Why is jumping on the McCain bandwagon noble if you have never supported him and his ideas before?
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About Me
- Ray Richardson
- I live in Westbrook with my wonderful wife Dee Dee and our four children. We have been residents of Maine for a little over 22 years, moving here from Florida in 1985.
22 comments:
I agree, Ray, McCain is no friend to conservatives, either social or fiscal.
Hop on board the Huckabee bandwagon while there's still time. Dr. Dobson (Focus on the Family) just did!
Mike,
Governor Huckabee is no conservative either. I know the Republican Party is now attempting to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but I am just not buying it.
Huckabee and McCain are cut from the same cloth and that is a material I really don't choose to use in my house.
If either becomes the nominee, the only way I will vote for them is if they choose an ACTUAL conservative as their running mate.
Huckabee has been asked repeatedly about raising taxes in Arkansas and he cannot give a straight answer. I have watched it countless times.
I don't trust him.
I don't trust McCain.
Both of these men need to be loved. I want a President who knows who he is, commands and demands respect and will not pretend to be a conservative just to get elected.
I bought the "I am a conservative thing" in 2000. Look where it got me.
George Bush is a good man and has had some successes as President, but George Walker Bush is NOT a conservative.
Trust but verify. I forgot that in 2000. It will not happen, for me, again.
I think they are both scary.
Obama 08
And if we can keep Congress in Democratic hands, there may be some emerging from the horror of the last 8 years, and maybe we willget single payer universal health coverage.
Bruce
Ray,
In my opinion you are supporting the worst kind of political hypocrisy when you vote for a candidate you don't agree with just because the candidate chooses a running mate with views like yours. You know the candidate's views will not change, and that the running mate's views are meaningless. You should be furious that the candidate has such a low opinion of you that he feels he can buy your vote by throwing you a useless bone.
Tony,
I am in a very difficult place. I do not support any of the three still sitting at the table.
My opposition to Hillary Clinton and John McCain has been on-going for years.
I don't know much about O'Bama other than his small voting record in the Senate, which is very liberal.
Unlike some, I will not simply not vote. Too many people have died to give me that right and I will never forsake it.
I am looking for some reason to vote for someone.
A strong conservative Vice President who would have say in the administration is start. We are all aware of the influence Dick Cheney has had on George Bush.
I am not sure what else to do. There is no one running for President who I want to vote for.
Frankly, with the three that are left, I don't think it really matters anyway. I don't believe their administrations would be largely different.
The Supreme Court arguement is a red herring.
The two justices likely to leave in the next term are Stevens and Ginsburg.
McCain will not nominate a justice in the mold of Thomas or Scalia.
We will get some watered down person who McCain thinks will make him look popular and sensitive to the concerns of both sides.
In other words, a moderate-liberal.
Hillary and Barrack will do largely the same, with the justice maybe being a little more liberal.
In any case, it will not shift the balance of the Court.
So what does a person do when no matter who is on the ballot, they do not support the individual or share the basic values?
Hi Mr. Richardson,
Hope you don't mind me butting in on this conversation, but supporting a person that one doesn't agree with, just for the sake of supporting someone, is never the answer.
Before we look at politics, lets look at the man.
The measure of a man is his character. I do not like what I've learned about McCain. He is an adulterer, a liar, a hothead (by his own admission mind you), and has been involved in some questionable activities (Keating 5. He also is either very unintelligent or lacks the motivation to use his God given brains. (Where did he finish in his Naval Academy graduating class? 894th out of 899th)
Politics aside, I cannot support a man with such low morals and standards.
I haven't even touched on the other two (Obama and Clinton) yet, but I have serious misgiving about them also.
"So what does a person do when no matter who is on the ballot, they do not support the individual or share the basic values?"
I do not have the answer that is right for YOU Mr. Richardson, but for myself I will find someone to give my vote to even if I have to write their name in. I do not consider that throwing my vote away. I consider it NOT giving it to someone who doesn't deserve it.
Wow
I wonder if Gary Bauer knows John is an "adulterer"? The righteous head of the Family Research Council just endorsed him this week.
I predict that before next November, Ray will find a way to vote for McCain and justify it.
Compared to what we have had in the Whitehouse the last 7 years, McCain is a genius.
Someone has to graduate at the bottom of the class.
McCain is a genuine american hero and no one can take that away from him, even though his own party tried to smear him when he was running against Bush. Doe this mean he would be a good presidnt. Not in my mind. Too conservative.
