How do you think McCain will do as president?

DWill

It's a done deal in my book, especially if Obama does get the nomination, as looks fairly certain. When the republicans begin pasting Obama as the most liberal member of the senate, he'll become a marginal prospect. He won't be able to move to the center without destroying his credibility. So it's President McCain. Who would've thunk?

He's better than G.W. Bush, anyway (isn't he?) The single most positive thing about his presidency may be that, as a republican, he might be able to do things that his party wouldn't let democrats get away with. Sort of like the Nixon-goes-to-China move.

He's said we'll be in Iraq for 100 years, but when he gets to the White House, I expect him to be much less of a cowboy than GWB. His recent speech on America's role in the world was pretty encouraging, actually.

JohnShadeFan · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject:

I thought his recent speech was confusing. He first talks about how he'd like to re-establish international support for our endevours, then he lists a few leaders whom he has problems with and will not work with. Cutting ties with Russia, for example, is a terrible idea, and will lead to all sorts of diplomatic nightmares. As far as McCain making a better leader than Bush, that's true, but I'm pretty sure my cat would make a better leader than Bush.

Ophelia · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, you've made my day! Crying or Very sad

I actually had quit watching CNN for a while-- I've got to pace myself so I can hold out until the elections. Last time I watched or heard Obama was doing so well, I thought the Republicans were not even running any longer!

Will wrote:

LanDroid · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

"...whoever wins the US elections will be devoutly loved by Sarkozy."

Interesting, what does that mean, Sarkozy is a sycophant?

McCain is not a shoe-in! Think of the economy, Iraq, U.S. image in the world, a deteriorating Afghanistan, videos of him singing "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran!", plus his age. Contrary to your "Nixon-goes-to-China" scenario, the Republicans had control of all branches of Government for much of the last 8 years and did nothing according to the principles that they claim to uphold except for cut taxes. They did not reduce spending, show fiscal discipline, reduce the size of the Government, cut social programs, maintain a balanced budget, have a less adventurous foreign policy, reduce regulation, restrict abortions, dismantle social security, improve education, and on and on... Republicans have a lot to answer for. Also if Obama's liberalism dooms his candidacy, why did Republicans nominate a "moderate" candidate that conservatives call a RINO = Republican In Name Only?

Which isn't to say McCain won't win. All he has to do is portray himself as the fearless warrior running against a spineless wimp who can't wait to surrender to the enemy. The American public will fall for it again.

So how would McCain do? Hard to say. A few years ago I would have said he would be good to work with, in fact I voted for him in the 2000 primary. But McCain has recently became a Bush sycophant, he could be much like Bush once in office. Hate to say it, but his age worries me, McCain has been caught mis-stating basic facts about Iraq, etc.

ralphinlaos · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:42 am Post subject:

John McCain is a mass of contradictions, and the more we get to know him, the less we respect him. And what is it with his wife - is she mute? She gets all dolled up to stand next to him and be completely ignored. At least Michelle Obama makes an occasional assinine statement and God knows, Mrs. Clinton's spouse couldn't be any more front-and-center - or misguided. Has anyone ever seen Mrs. McCain be interviewed or even seen her speak? Does she help his campaign at all?

Incidentally, McCain did not say we'll be in Iraq for 100 years; I heard that speech and he did not say that.

McCain has a terrible temper, believes he is always right (which means that you are always wrong), is too old (not necessarily in years, but certainly in ideas), and believes that he deserves to be President. Delusional, too,

The best thing about a McCain presidency would be it's brevity; hasn't he said he'll serve only one term? Four more years anyone?

Which makes McCain's choice of vice-president so important this year; he (or she) could easily end up as President of the United States, sooner rather than later.

I think Oprah would be a great choice (if you can disentangle her from Obama long enough). A true dream ticket, McCain/Winfrey. Just a dream, I realize; along with the dream in which Myanmar is awarded the Olympic Games next time around. Sigh . . .

Ralph

The mind boggles! Does anyone really believe the Americans will fall for the same old line after eight years of Bush? Haven't we lived and learned in the past eight years? I think we have, but we'll see . . .

Ophelia · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:01 am Post subject:

Landroid wrote:

JohnShadeFan · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

During a New Hampshire town-hall meeting, McCain was asked about Bush commenting that we may be Iraq for another 50 years.

"Maybe 100," McCain replied. "As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, it's fine with me and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."

As long as...?

