John McCain - This is what it's all about

John McCain hooked me in his 2000 go around. After being torn apart in South Carolina in the one of nastiest Primary fights in memory ( Aside from this year's Democratic race - wait until it really takes off, Kids), John McCain dusted himself off and returned to service.

In this race, assailed by the Disney Channel Rejects spinning the news at MSNBC - clowns like the most fatuous blowhard in short-pants - Keith Olbermann and switch-hitting sycophants like Chris 'Milkey' Matthews -or Ross Perot the Jug Eared Midget Millionaire who bored a hole through America for President, Rambis ( Rambos without the resume), John McCain has connected with Americans.
In South Carolina, when others are frying squirrels on hot-plates, tossing snowballs like they were boulders, or cozying up to goofs like Hannity and Colmes, John McCain remains dignified, honorable, tough-minded and human. Like the little girl above with the tricycle - she can't vote, but McCain has time for her.

Asked about the POW Smear from the Rambis, McCain offered - 'it hurts a bit.'

The Hanoi Hilton was not the Peninsula or the Four Seasons, either.

Click my post title for John McCain's understated heroism.

John McCain - Backs America's Veterans - He is One!

A recent article states that Veteran support for John McCcain is no sure thing, but John McCain's Presidency is sure thing for vets - here is Senator McCain's Program for Veterans:

America owes its liberty, its prosperity, and its future to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our great country. John McCain has fought to honor our national commitment to our veterans who have given their careers and livelihoods to ensuring our freedom. He believes we must provide for service members and their families while they serve, we must help those who return from combat to adjust to civilian life, and we must honor and never forget the service of those who do not return.

John McCain has been a leader in Congress, fighting for all those who serve and their families, improving veterans' health care, providing veterans with the benefits they have earned, easing their transition to civilian life, and honoring the fallen.


PROVIDING FOR OUR SERVICE MEMBERS

John McCain believes that meeting the needs of our service members who defend us is our obligation and is essential to our national security. He worked to increase pay scales for servicemen and women during both the Persian Gulf War and the current War on Terror and to increase enlistment and reenlistment bonuses for reservists and guardsmen. He also sponsored bills to give special tax relief to deployed service members and to set up overseas savings programs for the men and women fighting in the Gulf War.

HONORING THE SERVICE OF RESERVISTS AND GUARDSMEN


"For my part, I would simply affirm that the sacrifices borne by veterans deserve to be memorialized in something more lasting than marble or bronze or in the fleeting effect of a politician's speech. Your valor and your devotion to duty have earned your country's abiding concern for your well being. I am, I assure you, committed to honoring that debt."

John McCain, Remarks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3/7/95



The nation's reserve personnel have been a vital component of the Global War on Terror, with reservists serving side-by-side with active duty members in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe. John McCain believes that the fundamental role of reservists has changed over the last decade, and given their invaluable role and the tremendous sacrifices that these men and women have made, they should receive additional benefits than those that they have traditionally been granted.

For this reason, John McCain has supported legislation to expand retirement benefits for reservists, supported provisions to expand eligibility for health care benefits for reservists and their families, and sponsored legislation to grant survivor benefit payments to the spouses of reservists who die during or as the result of training.

IMPROVING VETERANS' HEALTH CARE

John McCain believes that America's veterans who dedicated themselves to protecting our country deserve the highest quality health care. He is committed to ensuring that veterans' health care programs receive the funding necessary to provide the quality health care our veterans need and deserve. He has worked to ensure that the Veteran's Administration provides care for all eligible veterans, no matter where they live or what they need. In addition, John McCain has fought to ensure that retired servicemen and women have meaningful access to affordable health care.

Funding Veterans' Health Care

John McCain has voted repeatedly, throughout his career, to ensure that the Veteran's Administration health care programs receive the funding necessary to serve our veterans. He has supported numerous funding increases, initiatives to make the VA more efficient, and proposals to give higher pay to VA doctors in order to recruit and retain high quality physicians and dentists.

