With Mitt Romney suspending his presidential campaign, the clamor of pundits like Fred Barnes, Roger Kimball, Dan Henninger, Dinesh D’Souza, etc. that conservatives — and others — must “grow up” and support Sen. John McCain will likely intensify. Indeed, McCain himself now speaks of the need to “just calm down a little bit and see if there’s areas we can agree on.”
For some reason, I suspect that McCain refuseniks will not take kindly to being told to “grow up” and “calm down” by Senator Hothead or his proxies. It demonstrates a certain lack of irony or self-awareness, which is no surprise. In the now-infamous Vanity Fair profile of McCain, Todd Purdum wrote:
McCain’s temperament may be the single most discussed element of his life and career.
And yet:
McCain’s aides say that McCain himself was the last to recognize that he had a reputation as a hothead, and used to rail at them in private every time a public commentator suggested he had a problem, shouting, “I do not have a temper. I just care passionately.”
Indeed, the title of the profile refers to McCain as a “Prisoner of Conscience.”
Yet McCain and his proxies would deny that status to everyone else. Bill Whittle may write eloquently (as always), but his description of political parties (and the GOP in particular) as akin to a street gang or La Cosa Nostra, whose members have entered into some sort of pact, stands in rather stark contrast to Ace’s “What have you done for me lately?” formulation, which puts the burden on the party or the candidate to demonstrate that they are worthy of support. Moreover, Whittle’s invocation of party loyalty rings hollow when discussing a candidate whose career is built on his frequent and well-known rejection of party positions, not to mention conservative principles. John Hindraker can criticize others for an excess of purity, but apparently McCain is to be not only excused, but rewarded for his lack of purity. Victor Davis Hanson writes, with a tone of incredulity:
It is clear that pragmatism or expediency is not seen as a sin greater than erroneous conviction, in the sense that it is to be understandable that Romney had to do or say some liberal things in blue-Boston to get elected, but that McCain did them willingly when he did not have to in red Arizona.
In a word, yes. Indeed, one of the primary arguments made by McCain and his proxies is that he must be supported because the alternatives are worse. Another way of putting that is to say that the convictions of his opponents are more in error. So yes, people do prefer candidates who agree with them.
Moreover, the insistence that others “grow up” gains additional layers of irony in light of the historical record. If we are to believe the distortions of the Reagan record offered by Hanson and Jeff Jacoby, conservatives (and others) got shafted by an icon. Regardless, no one can credibly argue that George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, or George W. Bush were any better. Yet they have generally stuck by these figures — acting “grown up,” as McCain & Co. would have it.
Nevertheless, we are informed by Henninger and others that it is simply too much to expect that McCain compromise with conservatives on any of the issues on which they disagree.ÂÂ
Hanson and others go further, peddling myths about McCain’s ACU slumping rating and pretending that he has somehow modified his position on immigration, though he has made it pretty clear himself that he has not. Blatant spin like this does not win friends or influence people. Similarly, suggesting that people like Ted Olsen and Miguel Estrada are going to ensure he makes sound judicial nominations tends to carry less weight when McCain is unlikely to find judges who will support his beloved signature piece of legislation — the McCain-Feingold “campaign finance reform” — who will otherwise construe the law in a manner congenial to conservatives (and others).
McCain’s proxies seem intent on extending the trifecta of stupid. He planned to open his CPAC appearance with an introduction likely to offend its attendees. He is sending Sen. Lindsey Graham to woo Sean Hannity — another misstep demostrating either a lack of understanding their critics or a continued desire to offend them.
Accordingly, when McCain says he wants to see if there are issues upon which he and his critics can agree, it likely means he will point out already existing points of agreement, not issues where he would be willing to credibly compromise, as opposed to publicly grumbling about the opposing point of view or suggesting he really does not care about it.
McCain wants to be president. McCain wants to be the leader of the country, his party, and perhaps even conservatives. After all, if McCain thought he could win an election without the support of a decent-sized chunk of people who are currently his critics, he would not be engaging in any outreach efforts, as ill-conceived and occasionally insulting as they may be. ÂÂ
Someone who wants to lead should be a grown-up. For that matter, someone in his seventies should already be a grown-up. That means recognizing that asking your critics to be less pure might require that you set the example. For a change, McCain might consider compromising with conservatives instead of liberals. Then both sides could act like grown-ups. I would not predict that will happen, but perhaps McCain will surprise everyone at CPAC.
Update: At NRO’s Corner, Ramesh Ponuru claims that McCain’s speech may show some movement on illegal immigration. If that pans out, credit where credit is due. Our septuagenarian may be growing up a little.
Update x2: Allahpundit is less impressed: “Today’s ass-kissing was a good start but it’ll take a few more speeches like these before we’re even at the let’s-pretend stage of believing he respects the anti-amnesty position.”
Comment by Dan Collins on 2/7 @ 2:41 pm #
So that’s the collective noun, is it?
