John McCain: Well Done Senator and Jim Durkin's Illinois Team!

Jim Durkin and Pat and Julie Brady, Shawn Healy and so many, many more people worked so hard for John McCain that I hit the sack at 9 PM. Got up at 4AM and confirmed my suspicions - that I have had for a long, long time - John McCain will be the GOP Nominee and the next President of the United States.

And here in my own back yard - well deck really. . .
Chicago Election Board
Feb. 5, 2008 General Primary Election




< Back

REP - Altern Delegate Natl Nom Conv 3rd REP
236 out of 241 precincts (97.93 %)
Vote For 2

Kelly O'Brien (Romney) 1,228 14.98 %
Ian Brenson (Romney) 1,059 12.92 %
Nora Kathleen Hickey (McCain) 1,900 23.18 %
William Durkin (McCain) 1,968 24.01 % Anthony Castrogiovanni (Thompson) 71 0.87 %
Richard E. Leja (Thompson) 78 0.95 %
Clifford R. Pitts (Paul) 279 3.40 %
David Pozniak (Paul) 327 3.99 %
Ron Brumfield (Huckabee) 523 6.38 %
Dave Garratt (Huckabee) 459 5.60 %
Saranne Milano (Giuliani) 185 2.26 %
Stephen R. Palmer (Giuliani) 121 1.48 %

John McCain: Sun Times Endorsement - Now it Can be Told - Cheryl Reed, Editor (resigned) Didn't write it - it was too good.

Chicago Sun Times under Editor Reed was an avowed enemy of all Chicago Police Officers and helped create the Thug Comfort Zone in Our City - in my opinion.


La Pasionaria, Cheryl Reed, resigned as editor of the Chicago Sun Times on Monday, after complaining that the paper's endorsements were re-written. I read the Sunday endorsement of John McCain and knew that it could not have come from the Cheryl Progressive Independent Voice of the City - Let's Get Into It ! Reed. No way no how.

Since Reed's July 15th Manifesto, The Chicago Sun Times has helped create a Thug Comfort Zone in Chicago, insulted the very working people who purchased the paper with doctrinaire Progressive non-sense, and daily undermining of public confidence in the American Justice system.

The Talented Ms.Reed will no doubt be snatched up by the radical lawyers that she helped enrich themselves with her editorial complicity. The Sun Times has a long road to recovery - this is a great start.

Click my post title for the history of my unhappiness with this once great paper.

For John McCain

February 3, 2008
Facing an uphill battle in the November elections, Republicans need to nominate a presidential candidate who represents the best traditions of the Grand Old Party: fiscal responsibility, devotion to national security and honest conduct of the nation's business.

Republican voters should consider themselves lucky. They have two candidates highly qualified to occupy the Oval Office: John McCain and Mitt Romney, two principled political figures who could chart a new course for our country and lead it forward with honor.

In a close call, our endorsement goes to McCain, a war hero, experienced player in the U.S. Senate and Washington politics, a principled conservative and a leader with an extra something -- that crucial capacity to stir our souls.

If the GOP's chances in November don't look so good these days, they certainly don't look any worse than McCain's own hopes of securing the GOP nomination just a few months ago. His campaign bank account empty, forced to lay off staff and dismissed as a viable contender, McCain soldiered on against the odds and now appears poised to capture the party's nomination.

His character, political courage and grasp of the crucial issues facing the country guarantee that McCain can energize Republicans and capture the independent voters the GOP will need to retain the White House in the face of the low poll numbers of President Bush.

No one can read his account of the cruel years of torture and solitary confinement in the Hanoi Hilton without feeling a lump in the throat. He never broke.

And anyone who reads his memoir, Faith of My Fathers, understands the foundation on which McCain built a reputation as a politician of the highest ethical standards not afraid to defend unpopular positions and fight for what he believes in. He clung to his belief that the U.S. should increase the troop commitment in Iraq, which caused his early lead to evaporate, and most thought would kill his chances to be president.

McCain is a free thinker who judges each issue on its merits, not on its political implications.

Like the GOP base, McCain understands -- in a way Republicans feel that the Democrats fail to comprehend -- that America faces an implacable enemy in Islamist fanaticism. He articulates eloquently the conservative belief that the consequences of defeat in Iraq would be crippling to the U.S. military's morale, damaging to national security and a signal victory for America's enemies. Like the GOP base, he believes that it wasn't the invasion of Iraq that was a mistake, it was the misguided strategy that didn't put enough boots on the ground. Continued success in the surge will enable McCain to make that argument persuasively to war-weary American voters.

On domestic issues, McCain adheres to Republican orthodoxy that cutting taxes, government spending and regulatory red tape are necessary to preserving a strong economy. McCain risked political suicide last year to promote, unsuccessfully, a reasonable and humane immigration reform package, which included border security provisions, along with a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants.

McCain now says he knows America wants border security first. But he has not hedged on his commitment to treat illegal immigrants with compassion. It may be unpopular in some conservative circles, but immigration reform is of vital interest to traditional Republican allies in business.

While boasting core Republican credentials, McCain also has proved that he can reach out to Democrats and work cooperatively toward meaningful solutions -- a trait in rare supply in today's deeply divided capital.

McCain has also been a consistent and loud voice against pork-barrel spending, he is in favor of campaign finance reform, and he has warned about the risks of global warming.

If he is nominated, as we expect he will be, McCain should make Romney America's No. 2 Republican. Given McCain's advanced age, a vice presidential choice has never been more important. A man of impeccable personal integrity, Romney has amassed an enviable record of accomplishment in the business world, public service and elective office. He built a lucrative venture capital and investment business, valuable experience for a White House faced with today's economic insecurities.

He raised the Olympics in Utah from the ashes and led them to a successful conclusion. And as governor of Massachusetts, one of the nation's bluest states, Romney demonstrated how a Republican leader could work with a Democratic legislature to promote economic growth and tackle a complex issue such as expanding health care. Romney has excelled in everything he has done.

But it is McCain we want to see at the top of the ticket. The Democrats are promising the voters what Republicans see as a simplistic and defeatist way out of Iraq -- just withdraw the troops. Straight-talking McCain sees different realities and declares, "The American people deserve to know that the path ahead will be long and difficult."

Admittedly that may be a hard sale in an election year. But it's what Republicans believe, and in McCain they have the standard bearer who can carry that message to the nation and who stands the best chance of convincing Americans that a Republican president needs to lead the nation in seeing Iraq through to a successful end.

Republicans are hungering for a thoughtful Republican who knows how to get things done. That is evidenced by McCain's wins in states as diverse as New Hampshire, South Carolina and now Florida, where only registered Republicans could vote.

Cast a ballot for John McCain. Cast a ballot that counts.

