Comments published about McCain in Aug, 2004

Friends,
With the primaries moving in full force, and with two candidates on each side fighting for top spot, I seldom find myself believing in a political win-win situation. However, here we are. If Obama or Clinton become president, the culmination of power has done a complete 180 in the past two years, and the country will begin moving in the right direction. If McCain wins, the Dems will still pick up incremental seats in the House and Senate creating a stronger check to the Republican president. And if McCain wins, I will take comfort knowing that we again have a competent leader running the country.

During the 2004 presidential elections, I wrote a write-up on the unethical practices of the Bush team during the primaries of 2000 elections that killed McCain's momentum in South Carolina, and published them on my website. Since McCain will be the Republican nominee, I thought it appropriate to share previous statements.

(August-2004)

"McCain has always been a viable threat to corporate agenda. His continual call for campaign finance reform and limiting soft money donations, undermine the influence big business maintaines within the political arena. McCain is the only Republican vocal enough to attack the tobacco companies (they gave close to nine million between '95-'01 to the Republican Party) and conservative enough to fight the media sleaze broad casted by some of Bush’s largest donors. Although Bush’s silver-spoon fed business career yielded many embarrassments, it did teach him the power of corporate money. McCain was a threat to various corporations and Bush and friends were determined to keep him out."

"John McCain is one of the last decent politicians. A Vietnam POW, McCain understood better then any politician the great divide that occurs with decisions of such magnitude. McCain retains job approval ratings of 70 percent among independents, and is a favorite of conservative Democrats. His dedication to his constituents and the United States is never questioned. His mere presence in office would discourage any Democratic presidential nominee."

"Howard Fineman of Newsweek writes: 'His [McCain] media platform is nearly as tall as the president's, and he is using it right now to outflank him on the corporate responsibility issue. His speech to the National Press Club and his appearance on "Meet the Press" give him a chance to list the sweeping reforms he favors: truly independent corporate boards, free of personal and financial connections with management; the counting of executive stock options as salary, thus making them subject to income tax; a ban on corporate consulting by accounting firms; an independent federal agency to oversee the accounting industry; a renewed distinction (first written into law after the Depression) between stock brokering and investment banking.' McCain is minimally influenced by corporate hierarchies, a model for Politicians and the opposite of George Bush."

Conversation from Emily Lopez's Blog

Hey Emily, thanks for outing me! Its ironic that so many people on the right despise John McCain, the only Republican that can win in November. You might as well have voted for Hillary, if voted for Mitt and he was elected. Not a pleasant comment for many of you, but none the less, very accurate.

"I can't live with two judges that may enact laws to allow partial-birth abortions, civil unions, strip the right to bear arms, and other such liberal crap!"

A nice wrapped up talking point, but highly unlikely. Partial birth abortions were struck down by both parties in 2003...they will not be coming back. Gay marriage legislation was shot down by both parties as well in 2006, again, nothing the president can impact. The only gun control legislation passed by a Democrat in the past 20 years was the Brady Bill, which took 20 various assault riffles off the street (BTW..The Police Unions backed this legislation).

Get past the network rhetoric and you will find real reasons to vote for your favorite candidate. We all didn't like it when Romney failed because of inaccuracies and stereotypes relating to his beliefs...why would we fall into this same trap with others?

February 8, 2008 7:25 AM

ORIGINAL POST BY EMILY:

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

The lesser of two evils...

Although, Romney seems to be optimistic still, it looks like the nomination is going to McCain. All we can hope is that he will get the votes in November, be made President, and then die before he is able to do anything too damaging! (Okay, that was harsh, but the man has battled skin cancer twice already, and he is old, so it is a possibility!) Despite the fact that I cannot stand Juan McAmnesty, he is better than the alternative, and perhaps he does have a better chance to beat the Democratic nominee than Mitt would have (apparently, Matt Anselmo believes this as well, hence the e-mail to vote for Mitt to many of you...ha...I just outed Matt on my blog!). There are potentially two Supreme Court Judges this President may get to appoint. So, I probably will vote for McCain in November. I can live with higher taxes and a pathway for illegals to become citizens for four years. I can't live with two judges that may enact laws to allow partial-birth abortions, civil unions, strip the right to bear arms, and other such liberal crap! CNN has a list of all the issues and the stances on its website that is pretty good and comprehensive if you are interested. The only thing I can be sure of from yesterday's "Super Tuesday" (they should call it Stupid Tuesday!), is that we surely are in the last days!!

