<p>We all say we want someone who’ll reach across the proverbial aisle and compromise and won’t be an ideologue. Then when they show they’re willing to compromise, we call them flip floppers. In order to get the votes to win, McCain has to move right to even get his own base with him but he can’t go too far right or he’ll lose the independents that he needs. Obama should have the liberal base sewn up but the Hillary nuts are complicating that. Nevertheless, he needs independents and middle of the roaders too. There is no such candidate who can win by saying the same things today as he/she did 10 or even 5 years ago. Look at what gas prices are doing to everyone? I feel like those Mad Max movies are not so far from the realm of possibility. All of sudden, sitting on the beach and watching the sun set behind an oil rig is not such a bad thing. If anyone discovers that cars can run on blood, we’ll be in one heck of a mess. Yes, candidates have to sell their souls a bit to win. I’ll just support the one who I think will have more of one left when it’s all over.</p>
<p>cartera45, I agree that we want a politician who can compromise. Better yet, one who, when faced with new information or developments, can re-evaluate their original opinions. Kind of what I expect from my fellow CCers. :-)</p>
<p>That said, sometimes the right decisions may be unpopular, and I want to trust that my president can have the spine to stay the course (or not) if they truly believe its the right thing to do.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Good point, cartera. … In fact, your whole post was full of good points. Still, when I support a particular candidate on issues, I’d like to think he’s not going to do an about-face on me after I’ve voted for him. I’m a strong Obama supporter, but I’ll admit I’ve had some uncomfortable moments in recent weeks when he’s switched rails on certain issues. McCain has done the same. I don’t have any problem at all with thoughtful candidates changing their minds upon serious reflection or new information, but if it feels like a calculated political move … that makes me sad. :(</p>
<p>I never thought that I was going to agree with Obama all the time or disagree with McCain all the time. Nor was I surprised by Obama’s tacking to the center; not so much because I realize he has to win votes, but because I have been impressed by profiles suggesting he is, in some ways, rather conservative–as am I. In interpreted his message of change as change in the political process rather than change in policies. Bipartisanship and compromise rather than gridlock and mudslinging.</p>
<p>What has surprised me is the extent to which I have come to disapprove of McCain’s campaign tactics and to be concerned about his lack of mastery of details and his foreign policy. The Lexington Project is the one detailed plan. There’s much for me to like in it–and it happens to be the bits that figure in others’ plan, including Obama’s. I feel I could have voted for McCain 2000; but not the 2008 version.</p>
<p>I’ve also been dismayed by the McCain campaign playbook. He promised to keep it nice and stick to the issues, but was the first to go negative–in a big way. … It’s hard to define what “liberal” and “conservative” mean on CC. I’ve seen Obama blasted as “the most liberal of all senators” and I’ve seen him described as “rather conservative.” … </p>
<p>I don’t expect my candidate to agree with me on everything, but I like to know up front where we disagree. (As much as possible.) If a candidate I support–and vote for–switches rails on me dramatically, I’m going to feel a bit betrayed.</p>
<p>Many of the things I feel really strongly about are pretty much off the table anyway - at least for now. Gun control - gone. The environment is taking a back seat to gas prices. That bothers me but we are not a country that has ever put the environment ahead of our pocketbooks so it doesn’t come as a shock. Judicial appointments are probably foremost in my mind right now, and because of that, supporting McCain is off the table for me. Another issue of importance to me is how we are perceived in the world because we actually could use some help with this mess we’ve created in the middle East. For me at least, that also points to supporting Obama. Plus, there’s the likeability factor and I just like Obama more. I like that he’s really smart. I don’t think McCain is as dull as Bush, but he doesn’t strike me as particularly smart either. I’m sure others see things in him I don’t. Military service and whether their families have money or not is irrelevant to me.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ditto. …</p>
<p>cartera - post #801: excellent analysis.</p>
<p>I really feel that McCain is going to have, as you say, more of his “soul” left at the end of this campaign b/c his core principles of lower taxes, smaller gov’t., bipartisanship, and reduced government spending are more firmly engrained in who he is. He’ll be more true to himself and his ideals b/c they are so closely identified w/ who he is a person & statesman. </p>
<p>Ask anyone what McCain is known for and they’ll most likely say, “Fighting against Pork Barrel Spending” or "McCain-Feingold or “McCain-Kennedy” (both of which were [imperfect] efforts to work well w/ others in an attempt to find solutions). McCain is also well-known for standing AGAINST BUSH & calling for Rumsfeld’s firing. </p>
<p>He is/will be beholden only to what is right for America and that for which he’s stood all along. </p>
<p>McCain has some **core principles **that he has **never abandoned **and never will.<br>
I think we can all feel pretty confident about that.</p>
<p>I think beyond those certain core principles, certain things are a little more negotiable. That how you show leadership & find workable solutions between opposing forces at the same time.</p>
<p>^Given what McCain personally and painfully sacrificed for others, I can only assume what drives him is love. Love for country and love for his comrades. Selfish people do not lay down their lives for others. A weakness to this, of course, is the way McCain treated his wives. It’s inexplicable to me. I guess he’s just flawed. ;)</p>
<p>bz2010 - How can you say that McCain is known for standing against Bush when, in fact, his voting record reveals that he has agreed with the Bush administration at least 90% of the time?</p>
<p>As I said, McCain has certain core principles which are non-negotiable (low taxes, small government, controlled gov’t spending, support of military & their families, etc.), other things he is more flexible on. If those “flexible” things happen to fall in line w/ Bush, well that’s a coindidence (they are both conservatives anyway). </p>
<p>It’s the BIG things that really matter - such as calling Bush out on the poor execution of the war in Iraq, or trying to promote an Energy Bill which gave too many tax breaks to the Oil Industry (McCain voted against it btw, & Obama voted for it).</p>
<p>McCain has never gone along w/ something just b/c it was a “Bush thing”.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why did he campaign for Bush during the 2004 election?</p>
<p>NJ - because Bush was the better candidate.</p>
<p>btw - I was surprized to see this article on HuffPo:</p>
<p>[Alex</a> Castellanos: The Molten Core of Barack: Why Obama Can’t Win](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>The Molten Core of Barack: Why Obama Can't Win | HuffPost Latest News)</p>
<p>McCain has said his whole life was about “reconciliation”.</p>
<p>There is such a thing as forgiveness.</p>
<p>& I’m sure McCain had to learn about that the hard way after being tortured and held in a hellhole for 5 1/2 years.</p>
<p>
Actually, McCain has a history of not supporting veterans and it’s made quite a few of them angry. For example, he didn’t support the latest GI Bill. He also called for limiting health care only to veterans with combat injuries. He talks the talk but he fails to walk the walk. Here’s how various veterans groups have rated him:
Versus Obama:
It is quite clear that, while McCain makes a big show of being “for the veterans,” well, most of them disagree.</p>
<p>Where did your data come from , Jarn?</p>
<p>I’m not sure exactly what you mean. That is from those groups themselves - it isn’t “my” data, it’s their own data, just compiled into a list. Like the Disabled American Veterans said that McCain supported their issues 20% of the time in 2006, etc.</p>
<p>bz - here is an article that sums up the voting record well. I’m not familiar with the website but the research seems in line with other reports I’ve read. </p>
<p>[Vets</a> to McCain: Back New GI BIll](<a href=“Military Daily News”>Military Daily News)</p>
<p>Forgot to attach link of the senate ratings from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Hillary’s rating is impressive. </p>
<p>[IAVA</a> - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America - Full Ratings List](<a href=“http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list]IAVA”>http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list)</p>