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ML
3019 Posts |
 Posted - 05/14/2008 : 1:45:52 PM
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The McCain Doctrines
By MATT BAI
Published: May 18, 2008
This article will appear in this Sunday's Times Magazine.
Whatever their disagreements on policy, United States senators, even in today’s hyperpolitical climate, are reluctant to impugn one another’s motives or integrity.
That’s doubly true among those who experienced combat in the Vietnam War, a group that now includes four sitting senators — the Republicans John McCain and Chuck Hagel and the Democrats John Kerry and Jim Webb — as well as former colleagues like Bob Kerrey, Max Cleland and Chuck Robb. These men share an obvious bond, and over the years they have more readily crossed partisan lines than other senators, constituting, in some ways, a party unto themselves. To outsiders, they give the impression of having seen things in their youth that confer a different kind of perspective on mere politics; they seem to know that there are worse things in life than losing an election and having to go home. In contrast to the insecurities of the many boomer politicians who avoided service in Vietnam or marched against it, the Senate’s former soldiers exude a confidence that goes beyond military matters.
The war in Iraq has tested some of these friendships, however. Last year, after House Democrats voted to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, McCain and Webb — both of whom were featured heroes in a classic book on the era, Robert Timberg’s “Nightingale’s Song” — became embroiled in an unusually public disagreement. After McCain pointedly said the enemy in Iraq was celebrating along with Democrats, Webb accused him of unfairly questioning other people’s patriotism. When Webb and Hagel (a close personal friend of McCain’s) proposed a bill to give troops leaving Iraq and Afghanistan more time at home before redeploying, McCain, whose 19-year-old son has served with the Marines in Iraq, forcefully opposed them, saying the troops were needed in the theater. More recently, McCain has found himself on the opposite side of Webb and Hagel again, this time over their “G.I. bill” that would offer education money to every returning veteran. McCain and others want a more limited bill that would encourage rank-and-file soldiers to re-enlist rather than return to civilian life.
In these skirmishes, McCain is the outlier. Among his fellow combat veterans in the Senate, past and present, he is the only one who has continued to champion the war in Iraq; by contrast, Kerry, Webb and Hagel have emerged in the years since the invasion as unsparing critics of American involvement there. (In a new book, Hagel, who voiced deep concerns about Iraq even as he voted for the war resolution in 2002, predicts that the war will turn out to be “the most dangerous and costly foreign-policy debacle in our nation’s history.”) This divide among old allies may be the inevitable result of a protracted war that has cleaved plenty of American households and friendships. But it may also be that the war is revealing underlying fractures among the Senate’s Vietnam coalition.
-con't:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/magazine/18mccain-t.html?hp
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MisterVA
6634 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 1:55:29 PM
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| No matter which way you slice it...3 poor choices. |
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Tsnyder
8258 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:08:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by MisterVA
No matter which way you slice it...3 poor choices.
Get used to it... how many truly good candidates
are willing to endure the crap that goes with running
for the highest office in the land?
I'd say not many...
Tsnyder |
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MBG
257 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:08:15 PM
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McCain wasn't my first choice, but am liking him more. I like the Clinton's, but don't care for them to be in the White House ever again. Don't know much about Obama, but it's tough to get my vote when you are a freshman Senator.
McCain - also has a black son, whom I am certain he doesn't introduce as his black son or even adopted son, but rather as his son. His wife made philanthropic gestures well in advance of Angelina Jolie, but Angelina has made it pop culture.
And, despite NC wanting to reveal to their state the truisms of the democratic candidates, McCain strongly urged NC to do no mud slinging. He's a gentleman, experienced, certainly patriotic and I believe will do everything possible to protect us as Americans (and, those here who aren't Americans). He is moderate, right down the middle (most of the time). And, I think someone who is moderate might just have more success with important issues and Congress.
I have to say that I am proud to be an American as we are making phenomenal history this year with a black man or a woman receiving the democratic nomination. This is only the beginning! And, it's been rather amusing at times to see the dems arguing....certainly has provided great material for SNL and others.
So, who's got it: Obama or Hillary?
See you first Tuesday in November.........everyone should exercise their right vote and if you don't, you aren't allowed to ***** and groan. Just my 2 cents.
Cheers~~~~~~~~~ |
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MisterVA
6634 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:11:25 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Tsnyder
quote:
Originally posted by MisterVA
No matter which way you slice it...3 poor choices.
