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 2 of 3)
16. Joh McCain is a sell out. I have never voted Republican in my life. At one time I considered voting for McCain, but not now. Many Dems feel the same way. I see nooone on either side of the aisle. I think that is sad.
Patty S. at 9:13PM on Mar 1st 2007
17. John McCain is the real article, caught up in political necessities. He must be all things to all people: conservative for the conservatives; moderate for the middle roaders, etc.
The problem is that, by acting that way, he is not following his conscience. What is needed is a straight shooter who is willing to call it as he sees it, regardless of the political consequences. That is what he was in the last campaign and he should return to that again, to win, or to lose.
Gerald Serlin at 9:19PM on Mar 1st 2007
18. First off I would LOVE to respond to "gidget". Kind Madame, please note that Senator John McCain does not call himself a war hero. In his own words time and again, he has stated clearly that he ONLY did as he saw fit during his term as a POW. Yes, Senator McCain was the son of an admiral, he was also the grandson of an admiral. As such the Viet Kong attempted to afford him 'special treatment' by giving him the cowards way out and heading home as soon as they realized his family's influence. The reason that the Military and his fellow Americans consider him a hero is because then young Captain McCain REFUSED to leave before ANY living soul in his camp who had been there longer than he was also released. Captain McCain was afforded special medical treatment when it was convenient for his captors only. You have obviously not paid attention to the Senators well disguised gait as he walks due to the broken limbs he has suffered. As he makes his run for President in '08 please take a moment to notice as he raises either arm above his head to wave to his constiuents, that neither arm will straighten beyond about 70 degrees due to the fact that had had both of his arms broken numerous times during his wonderfully pleasant stay in the Hanoi Hilton. Please also note the next time you decide to have a lovely bowl of warm Muesli that it does not have the conveniences that his porridge did while he was a resident of Viet Nam, you won't habve the high protein content of maggots in your ONCE DAILY meal!
I am a raving fan of Senator John Sidney McCain, and have been since before he was even a Congressman. I have been a fan for years before I was even allowed to vote for him myself. I will remain a fan of his because I know what this man stands for and I will continue to support him as long as he remains the honest and true American that he has always proven to be.
As far as his stance on Military retirement? I am a military retiree spouse, and I cannot complain. His support of the concurrent receipt laws have allowed my family to benefit and a larger annual increase than previous retiree families have received in the past. Because of Senator McCain and other fine legislators, Military personnel are not penalized for obtaining disabilities while in the military, they are now given BOTH their retirement pay and their disability pay. How is that a bad thing?? Because it takes ten years to get a 100% of each?? Well as you follow that line of thinking, please remember that Senator McCain will only ever receive a small portion of his retirement pay because of this disabilites he endured while NOT being beaten, tourtured or fed rodent feces as Gidget implies.
Mr. Mankiewicz, this posting is not meant as a diatribe to your initial article. I do understand your bubble being burst that someone as honorable as our Maverick Senator has had to give way and buy into the political machine that this country is now founded on, that too disappoints me, but who of us have not had to give in a bit on an ideal or two to acheive what we must for our lives to meet our expectations.
BDiehl at 9:39PM on Mar 1st 2007
19. McCain has abandoned the VET and the people of Arizona.
If it was not for his wife conection with Budwiser beer in the state of Arizona he would not be where he is now.
His wife stole drugs from the pore people and she did not do any time, but the other people did hard time. Why? She had Mr. McCain to bail her out.
Now do we want people like the McCain's running are country? I think not.
Raymond Seidel at 6:06PM on Mar 2nd 2007
20. McCain is not a decent man, nor is he a Republican at heart. He is as devious as the Clintons, and has spent the years of the first Bush term being contemptuous to the Conservative movement, and a Brutus to Bush. To top it off, he then made his 'deal with the devil' with Falwell, which shows he has no principles and will make any Political move to gain power. He is a sheep in wolf's clothing, and should own up to his Democratic leanings and switch parties, but only if Lieberman will do likewise.
