I've long suspected McCain joined the Bush* campaign to sabotage it

[Proud2BAmurkin]

He didn't have to call on Bush* to denounce the Swift Boat Scumbags ad, he could have just said it was an independent group and left it at that.

I think McCain knew all along this crap was coming. He let Bush* tout his endorsement so he could do exactly what he's doing now.

I doubt he's forgotten what they did to him, was just biding his time. McCain has been a thorn in their sides forever, and they've stepped right in it by trying to score points with the "McCain was Kerry's first choice" garbage.

Victory is in the air folks.

[genius]

1. McCain is NOT a good guy. Look at his voting record.

He's only speaking out because of what Bush did not him.

[Dookus]

4. I think he's a good guy

Just one with whom I disagree on a lot of important issues.

But he fights honestly and fairly. He's concerned with restoring some degree of civility into politics and reducing the role of big money. He is not a partisan idealogue, and he tells the truth as he sees it no matter who stands to gain or lose by it.

Just disagreeing with me doesn't make someone bad. Being a lying scumbag who'll do anything to win does.

[genius]

5. Anyone who endorses Bush is a bad guy in my book

given how bad Bush is. But McCain's voting record is also really bad.

[Dookus]

8. Yes

that's the point you made above, which I refuted. You can choose to divide the world into black and white, good and bad, but it's simplistic and freeperish.

[HuckleB]

13. Exactly.

As "enemies" come, McCain offers a glimpse of the sort of opposing Senator we should all hope for. One cannot imagine the type of division that now cuts through this nation had McCain won the GOP nomination and won in the General Election. There will alway be people who think differently than us, but at least we can hope that they're willing to weigh our opinions, our words, our deeds, to actually debate in good faith. McCain generally does that, in my view.

[Selwynn]

15. I feel the same way. Honest disagreement is ok. In fact I like it :)

[justjones]

18. Whether he's good or bad, I respect him.

I agree with you for the most part. I totally disagree with him on important issues, but he seems to genuinely want what is best for this country, which is more than I can say for *. At least he doesn't have his head up his ass.

I disagree with the overall worldview of Republicans, but the lying, smearing, cheating, arrogant and ignorant spirit behind the current wave of Conservatism is what I really have a problem with. If there is such a thing as Satan, I bet he/she is a registered Republican. McCain is about the only one I feel has integrity, but that's just me.

[ASanders84]

25. http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/John_McCain.htm

Of course McCain is on the other side of the aisle, but look at some of the things he's said...it's likely you'll agree with them.

i.e. Money corrupts politics, and soft money corrupts absolutely. (Dec 1999)
Campaign Finance: ban both labor union & corporate donations. (May 1999)
Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)

[Rosco T.]

2. GIve it a coupla more weeks....

- first McCain will be 'strangely silent'

- then he'll not be showing up at any BushCo events..

- 1-2 weeks before the Election or right after the RNC... He disavow's Shrub and endorsed Kerry.

- too late for the Shrub to spin it...

[Proud2BAmurkin]

14. "I can no longer be associated with a campaign that refuses to.....

...denounce these dishonest and dishonorable attacks"

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

24. Did he SAY that?

Is that a quote??? Geez, if it is, wow.

[AndyTiedye]

21. How Fast Would They Shut Off His Microphone

If McCain endorsed Kerry during his speech AT the RNC?

[bluestateguy]

3. I don't think he's in to sabatoge it

It makes sense for him to back Bush. They are closer on the issues than McCain is with Kerry. But I think he probably made it clear to Rove, Gillespie and Melhman that he and Kerry are friends and that he would not be a part of character attacks.

[havocmom]

6. He is sorta like a referee. And he will blow his whistle when he sees a

foul.

The fact that both sides have complaints about the man is indicative of his fairness most of the time.

I, too, disagree with him on many issues, but I was not unhappy with him as my Senator most of the time when I was in AZ. And I still write to him on issues which are important to me and the nation.