John McCain: Votes at Precinct 23 of the 19th Ward -Chicago, IL

Without a hitch, voting began promptly at 6:00 AM. Though Frank Noonan and I arrived well before the open at the Quaker Meeting House at 10749 S. Artesian, Mike Regan and his lovely bride were the first to cast ballots - Regan must have come up through the floor. He is a Plumber and Leo Almnus of grit, intelligence and good sense.

There were twenty other voters lined up behind Frank Noonan and me and more coming in. This indicates that once again the 19th Ward will have a record turn-out! Well done!

I cast my vote for John McCain and his slate of delgates,including my daughter Nora Kathleen Hickey of whom I am very proud, as well as for Dr. Sauerberg for U.S. Senate. I also voted for a great guy, Pat Guest to 19th Ward GOP Committeeman; Pat is a brilliant and thoughtful former Democrat who will breathe life into the moribund GOP in my neighborhood. There were other races,but I'll palm them.

Vote Folks! It's that important!


Click my post title for a history of my support for John McCain

John McCain: Alec Baldwin - The Funniest Guy in America -Annoints John McCain as GOP Nominee and Plans His Destruction! You Gotta Read This!

I think Alec Baldwin is the funniest guy on TV bar none. His character on 30 Rock is a priceless caricature of the Republican Suit - a manic Mitt Romney.

But . . . his plan to defeat John McCain in the general election nearly gave me lock-jaw from laughing. Alec Baldwin's post on Huffington Post is Jonathon Swift on crack!

Get this:
(Note - I emphasized the good lines)

Have fun.

Republicans don't care about anything but winning. That's why they put forth candidates like Reagan, Arnold and Bush. By the time they reach the end of their first term, it's assumed they have all the experience they need. Like their nephew at the bank.

Which candidate will have the best chance against McCain? The experienced one or the exciting one? The one who is smart and tough and whose stances on some issues are oh-so-similar to those of the presumed GOP opponent? Or the less experienced, less tested one who has many Americans believing that someone more like them may make a return to the White House? During the Democratic debates, I wanted someone to ask one question. "Do you believe that any of the people sitting in this audience have as much hope of becoming president as you do?" I think that should matter, because the presidency of this country has become the exclusive preserve of legal elites and political or corporate barons. And our country is suffering as the result of it.

Vote on Tuesday. And let's begin the job of defeating John McCain, and his continuation of the Bush nightmare, right now.

Alec- that openner was killer! If Democrats gave one bit of a tinker's damn about winning, they would not have put a loser like Dean in the Captain's Chair at the DNC and they'd still have traditional Democrats - like me - voting at the National level.

The 'the experienced one or the exciting one?' Sounds like a twisted Dad taking young Scapegrace Jeremy to a hooker shop for his 16th birthday. 'Experience or Excitement, Son - it's your birthday, be a man, pick out a winner, Boy! They're all whores, Son, be a Man pick one!'

Corporate Barons! Legal elites! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA -Dang! Jaws locked again.

The guy is priceless!

John McCain: John Rubery's Churchillian Analysis

Not only did John McCain run table on endorsement here in Chicago, he hooked one of the nation's most influential and thoughtful Bloggers - John Rubery of Marthon Pundit

John Rubery has south side roots that boosted him to Morton Gove, IL and to the top of the Pundit Tree.

Today, John, not only endorses the most qualified American in the Presidential race, but parallels McCain to another Statesman who also amassed a number of powerful enemies in a lifetime of service to his country -Winston S. Churchill:

Churchill was a disastrous Chancellor of the Exchequer, the British equivalent of Secretary of the Treasurer. Later, Churchill was one of the few members of parliament who supported King Edward VIII in the 1936 abdication crisis. Had his view prevailed, Churchill, and Great Britain, would've had a much more difficult time as prime minister with Edward, who at best could be labeled a German sympathizer after his abdication, and at worst, pro-Nazi. Which is probably why his brother, King George VI, shipped him off to the Bahamas to serve as governor there. The colony viewed as one of the most insignificant possessions of the British Empire.

Widely seen as lazy and worthless as the Prince of Wales even by his father, George V, Churchill, no stranger to aristocracy, surely knew that about Edward. To be fair to Churchill, he didn't know about Edward's German sympathies in 1936.

Yes, McCain was wrong on McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Obama (Just kidding, I made that one up), and in voting against the Bush tax-cuts. And he's wrong on his opposition to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

But he's right on Iraq, and has been for a while. A retreat from Iraq, along the lines of our 1975 cut-and-run from Saigon, would be catastrophic for this nation--and the world.

John McCain and Lord Churchill were also tirelessly relentless foes of tyranny, terror and enemies of Western Civilization. Not bad.

Cick my post title for the full Rubery!

John McCain: Neil Steinberg Praises John McCain

My buddy Neil Steinberg, of the Chicago Sun Times along with legendary colunist Bob Novak, Pulitzer Prize winning Political Cartoonist Jack Higgins, Fran Spielmann, and the great Sports Departmemt - less Mariotti of course, are the only true Chicago voices that sinking paper has kept on.

Neil Steinberg is a patriot and an independent voice who honors Veterans, Law Enforcement and caring committed citizens. He writes about how people approach their jobs and offers insight to the heart behind their hands. Steinberg is free of the smarmy doctrinaire cant that saturates the prose of too many of in his profession. He is very much like John Kass, but for his Ohio roots and the editorial tether that limits his column space.

Here are Neil's thoughts on the candidates for President and he is especially poignant in his consideration of John McCain - like McCain, Steinberg is a Straight Talker.

N.B. - I will highlight, what I believe to be some pearls from Neil Steinberg - emphasis my own.

Give the Republicans credit. Just when they seemed determined to stake their presidential hopes on Mitt Romney, a pretty-boy plutocrat feverishly sculpting his beliefs to mirror political fashion, or Mike Huckabee, a snake-handling preacher offended by scientific knowledge, up pops John McCain, like Lazarus risen from the grave. He smiles, brushes the dirt of his recent political burial from his shoulders, and assumes his place as front-runner.

Amazing. A genuine war hero, with the courage of his convictions (true, his convictions include humming a hallelujah chorus to George Bush's Iraq war, but nobody's perfect.) And if experience is what we want, McCain has it. Sure, he groveled at the feet of his party's lunatic fringe, cuddling up with the late Rev. Jerry Falwell. But he was just visiting where people like Huckabee live year-round, and, besides, the fringe will always hate McCain for offering a reality-based solution to illegal immigration, a problem that will only grow larger until somebody fixes it. John McCain is the one man on the Republican bench who stands a chance of becoming a president we could all be proud of.

That's a good thing. If, like many, I preferred party devotion to patriotism, I might be reluctant to say that. But I don't. The race is shaping up as a win-win-win situation, a choice among: a) the exciting, inspirational freshness of Barack Obama; or b) the wily, willful effectiveness of Hillary Clinton; or c) the fearless, nimble maturity of John McCain. That's a dilemma to celebrate.