And liberals are supposed to be the unrealistic dreamers?

Ophelia · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject:

John wrote:

DWill · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject:

[quote="ralphinlaos"]
The best thing about a McCain presidency would be it's brevity; hasn't he said he'll serve only one term? Four more years anyone?

Has he said that? He would be a lame duck after two. John McCain also remarked not too long ago that American was founded as a Christian nation, not a helpful (or true) statement. I continue to hope, though, that this is just pandering and can't get particularly worked up when any politician does it. Admittedly disappointing from the straight-talk guy, however.

My state has a former governor called Mark Warner. He explored running for pres and was touted as a viable, Clinton-type (Bill) unifier. He disbanded his committee when it became clear to him and everyone else that Hillary Clinton had the nomination sewn up. Well, what he said was that he needed to spend more time with his family. He shoulda stayed in.

ABookADay · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

I don't even want to think about it.

Saffron · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: McCain-Rice?

Yikes! I pulled this off CNN website:

Poll suggests McCain-Rice ticket could win big
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Could DWill be right? Please, say it ain't so!

DWill · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

Wow, McCain-Rice. I hadn't considered that combo. And it could be she'd accept, despite what she's been saying. Going to the VP from Sec'y of State might seem like a big demotion in the short run, but remember she has witnessed Dick Cheney amass enormous power over the last 8 years, and might see that as a model she could copy. Not saying she's like the Machiavelian Dick, but she wouldn't want to be attending state funerals for 4-8 years, either.
Will

ralphinlaos · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

Well, DWill, that scenario seems to have come and gone very quickly. Ms. Rice very wisely ended that speculation herself; she'll be going back to academia and her piano. That would have been the most cynical, transparent and just plain stupid ploy in modern politics. You can fool some of the voters all the time, you can fool all of the voters some of the time, but you can't fool all (or enough) of the voters all the time.

Do you really still believe that McCain will win? I think their are real health issues with him and there's something rotten in Denmark with his wife's finances. I watched Polital Capitol on Blumberg Television recently and he just refused to talk about his wife's money or making her tax records public. He simply said that they had signed a pre-nuptial (and what exactly does that have to do with the question) and that her business is her business. End of discussion. He doesn't seem to realize that when you are running for President, your business (and your wife's business) is everybody's business.

Only if the Democrats self-destruct, which has been known to happen.

Ralph

DWill · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Ralphalinos, trying to think like a las Vegas oddsmaker, yes, I think it is still McCain's race to lose. I haven't heard about this stuff you mention with Cindy McCain. Anything like this is no doubt balm for the Democrats. Boy, is politics a sordid business.

McCain is managing to look vigorous enough so far. The voters still remember the Gipper fondly, and he was only a little younger than McCain when he was elected.

HRC is the more electable democrat at this point despite a load of baggage. But the system the party has erected is stacked against her.
DWill

ralphinlaos · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:13 am Post subject:

Hi DWill -

Is that what the odds-makers in Vegas are saying? Are they betting on McCain?

I heard a commentator on CNN mention that McCain couldn't even comb his own hair. And his face always looks about to explode to me. Seriously, has he released his medical records? Remember when most of the country didn't know that Roosevelt spent his life in a wheelchair? Maybe that's what a McCain presidency will be - but I don't think the subject of McCain's health is a dead issue at all; it will keep coming up.

Reagan was in the best of health, wasn't he? Certainly he exuded a youthful exuberance - in spite of his orange hair. Remember his quip to Mondale which put all the age business to rest. I don't think McCain is as quick on his feet, do you?

Do you know where Cindy McCain got her money? I don't, but it will all come out eventually. And didn't they adopt a young girl from Bangladesh? They do have children of their own, don't they? I think I emember hearing recently that their son returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.

None of this is anti-McCain at all; he's a real patriot and probably a decent man (who has had to reign in his temper during this campaign, right?) It has to do with putting all your cards on the table (or, in today's vernacular, "transparency.")

I think you're right about Hilary. But I think that, if she continues to stay and fight, eventually the voters are going to come around to, "that old broad is a fighter, she isn't going anywhere, despite what the political pundits advise." Then they will realize that this is an admirable quality and the tide will turn. But I agree, this better happen soon or it will be too late.

And more and more of Obama's garbage seems to be coming out. If he is nominated, it will be a great boon for McCain and I can see your scenario being correct.

How has your Spring been - is everything blooming and all the snow gone?

Ralph


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