The Case Against John McCain in 2010 Or, The Top Eight Reasons to Defeat John McCain

Photo Credit: A McCain Barf Bag I made during the 2008 Primary to express my disgust

Get ready for a epic rant, because I've received another plea for help from John McCain, despite repeatedly indicating my animosity toward his re-election campaign.


Here is the latest plea from Senator McCain:

My Friend, 

Throughout my life I have faced many challenges that have tested my character and my values. I have met each of these challenges with resolve because I believe that service to our country is my calling in life. I have long said that I owe America more than she has ever owed me and I never doubt that our country is the greatest in the world. 

Today, we face perilous challenges that threaten our nation's economy and security. We are being led down a dangerous path as the current Democratic leaders continue to spend at an unprecedented rate. I have been the leading opponent against them, fighting everyday against wasteful spending and government expansion. However, if I am to continue fighting for our shared values, I must win reelection to the United States Senate. 

I want you to know that I never take any election for granted, and this will surely be the toughest reelection battle I've ever faced. Today, I'm counting on your support for my campaign. Your endorsement means a great deal to me and today, you can show your support by following this link to add your name to the growing list of men and women supporting my campaign. 

I am thankful for each and every person who extends a hand in friendship as I campaign for reelection. I'm proud to have the support of such strong conservatives like Governor Sarah Palin, Grover Norquist, Bill Bennett, and my Arizona colleagues Senator John Kyl and Congressmen Jeff Flake, John Shadegg and Trent Franks. I'm also proud to announce the support of 31 mayors from across Arizona who joined my campaign this week. 

I hope I can count on you to join them by adding your name to our online list of supporters. Please follow this link to add your name today. [link deleted] 

Unfortunately, my primary opponent chose to launch his campaign this week with a litany of lies calling my record of service into question. So I'd like to set the record straight. I'm a fiscal conservative. I'm the one who has fought against earmark projects that my opponent has supported. My opponent's relationship with the disgraced lobbyist, Jack Abramoff led the voters of hisCongressional district to vote him out of office in 2006. And if he is elected to the U.S. Senate, it will be a substantial setback for the conservative values you and I share. 

Today, I sincerely hope you will stand with me by endorsing my candidacy. [link deleted] After adding your name, I ask that you make a generous contribution of $25, $50, $100, or any amount up to the legal limit. Your support, regardless of the amount, will enable me to spread the truth about my record of service across Arizona. 

My friend, this race will be tough, and I believe that I have to earn the votes of the people of Arizona in order to return to the Senate. If you stand with me today, I pledge that I will continue to fight for our shared conservative values. I am a man of my word, and when I make campaign pledges, I keep them. I hope you will show your support for my campaign today. Thank you.

Sincerely,

John McCain, aka The RINO (see photo)

P.S. I never take any election for granted, and I know I must earn the votes necessary to return to the Senate. I am grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support I have received thus far. But, I need to know that you stand with me as well. Will you follow this link to sign our online endorsement form? [link deleted] Your immediate support means a great deal to me. After signing the form, you will be given the opportunity to make a financial contribution to my campaign. Any amount you can give up to the legal limit is greatly appreciated. 

Commentary

 (go grab a cup of coffee and settle in for an epic length post, at least by my standards)

Let me start this rant off by chastising the people he's listed as endorsing him: Governor Sarah Palin, Grover Norquist, Bill Bennett, Senator John Kyl, Congressmen Jeff Flake, John Shadegg and Trent Franks.


What are they thinking??? Why on earth would these conservatives lend their name to a RINO who has damaged the Republican party worse than perhaps any other Republican in a generation? Their names are sullied, stained and brought low by their association with Senator John McCain as supporting his re-election bid. 


John McCain has been in elected office since 1982, when he won the race to become a US Representative. He won re-election in 1984 and in 1986, won an election to the US Senate, where he has been ever since, having won re-election bids in 1992, 1998, and 2004. 


He has been in the US House for 4 years, in the US Senate for 24 years for a total of 28 years spent in our nations capital as an elected official. It is time to retire this guy. 


Here are the major reasons I oppose Senator John McCain's re-election for a fifth 6 year term as a Senator from Arizona:




#1 McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)


The act was designed (according to  McConnell v. Federal Election Commission) two issues:


 The increased role of soft money in campaign financing, by prohibiting national political party committees from raising or spending any funds not subject to federal limits, even for state and local races or issue discussion; (this was a violation of Free Speech & a censorship of political speech)


The proliferation of issue advocacy ads, by defining as "electioneering communications" broadcast ads that name a federal candidate within 30 days of a primary or caucus or 60 days of a general election, and prohibiting any such ad paid for by a corporation (including non-profit issue organizations such as Right to Life or the Environmental Defense Fund) or paid for by an unincorporated entity using any corporate or union funds. (this was also a violation of the principle of Free Speech and a Censorship of Political Speech in favor of incumbent politicians)


Part of this act has recently been overturned by the Supreme Court, and I expect most of the rest will eventually be overturned by future courts.