Expanding Veterans' Access to Health Care

John McCain has worked to ensure that geography does not prevent veterans from receiving the care they have earned. He supported measures to allow veterans in remote areas of Alaska to get care at existing facilities run by the Indian Health Service or tribal organizations. He also rallied support for a demonstration project to send mobile health centers to remote locations where veterans need care. In addition, he sponsored legislation that would ensure that health care funding is distributed fairly, and that eligible veterans in all regions of the country can equally access high quality health care.

Serving the Special Health Care Needs of Veterans

John McCain understands that veterans face a broad array of health challenges, many of which disproportionately afflict our former service members. He has fought to ensure that veterans receive health care that reflects their unique needs.

For this reason, John McCain advocated for guaranteeing health benefits to veterans who have been exposed to radiation. He also worked to advance studies on the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and to give disability benefits to veterans with cancer and other health problems caused by Agent Orange. He supported efforts to provide veterans with treatment for tobacco related illnesses and substance abuse problems, and he sponsored legislation to cover mental health care in military retiree health plans. John McCain has also been a leading advocate for providing veterans with hospice benefits.

Health Care for Retired Veterans

John McCain believes that all military retirees, even if they are not eligible for VA health care, should be provided with meaningful access to health care. The federal government should ease the burden of health care costs on those people who have dedicated their careers to protecting our freedom. He has supported allowing military retirees to remain eligible for CHAMPUS or TRICARE military health care programs even when they reach the age of 65 and are eligible for Medicare. He has also consistently supported efforts to give military retirees tax breaks to help pay health insurance premiums, and he has opposed placing user fees on military retirees for using military medical facilities.

PROVIDING VETERANS WITH THE BENEFITS THEY HAVE EARNED

John McCain strongly believes that it is our duty as a nation to provide our veterans, who dedicated their careers, risked their personal safety, and sometimes sacrificed their lives in order to protect us, with the benefits that we have promised them and that they have earned.

John McCain has voted consistently to increase funding for veterans' benefits, recognizing that the people who serve our country should get priority over the disgraceful amounts of spending on corporate subsidies and wasteful pork barrel spending. He also pushed for various initiatives to ensure that veterans who are eligible for benefits know what they are entitled to and have the resources to obtain their benefits.

CARING FOR OUR DISABLED VETERANS

John McCain has been a leading advocate in the Senate for disabled veterans throughout his entire career. He fought for nearly fifteen years, introducing numerous bills, to ensure that veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive the retirement benefits that they have earned, as well as the disability compensation benefits that they are entitled to. He has also worked to ensure that veterans can have their disability claims processed in a timely manner, working with the VA to rectify its huge backlog of claims and providing additional resources for that purpose.

John McCain believes very strongly that service members who suffered permanent injuries in service to our nation should not be forced to give up their disability compensation in order to collect their retirement pay. For this reason, John McCain has been a staunch supporter of repealing the historic ban on receiving both disability and retirement pay at the same time. Over the past few years, John McCain has successfully pushed for provisions to compensate disabled retired veterans for this disparity. Now, because of his efforts, veterans with severe combat-related disabilities are able to collect their retirement and disability compensation at the same time. John McCain will continue to fight for equal treatment of disabled veterans under the retirement system. In an effort to help disabled veterans with their health care, he cosponsored a measure to allow disabled veterans to be enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the same health insurance offered to Senators and Congressmen. He has also supported higher payments to disabled veterans and survivors of veterans who died because of service connected injuries.

John McCain has worked to increase VA resources for paralysis research, and he spearheaded an effort to establish a Blind Rehabilitation Center in Tucson, Arizona to help the 1,200 vets on waiting lists for rehab services for the blind.

