Why so much McCain hate?

[Az-at-hoth]

Seriously, all I see in reference to McCains name here is stuff like "lesser of two evils", "not a true conservative", "death of the GOP".

What I don't see is any reason for the abuse. Few posts that I've seen state why they dislike him, or states what they would prefer his platform to be.

Honestly, he has many positive qualities; war hero, supporter of campaign reform, enemy of pork-barrel legislation; but I haven't seen many people discuss these.

This man will most likely be the GOP candidate for POTUS, instead of bashing him, contact him and explain your qualms. Its easy to bash something or someone, rather than admit you don't care enough to do something about it.

[MicroBalrog]

1. Being a war hero does not a better President or legislator make.

2. Many conservatives opposed and continue to oppose the McCain-Feingold Act.

[Az-at-hoth]

1. Being a war hero does not a better President or legislator make.

Granted, war hero does not = perfect legislator, but it speaks to his character, just as Hillary lying about her trip to the Balkans speaks to her character.

2. Many conservatives opposed and continue to oppose the McCain-Feingold Act.

Just because your associates oppose something means its a bad idea? Not just campaign reform is needed, the whole "money talks" attitude in Washington needs to be fixed.

[Lennyjoe]

Mc Cain has alot of good qualities but he has some bad as well. 

Though he has served his country well, he is weak on several areas.  Economy for one, immigration for another. 

I like McCain because he's tough on defending our nation.  Not giving in to the terrorist or their supporters.  He'll deal with them if need be.  Not like the other candidates. 

Unfortunately, he's weak on immigration.  Wants to grant immunity and all.  Being from Arizona i would think he'd have good knowledge of what illegals are doing to the economy, crime, health care ect.  But he's still wanting to grant immunity to those here against the law.  Not fair for those that have worked hard for citizenship. 

I, like you (I'm assuming by your name) lived in Arizona for 7 years and have seen how the illegals are impacting that state.  Not only in the city but out along the border as well.  Terrible thing to see.

Lesser of two evils means we will have to give in on immigration if McCain wins.  We gain a strong national defense with him but give away other things like the immigration issue and possible economic shortfalls unless he hires a good cabinet. 

[The Annoyed Man]

Seriously, all I see in reference to McCains name here is stuff like "lesser of two evils", "not a true conservative", "death of the GOP".

What I don't see is any reason for the abuse. Few posts that I've seen state why they dislike him, or states what they would prefer his platform to be.

Honestly, he has many positive qualities; war hero, supporter of campaign reform, enemy of pork-barrel legislation; but I haven't seen many people discuss these.

This man will most likely be the GOP candidate for POTUS, instead of bashing him, contact him and explain your qualms. Its easy to bash something or someone, rather than admit you don't care enough to do something about it.

Why I dislike McCain:

McCain-Feingold is anti-free speech
Immigration double-talk
Believes federal government is the solution to every problem
Arrogant and has a temper
Consummate politician
Fiscally irresponsible, despite talking about pork barrel spending

[Manedwolf]

Don't forget that he just declared that the global warming scam is "real".

[LadySmith]

His character has not been attacked so much here, I believe, but his politics leave a lot to be desired.
His actions betrayed conservatives. His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans. His stance on immigration betrayed his home base of AZ and possibly the majority of Americans.

He's coming across as merely an extension of the current kakocracy.

[Manedwolf]

His character has not been attacked so much here, I believe, but his politics leave a lot to be desired.
His actions betrayed conservatives. His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans. His stance on immigration betrayed his home base of AZ and possibly the majority of Americans.

He's coming across as merely an extension of the current kakocracy.

Yes. As I said, this leaves us a choice of four years of infuriating, but survivable stupidity, or a hardcore Marxist who is weak on defense and who could actually break everything that makes America...America.

[MicroBalrog]

Now, now, Manedwolf. I'm not sure that McCain is all that 'survivable'. Oh, of course there won't be major war, or Muslim radicals taking over America, and so on.

But think of this: Everything that went wrong in the last 8 years, the MSM have blamed on Bush and "conservatism", even where Bush and the Republicans have done demonstrably non-conservative things. Even now they crow about the 'crisis of conservatism', whining that 'conservatives had power, and look how they screwed it all up'.

Nevermind it's not true.

People believe that.

Now imagine eight more years of RINO - and guys like you taking the blame for anything that goes wrong.