Well said and true Neil. I will be voting for John McCain; I really like and admire Barack Obama and hope that he will become Governor of Illinois; Hillary Clinton is wildly capable - so was Bismark.

John McCain: Vote for John McCain Illinois!

John McCain ran the table - with the three major Chicago area newspaper endorsements.

John McCain is the only candidate of any Party to articulate his own clear leadership on America's struggle against Islamist extremism.

John McCain is a coalition builder and a uniting voice for leading America out of a sliding economy, easing the tax burdens on America's shrinking middle class through common sense tax-cuts and sharp elimation of run-away spending.

John McCain will speak to the issues, listen to his critics, welcome further critcisms, seek wise counsel from the leading American experts on health, Social Security, Defense, Infrastructure, Port and Border Security, Foreign Policy, and Veterans Rights.

John McCain will make the tough decisions and courageously stand by them.

John McCain is the template of the American President.

Vote!

click my post title for John McCain on all theabove issues and more!

John McCain: The McCain Coalition - To Mark Levin: Jackie Gleason is the Great One

Somebody tell that goof that Jackie Gleason is the Great One!










Above are some great Heather Brand photos of Friday Night's John McCain Rally in Villa Park, Illinois.

Now down to some straight talk.

A goof calling himself The Great One - That was Jackie Gleason, Cupcake! - objects to the McCain Coalition. Object away, son, this train has left the station and is roaring toward the White House - flat out!

http://www.babalublog.com/archives/007281.html

For years American voters have been snowed by blow-hards and loudmouths with bully platforms about 'the issues,' 'substance,' and 'true principles.' One Man, who is a career public service professional - military and government - has done what no other political trimmer is capable of doing. John McCain speaks directly to each American. Sometimes the conversation does not always go without some bumps and grinds, but neither does real life.

Television, radio, and print journalism is not real life. One Chicago newspaper is cork-screwing into the ground, because its spin on the news does not reflect real life in Chicago. Rush and his Rush-lite surrogates have been blubbering for months about the dangers of John McCain - to whom ? - and the voters are flocking to his straight talk.

John McCain ditched the professional pollsters who drive campaigns - McCain got out in the streets and townhalls and met voters, many of whom listened to Rush and blubbered his script back at Mccain. John McCain invited criticism and welcomed their concerns and embraced their fears. Now, many people who have heard straight talk for the first time, are voting for John McCain.

Imagine, a Presidency without the usual rhetoric and actual accomplishments and significant changes instead? Maybe America will have an age of common sense for the Common Good - the sick, elderly and children actually cared for; teachers educating kids, instead of educators teaching excuses; government services being delivered to those who actually need them; a Justice department free of politics; a military capably supported by a genuine Commander in Chief; a foreign policy guided by American interests, and an economy that progresses with the efforts of American workers and not over their backs? That possibity Must scare the hell out of Levin, Rush, Scarborough and their acolytes. It well should, because it is on the way!

Click my post title for a young guy named Andrew Jones who writes a great piece called the McCain Coalition. This kid is on to great things.

To Mark Levin - the Great One is Jackie Gleason. Orson Welles, a pretty talented guy gave him that handle; You call yourself the 'Great One' - that is kind of like a three year old boy who tells every one 'I'm Batman!' Cute in a little guy, but something no great one would allow.

John McCain: Willard Mitt Romney Gives His Call on Super Tuesday

Asked about his chances on Super Tuesday - Willard Mitt Romney hand signaled - Joe Scarborough's and Sean Hannity's collective I.Q.


Click my post title for folks with Sound Judgment and Rock Solid Integrity.

h/t to Illinois Review on the great Willard EroZay Shot!

John McCain: Illinois Shows the Love!

Leo Boxing Coach/attorney/legendary philanthropist Mike Joyce and President McCain
( Mike's in the sharp grey wool sportcoat)




Illinois Rep. Jim Durkin with John McCain's much better looking half.

















Illinois shows John McCain some of its support and a healthy heaping of its love!

Last Night Illinois got behind Illinois State Representative Jim Durkin to show Senator John McCain their support! Big crowd and bigger hearts and hands!



Photos Copyright Heather Brand

John McCain: Endorsed by Everyone: Mitt Romney: All His Aches in One Basket -Rick Santorum

Ladies and Gentlemen!

In This Corner - Weighing in at the United States of America* - in the Purple (Red and Blue) John McCain!

*
GENERAL CHAIRMAN
Robert Mosbacher
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Texas

GENERAL CO-CHAIRMEN
Phil Gramm
Former Senator, Texas
Thomas G. Loeffler
Former U.S. Representative, Texas
Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator, South Carolina
Sam Brownback
U.S. Senator, Kansas
Jon Huntsman
Governor, Utah
Tim Pawlenty
Governor, Minnesota

NATIONAL FINANCE COMMITTEE Co-CHAIRS

The Honorable George Argyros, California
Mr. Michael Ashner, New York
Mr. Brian Ballard, Florida
Mr. Lawrence E. Bathgate II, New Jersey
Mr. Wayne Berman, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Donald L. Bren, California
Mr. John Chambers, California
Mr. Jim Click, Arizona
The Honorable James A. Courter, New Jersey
Mr. Donald R. Diamond, Arizona
Mr. Ray Dalio, Connecticut
Mr. Lewis M. Eisenberg, New Jersey
Mr. Jon Hammes, Wisconsin
Mr. James B. Lee, Jr., New York
The Honorable Frederic V. Malek, Virginia
Mr. John A. Moran, Florida
Mr. Carter Pate, Virginia
Mr. A. Jerrold Perenchio, California
Mr. Fred Smith, Tennesse
Mr. John A. Thain, New York
The Honorable Ronald Weiser, Michigan


U.S. SENATORS
Sam Brownback, Kansas
Richard Burr, North Carolina
Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Susan Collins, Maine
Pete Domenici, New Mexico
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Jon Kyl, Arizona
Joe Lieberman, Connecticut
Mel Martinez, Florida
Gordon Smith, Oregon
Olympia Snowe, Maine
John Thune, South Dakota
John Warner, Virginia

FORMER U.S. SENATORS
Howard Baker, Tennessee
Conrad Burns, Montana
Rudy Boschwitz, Minnesota
Dan Coats, Indiana
Alfonse D'Amato, New York
John C Danforth, Missouri
Dan Evans, Washington
Peter Fitzgerald, Illinois
Slade Gorton, Washington
Phil Gramm, Texas
Trent Lott, Mississippi
Mack Mattingly, Georgia
Don Nickles, Oklahoma
Warren Rudman, New Hampshire
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Howard Baker, Tennessee
Conrad Burns, Montana
Alphonse D'Amato, New York

