As I mentioned a week or so ago, the Republican nomination is over with and John McCain is in effect the Republican Nominee. I know there are some conservatives that dislike McCain. In fact, he was not my choice. However, I am willing to give him the beneift of the doubt and listen to what he has to say.
I just listened to Michael Savage, who has the 3rd largest audience among talk show radio hosts. He just said that he would vote for McCain if its between McCain, Obama, or Clinton. Michael Savage pointed out that John McCain as a “60 -65% conservative is better than Hillary – a 0% conservative or Obama a negative conservative (paraphrasing).â€? With those statements, I wanted to watch today’s CPAC Speech. John McCain, the Republican Nominee, said that he would promote the following:
- Cutting Government spending. He will veto all bills that contain earmarks.
– Reducing the corporate tax rate, which is the 2nd highest. This is a good thing.
- Eliminating the AMT – ok McCain you got me listening. The AMT needs to go the way of the death tax and be banished away for ever and ever never to return.
- And endorsing the extension of the “Bush Tax Cuts.”
With those statements, he got a standing ovation.
I am willing to listen to John McCain as the Republican Nominee. However, I hope that he will follow through by promoting conservative thinking.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
If McCain can get you listening, he can get anyone listening.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Tina, you are right, he’s saying the right stuff. Except on immigration. He likes to obfuscate his current belief on the matter. He wants to build a wall now. Great, but what’s he going to do with the 12 million that are on this side of the wall and shouldn’t be??? If he promises to not give them a head start to citizenship (ie make them go through the same process as everyone else that wants to come to this country), I will vote for him.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:31 am
McCain – you can perhaps credit Michael Savage’s Radio Program. He was critical of McCain, but said that he would vote for him over Hillary and Obama.
I also listened to his CPAC speech last night, so it was helpful.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Brian
The illegal immigration, tax cuts, and spending control are major issues for me.
I will also like the War in Iraq to end sometime within the next four years. I think McCain is the only one that can conclude the war w/o surrendering.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:16 am
It’s a little late for the Bush tax cuts. When we had our chance to make them permanent he was against them because of class warfar.
It is convenient now, but when we needed him to take a stand he wasn’t willing. Now the Dems have control, and without them putting all kinds of crap into it they won’t be permanent.
If there made permanent it won’t be the Bush tax cuts. It will be some crap that benefits a very small % of Americans. Without control of Congress it doesn’t get through in the present form.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:21 am
He will veto bills that contain earmarks, but pass bills that will pass along .40 cent increases on our fuel. You know bills like the global warming one he and Lieberman worked on.
It’s a wash in my opinion. One way or the other Americans will be getting screwed.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:26 am
McCain voted no on 6 tax cuts including the two big votes – final passage of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.
McCain voted yes on 3 tax cuts including 2 which received near unanimous support in the Senate and were relatively non controversial.
McCain was not present for an additional 3 tax votes, including 2 on the very important American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
McCain does not support permanent repeal of the estate tax, a major goal of the taxpayer movement.
McCain has told reporters “off the record” that he would raise taxes if elected President
McCain No Vote on Tax Cuts
Economic and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, Conference Report – May 26, 2001
McCain Voted No
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00170
Final passage of the 2001 tax cut which reduced marginal tax rates, ended the marriage penalty, expanded the child credit, increased IRA and 401(k) contributions and phased out the estate tax.
Death Tax Repeal Sense of the Senate – February 13, 2002
McCain Voted No
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00028
Non binding Sense of the Senate the Estate tax should be eliminated.
Permanent Repeal of the Death Tax – June 12, 2002
McCain Voted No
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00151
2002 vote to permanently repeal the death tax which failed.
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 – May 15, 2003
McCain Voted No
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00179
2003 tax cut which accelerated the phase in provisions of the 2001 tax including income tax rate reductions, marriage penalty, and child credit. Legislation also reduced the double tax on dividends and capital gains tax to 15 percent, and increase business depreciation to 50 percent.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Actually, he was against them in 2001 and 2003, but voted to extend them in 2005. I think the failure to permanently extend can be blamed on everyone, including the Republican leadership in Congress at the time.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I share those same concerns CB.
