Many great men since 1776 never became President. Many of the best and brightest have not become President either due to not being born here, refusing to seek the White House, or giving it their best and falling short.
Alexander Hamilton, perhaps the greatest treasury secretary ever, was not born in America. Daniel Webster, one of the finest legal minds in American history, did not attain the highest office in the land. Colin Powell, despite a 35 year military career and a national following, declined to run. World War II hero Bob Dole sought the job three times, and lost three times. This does not diminish any of these men. It just means they were not the right man in the right place at the right time. Whether it be bad luck, a lack of skill at campaigning, world events, or a combination of all of these and other factors, being a great man does not mean one will reach the pinnacle of American political greatness.
https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/03/john-mccain-its-the-man-himself/
It is with a sense of sadness that I acknowledge that while the door has not closed completely shut yet, John McCain is looking more and more likely to be remembered as a great man that did not become President. He could have been one of the best, but perhaps…and I say perhaps…his time has past. Nevertheless, he addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition at the 2008 Candidates Forum. It was a serious policy event, and John McCain was deadly serious in addressing the crowd. His remarks from the event are below.
“Iraq is succeeding. The Maliki government is not succeeding.”
“‘Mission Accomplished’ did not cause the problem. It is long, hard, and tough.”
“The struggle we face will be with us the rest of this century.”
“Iranians cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.”
“If we withdraw, the Saudis will help the Sunnis.”
“I predicted the Rumsfeld strategy would fail. Four Secretaries of State have endorsed me.”
“We should never torture another prisoner again, otherwise other nations would do it.”
“Radical Islam has spread through Al Jazeera.”
Senator McCain then told a joke about Basketball legend Bill Russell that failed to connect, before continuing.
His remarks were briefer than the other candidates because he wanted as much as time as possible for questions.
Citing Ronald Reagan and others, he stated that, “Military experience is not required to lead America.”
He then praised Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s World War II leadership.
“My son has no military demerits. Somebody should DNA test him.”
“Rumsfeld should have expanded the military, and Walter Reed was a disgrace.”
“The United States expects too much of the United Nations. We should form a league of democracies.”
Speaking about other world leaders, he praised Nicolas Sarkozy of France, and then stated that “When I looked into Vladimir Putin’s eyes, I saw three letters…K…G…B.”
“We should leave the World bank if it does not shape up.”
When asked about various situations and whether or not they were genocide, he replied, “If we leave Iraq, there will be genocide. The Armenian-Turkey issue of 1915 was genocide, and the situation in Darfur is genocide. However, we should not pass the current Armenian-Turkish resolution, since the current Turkish government is not responsible for what happened back then. We should suppress the PKK, they should not go into Turkey.”
He was then asked about various non-violent attempts to slowly institute Sharia Law in the United States. He replied, “I am not worried about any peaceful demonstrations of beliefs. Footbaths, Cair, and Keith Ellison are not violent.”
Although John McCain is often criticized by republicans for being “too bipartisan,” he was totally against the bipartisan Iraq “Federalist” partition proposal offered by Sam Brownback and Joe Biden.
“It won’t work. You’d need 500,000 troops. Bosnia/Kosovo stopped with overwhelming force. Partitions don’t work.”
He offered some final thoughts on other matters.
“We must make sure that troops are never seen as dying in vain.”
“If we lose Israel, this world will be a lesser place.”
“I am concerned about a growing protectionism. Free trade is vital.”
John McCain is famous for offering straight talk, and a sobering message about the challenges we face is important. Honesty and candor are important. However, Senator McCain has simply crossed the line from realism to pessimism and gloom. He came across as dour, and yes, old and tired.
Also, he is running a general election strategy. This is not wise when in front of a crowd that wants red meat (kosher, but red nonetheless). This was an event set up as a republican primary, or at least a caucus. Praising FDR and bashing Donald Rumsfeld is just not necessary. McCain has already proven his independence. At these types of events he needs to show he is still a member of the team. Also, CAIR has ties to terrorist organizations. Him implying otherwise is wrong.
Many can overlook his immigration position (many cannot) because that issue divides respected republicans, with the Wall Street Journal and National Review on opposite sides. Yet his support of campaign finance reform with Russ Feingold is an issue that republicans are united on…against him. As for torture, I will never criticize him on that issue. However, our enemies are already doing it to us, far worse than anything we do.
He warned us that the road ahead would be long, hard and tough, but he did not offer any sunny “can-do” American optimism. The America that put a man on the moon was not evident in his speech.
There is nothing wrong with reaching out to independents, and even democrats. However, he must reach out to republicans as well, because if he were to win the nomination, the lovefest that the liberal media has with him would evaporate in a heartbeat. It is not possible to win everybody, but a person can lose everybody, and John McCain may end up losing everybody.
Four years ago, the wisdom of who would be challenging President Bush was completely wrong. If anybody can pull a Lazarus act, John McCain can.
His biography is phenomenal, but so was Bob Dole’s biography. Like Dole, John McCain can be warm, engaging, and funny. When he is on the top of his game, he is more compelling than most people. Also, on many issues, he is far to the right of his competitors. Yet many primary voters mistake him for a moderate because he acts like one. He keeps emphasizing straight talk, but the straight talk is that he is very conservative, and should proudly, loudly and optimistically emphasize this. He can always run to the center later on.
Of the four top tier candidates, his performance in front of the RJC crowd was the least effective. The crowd was not passionate about him.
If he does not act quickly, he will end up an American hero, one of the greatest Americans to have ever lived, and to have never been President of the United States. He has said that he, “would rather lose an election than lose a war.” I believe he means this, and I believe it only enhances his greatness, making it almost tragic that he has to lose either of them. I suspect he will be at peace with himself, no matter what happens.