A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR GULF WAR VETERANS

John McCain has always been a leader on veteran's issues, and Congress has often looked to him, particularly during times of conflict and war. On January 31, 1991, Senator Bob Dole appointed John McCain Co-Chairman of a task force to make recommendations to the Senate regarding effective policies to help the men and women and their families who served in Operations Desert Shield/Storm. John McCain worked with his colleagues to identify the most beneficial proposals, including doubling veteran and service member life insurance benefits, the establishment of a death gratuity payment for Persian Gulf service members, housing loan benefits for Gulf War veterans, expanded reemployment rights, and providing readjustment counseling for veterans.

EASING THE TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE

John McCain believes that we must do what we can to smooth the transition for veterans from military to civilian life. He has strongly supported educational and job counseling programs to help veterans get civilian employment. He has worked to provide new educational assistance for reservists. He also fought to extend the availability of G.I. bill education benefits for Vietnam veterans, and to expand flight training benefits to more veterans. In addition, John McCain is a strong supporter of the Troops-To-Teachers Act, a program to train veterans to become teachers, and introduced legislation to extend the program. John McCain also believes that we must provide more assistance to veterans who are recently discharged and has worked to extend unemployment and vocational training benefits for veterans.

John McCain has also been a strong advocate for those veterans most in need. He has supported numerous bills to help homeless veterans by providing them with counseling, independent living training, and residential treatment programs so that they can address and overcome those ailments that plague many homeless veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse.

PROTECTING VETERANS FROM FINANCIAL LOSS

John McCain has also worked for a number of other financial protection and relief provisions for service members and veterans. He supported amendments to the bankruptcy reform bill that would protect veterans from being denied bankruptcy claims if they incurred their debts while defending our country. He also sponsored legislation to extend the tax filing deadline for Gulf War service members. In addition, he pushed for legislation to protect veterans from scam artists and loan sharks who would prey on low income veterans by offering them a small amount of "fast cash" to sign over their veteran's benefits.

PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILIES OF OUR FALLEN HEROES

John McCain believes that in addition to our national duty to provide benefits to veterans who return from combat, we must honor those who do not return and provide for their families with a death gratuity benefit and meaningful life insurance coverage. During the last two major military conflicts, John McCain worked to increase death gratuity payments. He cosponsored legislation to double the death gratuity payment in 2003 for service men and women who are killed in the War on Terror. He also sponsored legislation during the first Gulf War to increase the death gratuity payment, and to double the soldier and veterans' group life insurance.

In 2007, after learning about problems that the families of some service members killed in combat were having accessing the death gratuity payment, John McCain introduced legislation to allow service members to designate who they want their benefits to go to in the event of their death. John McCain has also worked to increase the survivor benefit plan for widows or widowers of retired veterans.

HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF OUR PAST AND PRESENT VETERANS

John McCain has worked throughout his time in Congress to fulfill our nation's solemn duty to honor those veterans who sacrificed their lives to protect our liberty. In 2006, he sponsored legislation to immortalize the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial as a symbol honoring veterans of the Korean War.

He also advocated for the creation of a number of other veterans' memorials, including a memorial to honor disabled veterans and the National Native American Veterans' Memorial. He sponsored legislation to create National Medal of Honor Sites to honor recipients of the Medal of Honor. He worked to create Arizona's only National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, and he authored legislation to ensure that veterans have honor guards at their funerals.

The article linked to my post title is filled with American Veterans's comments - all pretty supportive of John McCain - Why the Funny Title!

John McCain - It's on to America and Defining the Debate

The Romney Campaign got Mitthis Gold Medal in a well orchestrated fight for Michigan.

John McCain knows that the campaign is about uniting America in the War on Islamist Terror. In his statement on the Michigan Primary Campaign John McCain defined the debate that is the foundation of the Presidential Campaign:

I promise you, we will never surrender. They will.

