A Paradox For Republicans

Once again, this election cycle proves to be exciting and the pundits are spinning every angle with the furor of a tornado in Kansas. 

For the Democrats, South Carolina provided hours of news coverage for the networks as every word spoken by either candidate was dissected and analyzed.  Bill Clinton showed his true colors and reminded many of us of his real character and demeanor.  Obama proved that Americans do respond to charisma and rhetorical messages.  I am not too enthralled with that race, but I predict that in the end, it will be a Clinton/Obama ticket.  I also know that Democrats will turn out in record numbers no matter the candidate

On the Republican side, I am more concerned with party unity.  Although I am not a registered Republican (I am an independent), the Republicans represent many positions in which I believe.

I have never worried that Republicans would stay home from the polls, but this year I feel very strongly that they might.  The reason; John McCain.

Independents generally do not identify with either party but do vote for those who are most closely aligned with their core beliefs.  That practice gives John McCain the edge for the nomination.  But are his principles really “Republican”?

In 2000, John McCain claims he was “Bushwacked” by push poll callers with several tales of his service in Vietnam and his wife’s drug addiction, etc.  This last week, McCain embraced those tactics and did much the same thing to Mitt Romney.  So let’s look at McCain and the reasons why Republicans may stay home or at the very least, hold their noses and vote for McCain in November.

John McCain was a POW and he deserves our respect and appreciation for his service.  That does not qualify him to be president nor is it a reason to vote for him or think he believes in anything closely resembling conservatism.

Looking at his legislative record, it is that of a progressive.  Sure, he has a tough stance on the war but what about some of the other views that are important to Republicans.

TAXES:  McCain was against the tax cuts and now tells us that he wants the tax cuts to be permanent.  Then he states that he is only for the tax cuts if we tie spending cuts to them.  I would agree that we should make cuts as well but which position represents the real McCain. 

ABORTION:  Although I believe in a woman’s right to choose and as I have often stated, I just don’t want to know about it, pay for it or pay for therapy when anyone is not able to deal with it.  Republicans, though, are generally pro-life; McCain is pro-choice.

CAMPAIGN REFORM:  McCain-Feingold is perhaps one of the most Left wing pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress.  Not all provisions in it, but many, stifle free speech. 

IMMIGRATION:  What else needs to be said.  He supported amnesty and was holding hands with Ted Kennedy as they walked down the ‘no borders’ aisle. McCain’s views on immigration threaten many of our freedoms and threaten national security, standard of living and cultural homogeneity.  Although he has not taken pork in the past, this year he has courted the cheap labor lobby.   He now states that he has heard the voters and he wants the fence and does not think in the same way as he did when he attempted to cram his brand of immigration reform down our throats.  What are Republicans to think?

LOYALTY:  Out of what could not be anything more than hatred that Republicans did not support him in 2000, he joined the “Gang of 14” and attempted to block Bush’s judiciary appointments.

Finally, McCain is the sweetheart of the media or mostly the liberal media.  There has got to be a reason for that.  Is it that they know that Hillary or Obama could win in a race with McCain?  I am not sure but I am absolutely convinced that they have an agenda in pushing for McCain.

Now, supporters of McCain will say that he is a ‘maverick’ and he is honest.  I would be willing to bet that both of those characteristics when describing McCain are probably true on the surface.  His candor is refreshing but the ‘straight talk’ label that has become his stock in trade crutch, is simply not true.  That is evident in his flip flopping on issues.

So, where does that leave the Republicans? McCain is a paradox for the Republican party.   In the end, they will either hold their nose and vote or will accept defeat.  Although the choice of McCain as the candidate leaves be sick to my stomach, the alternative is unthinkable and would signal the end to freedom as we know it.

Perhaps someday, a genuine leader, who can unify all Americans will come along.  Until then, I fear that only 50% of the population will be satisfied with the direction and path that the country is on. 

The pendulum will continue to swing back and forth and with every exaggerated movement it will continue to tear at the fabric of our country and divide our citizenry.  Maybe 2012 will provide a leader that will be able move things forward; until then, we are in for more of the same.