Bruce
Bruce
Bruce,
I promise you two things.
One, John McCain is no conservative and I am quite certain you would be happy (Based on what you have written here) that he is your President. His adminstration will not look a lot different than Hillary's would.
Two, unless John McCain chooses a strong, tru-blu conservative as his VP, someone with long-time conservative credentials, I WILL NOT be voting for him.
Sometimes you have to love the country enough to let it reach the brink, so that it will return to its long-held roots of limited government and an indvidual freedom.
I am at that point.
It reminds of (paraphrasing here) I will lay me down and bleed awhile so that I can rise again to fight another day.
That is not the exact quote, but you get the idea.
Jenny,
Please call me Ray. I am in your camp currently. I need to find somewhere to place my vote. Currently, I do not have an option other than a write-in.
I hope John McCain will look at people like the following as his VP choices. Unfortunately, if McCain does in fact believe he is a conservative, he will not see the need to reach out to a conservative VP choice.
JC Watts is a strong conservative, charismatic speaker and someone who I could definately see as President should McCain not serve a full term.
Clarence Thomas is a man of the people, a man of principle and as fine a person as our nation produces.
Fred Thompson is a rock-ribbed conservative who is very presidential.
Tom Tancredo is another example of a good man with strong conservative credentials.
Men such as these would give me pause and comfort regarding John McCain and whom he might choose to be surrounded by.
I do not trust John McCain and this would at least give me some comfort, although frankly, no matter what John McCain does or says, I will not trust him.
I cannot understand how a man could make such sacrifices as he did in Vietnam and then turn around and undermine our security and our free speech with his senatorial actions.
I admire John McCain the Patriot. I despise John McCain the Senator and there is nothing yet to make me believe I would feel differently about John McCain the President.
"Sir Andrew Barton", A beautiful read. I'd suggest it to everyone.
I agree, one sometimes must let go to achieve improvement. Sometimes it must be allowed to get worse before it gets better. I'm at that same crossroad in my personal life and it is difficult to say the least. Fortunately I have a great family that supports me.
Ray, Thank you for the invite to address you by your first name. I shall do so now that you have granted permission. I was raised old school. To address people formally until granted a first name basis status.
Mr. Bruce (my apologies, I do not know your last name). I respect your opinion. America is beautiful because we have the right to express ourselves without fear of retaliation. Please tell me more.
Jenny
Ray, John McCain is not going to be the next President so you can chill a bit on that one. You sound like your a little too high in the saddle when it comes to your conservative principles. Politics like a marital relationship requires a certain amount of compromise. The country needs new leadership to correct the mistakes of the past. Everywhere you look people are straining under the high cost of living. We are all fellow countrymen and we need to pull together and compomise in order for our govt. to work.
John,
You are right, life is about a lot of compromises, but at what point do you say, I will not compromise any further?
If you believe increased taxation will bring the economy down and so no new taxes is a bedrock principle for you, do you compromise that idea?
What about pro-life / pro-choice issues? I am 100% pro-life. Should I compromise that principle away?
What about freedom of speech? John McCain and his crowd severely restricted the right of the average citizen to publicly address their elected representatives. Since I am a great believer in free speech, how far do I compromise on that issue?
I am a great believer that you can always compromise your position, but you should never compromise your principles.
I have long been an opponent of John McCain's. This was well before my show and well before this election for President. I have never supported him.
Why should I now?
The only reason that I can see is if he chooses a VP that shares my ideals. That person might become President in four years, so I could compromise on a four year McCain term in order to gain four years later.
By the way, the latest polls (which mean nothing, November is a loooooooooong ways away) show McCain ahead of HC and BO.
Ray ,
The fact that you are, as you say, 100% pro life makes it hard for me to believe what you said in Farmington about not being able to support Peter Mills in the last election for governor because of his tax stand. Sounds like you wouldn't compromise your pro life stance.
He clearly was the brighter of the two GOP choices and probably would have given your nemesis Baldacci a run for the money.
Bruce
Bruce,
Two things:
1) Since when did the Governor of Maine get to decide abortion policy? Roe v Wade was decide by SCOTUS.
2) I have heard the argument about how Mills would have beaten Baldacci. I find it interesting.
He could not beat Woodcock, yet he somehow would have beaten Baldacci, one of the best retail politicians this state has ever seen.