I'm running for President to defeat an enemy for whom no attack is too cruel, and who will not stop attacking us until they are defeated. The challenge will require experienced and proven leadership. And, my friends, I can honestly say, I have prepared my entire life for this moment. In uniform and in office, in war and peace, I have learned how to lead a nation at war. I know how to keep us safe. I have been involved in every major national security challenge of our time. I have met and taken the measure of the world's leaders; those who are our friends and those who are not. I understand the capabilities, the needs and the sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces better than any other candidate in this race. And I intend to be a Commander-in-Chief who will provide them leadership that is as strong, principled and tireless as their service to our country. They have earned a thousand times over our gratitude, and, most importantly, our unwavering dedication to making certain that they do not sacrifice in vain. I will not let them down, so help me God.

I am so proud, my friends, to be an American, and never more so than when our country confronts a great challenge. For I have learned through long experience, that while we are stronger than our enemies in men and material, we are stronger still in ideals. I have pledged my life to those ideals, and I run for President to defend them still. Our cause is America . Her greatness is our hope; her strength our protection; her goodness the hope of mankind. It is the cause I have served my entire adult life, and with your help I will keep serving her a little while longer.

Hammer it home Senator! Stay on Point, Stay on Mission, Stay on Task!

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- Maverick GOP Milliken Endorses the Best Man!

With hours to go Wolverines, John McCain calls Michigan to listen to Staight Talk and gostraight into the voting booths tomorrow.

Mcihigan may well decide the course America takes in the War on Islamist Terror and support the man best qualified to unite all Americans.

One Michigan Man, who was Mitt Romney's father's Lt. Governor, William Milliken is backing John McCain.

(click my post title for the full story)

William Milliken stated,

"Sen. McCain has demonstrated the quality of saying what he means and meaning what he says," said Milliken, 85, who also endorsed McCain in 2000 and dismayed GOP loyalists in 2004 by endorsing Democrat John Kerry over President Bush.

Milliken, who was Michigan's longest-serving governor, from 1969-1982, had pointed words for Romney, who was Massachusetts' governor from 2003-2007.

"I was a great admirer of his father," Milliken said. "But Mitt Romney has been a disappointment to me because he has changed his socially responsible positions he took as governor of Massachusetts. I don't have the respect for him that I had for his father."

Milliken, who favors abortion rights, singled out Romney's conversion from pro-choice to pro-life. McCain has long been opposed to abortion. The former governor said McCain has taken a moderate position on immigration and has been a champion for environmental issues as an Arizona senator.

"He's played a very responsible role in this immigration issue; he hasn't demagogued it," Milliken said. "And he says we have to confront global warming."

Milliken noted he differs with McCain on the war in Iraq, which he called "a tragic mistake." McCain has been

Make the difference with McCain, Michigan!

McCain - Not Only GOP Voters, but Many Dems

New York Times reports that more GOP voters are now looking to John McCain as the Best Man for President. ( click my post title)

News Flash, Kids - many traditional Democrats, like Sun Times Pulitzer Prize Winning Political Cartoonist Jack Higgins and your humble correspondent, differ on many, many issues with the New DNC. I view John McCain as a President who will unite Americans in the Global War on Islamist Terror. Jack Higgins, a real pro. publicly will not tip his hand, but in his civic opinion vote for the best person to President within the sanctity of the voting booth. Jack Higgins reflects the point of view shared by most urban tradional Democrats.

Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Protestants who traditionally adhere to the Party of Al Smith, FDR, Harry Truman, JFK, Pat Moynihan, Scoop Jackson and Hubert Humphrey are not enthralled to the New Pan-Goofy Mythology of the DNC - Abortion, Defeatism, Leftism, Liberal Fascism, and Hollywood Relativism will cast votes for John McCain.

John McCain's Meet the Press Answer to Deano's 'Trackers"

Hat tip to ColeCurtis Monitor's Miss Vicki, A John McCain Warrior!

Yesterday afternoon, I received a solicitation from the Democratic National Committee for more contributions from me - that well done dried up after Howard Dean took the tiller.