Pod of whales
Murder of crows
Clamor of pundits
I like that.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 2:49 pm #
Parliament of Owls. Because of the funkiness.
Comment by Dan Collins on 2/7 @ 2:50 pm #
I thought it was Fowles?
Comment by davis,br on 2/7 @ 2:51 pm #
“…it likely means he will point out already existing points of agreement”
Been listening to the [delayed ed. thereof] speech. It’s like you were prescient or somethin’ there, Karl.
Or maybe like McCain’s running true to form …which means one’s naivete apparently is in direct proportion to what the meaning of “is, is” (to quote – another – prevaricator).
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 2:51 pm #
BTW, Dan, in retrospect, I guess this was partially inspired by your prior post about Kimball, just a different angle than straight-on mockery.
Comment by Donut on 2/7 @ 3:01 pm #
There’s the bumper sticker
“I’m as loyal to the GOP as McCain is”
Comment by Dan Collins on 2/7 @ 3:10 pm #
That’s all right, Karl. We’re all sorta drinking out of the same jug o’ memes.
Pingback by Daily Pundit » Really on 2/7 @ 3:12 pm #
[...] GOP 2008: If you don’t grow up, we’ll throw a tantrum [Karl] There’s the bumper sticker “I’m as loyal to the GOP as McCain is†[...]
Comment by Sdferr on 2/7 @ 3:14 pm #
McCain quotes Burke : I know in this country our liberty will not be seized in a political revolution or by a totalitarian government. But, rather, as Burke warned, it can be “nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.”
But he still seems to misunderstand the meaning of Burke’s words, for he fails to even mention in his speech, let alone abjure, his “campaign finance” reform. Nibble, nibble.
SDF
Comment by mojo on 2/7 @ 3:21 pm #
Fred Barnes et al (al who?) can bite me. Big time.
Grow up my ass. How about you fuckin’ dinosaurs get underground and start making my oil? Chop chop!
Comment by spongeworthy on 2/7 @ 3:30 pm #
You’d think a guy smmart enough to be President might have thought before just today that paying a little respect to the conservative base might be a winning strategy. If we’re being such big fucking babies by snubbing him, what does that make him? If the fate of the Republic hinges on our eventual capitulation here, shouldn’t McCain have considered that?
I definitely think the country deserves a President who cares about the fate of the Republic, don’t you guys?
Comment by Merovign on 2/7 @ 3:44 pm #
While the following obviously doesn’t apply to Whittle or Hindraker or our other friends who have sipped and found satisfying the Crystal Light of the McCain campaign, I begin to get the impression that a number of the “new” posters I’ve seen, particularly at AoS and HotAir that have taken the “grow up” stance are, shall we say, a touch disingenuous.
In other words, cleverer-than-average trolls whose goal is to reinforce splits in the Republican party for their own benefit. Anyone see any evidence of this at Kos or DU? I can’t go read there…. I have a note from my doctor…
Unless “you’re a bunch of whining pussies” is the new “let’s make up and be friends,” in which case McCain needs to deliver the “reach out to the conservatives” message to his followers in clearer terms.
Comment by McGehee on 2/7 @ 3:50 pm #
Wait a minute — did the GOP nominate John McCain or Joan Rivers?
Comment by kelly on 2/7 @ 3:52 pm #
Sniff…they grow up so fast!
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 3:53 pm #
Merovign: I suppose that’s possible, but I recognize most of the “handles” I see here and at HotAir. I think it’s more a case of McCain tending to attract a core of support that mirrors his general demeanor.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 3:54 pm #
kelly gets it totally.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 3:55 pm #
jeesh.
Well, as long as you guys promise not to throw eggs at his limo or bring Papier-mâché giant puppet heads to President McCain’s inauguration, I think I’ll still be ok here.
Comment by kelly on 2/7 @ 4:17 pm #
It’s a bit like opening up a 72 year old wine, call it a 1936 JeanMac.
Of course, everyone understands ‘36 was not a great vintage and JeanMac has never been considered anything but a middle of the road Chateau. Further the bottle storage has been exposed to some torturous conditions 30 years ago. So…do you open it? And what can you expect? An off-putting nose that goes away with a little air but somewhat drinkable? Or… vinegar?
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 4:19 pm #
OK, sorry. Didn’t mean to kill the thread. Maybe I’ll go lift my kettle bell.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 4:27 pm #
MayBee,
You’re not killing the thread. But for a reported smattering of boos when he raised the issue illegal immigration (which, truth be told, McCain may not mind), he’s being treated just fine.
But the point boils down to how one views a political party. I view it as an institution that seeks to win elections. If McCain gets the nod and can win while acting as he always has, who can complain? But as noted above, it seems clear to me from the McCain campaign’s own efforts that they know they need more conservative support to win. That raises the question of why he’s having to do it now, as opposed to sometime in the past eight years or so.
