The American Spectator

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Expensive Thirst

6.13.08 @ 12:01AM

FLAWED McCAIN
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Tough Leadership:

John McCain suffers several deficiencies in the eyes of conservatives like myself. That said, the choice between him and Obama is a no-brainer. It is good that Mr. Tyrrell reminds us of McCain's unwavering devotion to country and past demonstrations of leadership.

Aside from the candidates' biographies, there's also the matter of maturity. McCain understands he is running for president. Obama thinks he is running for God. Politicians in the second category, when they attain power, have a nasty habit of leaving widespread human suffering in their infallible wake. Obama's corps of swooners have not studied history.

There is no rosy ending for the looming election. There is only the choice between a flawed patriot and something far, far worse.
-- Doug Roll
Jacksonville, Texas

Mr. Tyrrell extols the management capability of the Republican nominee. One must look for a silver lining whenever possible I suppose. However, I am still trying to come down off the ceiling after hearing about the Senator's appearance of the "Today" show.

Let me sum up. Global warming is real. We shall never drill in a pristine wildlife area for oil (about one half of one percent of an Artic wasteland), and gasoline prices will go higher. Don't you know you morons have to put solar and wind power in your gas tanks?

Thank you Senator McCain, Senator Obama could not have said it better.

Let me put it this way, Hell will have to look like ANWR before I would cast a vote in favor of this man.
-- Jim Karr
Blue Springs, Missouri

It's good that we live in a society where each person is free to speak his peace. It's sad that some of us attempt to speak for others in their zeal to make a point. Taking a Shakespeare liberty I say to you, "Me thinks you praise too much." John McSame is certainly a good man and I for one would not malign him. Your arguments regarding his "leadership and managerial skills" are weak, to say the least. Yet you are entitled to your opinion. I for one suggest to you this country cannot tolerate another Republican leader for a long time. They have made a mess of our military, economy and standing in the world not to mention killing over 4,000 of our kids. "You have sat too long for the good that you've done...GO I say in the name of God, GO!"
-- Gary Hankin

I duly admire Mr. McCain's courage in the face of extreme adversity, and his management skills while in the U.S. Navy are certainly commendable. I also feel strongly that Mr. Obama's tenure as a one-term senator hardly qualifies him to head a country such as ours.

My main objection with Mr. McCain is his willingness to pursue the wrong-headed involvement in the Iraq war, which is really more of an occupation than a war. You mentioned President Reagan outspending the Soviets into bankcrupcy. We could be next.
-- Mike Roque

While I appreciate our friend R. Emmett Tyrrell's testimony on John McCain's character and management skills, I am more disgusted that he will use those traits on bad policy.

Can he manage the global warming hoax with cap and trade instead of untying the hands of the oil companies (obscene profits and all) without destroying the economy? Will his character force him to fight for originalist judges he appoints or will he cave and say, "I can't win with a 57-58 seat Democratic Senate"? Will his skills successfully fight the terrorists when he agrees with the left on closing Gitmo that the Supreme Court now totally screwed up? Will he become such a good fiscal manager that he, with a heavy Democratic Congress, decides taxes should be raised "on the wealthiest" (like his wife?) to help the still increasing federal budget?

From watching McCain's campaign so far, I have to worry a President McCain will, according to Tyrrell's assessment, be the better man to advance the causes of the left he subscribes to than Mr. Obama.
-- Greg Barnard
Franklin, Tennessee

Why are we not looking around for another person? McCain can't win, the same as Goldwater couldn't. This Party is doomed if we keep moving in the direction we've followed the past 12 years. Check the polls and see how many are sitting out the election. I know I am.
-- Richard Ledford

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Taxes, Transportation, Trade, Health Care, John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, Business, Sports, Global Warming, Hollywood, Constitution, Law, Supreme Court, Military, Iraq, NATO, Energy, Oil