Get used to it... how many truly good candidates
are willing to endure the crap that goes with running
for the highest office in the land?
I'd say not many...
Tsnyder
1984 was the last time. |
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EMScommercial
5138 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:13:06 PM
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I would have much rather been saying 'President Romney'.... but.... I guess it will have to be 'President McCain'....
I wonder who his running mate will be.... Crist? Romney? Paul?
Politics.... very American! |
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Carpet Muncher
1385 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:13:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by MBG
McCain wasn't my first choice, but am liking him more. I like the Clinton's, but don't care for them to be in the White House ever again. Don't know much about Obama, but it's tough to get my vote when you are a freshman Senator.
McCain - also has a black son, whom I am certain he doesn't introduce as his black son or even adopted son, but rather as his son. His wife made philanthropic gestures well in advance of Angelina Jolie, but Angelina has made it pop culture.
McCain does not have a black son. 17 years ago he and his wife adopted a girl from Bangladesh. People from Bangladesh have dark skin. You must have gotten your information from the Karl Rove propaganda orchestrated during the 2000 primaries in the Deep South. Rove figured that many voters in the Deep South would hold twisted information like this against McCain. He was right. McCain lost the South Carolina primary and never regained his momentum. |
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ML
3019 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2008 : 2:25:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Carpet Muncher
quote:
Originally posted by MBG
McCain wasn't my first choice, but am liking him more. I like the Clinton's, but don't care for them to be in the White House ever again. Don't know much about Obama, but it's tough to get my vote when you are a freshman Senator.
McCain - also has a black son, whom I am certain he doesn't introduce as his black son or even adopted son, but rather as his son. His wife made philanthropic gestures well in advance of Angelina Jolie, but Angelina has made it pop culture.
McCain does not have a black son. 17 years ago he and his wife adopted a girl from Bangladesh. People from Bangladesh have dark skin. You must have gotten your information from the Karl Rove propaganda orchestrated during the 2000 primaries in the Deep South. Rove figured that many voters in the Deep South would hold twisted information like this against McCain. He was right. McCain lost the South Carolina primary and never regained his momentum.
A white candidate with a black kid was political poison eight years ago! Now it's GOLDEN! |
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MBG
257 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2008 : 06:55:44 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Carpet Muncher
quote:
Originally posted by MBG
McCain wasn't my first choice, but am liking him more. I like the Clinton's, but don't care for them to be in the White House ever again. Don't know much about Obama, but it's tough to get my vote when you are a freshman Senator.
McCain - also has a black son, whom I am certain he doesn't introduce as his black son or even adopted son, but rather as his son. His wife made philanthropic gestures well in advance of Angelina Jolie, but Angelina has made it pop culture.
McCain does not have a black son. 17 years ago he and his wife adopted a girl from Bangladesh. People from Bangladesh have dark skin. You must have gotten your information from the Karl Rove propaganda orchestrated during the 2000 primaries in the Deep South. Rove figured that many voters in the Deep South would hold twisted information like this against McCain. He was right. McCain lost the South Carolina primary and never regained his momentum.
You're right and I stand corrected.....did not however receive my misinfo. from Karl Rove, but rather a GF thinking she had her facts correct.....geez, just goes to show you to look everything up first, huh?
Nonetheless, his position on protecting this nation and EVERYONE here (not being a war-monger, mind you), his strong family and compassion for all humans stretches much farther than other candidates in my opinion.
About three years ago I stated that it would be tough for me if Hillary ran because she is a woman (although I am not a fan of her politics - BTW, she should give up on nationalized health care already - it won't pass, period); however, it hasn't been tough at all for me at. I like the Clinton's, but not in the White House. We should all evaluate candidates on their merit, not gender, race or religious affiliation. That being said, I believe McCain is the best candidate for the President of the United States of America. It's still early and anything can happen in the 11th hour..........
Everyone, GO VOTE!! |
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Carpet Muncher
1385 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2008 : 07:54:18 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MBG
[
You're right and I stand corrected.....did not however receive my misinfo. from Karl Rove, but rather a GF thinking she had her facts correct.....geez, just goes to show you to look everything up first, huh?
Actually you did. Word of mouth is always the most effective way to spread rumors. Evil Karl is very good at what he does. Our country would be in better shape if McCain (or even Gore) had won in 2000. McCain has my vote. |
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