I would suggest, as Ace does, is that McCain — like Whittle — probably believes that a political party is some group to which the plebes swear an oath and are supposed to put up with whatever is set in front of them. Unfortunately for them, the US is not a country where party loyalty can be so rigidly enforced, esp. when the candidate is not real big on party loyalty himself.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 4:35 pm #
I’m much less ambivalent about McCain than I would have been about Romney. This is because McCain is a
douchesomewhat irascible fellow with whose policies and goals I have often found myself in disagreement. So. If he wins does Napolitano get to pick someone to fill out his term? How does that work exactly? If it gets thrown to a special election I’d kinda like to know if an actual Republican plans to run. I’m just curious really.Comment by jdm on 2/7 @ 4:37 pm #
But as noted above, it seems clear to me from the McCain campaign’s own efforts that they know they need more conservative support to win.
I don’t know if it’s “need” so much as “want”. I am coming around to believe that McCain will be a pretty darn strong candidate. Lot’s of moderates stretching into both the left and right will think he’s their kinda guy. And he won’t be a whippersnapper nor a Clinton…
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 4:41 pm #
Oh. Fred Barnes, Roger Kimball, Dan Henninger, Dinesh D’Souza – all these people are fucktards. And also Peggy Noonan. See, for real, none of this is so complicated that these people have a rationale for being who they are and doing what they do in the way that they are who they are and do what they do. Someone should tell them that cause they sound like Resident Assistants trying to get everybody to use the recycle bins at the end of the hall. Did you hear what Roger said at the meeting? Who fucking cares let’s order a pizza.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 4:45 pm #
jdm,
Here’s what McCain said today:
He says he needs them. But you may be right and he’s just lying. Wouldn’t be the first time. That’s why I judge by what people do. And McCain’s history suggests to me that he would not be courting conservatives at all unless he was convinced he had to.
Comment by kid solor on 2/7 @ 5:10 pm #
LET’S SEE…. HUMMM….JOHN MC CAIN OR BEELZEBUB????…….?????????????….OK IT’S BEELZEBUB!
Comment by David McKinnis on 2/7 @ 5:24 pm #
Welcome to reality boys and girls. It comes down to the Hell you expect to live under with a (Mc)Cain Administration or Lady MacBeth/Mr O. Those are your choices. If you don’t think there is a difference then you really are fools and growing up won’t be of much use.
Comment by lee on 2/7 @ 5:25 pm #
I seem to remember from last time that there was a line on the ballot for a write in vote.
I plan on writing in Fred Thompson.
I know it won’t matter in the scheme of things, but I’ll feel better…
Comment by psycho... on 2/7 @ 5:36 pm #
Because everyone’s almost always lying, there’s usually more information in how they say things than in what they say. McCain let the mask slip today at CPAC with this phrasing: “I respect your opposition.”
The only people who use this formulation — it’s usually a disturbingly emphatic “I respect that. But [...]” — are fascoid corporate human resources types, their academic analogs, and progressives (McCain, for example), all of whom utterly disdain everyone who disagrees with them, because to them, ideas, or at least the ritual repetitions of them, are identities. They mean “I don’t respect you, and I’m not listening anymore.” And it sounds like it, too.
(Odd thing, but not very: Whenever I read one of these “I respect [whatever]” insults, I hear it in Janeane Garofalo’s voice.)
Comment by Rusty on 2/7 @ 5:37 pm #
#25
That would be Mrs. Beelzebub to you.
spongeworthy………………………………………….i finally got it.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 5:40 pm #
Nothing wins friends and influences people like calling them fools.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 5:50 pm #
I would suggest, as Ace does, is that McCain  like Whittle  probably believes that a political party is some group to which the plebes swear an oath and are supposed to put up with whatever is set in front of them. Unfortunately for them, the US is not a country where party loyalty can be so rigidly enforced, esp. when the candidate is not real big on party loyalty himself.
We have, for all intents and purposes, a two-party nation. Which means there is a wide swath of opinion being covered by each party, both among the electorate and among the politicians. For that reason, party loyalty can’t be rigidly enforced.
Nobody is asking that the plebes accept whatever is set in front of them– that’s what the election is all about. We plebes are getting to choose who we want to represent us. Some conservatives this time around are seeing that their guy (whomever that may be) isn’t getting the votes.
I understand the frustration– my guy didn’t get the votes either. Yet, I’m oddly used to not getting what I want when elections come around. There is no party that represents everything I want. I guess I’m in the minority.
Who was the loyal conservative Republican that was going to make everyone happy? Why isn’t he out there, getting votes?
Comment by B Moe on 2/7 @ 5:54 pm #
So were you born a pompous jackass McKinnis? Or is it something you have had to work at?
