Absolute power does seem to corrupt absolutely!
I was perusing a BBC reporter's blog of American political undergoings today, and I must say I was rather shocked at her analysis. Apparently conservatives in this country, seeing the political implosion that their party is currently undergoing, have decided to do the exact diametric opposite of what makes sense.
Social conservatives fear, actually fear, the prospects of nominating John McCain for the 2008 Presidential Election. And why do they fear this? Essentially, because McCain would win. They fear that he will not be true to "conservative values" and will say anything to get elected (I am not sure how this sets him apart from any politician, including the social conservatives' darling George W. Bush...remember that Constitutional Amendment on marriage kicked around in 2004?).
Basically, what these political types fear is that a man would be elected President who would essentially represent the political Center, rather that a more extremist and activist viewpoint. And of course, one cannot have that! They would apparently prefer Massachusetts' own Mitt Romney, who has recently been burnishing his social conservative credentials (despite governing Massachusetts) by denouncing gay marriage and the "terrorist" ex-president of Iran Mohamed Khatami (hmmm, who is a relative political liberal...). Well, let me say that even if social conservatives pull off a religous coup by averting evangelical warfare (traditional Christians frown upon Mormons) a Romney 2008 campaign would fall flat on its face. It would be like Bush 2000 with hindsight, without a President dad and even without the attempt to be a "compassionate conservative."
I would rather a McCain candidacy were run, and not just for the Republican Party, whose fortunes I could care less about. As I see things, the most likely 2008 race would be Hilary Clinton versus John McCain. I think Clinton would lose, and that is not due to any personal grudge, but in large part because I just do not think Americans would stomach Bill back in the White House in every way but name (by the way, the Democratic establishment also feels Hilary could not win, but probably will support her anyway, as seen in this article). But at least a McCain vs. Clinton race would be between two centrist candidates who actually have some ideas of substance to propose, discuss and debate. And that would certainly be better than a race of the least-worst candidates. Unfortunately, the latter seems more common than the former.
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2 comments:
'Bush 2000 with hindsight.' That's priceless.
I'd like to see McCain run again. I think that he's a guy who stands by his principles and actually thinks through issues.
Another race to watch in this mid-term election is the VA Senate race between Allen and Webb. As you probably know, Allen is the bush puppet and Webb is the thinking, rational type.
I agree, as I have stated before McCain is the very first public figure I voted for (2000 Presidential Primaries), and I would be honored to vote for him for President. He commands a lot of respect on both sides of the aisle, and would take the problems America faces seriously.
Which is why I'm afraid the BBC blog is right, and that certain sections of the Republican party would prefer Romney. Romney is trying to act like he is governor of Alabama or Utah rather than Massachusetts will all these stunts and political posing, and it makes me feel that he just is too much of a phoney (the Boston Herald even wrote that he grew longer sideburns to appeal to a younger demographic!).
Just with how the Presidential Primary system operates, all hopefuls must pander to their parties' extremes, and McCain is guilty of this too. But extremists fear him because he is a thinking, rational person and statesman who could actually win.
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