The American Spectator

It’s a universal problem. Every couple of years, when times look tough, John McCain appears to be the answer. I thought so back in 2000. John Kerry thought so in 2004. And now many in the GOP think so for 2008. The New York Times reports that Jon Stewart’s aghast at John McCain’s political revolution (by which I mean, his political re-evolution). While McCain’s triangulation on tax cuts and Jerry Falwell is alienating liberals, conservatives should still be suspicious.

Before I get into those reasons, let me say his record on the war has been superb. And he supported Bush against Kerry, for which conservatives should be grateful. Grateful enough to nominate him for president? I don’t think so.

Three issues on which the senior senator from Arizona is all wet: global warming, campaign finance, and illegal immigration. These are huge. Granted, President Bush agrees with him on two out of three (he signed McCain-Feingold), but they’re large issues nonetheless.

And on abortion, Falwell tells the New York Times that McCain’s “certainly pro-life.” Yes, he’s generally pro-life. He’s better than most Democrats and some Republicans. But it’s not a sterling record: he has supported fetal tissue research, he’s implied that Roe v. Wade is necessary, and he supports expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

I just don’t trust the new John McCain. He looks too much like the old one.