John McCain -' Hickey, What's In Your Pipe?' - McCain Blend, Old Man. Pure McCain! Straight, Honest and American Blended

( Recent photo of the author taken in an unguarded moment of political reflection!)




The Comment section of almost every Blog is a scream- the soapbox of America removed from Bug-House Square to the CyberWorld!

On Anklebiting Pundits - by far my favorite(click my post title for link there) - there is a cast of characters - sock-puppets mostly - who are a nice American political cross section. Two chums ( BLAKEMUSN - Good Angel v. RITEAIDBOB - Bad Angel) spit over the rail at one another yesterday:

blakemusn Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I guess I’m curious how people define conservative. Tax cuts in themselves are not necessarily the conservative mantra. Tax cuts accompanied by spending cuts are more in line with conservative thought. To say that George Bush or anyone that voted for his tax cuts is conservative without at the same time at least trying to reign in spending is, I think, missing the point. George Bush led the party during the largest expansion

John McCain has one of the most consistently conservative voting records in the Senate with the exception of the McCain-Feingold (although, the courts took all the teeth away from the law so we’ll never really know if it was an effective law to begin with). Furthermore Conservative champion Fred Thompson was a co-sponsor of this bill even though now he takes to criticizing it.

As a medical student and a brother of the pharmaceutical salesman, I’ve seen first hand the corruption of the pharmaceutical industry. They don’t need to be bribing physicians with trips, free text books, food etc to prescribe their drugs if they are in fact the best drug available. I’m not a big fan of government regulation and I realize there is a huge sunk cost in pharm R&D, but a little regulation in an industry where most people would agree that the end product (good health) is more than just a commodity. McCain did votes for allowing importation of drugs from Canada which I think would be a conservative position by the way (and I believe he voted against the Medicare Part D or whatever it is called as well).

McCain has one of the most conservative records on defense and pro-life issues (with the exception of maybe stem cells although a lot of conservatives are divided on this issue). I know a lot of people criticize his stance on water-boarding but I give a little more credence to someone who has probably been waterboarded (and to his buddy, Sen Graham, an AF JAG lawyer), than I do to people who’ve never put their life on the line for their country. I don’t think its too much to ask your government to actually obey the Geneva Conventions, which are, according to the constitution, the law of the land (I’m also in the military and have had to study this stuff extensively, so try me on this one)

And as for climate change, many economists (if they believe in anthropocentric climate change) support the cap and trade system because it effectively creates a market for reducing CO2 emission. While I am not a believer in the idea that there is a climate crisis or that humans are the primary cause of the recent slight elevations in temperature, reducing emissions of any kind is responsible stewardship of the God’s creation.

While he is not perfect, and certainly none of the candidates are, his long term record is consistently conservative and much more so than any of the other serious candidates (in which I no longer include Senator Thompson).

Riteaidbob Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
blakemusn what drugs are you smoking? McCain is NOT a conservative in any respect.

Jesus wake up and smell the manure your spreading.

Fair question - To which I reply with Sound Judgment:




My Patriot's Political Pipe* is filled with a rough-cut blend of Honesty, Courage, Wit, Commitment, Straight Talk, and Sound judgment; aged to perfection and packs as well as it wafts and curls and softly flows like the northerly drifting waters of the mighty St. Joe River through central Michigan all the Way to another Primary Win!

McCain Blend - Sparks, but never bites the hands that make America strong! Accept No Substitutes - McCain!

Available to all registered voters!

*Smokers must stand fifteen feet from all public buildings - Nan Estayt: Public Pest

John McCain - Supported by Independents

Roland Dodds offers some great insights to John McCain's appeal to all Americans:

Sure, a number of Republican candidates claim to have supported the Surge from the start as well, but no one attached themselves to the policy like McCain did. McCain has linked his chances for the Presidency directly to the idea that Iraq must be won, and must be free. He held to that position even when it was considered suicide to his campaign, and so publicly supported Petraeus' plan that he must have known that it would sink his political career if it failed. It has not, and even leading Democrats are coming to terms with its miraculous turnaround in a conflict many had assumed was lost.

I have made it clear on this blog and in conversations with friends and family that my vote will go to the candidate that supports the fight for democracy in Iraq, and will not abandon the Kurds to be slaughtered yet again. I can forgive some of McCain’s decisions throughout his career and the way he has pandered to religious conservatives in recent months, and I can effortlessly when I consider what democracy promotion will look like if someone like Obama or Edwards is elected.

