The debatable question arose:
"Who is more likely to gain support from the independents? John McCain or Barak Obama?"
Some of the students argued that John McCain would be more likely to get the independents vote because he is a "moderate conservative," while Barak Obama is on the far left with liberal ideals. But what the students failed to understand is that McCain is a full-blown left wing conservative, and there's nothing "moderate" about him. Although some media outlets might make him out to be a moderate conservative, the proof is really in the pudding. Don't believe me?
The front page of Huffington Post featured an article today that perfectly summarizes just how conservative John McCain really is. When it comes to every partisan issue, John McCain takes the right-wing stance indefinitely. Not only does he support the war in Iraq, but he also has served as a key ally in George Bush's efforts to increase U.S soldiers occupying the country. Other topics like abortion, gun control, and gay rights also illustrate that "moderate," is really not a descriptive word pertaining to the Republican candidate.
When it comes to abortion, McCain is a self-proclaimed pro-life advocate. He has vowed to appoint Supreme Court Justices that will limit the impact of the Roe v. Wade ruling, which basically legalized abortion. His views on gay marriage are just as conservative since he completely opposes it. In fact, he worked to ban gay marriage in Arizona and fully supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He even opposed legislation that would protect homosexuals from hate crimes and job discrimination. To top things off, he is an avid supporter of the National Riffle Association and has voted AGAINST a ban for assault-style weapons. But people consider him a moderate conservative?
Where is the logic in that?
Polls have indicated that most people do in fact see McCain as a centrist while Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton are perceived as far left candidates. Studies done by political scientists such as Philip Converse show that independents are typically less politically aware than strong Democrats or Republicans. This presidential election would perfectly illustrate that finding if the independents are naive enough to fall for McCain's "moderate conservative" tactics.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 5)
46. Gasser, Republicans borrow and spend us into
bankrupcy,and empty our treasury into the
pockets of their political cronies,and you continue
with yor tired rants about your so- called
"tax and spend liberals". You are most
certainly suffering a mental disorder.
I suspect a malfunctioning anterior cingulate
cortex.
You really should cosult with a Neurologist.
BOB JOHNSON at 6:50PM on Apr 15th 2008
47.
Dear Brian Singer,
I leave the spinning and lies for those who would not recognize the truth even if it were staring them in the face. In fact, I have noticed some of that spinning that you speak of in your own post. Perhaps I am just assuming something that is not true, when in fact it is quite possible that you simply just been missed informed regarding certain facts. Senator Obama has not accepted any moneys from corporations; however, the subject was McCain and your objection to my post.
Perhaps you have never read any of my posts or remarks regarding Senator McCain. Therefore, please allow me to give you an insight of my personal thoughts regarding Senator McCain. Of course other than the ones you have already read. You may find this hard to believe, however, I have always had great respect for John McCain the soldier that served his country with dignity and honor. I will always have respect for the McCain who ran for the presidency in 2000; I have stated that on many occasions. In fact, I have defended Senator McCain to many “Conservatives” that post their views on these very blogs.
Furthermore, most of the people that are defending Senator McCain right now, were criticizing him not too long ago, while there were still other Republican candidates campaigning. Moreover, the “Right Wing Machine” was doing everything in its power to discredit or even destroy Senator McCain.
Alternatively, I stand by everything I posted, however, if it makes you feel better I will substitute the word torture for waterbording not that I personally believe there is any difference between the two methods. He may have stated that he opposes torture on David Letterman, however, it is not me or my opinion that he has changed views on waterbording, this is not spinning this is a matter of fact.
Furthermore, there is no story to get straight. There are facts and truths and they need no spinning, or swift boating or anything like the dirty tricks and lies the GOP is so fund of using whenever possible.
Patty at 6:51PM on Apr 15th 2008
48. You don't have to be "right" to be "right", but it helps. A pro-life, pro 2nd admendment,pro-marriage, strong on defense, anti terrorist will win nearly every time. He's an old fart, but he's a national hero & our next President.
pitsday at 7:40PM on Apr 15th 2008
49. I'm glad McCain is against homosexual freaks getting married to each other. But he's a left wing extremist in some matters too. He never saw a tax he didn't like and he's a downright traitor concerning illegal mexicans. They don't call him Juan McAmnesty for nothing. I'm one conservative (not neocon) Independent who may have to vote for McCain if that's all there is, but I'll be holding my nose in the voting booth, same as I did when Bush Jr. got my votes in 2000 and 2004.
ATTENTION FELLOW DEMOCRATS!
TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE POST ABOVE
NOW, DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CONTINUE FIGHTING OVER HILLARY OR OBAMA?
EITHER ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IS 100000 TIMES BETTER, STOP BEING COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, AND TAKE A PAGE FROM THE REPUBLICANS! UNITE AND FIGHT THEM NOT EACH OTHER!
DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE REAL ISSUES HERE!
1) AN ILEGAL WAR.
2) DISTRUCTION OF OUR CONSTITUION
3) SUPREME COURT JUSTICES!
4) ECONOMY
5) HEALTH CARE
6) ILEGAL WIRE TAPING OF AMERICAN CITIZENS.
7) AMERICA’S INTEGRITY AROUND THE WORLD
8) ENVIRONMENT
9) CORPARETE TAXES OR LACK THERE OF THEM.
10) DO YOU REALLY WANT FOUR MORE YEARS OF THE SAME BUSH CRAP WITH MCCAIN???
