The media may have created the persona that paints this guy as Mr. Rectitude, but the facts tell a far different story. So, here's vol 1 on campaign funding, vol. 2 on gay marriage, vol. 3 on abortion, and vol. 4, a top-ten list. Enjoy. Then, why not accept KathyinBlacksburg's challenge? I did.
John McCain's Flip-Flops: Vol. 1, Campaign Contributions
It's hard to get through the persona the adoring media has created for Sen. John McCain. The media myth has McCain as the "straight talking" veteran who never wavers in his beliefs or principles. Excuse me?
History Lesson No. One: McCain was one of a small, bipartisan group of senators who sold themselves to Charles Keating during the savings and loan scandals of the late 1980's and early 1990's. S&L's had been deregulated. Typical of the way such things go, greed took over and some people began to manipulate the institutions, seeking unsustainable returns, until they crashed their whole industry. (Sound familiar?)
In the early 1990's some in Congress wanted to re-regulate the industry, but that attempt failed, in part because of the so-called "Keating Five." They were senators who had received huge campaign contributions from Keating and his friends. Note the names: Dennis DeConcini (R-AZ), Alan Cranston (D-CA), John Glenn (D-OH), Don Reigle (R-MI), and good ole "Straight Talking" John McCain (R-AZ). Yeah, McCain sure can "work with those across the aisle."
McCain admits that his conversion to some regulation of campaign money came from his "mistake" with Keating . (I prefer to call such contributions bribe money, but the American people seem happy to let others buy their politicians.)
Now, Mr. "McCain-Feingold" wants us to believe that he is repentant and newly pure on accepting money. However, he simply devised new ways to fund his ambitions.
McCain, the 2008 candidate, has enlisted some of the same GOP fundraisers who created the soft-money system, including Bush's "Pioneers" and "Rangers," who earned their designations by raising at least $100,000 or $200,000 for Bush. At least six of McCain's first eight national finance co-chairmen have given large donations for political parties or 527 groups. McCain has enlisted New York financier Henry Kravis, one of the GOP's largest donors over the past two decades, and Texas energy executive Robert A. Mosbacher, architect of the Republicans' "Team 100" fundraising machine that helped make soft money a staple of politics.
Oh, John....Straight talking all the way to the bank. Flip.......Flop......Flip.....Flop.....
John McCain's Flip-Flops: Vol. 2, Gay Marriage
"I think, uh, I think that gay marriage should be allowed if there's a ceremony kind of thing, if you wanna call it that. I don't have any problem with that." - Sen. John McCain.
Ah, yes, sounds like "Straight Talker" supports some form of gay marriage, doesn't it? More support in 2004 when ABC News reported this:
"Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona broke forcefully with President Bush and the Senate GOP leadership...over the issue of same-sex marriage, taking to the Senate floor to call a constitutional amendment that would effectively ban the practice unnecessary and un-Republican. 'The constitutional amendment we're debating today strikes me as antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans,' McCain said."
Oops. Time to flip, flop, flip, flop...After all, the GOP's got all those evangelicals who are terrified of "gaydom."
So, on March 25, 2006: McCain, again on ABC:
"McCain 'reconfirmed' to Falwell [Rev. Jerry Falwell] that he would support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman if a federal court were to strike down state constitutional bans on gay marriage."
So, I get it...McCain is for, uh, against, uh, for, uh, against gay marriage - depending on the day, the season, and the audience. I think I'm beginning to get the hang of this "straight talking." It's sort of like mucking out a horse stall and calling the stuff you are shoveling "aromatic refuse."
John McCain's Flip-Flops: Vol. 3, Abortion
Good Ole "Straight Talker" Johnny McCain was for a woman's right to choose before he was against it. Here's proof:
In 1999, McCain was in New Hampshire, campaigning for the GOP nomination. His opponent then was George W. Bush. McCain called himself a pro-life candidate, but told reporters that "in the short term, or even the long term, "I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade."