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES
Spencer Bachus, Alabama
Gus Bilirakis, Florida
Mike Bilirakis, Florida
Mike Castle, Delaware
Tom Davis, Virginia
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Florida
Mario Diaz-Balart, Florida
Jeff Flake, Arizona
Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania
Darrell Issa, California
Ric Keller, Florida
Peter King, New York
Mark Kirk, Illinois
Randy Kuhl, New York
Ray LaHood, Illinois
Steven LaTourette, Ohio
Frank LoBiondo, New Jersey
Dan Lungren, California
Jeff Miller, Florida
Todd Platts, Pennsylvania
Chip Pickering, Mississippi
Deborah Pryce, Ohio
Jim Ramstad, Minnesota
Peter Roskam, Illinois
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida
John Shadegg, Arizona
Chris Shays, Connecticut
John Shimkus, Illinois
Fred Upton, Michigan
Joe Wilson, South Carolina
Jeff Miller, Florida

FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVES
Steve Bartlett, Texas
Mike
Jim Courter, New Jersey
Joseph J. DioGuardi, New York
Chuck Douglas, New Hampshire
Ambassador Fred J. Eckert, New York
Lou Frey, Florida
Greg Ganske, Iowa
Steve Kuykendall, California
Tom Loeffler, Texas
Joe Schwartz, Michigan
Rob Simmons, Connecticut
Dick Zimmer, New Jersey

GOVERNORS
Charlie Crist, Florida
Mitch Daniels, Indiana
Jim Douglas, Vermont
Jon Huntsman, Utah
Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota
Rick Perry, Texas
Arnold Schwarzenegger, California

FORMER GOVERNORS
Paul Cellucci, Massachusetts,
William Clements, Texas
Jim Edgar, Illinois
Tom Kean, New Jersey
Frank Keating, Oklahoma
Jim Martin, North Carolina
John McKernan, Maine
William Milliken, Michigan
Walter Peterson, New Hampshire
Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania
Buddy Roemer, Louisiana
Don Sundquist, Tennessee
Jane Swift, Massachusetts

LAWYERS FOR McCAIN
Dick Wiley, Chairman, Washington D.C.
Stanton Anderson, Washington D.C.
A.B. Culvahouse, Virginia
Hayden Dempsey, Florida
Thomas Leary, Washington D.C., Former Federal Trade Commission Commissioner

STATE PARTY CHAIRS
George Gallo, Connecticut
Alec Poitevint, Georgia

FORMER STATE PARTY CHAIRS
Winton Blout, III, Alabama
Jean Inman, Massachusetts
Marlys Popma, Iowa

NATIONAL POLICY
Bill Simon, National Policy Co-Chair

ECONOMIC POLICY ADVISORS Grant Aldonas, Department of Commerce
Carlos Bonilla, Sr VP Washington Group
Jeff Brown, Associate Professor of Finance, Univ of Illinois
Juan Buttari, Independent Consultant and Researcher in Development Economics
Kathleen Cooper, Dean, College of Business, Univ Of North Texas
Steve Davis, CRA International And University Of Chicago Graduate School Of Business
Richard Dekaser, Senior Vice President And Chief Economist, National City Corporation
John Diamond, Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Fellow in Tax Policy, Baker Institute Of Public Policy, Rice University
Martin Feldstein, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, President Reagan's Chief Economic Adviser, member of President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
Emil Frankel, Transportation Consultant And Former Assistant Secretary For Transportation Policy, Department Of Transportation
Luke Froeb, Professor, Vanderbilt University
Senator Phil Gramm, Former U.S. Senator From Texas
Kevin Hassett, Resident Scholar And Director Of Economic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute(AEI)
David John, Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation
Tim Kane, Director, Center for International Trade and Economics, Heritage Foundation
Melissa Kearney, Assistant Professor Of Economics, University Of Maryland
Anne Krueger, Professor At The Johns Hopkins School Of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) & Former First Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Adam Lerrick, Visiting Scholar For The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) And Friends Of Allan H. Meltzer Professor Of Economics For Carnegie Mellon
Phil Levy, Resident Scholar for the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Former Senior Economist for Trade on the President's Council of Economic Advisers
Will Melick, Gensemer Associate Professor of Economics, Kenyon College
Michael Moore, Professor Of Economics And International Affairs, George Washington University
Tom Miller, Resident Fellow for American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
Tim Muris, Foundation Professor, George Mason University School Of Law, Former Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission
Sean O'Keefe, Former Secretary Of The Navy, NASA Administrator, & Deputy Director Of Office of Management & Budget, The White House
Gerry Parsky, Senior Economic Advisor
Nancy Pfotenhauer, Former President, Independent Women's Forum
James Rill, Partner, Howrey LLP and Former Assistant Attorney General (Antitrust), U.S. Department of Justice
Kenneth Rogoff, Professor Of Public Policy, Harvard University
Harvey Rosen, Professor Of Economics And Business Policy, Princeton University
John Silvia, Managing Director, Chief Economist, Wachovia Bank
Aquiles Suarez, Vice President For Government Affairs For National Association Of Industrial And Office Properties & Former Special Assistant To The President For Domestic Policy
Dr. John Taylor, Professor Of Economics At Stanford, Senior Fellow At The Hoover Institution & Former Under Secretary Of Treasury
Anthony Villamil, Chief Executive Officer, The Washington Economics Group, Inc. & Former Under Secretary Of Commerce For Economic Affairs
Joseph Wright, Chairman Of The Board For Intelsat
Mark Zandi, Chief Economist For Moody's Economy.Com
STATE LEADERS
Delaware Leaders
Georgia Leaders
Colorado Leaders
Maine Leaders
Minnesota Leaders
Montana Leaders
West Virginia Leaders
Oklahoma Leaders
New Jersey Leaders
New York Leaders
Connecticut Leaders
North Dakota Leaders
South Carolina Leaders
California Leaders
New Hampshire Leaders
Tennessee Leaders
Florida Leaders

FORMER U.S. OFFICIALS

Former Secretaries of State
Lawrence S. Eagleburger, Former Secretary of State
Alexander M. Haig, Former Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State, New York
George P. Shultz, Former Secretary of State, California

Former Cabinet Secretaries
Jack Kemp, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Former U.S. Representative, New York
Ann McLaughlin Korologos, Former Secretary of Labor, DC
Robert Mosbacher, Former Secretary of Commerce, Texas
Peter Peterson, Former Secretary of Commerce, New York
Anthony Principi, Former Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Maryland
Former Governor Tom Ridge, Former Secretary of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania
James R. Schlesinger, Former Secretary of Defense

Former National Security Officials
Tom Kean, 9/11 Commission Chairman, New Jersey
Robert C. "Bud" McFarlane, Former National Security Advisor, Washington, DC
R. James Woolsey Jr., Former CIA Director
Robert Inman, Former National Security Advisor and Deputy Director of the CIA

Former Army Generals
Norman Schwarzkopf, General U.S. Army (Ret.)
Click here to read the endorsements of over 100 Admirals and Generals.

