Is John McCain Facing A Landslide Loss Of McGovern Proportions?
Many of our readers are no doubt too young to remember Senator George McGovern. He was a radical anti-war Democrat (anti-Vietnam war) who plied his nefarious trade during the 1970’s. He has, thankfully, not been an elected official since 1981. He was so far out of the mainstream of American politics that he richly earned the distinction of suffering the second worst electoral defeat in American history. And yet he somehow won his party’s nomination. Is this story starting to remind you of anyone?
John McCain’s support of the illegal immigration amnesty bill last summer angered Americans more than any one thing that I can remember. Have we collectively forgotten our anger at this man and his attempt to ram this bill through the Senate with no public hearings and virtually no debate? Have Evangelicals forgotten that he referred to some of their leaders as “agents of intolerance?” McCain claims that he will appoint “strict constructionist” judges to the SCOTUS and yet he criticized Justice Alito for “wearing his conservatism on his sleeve.” You know what, Senator McCain? I like people who wear their conservatism on their sleeves.
He claims to be pro life, but his McCain/Feingold anti-free speech legislation has hindered groups like the National Right to Life Committee in their efforts to get their message out. I don’t want someone as the Republican party’s standard bearer who simply tries to “talk the talk”, I want someone who “walks the walk”. And McCain ain’t that someone.
Because our fellow conservatives have been asleep at the wheel, because the primaries were moved up months earlier than customary, because Indies and Dems get to pick Republican candidates in open primaries, because the MSM will prop up anybody who will help them further their liberal agenda and trash anyone (Reagan in 1980, Romney in 2008) who dares to champion conservative principles, we now appear to have, as our presumptive nominee, John “Open Borders” McCain who may well prove to be the Republican party’s version of George “Landslide” McGovern.
Below is some information from WIKEPEDIA that illustrates what happens to politicians who stray too far from the beaten path.
~~John Cronin~~
In the general election, the McGovern/Shriver ticket suffered a 60%-38% defeat to Nixon — at the time, the second biggest landslide in American history, with Electoral College totals of 520 to 17. McGovern’s two electoral vote victories came in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia; McGovern failed to win his home state of South Dakota, a state that had delivered for the Democrats in only three of the previous 18 presidential elections in the twentieth century[9]. In his telegram to Nixon conceding defeat, McGovern wrote, “I hope that in the next four years you will lead us to a time of peace abroad and justice at home. You have my full support in such efforts.”[10]
February 12th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Everyone wants change, and to most of the lapdog voting public “change” means ANYBODY but a republican. After all, they have had their chance for 8 years, now lets give someone else a chance. Barak, because he’s done, well, nothing. Hillary, because she’s done, well, nothing! It doesn’t matter. I’m giving credit where I think it’s due. Face it, this will be the year of the ANTI Bush vote, just like Jimmy weakdick Carter got in as the anti-Nixon vote, Hilliry/Obama will get the anti Bush, anti war, anti Iraq vote. (maybe it is better if it isn’t Mitt that takes the hit) What a way to run a country, but I have one underlying principle to go by, “never underestimate the power of human stupidity”.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am
As I look at the McCain thing come together (to the extent that it will), I’m disappointed to find that many people I respected as “Reagan Republicans” are, or have become blind party supporters and are willing to change their values and degrade the party for what they hope will be a win over the Democrats. I am losing about half of the people whose opinions I respected. I believe Reagan said he didn’t change, the party left him (speaking of the Democrat party before he switched). Now the McCain faction would have that happen here.
“We must support McCain or the Democrats will win!” “The sky is falling, the sky is falling”. Yes Chicken Little, the sky is falling. The Republican turncoats would have us turn to liberal causes so that the Liberals don’t win. What would be the difference then? The label of the authors of the demise?
Goodbye to all those who would join the McCain bandwagon to keep from losing. When you do, you have already lost. The only way to win with McCain would be for him to morph into conservative positions rather than to demand the for the sake of party unity that we accept his. Is there a chance of that? It’s up to him. - P
February 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
My state (TX) hasn’t had its primary yet. I intend to vote for Mitt. What I’d really like to do is create a long-sleeved shirt to wear over jeans. The front and back would say something like “ROMNEY REPUBLICAN” and “I wear my conservatism on my sleeve”. Running down each sleeve would be the word “conservatism”. Anybody else want one?
February 12th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Jan Myers,
Great idea. I love it. Seriously, I think you could sell those shirts. To “literally” wear your conservatism on your sleeve. What does everybody else think of the marketing potential of a shirt like that?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
In 1972, I was a foolish Sophomore Democrat at BYU (one of about two…) and proudly voted for McGovern. Now as a Romney supporter, it’s obvious I’ve repented of my youthful transgression. Never the less, I remember during the Watergate era, there were bumper stickers and t-shirts available that read, “Don’t blame me, I’m from Massachusetts” (the only state that McGovern carried). What do you think of a bumper sticker this year that reads, “Don’t blame me, I’m from Utah!”, or “Don’t blame me, I voted for Romney!”. When McCain goes down in flames, that might have some real marketing potential…
February 12th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I love “Don’t blame me…I voted for Romney!” I can see I’m about to have a new wardrobe!
I just watched an Obama speech followed by a McCain speech - both after slamming their competition in 3 states. It was so obvious that Obama’s going to eat McCain’s lunch!! I don’t think these crazy people are going to care that Obama leans so far left he can hardly walk. All they know if he makes them feel good. How scary for America!