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 5:57 pm #
Hmmm. Good point, MB. Colin Powell flamed out so spectacularly that just saying his name sounds kind of silly, and the Bush Cabinet didn’t produce any superstars cept for Condi, kind of. Those Powerline people hate her guts though, and I figure if she never made any move towards running she probably had a good reason. George Allen was going to run but something happened with that.
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 5:58 pm #
Sadly, there isn’t a “none of the above” choice which could force a redo, so while we may not be plebes, we are forced to make a decision. Whether one cares to admit it or not, simply not choosing is the same as saying “whatever you guys decide”.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 5:59 pm #
Oh. Power Line.
Comment by David McKinnis on 2/7 @ 6:00 pm #
#30 Nothing wins friends and influences people like calling them fools.
Your right of course. I should concentrate on the message, not the messenger. The message itself is foolish.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:01 pm #
Just set it and forget it.
Comment by julie on 2/7 @ 6:03 pm #
“Who was the loyal conservative Republican that was going to make everyone happy? Why isn’t he out there, getting votes?”
I don’t know about you, but I will continue to vote for the only conservative in this election….who has never voted against his beliefs…or against the constitution, (however, he may not make everyone happy…the political establishment loves to make Americans put their dollars in the hands of the Government, and apparently, lots of Democrats/RINO’s love the fact that Americans do!) Go Ron Paul! If I have to write it in, I will. I will not choose the poor choice the GOP/media made, or either of the Democratic candidates. I may change my party registration, to send a message to my formerly beloved party.
That is really my only option right now…i just hope the world wakes up.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:05 pm #
It’s like when you walk in to his office and your boss is picking his nose.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 6:05 pm #
Tommy Thompson from the Bush cabinet ran for a minute, Happy. He seems like a sweet man.
I did see just now that Tom Delay says he’d have to think about whether he’d vote for McCain over Hillary.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:08 pm #
Oh yeah. I missed Tommy cause he was more a tv thing than an Internet thing ever. I think. Seriously though the media has pretty much done its job in thwarting a lot of the organic percolation of possible president people. On the Republican side I mean. Dems just have to make one keynote speech and they’re off to the races.
Comment by B Moe on 2/7 @ 6:09 pm #
As Ric Locke pointed out awhile back, the two party system forces us to make our coalitions before hand, and try for a compromise candidate that everyone can live with. Think of it as a negotiation, if you keep voting for less and less acceptable candidates simply because they are marginally better than the other choice, then you are going to keep getting these less acceptable candidates as the party tries to attract other voters. If, however, a large enough segment of you suddenly refuse to accept these compromises, and the new voting bloc picked up isn’t enough to offset the voters lost, then the party will be forced to move back to a more acceptable position.
Refusing to vote is not a meaningless gesture, none of the above is a valid choice.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 6:16 pm #
candidate that everyone can live with
B Moe, I agree that not voting is a completely valid choice.
I didn’t want to vote for GHWB in 1992 because I didn’t like the moral majority direction the party was taking. He lost, but the social cons became a big part of the party.
This year, who is this candidate that everyone can live with? When was the last time either party had a candidate that everyone could live with?
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 6:19 pm #
You are right about the keynote address. Wonder who it will be this year, and what’s going on behind the scenes to get that spot. If it’s Chelsea, we’re doomed.
Comment by B Moe on 2/7 @ 6:25 pm #
This year, who is this candidate that everyone can live with? When was the last time either party had a candidate that everyone could live with?
If I knew that, I would be making alot more money than I do now. I am just interested in someone I can live with. That is going to be someone who shows more respect for the Constitution and the rights of the individual than anyone still in the race. I am tired of voting for lesser degrees of populism. I liked Fred, could have lived with Rudy or Mitt or most of the others. Instead I get the only two I really just don’t like at all, so I am probably going to vote with my feet this year.
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 6:38 pm #
Refusing to vote is not a meaningless gesture, none of the above is a valid choice.
Only if the party understands what is happening. What you are describing was done in 2006, and I don’t expect the GOP got the message. I don’t have much faith they will this time either.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 6:40 pm #
oh, Karl, I missed this:
That raises the question of why he’s having to do it now, as opposed to sometime in the past eight years or so.
As I said yesterday, it is my belief that had he done it more in the past eight years or so, he wouldn’t be in the position he is now. Much like the other guys that were more loyal Republicans that aren’t on the verge of the nomination now. But now I’m just repeating myself.
Comment by JD on 2/7 @ 6:41 pm #
I noted in another thread that I was beginning to come around to the idea of voting for McCain, despite all of the assmunchers saying we were fools, etc … for even considering not voting. But, if Fuckabee is allowed within 100 miles of DC in a McCain admin, not only will I not vote for McCain, but I will actively campaign for, and donate to, the Dem.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:47 pm #
I’m on the same page with JD really. Except not as active. Otherwise if McCain picks someone normal I could shrug and vote for him and then go get yogurt. Or not. Either way really.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:48 pm #
Vote for him or not I mean. Either way I can still get yogurt as long as there’s parking.
