An open letter to Senator John McCain
February 7, 2008
Senator McCain,
Having the privilege of participating in CPAC Bloggers Row gave me the opportunity to hear many different opinions regarding your run for president. I was not able to be in the room during your speech, but I was in the exhibit hall at Bloggers Row listening via the TV that was set up for bloggers.
Throughout the afternoon and evening I’ve given much thought to the words you uttered here at CPAC. I took myself through a mental journey designed to help me determine whether or not I could stomach the idea of supporting you in a general election. I pondered your speech, and then reminisced about the past eight years of conservative politics.
Finally, as I sit in my room here at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (10:04 PM), I’ve made my decision. I’m certain my decision will not be popular with some of my fellow bloggers on Bloggers Row (especially some of those sitting on either side of me at the table), and I’m positive I’ll take flack from many Republicans over my stern implementation of the conclusion I’ve drawn.
I will not, under any circumstance, give you my vote.
Despite your attempt to convince me that you can be trusted with the reins of our country, I find myself unable to forgive you for a plethora of center-left choices you’ve made in the recent past.
Specifically:
-Allegiance to Democrats
It seems to have started back when you spent much effort in an attempt to negotiate a deal that would allow you to remain significant as a politician and move to the Democrat party.
And while I might not be as hard line on immigration as many conservatives, I couldn’t stand it when you got in bed with Ted Kennedy for an immigration bill that we told you was doomed to fail from the beginning.
And do I even need to mention the “mean 14″?
-Tax Cuts
This one is simple. No matter how you try to spin it, you were AGAINST the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts. I don’t care if you say you support tax cuts now, it’s that you opposed them then that bothers me.
-McCain Feingold
Do you not realize what you’ve done through this? Or was it an intentional consequence?
So, in closing, I realize that in refusing to support your candidacy I might be actively playing a role in your defeat (if it happens, that is), which would likely be a win for the Democrats.
But, in all honesty, I almost feel as if I would prefer that to happen at this point. I realize this might induce gag reflexes with many on the right, but it is my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
I believe the conservative movement had one of its largest wins once the Democrats controlled all branches of government. It was at this time that we rallied and worked together to elect a conservative (all though Bush betrayed us in many ways) and we allowed Republicans a chance to prove themselves.
Therefore, I will write someone in on the ballot.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”
Not me… not now.
With all due respect,
-Eric Odom
Well said, my friend …
Blue
Eric,
You will get no heat from this like-minded Conservablogger.
Sam
Sam Pierce’s last blog post..Republican Prostitution: Training Suggestions
Very well said…and speaks exactly as I do.
Write-in considerations:
http://dailypundit.com/?p=29429
http://www.nicedoggie.net/2008/?p=183
FWIW
The Huckabee grassroots team has seen a huge resurgence in new members and readership.
We are planning a major upset in Kansas and Virginia -
McCain is out of Federal matching dollars - Huckabee is advertising like crazy -
this race is not over and we are still going to show that Mike is the best conservative in the race.
Come by Huck’s Army and be a part of the movement.
http://www.hucksarmy.com
Brett Passmore
I must say I agree with you on a lot of points. But with that I am not going to let the Socialists in the Democratic Party tale control of the contry and be in control for a long time. This is what we did and we got Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. That did conservatives a lot of good didn’t it?????
Look to see what damage a Defeatocratic government can do to this country. We will definitely leave Iraq and give hope to the Islamists to take over Iraq and gain a launching board for terrorism around the world. And forget about trying to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons, the Defeatocrats will just want to talk to them like North Korea, And this President will get to appoint 3-6 new Supreme Court Justices, and they will be the most liberal with a Defatocrat in the White House.
I think I might agree with you on one thing though, I am not voting for McCain, I am voting gainst the Defeatocrats
stix1972’s last blog post..Where is the lizard army?
stix, I’m not sure I agree with your assertion that Democrats will pull us out of Iraq. At least not Hillary. She’ll probably push to get us out of Iraq a little quicker than Bush would have, but I don’t think she’ll do an outright withdrawal.
“And this President will get to appoint 3-6 new Supreme Court Justices”
John McCain was against our nominees. I don’t for a second believe that he’ll nominate conservatives to the court.
“I think I might agree with you on one thing though, I am not voting for McCain, I am voting gainst the Defeatocrats”
In my opinion… John McCain IS a Democrat. He even tried to jump over to their party, remember?
Sorry, but I’m just not going to cater to a party that knows that I’ll just “go along” with their picks in fear of losing to Democrats.
At some point we have to draw a line. Otherwise, the GOP will draw a line for us.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.
Much can happen in eight months.
Nuke’s last blog post..Fred endorses McCain
Indeed. But eight months of promises cannot outweigh eight years of actions.
1st that is great you got to go to CPAC
I have nothing prolific to add. I admire your sticking to your convictions. On my end my fear of B. Hussein. Osama (wait- i mean obama), for a plethora of reasons will probably cause me to vote for McCain come November. But I can not have any problem with you sticking strongly for that which you believe.
Zabs’s last blog post..I Must Be Greedy or Something.