The American Spectator

p> NO McCAIN IN TEAM br> Re: Jeffrey Lord’s A Conservative Team of Rivals : /p>

Yes, Mr. Lord, in answer to your question, yes McCain could put together such a Cabinet.

p>Alternatively — or as preparation for handling that collection — he could take up herding rattlesnakes. br> — A.C. Santore /p>

A thoughtful article, Mr. Lord. However, assuming that McCain is the last man standing for us at the end of today, your article still presumes way too much. From my readings on Messrs. Reagan and Lincoln, both men were graciously humble, principled, and intellectually honesty. Most importantly, both men genuinely admired and respected ordinary Americans and the form of government that placed power with these same people. They trusted and believed, as imperfect as we are as citizens, that it’s the people, tethered to the Constitution, that govern, not the politicians. I have never seen these traits in either Hillary or McCain.

While you accurately point out that Reagan did not always faithfully apply conservative principles, a point often made by writers & readers alike at TAS, nonetheless, Reagan never felt malice or animus towards conservatives and our principles. Lincoln, sandwiched between political enemies and timid and incompetent generals, that perilously endangered the very survival of the Republic, still governed with a greater dedication of purpose to and for the very principles that helped form the Republic. Lincoln’s acknowledgement of his stewardship for the survival of the American experiment, was never more evident then when Lincoln was required to apply draconian measures in order to ensure the survival of the Republic. Compare that to McCain’s and Hillary’s iron-fisted approach to universal health care and Immigration, enough said.

p>So, Mr. Lord, don’t expect a Hillary or a McCain presidency to embrace political foes of different backgrounds and beliefs; neither one has the political temperament to embrace such diversity. That, I’m afraid, requires a sense of purpose to and for something greater than oneself, which neither is capable of. As to whether conservatism can survive either Hillary or McCain, that’s a question I’m not ready to contemplate quite yet. br> —