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I Truly Fear John McCain
There have been times since George Bush took office that I have said, "if only McCain had won the nomination instead." That is not to say I did not prefer Gore, nor would have preferred McCain over Gore. But I certainly preferred McCain over Bush.
Throughout the primary season, I told myself, "at least McCain is better than Bush," and nodded in agreement when Obama said so much himself.
But in recent weeks I have found myself growing more and more fearful of a McCain Presidency. Fearful that it could be as bad, or even worse, than Bush's. I always had fears. The Supreme Court, Gay Rights and Iraq some of the most prominent in my mind. But I always thought, "at least he's smarter than Bush. At least he's more able and competent than Bush."
But the recent weeks have unveiled fears that I never thought I truly had. Frank Rich's Op-Ed laid out a lot of it for me in a way that I could clearly gather my thoughts about, even if that was not the point of his brilliant column. We all know the numerous gaffes and mistakes McCain has made. We all know how consistent and regularly he makes them. We also all know of his (in)famous temper, and his expertise on things like the economy.
Where I once felt that McCain was at least (slightly) competent, I now fear the way in which he would conduct himself as President, and carry out his Presidency.
Where I once felt that, perhaps he'll put a (slightly) better image on the US to our foreign allies, I now fear the way in which he would be received, and how he would conduct himself and control his temper with other world leaders.
Where I once felt that he might try to really help on the issue of global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels, I now fear that it's no more than political hackery. Certainly it must be if he's truly advocating for offshore drilling and the expansion of oil drilling in general, when even T. Boon Pickens is advocating against it. That's scary, and I don't see any other way to interpret it.
If that is not enough, how am I supposed to have any faith, whatsoever, in the Presidency of a man who can't even run a proper political campaign? It truly makes me wonder how he ever got elected to the Senate in the first place. ...Oh right. Thanks, Cindy.
I don't think I really need to run through all the reasons for making me so fearful. I think most of you all know them, or can make your own judgments as to why. I don't think I'm alone here.
It's certainly true that The Republicans are the masters of the politics of fear. I'm just not sure if McCain had this kind of fear in mind.
Comments (25)
I REALLY agree and have made the point on other comments...If John McCain wins, I fear we will all be looking back at the Bush presidency and thinking, hmmmm, he wasn't so bad afterall...
The good news is, the more scared I get, the more I am speaking up in quarters where I was a little nervous about making my feelings known.
I'm taking my responsibility to help get Obama elected personally, and encouraging everyone I know who supports him to do the same...I fear for our country if we are not successful...
July 28, 2008 1:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is scaring me more each time I see him on TV. What does he stand for? I watched part of his interview with George S. this morning cringing all the while. So, now McCain is against gay adoption and for oil drilling...check out that spill we've got going on the Mississippi...and he seems more befuddled than ever when he's asked a specific question about some of the statements he's made in recent interviews.
McCain has to realize that he can't buy the Right wing of his party this way...they don't trust him, never did, ever will.
He could have tried to reform his party and run on change too... but NO, he is following the party line, loosing his soul and loosing the election. Unbelievable. If I hear him say "The Surge" again I will stick a fork in my ear.
July 28, 2008 2:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, here's my theory.
He is but a puppet. It is those behind the curtain who are in control. McCain has proven he has lost his honor along with his mind, but due to his 'hero' status - the perfect toady.
So, pay close attention to who is named VP - perhaps this is the real proposed heir to the throne - but it is perceived could only attain entry to the WH on the coattails of McCain's tattered old POW rags.
Now, has that for a conspiracy theory!?! Hmmm.?
And I haven't had any mind altering substances - but if McCain is elected - I'll need to imbibe daily, if not hourly.
July 28, 2008 2:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
"...but if McCain is elected - I'll need to imbibe daily, if not hourly."
Ain't it the truth... ain't it the truth
Given McCain's age and blatant proneness to gaffes, it wouldn't surprise me if the VP choice was picked as the real heir. I think at this point the Republicans are scrambling to try to salvage what's left of a crumbling campaign. Because of that, I really think they're banking a lot on who McCain picks as VP.
I thought Bobby Jindal was a very likely candidate, but he took himself out. I think if McCain was doing better, he never would have done that. The Republicans want to go with a safe choice, I think, and that's why I really think Romney will get it. Safe and "balances out" the ticket, rather than strengthening it. We'll see how that one plays out.
July 28, 2008 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
did you know my first user-pic here @ TPM was a batman logo?
but yeah...especially with that birth control thing. he had to ask his staff what his opinion on the issue was.
i mean, even if i was just hearing it for the first time, and even if i wasn't the most informed person on the issue, i could have given SOME opinion (with appropriate caveats) on the matter.
July 28, 2008 8:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
oops...
misplaced "reply"
July 28, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Haha, it happens.
I didn't know that about your logo. I think I remember seeing it a while ago. Quite cool. Did you see The Dark Knight?
And yeah, I think most people, but especially most politicians, and especially most of those who ran for President would be able to give at least adequate answers to such questions. I, myself find them basic, and I'm not expert on the subjects.
July 28, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I truly fear for John McCain. He's not running a particularly honorable campaign, so he won't have any moral consolation when he gets squashed like a bug.