Former Navy Secretaries
William Ball, Former Secretary of the Navy, South Carolina
John Lehman, Former Secretary of the Navy, New York

Former Ambassadors
Chuck Cobb, Former Ambassador, Florida
Sue Cobb, Former Ambassador, Florida
Fred Eckert, Former Ambassador, North Carolina
Fred Malek, Former Ambassador, Virginia
Ron Weiser, Former Ambassador, Michigan
Al Hoffman, Former Ambassador, Florida
Otto Juan Reich, Former Ambassador, Florida

FORMER POW'S
Commander Everett Alvarez, (ret), Maryland
Al Carpenter (ret), Virginia
Captain Mike Cronin USN (ret), Maryland
Colonel Bud Day, MOH USAF (ret), Florida
Commander Paul Galanti USN (ret), Virginia
Lt Colonel Orson Swindle USMC (ret), Virginia
Click here to read about more military Veterans who support John McCain.

BUSINESS LEADERS
John Chambers, CEO of Cisco
Carly Fiorina, Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard
Steve Forbes
James Huffines, Banking Executive
David Pottruck, Chairman of Red Eagle Ventures
Frederick W. Smith, CEO of FedEx
Dax Swatek, President of Swatek and Associates
John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch

ATTORNEYS GENERAL
Bill Barr
Griffin Bell
Mike Bowers, Georgia
Steve Carter, Indiana
Richard Cullen, Virginia
Troy King, Alabama
Jerry Kilgore, Virginia
Rob McKenna, Washington
Henry McMaster, South Carolina
Mark Shurtleff, Utah
Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakota

SOLICITOR GENERALS
Theodore B. Olson

SECRETARY OF STATE
Mark Hammond, South Carolina


FORMER STATE SECRETARIES OF STATE
Randy Daniels, New York
Jim Smith, Florida

STATE SENATE LEADERS
Glenn McConnell, South Carolina President Pro Tempore

STATE SENATORS
Bill Baroni, New Jersey
Michael S. Bennett, Florida
Lee Constantine, Florida
Joseph Delahunty, New Hampshire
John Gallus, Michigan
Anthony Guglielmo, Connecticut
Jim King, Florida
Hugh Leatherman, South Carolina
John E. Lyons, Jr., New Hampshire
Michelle McManus, Michigan
Kevin O'Toole, New Jersey
Durell Peaden, Florida
Randy Richardville, Michigan
Robert Watson, Rhode Island

STATE HOUSE LEADERS
Kevin Elsenheimer, Assistant Minority Leader, Michigan
Kevin Green, Minority Whip Leader, Michigan
Bobby Harrell, Speaker of the House, South Carolina
Ric Killian, Republican Freshman Leader, North Carolina
Jim Merrill, House Majority Leader, South Carolina
Doug Smith, Speaker Pro Tempore, South Carolina
Josh Tardy, House Leader, Maine
Chris Ward, Minority Floor Leader, Michigan

FORMER STATE SENATE LEADERS
Bob Brown, Former Senate President, Montana

FORMER STATE HOUSE LEADERS
Rick Johnson, Former House Speaker, Michigan
Chuck Perricone, Former House Speaker, Michigan

STATE HOUSE MEMBERS
Ellyn Bogdanoff, Florida
Jason Brown, Missouri
Judy Emmons, Michigan
Marcelo Llorente, Florida
Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Florida
Stand Jordan, Florida
Brian Calley, Michigan
Adam Hasner, Florida
Fred King, Sr., New Hampshire
John Labruzzo, Louisiana
David Law, Michigan
John Legg, Florida
David P. Rible, New Jersey
David Russo, New Jersey
David Russo, New Jersey
Chris Saxman, Virginia
David Simmons, Florida
Glenn Steil, Jr., Michigan
Eric Stohl, New Hampshire
Robert Watson, Rhode Island
Trebor Worthen, Oklahoma
Lorence Wenke, Michigan

MAYORS
Rudy Giuliani, New York
Tommy Joe Alexander, Irondale, Alabama
Carlos Alvarez, Florida
George Andersen, Iowa
Rick Anderson, Iowa
Ron Colling, Iowa
Nelson Crabb, Iowa
Rich Crotty, Florida
Darrell Dobernecker, Iowa
Darrell Downs, Iowa
Thomas Ginger, Iowa
Sandra Hatfield, Iowa
Jim Heavens, Iowa
Dave Kleis, Minnesota
Dennis Kunkle, Iowa
Rick Lott, Florida
John Meserve, Florida
Virgil Murray, Iowa
John Nieland, Iowa
Reynold Peterson, Iowa
Ruth Randleman, Iowa
Steve Samuels, Iowa
Bernie Streeter, New Hampshire
Bob Walkup, Arizona
Ed Winborn, Iowa

FIRST RESPONDERS FOR McCAIN
Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff
John S. Dempsey, Captain, NYC Police Department (Ret.)

Tom Kean, Former 9/11 Commission Chairman
Frank Keating, Former Oklahoma Governor
Robert "Bud" McFarlane, Former National Security Advisor for President Ronald Reagan
Mr. Edward D. Mullins, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City
Tom Ridge, Former Secretary of Homeland Security
[read more]

NATIONAL HISPANIC ADVISORY BOARD
Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Florida
Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Florida

Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart, Florida
Pastor Mark Gonzalez, Texas
Honorable Manuel Lujan, New Mexico
Mr. Tony Orlando, Florida
Honorable Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida
Mr. Solomon D. Trujillo, Colorado
Major General Freddy Valenzuela, Florida
Honorable Albert C. Zapanta, Texas
[read more]

ACADEMIC LEADERS
Bernie Machen, President, University of Florida

RNC MEMBERS
Bruce Ash, Arizona
Sharon Giese, Arizona
Jerry Lathan, Alabama John Matlusky, Delaware
Alec Poitevint, Georgia
Mary Jo Arndt, Illinois
Steve Cloud, Kansas
Alicia Salisbury, Kansas
Gary Emineth, North Dakota
Mary Jean Jensen, South Dakota
Chuck Yob, Michigan
Holly Hughes, Michigan

Former Commissioners
Michael Powell, FCC

ENTERTAINER/ATHLETES
Curt Schilling, Pitcher, Boston Redsox
Sylvester Stallone


And in this Corner - weighing in with Former Pennsylvannia Senator Rick Santorum** - wearing the Albino Conservative Weight Trunks -The Flyweight Willard Mitt Romney


Are You Ready to . . .what am I looking for? . . . Boggle? Scrabble? Knit with Mitt?
Count the Lights? Jump the Shark? Surf the Channels? Do the Hustle? . . . dang! Nap Time. I'll be back.
** Added to Willard Mitt Romney's weight is Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Joe 'No Statute of Limitations' Scarborough, Hughie Hewitt, and Terry Jeffrey

John McCain: McCain Leads Romney in Illinois 2-1 - Ron Paul Supporters Demand to be Heard! Anonymously!

