The Nonpartisan Case For Hillary Over McCain

Ed's header asks if Coulter has jumped the shark in saying she'd support Hillary over McCain. Coulter is the shark, so it's hardly a fair question. Unfortunately, giving it genuine, nonpartisan reflection (the way most Americans view politics these days), I think Hillary is the far better choice.

The word that troubles me most in picking a president while reading about McCain is unpredictable. I've also talked with other people not in the political sphere, if you will. They've perceived McCain as either angry, or barely concealing significant anger, in the debates. They've noted what one called, senior moments. I've noticed those, too - generally when McCain is searching his mind for elements of his stump speech, something they may, or may not have known. That doesn't bring me comfort, by the way.

I also know from reading that McCain tends to be pretty vindictive. Certainly some of his press coverage indicates he holds a grudge. I'm also certain that people first looking in during the Fall will be re-introduced to his "bomb Iran" ditty by operatives of a rival campaign.

There are plenty of significant reasons why I doubt I could pull the lever for McCain as President. For me, that doesn't mean I could ever pull the lever for Hillary, either. She may be many things McCain is, but she is driven by logic, not emotion; she's totally in control.

Once I put politics aside, it's hard to see myself deciding McCain is the better choice for the job. I can't predict what he'll do in office as a partisan and close observer of politics. In my opinion, that's generally not the kind of person Americans put into the Oval Office.

Comments

[Terry Gain]

If they win their parties' nominations we will see how smart they are when they pick a running mate. Will they pick their closest rival in order to unite the party? Clinton/Obama would be a formidable ticket. If McCain picks Huckabee or Crist rather than Romney (or even Lieberman) we will likely never know what kind of president he would be.

[Dan Riehl]

Hard to see Romney wanting the VP slot, though maybe not. But only if he thinks McCain's going to lose. Then he could build an even better national network for 2012. Problem is, he's not a great politician - also doesn't look to have the go for the throat instinct. With a different personality, he could destroy McCain. But it just doesn't seem to be his style. Without the right instincts, in image over substance politics, you always lose.

[Terry Gain]

I agree that Romney may not want to be VP but if McCain wants to try to entice conservatives back he will not just offer it to him but publically lavish Romney with praise.

When it comes down to it, and you have nine months to contemplate the horrors Obama or Clinton will visit upon America, there is no way someone as politically active as you will stay home. I don't think McCain will beat Obama though I still think he can beat Hillary and hope he will. The curent polls are of little assistance in predicting the future. Campaigns still matter.

Dan, right now you are angry and disappointed that it looks like the GOP won't pick their most qualified candidate but as the election nears you and even Ann Coulter will think of what happens to people who cut off their noses. I can't see you pulling a Michael Jackson.

[Corey Cronrath]

I can predict what John McCain would do:
1 Keep us on offense in the War on Terror.
2 Appoint strict constructionist judges to the bench.
3 Cut earmarks and other wasteful spending
4 Keep taxes low.
McCain has the same drawback as GWBush: he says he'll do something, then he does it. Thats what I want in a Commander-in-Chief in times like these. I want someone who is not going to flinch.

[Coffee260]

WARNING! LONG COMMENT!

Here's a problem I see for Romney. And I'm speaking from experience. I believe many of Romney's new found converts to his band wagon have one problem. They dislike McCain more than they actually support Romney. Bare with me.

You've heard the vicious opposition to a McCain nomination increase as the possibility of him becoming the republican nominee becomes more likely. I include myself in that group. But what you don't hear very much of is why Romney will make a great choice as the republican nominee.

And the reason, I believe this is the case, is because most of the attention of the conservative base has been focused on defeating Hillary Clinton. She basically consumed the debate on the right and not much attention was paid to Senator McCain. Or for that matter anyone on the republican side.

While no one focused specifically on Senator McCain, counting him out early on, he made a comeback. He did so without the support of the base of the republican party. And therein lies the paradox.

Because I'm consumed with politics--and specifically with this election--I, for one, didn't see the McCain comeback coming. And whether I like to admit it or not, I feel helpless.

I don't proclaim to have some sort of influence over this process. But I do consider myself conservative, in touch with conservative issues, and up to date with the conservative movement. And when I saw McCain surging I felt like I was blind sided by something I didn't recognize. Which brings me to my support for Romney.

At first I had hoped, like many other conservatives, a Ronald Reagan would emerge. Things were moving so fast that I hadn't even considered voting for anyone yet, including Mitt Romney. I just knew at any time that Reagan would show up and save the day. Sadly, he was a no show.