The War on Terror and the fight for liberal democracy may be nothing more than a bumper sticker slogan to some on the left, but it means something to me. If we surrender freedom to the forces of theocracy and totalitarianism overseas, we do not deserve to call ourselves democrats at home.

Sound talk from a sound American!

Michigan, this is your time! Vote for John McCain!

Sure it's cold, but you Wolverines are tough folks - as tough as John McCain! That's a tall order,but you can fillit!

McCain in Michigan - Cold, Snow and Iffy Polls

This is it Woverines! Get out to the Polling Places and cast your vote for John McCain - the only candidate of any Party qualified to lead America in Time of War on Islamist Terror and Unite All Americans!

The forecast fro Michigan is Cold, Light Snows and Unsteady Polls.


Cast your vote for John McCain and overcome the Pollsters and Self-Interests - we can't do a damn thing about the weather but get out into it!

Here's Why!

Election 2008: What's at Stake?

America faces a dangerous, relentless enemy in the War against Islamic Extremists - We face an enemy that has repeatedly attacked us and remains committed to killing Americans and the destruction of our values. This election is about who is best prepared to lead and defend our nation and its global allies as Commander-in-Chief from day one. This election is about making sure we have the experienced leadership to guide us to victory in this war, protect the nation against future terrorist attacks, and support our troops and first responders who are on the frontlines of the war. This election will decide whether we choose to fight or announce surrender. It will decide whether we have a president who dangerously weakens U.S. security or strengthens it; whether we will flinch and retreat or fully engage the enemy on multiple fronts. We need decisive leadership with the vision and experience to guide our country and the world through this challenge. Having a courageous Commander-in-Chief who is willing to lead us in this war, rally our democratic allies and defeat our enemy to secure a broader peace is what's at stake in this election.

America is at an Economic Crossroads - Government spending is out-of-control. A Democrat elected President will join hands with a tax-and-spend Democratic Congress and subject Americans to enormous tax increases. Even now, the tax code is too complex and too burdensome. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - the government's promises to seniors and those in need - must be modernized. Too many American workers are unprepared by non-performing schools and shackled by outdated government employment assistance programs. America needs experienced leadership to guide the U.S. economy to greater prosperity, control government spending, keep taxes low, save Social Security and protect the American worker. Americans want a leader willing to offer straight talk and make the hard calls necessary to ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. The long-term strength of our economy and financial stability of American households are what's at stake in this election.

Americans have lost faith and trust in their government - Americans have lost trust that their government and its elected officials will serve the Nation's interest and not their own. Special interests have too much influence in Washington. Americans want a courageous leader who will stand up to the trial lawyers and labor bosses and other special interests, govern by principle rather than political expedience, keep their promises, and solve problems instead of leaving them for our children. Restoring Americans' confidence in their government is what's at stake in this election.

Americans want judges who will strictly interpret the law and not legislate from the bench - The next president will appoint many federal judges and perhaps even a Supreme Court justice. The recent victory on partial birth abortion is an example of how important the Supreme Court is in protecting our values and interpreting the law as it is written. America needs a president who will provide strong moral leadership. A Democrat president will appoint judges who make law with disregard for the will of the people, but to the cheers of those advancing a liberal social agenda. America needs a leader who recognizes that that the people and states should decide what's best, not the courts. The future of the U.S. Supreme Court is what's at stake in this election.

What are the Bold Solutions?

Winning the War Against Islamic Extremists. Radical Islamic extremists are a relentless threat to America, its citizens, and the values we share. In the words of the al Qaeda leadership, Iraq is the central battleground of this war. We face a fork in the road. John McCain will pursue our opportunity for victory in Iraq, strengthen our hand in the larger war against Islamic extremists, and make our nation more secure. Democrats will fold our tents, embolden our enemies, throw the region into instability, and increase the risks faced on our home soil. To concede defeat now would strengthen al Qaeda, empower Iran and other hostile powers in the Middle East, unleash a full scale civil war in Iraq that could lead to genocide, and destabilize the entire region as neighboring powers come to the aid of their favored factions. John McCain is best prepared to lead and defend our nation and its global allies as Commander-in-Chief from day one. He has the experience and leadership to defeat our enemy and secure a broader peace.

