John McCain's 2008 Sell-Out Express Tour continues around the country. Last night's show was in New York, where the politician who once seemed like the genuine article continued to look like an article in the National Enquirer.
McCain appeared on Letterman, where he "announced" his candidacy. "I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States," the senator told the talk show host, in what can only be described as the least interesting piece of political news since Tom Vilsack dropped out the race (I know what you're thinking, but it's true -- Tom Vilsack was running for president. But his candidacy never quite generated the buzz of say, Elizabeth Dole).
After shocking the world with his faux announcement, McCain announced he'd be announcing again in April. Wow. Quite an exclusive. Look, I wasn't born yesterday (though if I had been, this would be a terribly impressive blog from a one day old baby). I know candidates form exploratory committees -- that's announcement #1. Then they leak word that they're likely to toss their hair gel into the ring -- that's announcement #2. Then they appear on Letterman or "The Daily Show," something hip the young people watch -- that's announcement #3. Then they file paperwork with the FEC -- that's announcement #4. Finally, they give a speech and make it "formal" -- that's announcement #5. And -- of course -- it works. CNN, MSNBC and Fox all covered the Letterman appearance as if actual news had been made.
It all began in 2004 when McCain made a deal with the devil to get access to the Bush financial network and started accumulating frequent flyer miles on Air Force One, actively campaigning for Bush's reelection and spurning John Kerry. It has continued right through the Fallwell/Robertson fiasco up to McCain's cheerleading for the president's escalation in Iraq.
Sure, in 2000 he benefitted from fawning press coverage (just try to find an article from the campaign where he wasn't referred to as "the maverick Arizona senator"). But they fawned for a reason. He was a straight shooter. He did tell it like it is. He was (insert cliche here). And then, after nearly four years of useful criticism, that McCain was gone, another politician willing to do or say anything to become president.
That's why Wednesday night's Letterman appearance is worth disparaging. Because there was John McCain, once a rare American phenomenon, the authentic politician, suddenly taking his cues from the pages of guys like Sam Brownback.
How sad.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. John McCain has more balls than any of you whiners that call yourselves bloggers. F--K off and get a life. John has given much to this nation and what have you punks given? A lot of bull s--t. Bring them on John will be ready.
Command Sergeant Major
United States Army Retired
Bob Cole at 6:08PM on Mar 1st 2007
2. You know, I would be very interested to know what is so backwards about "orthodoxy" as you call it. One thing I notice as I read liberal blogs, opinions, etc. is that they are all VERY sarcastic and cynical. Lighten up a bit. Have just a LITTLE sense of humor. You have to take things seriously, but at the same time, you can't take them TOO seriously. Else you'll end up getting an ulcer and then where would you be?
Regardless, I would also love to know why the democrats (well really liberals in general) hate (hate as in i would put money on it you want him in hell) George W. Bush so much. Oh, and I find it very interesting that you are willing to overlook Bill Clintons lies. And Hilary Clintons lies. Those lies are ok because they're... liberal lies?????
Very confused. Well, I could say more, in fact, I would be very interested in having a one-on-one discussion with one of the bloggers to see just what makes your minds tick. Yes, I would like that very much. So, bring it on. Unless you're scared?
Brandon Hackabey at 5:14PM on Mar 2nd 2007
3. Agree about McCain's pact with Bush's money machine. Unfortunately, you take a man with the makings of a decent president, expose him to back room realities, and this is what you get. SAD, yet it is the NORM for the Republican Party forebearer. Sell you soul to the devil.
Rick at 6:25PM on Mar 1st 2007
4. McCain is a closet Liberal masquerading as a Conservative when ever it is politically expedient. The sorry SOB should just plain come clean and admit that, just like Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy or any one of the Democrat leadership, he would betray this country the first opportunity he got to gain political power.
He is a treasonous coward ... JUST LIKE THE DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP. That piece of human feces needs to run on the Democrat ticket where he belongs!
Thomas at 6:35PM on Mar 1st 2007
5. McCain is a closet Liberal masquerading as a Conservative when ever it is politically expedient. The sorry SOB should just plain come clean and admit that, just like Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy or any one of the Democrat leadership, he would betray thiscountry out the first opportunity he got to gain political power.
He is a treasonous coward ... JUST LIKE THE DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP. That piece of human feces needs to run on the Democrat ticket where he belongs!
Thomas at 9:14AM on Mar 2nd 2007
6. I will not support McCain. He has abandoned and betrayed his fellow 1.7 million military retirees, and has neither supported nor sponsored any legislation that would restore military retired benefits stolen under that weasel, Clinton, and perpetuated under that snake, Bush, along with the "three stooges," Rumsfeld, Winkenwerder, and Chu, and their brown-nosing lap dogs, the service chiefs.