One of the reasons I still write him is that neither of my Senators respond like they actually read my letters and they NEVER respond in a timely manner. From McCain (or his staff) I always get a prompt and thoughtful response. It is better than the form letters, which are actually self serving self promotion, that Baucus and Burns consider to be communication.

[never_get_over_it]

7. No way

McCain is not a good guy in my book and he is not out to sabotage Bush campaign. I appreciate what he did in regards to the ads. But how this man could have anything to do with Bush after what he did to him in SC in the 2000 primaries attacking him, his wife and child - he should never have joined ranks with him. If he wanted to sabotage Bush's campaign he could do what Zell Miller is doing he could have spoken at the Dem convention.

[Rosco T.]

9. old Klingon Proverb - "Revenge is a dish best served cold"...

it's getting really chilly in BushCo-land...

[Mz Pip]

10. Won't happen

It would be sweet if he did but he is a Republican through and through. He won't cross over not matter what. BUsh could run the sleaziest of ads and he may call them on it but he won't jump ship. Won't happen.

I had my hopes a couple of years ago but when push comes to shove, no matter how much criticism he dishes out, he stands by Bush.

MzPip
:dem:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

12. He can do far more damage staying "on their side"

He practically singlehandedly exposed the Swift Boat Scumbags

[HuckleB]

11. No, McCain's just doing what he always does.

He's an old-fashioned politician, and, the truth is, I hate his politics, and I hate his support of Bush. However, he'll only let the nonsense go so far, when it comes to a fellow vet, or even our troops today. Though I don't usually like the way he thinks, he does think for himself, which, at least, allows for some creativity, something our polticians of all stripes are sorely in need of these days. That trait is what likely led him to speak out today.

[graywarrior]

16. I'm still waiting for the vice presidential announcement

I think Cheney's gonna retire due to health, and McCain's gonna run. Things are getting desperate for the repub's. Just a hunch.

[HuckleB]

17. It wouldn't shock me.

However, the polls will have to look even worse come convention time for that to happen. George doesn't want to put McCain in a position of power to win the nomination in 2008, you know. Gotta get Jeb in there!

:eyes:

[8-6-PDB]

22. Nah, won't be McCain for vp

It will play out this way:
F-U's new doctor will say he isn't healthy enough to be VP (This will happen on Wednesday night, when he is supposed to make his acceptance speech - he will instead announce that Serial Killer Kid will select Powell, who will give an Obama worthy speech)

On Thursday, they will kick off the convention by announcing the "capture" of Bin Laden. No one really cares about serial killer kid's speech, he is hailed all around as an effective president. They win in Nov.

This is my personal worst case scenario. What could we do?

[AlFrankenFan]

19. That would make me happy

because he is one of the few Republicans I have respect for, and it was devestating when he went over to the Darker Side.

[kskiska]

20. I think he's just hedging his bets

He's sucking up to * in exchange for whatever they promised him when he decided not to accept an offer from the Dems for VP. If * doesn't win re-election, John will be there to pick up the pieces when the r/w get overtaken by the moderates and make John their party leader.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

23. I kinda doubt

McCain is going to take bush down.

He's had too many chances and has let them go by. I suspect he's too afraid of burning ALL his bridges or something.

Come on, McCain, you can do it. Call bush out. I'd love nothing more. You know he probably has dirt on him higher than the kitchen door.

But don't hold your breath.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

26. This is the first time I've ever liked the 'crawl'

I had CNBC on and it just kept running over and over,

JOHN MCCAIN CALLS AD ATTACKING KERRY'S VIETNAM SERVICE "DISHONEST AND DISHONORABLE"

[erpowers]

27. If McCain Really Wanted to Sabatage Bush

He would leave the Bush Campaign and give a strong rebuke of the ad. He would also rebuke the Bush Campaign for not denouncing the ad. Then he would began to cricize the president's performance as he did before he was tapped by the campaign.