Global Warming -kyoto lite treaties – and illegal immigration – he must be pushed more to the conservative side on these issues. Its up to him to follow through now.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Maybe someone will finally bring up why he won’t sign the “No Tax Pledge”.
I think he either needs to sign it, or explain why he is unwilling. It has been said by Americans for Tax Reform that he told reporters “off the record” he will have to raise taxes.
I am seriously starting to wonder if everyone just put their head in the sand for this election. As if these things will never and would never come up.
‘Cause it’s coming, and I don’t think there is a soul on earth that can stop it.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:36 am
He should also sign on to Sessions illegal immigration plan. That would indeed help.
Don’t get me wrong though, I think he has an uphill climb at winning the Presidency. Its a tought year for the Republicans due to spending, Widestance and FFF and other scandals, and the War in Iraq.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Cracked Base, when I run for office, I wouldn’t sign the “no tax pledge” either. It never helps, it can always hurt a candidate. Reagan’s gas tax to fix the highways would have definitely fallen within the category. Increased fees (even allowing for inflation) can fall under it. Gov. Ehrlich in our own state placed a tax on properties with septic tanks because the tanks are one of the principle causes of sewage-related contamination in the bay. The increased dollarys were used for monitoring to make sure that everyone had well-functioning tanks. Given that our fishing, tourism and crab industries are totally dependant on the CHesapeake Bay, I thought it was a good idea. He got ripped on it. On the other hand, he blocked increased liquor and cigarette taxes, increases sales taxes (1% increase just went into effect as soon as Dem. Gov. O’Malley went into office) and a slew of other taxes that the Dems are now pushing through. They even held a special session to push through tax increases when they didn’t have a budget and didn’t know how much money they would need. (Cart before the Horse?)
Anyway, “no tax pledges” get broken a lot, and usually backfire on the candidate, unless of course, they don’t believe that the government has any right to tax anyone for anything…. I have to defend McCain on this one. I do hold him to his past record, however…
February 8th, 2008 at 7:54 am
His problem with me is that I don’t trust the man. I hate to say it but I just can’t get comfortable with the idea of casting a vote for him. I don’t buy into the scare tactic of look what you will get if he doesn’t win.
The man says to look at his record, and when I day it becomes what have you done for me lately. There answer is simply nothing. I am not going to look at any vote he made in the last few years because of the political motivation involved in those votes. Hillary and Obama both did it as well.
The thing with McCain is he had a strong record on a lot of issues pre-2000, and at some point when he began flirting with becoming an Independent it became exciting to him to cause friction. He voted that way for the better part of 6 years, and then when being President became an issue it changed again.
So who is he becomes the question? My thinking on this is simple. Leading up to 2000 he had thoughts of being the President. That is very well known, and his name began to surface long before that of someone who might have interest. His votes reflected someone who would be a natural fit for the Republican party. All of that was derailed with the rising of W.
After that I think more than anything we saw the true McCain. A guy that leaned to the right, but was always more to the center than he wanted everyone to know. I think after 2000 he figured he was to old and that the being President was now out of reach. So in that time we saw the true McCain. One that was not as strong on the 2nd amendment, one who believed in class warfare, a man who believes in amnesty for illegals, man made global warming, etc.
I think what people don’t understand is that I like him being in the Republican party. I think that we can all have different views, but share many common goals. What I don’t think is someone like McCain should be the leader of the Republican party, or the POTUS.
I think that after the 2000 election, and leading up to this election we saw the true McCain. I think some are hoping for the McCain of 15 years ago, but everyone tweaks their beliefs somewhat as they get older and gain experience, and I think that is exactly what has happened with McCain.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I believe McCain erred by using class warfare language to iniitally oppose the Bush tax cuts. He claims to have had another tax plan and wanted to control spending. He has voted to cut taxes consistently though if you look at his entire record.