It may not kill the country, but it'll kill US conservatism for decades. It'll be as if Goldwater and Reagan never were born.

[The Annoyed Man]

His character has not been attacked so much here, I believe, but his politics leave a lot to be desired.
His actions betrayed conservatives. His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans. His stance on immigration betrayed his home base of AZ and possibly the majority of Americans.

He's coming across as merely an extension of the current kakocracy.

Yes. As I said, this leaves us a choice of four years of infuriating, but survivable stupidity, or a hardcore Marxist who is weak on defense and who could actually break everything that makes America...America.

Chip away at America or crack her in half. Those seem to be the choices. Neither is palatable.

[Manedwolf]

His character has not been attacked so much here, I believe, but his politics leave a lot to be desired.
His actions betrayed conservatives. His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans. His stance on immigration betrayed his home base of AZ and possibly the majority of Americans.

He's coming across as merely an extension of the current kakocracy.

Yes. As I said, this leaves us a choice of four years of infuriating, but survivable stupidity, or a hardcore Marxist who is weak on defense and who could actually break everything that makes America...America.

Chip away at America or crack her in half. Those seem to be the choices. Neither is palatable.

I do not want to have to invest in empty surplus mortar containers and large quantities of cosmoline, let's say that.

[The Annoyed Man]

His character has not been attacked so much here, I believe, but his politics leave a lot to be desired.
His actions betrayed conservatives. His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans. His stance on immigration betrayed his home base of AZ and possibly the majority of Americans.

He's coming across as merely an extension of the current kakocracy.

Yes. As I said, this leaves us a choice of four years of infuriating, but survivable stupidity, or a hardcore Marxist who is weak on defense and who could actually break everything that makes America...America.

Chip away at America or crack her in half. Those seem to be the choices. Neither is palatable.

I do not want to have to invest in empty surplus mortar containers and large quantities of cosmoline, let's say that.

Unfortunately, we are not charting the course this ship is on.

[Az-at-hoth]

His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans.

That statement reveals a flaw in American politics: its us against them. Its not. Both political parties are American political parties. Efforts at bipartisan legislation are not inherently bad ideas. And in reference to the economics issue, that is the idea behind the cabinet, to fill in gaps in the Presidents expertise. As for immigration, remember that complete amnesty for all "undocumented migrants" is probably never going to happen. But the citizenship process could be streamlined a bit, in my opinion.

[Manedwolf]

His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans.

That statement reveals a flaw in American politics: its us against them. Its not. Both political parties are American political parties. Efforts at bipartisan legislation are not inherently bad ideas. And in reference to the economics issue, that is the idea behind the cabinet, to fill in gaps in the Presidents expertise. As for immigration, remember that complete amnesty for all "undocumented migrants" is probably never going to happen. But the citizenship process could be streamlined a bit, in my opinion.

The ultra-left is anything but American. They truly hate all the good that America stands for, blame it for all the world's problems, and actively campaign for its destruction and a remake into something like Chavez's Venezuela. I do not consider that American.

When a group of people are actively trying to destroy my rights, forcibly take my earned money and give to to those who didn't earn it, and invade further and further into my life because they think they know how to live it better than I do, yes, it is "us vs. them".

[The Annoyed Man]

His eagerness to cultivate friendships with Democratic foes of conservatives betrayed Republicans.

That statement reveals a flaw in American politics: its us against them. Its not. Both political parties are American political parties. Efforts at bipartisan legislation are not inherently bad ideas. And in reference to the economics issue, that is the idea behind the cabinet, to fill in gaps in the Presidents expertise. As for immigration, remember that complete amnesty for all "undocumented migrants" is probably never going to happen. But the citizenship process could be streamlined a bit, in my opinion.

SHOULD be streamline - I am a naturalized citizen and the process is idiotic.

[roo_ster]

Oh, heck, I was a-gonna reply with specifics, but MW, LS , & LJ nailed it.

Note, none of our problems with McCain are of the core character issues.  They are with his policies and methods.

One last: McCain wants to "Close the gun show 'loophole.'"

I bet he would sign an AWB in a NY minute.

[nico]

I bet he would sign an AWB in a NY minute.

He has said he would sign it under the right circumstances (ie: he thinks he has something to gain).

I'll echo what others have said.  Noone here (as far as I've seen) is questioning his military record.  But his political record leaves much to be desired. 