Email to a friend on Capital Hill

Wow,
You seem quick to give up the crown. With McCain winning the Republican nomination, I am not so sure Obama can pull it off. He still has to get by Hillary, who I believe, would have even more trouble against McCain.

I will take the idealist comment in a positive light, but its more then that. I am tired of partisan politics; I am tired of compromise not being the underlying principal of the congress. What I am really tired of is exactly what we need more of...shorter memories. I find it interesting the current flack that Democrats receive when Republicans have proven themselves even more inept at managing fiscal policy. Earmarks are out of control, and have been for the past decade. I commend your boss' work on this subject, but do not get caught in the trap of partisan rhetoric. I am sure, for the next couple of years, Democrats will mimic their opponents past behavior.

But remember, I sat on the side screaming into an abyss through the previous six years when legislation such as the Medicare 2003 bill was passed, and from 05-06 when real legislation was replaced with pork. Does that justify the Dems actions? Probably not. But let's not sit on the side and convince ourselves that the Republicans would not be doing the exact same thing if they still maintained power.

There will be waste, I do not disagree with your comment. But realistically, what corporate entity is running at 100% efficiency? Not even my company would state that waste is not a problem. Short of running every federal agent through six sigma (joke), waste will be a problem. However, do not believe for a second that this is a partisan problem.

Government should be there to help the people it represents. Unfortunately, all I see is corporations being the true beneficiaries of recent legislation. And government should be very leery when dealing with business. Even the passed bill for the mortgage bailout did little to help the people, but much to cut the losses of the banks that undertook the risk. Talk about anti-capitalism. Or how about the fact that the largest buyer of drugs, pays the highest price...Adam Smith is probably rolling over in his grave.

Yes, Democrats might not make the Bush tax cuts permanent, but they never should have passed in the first place. They were based on conditions that were preposterous to begin with (ie. economy would continue at the trajectory of the 90's), and when in the history of the US have tax cuts ever been enacted in war time? I commend John McCain for voting against them. And let's be honest, how much does rolling back the Bush tax cuts impact 90% of the people? And no, I do not believe the Bush tax cuts served any real purpose, especially when discussing impacts on the economy. As far as the comment about looking forward to more tax increases...a solid talking point with minimal credibility. I guess the majority of the right sees the expiration of the Bush tax cuts as raising taxes, but I disagree. Its time for fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets, and though the Dems might not be perfect in this regard, I can not believe it can be any worse then the previous seven years. (I would love to discuss with you the hidden tax of inflation...)

This is not about saving the world, but helping those in need. I don't believe the Democrats have all the answers, but I will say they are a bit more transparent (you don't have to write me on this point, I know you probably disagree). But as Adam Smith was weary of large corporations, so am I (ironic I work for one of the largest). I believe that McCain is the front runner for November, but I take solace in the number of seats that will be picked up in the House and Senate. McCain or Obama are capable of running the country with my support, and even Hillary will be a vast improvement over President Bush. I must say, I like where this country is headed, which is the first time I have made such a statement in about six years.

~Matthew



-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 8:11 AM
To: M J Anselmo
Subject: Re: FW: Off to the Races...

Obama looks great, has it all to take it. Kenyan father, Georgian white mother. Father leaves them, works hard in some of our best universities, and takes a pro-bono type job after all is said and done. He's an inspiring, charismatic- leader type. I predict he will be the next pres. Only, I don't agree at all with his policies.
You're right, Dems want to give you the moon, but sometimes there are those that would rather not have the moon--they're shooting for Mars or beyond.

Anyway, this city will be completely different next year--just like when Clinton was in the WH and Dems in majority. I'm not looking forward to more tax increases--and more government organizations that proclaim they will save the world! They are wasteful, I've seen it, lived with those that work with them who also agree. You can be an idealist as a student when it's not real life, but as soon as you start paying the bills--quickly realize sadly, it is about capital.
So congrats to you on your win...and here's to 4, maybe 8 years of "uniting America".