I supported Chandler for the reasons I gave in Farmington. You can accept that or not.
By the way, you should have said hello.
I could have put a name with the face.
As you may know, I write a newspaper column. This is my column from February 23, 2006 announcing that I supported Chandler Woodcock.
For your amusment - Ray
---------------------------
Why I Support Chandler Woodcock for Governor
February 23, 2006
On Wednesday, I announced my support for State Senator Chandler Woodcock for Governor. While I have great admiration for many of the people who have stuck their necks out to lead this state in the coming four years, Chandler’s vision for the future of Maine most closely resembles mine.. Oddly enough, he is the candidate that I probably know least on a personal basis, as I am very friendly with seven of the announced candidates.
I have been impressed by his approach to running for Governor. He has taken a measured approach, designed to peak at the right time, not merely because people like me have been calling out to hear the vision and motivation of each person running for Governor.
He has offered a vision that emphasizes the importance of a strong economy and how that is accomplished. He understands that, while government has a role to play, government does not create jobs and prosperity, businesses and people do. He realizes that whenever government forges an environment so difficult that taking a risk is not worth the potential gain, risks will not be taken. Without risk takers, jobs are not created, investments in infrastructure are made and innovation is stifled.
I believe Chandler Woodcock understands that without an environment where prosperity is possible, our young adults will not remain here. They seek opportunity and will go where it is presented. That fact has played itself out as our average age has become the oldest in the nation.
Chandler understands that a government that seeks to be all things to all people cannot long sustain itself. During his three terms in the Maine Senate, he has witnessed firsthand the rampant expansion of Maine’s state government and its negative impact on Maine’s citizens. He has seen how the lack of restraints on government spending means less money in the pockets of hard-working Maine families. Because of this, he supports TABOR, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, a proposal that seeks to put Maine’s governments at all levels, school, city, county and state on a diet that allows it to move forward, expand as necessary, but at a reasonable rate of growth that the Maine taxpayer can support.
As a former school teacher, Chandler is keenly aware of the value of a quality education and its impact on an individual’s life. He knows that an important element in building a strong economy is an educated workforce. His experience as a teacher and coach (two state basketball championships) will give him insight into setting the right goals for Maine’s education system and establishing the right priorities so that our children are well prepared for the future.
I think one of the things I have been most impressed about Chandler as I have gotten to know him is his humility. He understands that being Governor is not about him, it is about us. It is about our future together.
Building a bright future requires honesty from our leaders. Our Governor must be willing to speak plainly and truthfully about the condition our state is in and how we move forward. Without this honesty, our leaders around Maine will make decisions based on a false idea of our starting point. Our next Governor must be honest with Maine’s citizens and trust them to be able to handle this honesty. It requires understanding that Maine’s people are its greatest resource and trusting them is the key to building anything successful here. I believe Chandler Woodcock not only understands this, he will embrace it and use his integrity and honest manner as an advantage in fostering relationships that will move our state in a bold, new direction.
For Maine to move forward and take a bold step into prosperity, our Governor has to hold the respect of those he works with. It is important that he not over-promise and then under-deliver. Businesses hate uncertainty. It deprives them the foundational confidence to move forward. I believe Chandler Woodcock understands this and forge relationships with our business leaders, community leaders, educational leaders and trading partners based on predictability and certainty. His steady hand at the wheel will keep Maine’s economy moving forward toward a robust future.
In closing, I want to add that I simply admire this good and decent man. He has been married over 30 years, has four children, served his nation in the Vietnam War and has brought honor and integrity to the Maine Senate. I hope you will join me in supporting Chandler as Maine’s next Governor. Maine deserves leadership that will support prosperity for all its citizens. It is time for change and Chandler Woodcock is just the man to bring it.
Ray
I had to get back to work as I was late so I did not have any more time to chat. I thought I said my name when I asked the question, but I gues not.
We were a pretty polite group dontcha think?
As for Roe v Wade Conservatively led states keep trying to put laws in that end up getting shot down by supreme court,but it does not stop them for trying to put up obstacles.
I did not say he could beat Baldacci just give him a run for the money.
Bruce
As I said in Farmington, I believe Chandler lost his general election race bcause he was not aggressive enough.
He may be just too much of a gentleman to have run the sort of race that was required to win.
Bruce,
I don't know how much you catch my show, but I spoke quite a lot about the wonderful people in Farmington. I wish we could have met.