Michael W.Lowry at 11:18PM on Mar 1st 2007
21. Regardless of how well McCain may have served his country in the past, it is all overshadowed by his sponsorship of the Military Commissions Act, which was supposedly to put the brakes to Bush's torture of Al Quaida suspects. Instead McCain's act virtually destroys the concept of a democratic society by giving Bush the power to have anyone arrested for any or no reasons, detained indefinately without the right to council, without being charged of any crime, and with no right to contest his detention before a judge. This is fascism, and we can thank McCain, Bush, and the rest of the GOP scum as they move us toward dictatorship. McCain shouldn't be president--since he abhors the very Constitution he would swear to uphold. McCain should be tried for treason.
Marshall R at 10:37AM on Mar 2nd 2007
22. I should dearly like to know Craig B.'s definition of war mongering is. Obviously he ignores the fact that there are people across the world (especially in the middle east) who have no problem blowing not only themselves up but innocent people, such as children, up as well. But then, perhaps Craig B. has sold into what most liberals have: As long as I hate the Republicans with every ounce of my being, I'm going to liberal heaven. Ironically, I find it very dissapointing that such enegergetic people fail to see the big picture where Iraq, the Economy, Welfare... even John McCain, are concerned. Otherwise, I am sure they would not be talking so ignorantly.
Quincy Q. at 11:48PM on Mar 1st 2007
23. I agree that McCain has switched gears and has gone after the right wing crazies. Maybe that is where he belongs. I still remember his involvement in the Savings and Loan scandals in Arizona. He has strange bedfellows. Not good enough for America. Let's all push for public financed elections. That is the only way to save this country from the big fat cats.
Dale at 12:14AM on Mar 2nd 2007
24. There is not one GOP candidate that is worth their grain.
As for Guiliani. He has been with so many women and still pulls the J. Edgar Hoover (DRESSING UP IN WOMEN'S clothes). Guiliani has mistress' after mistress' and still thinks it too be ethical and moral. If Guilani were a Dem. He would taken to the fields and hanged. But it is okay because he is a Neo Con. Neo Con's have a different code of ethics and morality. No one else is exclusive to this club.
As a Nam Veteran, John McCain is such a disappointment. He has no back bone. He kisses Bushie's and Dickie pooh Cheney's asses. He still condones the murder of innocent Iraqi's and Afghan's and the Slaughter of our brave men and women in a very dangerous part of the world. McCain has this fxation that, if he backs Bushie he will win the White House.
Bushie demoralized McCain and his Family and Friends in 2000.
McCain has no sensiblity. McCain cannot possiblity be a leader. A leader does not follow. Mc Cain is a Puppy dog, plain and simple.
Ray at 12:50AM on Mar 2nd 2007
25. Gidget, I challange you to show evidence that John Kerry ever said that there are no POW's as you put it.
Mc Cain did make that statement. But not Kerry.
Please show the proof that he (Kerry) did say those remarks.
I am Nam VetI still believe, as Kerry that we have POW's and MIA's in Nam, Laos and Cambodia, (Nixon's illeagal Private War).
I am sorry to hear about your brother, but please get your facts correct. Please do not lump Kerry in the same zone as McCain.
McCain is a 'sleezebag' and a heavy supporter of Bushie's slaughtering more of our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kerry is not.
Ray at 1:04AM on Mar 2nd 2007
26. How disheartening that someone who seemed so genuine a few years ago appears so willing to abandon all principles and issues of conscience in an effort to be elected president. He used to appeal to Independents and moderates in both parties. Who does he appeal to now? He appeals to the 10 or 12 people who think it is a great idea to escalate the War in Iraq. He has fallen so far so fast I can't even understand how he gets re-elected in Arizona.
Jim at 4:46AM on Mar 2nd 2007
27. I was all for McCain, until he went over to the Religious Right. To try to help drive a stake into the heart of that despicable group I will now vote for a Black or a woman or Giuliani.
Please, follow me.
Bob at 12:30PM on Mar 2nd 2007
28. I think its so unfair for everyone to pick on poor John McCain. We Democrats, who will be out in 2008 donating and promoting a new and better direction for America believe John exhibits all the qualities of a true Republican presidential nominee.
We were so worried back in 2000 when he called Fundmentalists "agents of intolerance." Thank God he's come out of the closet as a full supporter of Fundamentalist hate in 2007! You can't be a Republican without a scapegoat to detract voters from the issues, and John's on board with the program. He fully supports Fundamentalists' two point platform of hating gays and abortion, and really enjoyed speaking at Jerry Falwell's University.