#2 Support of Gun Control Legislation and Banning Small Arms


John McCain supported several efforts in the late 90's to restrict American Second Amendment Rights and even wanted to ban 'cheap handguns' and force people to keep forearms locked up in the privacy of their own homes. He supported legislation that would send a person to prison for traveling through a school zone with a firearm in their vehicle or taking a 15 year-old target practicing with a firearm. 


See "John McCain's Gun Control Problem",  "John McCain  is a Liberal Gun Grabber", and the "GOA's Take on John McCain" (includes a graded score card) for more information.




#3 John McCain's Record Against Tax Cuts and Progressive-style Class Warfare Rhetoric Against Capitalism and the Free Market


He opposed George W Bush's tax cuts in  the 2000 election and in 2001 and 2003, saying "I don’t believe the wealthiest 10% of Americans should get 60% of the tax breaks. I think the lowest 10% should get the breaks", "I am disappointed that the Senate Finance Committee preferred instead to cut the top tax rate of 39.6% to 36%, thereby granting generous tax relief to the wealthiest individuals of our country at the expense of lower- and middle-income American taxpayers" 


For more information, read "John McCain's Top 10 Class-Warfare Arguments Against Tax Cuts", "McCain Switched on Tax Cuts".




#4 Climate Stewardship Act (proposed by John McCain and Joe Lieberman in 2003, 2005, and 2007 Obama was a cosponsor of the 2007 attempt)


The act (if passed) would have capped Carbon Dioxide emissions and crippled US Industry. 


For more information, download PDF's of the proposed legislation according to version (click on the year), 2003, 2005 and 2007. The list of co-sponsors reads like a who's who of RINO Senators and Progressive Democrats...birds of a feather when it comes to proposing legislation that would cripple America Industry if enacted.




#5 The Gang of 14


His membership and leadership of the Gang of 14 in 2005 was the leading factor that destroyed the Republican Party's ability to campaign on Democrat obstructionism in 2006 and cost the Republicans their majority in Congress and (ironically enough) led to the victory of Barack Obama in 2008.


For more information, read "McCain and the Gang of 14" and "The Road Not Taken: Forfeiting a Majority". 




#6 Comprehensive Immigration Reform (first introduced in 2005 as the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act [download PDF], and re-introduced as The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 [download PDF])


I do not even know where to begin to address all the ways these two bills would have been disastrous for America. The first one was never voted on, and both led to a large uprising of opposition in the Republican Party that rang the phones off the hooks in Washington, DC and filled the email and voicemail boxes of members of Congress to capacity. 


Co-sponsors were Ted Kennedy, Lindsey Graham (who earned the nickname "Grahamnesty" over his participation, and read like a who's who of Progressive Democrats and Progressive Republicans.


The legislation would have allowed Illegal Aliens to jump in line in front of immigrants who had been following the law in becoming citizens of this nation. It would have prohibited state and local law enforcement agencies from assisting federal law enforcement in enforcing immigration law and would have made every town and city in America Sanctuary Cities. Think about that.


#7 Voted for the 2008 US Senate $700 Billion Bailout Bill  (‘‘Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 [download PDF)]


The bill had billions of dollars in earmarks for everything from Wool Research, Wooden Arrows, and Auto Racing Tracks, not to mention that it would have rewarded the poor decision making of businesses and punished business that made smart decisions.


For more information, read "Senate Passes Economic rescue Package", "McCain Says Bailout bill Must Pass".




#8 He is not really a conservative. 


The Almanac of American Politics rates congressional votes as liberal or conservative on the political spectrum, in three policy areas: economic, social, and foreign. For 2005–2006, McCain's average ratings were as follows: the economic rating 59 percent conservative and 41 percent liberal, the social rating 54 percent conservative / 38 percent liberal, and the foreign rating 56 percent conservative / 43 percent liberal.


The American Conservative Union rates John McCain as the 39th most conservative Senator, with  Chafee (formerly R-RI), Collins (R-ME), Snowe (R-ME) and Specter (R-PA) the only Republicans scoring lower than him and more than one Democrat scoring ahead of him. [Download a PDF of the ACU Report] Or, read "McCain's ACU Ratings" for a basic run-down of the ratings given McCain.


So those are the most important reasons conservatives should be seeking to defeat Senator John McCain in 2010.


Further, I would call upon those formerly esteemed conservatives to drop their support of his re-election bid before their names and reputations suffer irreparable damage.