John McCain is a great man. He is qualified to be President. Many say he should be President. Yet too many say that despite this, he very well may not be.
eric
John McCain is much more valuable in the Senate than in the Oval Office. If he stays there, and a forthright Republican president wins this ’08, we’ll have two good men where they need to be. I know that sounds somewhat unpleasant to McCain fans, but like all good soldiers, they do what needs to be done and serve where they serve best. And that would not diminish my admiration for McCain one iota.
I think McCain will step aside in 2010 if he doesn’t win this one. He’ll be in his mid-seventies but he’ll feel like he’s in his mid-eighties. The GOP has passed him by, steaming ahead into the party run by the corporate elite and supported by the too many Bible Thumpers and reactioaries. McCain’s “Goldwater” GOP is dead and buried. Only when it is ressurected will the McCains of the party get another chance.
JMJ
“John McCain is a great man.”
No, John is a great PATRIOT. For someone to Cosponsor an Amnesty bill with Ted Kennedy…immediately torpedoes that stature. A member of the Gang of 14…sorry…I love John for his patriotism and his stand on the GWOT….but after that- ..as Tony Soprano would say…..Fugettaboutit.
I must say that while I deeply respect McCain’s war service, I have never been fond of his Senate service. He is conservative in demeanor, yet he has no foundation of ideas other than his instinct which leads him astray. Look at his Gang of Fourteen, where he strips the president of nominating power of the Judicial branch unless these fourteen Senators agree with his choice. His ill-fated immigration amnesty plan and his general demeanor belie his ability to be a President. Still I like McCain, even though I cannot ever say which way he will read a scenario – not what I want to vote for.
If it wasn’t for the Gang of 14 – you cons wouldn’t have ANY judges appointed! You should be darn glad McCain is pragmatic enough to actually get something done (even though I wish not a single con Judge was EVER appointed).
JMJ
JMJ
That is an absolute bucket of b.s. So what’s your point?….and I wish Ginsberg would burn in ACLU hell. At least conservatives look at the qualifications of an individual judge when nominated for SCOTUS. Unlike demo-bats who start crying like teenage girls at a summer camp. Look how they torpedoed Robert Bork and damn near Clarence Thomas. Conservatives looked at the qualifications of Ruth ‘Darth Bader’ Ginsberg and endorsed her nomination, the Senate confirming her by a 96 to 3 vote. This was a judge who served as General Counsel for the ACLU- the most liberal body of ASSCLOWNS in the western hemisphere.
When you put someone in the White House, have fun. Knock yourself out…that’s your right by law as it stands today.
I am a libertarian, on one issue though, and that’s legalizing drugs. Therefore, I’m very much in favor of your right to continue smoking the dope you have stashed.
There’s an ACLU Hell? Does that mean that I get to go to ACLU Heaven? I am a card carrying member, after all.
What’s my point? Gee. I thought it was pretty clear. I’ll tell you waht – why don’t you try reading it over, oh, say, 50 times, and see if you get it.
“At least conservatives look at the qualifications of an individual judge when nominated for SCOTUS. Unlike demo-bats who start crying like teenage girls at a summer camp.”
LOL! Youre a regular William F Buckley! Who says the GOP went intellectually downhill with the Southern Strategy!
Robert Bork was a radical.
Clarence Thomas was unqualified (and a pervert).
Ruth Ginsberg is not a radical by any stretch, was qualified, and is not a pervert (I hope!) – that’s why the 96-3 vote.
And just what is an “assclown.” I see that expression all the time but I’ve never been able to picture it.
As for your selective libertarianism (conservatism for teenagers), that’s all well and fine. You probably shouldn’t be mad at Ginsberg. I doubt she ever ruled in a way that had any negative efeect on you – or your bong.
JMJ
“If it wasn’t for the Gang of 14 – you cons wouldn’t have ANY judges appointed!”
I tried reading that 50 times…..finished the second time…and realized I was in the presence of an intellectual giant…the gravitas, the wit, the perspicacity!
Bork is a radical and Ginsberg is Mainstream? THAT IS RICH.
JMJ….turn off the Lava lamp and step AWAY from the bong.
J. said;
There’s an ACLU Hell? Does that mean that I get to go to ACLU Heaven? I am a card carrying member, after all.”
ACLU says there is no heaven, so your screwd.
J. said;
(even though I wish not a single con Judge was EVER appointed).
Prayer works better, genies have less credibility than God.
J. said;
LOL! Youre a regular William F Buckley! Who says the GOP went intellectually downhill with the Southern Strategy!
Florida is flat.
J. said;
Robert Bork was a radical.
He doesnt wear swans to partys.
J. said;
Clarence Thomas was unqualified (and a pervert).
Hes qualified right now, and always was. Anita Hill is a qualified nothing.
J. said
Ruth Ginsberg is not a radical by any stretch, was qualified, and is not a pervert (I hope!) – that’s why the 96-3 vote.
Jersey also said yesterday;
The majority IS a fool. It’s that old expression – any one perons is usually pretty, and one group is usually pretty stupid.
So ! The 96 -3 vote means the one group(the majority) is pretty stupid?
You cant have it both ways Jersey !
Dont put stretch and Ginsberg in the same sentence, I wont go there.
J. said;
And just what is an “assclown.” I see that expression all the time but I’ve never been able to picture it.
Here ya go ! http://www.vicesounds.com/images/assclown.jpg
J. said
I doubt she ever ruled in a way that had any negative efeect on you – or your bong.
That because she has her own ruler and bong.
Alexander Hamilton, perhaps the greatest treasury secretary ever, was not born in America.
absolutly right.