Lieberman - McCain the Real Bipartisan/Change Candidate

McCain Condemned Swift Boat Ads

Just as a reminder to those who like to portray McCain as a carbon copy of Bush, the left-leaning Salon.com had this to say about Senator McCain a few years ago.

"With his passionate denunciation of the swift boat commercial and its sponsors, McCain again displayed the dignity and self-respect that once elevated him above other politicians."

Lieberman Explains McCain's Appeal to Independents

In a mailing from the McCain Campaign, Senator Joe Lieberman detailed his support for Senator McCain...

"Time and time again John McCain has put his country first. He refused early release when he was held captive in Vietnam. He continued to put his country first as a national leader in the U.S. Senate. He put country before party when he fought to pass campaign finance reform, sought a bi-partisan solution to the immigration problem, and consistently supported pro-environment policies. His courage to stand up to the failed Iraq war plan of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and lead the fight for a new strategy in Iraq will go down in history, and it saved American lives. These were not always the easy things to do. In fact, they were usually very difficult, and often threatened his political career. But John McCain did what was right."

Senator Lieberman is chairing a new organization called Citizens First for Senator McCain's campaign made up of Republicans, Independents and Democrats who support a McCain presidency.

Independent McCain Links

New sites supporting Senator McCain are appearing regularly. Here are a few that are worth a look.

McCain Independents
Bush McCain
Battleground States 08
Wiki Obama
Local Republicans
Obama Independents
Who Do I Vote For?
McCain Online Volunteer
Rabid Blue Dog Democrat
New Hampshire 4 McCain
McCain Democrats
Iraqi 4 McCain
Politico Mafioso - McCain Arizona
Red State Blue
McCain Jewish Vote
Vietnam Veterans for McCain

McCain Speech - Servant of Our Country

"You will hear from my opponent's campaign in every speech, every interview, every press release that I'm running for President Bush's third term. You will hear every policy of the President described as the Bush-McCain policy. Why does Senator Obama believe it's so important to repeat that idea over and over again? Because he knows it's very difficult to get Americans to believe something they know is false. So he tries to drum it into your minds by constantly repeating it rather than debate honestly the very different directions he and I would take the country. But the American people didn't get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama. They know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They've seen me put our country before any President -- before any party -- before any special interest -- before my own interest. They might think me an imperfect servant of our country, which I surely am. But I am her servant first, last and always."

McCain Speech

McCain Treats Senator Clinton Better Than Obama and the Press

Senator McCain today again stated his respect for Senator Clinton and the race she has run. This comes a couple of days after he expressed his disgust for the comments made by Father Pfleger, and it was reported in the news as being a statement of political convenience. However, I'm a New Hampshire Independent and this is something he has saying been saying all year as different individuals have made borderline or rude comments about Senator Clinton. People should go back and check out the Republican debate where all the candidates lined up to take a shot at Senator Clinton, and Senator McCain was the only one to voice his respect for her. Granted he followed that with a criticism of one of her earmarks, but he's never taken pot-shots at her like many others did. Shortly after that debate he had a meeting with a large room of supporter in NH, which I attended. There was no press, and no obligation for him to make any reference to Senator Clinton, yet he started his meeting by saying how he respects her and would not be participating in the sort of politics that tears people down, then said 'You know we have to remember this is all about love.' Now, I don't mean to impugn Republicans, but that is something I never thought I'd hear a Republican say, particularly during a presidential campaign. Everyone applauded and I was close to becoming the crazy lady in the back jumping up and down, as this one of my major political gripes.

So are these posts/comments politically opportunistic? Sure, but they aren't new and he was saying them when people on the right were posting pictures of him laughing with Senator Clinton and decrying it as evidence that he wasn't a true conservative. I find it troubling particularly with the Father Pflager remarks that both the Obama campaign and the media see no need to express any outrage over remarks that imply Senator Clinton is a white supremist. This is a horrible remark based on nothing, and the lowest form of politics. Just a couple weeks ago they were outraged over her RFK remarks, which weren't artful but were also dramatically skewed to fit a narrative. Maybe I should stay out of this because it's not my fight, but this media myopia, and the campaigning on hope while supporters undercut opponents is disturbing.

Independents for McCain

There are several specific reasons Senator McCain appeals to Indpendents like myself.

1. He works across the isle, and he gets things done. Whether it is the gang of 14, campaign finance reform, or anti-torture legislation he is a very successful legislator.

2. He has an impecable human rights record. Whether it is spear heading anti-torture legislation, promising to close GitMo, standing up for the monks in Burma, or speaking out against the genocide in Darfur, if there is human rights offense Senator McCain is front and center speaking out against it.

3. He's a straight shooter. Going into the Iowa primaries saying he doesn't support ethanol subsidies, or going to Michigan and telling people that the jobs that have gone overseas are not coming back is politically very gutsy. Senators typically have difficulty running for president because with a long record an opponent can often spin their record to highlight contradictions. However, Senator McCain's record is remarkably consistent, and he says what he thinks even if it isn't what the pundits think he should do.

4. Experience/Intelligence: Go to his events; he answers any and all questions in a very thorough way. He gives details, he allows for follow ups, he lays out his plans, and he simply knows his stuff.

5. Independence/Conviction: People like Senator McCain and Senator Lieberman have taken a lot of heat for not following the party line. They stand up for what they believe in and even if you disagree with them on issues you have to admire their backbone.

6. Walks the Walk: While Senator McCain's military experience alone may not be what makes him qualified to be President, it certainly helps that he has a strong understanding of the military. Also, you can't help but respect his service and his family's service past and present. The fact that his sons currently serve in a time of war illustates that he walks the walk. His sons didn't take a pass because they had a famous and influential father, they illustrate a McCain family committment to service.