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 6:53 pm #
If there’s no parking at the yogurt place, you could always get a smoothie.
Are you in Waxman’s district too?
Comment by JD on 2/7 @ 6:53 pm #
That may have been a bit hyperbolic. I would never donate to them.
Comment by JD on 2/7 @ 6:54 pm #
Smoothies have to be one of those nefarious Cali concoctions that have been foisted on the rest of us.
Comment by David McKinnis on 2/7 @ 6:54 pm #
Hey Moe. My pompacious jackassedness comes completely natural.
xxxooo
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 6:56 pm #
Oh. No. Berman’s. There’s a Jamba on my way home, though. Also it is on my way to work. My favorite is the peanut butter but I’m on restriction til I start working out again. You’d think that would be sufficient motivation.
Comment by JD on 2/7 @ 6:57 pm #
David is one of those people that thinks that by calling us fools, or children, we will agree with him. Seems people named dave and david have problems playing well with others. Just an observation.
Comment by John Sidney McCain on 2/7 @ 7:00 pm #
more a case of McCain tending to attract a core of support that mirrors his general demeanor
SCREW YOU KARL !!!
Comment by John Sidney McCain on 2/7 @ 7:04 pm #
McCain is a…
YOU TOO ‘FEET !!!
Comment by MayBee on 2/7 @ 7:04 pm #
Oh man, JD. We can’t even agree on smoothies now. We really are in trouble.
Comment by JD on 2/7 @ 7:09 pm #
MayBee – I have a better half, and a little girl, that believe that Smoothies are their own food group.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 7:12 pm #
MayBee,
Do you really think pushing the McCain-Kennedy bill secured him his current position? The class warfare rhetoric on taxes? Attacking the people who cure disease and the front line of civilian support of troops? Would avoiding those things gutted his moderate support?
I would argue that it would not have. In fact, as I have demonstrated with exit polling data and anecdotal reporting, most of McCain’s support comes from people who have no idea what his positions have been, and project theirs onto him. When their primary or caucus comes up, they start paying attention — and all they heard is what McCain is saying now on tax cuts, immigration etc. and they accept it at face value because he’s Mr. Straight Talk.
But perhaps I’m repeating myself, too.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 7:13 pm #
To no one in particular:
I DRINK YOUR SMOOTHIE!
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:14 pm #
@ #26 If you don’t think there is a difference [JM v. HC/BO] then you really are fools
So, are you saying that you’ve suspected us fools all along, and this merely confirms it?
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:25 pm #
@ #26
I know a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned.
It’s not on any chart,
You must find it in your heart.
Never Never Land.
Get the picture, DM?
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:27 pm #
Oh, and…
THANKS FOR THE REACH-OUT, DM !!!
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:38 pm #
@ #64
Todd Rundgren’s take on it offA Wizard, A True Star.
Comment by Pablo on 2/7 @ 7:43 pm #
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 7:50 pm #
Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds
Comment by Lost Dog on 2/7 @ 7:50 pm #
McCain, SchumerClain. It’s all the same to me.
He is a pol, and I can forgive pols for just about anything, if they don’t make a habit out of tellig me that I am stupid, and TO GO FUCK MYSELF.
I mean, what am I to make of of a man who obviously either hasn’t read, ignores, or is too stupid to understand, the constitution? Shit! A man? It’s apparent to me that the Supremes had the same disconnect.
What am I to make of a man who thinks I am so stupid that I will let him shove a “not amnesty” bill up my wazoo before he and his arrogant gang of 100 power spenders (of OUR money) prove to me that they will actually CLOSE THE FUCKING BORDER TO ILLEGALS? They had absolutely no intention to shut down the borders. Their only intention was to shut up the American people in a slam-bang bi-partisan grab for illegal voters.
Let’s see. 17 miles of fence actually built, and the other I-don’t-know-how-many hundreds of miles tabled indefinitely? Does ANYONE have the will to believe SchumerCain or any other lying piece of shit that pushed this screaming piece of crap so hard??
I need to stop soon or my head is going to blow up.
I wish with all my heart that I could come to some kind of understanding with myself about McCain, because if I could believe him, I might be able to fool myself one more time – just like with GW (And the alternatives are what? Hillary!? Obama?). But I’m afraid Maverick had already alienated me beyond any reconciliation.
I’m a pragmatist, and alienating me takes some doing. But McCain has managed to do just that.
‘Nuff said. See y’all next election.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 7:51 pm #
I’m not really sure what we’re going for here. I just wanted to play too.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:54 pm #
Yin/Yang
Don’t change dicks in the middle of a screw. Vote for nixon in seventy-two.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 7:56 pm #
what we’re going for here
Pie, ‘feet, pie.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 8:01 pm #
Hmmm. Speaking of pie… when is Peggy due next to splain this all for me?
