A Look At John McCain's Record

Despite Independent Label, McCain Record Leans Conservative On Several Key Issues

(AP)  The independent label sticks to John McCain because he antagonizes fellow Republicans and likes to work with Democrats.

But a different label applies to his actual record: conservative.

The likely Republican presidential nominee is much more conservative than voters appear to realize. McCain leans to the right on issue after issue, not just on the Iraq war but also on abortion, gay rights, gun control and other issues that matter to his party's social conservatives.

The four-term Arizona senator, a longtime member of the Armed Services Committee, criticized the earlier handling of the war but has been a crucial ally in President Bush's effort to increase and maintain U.S. forces in Iraq.

Besides the war, McCain agrees broadly with Bush and other conservatives on:

Abortion. McCain promises to appoint judges who, in the mold of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, are likely to limit the reach of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. McCain's record is not spotless on abortion: He said once, in 1999, that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned.

But that was an aberration in an otherwise unbroken record of opposing abortion rights for women. McCain voted repeatedly to ban federal funding for abortion; he once voted against Medicaid funds for abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

He voted to require parental consent for abortion and voted to criminalize anyone but a parent crossing state lines with a minor to help get an abortion. McCain also supported a ban preventing women in the military from getting abortions with their own money at overseas military hospitals.

"I am pro-life and an advocate for the rights of man everywhere in the world," McCain told the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. "Because to be denied liberty is an offense to nature and nature's Creator."

Gay rights. McCain opposes gay marriage. True, he does not support a federal ban on gay marriage on grounds the issue traditionally has been decided by states. But McCain worked to ban gay marriage in Arizona. He also supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and he opposed legislation to protect gay people from job discrimination or hate crimes.

"I'm proud to have led an effort in my home state to change our state constitution and to protect the sanctity of marriage as between a man and woman," he told CNN in March. "I will continue to advocate for those fundamental principals of our party and our faith."

Gun control. McCain voted against a ban on assault-style weapons and for shielding gun-makers and dealers from civil suits. He did vote in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows, but in general he sides with the National Rifle Association in favor of gun rights.

When the Supreme Court held arguments last month on Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban, McCain said it was "a landmark case for all Americans who believe, as I do, that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms."

His conservatism could be a problem for McCain — particularly if this November's contest is as close as recent presidential elections, which were decided by independent-minded voters in the center of the political spectrum.

But he might avoid this problem to the extent people know him as an independent-minded politician. And many do view him that way.

"People see him as a centrist. They don't see him as a conservative," said Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

"In fact, they put him pretty close to themselves, in terms of ideology, and put President Bush way to the right of themselves," Kohut said.

In a national Pew survey earlier this year, voters placed McCain in the middle, where they placed themselves, when asked to judge the ideology of Mr. Bush and the presidential candidates. They placed Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama far to the left.

And voters who back Clinton and Obama are open to McCain.

Nearly a third of Clinton supporters said they would back McCain if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, and more than a quarter of Obama supporters said they would back McCain over Clinton, according to Associated Press-Ipsos polling released Thursday.

Democrats are trying to change the perception of McCain. The Democratic National Committee insists that McCain's election would amount to a third term for Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

"All he offers is four more years of the failed Bush economy, an endless war in Iraq and shameless hypocrisy on ethics reform," DNC Chairman Howard Dean said last month.

Whatever the general image of McCain, the Christian right is deeply suspicious of him despite his many conservative positions. McCain has clashed with its leaders. He called televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "agents of intolerance" and has often worked against them.

He splits from the right over research which extracts stem cells from human embryos in an effort to develop treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and a range of other diseases. Conservatives object because human embryos are destroyed; McCain supports the research.

His record offends not only social conservatives but many fiscal conservatives, too. He pushed to limit the influence of money in politics through campaign finance reforms that, critics say, stomp on the constitutional right to free speech.

He backs a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, which many of his party's most conservative members oppose.

Polls indicate McCain has the same level of GOP support as Mr. Bush had at this point in 2000. But some insist he still isn't reaching out to rank-and-file conservatives who are needed to lick envelopes, make phone calls and knock on doors in states where the election is likely to be close.

On the right and across the political spectrum, McCain's image, rather than his positions on issues, seems to form people's opinion of him. Indeed, in choosing presidents, voters often look past issues to character and personality, and most individual issues are unlikely to mean much.

But one broader issue could figure prominently in November — the tumbling economy and consequent job losses, home foreclosures and soaring energy prices.

Those could prove troublesome for McCain, and not only because he acknowledges he's no economic expert.