Ron Paul supporter An(atole) Nonimus - says that I stink, my books stink, my blog stinks, the Pope stinks, and the children will be better served with chips and Red Bull! Can't argue with that - nor care to . . .


Sad to say that I missed last night's rally in Villa Park. Nevertheless , the contingent from the neighborhood well-represented McCain's appeal to Independents and Democrats. Click my Post Title for the Chicago Tribune story.

Several packed vans and a couple of limosines darted up Rt. 294 to the event with middle class taxpayers ready to give John McCain the support that reflects his political surge in the polls and hearts of his contrymen.

I was inundated with goofy and toxic comments from anonymous posters claiming to represent Ron Paul.

You are known by the company you keep and Dr. Ron has some loopy acolytes. All anonymous posts were deleted - for the sake of the 'The Children.'

The more venomous the post, the more concern for 'the children' were in evidence.

Gold standard; gynecology; troop movements; empire-building; frozen dinners should be microwaved -alumninum foil or not;Zionist/Catholic/Mixed racers in World banking; McCain's valet in the Hanoi Hilton; and Custer died to save the God Standard were just a few of the fine thoughts deleted by me. Ron Paul Revolutionaries fumed.

Boy, and I thought the Albino Mafia ( Coulter, Hewitt, and 'Bite- A-Pig's Ass-Through -A- Picket Fence' Jeffrey) was loopy.

My buddy Pat Curley over at The Brainster notes the really goofy Journalist Greg Syzmanski doing truther posts on John McCain over at Townhall. Give them a look out of curiosity - Syzmanski links Harry Truman, the Papacy, Ron Paul, The Knights of Malta and John McCain into a New World Order idiot scheme that seems to jump right off of the rails of sanity. Here's asample of Pat Curley's report on the goofballs run at John McCain - an example of Greg Syzmanski's deep thoughts:

The corrupt alternative media, including the GCN and RBN networks and American Free Press newspaper, should "be dismantled piece by piece" and new stations and print outlets allowed to emerge -- outlets not afraid to discuss the Vatican-led New World Order and its many tentacles like the Knights of Malta.

http://brainster.blogspot.com

Politics really scampers the bedbugs!

John McCain: Willard's Queen Rat and the Albino Mafia

Looks like Chicago's streets are whiter than the hair and complexions of Willard's Wingnut Shill Team. Team Pallor!

Joining the Alabaster Analysis of Hughie Hewitt and Terry 'Bite-a-Pig's Ass- Through -a Picket Fence' Jeffery is the Queen of Willard's Albino Mafia - Ann 'Bones Coulter - For Male Conservative Fantasy Fans: Imagine Riding a Schwinn over Twenty Miles of Badly Graded Railroad Ties. Ahhdddddahhhhhdddddaahhhhdddddaaahhhhh . . . etcetera.

Click my post title for the Queen Albina of Meana talking at 40Watt Sean Hannity.

Cappy Hick's Funnies:

How do you get a Romney supporter off of your front porch?


Pay for the Pizza!

Be Good Matey! Vote McCain February 5th in Your Primary and Be Better! Go to Church; Drink Your Milk; Love Your Country; Eat Your Vegetables; Don't Sniff Glue and you might not end up on Cable News talking to creepy people like Our above Noted - Pallor Patrol!

Time to shovel again - more Snow out there than a Conservative gab-fest!

John McCain - Willard and the Rats

Either Willard Mitt Romney is talking to the rats or Rats are talking to Willard but these Albino Rodents are squealling at John McCain.

In between snow clearing tasks, I caught the Cable News Surf Hour - MSNBC-The Tool Shed; FOX - Unparalleled Laughs; CNN - Ted's Page Turners: On each was a cavalcade of conservative pundits - how these goofs got through adolescence is beyond me - like Hugh Hewitt and ... Terry Jeffrey. Hughie is pretty Edgar Winter-ish but Terry Jeffrey - Hold the phone! The Matrix Twins! Whiter Shades of Pale! Mattews take these guys to the beach with you!


Terry Jeffery is an especially obnoxious little twerp whose pallor makes Chris Matthews look like George Hamilton - also he reminded me of Rolf - the Teutonc snitch who rats out the Von Trapp family in Sound of Music.

This guy was a beaut - the madder he got the more his two front buckers fanged out - he was screaming at Chris Matthews and a lovely woman editor from the Boston Herald! This guy's teeth !!!! He could bite a pig's ass through a picket fence!

If these Andy Warhol stand-ins on full snit are the Conservative forces! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


Ah well, A Man is known by the company he keeps - click on to my post title for John McCain's Endorsements.


What dillies! What goofs! What a Chorus line of white haired rats!
Willard's Dough must really have SOME impact on Conservative thinkers!


Ah, well back to the snow.

John McCain - Willard and the Rats

Either Willard Mitt Romney is talking to the rats or Rats are talking to Willard but these Albino Rodents are squealling at John McCain.

In between snow clearing tasks, I caught the Cable News Surf Hour - MSNBC-The Tool Shed; FOX - Unparalleled Laughs; CNN - Ted's Page Turners: On each was a cabacade of conservative pundits - how these goofs got through adolescence is beyond me - like Hugh Hewitt and ... Terry Jeffrey. Hughie is pretty Edgar Wintersish but Terry Jeffrey - Hold the phone! The Matrix Twins!


Terry Jeffery is an especially obnoxious little twerp whose pallor makes Chris Matthews look like George Hamilton - also he reminded me of Rolf - the Teutonc snitch who rats out the Von Trapp family in Sound of Music.

This guy was a beaut - the madder he got the more his two front buckers fanged out - he was screaming at Chris Mattews and a lovely woman editor from the Boston Herald! This guys teeth !!!! He could bite a pig's ass through a picket fence!

If these Andy Warhol stand-ins on full snit are the Conservative forces! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!


Ah well, A Man is known by the company he keeps - click on to my post title for John McCain's Endorsements.


What dillies! What goofs! What a Chorus line of white haired rats!
Willard's Dough must really have SOME impact on Conservative thinkers!


Ah, well back to the snow.

John McCain: He Served and Leads - Mitt Regrets.

