above self.   We need to eliminate some government programs.   (Finally, an answer that is less government, not more!).   He cited examples of taking on Boeing air tanker deal. And said that “all government spending” has be looked at for making cuts.   And he reiterates his proposal for a spending freeze.   Advocates full transparency and eliminating earmarks.   Most ordinary Americans are wondering why it took a financial crises to have Congress operate with some fiscal sense and restraint?

            Mr. Smooth goes back to 911.    I guess that is the only national crisis he has seen in his lifetime. Talked about how the country came together. But then back into Bush bashing.  Mr. Smooth again criticized Bush (his favorite punching bag) about him asking American’s to “go shopping” in response to 911.  I guess this reference by Mr. Smooth was supposed to indicate that this was a “lame thing for a President to do”?   If he were President after 911, he’d advocate pubic service?  Sounds nice, but probably the “go shopping” presidential suggestion was pretty good (though corny) at the time.   Next, Mr. Smooth advocates for energy conservation and the doubling the Peace Corps.   His delivery is very smooth, yet his positions are slippery at the same time.  But what about some specifics and how to sacrifice as individuals?   No matter, if Mr. Smooth said it, it will be just fine.   The MSM will see to that.

            The MSM legacy media guy is staying on the economy:  How to break the American consumer habits of debt and easy money? 

            Mr. Smooth responds that it starts in Washington.  Not just on spending the revenue side as well (read: raise taxes).   Mr. Smooth again brushed aside earmarks, saying they only total $18 Billion dollars a year.   What!  More money than many of the States and their entire annual budgets!    Then the Smooth One goes back to his class warfare arguments, including more taxing of CEO’s.   (There are only 500 of them, and this is the extent of your tax policy?    Just bashing the CEO guy, who may actually be creating jobs and economic growth?  No matter, Mr. Smooth is trying to get elected with smooth rhetoric.   It appears to be working.).  Somehow that helps the poor?    And, he disagrees with the Maverick on a spending freeze.    Big spending tendencies are in Mr. Smooth’s political DNA.

            The Maverick pounces:  “Trying to nail down Senator Obama’s tax policies is like trying to nail Jell-O® to the wall”.   Finally a zinger!  He continues that now is not the time to raise taxes.  Leave the tax rates alone.   We can afford to tax small businesses in an adverse way. 

            Mr. Smooth is squirming.   Just got pounded on his pro-tax, big spending anti-business approach.   He tries to interrupt, but is cautioned by the MSM legacy media guy.

            To be continued…. 

Tie Goes to the Runner

Tie Goes to the Runner   Prez Debate 9.27.08   jazzman3

In baseball, the tie goes to the runner.   At this point, the first one-on-one debate in the 2008 Presidential race, the runner is John McCain and the 1^st baseman is Barack Obama.  Senator McCain is stretching to win the race, while Senator Obama is holding on to stay in the race.  According the left leaning MSM, the script calls for Senator Obama to continue his soaring campaign all the way into the White House.  The Republican nominee, Senator John McCain is not supposed to be this competitive in the Presidential horse race.  Can’t he just fade away like the last Republican war hero, former US Senator Bob Dole?   However, this 2008 Republican nominee is looking presidential and the Democratic candidate is looking for more experience, as reflected in his VP pick of Senator Joe Biden.

In this first debate, both men held their own generally in the debate.  But the real goal is not who won the debate (that the MSM naturally gave to Senator Obama), but which candidate looked presidential and ready to lead the United States of America?   To me Obama knew about the subjects and was well prepared for the debate, but McCain really knows the world and he is well prepared to be President.     This is what will convince the US voter…is this guy ready to be the President?

Based on Senator Obama’s own words, “John you are absolutely right on that”, the junior Senator from Illinois was the follower as he acknowledged the Senator from Arizona articulate his position on the issues.   Byron York noted that Senator Obama make this statement of acknowledgement eight (8) times during the Friday night presidential debate www.nationalreview.com   There was plenty of disagreement during the debate, but it was clear that McCain’s experience, judgment and determination was substantial as compared to Obama’s smooth and well rehearsed subject matter answers.

Both men weighed into the debate with vigor, resolve and determination, as the national stage was set to discuss the issues.     The moderator, PBS newsman Jim Lehrer made the decision to have the presidential candidates respond to each other, in addition to answering the questions.    In a sense the Mr. Lehrer was also a winner in the debate, as his approach kept the topic and responses by the candidates more spontaneous, and less rehearsed.  

Three areas stand out in this debate:  Taxes and spending, the war in Iraq and dealing with the rouge nations of the world.   Moderator Jim Lehrer asked each candidate, based on the potential cost of the financial bail out, what would each man do in response in terms of the Federal budget?   Senator Obama wavered as he realized that with less tax revenues at the Federal level, many of his spending priorities would be in jeopardy.  But where to cut, that was beyond his experience and way of thinking.    Senator McCain on the other hand, weighed right in with suggesting a freeze on US government spending, with exceptions for national defense, veterans and some entitlements. 

Both candidates differ on the war on Iraq.   Barack Obama built his political career and campaign at the national level on an anti-war position, regardless of the consequences or situation on the ground in Iraq.    John McCain, on the other hand, took the approach that while war is something to avoid and only to be engaged in as the last resort, we better get the mission accomplished in Iraq, and leave with victory, honor and dignity.   McCain knew his bracelet, it’s story and the young man’s name whom he committed to his mother that his battlefield sacrifice was not in vain.  Obama quickly responded that he had a bracelet to, but struggled to remember the young man’s name.   He knew the reason he wore it for the soldier’s mom, but in a political way that supports his anti-war position.

Then the question of what to do with Iran came up, and the contrasts of the candidates became even clearer.  Senator Obama wove a delicate set a statements as he backed away from his primary campaign position of “I’ll talk to anyone and anytime, with out preconditions”.   Senator McCain schooled the younger senator in diplomacy 101, making the airtight case for preconditions prior to the US President meeting with any rouge state or enemy head of state.   While Obama was ready for the Presidential debate, McCain came across as ready to be the President of the United States.    He looks like he is now off and running to 2^nd base, the site of the October 7^th Presidential debate.

© 2008, Four Corners Media, Durango, CO