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 8:03 pm #
She is the story lady.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 8:03 pm #
@ #67
(yiddishededly)So this is what the middle looks like?
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right.
Here I am.
Stuck in Teh Middel with you.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 8:05 pm #
when is Peggy due next to splain this all for me?
She’s recovered?
Comment by serr8d on 2/7 @ 8:09 pm #
I think the quote from Rush is probably most constructive…
Then, from the ashes, we rebuild.
Because of the candidate from Phoenix.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 8:10 pm #
Hey I have to do a thinger so time is not good but does anyone have a link to McCain’s actual speech for laters? Did I just miss this somewhere?
Comment by John Sidney McCain on 2/7 @ 8:15 pm #
Did I just miss this somewhere?
PAY ATTENTION JUNIOR !!!
Comment by John Sidney McCain on 2/7 @ 8:16 pm #
LISTEN TO ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU !!!
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 8:18 pm #
For your own good, of course.
Comment by cynn on 2/7 @ 8:18 pm #
Much rending of garments and stomping off angrily. How come you let this McCain atrocity happen? Where were you? Could it be you’re not the “base” anymore? Maybe the neocons are being spanked. I go back a long way with McCain in Arizona, and he has a reputation as a contrarian hothead. This could be some kind of backlash, or it could be a political market correction.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 8:21 pm #
It could be George Soros and the media too. They suck like that.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 8:26 pm #
Much rending of garments and stomping …the neocons are being spanked. I go… a long way with McCain …contrarian hothead. …some kind of backlash
I blush.
Could it be you’re not the “base†anymore?
All our base are belong to us.
Comment by Pablo on 2/7 @ 8:27 pm #
I’ve never considered myself part of anyone’s base, cynn. In fact, I’m a fickle bitch. You?
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 8:39 pm #
cynn,
I’ve blogged a lot about how it happened. A guy who has run before with weak competition. Beyond that, just type “changeyness” in the search box to get loads of poll analysis as to how it happened.
Comment by jdm on 2/7 @ 8:41 pm #
Karl, heard an interesting story tonight. Seems the son of a friend of mine was talking politics with his friend and that friend’s grandfather. The grandfather is a Democrat but he will vote for McCain. Absolutely not Hillary nor Obama.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 8:53 pm #
Helpful much y’all? No. You’re not. I had to get my copy of McCain’s speech off the streets.
Comment by Humus on 2/7 @ 9:07 pm #
McCain sure is determines to win the race. He’s going to do everything in his power.
Comment by lee on 2/7 @ 9:11 pm #
I knew not to exert myself too much Happyfeet, I figured you would find it for us.
Thanks for that by the way…
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:23 pm #
Pomposity? Someone here call?
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 9:26 pm #
I was the base once. Until I realized no one gave a crap. Then I stopped. I’m much happier now.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 9:27 pm #
You are welcome sir. Ok last time for this…
McCain today…
and the McCain we know and love…
That was the stance taken by McCain and his whore pals. If you vote for him you should know that I think. Also if you don’t vote for him you should know that. If you just go get yogurt on election day you should know that.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 9:28 pm #
I can’t read the rest of the speech cause I ran out of cookies.
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:33 pm #
Oh. McCain speechifying. Nevermind.
Comment by cynn on 2/7 @ 9:35 pm #
Yes, I will vote for McCain as well. Figure it out, hardass neocons, you can’t hijack the process anymore.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 9:35 pm #
harpy
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:37 pm #
Better that conservatives split
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 9:37 pm #
My ass isn’t that hard, but I bet I could still hijack some processes if I wanted to. Small ones maybe.
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:38 pm #
Then they can let the panderers deal with each conservative group to get votes
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:38 pm #
Cleaner, less whoring around required.
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 9:42 pm #
I have a sneaking suspicion that conservatism is a concept that has many possible definitions, at least as it’s being used in this election year. Pretty much all the candidates on the right claimed they were one, and some of them may well have been (or are) incorrect.
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:45 pm #
Well, sure.
Bunch of groups sharing the label, its easy. Also sharing the purported place at the fictisous bargaining table. End up with better pie that way, more fruits going in.
Comment by KID SOLOR on 2/7 @ 9:49 pm #
BUENOS NOCHES LOS REPUBLICANOS…..VIA CON BEELEZEBUB..OLE!
Comment by lee on 2/7 @ 9:55 pm #
Wow Cynn, did you read McCains speech?
He is for conservative issues. Pro-life, pro-gun, corporate tax cuts, staying in Iraq, threatening Iran, extending surveillance programs, no universal healthcare, securing the border first, conservative judges, and no expansion of entitlement programs.
Is that what you want, or do you believe he’s just saying all that insincerely to get elected so he can do what you really want and believe he will do?