Plus, there is even more about John for Republicans to love!!! Wasn't it great when he showed the world his slavery to Big Pharma, which charges Americans the highest prescription charges in the world. It took a lot of loyalty to Big Pharma for John to sell America's seniors down the river. While many seniors had to choose between food and medicine, and married seniors were not taking their own medicine so their spouse could afford his or her medicine, John opposed allowing Medicare to impose lower drug prices for seniors and the disabled.
John has also been a real Republican trooper when it comes to the Iraq War. He's "Bush Plus." John wanted to go in with 300,000 troops at the beginning, but he forgot to tell us how we were somehow supposed to muster up that many soldiers. He's never questioned the war - only complained that there wasn't enough of it. He's never thought about the fact that we removed a strategic buffer to Iran, that by holding national elections we would be handing Iranian loving Shiites the keys to the country. He never considered that even a million US troops cannot keep a country of sixty million in line when 70% of Iraqis want us to leave, and 60% of Iraqis think its right and just to kill American troops. He's enthralled with the 21,500 soldier escalation, even though it means sending returning and new young men and women into bloody battle without adequate time to receive vital life saving training.
And let's not forget that John shed his annoying habit of criticizing Bush. He blasts Rummy and the former general in Iraq for our utter failure, but never criticizes the "decider," our commander in chief. I guess that means if John is President, when something goes awry, he'll hide behind blaming subordinates. He'll have, if he is President, no concept of the fact that the "buck stops at the top." George Bush has had the courage to repeatedly and publicly take ultimate responsibility for every act of the executive branch - whether you agree with his positions or not. If he's President, John won't waste time with that nonsense.
As a Democrat, I have a few suggestions to make the campaign REALLY Republican. Let's pick Pat Robertson as the VP nominee - he'd be great in a national debate. Also, what about some humorous ads of John polishing Cheney's shoes while Cheney does target practice. Carrying on the same theme, we can have John bowing down in prayer in front of Jerry Falwell while Jerry whips a gay!
John, politics is rough. Everyone gangs up on you at once, but I want you to know you are not alone. I'll be blogging for you every step of the way.
Phil at 8:21PM on Mar 2nd 2007
29. McCain has sold out to acquire the support of the religious right after speaking out against them for years, he has gone out of his way to stand with George Bush after the Bush campaign viciously attacked McCain and his family in the 2000 election, and he has flip-flopped on major social issues to attract the conservative base. McCain it seems will do or say anything to be President, and yet one word keeps coming back to me when I think of Republicans, that is hypocrisy. Conservatives have embraced Rudy Gulliani who is pro-choice, pro gay rights, and pro gun-control, Gulliani then tells them he will appoint anti-abortion judges to the Federal bench, hypocrisy all around. McCain seems to think Bush and the religious right will stand by him, logic and history dictate that if Gulliani keeps his lead they will drop McCain like a hot potato. Republican candidates are forever talking about cutting taxes and cutting waste, yet under Republican rule the national debt has almost doubled in 6 years, and we have had record deficits for 5 of them. Republicans are good for 3 things, cutting taxes for the rich, over spending on the military, and sticking their noses into your private lives. How Republicans ever got the reputation as fiscally conservative is beyond me, it was Republican policies that brought us the "Great Depression", when Ronald Reagan entered office America was the largest creditor nation, when he left office America was the largest debtor nation, and George Bush's record speaks for itself.
maxdee 55 at 3:53AM on Mar 17th 2007
30. The misrepresentative McCaine is one of the biggest disappointments I have experienced in watching the political scene. In my opinion as a born Berliner and retired U.S. Army Special Forces Interrogator, Mr. McCain is a traitor to this country and irre-sponsible war monger who belongs, along with the people of this administration, placed before a War Crimes Tribunal.
Irresponsibly voting for a surge of troops in Iraq and squandering American soldiers' Lifes and U.S. taxpayers' funds, he should be criminally indicted and removed from his Senator post!!!
Only traitors continue to support this President's policies.
When will America's other 50% wake up and join the rest of us and throw these bums out of office???
The horrendous damage they have inflicted on our country and the rest of the world can hardly ever be repaired again.
Klaus A. Grenda at 11:05PM on Mar 3rd 2007