Posts Tagged ‘John McCain’

Politics Daily has another list. This one details the largest change of hearts Republicans have had based on the changing political atmosphere. Basically it shows how many Republicans could care less about actual policy and are only concerned with the politics behind it. Here is the list and some highlights:

1. Financial disclosure: Republicans (including Mitch McConnell) once supported transparency as a means of stopping corruption. Now that idea would, according to McConnell, “Shred the Constitution.”

2. Cap-and-trade: It was the idea of free-market conservatives to allow people to buy the right to pollute. The first Bush administration used “emission trading” (cap-and-trade) to curb sulfur dioxide emissions. Now that it is unpopular, all Republicans who have supported it (McCain, Graham, etc.) oppose it.

3. Immigration: W. and Ted Kennedy had a plan. Eleven Republicans supported it and are still in office. Again McCain leads the charge in completely changing his mind. What a maverick.

4. Deficit Spending: Deficit spending was okay to support W.’s agenda, but not for the suffering unemployed.

5. Bipartisan deficit-reduction commission: Six Republicans who proposed the bill to create the commission voted against it. Purportedly because it might recommend raising taxes. Because we don’t need to raise funds if we want to reduce the deficit. Obama formed it anyway.

6. Individual insurance mandate: I’ve written before how this was a Republican idea. It was originally conceived of by free-market conservatives as a way to protect the private sector. Imagine that! The huge socialist plot to destroy our country was thought of by conservatives as a way to protect private industry. (I wonder if Dr will read this or just revert to socialist fear mongering.)

7. Medicare spending curbs: This is a fun one. The same Republicans that spread fear to the elderly (about this and death panels) wanted to do the same thing. McCain’s actually had a plan to cut $1.3 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid as a part of his 2008 campaign. But they saw the opportunity to scare old people (who vote) and jumped at it. What’s especially funny is that many conservatives originally opposed the entire notion of Medicare because, you know, it’s socialized medicine. But as soon as it became a good way to score points they had to defend it as though it were their only child. “Keep your government hands off my Medicare!”

This is an interesting list because many of this issues are still salient. As long as they think it is politically beneficial to vote no, they will continue to do so, regardless of what they believe the effect of a policy will actually be.

Enjoy Papi winning the Home Run Derby.

Adam Feser

John McCain and others have come out and said that Faisal Shahzad, who was arrested for attempting to set off a car bomb in Times Square, should not be read his Miranda rights. It’s a continuation among him and other Republicans in their attempt to make Obama look soft on terror (though his policies are quite similar to W., whose policy gets praised [not by me]).

I was shocked to see the conservative who disagrees. It’s Glenn Beck.

It’s not often I can stomach much he says, so I’m going to savor this one. Glenn and I agree: if you are an American, you must obey the Constitution, but you are also protected by it. You can’t just throw the Constitution out the window because a crime was really bad. It is there for a reason.

I know when I watch another hour of Glenn talking later, this moment will lose much of its glory. So I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. Good call, Glenn.

Enjoy this moment, it’s unlikely to be repeated.

Adam Feser

Mind blowing, isn’t it? Mr. Maverick himself now claims that he never considered himself a maverick. He never took pride in his ability to do what he thought was right as opposed to what the party thought. At least now that he’s in a primary with an opponent who is farther to the right with the support of those farther to the right, McCain is not a maverick. Here’s a John McCain-approved message about how unmavericky he is (via Politico):

Here’s McCain himself on how unmavericky he is (also via Politico):

Wait, that was in 2008 when it was politically helpful to distance himself from hardcore Republicans. Now it’s 2010 and it’s politically helpful to put himself with hardcore Republicans. It’s also helpful to say he’s always been that way. Basically, it’s helpful to just lie.

I personally don’t think he was or is such a maverick, and I damn sure know Palin wasn’t and isn’t a maverick (she was for that bridge to nowhere until it was unpopular). But I know McCain loved that title and claimed it all the time. To now claim he isn’t and never considered himself a maverick is just ridiculous.

Here’s a montage showing just how much he loved the term when he thought it was helpful:

Jon Stewart once loved John McCain. He had him on the show constantly and the two had a great time. But Jon and the Daily Show have seen that he no longer is the man they knew and loved, they also had their minds blown when he claimed he never thought of himself as a maverick:

I sort of think of this like a professional athlete that hangs on too long than ruins his storied career by being horrible. Old McCain is making me forget about anything I used to respect about Less Old McCain.

Enjoy the Masters Par 3 Contest.