They can all go to hell.
Ken
Ken at 6:50PM on Mar 1st 2007
7. Individuals #'s 2 and 3 reflect the stupidity of many individuals that blog..the inability to see the big picture!Regardless on McCain's political position,as a man that has been through the worst war can offer,he's more than earned the right to his position!Unfortunately,#'s 2+3 lack any intestinal fortitude,otherwise,they would not have made the comments in that manner!
John at 7:39PM on Mar 1st 2007
8. Great blog article...you nailed it with honest truth. It's so sad to see McCain becoming a first ballot flip flopping Hall of Fame nominee. He's bacically a 70 yr. old bum.
James W at 7:23PM on Mar 1st 2007
9. The young turks have not earned the right to be critical!!!!
John at 7:24PM on Mar 1st 2007
10. McCain is always referred as a Vietnam War Hero just because he was a POW in Vietnam. A war hero he is not. He was the son of a Admiral and was given special treatment....a private nurse, good food, private room, a doctor to tend to his injuries. He was never tourtured or beaten or given soup with magets in it.
The Vietnamies gave his special treatment thinking the US would pay them to release him. To top it all off, Mc Cain and good ole John Kerry did their best to bury the pow issue by saying there are no POW's in Vietnam...Well then where is my brother at?
No way will I ever want McCain or Kerry in for a President and go to war.....your sons and daughters will be forgotten about and they will say....they aren't there.
Gidget at 7:26PM on Mar 1st 2007
11. McCain is too old to be President. His mind is "slowing" the same as any 70 year old and so is his judgment. His attitudes are also dated just like Cheney and Rumsfeld. They are all living in the past and are making judgments on "old" information. Bush is a victim of having chosen old men to advice him. We don't need another oldie in the White House.
Irene Slater at 7:33PM on Mar 1st 2007
12. John, # 6 above, had the gall to say, "Individuals #'s 2 and 3 reflect the stupidity of many individuals that blog." Hey John...YOU BLOG!! And just because they have a different point of view they no credibility, and "lack any intestinal fortitude,otherwise,they would not have made the comments in that manner" ???
You had nothing to say about the issue before us, to wit, McCain's stature as a presidential canidate. All you did is complain that others are stupid and cowardly because they have differing point of view. Come on.
Joe at 8:33PM on Mar 1st 2007
13. McCain was the total opposite of Bush when he went up acainst him in the first primary. Bush insulted him at every turn. Then after a year or so they made up and were buddy-buddy. Now he's back trying to set himself alined away from Bush and his madness. McCain is a "snake in the grass" if you ask me. I wouldn't trust him to look out for the majority of the people. He's mainly interested in himself in history
Walt Lewan at 11:51AM on Mar 2nd 2007
14. Jesus. The Republican war-mongering is ubiquitous. It even shows up on the TYT blog.
Ben, you're absolutely right about McCain. What I'm grappling with is whether he'll really be the weakest Republican candidate in the general election. Or would it be Giuliani? Or Romney? Or Gingrich? Basically, who can I root for to be the most-likely loser to Edwards, or Obama, or Richardson. (Clinton is toast, imo.)
Craig B at 8:57PM on Mar 1st 2007
15. There are many reasons Republicans will NOT support McCain. First and and most important is Campaign finance Deform. to place limits on free speech in the 30 days before an election is abhorrent to all Republicans. That the Supreme Court's 2 Democ-RATS and 3 RINOs upheld this law is absolutely disgusting and gives all the tip-off of the kind of Justices McCain would nominate to the Court should he be elected and they're not conservatives. RINOs such as Souter and Stevens and Kennedy, an appropriate name for him, would be the McCain standard.
Then there is what he said about Robertson and Falwell--placing these two fine gentlemen in the same category as the racists Jerkson and Sharpie Sharpton. Not for nothing did Biden say that Obama was the first "clean" black candidate for President. For comparing Falwell and Robertson to these two anti-Semites McCain deserves the contempt of all decent Americans (who are disproportionally Republican).
Finally there is McCain's vote against the Bush tax bill of 2001. This tax bill, now the law, is responsible for the four years of economic prosperity our nation has experienced. This vote by McCain was a tip-off of the kind of economic program he would institute--one that would tax the people like a Democ-RAT.
For those foregoing reasons, and many more, John McCain should be denied the Presidency of the United states. He holds Republicans in contempt and that was shown today in the way he treated the Conservative Conference in Washington. The contempt is mutual, he can be very certain!
David S. Levine at 8:59PM on Mar 1st 2007