‘Cuz if it’s the second, I’m kind of with you on that…
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 9:56 pm #
I say we kill the term conservative, label each conservative interest with better names, have each negotiate clean deals for supporting a given candidate.
Legal Conservative: Yo!
McCain: me? who’re you?
Legal Conservative: I’m a LeCo.
McCain: a what?
LeCo: A LeCo, I’m not a conservative. Nope. No conservatives here.
McCain: Whew! Those damn conservatives, always demanding stuff.
LeCo: Yeah, damn those guys.
McCain:
LeCo: So, want a million voters?
McCain: Sure, what do I have to do?
See – nice, clean, less whoring.
Then in comes ImCo, SoCo, ‘tarianCo, . . .
But the names suck. Needs work.
Comment by McGehee on 2/7 @ 9:59 pm #
BECAUSE OF THE CAMPAIGN-FINANCE REFORM!!!
Comment by Ric Locke on 2/7 @ 10:03 pm #
Expect more pandering to conservatives from McCain.
The Press loves him because he’s a Democrat under a false flag. Once they have a real (D) to promote, the fake one won’t stand a chance; there’ll be negative stories in great screaming gobs, never louder than when they’re trying to help cover up the latest Chinese campaign funding or registration of illegals on the Democrat side. Which there will be plenty of, which is all the more reason to heap calumny on the Maverick. Whereupon he will turn to conservatives for support, and our reply will be, “::shrug:: Well, John, you told us to f* off. So we did.”
Regards,
Ric
Comment by McGehee on 2/7 @ 10:06 pm #
Conservatives: “And now here you are asking us for another favor.”
Conservatives: “It’s always just ‘take, take, take’ with you, isn’t it?”
Comment by Education Guy on 2/7 @ 10:07 pm #
Not a bad idea John. I think for maximum effect we should choose names for each group that already have positive feelings attached to them, like “sex” or “afternoon naps” or “lottery winnings”. I mean, who’s going to vote against sex or lottery winnings? Also, who’s going to accuse the sex group of being hardass sexes? It just sort of takes the sting out of the attempted swipe.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 10:08 pm #
My record in public office taken as a whole
Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Comment by KID SOLOR on 2/7 @ 10:16 pm #
TO SUM IT ALL UP, EITHER CHARLIE PUT A CHIP IN MCCAIN’S HEAD.. OR BUCKWHEAT’S GOT A HEADACHE IN HIS STOMACH.
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 10:18 pm #
So calling social cons, Straights would be out huh?
Comment by lee on 2/7 @ 10:22 pm #
I’ll just stick to plain old “conservative”.
BECAUSE I’M THE WHOLE PACKAGE BABY!!!
Comment by guinsPen on 2/7 @ 10:23 pm #
Alright, who left the gate open.
Comment by John Lynch on 2/7 @ 10:25 pm #
So you get to join all the clubs and cut lots of deals, and each is clear instead of this amorphous “I’m a solid conservative, because my record says so” stuff.
Comment by Karl on 2/7 @ 10:29 pm #
Ric, I think that is an entirely rational theory. But we are talking about McCain.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 10:33 pm #
Does “I have argued to make the Bush tax cuts permanent” mean as president he will work to make the tax cuts permanent? If so with that and the judge thing I guess I’m in. Not enthusiastically. But enough to vote against Clinton or Baracky.*
That he says he would end the Alternate Minimum Tax… that part’s meaningless no? They pretty much end it every year already, and it’s kind of how you end it that’s the deal, no? Maybe I’m missing something…
But whatever I guess. Immigration was never my thing really, so okay, whatever. This old man really wants to be president before he dies. I guess I can trade my vote for a little good karma in my dotage.
* If he picks Hick as his running mate the deal’s off and I think I’ll join the Falun Gong or World of Warcraft or whichever. Become a Citizen of the World. Learn how to make artisanal cheese. Start using the phrase vicious pragmatism in response to everything. Whatever.
Comment by KID SOLOR on 2/7 @ 10:48 pm #
“What’s it all…about…?
jhonney!!!!…is it just for the White House ..you live….?
Comment by dundeal on 2/7 @ 10:54 pm #
The real power and wealth above party class wants to rule over an ignorant latino population. That stage is now set. Pik who you want, no diff. Within 2 years nothing you say or want will matter. Welcome to globalization.
Comment by Harry on 2/7 @ 10:56 pm #
I do not like him in a box.
I do not like him with a fox.
I do not like him in a house.
I do not like him with a mouse.
I do not like him here or there.
I do not like him anywhere.
I do not like Juan mccain.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 10:58 pm #
Latinos aren’t ignorant. Not in my experience. We’re lucky they’re not african islamic peoples, really. Thems is stoopid, lots. Not all. But lots. It’s a real problem.
Comment by KID SOLOR on 2/7 @ 10:59 pm #
well put mi amigo!
Comment by happyfeet on 2/7 @ 11:03 pm #
si se pudding, brother. Chockit, please.
