Setting aside my problems with Hillary (evil hack) or Obama (arch-Lib), lemme focus on what I like about McCain.
I like the fact that McCain has demonstrated a willingness to buck fellow Republicans and stray from GOP orthodoxy since the 80s. He's not my perfect conservative, but I have no use for political parties... I'm into ideas, and ideas thrive when free thinkers aren't slaves to their party. Look at McCains hero Teddy Roosevelt... they guy went third party and destroyed the Republican Taft's chances. I see a little of that ornery attitude in McCain.
The downside is free spirits are sometimes inconsistent... but that's the price I'll pay for individualism. He has a reputation for doing what he thinks is right, regardless of his political interest or self-interest, which is the kind of politician I can actually respect. I guess it boils down to what you like in a leader... a calculating, poll-driven tool, or someone who's sincere. His stance on Iraq imperils his candidacy, as did his off the cuff comments downplaying his economic expertise.
But his ability to admit errors more than most is refreshing, as is his willingness to go down on principle. So even though certain policy issues I dislike, I think the man himself has integrity.
He is definitely the most complicated candidate. He can make blistering critiques of religious conservative leadership and deliver a commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University. Anyone who's familiar with McCain knows this is not hypocrisy in the slightest... he doesn't sacrifice his ideas, rather, he goes into the lions den and reaches for common ground... something he has always done politically. He's never had any trouble trying to work on a bipartisan basis.
His military background has a lot to do with his political independence. He was not a career politician, activist, or rise as part of the movement. His speeches are often nonpartisan, talking about America, duty, honor, courage, and service. Most people of military backgrounds have a country-first, political party-second type of approach. They're going to sound a little different than your average politician.
And that sounds pretty good to me right now.
I like the fact that McCain has demonstrated a willingness to buck fellow Republicans and stray from GOP orthodoxy since the 80s. He's not my perfect conservative, but I have no use for political parties... I'm into ideas, and ideas thrive when free thinkers aren't slaves to their party. Look at McCains hero Teddy Roosevelt... they guy went third party and destroyed the Republican Taft's chances. I see a little of that ornery attitude in McCain.
The downside is free spirits are sometimes inconsistent... but that's the price I'll pay for individualism. He has a reputation for doing what he thinks is right, regardless of his political interest or self-interest, which is the kind of politician I can actually respect. I guess it boils down to what you like in a leader... a calculating, poll-driven tool, or someone who's sincere. His stance on Iraq imperils his candidacy, as did his off the cuff comments downplaying his economic expertise.
But his ability to admit errors more than most is refreshing, as is his willingness to go down on principle. So even though certain policy issues I dislike, I think the man himself has integrity.
He is definitely the most complicated candidate. He can make blistering critiques of religious conservative leadership and deliver a commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University. Anyone who's familiar with McCain knows this is not hypocrisy in the slightest... he doesn't sacrifice his ideas, rather, he goes into the lions den and reaches for common ground... something he has always done politically. He's never had any trouble trying to work on a bipartisan basis.
His military background has a lot to do with his political independence. He was not a career politician, activist, or rise as part of the movement. His speeches are often nonpartisan, talking about America, duty, honor, courage, and service. Most people of military backgrounds have a country-first, political party-second type of approach. They're going to sound a little different than your average politician.
And that sounds pretty good to me right now.
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