During the presidential campaign, there were many things about John McCain that were hard to take. He was angry, awkward, and wrapped a little too tightly. And lest we forget, it was John McCain who unleashed Sarah Palin (aka the Big Quit) upon the American landscape. That alone we could legitimately see as utterly unforgivable. Nonetheless, at this moment in American politics, I find myself missing John McCain.
I don't miss the faux maverick shtick, or the bus, or the way he looks exactly like Nikita Khrushchev in a certain light. What I do miss is his courage. Not the incredible courage he displayed in the skies over Vietnam and during his horrific imprisonment in the Hanoi Hilton, though that courage illustrated the best part of John McCain the man.
I am speaking of a moment during a town hall late in the campaign, when a woman stood up and declared that Senator Obama was "an Arab." McCain did an amazing thing. Before she could finish, he reached out and took the microphone from her hand. You could clearly see his face harden as he backed away, refusing to look at her. Then he spoke. "He (Obama)'s a decent, family man, a citizen who I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that's what this campaign is all about."
McCain shut the woman down. He didn't even let her finish. He took the mic, turned away, and spoke the truth to someone speaking absolute lies.
Which leads me to wonder: where is that steady, sane, courageous voice in the Republican Party today? Where is the Republican leader willing to say to the frothing birthers: "The President is as American as you and me. We just disagree."
Where is the Republican Senator or Congressperson with the guts to buck the Limbaughhannitybeckdrudge machine and say, "Comparing the President to Hitler is an affront to the memory of every one of the six million men, women, and children who died in the Nazi death camps of World War II"?
Where is the one conservative commentator willing to say, "You know what? I believe in the Second Amendment, but bringing a loaded gun to a venue where the president is speaking just makes us all look crazy."
As a longtime liberal, a certain side of me relishes watching my political adversaries rushing headlong to form a circular firing squad. But some things transcend politics and point to a moral failing that harms the fabric of society. And that moral failing belongs increasingly to the Republicans who stand mute on the sidelines.
I am not saying it would be easy. Bucking your party is hard. And bucking your base -- as batshit crazy as it may be -- can be even harder. Kicking a can of kerosene onto the fire instead of grabbing a fire extinguisher can be the path of least political resistance. And if we are looking for courage from most politicians, we are on the ultimate fool's errand.
I know there must be one Republican out there with the courage to follow John McCain's example -- to take the microphone and turn away from the crazy person. But as the days tick by and the level of vitriol rises, there is, as of yet, no one calling bullshit on the absurd and dangerous happenings in America today.
Republicans have been bellowing for decades about how tough they are, and that they are ready to kick ass all over the world to protect America. It's time to see what they are willing to do to protect America right here at home.
If anyone can find one courageous Republican who is up to the task, tell them that their party -- and their country -- is looking for them.
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Unfortunatley, when you start shutting out all the moderate Republicans and catering to the far right, this is what you'r left with: pols who are too afraid to disagree with them for fear of being pushed out of their own party!
I would like to ask Mr. McCain if this book was actually written from the heart, out of his conviction to be the "Maverick", or was this book written strictly for political expediency.
Mr. McCain has wasted numerous opportunities to become a chapter in the sequel to his book...the next book written on courage. It is a shame, because I am struggling to name candidates that qualify from my generation.
We are needing a hero John, this is your chance…..once again it is the People vs The Corporations…who are you for John….who was the constitution written for…you could take the stand for the people, end the lies and misinformation…here is your chance to have a statue built in your honor John…a True Hero….what’s it going to be John?
1) Get an apology for plucking the malicious Palin from obscurity and trying to make her next-in-line for the presidency
2) Explain on what issues he agrees with his former running mate and set the record straight
3) Not allow him to get off with impugnity for his creating the Monster, only to retire a "statesman" from the senate.
I cannot forgive and forget that he is responsible for giving Palin a podium.
Or the one who spent all his ad money on election day running Rev. Wright speeches?
That's the hero you are looking for???
We deserve an apology for his creating that Monster. He needs to set the record straight publicly for her lies (she would never have had a national podium without McCain).
For unleashing Palin upon us in the way Michael Vick unleashed terror upon dogs, he should not be allowed to retire untarnished and stateman-like.
Get him. Somebody put McCain on the record and let this nation never forget that McCain put Palin within reach of the White House.
Let the failed Gov. Palin be McCain's lasting legacy.
Nazis killed TWELVE million in the death camps, and during "transport" (unheated boxcars, no food), and in holding cells, torture chambers, "shot trying to escape", and during arrest..
Six million were Jewish, or "accused" of being Jewish [a single grandparent with a Jewish-sounding name could be enough to convict]. The rest included gays, lesbians, Gypsies, 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, clergymen, Resistance fighters, anyone who spoke up about the Reich or sheltered "Enemies of the Reich" [a convenient catch-all which included Allied airmen who had been shot down and were trying to escape to Spain, Switzerland, or Sweden].
This is the depth of horror we are speaking of whenever we use the word Nazi.
It wasn't SIX, it was TWELVE million. And it DOES matter!
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Similarly ..... "certain sides" of the longtime conservatives are relishing Obama's adversaries rushing headlong to form a circular firing squad with him in the middle.
Those "certain sides" in everyone, regardless of political leanings, are in good measure responsible for lowering civil debate in the interests of the guilty pleasures of revenge.
Who believes that fear is powerful? The most fearful.
The fact that the Republicans are the party most prone to using fear as a weapon stems precisely from the fact that they are, as individuals, the party of the least courageous.
Who always hides behind phony grass roots demonstrators? Republicans.
Whose gay as well as adulterous straight party members always hide in the closet of finger-pointing family values and gay bashing? Republicans.
Whose chickenhawk members, like Bush and Cheney, always bluster about national defense? Republicans.
Whose party members can't stand up to a radio talk-show host? Republicans.
Looking for courage in the Republican party, Mr. Pendleton? You have a long night ahead of you, Sir.
McCain is 10 times the person Obama will ever be. He certainly has more courage and he would have given us more 'change' from traditional Republican rule than Obama has given us. Would McCain ink a deal with pharmaceutical and insurance companies and call it 'change'. I don't think so.
McCain isn't calling these folks crazy probably because he understand how they feel.
McCain offered this approach with years of proof. He had made mistakes too, but recognized them and got back up with dignity, never saying it was someone else fault - responsible adult behavior, no excuses.
We decided to vote for charisma, fine inspirational talk and younger good looks - not real change.
Is it because neither side wants to step back and consider that they do not hold truth for all at all times? Outrageousness is rampant on both sides - and as for S Palin, has anyone been following what dear old foot in mouth Joe has brought to the debate? Excuses, excuses.
Everyone really needs to reregister as an independent. This is the only way we will see bipartisanship or anything like civility again.
mccain has had his chance (twice) and has blown it. he had all the personality of a dry, crusty sponge and it showed through in spades. his campaign was completely devoid of ideas (except for the palin doozy) and he balked at every turn (he really wanted to suspend the election because of the economy?????)
obama's been in office just barely seven months. give it a chance.
Happy to say I think the man is a complete moral coward.