Comment by KID SOLOR on 2/7 @ 11:05 pm #
American opportunist’s do not mind paying fo manuel labor, as long as Manuel does it!
Comment by thor on 2/7 @ 11:57 pm #
Aww, Happy, you’ve done it. You’ve come around to McCain. Better reluctant than never. You’ll regret it. We all will. Prepare to regret. But the price of Raman noodles would skyrocket if we allow the Socialist progs to tax the hell out of ‘em. Small victories. Small bowls. Small packets of beef flavoring. It’s all good.
Comment by geoffb on 2/7 @ 11:57 pm #
Number one quality for a politician. Make your rhetoric match your actions. Make the walk and the talk the same. If you have to change your position then explain why in sober rational terms and expect some or many to not follow you to the new position.
Don’t play your party members for suckers to get accolades from their enemies. If you do then “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me”. Or maybe we go with “once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is the result of enemy action.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/8 @ 12:03 am #
McCain may be the antiChrist, but dammit he’s our antiChrist. You bookmarked that recipes page right, thor?
Comment by thor on 2/8 @ 12:09 am #
No, I will though because I do eat Ramans occasionally, much to the horror and dismay of my vegan girlfriend, which if you think about it makes no sense other than she’s too much the uppity bitch to eat anything that costs 17-cents a packet in bulk. Everything at Whole Foods tastes better to her. Dumb. Bitch.
Link it, pojalsta.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/8 @ 12:17 am #
How will you eat your ramen noodles today?
I think this one looks like my favorite so far. I’ll defer to Lileks though.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/8 @ 12:19 am #
It’s the future!
Comment by maggie katzen on 2/8 @ 12:26 am #
that reminds me, there was a girl in Carousel that would snack on uncooked ramen. i tried some one night, not bad.
Comment by Ermar on 2/8 @ 5:13 am #
McCain’s aides say that McCain himself was the last to recognize that he had a reputation as a hothead, and used to rail at them in private every time a public commentator suggested he had a problem, shouting, “I do not have a temper. I just care passionately.â€Â
Common McCain just hold your temper everything will be in the right place.
Comment by jdm on 2/8 @ 6:26 am #
Yes, I will vote for McCain as well. Figure it out, hardass neocons, you can’t hijack the process anymore.
This is probably too late to attract any attention, but, the exact quote by the Democrat grandfather who will vote for McCain was “I ain’t voting for no woman and I sure ain’t voting for no n****r”.
Now that is one Big Tent McCain is putting up.
Comment by Ronald on 2/8 @ 6:50 am #
He obviously has no idea what he’s talking about. Mccain should just go back in the cave he lives in.
Comment by Rob Crawford on 2/8 @ 7:01 am #
*sigh*
Another idiot tossing around words they don’t understand.
Comment by Dan Collins on 2/8 @ 11:36 am #
Getting shafted by an icon hurts! Just ask the Cypriot Greeks.
Comment by Chris in Phx on 2/8 @ 11:57 am #
Don’t look at me. I voted for Fred!
(Two days later he dropped out)
I may vote for him again in November.
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Comment by Swen Swenson on 2/8 @ 2:59 pm #
So what gives here? Did all the Republican party-liners fail the Dale Carnegie course? I mean! If I really believed that losing the Whitehouse was TEOTWAWKI, I think I’d be a little nicer to the folks whose votes I need to avert The End Of The World As We Know It. Somehow, I don’t think I’d be telling them they must be America-hating swine, or that they should grow up, shut up, and get back in line. That sort of shrill recrimination should be saved until you really know your goose is cooked and you desperately need someone else to blame..
…
Oh. Well nevermind then.
Comment by Eric R. Ashley on 2/9 @ 1:43 pm #
Sven,
Possibilities.
1. They are liberals, and don’t see it as TEOTWAWKI if Hillary wins.
2. They believe beating conservatives with a stick is the more effective method of persuasion. Also, its more fun because beating dumb animals is good, clean sport.
3. They are jerks, and filled with hatred. I think for many this is objectively true.
4. and/or desperate which you hint at. They played their bluff, and are staring at bankruptcy if they don’t carry it off. The social conservatives and the libertarians were getting stronger. Plus, the socons and the tarians really have a lot in common (except for drugs, and abortion, and the I wonder how many socons would be willing to trade an end to the War on Drugs for an end to Abortion which is after all what Tarians should support….) So, this is the last chance for liberals. Stop the train now, or its not going to be stoppable. So they bluff…and huff….and find out that a lot of conservatives don’t know how to bluff.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/9 @ 1:48 pm #
I like abortion and drugs but not to actually do them, and I also like fetuses and dumb animals and I used to really really like movie theater popcorn but it’s not the same anymore.
Pingback by GOP 2008: For a good time, call Jules Crittenden, et al. [Karl] on 2/9 @ 7:22 pm #
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