Patty at 7:10PM on Apr 15th 2008
50. Randy--
McCain just gave an excellent and right-on-the-money speech on the economy today.
I'm sure the mainstream media covered it accurately (NOT!:)))
Patty: spelling lessons:
illegal
corporate
The ONLY real issue is national security.
view www.jihadwatch.org
www.thereligionofpeace.com
Gotta be McCain.
Wake up, America!!
mary at 9:29PM on Apr 15th 2008
51. Captain Nagative
See, I said you would not like my answer. And in 4 months my answer could change as to who my choice could be as I continue to look at all candidates.And of course, still waiting on Nader.
And PS, I said months ago that when the Democrat Convention opens, neither Obama nor Hillary will have enough delagates to win. This is rare in history and not sure what the rules are. There could be a stalemate at the convention, neither Hillary or Obama geting enough delegates to win. This is in part to the Democrats failing to give fellow Democrats in Michigan and Florida the right to take part in this convention. So much for every vote counts. But in a locked convention, no clear winner, someone from the crowd could step up and win the convention, like Gore or Edwards. I think that is why Gore is so quiet. If Hillary and Obama build up so much hate, they might not release their delagates to the other , but would release them to maybe Gore, and Gore could win. It could make for an interesting convention.
robert okane at 10:11PM on Apr 15th 2008
52. Mary
Hats off to your post.
Taxes-Obama has promised to let Bush's tax cuts die. That is a one trillion dollar raise in taxes in 10 years. Obama has his name on a Tax Bill that would have the USA give 0.75% of its GDP annually to the UN to fight poverty around the world. That is almost 1 trillion dollars over life of that Bill, 12 years.
So without any other tax increases, Obama has endorsed and will raise taxes on the American public to the tune of 2 Trillion Dollars over the next 12 years.
Giving the United Nations almost 1 Trillion Dollars over a 12 yr period is flat out dumb Obama
robert okane at 10:22PM on Apr 15th 2008
53. Patty #44
1) Try educating yourself on taxes, especially Corporate taxes. Try this link:
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/renaissance/2004/0819.html
2) Another little refresher course for you. Barack Obama: Half Truther or Whole Liar from 9/20/07.
http://louisianasfirst.blogspot.com/
3) And now compare your 10 issues to the 10 Planks:
10 Planks of the Communist Manifesto (Wikipedia)
1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.
3. Abolition of all right of inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.
6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.
7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.
8. Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.
10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.
According to the Communist Manifesto, all these were prior conditions for a transition from capitalism to communism.
Paul Sparcello at 1:27AM on Apr 16th 2008
54. Patty: spelling lessons:
illegal
corporate
Dear Mary,
Thank you for catching my spelling errors, I tend to go Dan Quale (oh, did I spell his last name correctly?) every time I lead with anger and forget to use my brains.
Patty at 1:03PM on Apr 16th 2008
55.
Dear Mr. Sparcello
You definitely are among the last individuals I would ever take any sort of advice from, especially when it concerns education. With all due respect, I find your postings to be weasel half-truths or simply lies you no doubt have convinced yourself to be gospel. Then of course, your gospel does come straight from the GOP machine and as such perhaps a little understanding and sympathy on my part is the correct thing to do.
When I am in doubt about a political issue or any subject for that matter, I reach for books; I also try to gather information from legitimate sources regarding the particular subject in question. I think you would greatly benefit from this approach.
Furthermore, you may want to re-educate yourself. If I may, I would suggest you look up Jonathan Turley, legal scholar and professor at George Washington University (do not worry Mr. Sparcello, he is not a Liberal or a Democrat), however, I do believe he can set you straight on that “fascist” term you continue to have such difficulty with.
Ciao
Patty at 1:04PM on Apr 16th 2008
56. Patty,
I am trying to inform you that Corporations pass on all cost (taxation, regulation, litigation) to the end user. Do you think 'Big Oil' absorbs Federal and State tax cost or do they pass them on to the price at the pump? As such, would you please explain how raising the Corporate Tax Rate is helpful to consumers?
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/renaissance/2004/0819.html
BTW: I checked out Jonathan Turley but found nothing that enlightens me on my difficulties with Marxism/Fascism/Socialism/Communism. How about a link.
Paul Sparcello at 12:51AM on Apr 17th 2008
57. McCain will be like Bush on steroids.
Those of you who like Bush will love that.
Personally it scares the crap out of me! We don't have enough soldiers to go around as it is.
web jones at 9:13AM on Apr 17th 2008
58. web jones
How about we shift the Parasites from the Welfare Rolls to the Warfare Rolls? I bet they would all find a job in less than three days!!!!!!!
Paul Sparcello at 10:59AM on Apr 17th 2008
59.
Mr. Sparcello
I do not want you to inform me, I do not care what you have to say because you do not exchange ideas you do your best to insult people with what you believe to be your superior intellect. You are rude and you never even consider what others are trying to express nor do you consider the crap you spew on others.
As for Jonathan Turley, I do believe I gave you enough information so you can do your own research. Alternatively, go to
www.gettheinformationyourself,biteme.com
Patty at 3:16PM on Apr 18th 2008
60. Web Jones, calling McCain "Bush on Steroids," is something even both the Clinton and Obama campaigns wouldn't even be stupid enough to say. They will try and spin it so that he is not much of a difference between Bush and McCain, but calling him worse, shows that you are a left wing liberal who doesn't know a thing of what you are talking about. Leave the comments to people who at least have an IQ higher than Forrest Gump!
Brian Singer at 5:17PM on Apr 18th 2008