"We are surely in a time of deep economic insecurity for a majority of the American people," said Curtis Gans, director of American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate. "That has always led to two things: somewhat higher turnout, and votes against the party in power."

"We are also in a deeply unpopular war," Gans said. "Where there are these differences, and strong differences, they could be in the Democrats' direction."

[taddles-2009]

"IF you had the courage to walk into combat with the Uniform of this Nation on I''''ll bet you''''d care... you''''d care a LOT! But then you don''''t have that kind of courage do you... you losers never do. Sieg Heil Bush

Posted by MCVet at 07:36 AM : Apr 15, 2008"


They like to talk big and make declarations but they don''t do their time and they don''t serve, they just *****.

[taddles-2009]

"Conservative, unlike liberal, is not a negative adjective.

Posted by Glock4me"


Only if you''re a Conservative. Liberals equate the term Conservative with Ignorant, Zealot, Arrogant, Hypocrite, Selfish, Abusive, Vindictive, Torture, Pedophile, Racist...the list goes on and on and on.

[taddles-2009]

"The AP doing the dirty work for their Party and pals, the Democrats.

Posted by perceptions5 at 07:59 AM : Apr 15, 2008"


What did they print that was false?

[perceptions5]

Looks like the corrupt Associated Press just decided to write a "hit piece" on McCain. Kinda like what the equally corrupt NYTimes did to McCain about a month ago.

What Americans really what is straight "information" coming from our mostly liberal MSM wolfpack press.

Instead what Americans have been getting for decades is mostly "misinformation" from our liberal MSM wolfpack press.

This is why we need major reforms withing the MSM wolfpack to include not exclude more "moderates and conservatives".

The AP doing the dirty work for their Party and pals, the Democrats.

Really sad indeed........

[jack3213]

OBAMA KEEPS BAD COMPANY BUT MY FRIENDS, SO DOES CLINTON. THE BOTH OF THEM ARE NOT CREDIBLE NOR TRUSTWORTHY. YOU THINK A REPUBLICAN IS A BAD WORD, THE TWO OF THESE LYING DEMOCRATS ARE EVEN WORSE.

[mcvet]

Conservative, unlike liberal, is not a negative adjective. Besides he is a Republican, so it shouldn''''t be a stunner that his voting record is to the conservative side of center.

Next, CBS will tell us that Obama and Clinton have liberal voting records and that water is wet.


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Posted by Glock4me at 10:31 PM : Apr 14, 2008
+ report abuse

I think the point is to inform the public that McSame is no different in any way than Bush. He''s taken great pains trying to imply that he is. That''s the point! Sieg Heil Bush

[mcvet]

JACK3213 HAS GOT IT RIGHT. McCAIN IS THE ONLY RIGHT CHOICE IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE AND ENOUGH GUTS TO STAD UP FOR WANTS RIGHT. JOHN McCAIN IS THE MAN FOR ME!!!


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Posted by kenmar71 at 09:02 PM : Apr 14, 2008
+ report abuse

How does that make sense? He is for staying the course and in case you didn''t notice we are facing a complete economic meltdown and are flat losing in the Middle East! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush

[mcvet]

I could care less if they pulled out their fingernails with pliers, what do they do to our men who are captured? They saw off their heads or shoot them after they torture them.


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Posted by thcarson at 03:14 AM : Apr 15, 2008
+ report abuse

IF you had the courage to walk into combat with the Uniform of this Nation on I''ll bet you''d care... you''d care a LOT! But then you don''t have that kind of courage do you... you losers never do. Sieg Heil Bush

[thcarson-2009]

6. Supporting the use of waterboarding as an interogation method even though its recognized as a method of torture.Posted by the74blaster

I could care less if they pulled out their fingernails with pliers, what do they do to our men who are captured? They saw off their heads or shoot them after they torture them.

[watcher269-2009]

Conservative, unlike liberal, is not a negative adjective.

Posted by Glock4me
-----------------------

Maybe not - but NEOCON IS!

[watcher269-2009]

John McFlip falls under Bush''s definition during the 2004 election of a flip flopper.

Hell, even Bush would not vote for this flip flopping fool.

So if Bush wouldn''t vote for him - why are you?

He''s a Democrat in Republican clothing.

A vote for McSame is a vote for the Democrats!

So, you Republican Hypocrites - vote Democratic - vote John McCain!

[glock4me]

Conservative, unlike liberal, is not a negative adjective. Besides he is a Republican, so it shouldn''t be a stunner that his voting record is to the conservative side of center.

Next, CBS will tell us that Obama and Clinton have liberal voting records and that water is wet.