Mitt sent his Regrets - One of the two Regrets in his life - what was the other one?

re·gret /rɪˈgrɛt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-gret] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -gret·ted, -gret·ting, noun
–verb (used with object) 1. to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.): He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.
2. to think of with a sense of loss: to regret one's vanished youth.
–noun 3. a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
4. a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.
5. regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation: I sent her my regrets.
6. a note expressing regret at one's inability to accept an invitation: I have had four acceptances and one regret.

Regrets - I had a few but then again Too few to mention , but Hell I never had more than two nickles to rub together. If I had Mitts dough I'd have Regrets A'Plenty!

Regrets came close on the heels of an action. Mitt, regrets to inform the American People that Senators are just legislators and not Leaders! I suppose this could be considered Mitt-picking, but:

But, then he did his patented "Charles Foster Kane!!!!" -

This part was a doozey!

I do believe that as people over the centuries have considered who ought to lead our country, they don't look to senators. They look to governors. And they look to governors because they have the experience of being executive leaders.

They're actually leading something. They're making something happening. They're running something. They're leading an organization.

Senators and congressmen are fine people, but they're legislators. They sit in committees. They're committee chairs. And they call that leadership.

Yeah, Mitt - Harry Truman - Senator; JFK - Senator; JBJ- Senator; Gerald R. Ford - U.S. Congressman!


More Regrets from the conclusion of the debate by Mitt:

Military Service - Mitt Romeny Regrets He will be Unable to Attend!

VANDEHEI: Let's turn that around. Even today, Rudy Giuliani endorsed John McCain and said that there would be no better commander- in-chief. What makes you more qualified than John McCain to run the military as commander-in-chief?

ROMNEY: You know, I'm sure that are those who'd say, you know, to be the commander-in-chief you have to serve in the military. And one of the two great regrets I have in life is I didn't serve in the military. I'd love to have.

But I don't believe that you have to have served in the military to be a great commander-in-chief or to be a great foreign policy expert. I think you're going to see in our foreign policy and in the military, we're going to face challenges not like the challenges of old, where I'd liken it to playing checkers with the red side and the black side.

Did Mitt actually try -actively - to enter military service? I know I did not.
I did not get drafted! I am thrilled not to have been drafted, but I am as Yellow as a Duck's Foot!

Mitt said that a military background does not preclude being Commander in Chief - true enough.

Regrets - Tell that to Miss Otis.

John McCain: Illinois Rally for McCain - Vote - These Kids Would!

These Kids will not be Voting. Some people, comfortable here at home who live their patriotism through Talk Radio, say they will not Vote and they are more than able to do so and that is a Shame.

The Heroes with the empty boots overseas paid for their Right not to vote. Americans will vote.

John McCain sacrificed his political future to support our Fighting Forces defeating Islamist Extremism. I'll proudly vote for John McCain.


To all:

Bring your friends, neighbors and relatives, email all your acquaintances, we want a full house on February 1st, to meet and greet the next President of the United States, Senator John McCain. We will have signs to hand-out, there will be ample parking, the national media will be there. This is the last Illinois event for John McCain before the very important Illinois primary on February 5th so let's make it a memorable one for this great American Hero! Following the event there is also a fundraiser you can attend by purchasing a ticket here

COME TO A RALLY FOR
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN

Friday, February 1st
Doors open at 5:00 P.M.
Event starts at 5:30 P.M.

Odeum Sports & Expo Center
1033 N. Villa Avenue
Villa Park, IL
(1/4 mile North of North Avenue/West of Rte. 83)

John McCain: Whom do you trust - The Terminator or Sidney Greeenstreet

John McCain seems close to another endorsement -This one from Governor Schwarzenegger.

Ok let's see The Terminator or Sidney Greenstreet -Governor of California Arnold or America's fatboy - Rush Limbaugh and his lesser lights?

Take a plugged nickle from Rushies or Sound Judgment from The Governator.

John McCain: Florida Win for Deeds Over Words!

A Self Inflicted Pie Toss Victim- Pat Buchanan - Celebrated 'sucker-puncher' had a tough night in Florida.
( Click my post title for Andrew Jones' great report on the Florida McCain Victory)




Pat Buchanan was swallowing his eye-balls while the returns maintained McCain's Leads. Olbermann droned. Pat Buchanan, whose sister Bay orchestrated Mitt Romney's 'ground war,' and 'psych ops' as one goof explained why there was 'no possible way McCain could expect to win in Florida,' called Senator McCain 'a liar'
repeatedly on MSNBC and accused McCain of 'sucker-punching' Romney over the weekened = hey that's Pat Buchanan's schtick:

But it seems that faux-tough guy Buchanan is a self-described sucker-puncher:

Assaulted Police Officers
Pat Buchanan's lack of respect for the law took another form in college. An argument with police officers over a traffic ticket ended up with Buchanan swinging away at them. Buchanan's supporters like to say he "beat up" the cops. Actually, Pat ended up with a broken wrist and a misdemeanor conviction (and only a sharp lawyer kept it at that.) He was suspended from Georgetown University for a year, though he was later readmitted (after his father pleaded with the school) and graduated with honors.

Pat actually plays this incident up, cultivating the image of a tough guy outsider, "fighting Irish" -- though he is much more German and Scottish than Irish, lives a wealthy Beltway life, and has rarely shown any honor in his fighting. Even in his own autobiography, he often brags about "sucker punching" people -- hitting them when they aren't looking. And of course he avoided military service despite his "tough" pro-war talk. --

http://www.realchange.org/buchanan.htm#hitcop

Anti-Cop and a Coward? A Sucker Puncher, at least where I come from, is akin to being a Barn Burner in Rural America. Well Pat Buchanan is an - Oh, what's that word that starts with a vowel? - an Entertainer, like Rush and the Lennie and Squigee of political thought - Hannity and Colmes. Rhetoric lost big time last night. Deeds Kayo'd Words!

John McCain won because people voted for him. They responded to his record - his deeds. All the Gasbags and Harumphing Hypocrites on Fox and MSNBC and on the Blogopshere will need to re-tool. No , Keith Olbermann, you will still have your job -MSNBC has more tools than Craftsman.

Rudy Giuliani ran like a Man. Mike Huckabee is a Christian Gentleman. Fred Thompson a Patriot. Now is the time for Mitt Romney to think about his Party and his Country. However, I got a Saccgeweah Gold Coin that says he will pump more money into his ego-driven campaign and Mitt will go uglier.

John McCain's deeds and the votes in Florida allow John McCain the opportunity to 'go Presidential on Mitt and his minions -Rush, Hannity, Buchanan, Scarborough ( what a tool!), Hughie Hewitt, 'Bones' Coulter and so many others.

Deeds defeated Rhetoric last night That is good for America

John McCain: God Speed, John McCain!