Adam Feser

I wrote yesterday about McCain’s ridiculous threat and how silly it is to refuse to govern because you didn’t get your way. Well, Republicans have started their stand, and it is absolutely appalling.

They are shutting down committees using an overlooked rule of the Senate. If they were using Senate rules to shut down legislation they thought was bad or something, I maybe could respect it. But they are shutting down committees that are completely unrelated to health care.

They are doing it just to be dicks, and Democrats are calling them on it.

“Let me get this straight: in retaliation for our efforts to have an up-or-down vote to improve health care reform, Republicans are blocking an Armed Services committee hearing to discuss critical national security issues?” Jim Manley said as a spokesman for Harry Reid.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted today : “Disappointed. Rs refusing to allow hearings today. Had to cancel my oversight hearing on police training contracts in Afghanistan.”

Leahy, on the GOP shutting down judicial nominations:

For months, Senate Republicans have resisted efforts to enact important reforms to our health insurance system. But when the dust settles and the emotions are calmed, history will show that President Obama and this Congress responded to a pressing national issue, and proved once again that we can act with the purpose of advancing an important national interest. Sadly, actions like today’s objections from Senate Republicans to the consideration of a highly qualified, historic nominee will be viewed as little more than petty, partisan politics.

“The Senate should be a place for debate, but I cannot imagine how shutting down a hearing on helping homeless veterans has any part of the debate on the health insurance reform,” said Akaka. “I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues chose to hinder our common work to help end veteran homelessness.”

So, let me ask you, Republican health care reform haters, are you proud of the tactics Republicans are employing that have nothing to do with reform? Is this what you want them to do?

Enjoy a lot of old white dudes acting like three-year-olds.

Adam Feser

Senator John McCain, once a noted renegade maverick willing to go bipartisan, has decided to let sour grapes get in the way of doing his job.

“There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year. They have poisoned the well in what they’ve done and how they’ve done it.”

Mr. “Country First” has decided to put the country behind his hurt feelings, though he and other Republicans were provided plenty of opportunity to cooperate on this bill (and many of their ideas were included).

This is the type of crap you’d expect to see on the playground. He’s basically saying he will refuse to try and help govern America out of spite.

Or is it more like an old man yelling at kids on his grass? He certainly seems to be getting more and more crotchety. Perhaps it is time for Old Man McCain to retire.

You would think a statement like this would lead to a revolt, but, sadly, it will likely help him get reelected.

Enjoy the picture of McCain shaking his fist and waving his cane at those damned Democrats.

Adam Feser

Yesterday the Daily Show tackled the summit, and it was pretty good. As often happens, their main problem was with how the event was covered. The first video also has some nice highlights. The second video is Jon’s interview with Representative James Clyburn (R-SC), in which they discuss the summit. The third video is a great moment of zen which demonstrates how decent conversation has become shocking.

Enjoy one of the best moments of zen in history.

Adam Feser

Update – The Senate has included the public option with an opt-out clause in their bill. Public Option in Senate Bill

Democrats remain optimistic about the public option, and even John McCain accepts that it will pass. The main question now is what form it will take.

It is starting to seem likely that an opt-out clause will be included. This would allow states to opt out of the public option. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) seemed to favor this option. It is likely because this would allow him to appease both Democrats and his more conservative constituency.

It is also likely that there will eventually be a vote on the public option trigger based on economic conditions, which is an idea favored by the lone Republican that may vote in favor of the plan, Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

Regardless of where you stand on the public option and which type you like, there are a lot of interesting possibilities and parliamentary maneuvers coming. Which plan would be the most likely to get sixty votes in the Senate? Just how badly do they want Snowe on board? Will Blue Dog Democrats in the House have a bigger say than the more liberal contingent? It will be interesting to see how this shapes up.

Enjoy the myriad possibilities.

Adam Feser

I am a little surprised at this. President-elect Barack Obama wants Lieberman to caucus with the Democratic Party.

I was hoping they would give him the boot. Obama went in and endorsed Lieberman in a race Connecticut wishes it could do over then Lieberman sells him out. Remember when Lieberman said “is Obama a Marxist?” was a good question? Remember when he spoke at the Republican National Convention? He insulted Obama over and over again until he realized McCain was going to lose, then he started complimenting him. I would want this guy kicked out, even though he threatens to caucus with the GOP. Not what Obama wants.

Obama is apparently a bigger man than I am. He is ready to begin the reconciliation process. The changed he promised is already beginning. The Bush administration would force resignations for having dreams about disagreeing with their statements, but Obama wants to save (for the second time) someone who actively smeared him for months and months. Add one more trait to Obama’s already stellar repertoire: forgiving.