Were you the gentleman that posed the Mills question, or did you pose the follow-up?
Ray, That is a good question.
I think Peter would have been able to get the votes of pro choice liberal ,but more fiscally conservative dems.( There are some) Unfortunately Chandler's backers like the CCL can't compromise on the "moral" issues so they end up with candidates that the majority of Mainers ( not just republicans, do not want, as in Baldacci vs Woodcock. I don't see Chandler as being our next Governor.
I haven't paid much attention to lob since it was our favorite Rock and Roll station in the 60's.
The few times I have seen portions of the show, I gotta say Ted has a remarkable radio voice and I like the way he eggs you on periodically.
Bruce
I agree with you, Ted Talbot has an amazing voice and I believe is a major market talent.
He does not get near the credit he deserves on our morning show. He is absolutely wonderful to work with and makes the three hours go pretty quickly.
I feel very privileged to share the mic with him each day. I am a "Civilian" as they call it in the radio world with much to learn.
What I have learned as come from him. He will be in this game for many moons beyond the time when I have been long forgotten.
Thanks for recognizing his contribution.
Ray
Maine has many interesting choices for Governor in 2010.
They each bring stengths and weaknesses.
John Richardson, Steve Rowe, Glen Cummings, Libby Mitchell, Tom Allen and Bill Diamond make an interesting field on the Democrat side.
Josh Tardy, Peter Mills, Kevin Hancock, Rick Bennett, Carol Weston and Olympia Snowe are names heard frequently on the Republican side.
Not to mention Auburn Mayor John Jenkins, businessman Peter Vigue and Matt Jacobson from Maine and Company.
There are many more who I think are either thinking about it, or are hearing from others that they should think about it.
2010 should be a VERY interesting cycle in Maine.
Okay, now for my 2 cents worth. Ray, I agree that John McCain is no conservative and I have steadfastly opposed McCain-Feingold and McCain-Kennedy. It will be very hard for me to vote McCain for President - - until I took a long, hard look at Mr. Obama and his record, or should I say non-existant record. Looking at his voting record in the Illinois Lesgislature he voted "present" 95% of the time. This tells me that he wouldn't, couldn't or refused to take a position on most legislation. When he did actually caste a vote it was to support some ultra-liberal piece of legislation. Mr Obama has also been quoted as being in favor of a proceedure called "live birth abortion". If you haven't heard of this horror, Google it as I did. It will make you sick. Mr. Obama is totally lacking in the qualifications to be POTUS. He will surrender in Iraq, leaving the brave people of that country struggling to establish democracy to be fodder for the madman ruling Iran. I have no doubt that he would also propose drastic cuts to the Defense Budget, resulting in a loss of national security and many thousands of jobs, just so he could pay for his "change". The views of the Pastor of his church also cause me great concern, which in a nutshell calls for "Black Supremacy". And finally, Mr Obama is friends with a domestic terrorist, a member of the Weather Underground (those of us who remember the 1960s know all about these murderers) which begs the question, how, as President, would Mr. Obama conduct himself towards foreign terrorists. To sum it up, an Obama presidency scares me to death. On the other hand there's Hillary. More Clinton Whitehouse games? More cowardice in the face of our enemies? Hight taxes that the average American can't afford to pay for HillaryCare. In spite of all of this, Hillary scares me less than Obama. Do I want to see either of them as President, absolutely not and I will never vote for either of them. Which leave me with just one choice, McCain. As you said Ray, I can only hope that he chooses a real conservative as a running mate. This is a critical election for the safety and well being of our country. We Americans who care about these matters must choose wisely.
By the way, Bruce, you really must get over your Bush Derangement Syndrome, it's long past the point of being boring.
Here's more reasons why I would never vote for Mr Obama. How could anyone vote for a man to be POTUS who refuses to wear our flag on his lapel, who refuses to place his hand over his heart during the playing of our National Anthem and also refuses to face our flag during the playing of our National Anthem. I find this disgraceful. In my mind Mr Obama should never hold the Office of President of the United States based soley on his disrespect for our flag. But, by looking at his string of primary victories there are two types of voters who are giving him this success. They're either ultra-left wing members of the Hate America crowd or, more likely, voters who have fallen for the hype of his "change" message without taking the time to find out what this "change" is. They need to be reminded that change for change's sake is not always good.
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