Also, I think the attacks against him on judicial nominees were lame and weak. I mean he voted for Alito and Roberts – and Thomas.
Please note that I have been highly critical of McCain here and wrote the “John McCain Rino” thread. I am just giving him a fresh look.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am
CB – believe me I share many of your concerns. It is what it is now, and he’s the nominee. The only choices are to vote for the Ds, and get nothing – or stay home and elect the Ds by default.
Savage said that Hillary is a 0% conservative and Obama is a negative conservative.
Those comments hit me hard.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:01 am
This is all the pledge states:
ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.
If you can’t sign that than I’m not going to trust you. That is easy enough. What you talked about wouldn’t fall under this pledge in my opinion. Nor would I hold it against you if you had done that in office. This is simple, and for a small business owner this is something I would like to see him do. If nothing else he can at least explain himself better than just saying look at my record.
For one thing I don’t know which record he wants me to look at. Is it the one from 12-15 years ago, or does he want me to look at his record from about 98-04 where it was in the 50’s and 60’s score wise. I am just confused by him that’s all. That was sarcastic in case anyone missed it.
You can give him a pass if you would like, but that pledge is so simple. His unwillingness to sign that simple pledge has me somewhat concerned. Especially when there are rumors that he might have to raise taxes to pay for what will become his war.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I listened to McCain’s CPAC speech and he promised those tax cuts that I wrote in the actual thread. So, they are good enough for me, especially given his record.
You raise valid issues CB – but for me its now time to move forward.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Tina, I am still fairly young(28), and I believe a representative, Senator, or President must earn my vote.
Tom DeLay was the Rep. in my district in 2004 and 2006, and of course a long time before that. In 2004 I said I wouldn’t vote for DeLay because many things I felt he had done to hurt not only the conservative movement, but also the Republican party. I felt that even though he might be a good man some of his actions had led me to my decision to not vote for him. That meant not voting for him when he ran against the moron Dem whose name escapes me.
I still went and voted, but just didn’t cast a vote for the District race. DeLay went on to serve another term, and in 2006 after winning the Republican side he was forced out disgracefully and Nick Lampson is now our Rep.
Many people were upset with me in 2004, and again in 2006 when the pressure was really mounting against the man. That was my conviction though, and I have the same feeling in this election. It is a different set of “principle” that won’t allow me to vote for McCain, but for me I find myself in much of the same situation in that District race.
People can say the Presidency is more important than the district race, but it isn’t going to change my opinion.
I will let the Dems take credit for what is going to happen instead of electing some RINO that will end up being blamed in 4 years. It would equate to 16 years of Dem legislation being passed if McCain gets the Presidency.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:15 am
CB – that’s fine, you can do that, and perhaps many will stay home. I have not yet decided to do that, or vote for McCain in the general. However, I am willing to listen to McCain and hopes that he is willing to listen to us conservatives.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:26 am
He still has a chance to get my vote.
His problem with me is credibility. I think if he hadn’t positioned himself as a “Straight Talker” it would make it much easier to forgive him for some of these things, but when you position yourself as someone who doesn’t change and yet your record proves otherwise it makes it tough.
I would prefer he come out and say that the class warfare was wrong, the immigration was flat wrong and have a better idea of what we are going to do with all the illegals, say the cap and trade is/was the wrong way to go about global warming, etc.
He isn’t willing to do that, but he wants to talk about the things we have in common. The problem for me is the things he think we have in common are less important to me than things we don’t.
I think that makes sense, and he still has plenty of time to earn my vote. I just don’t think that in the long run he will say much of what I need to hear, but hey as long as he says enough to get elected who cares. We will see if his way works.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I also think that he should do this, it will help him. I am just keeping an open mind on this now. Your comments are well argued – and I agree with them. You seem very reasonable.
On a side note, I caught part of Bush’s CPAC speech. 1,200 were in attendance, he got standing ovation after standing ovation and many chants of 4 more years 4 more years. A description of his speech and the reaction were at the NRO site.
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