It was a smear of John McCain's off the cuff remarks on America's presence in Iraq.

Click my post title for Senator John McCain's answer to Tim Russert on those remarks.

John McCain - Mistreated by Matthews and Olbermann in Victory Speech Split Screen Slight - Milkey and Keef - Biased Bimbos

However, Romney will not go away soon - nor will his money. Romney's ATM Machine is still dumping dough into the Wonkosphere. That can't be helped. It's run on algorithms and those lads ran over my GPA back in the late 1960's.

Too many operatives in the extreme Right Culture of the GOP ( Hannity, Pain Killer Limbaugh, the Buchanan (filius et filia) detest McCain - Romney will be encouraged to pour more of his money on McCain's bid like hot coals on the noggin.

Not until McCain wins South Carolina. Michigan will be tough, but Wolverines are like Granite Staters - folks with their heads screwed on straight. The goofs go to California to make movies or run for office out of State.

McCain captures the hearts in the Great American Middle. The Left hate McCain almost as much as the Monty Burns Plutocrats on theFar Right - Shills like Chris 'Milkey' Matthews and Keith Olbermann e.g. - last night afforded full screen coverage to each concession speech, but when it came time for McCain's Victory Speech- the winner was squeezed into a tiny window of the split screen and competed with - static updates on Obama/Hillary which were also rolled at the bottom of the screen.

This mistreatment of John McCain by MSNBC was disgraceful. The McCain Campaign should direct some analysis and follow-up against Milkey Matthews and Olbermann. They are not the worst in TV Play News - but they'll do.

Just some thoughts.

John McCain - Good Guy! STNG's Jennifer Hunter - πρωτο-vox et proeterea nihil

The Chicago Newspaper cork-screwing into the loam, The Chicago Sun Times has branded itself as the Paper of the Pretentious.

No one better to scare off readers than Jennifer Hunter - like clowns and jacko-lanterns to two year olds!

While searching for coverage of the New Hampshire Primary and the Victory of John McCain, I was confronted with a Jennifer Hunter treatment of the singularly 'Good Guy' candidate. Mon Dieu! Treating a Regular Guy, like John McCain, with Progressive-Prose Pretentions is like inviting George Will to Keegan's Pub for Old Styles!

Thus:

Often described as the Senate's proto-hawk for his support of Iraq and other military interventions, McCain is

( Emphasis- my own)

Jennifer - save this pap for milquetoasts and Forrest Claypool who could read it to Mike Quigley. Those Shape-Shifters appreciate Classicism in their Classism. Lay Off John McCain!

John McCain is for fans of Bull Riding; Roller Darby; & etc.! n'cest pas?

John McCain - Warrior - Mitt Romney - The Guy from 'The Office'

Byron York -my that name smacks of Breed's Hill, The Green Mountain Boys, and Ducking Stools - writes a nice contrast of America's choices: A Warrior and a To-Do Lister.

John McCain spent the final hours of the Battle for New Hampshire inspiring the troops and promising 'No Surrender on the War on Terror' and Mitt Romney told every one that Washington is Broken. 'Call our Out-source People, ASAP and have memo on this task in my Blackberry by close of the Markets!'

We have a choice - John McCain a Warrior Statesman, a 21st Century Andrew Jackson, or the Guy from the TV Show The Office.


Click on my Post Title for Byron York's article

John McCain Leads In Dixville Notch - That's the Earliest Folks!

Brad Marston and His Granite State Volunteers have scored Early! Well Done Folks!

Hat Tip to Primary Monitor Blog - click Post Title for more and updates! Go McCain!

Dixville Notch got the voting under way. The results:

John McCain 4 votes
Mitt Romney 2 votes
Rudy Giuliani 1 vote
Barack Obama 7 votes
John Edwards 2 votes
Bill Richardson 1 vote
UPDATE: In Hart's Location...