Here’s an article about it:

Obama on Lieberman

Enjoy the lame, lame, lame duck.

Yes we did.
Adam Feser

I promised myself I wouldn’t do it, not this year. I swore I wouldn’t believe in a victory until it was absolutely certain. But it’s been building for a while. Now I am almost positive that Obama is going to win tomorrow. I cannot see any way for McCain to possibly pull this off. This is what is scaring me.

I remember what happened four years ago. It was supposed to be a great night. The world was finally supposed to be corrected. Bush was going to be booted for screwing up the country. Kerry was going to bring some sanity back to the country. It was supposed to happen, but it didn’t.

That wasn’t the only thing, either. Somehow Tom Daschle, the most powerful politician South Dakota has had, lost to a neophyte. A neophyte that had lost to Tim Johnson.

I remember that night all too well. I was with my fellow believer, Trace McKellips. We were not yet of age, so we bought several bottles of sparkling grape juice in preparation, as well as various sodas and such. We wanted to be fully prepared to toast and toast and toast until our stomachs hurt from the sweet, sweet sparkling grape juice. But as the night went on, we realized that the toasts would be dark. Our stomachs would hurt, but not from grape juice. The dawn would come, but darkness would reign.

I do not know if I have ever seen a bigger pity party.

This was all before I walked home. I was still up with the sunrise, watching the results. I realized Daschle had officially fallen. It is not easy to admit, but some tears did fall. I have never felt so lost. That is as close to breaking my “never cynical” rule I have come.

It was at this moment that I decided to never feel confident in a political race. Karl Rove had destroyed what smidgeons of hope were left in me.

I thought this hope was destroyed, but it only lay dormant. It was waiting for the right man to show up in the right hour to begin glowing. My hope is back, and I am scared poo-less.

It seems inevitable that history will be made tomorrow. It will likely be one of the biggest days in the history of the United States. It will mark not only a first for the White House, but a turning point in the direction of our superpower. We can regain our standing and our moral authority to lead. It will happen.

Do you see how I’m talking? I am far too excited and far too confident. And now I’m scared.

Enjoy the sleepless night, if you’re anything like me.

Always skeptical, never cynical
Adam Feser

I have been too caught up in all of the election news to really focus on a problem that seemed like a big deal that has recently been forgotten. I remember a few months ago I was almost certain that we were going to war with Iran. The Senate, for some reason, declared the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. In my mind this basically gave W. permission to do whatever he wanted to Iran. I thought it was the worst idea ever, but that hadn’t stopped the Bush administration in the past. Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh spent a lot of time exposing various plans and actions while guys like Bush trash talked. It seemed inevitable.

Then McCain sang a Weird Al-style “Bomb Iran” song (way more responsible than Obama’s willingness to act on actionable intelligence to strike al-Qaeda targets in the event that Pakistan would not cooperate, McCain would have you know). He has been one to talk tough, as well. This seems like a big reason that Joe Lieberman supported him.

I think it is obvious that the last thing America needs right now is more war. I also think there would be no popular support for it. But I still fear that a McCain victory would mean war with Iran is likely. This first link is a new one about Palin. She basically says we are at war with Iran. Let’s hope that it is a mistake in that she forgot we weren’t at war with them and not that it is a mistake in that she let it slip. Here it is:

Palin implies war with Iran

Here is a link about secret operations we have going on in Iran:

Secret operations in Iran

Here is a link to an older Seymour Hersh article about Bush’s plans for Iran:

Hersh on Bush’s Iran plan

Here is a video in which McCain promises more war, which is scary:

Here is a link to Lieberman doing some tough talking:

Lieberman’s Tough Talk

Here is an older article about the possibility of war with Iran:

Is Iran Next?

Here Lieberman questions whether or not Obama has the “right stuff” to bomb Iran. Maybe Joe had been listening to his New Kids on the Block albums too much that day:

Lieberman questions Obama’s “Right Stuff”

This last one brings it full circle. What exactly is the right stuff to bomb Iran. Apparently McCain has it and Obama doesn’t. Is the right stuff an unwillingness to engage in diplomacy? Is it a disregard for human life? I am afraid this is still going to happen. Bush may just be waiting until after the election to fully start this thing. Who knows? I, for one, am afraid of what will happen.

If anyone needed yet another reason to vote for Obama, here it is.

I would also like to thank Joan for some of the above links. They were a great help.

Enjoy high school playoff football.

Always skeptical, never cynical
Adam Feser