[kenmar71]

JACK3213 HAS GOT IT RIGHT. McCAIN IS THE ONLY RIGHT CHOICE IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE AND ENOUGH GUTS TO STAD UP FOR WANTS RIGHT. JOHN McCAIN IS THE MAN FOR ME!!!

[rebelscout]

Cheney,Bush and their minions have spit on the constitution and spit in the face of the american people for 7 plus years. I for one hope that the karma they have reaped will be returned to them 10 fold!

[rebelscout]

McCain is a conservative. All this"Independent" cr@p is just that,CR@P! He is happy to accept EVERYTHING the Bush fool''s want and yet tries to say he''s a independent? LMAO!

[mcvet]

Yes, If the libs hate John Mccain, then Ill vote for John Mccain. Because I hate almost everything the libs stand for. I wasnt going to vote until I heard Obama supports racist antiamericanism and Pro-Hamas. Everything Libs Support. That is why you see these nuts following him like some Cult Figure.


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Posted by Obama8years at 04:42 PM : Apr 14, 2008
+ report abuse

So in other words YOU will fall for the SAME trash that gave us the WORST in our HISTORY!! Real smart! Sieg Heil Bush!! You really aren''t the sharpest knife in the old drawer are you there sparky?? ROFLMAO

[mcvet]

YOU ARE RIGHT- THE DEMS ARE LIKE A CULT- THEY ARE A GROUP WHO DON''''T THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND THINK EVERY REPUBLICAN IS THE SAME ...SO NARROW-MINDED, YET THEY CLAIM TO BE LIBERAL,..WHAT A CROCK.IF YOU LIVE IN THE DARK YOU CERTAINLY WILL GET YOUR HEAD BLOWN OFF.


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Posted by jack3213 at 05:04 PM : Apr 14, 2008
+ report abuse

Well help us out Swastika Breath. What is McSame''s Plan to get us out of Iraq? What did McSame do to stop the Borrow and Spend of his Party? What is McSame proposing to solve the problem with Social Security? What is McSame''s proposal on Health Care? What about Medicare? Sorry but I see NO DIFFERENCE what so ever... absolutely NONE! So come on bootlicker... enlighten us!! Sieg Heil Bush! Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!

[the74blaster]

Yes, If the libs hate John Mccain, then Ill vote for John Mccain. Because I hate almost everything the libs stand for. I wasnt going to vote until I heard Obama supports racist antiamericanism and Pro-Hamas. Everything Libs Support. That is why you see these nuts following him like some Cult Figure.

Posted by Obama8years,

Based on your comments I presume you fell the following is acceptable performance by the Bush Administration.

1. Inceasing the federal debt from 5.6 to 9 trillion plus in 8 years of leadership.

2. Using justifications to invade Iraq that history proved as being false.

3. Obtaining record levels of credit to sustain Iraq from COMMUNIST CHINA.

4. Using the pretense of national security to illegally wiretap Americans without obtaining the necessary court order.

5. Trying to protect his partners in crime by providing telecommunications immunity from lawsuits.

6. Supporting the use of waterboarding as an interogation method even though its recognized as a method of torture.

Do I need to go on? This is America and we have our rights as gauranteed by the constitution. It is not a god damned piece of paper.

By supporting the republicans you are unpatriotic.

[ouronlyhope]

...the FEC is unable to act because four of its six seats are vacant.

If the seats on the commission were filled---which, they are SUPPOSED TO BE---then the FEC would have to make a ruling on the McCain campaign financing situation!

So, we can see that they are purposively being left vacant to ensure a non-ruling! If this is not the case, then the solution is obvious---fill the posts!

If the court refuses to allow the suit to go forward, it''''s sufficient evidence to the public that the presidency, Congress, govt agencies, and especially the Courts are choosing to no longer operate under the law and there''''s no reason why the public should acknowledge their authority over us!!


Posted by stn_sage at 11:42 PM : Apr 13, 2008

[harrist5]

About the "bitterness" debate:
Bill Clinton on the same topic -- uttered while he was running for president in 1991 -- have now surfaced.
"The reason (George H. W. Bush''s tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991.
A couple months later, Joe Klein, writing for the Sunday Times, reported that Clinton made the following remarks:
"You know, he [Bush] wants to divide us over race. I''m from the South. I understand this. This quota deal they''re gonna pull in the next election is the same old scam they''ve been pulling on us for decade after decade after decade. When their economic policies fail, when the country''s coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most economically insecure white men and scare the living daylights out of them. They know if they can keep us looking at each other across a racial divide, if I can look at Bobby Rush and think, Bobby wants my job, my promotion, then neither of us can look at George Bush and say, ''What happened to everybody''s job? What happened to everybody''s income? What ... have ... you ... done ... to ... our ... country?''"