McCain 6 votes
Mike Huckabee 5 votes
Ron Paul 4 votes
Romney 1 vote
Obama 9 votes
Hillary Clinton 3 votes
Edwards 1 vote

John McCain Understands Tom Boyle in New Hampshire and Yellow Ribbons in St. Cajetan's Parish

"If I didn't vote for a Democrat," Tom Boyle said, "[McCain] is the only Republican I feel I could support."

Brother Boyle, many of us traditional Democrats - the folks the Progressives pigeonhole and calumniate in their Snob-Speak as 'close-knit, Ethnic' code for middle class Catholics and Jews - are warm to John McCain's Straight Talk and Non-Profit Patriotism.


We are the people with yellow ribbons on the trees on our blocks - tributes to the little boys and girls who played sewer-to sewer Wiffle Ball and are now wearing Kevlar in Iraq and Afghanistan; the people whom the academics and media ridicule in
newspaper 'impact series' that pick scabs of racism or the War; and we are the people paying the taxes for the entitlements and pork-spending: Pipefitters, Electricians, Stationary Engineers & etc. who also pay for the disastrous Public schools while sending our children to private schools.

I hear you Mr. Boyle. So does John McCain.

Click on my post title for more on voters like Tom Boyle flocking to John McCain.


Courtney Greve wrote a wonderful report on the St. Cajetan Parish Tribute to Heroes held in our Parish on Saturday January 5th - the night of the First McCain Debate Victory.

Read this great Courtney Greve's wonderfully poignant article from the Southtown Star about the very people whom John McCain understands and respects.


http://www.southtownstar.com/news/728174,010608soldiermass.article

John McCain: Not-for-Profit Patriot

John McCain's Kodak moment came in the discussion of whether or not a Senator would be well suited to the Office of President of the United States ( Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy seemed to do pretty well, it seems to me).

This allowed McCain to straight-talk the seminal tag- line of this Election:
( From the Guardian - click my post title forthe complete article)

The contempt felt by McCain, war hero and senator, for Romney, a multi-millionaire businessman, was manifest throughout the 90-minute debate.

Romney opted to stress his own executive experience as a businessman and governor of Massachusetts, suggesting that his rival lacked this, having spent most of his life in the senate. "I've been in the economy. I've been in the real world," Romney said.

McCain came back immediately to say that he had plenty of experience of executive power. "I led the largest squadron in the US navy, not for profit but for patriotism." He indicated the biggest problem facing the US was security, fighting two wars, and he, rather than Romney, had dedicated his life to that. ( emphasis my own)

McCain boasted that he knew how to get Osama bin Laden and, if he became president, he would get him.

Romney, witnessing the success of Obama's message in Iowa about change in Washington, portrayed himself as a Washington outsider in contrast to McCain, with his years in the senate.

McCain replied that he had succeeded in changing the US approach to the war in Iraq, being one of the advocates of last year's surge strategy that saw an extra 30,000 US troops sent to Iraq, a policy he claims has helped to reduce violence.

Earlier yesterday, Romney, front-runner in New Hampshire during almost all of last year, acknowledged doubt about the outcome in the primary. He insisted: "I'm planning on winning in New Hampshire." But he added, "It may not happen."

Although Huckabee won in Iowa, he is unlikely to repeat that victory in New Hampshire, but he said: "We're going to do better than expected."

Ron Paul was excluded from the debate by Fox News. In the USA Today/Gallup poll he recorded 8%, down from 9% last month.

All the dough in the world cannot beat an honest Man!

John McCain - Primary Source for Truth; Mitt Romney - Cliffs Notes

Mitt's Lead Blogger had this to say about John McCain's Dramatic Lead in the Polls!


I noticed that Mitt's Video Rangers are using You-Tube Video Cuts of Gottacha McCain!

Click my post title for the transcript of NBC's Meet the Press.

