McCain's Conservative Model: Theodore Roosevelt

Senator John McCain in a wide-ranging interview called for a government that is frugal but more active than many conservatives might prefer. He said government should play an important role in areas like addressing climate change, regulating campaign finance and taking care of "those in America who cannot take care of themselves."

"I count myself as a conservative Republican, yet I view it to a large degree in the Theodore Roosevelt mold," Mr. McCain said, referring to Roosevelt's reputation for reform, environmentalism and tough foreign policy.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[keepemhonest]

McCain's delusional. There's a huge difference between McCain & Roosevelt on MAJOR ISSUES.

*Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to call for Universal Health Care & National Health Insurance
- McCain opposes Universal Health Care & National Health Insurance.

* T.Roosevelt was FIRST to propose, draft, sign into law government Social Security Act 1935.
- McCain wants to PRIVATIZE Social Security (vulnerable to stock market.)

* T.Roosevelt supported labor unions.
- John McCain eliminates union jobs with massive pro-Free Trade agreements with China, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Oman, Singapore, Chile and Morocco.

* T.Roosevelt helped create jobs.
- McCain has helped jobs move overseas with his MANY Free Trade agreement votes.
- McCain calls people who want jobs to stay in USA, "Protectionists" as if it is a BAD THING to "Protect" American jobs.
- McCain would label Teddy Roosevelt a "Protectionist."

* T.Roosevelt was critic & watchdog of Corporate America.
- McCain bows down to Corporate America.

*T.Roosevelt was a conservationist who didn't even want Christmas Trees in the White House because he didn't want trees cut down.
- McCain would rather drill for oil in the ANWAR (cutting down trees) than the 68 million acres oil companies already have.

*T.Roosevelt QUIT the Republican Party BEFORE he ran for President.
- McCain became rightwinged Republican SINCE his current run for President.

*T.Roosevelt was 42 years old, youngest person to be elected President.
- McCain is 7, oldest person to run for President.

[normathumb]

I seem to recall somebody told W to say the same thing.

[Troubledwawa]

In the light of TR, JM is all talk and no action.

That's pretty much today's entire Republican Party when it comes to Teddy Roosevelt.

[TovSquirrel]

It is to laugh. Ha, ha!

To think that Senator McCain is anything like Theodore Roosevelt is preposterous.

[OriginalScreenName]

TR in his day was a radical left. Trust-busting and conservation were his game. Allowing all these corporate mergers and drilling in ANWAR would be things he would completely be against.

[KHAAANNN]

Teddy Roosevelt would kick John McCain in the balls for suggesting he is ANYTHING like TR.
TR was "Walk softly and carry a big stick".
McCain is "Think softly and act like an incompetent dick".
Not quite the same thing.

[DMcD]

Other than his war with Spain as a (since reputed) response to an American ship blowing-up in Havana harbor , Teddy R. was the only' Repub Prez I ever had any respect for. For McCain to have the gull to 'claim' to ride TR's coat-tails in blasphemous.

If you want to see just what the 'environment' really means to McCain and what kind of 'human being' he "really" is , check-out what the Navajo's and Hopi's have to say about that at;

www.cain2008.org

[BLib]

Okay. This is one of the most ridiculous comparisons I have seen from John McCain. I know he reads so he is just trying to appeal to low information voters. TR was a progressive. He touted the need for regulation of the markets, more workers rights, conservationalism, and even flirted with the idea of universal healthcare. He was extremely well read and an avid sportsmen. Today he would be considered a Democrat. John McCain isn't fooling anyone with this foolishness. You know, this man is really getting on my nerves with his dumbing down of politics. I suspect he is smarter than this and the voters deserve better.

[Wilburrr]

How can McCain compare himself to T. Roosevelt's environmental actions when he has NO environmental voting record? The League of Conservation Voters gives him a "0" rating. He is not 'green' and has never been green.

[muffler]

These kinds of words just highlight the deceptive nature of the Republicans. They name things the opposite of what they intend to be. When ever they guys want to cover the real agenda they start using images in the other direction. We can be sure now that McCain will be the COMPLETE opposite of TR.

[BlackbirdHighway]

NY Times appears to be solidly in McCain's camp. That was one extreme non-questioning fan-boy article/love letter for McCain.

Had they made any effort at all to do some accurate reporting, they would have said the comparison is total, absolute BS.

[helonias]

More like Kermit Roosevelt's actions in the middle east.

Google him

[helonias]

Try like Mr MaGoo

[haleywins]

Good one.

[Graywolf48]

McCain is like Teddy Roosevelt only for those that have no knowledge of history. Everything TR was, McCain isn't. McCain is lucky in one regard, at least there's no one living who knew Teddy Roosevelt and could look McCain in the eye and say "I knew Teddy Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt was a friend of mine, and you sir, are no Teddy Roosevelt!"

[mk3872]

I cannot help but laugh at associating "environmentalism" with McCain. Not only has he not voted for requiring higher emission standards on cars, but what has he done in his 25 years in the senate to curb global warming or greenhouse gases? ZERO! Not to mention, that he now his pressing for offshore oil drilling. What better way to be an "environmentalist" then to drill for more oil, right?

[DMcD]

"Less than Zero" , if you include his counter-productive participation in environmental matters --- check-out what the Navajo and Hopi have to say about one of McCains' "dirty little secrets" , at;

www.cain2008.org ------ pass it on , this needs to be heard.

*posted this earlier but was subverted to the Huffpo sensor -- by the time they clear this , the topic will be gone -- thanxs a bunch.
.