July 28, 2008 8:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
That, too. Though I wouldn't go so far as to fear for him. I guess I could feel bad for him, considering how bad his campaign is going. But I really don't. It's his own fault.
July 28, 2008 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain scares me only because we're facing incredible challenges ahead. And McCain has show himself, through a series of blunders, gaffes, mistakes, and errors on the one subject he's supposed to be an expert on, to not be up to them.
But something else scares me about him too. It's that he never seems to have a clear understanding of what his positions are from day to day.
I mean,this man went from "Make it 100(years in Iraq)" to adopting Obama's postion. JUST LIKE THAT. And, thanks to our friends in the corporate media NO ONE EVEN NOTICED!
But if john mccain cant keep a clearly defined policy or position from one day to the next, how the hell is he going to govern for four (or godforbid 8) years?
July 28, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
But something else scares me about him too. It's that he never seems to have a clear understanding of what his positions are from day to day.
Exactly. I did mention and hint at this, but it does need repeating and I think more exposure. He really hasn't been able to stay on message or consistent on his views. But like you said, it's the fact that he doesn't seem to have a clear understanding of what his own positions are. There have been too many times where he's answered (to very basic questions, I think, like Viagra, birth control and contraception to stop the spread of HIV AIDS) "I really don't know enough about that, I'd have to get back to you on that," or "I think I have a position on that, I'll have to check." It's utterly mindboggling.
July 28, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I truly fear lots of people, including John McCain were he to gain power. But "certerus paribus", I don't believe his candidacy would have a chance against an opponent such as Barack Obama.
No, its the forces that "have his back" that I really truely fear.
The heavy thumb on the scale is the mass media.
July 28, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
And on whose 'hand' does that 'heavy thumb' belong? Care to make a guess? Anyone?
July 28, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Iam relieved Iam not the only one who feels fearful for our country.
Everyday I read something about McCain my heart literally tightens.
I really believe that if (god forbid) McCain somehow steals the election America will never be the same from domestic policies to international relations and civil rights.
I know most Americans do not know about a lot of McCain's drawbacks thanks to our wonderful media. But surely the pundits must be equally alarmed?
Aunt Sam has it right. McCain, like Bush, is a puppet. Iam real curious who he picks to be his running mate. Whomever McCain chooses he or she will be the president, not unlike Cheney.
God help us all.
July 28, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I cried last night thinking of this very possibility.
July 28, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
My father in law is a decent sized republican bigshot. And I've been asking him to find a way to get McCain out of the race. He laughs and says I'm trying to hurt his feelings, but if I were a Republican patriot, I would get this guy off my ticket.
Because he might win.
I hope he doesn't -- I support Obama and hope he wins. I even think he will win.
But he might not. And if he doesn't, I can't imagine a worse President than John McCain. He's got a temper. He lies. He forgets important facts, and has shown a viscious streak that only those really close to him had seen before.
More than that, he's showing that he can't handle it. Maybe he's too old, or too feeble, or just isn't great undr pressure, but he's showing day after day that he can't handle the stress of the election. How is he going to handle the stress of the presidency? He can barely make a speech -- how is he going to lead a nation?
He can't. But he might win.
We joked about Romney. We joked about Huckabee. We joked about Jeb. I'd take any of them right now -- they don't seem to be losing their minds. I may disagre with them on everything, but I don't think they are crazy reactionaries. I think McCain is. And part of me hopes somehow, either through illness or scandal or backroom shuffling, they make a change. Because this is a democracy, and shit, they might win.
July 28, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
And part of me hopes somehow, either through illness or scandal or backroom shuffling, they make a change.
As much as part of me hates to admit it, there's a part of me that's hoped for this as well. I remember back in the Primary so many people I knew (a lot of the screaming Liberal-types) completely denounced Romney and practically begged for McCain over him. I never liked Romney, but I always got a better feeling about him than McCain. I don't want to talk in "what-ifs", because we're stuck with what we've got, but...
July 28, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
USA completely and utterly morally bankrupt at every level. This is the real and underlying problem facing USA...it can never recover until lies and delusion stop, till the wars stop and USA engages with rest of the world in a positive way. I repeat no hope until this happens.
(comment on a financial blog today) A President McCain, heaven forbid, would just accelerate our decline, perhaps irreversibly.
July 28, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, #1 most recommended? Thanks, everyone. It really means a lot. =)
July 28, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!
July 28, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Haha! Thanks. So nice, as usual. It's people like you that keep me coming back to this site.
July 28, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Appreciate that. :-)
July 28, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
What really scared me was a Times article about McCain being a craps shooter and what it says about his recklessness and addiction to adrenaline rushes. :( Playing craps is betting against the house, McCain shows he loves risk, doubling down and betting against the odds, and the house always wins. Aides had to literally pull him away from a craps pit on one of his stops in Las Vegas. In contrast, Obama is a careful poker player who hates to lose, a rock at the table.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1819898-2,00.html
I'm bailing out for good if McCain wins. :( And he might just get lucky.
July 29, 2008 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's actually extremely interesting. ...Hmm. Maybe one could do an analysis of it? =) Thanks for that!
July 29, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
And my deepest, greatest fear is do Americans think they're more like Obama or McCain? I'm afraid voters vote for the one they consider most "like themselves", i.e. McCain, rather than an "elite" like Obama.
July 29, 2008 12:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
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