With regard to Romney, all I really knew about him was that he's a former governor. He's a Mormon. And he's a flip flopper. (You can tell I got all my info from the MSM, can't you?)

But looking closer at his record, I found a brilliant businessman, a great family man, a conservative politician, and a great candidate for the republican nomination for president. He's no Ronald Reagan, but he ain't no John (Maverick) McCain either.

He didn't, by the way, flip flop on all the issues. Abortion was the only issue in which you can say he changed his position. But as governor, he governed as a pro-lifer. Where as McCain is pro-life unless you're unfortunate enough to be an embryo. He wants your cells for research.

And if he's (Mitt) a flip flopper because he changed his position on one issue, what then, does that make John McCain? He flip flopped on tax cuts, on amnesty, and on building a border fence.

The way I see it, Romney "evolved." McCain's just lying. I do not believe McCain has changed his position. But instead, has only changed his rhetoric.

And there's why so many conservatives are now jumping on the Romney band wagon. Ronald Reagan was a no show. McCain scares the b-jesus out of them. And Romney is truly a conservative they could rally behind. It took the possibility of a McCain nomination to nudge them along.

I believe, and I don't have any evidence to back this up, that if we had another week or two before Super Tuesday McCain would certainly not be in the position he's in right now. We would like a "do over."

[Dan Riehl]

Frankly, Terry - I don't think McCain has a snowball's chance in hell in winning the general. The only hope he has is if its about national security. It could be, depending on events. But he is so out of his depth on domestic issues, he risks looking embarassing in a debate with someone who will go after him. There's only one thing even keeping him in this race at the moment - he's been treated with kid gloves during the primary. And that %^#%$$$#**(+!!! Huckabee - he may as well have a clone in debates and on the stump.

Romney isn't the type to go for the throat - Hillary will destroy him, Obama will just beat him senseless - and I don't even want to think about what the surrogates will do. Wait until you click on Drudge in late October to find out someone has video or audio of one of his foul mouthed tirades among his liberal friends. And the slurs against the Right I am sure he's offered them behind the scenes, possibly including those damned religous nuts who want to be judges - and what base voters he does have will stay home. They'll hate McCain more than Hillary, as happens to most political traitors.

Why the hell do you think they and the MSM media want him so badly? Kinda cracks me up, we don't accept anything from the MSM until they start telling us what we want to here. Suddenly they're genuises.

[Fred Beloit]

I believe this is right:
"I can't predict what he'll do in office as a partisan and close observer of politics. In my opinion, that's generally not the kind of person Americans put into the Oval Office." by Dan R

I also think this is right, it certainly describes me:
"I believe many of Romney's new found converts to his band wagon have one problem. They dislike McCain more than they actually support Romney." by Coffee

I disagree with this:
"And Romney is truly a conservative they could rally behind. It took the possibility of a McCain nomination to nudge them along." by Coffee

There is no evidence Romney is a conservative. He says he is, but all the Repubs say that.

[serfer62]

Conservatives think the most important asset is being conservative. Its not. Its the economy first. No military suvives without a strong economic country

Whose the most conservative? It certainly isnt maccain and Romney may be not much better. But its maccain who will destroy the economy with his taxes to support the war on Global Warming....

[Coffee260]

Dan--I've noticed the kid glove treatment given to McCain. I've especially noticed it on Fox News because that's the only cable channel I can stomach. What's your take on Fox's treatment of McCain?

[seekeronos]

Corey's predictions on McCain's actions in office:

"---

1 Keep us on offense in the War on Terror.
2 Appoint strict constructionist judges to the bench.
3 Cut earmarks and other wasteful spending
4 Keep taxes low.
McCain has the same drawback as GWBush: he says he'll do something, then he does it. Thats what I want in a Commander-in-Chief in times like these. I want someone who is not going to flinch.

---"

Here's my take on a McCain presidency (which has less chance of happening than me winning the next NJ Powerball lotto) :

1 Keep us on offense in the War on Terror. For the next 100 years, ensuring our economy is thoroughly FUBAR and our nation is destroyed and reduced into a series of serf states.
2 Appoint liberal "living document" judges - because that is the only kind he will have a chance of squeaking by his buddy Teddy "Chappaquidick" Kennedy.
3 Cut earmarks and other wasteful spending. Except for keeping the war going beyond the point of insanity.
4 Keep taxes low. Excaept for those necessary gas taxes and other taxes needed to stop that eeee-bil globull wormening.

McCain has the same drawback as GWBush: he'll say anything to snow the electorate, he'll bend over backwards to screw the base, and he make real conservatives cringe and/or vomit with rage as he steps up his backstabbing to a degree that will leave the Republican Party in ruins.