Reforming Health Care for All Americans. Real reform will put families in the driver's seat of our health care system. The road to reform does not lead through Washington and a hugely expensive, bureaucratic, government-controlled system. John McCain will harness competition to offer more affordable insurance options for as many Americans as possible, leveraging the innovation and cost-effectiveness of our nation's firms to put an end to existing rigid, unfriendly bureaucracies. He will build a national market where insurance is more available, portable, and accessible across state lines; in which patients' rights are respected and their information under their control; and one in which people may save more in tax-exempt Health Savings Accounts. He will assist those who need help in getting private insurance.

John McCain will provide incentives for a national market - including the reimportation of pharmaceuticals - that offer greater transparency about effective patient care, options for preventative care and therapies, and prices so that competition makes it easier for families to navigate toward quality and low cost. He will demand reform to medical malpractice laws to curb abusive lawsuits that squeeze doctors, prevent innovation, and drive up the cost of health care. We need more transparency of prices and quality measures so that patients can make informed choices.

Reforming Government. Americans have lost trust that their government and its elected officials will serve the Nation's interest and not their own. Special interests have too much influence in Washington. John McCain will bring spending under control, veto wasteful, pork-barrel spending bills every time, and keep taxes low. He will reform a tax code that is too complex and too burdensome. John McCain will modernize Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He will bring accountability, choice and competition to underperforming schools, so our children are equipped to take the best jobs of the 21st century. John McCain is the only leader willing to make the hard calls necessary to restore faith in our government and build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.

John McCain...Courageous Service, Experienced Leadership, Bold Solutions.

Go Wolverines!

McCain - In Michigan - Size matters when looking at crowds

Hat Tip to the energetic Publisher, Journalist, Gad-fly, Gourmandizing Man About Town, Crack Pistol Shot, and the Arm-Candy to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Women of the World Patrick Hynes, Co-Publisher and Editor of AnkleBiting Pundits

(click Post title for ABP)

In Tomorrow's Michigan Primary, the Political Bellwether for the Presidential Race, crowd size comparison between McCain and Mitt events could help assess tomorrow's results.

Thus, from the energetic and Prolific Brother Hynes:

If crowd size matters:
Several hundred people cheered and banged thundersticks as the former Massachusetts governor spoke at Lawrence Technical College, only about ten miles from Bloomfield Hills, where he grew up . http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/01/13/politics/fromtheroad/entry3705989.shtml
Same day, same county:
The Republican U.S. senator from Arizona is the first presidential candidate to visit the city of 13,000, and he drew a crowd of 1,200 people with a mix of political affiliations. The turnout exceeded expectations of rally organizers, including Mike Bosnic, the school board president. http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/011308/loc_n2001.shtml
2k in East Lansing:
The crowd of perhaps 2,000 people packed a Kellogg Center hall where McCain promised a brighter economic future for Michigan and a cleaner planet. http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/ELECTIONS01/801140337&template=printart

McCain Battles Mitt, Milkey, Molbermann, MSNBC in Michigan

After the shabby treatment afforded to Senator John McCain by the MSNBC on the Night of his Victory in the New Hampshire Primary, the same geniuses who predicted the Obama landslide and Hillary Clinton's - Exit - Stage Left have conducted a poll (click my post title)that gives Mittles Romney the lead in Michigan. Cum Grano Salis as the Old Romans used to say about the stuff left behind in a cow pasture!

Monumental Mope - Keefe Olberman and Milkey Matthews were set back on their pins in New Hampshire. McCain rolled over Mittles.

My unscientific and pedestrian poll of a long stretch of street in Niles Michigan yesterday gave Senator McCain a comfortable lead over everyone: ( from yesterday's post)

The stretch of Michigan streets that my Thom McCann Easy Comfort Middle Age Guy Loafers trod upon - Beeson Road, north of Route 12 - twenty one of twenty four households happily voiced their support of John McCain.

Most impressive was Jim Ringler and his family. They asked more questions of me than any other household and offered that 'John McCain is the only real candidate with experience in every aspect of qualification to be President.'

Jim Durkin's crew worked well into the late afternoon.

Just to make sure we get more Michigan folks aware of the Straight Talk Townhall tomorrow - DIGGGG This!!!


For all Wolverines in Western Michigan! Senator John McCain will host a Townhall Meeting -

When -MONDAY @ 9:45 AM on JANUARY 14,2008

Where:Kalamazoo Christian High School
2121 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Come on Wolverines! Hit the polls on Tuesday for John McCain and give the POLLS and MSNBC another kick in the britches