I was always a read the book guy over the Cliffs Notes crowd - that is why I am one of McCain's guys.

Click on my post title for John McCain on Meet the Press

McCain - Mission New Hampshire Live

The Game is on! The Stakes are High! John McCain needs your voices to join Brad Marston Live in New Hampshire tonight at 6PM EST - That's 7PM to all of south side Chicago Cousins!

Here's a little pre game pep talk from an old 19th Ward Chicago Democrat ( Yeah, I'm with McCain!) - we win elections - ALL THE TIME! We win here the fighting 19th Ward because we stay on message and the John McCain Team has given us this great Victory Strategy. Let's Close the Deal - Get the Undecideds! Stay on Message and Stay on task!

Let's suit up!

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.

Welcome the Undecided! Convince the Fence Sitters! Make your voice loud and clear and friendly! Keep your Game Face for the Polling Booth! Click on My Post Title and Log in to Brad for John McCain!

John McCain is a Go!

John McCain Straps it On for the Bigs

The Iowa Caucuses Have ended - the musical chairs of Democracy- the pre-season exhibition game. Now it's time for the regular season play to begin. After the pre-season in Iowa, Senator McCain thanked the Hawkeyes and the Team!

STATEMENT FROM JOHN MCCAIN ON THE IOWA CAUCUS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office

Thursday, January 3, 2008
703-650-5550



ARLINGTON , VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement regarding the results of the Iowa Caucus:



"I thank each and every Iowan who braved the cold to caucus tonight, as well as my tremendous Iowa staff and leadership for all of their hard work over the past year. They worked wonders with far fewer resources than their competitors. I also congratulate Governor Huckabee on his victory tonight.



"Now the campaign turns to New Hampshire for the first-in-the-nation primary. As Granite State voters know best, I will continue to deliver straight talk about the critical issues facing our country. I will talk about the unique experience that prepares me to lead as commander in chief from day one, and makes me the only Republican who can win the White House in 2008.



"We started this together, New Hampshire , eight years ago. In five days, we're going to send the same message we did then: change is coming."

Get Ready for some Game! Watch John McCain's speech on January 9th - Live Love from New Hampshire afte the Season Kickoff Victory! We will be with John McCain's Team here in Chicago on New Hampshire Primary Night -McCain's Got Game!



Meghan McCain's great Photos from
http://www.mccainblogette.com/

John McCain - Running The Table in New Hampshire!

The only candidate with the integrity, experience, grit and sense of self to lead America in time of War on Islamist Terror has 'run the table in New Hampshire,' like Willie Mosconi (During the 1940s and 1950s, the pocket billiards game most often played in competition was called straight pool, or 14.1 continuous, a form of billiards considered by most top players to be more difficult than today's championship pool game 9-ball. Willie Mosconi still holds the officially recognized high run record of 526 consecutive balls - Wikpedia)- grabbing every media endorsement in the deep snows of New England and he's showing muscle among frozen corn stalks of Iowa without spending nickle one on ADS.

John McCain has given the American People a Candidate around whom they can unify the Republic and set the country's course with his Straight Talk and confident stewardship.

Here's the
Franklin Pierce/WBZ Poll: New Hampshire Presidential Primary



December 27-31



Sen. John McCain 37

Mitt Romney 31

Rudy Giuliani 10

Mike Huckabee 5

Rep. Ron Paul 6

Fred Thompson 2



Spread: McCain +6.0



Rack 'em!

Remember to Go Live on the Web Chat with Brad Marston on Staurday January 5th. Log on to the Spin Room at the upcoming ABC News/Facebook Debate. Brad Marston will be Live Blogging/Webcasting live from 6pm until Midnight on Saturday January 5th from the Spin Room at St. Anselms College in Manchester NH.

It will be at the live chat at www.azamatterofact.com



Giant Hat Tip to Meghan McCain and her cute Pal Shannon for their great Photos of Senator McCain's Historic Run of the Tables!