I'm not completely sure that a McCain presidency would be better than an obama/clinton presidency (maybe with a dem in the Whitehouse the republicans would grow a pair again), but, since i live in a solidly blue state I have the luxury of not voting for him and knowing my vote means absolutely nothing

[MechAg94]

I agree that McCain has his flaws.  I just can't bring myself to vote for the others two or to not vote and allow one of the other two to win.  McCain's negatives are easier to live with than the other choice. 

IMO, the terrorist types in the world were surprised at Bush's reaction to 911 and such and have been in hiding or at least more low key.  If we get a weak President who just wants to talk to everyone and not take action, I fully expect the terrorist types to attempt to come back into their former strength and actions.  I am not sure if Obama is that weak type or not, but I am afraid he is. 

[JimMarch]

Let's see...

* Poor on civil liberties issues;

* A major drug warrior (see item one above - the "War On (Some) Drugs" is still a bigger civil liberties liability than the "War On (Some) Terror" - see also the whole concept of "no knock raids" (gee, people's lives are worth less than some flushed pot?);

* An idiot when it comes to high-tech issues - a corporate whore when it comes to net neutrality (do you want your ISP only delivering high-speed access to those websites that bribe them for access?);

* As corrupt as the day is long - has taken the term "in bed with lobbyists" to a whole 'nuther level (read: ACTUAL bed...);

* GOOGLE "KEATING FIVE" FOR PITY'S SAKE.  God almighty does anybody remember stuff that's older than the latest hit TV series?  Trust me, Obama is going to make serious hardcore hay out of this one, he's going to go so negative people will think he's a photographic darkroom employee...

* McCain-Feingold was a textbook example of how NOT to do campaign finance - don't forget, the VERY first suit files against it was by the NRA, not the ACLU (who were second in line).

On guns, he flip-flops around.  He's better than either Dem, true, but he can't be trusted.

Overall rating: pond scum with a bad tie.

[seeker_two]

Overall rating: pond scum with a bad tie.

I demand an apology for insult and slander on behalf of pond scum everywhere....

[Balog]

His ties are classy. Leave them out of this! 

[coppertales]

The term "war hero" is used much too loosely these days.  He did not do much more than I did in the Vietnam war except get captured.  McCain is not one of my favorite people but he is light years ahead of any of the dimokrats running for POTUS.......If you want to see this country go to socialism, vote third party and let the dims in....chris3

[longeyes]

It's not hate, it's aggravated dyspepsia.  Most of realize that at this juncture in American history we need a truly heroic figure to counter the massive cultural momentum of decline, we need a warrior for liberty.  McCain is, alas, not that man.  His record is one of compromise and collaboration, even pandering.  The only kind of "maverick" we need today is the kind of "freak" who would really believe in and fight passionately for the core values given us by our Founding Fathers.  Such souls exist but they are few and far between in contemporary politics, and the politicians have labored to make that so.  I think our future warriors will emerge from the world of communications, probably from the ranks of talk radio.

[The Annoyed Man]

I think our future warriors will emerge from the world of communications, probably from the ranks of talk radio.

I suspect you're referring to rightwing hate talk radio, manned by self appointed 'conservatives'.   The problem you have is that 'conservatism' since RR has been a disaster.  It has brought massive spending and debt, near destruction of the middle class, turned us into the largest debtor nation on earth, and damn near destroyed this country.   No, my friend, what we truly need is another Theodore Roosevelt.  If the downward trend continues, we'll need another FDR. And he will hardly come from the shallow self serving loudmouths on talk radio.

[longeyes]

We will agree to disagree on the level and nature of "rightwing" talk radio.  I wonder how familiar you really are with it.  If you know the work of Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Hugh Hewitt, Larry Elder, Laura Ingraham, and others you will realize your description is a distorted leftist-inspired stereotype.  My point is that the people who come from talk radio, in particular, know the issues and know how to communicate effectively.  They have already proven their effectiveness in beating back various illegal alien amnesty plans, to cite just one example.  We have heard a lot about Barack Obama's so-calld "eloquence;" he woulnd't stand a chance in a real debate with Larry Elder.

It wasn't the conservatives who brought about our debtor status.  I don't consider George Bush to be a conservative, and I doubt many here do.  It took a lot of Democratic and RINO Republicans to amass the kind of profligate spending we've indulged in for way too long.