McCain explained that overturning Roe would force "women in America to undergo illegal and dangerous operations." In 1999 his position was similar to tens of millions of Americans who are personally opposed to abortion but support the right of women and medical doctors to make decisions about health.
This time around, campaigning for the GOP nomination as Mr. Conservative, McCain has flip-flopped. Here from an interview with Goerge Stephanopoulos:
Question: Let me ask one question about abortion...You're for a constitutional amendment banning abortion, with some exceptions for life and rape and incest.
McCain: Rape, incest and the life of the mother. Yes.
Question: So is President Bush, yet that hasn't advanced in the six years he's been in office. What are you going to do to advance a constitutional amendment that President Bush hasn't done?
McCain: I don't think a constitutional amendment is probably going to take place, but I do believe that it's very likely or possible that the Supreme Court should - could - overturn Roe v. Wade, which would then return these decisions to the states, which I support.... Just as I believe that the issue of gay marriage should be decided by the states, so do I believe that we would be better off by having Roe v. Wade return to the states.
"Flippy" McCain didn't want an amendment and didn't want Roe overturned. "Floppy" McCain completely disagrees with "Flippy."
Oh, yeah, plus this is a "double flip-flop." McCain not only changes his position on abortion, but he changes his CHANGED position on gay marriage (See Vol. 2).
Uh, John, I'm not a lawyer, but even I know that one cannot have gay marriage be a state-decided issue if you support a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage...A lesson for "Flippy-Floppy" in basic American government - The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and supercedes state law.
John McCain's Flip-Flops: Vol. 4, Top Ten List
10. Flip: In 2002 McCain called TV preacher Jerry Falwell "an agent of intolerance." Flop: In 2007, he visited Falwell's university and begged an endorsement from Falwell.
9. Flip: In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt and spending "dirty money" to help George Bush. Flop: In 2007 McCain sought the support of the Wylys.
8. Flip: McCain used to have no respect for the anti-tax guy Grover Norquist, insinuating that Norquist was a crook. Flop: Recognizing that many Republicans are just like Norquist, he has begun to kiss up to the guy.
7. Flip: In 2000 McCain was against candidates campaigning at far-right-religious Bob Jones University. Flop: Now, McCain said he might speak there, if asked. (He hasn't been.)
6. Flip: McCain co-sponsored the major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. Flop: McCain refused to co-sponsor legislation to improve McCain-Feingold.
5. Flip: In 2000, McCain declared that the teaching of "intelligent design" was a matter for local school boards to decide. Flop: In 2005, ole "Straight Talk" said that "different schools of thought" about the origins of mankind should be presented to students.
4. Flip: In 2000 when asked about the Confederate flag, McCain stated, "Personally, I see the flag as a symbol of heritage." Flop: In 2002 McCain admitted on CBS that he really believed in 2000 that "the Confederate flag should be taken down," but in an "act of political cowardice," he "didn't say so...everybody said, 'Oh, look out, you can't win in South Carolina if you say that.' " (Hey, an intellectually honest, politically cowardly flip-flop.)
3. Flip: In 2001 McCain opposed Bush's tax cuts for the very wealthy, saying, "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans..." Flop: In 2007 McCain supported keeping Bush's tax cuts permanently. "I do not believe in tax increases. ... The tax cuts are now there."
2. Flip: In speeches on the Senate floor, McCain took a firm line against torture in any form. Flop: Caving in to White House pressure, McCain helped write a bill that says you can't torture detainees at Guantanamo but also says that the law can't be enforced in the courts. (Gee, a flip-flop that's intellectually absurd and politically cowardly.)
But, nothing can top the "double flip-flop" on gay marriage. So, No. 1....
1. It isn't every day a flip-flopper can change his position on something he already flip-flopped on....Flip: McCain was for ceremonies that recognized gay marriages....Flop: McCain was against gay marriages and supported an amendment outlawing them. Flop Flop: McCain now wants gay marriage to be a state issue....
Next, I'll take on the infamous McCain temper that has become notorious in Washington and Arizona.