REMARKS BY JOHN MCCAIN ON FLORIDA PRIMARY VICTORY


ARLINGTON , VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the following remarks by John McCain as prepared for delivery:

Thank you. Thank you, Florida Republicans, for bringing a former Florida resident across the finish line first in -- as I have been repeatedly reminded lately -- an all Republican primary. I have always loved this beautiful state, from the time I was a young naval aviator learning my trade in Pensacola to the time I commanded the largest air squadron in the United States Navy at Cecil Field. Most of all, I have always been indebted to Florida friends and neighbors in Orange Park for taking such good care of my family while I was away on a longer than expected tour of duty. Florida has always been a special place to me, and it is all the more so tonight. Our victory might not have reached landslide proportions, but it is sweet nonetheless. And I am deeply grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen.

Time will only allow me to thank a few of our Florida supporters by name, but to everyone who, in good times and bad, devoted so much time, energy and hope to keeping our candidacy competitive, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you, of course, to the great governor of Florida, Charlie Crist; to my dear friend, Senator Mel Martinez; to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Congressmen Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart; Representative Marcelo Llorente; Commissioner Mildred Fernandez; Representative Adam Hasner; Senator Durell Peaden; Representative Bogdanoff and Council President Durell Davis. And thank you so much to our tremendous statewide volunteer leadership who stuck with us for eighteen long, very long months.

And as always, I want to thank my family for their extraordinary support and encouragement: my wife Cindy, daughter Meghan and son, Doug, who are here, and my children who are not here. It is obvious to me, as it should be to everyone, that I could not have done this without you.

This was a hard fought election, and worth fighting hard for, but I've been on the other side of such contests before, and experienced the disappointment. I offer my best wishes to Governor Romney and his supporters. You fought hard for your candidate, and the margin that separated us tonight surely isn't big enough for me to brag about or for you to despair. Governor Huckabee and his supporters, as always, brought to this campaign conviction and passion and something we don't always have enough of in these contests, good humor and grace. And I want to thank, my dear friend, Rudy Giuliani, who invested his heart and soul in this primary, and who conducted himself with all the qualities of the exceptional American leader he truly is. Thank you, for all you have added to this race, and for being an inspiration to me and millions of Americans.

My friends, in one week we will have as close to a national primary as we have ever had in this country. I intend to win it, and be the nominee of our party. And I intend to do that by making it clear what I stand for. I stand for the principles and policies that first attracted me to the Republican Party when I heard, in whispered conversations and tap codes, about the then Governor of California, who stood by me and my comrades, and who was making quite a reputation for standing by his convictions no matter the changing winds of political thought and popular culture. When I left the Navy and entered public life, I enlisted as a foot soldier in the political revolution he began. And I am as proud to be a Reagan conservative today, as I was then. I trust in the courage, good sense, resourcefulness and decency of the American people, who deserve a government that trusts in their qualities as well, and doesn't abrogate to its elf the responsibilities to do for the people what the people can and want to do for themselves.

We Republicans have always known that the first responsibility of government is to keep this country safe from all enemies foreign and domestic, and the American people unburdened by the heavy hand of government that spends too much of their money on things they neither want nor need, while failing to do as well as we should the things none of us can do individually. Government must defend our nation's security wisely and effectively, because the cost of our defense is so dear to us, measured in losses so hard to bear, and in the heartbreak of so many families. Government must respect our values because they are the true source of our strength; and enforce the rule, which distinguishes successful democracies from failed societies, and is the first defense of freedom. And the judges we appoint to federal benches must understand that is their only responsibility, and leave to elected officials their responsibility to make the laws that they enforce. We believe government should do only those things we cannot do individually, to tax us no more than necessary, and spend no more than necessary, and then get out of the way of the most industrious, ingenious and optimistic people in the history of the world so that they can build an even greater country than the one they inherited.

My friends, as I said the other week in South Carolina , there is nothing in our country that is inevitable. We can overcome any challenge as long as we keep our courage, and stand by the principles that have made our party and our country great. Our party has always been successful when we have, like Ronald Reagan, stood fast by our convictions. And we have only suffered when our allegiance to our principles has not been as steadfast as it should. I intend to make my stand on those principles, and I am confident we will succeed in this contest and in the bigger one in November against anyone the Democratic Party nominates.

Most importantly, I promise you again, I will always put America -- her strength, her ideals, her future -- before every other consideration.

Tonight, my friends, we celebrate. Tomorrow it's back to work. We have a ways to go, but we are getting close, and for that you all have my profound thanks. Goodnight and God bless you.

###

John McCain: Chicago's Great Reporter - Dennis Byrne - McCain Most Competent

Chicago's talented and insightful Dennis Byrne has this to say about Senator John McCain in the Chicago Tribune:

For all of McCain's alleged faults, he holds an American Conservative Union lifetime rating of 82.3. True, that's the lowest among the leading GOP candidates. But, RealClearPolitics.com's consolidated polls of various head-to-head races show that McCain is the only Republican candidate who is, at this moment, ahead of the Democratic front-runners, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois. Are die-hard conservatives so dead set against a slightly less than pure conservative president that they would prefer either Clinton or Obama (with American Conservative Union ratings of 9 and 8, respectively) in the White House?

McCain's conservative credentials can be verified by a close examination of Project Vote Smart's Web site (www.vote smart.org), where the voting records, issue positions and interest group ratings of the candidates are detailed. Spend time there, and you'll find that McCain isn't the ogre that custodians of the conservative flame would have us believe.

For me, the two most important issues in the election are national security (i.e. the war on terror, the war in Iraq and the nuclear threat posed by lunatic tyrants) and the quality and philosophical grounding of the new president's appointments to the Supreme Court and other federal courts. (The latter should be most critical to pro-lifers. Whether the high court will return the question of abortion to voters depends on the quality of those appointments.) McCain is on the right side of both issues, and that's what counts for me. Everything else -- the economy, free trade, balanced budget and so forth -- comes in second. McCain's remarkable comeback in the polls means something. Perhaps its significance coincides with the success of the Iraq "surge" -- something he courageously had urged for years while former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was still carrying out his lame war strategy.

Or perhaps voters are getting tired of the mind-clanging, headache-inducing demands for "outsiders" who are the "agents of change." Right. Tossing a puppy into a ring of snarling pit bulls also will bring about change. Reformers often fail because they don't know the territory. For all the glory heaped on Obama, I'd put my money on the less illustrious and consummate insider Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to be an effective agent of change. Not that he is, or that his change is the kind I'd like.

This election, any election, comes down to a single question: Who can govern the best? Not who can orate the best. Or which candidate is the correct race or color. Who can govern the best ... it's not a conversation you often, if ever, hear in the endless jabber about the presidential elections. I suspect voters are getting tired of all the strategizing by creepy political advisers and just want someone to govern, someone who, as one shoe commercial says, can "just do it." If so, that's why McCain will get the Republican nomination.