Yep, That's The Problem With McCain

Well, this is one of my issues with McCain. Spelled out by George Will. I suppose my critics on this account will now pronounce Will an unhinged sufferer from McCain Derangement Syndrome, as well.

McCain is simply not good Presidential material. As I wrote just days ago, his character is tragically flawed. He will be a disaster as a President. And certainly one for conservatives in general. Perhaps most annoying of all, he isn't even gracious in his severe dysfunction, he's angry, vindictive and rather ignorant.

Although his campaign is run by lobbyists; and although his dealings with lobbyists have generated what he, when judging the behavior of others, calls corrupt appearances; and although he has profited from his manipulation of the taxpayer-funding system that is celebrated by reformers -- still, he probably is innocent of insincerity. Such is his towering moral vanity, he seems sincerely to consider it theoretically impossible for him to commit the offenses of appearances that he incessantly ascribes to others.

Such certitude is, however, not merely an unattractive trait. It is disturbing righteousness in someone grasping for presidential powers.

h/t Ace

Comments

[Hope Muntz]

All presidents are "tragically flawed". Even Reagan, whom I presume you still worship (making a pres out of u and me) had his tragic flaws--just ask his children. Or exes. Moreover, as any Alzheimers 'survivor' knows--and I am one--symptoms of confusion and timidity can begin many years before being medically detectable, as was certainly the case with Reagan late in his second term. In short, we don't choose our presidents at random, not even from the first 400 names in the phone book, as Buckley once suggested. We choose between two people. Reagan and Carter. Reagan and Carter. Bush and Dukakis. Bush and Gore. Bush and Kerry. Do I really need to say It? McCain and Obama. And once you get past the wonderful charm and latte post-modern thrill, the simple fact emerges that Obama will be the Democrats' most left-leaning nominee EVER. He makes McGovern, Adlai Stevenson, and even FDR look like supply-siders. And war-mongers. Plus he's been in government for what, 20 minutes? McCain's been a senator for 20 years--so yeah, he's got some unpleasant ties and messy history with lobbyists. That might have influenced his vote to give big breaks to the Weather Channel--unlike Obama, whose ties to an Iraqi business man might have influenced his vote on the Iraq war. By all means, let's have some moral equivalency here. Let's have an American Salvador Allende--that ended well.

As for Mr Morality, George Will, he never saw a hand that fed him that he didn't want to bite. Instead of dedicating a graf or two to his mentor, William F. Buckley (whom he once sneeringly called the 'Pope' of the Conservative movement), he saw fit instead to bolster his props with college kids with this arch retread from the NYT. Sorry you fell for it.

[Hope Muntz]

Er, oops, that second Reagan and Carter should have read Mondale, duh ;)

[Darth Malice]

McCain's flaw is that he despises his conservative base.His flaw is that he thinks the liberal media will be kind if he just keeps shafting conservatives.Well to anyone that works for McCain you better let him know that we are his lever pullers.Not Chrissy Mathews.They have Obama.Or should I say Barrack Hussein Obama.......Go ahead John and tell the liberals your sorry I said it.

[scarshapedstar]

"Such is his towering moral vanity, he seems sincerely to consider it theoretically impossible for him to commit the offenses of appearances that he incessantly ascribes to others."

Judging from the past 7 years, McCain is eminently qualified to serve as president.

[Dan Riehl]

"Sorry you fell for it"

Not much "hope" for you, Hope. I held my views on McCain long before Will penned his column. So your suggestion that I "fell" for something is simply a derisive characterization of me that doesn't measure up against the facts. You seem to believe that the two party system is written into the constituion somehow. Perhaps you'd like to provide a link for that? SOunds to me like you're of a mind to buy whatever you're being fed from the political establishment, not me. Touche'.

[Hope Muntz]

Um, no disrespect intended, but that's way too feeble a riposte to warrant a 'touche'. So you've always disliked McCain? Thought Bush was much the better candidate in 2000? How is that really relevant to the reality of McCain vs Obama right now? And yes, I am confused by the history of the past 96 years into thinking we have a two-party system. Or are you suggesting I vote for Pat Buchanan? Seriously, if you are proposing that McCain will be no better a president for this country than Obama, you badly need some major debate here on your blog. Because I've lived in socialist countries (including, at present, the District of Columbia), and you have no idea what's headed our way as a nation if Obama actually wins with a Democrat majority in Congress--unless of course you can say the same.

[Dan Riehl]

There are arguments that we'd be better off with a liberal Dem than McCain. They've been discussed here - check the archives if you want. If you want to settle and support gov you don't like or want, that's your choice.

[seekeronos]

"--- McCain is simply not good Presidential material. As I wrote just days ago, his character is tragically flawed. He will be a disaster as a President. And certainly one for conservatives in general. Perhaps most annoying of all, he isn't even gracious in his severe dysfunction, he's angry, vindictive and rather ignorant. ---"

This much has been said of Bush43. I think our chronic BDS sufferers out there will really be stricken with McDS in due course.

The other thing that must be weighed is the fact that Hillary is pretty much finished at this point, barring any last minute skulduggery with seating the Florida and Michigan delegates, or some prime grade dirt-digging that makes the towel-head photo flap from last week look like a friendly jab.

[seekeronos]

So, what we have is a contest between centre-left McCain and extreme far left Obama.

An Obama loss may prove to be fatal for our nation; a McCain presidency would just be painful.

[seekeronos]

* I meant an Obama victory (see above)