Will the Real John McCain Please Stand Up?

The Nation: His Inconsistencies Speak More Of Crass Opportunism Than Maverick Impulses

(The Nation)  This column was written by Robert Scheer.

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Will the real John McCain stand up? Actually, I don't expect him to, now that he is the Republican presidential candidate, pandering to the irrationalities that drive his party. Nor is it likely that the fawning mass media will pressure him to the point of clarity. But I remain genuinely confused as to what makes him tick.

McCain is the most confounding of candidates, veering as he does from the stance of provincial reaction to sophisticated enlightenment within an almost instantaneous time frame. He did it last week, when he blasted Barack Obama for being soft in appraising America's adversaries while in the same moment, calling for sensible rapprochement with Vladimir Putin's Russia on nuclear arms control. While such unpredictability can be appealing in a senator, it is unnerving in a possible President.

Unpredictability is welcome as evidence of fresh thinking, but not when it suggests inconsistencies that may be born more of crass opportunism than of insight. There are major contradictions in the McCain America has witnessed over the years that are truly troubling.

One is squaring the Mr.-Clean-of-the-Senate McCain, who teamed up with the remarkably principled Democrat Russ Feingold to sponsor historic campaign finance legislation, with the McCain who has brought big-money lobbyists into the center of his Senate office and campaign operation. Those connections with the Beltway bandits remind one that McCain was previously one of the "Keating Five"--senators whose support of deregulation, a code word for undermining legitimate government oversight of business shenanigans--facilitated the savings-and-loan crisis of the 1980s and '90s. Not a happy association, at a time when the consequences of bank deregulation surfaces as the subprime mortgage lending scandal that is wrecking the US economy.

Then there is the heroic-warrior McCain, who rose above his own wounds to team up with fellow Vietnam War hero, Democrat John Kerry, to pave the way for normalization of relations with Vietnam. McCain had the courage to reach out to Hanoi, despite a very strong domestic opposition that accused him of betraying the MIAs left behind in Vietnam by negotiating with the former enemy. The subsequent progress on that issue, where US teams could more freely investigate plane crash sites in Vietnam, vindicated McCain, who has favored other diplomatic overtures, including a controversial suggestion of meeting with Hamas. Yet he now attacks Obama for saying he would meet with the leaders of Iran.

On a related point, it is difficult to square the ex-POW's unequivocal condemnation of torture with his accommodation to President Bush's torture policy. Holding Senate hearings on torture, McCain brought the weight of his own experiences against the Administration's flimsy rationalizations. He even held to that principled position during the early primaries, but then ended up voting for legislation that has helped make torture legal, at least in the eyes of the President.

The third major gap between the principled-Senator McCain and the presidential candidate McCain concerns his stance toward the military-industrial complex that has seized upon the fearmongering in post 9/11 America to justify the biggest peacetime military budget in any nation's history. As a senator, McCain was a rare and forceful voice against enormous waste in the military budget for programs designed to fight an enemy that no longer existed and which could not be justified in the name of fighting terrorism. Thanks in part to McCain's vigilance, a defense contracting scandal he exposed resulted in a Pentagon procurement officer and the CFO of Boeing being sentenced to federal prison, when it was revealed that the Air Force was leasing unneeded air tankers at an initial cost of $30 billion.

It was not the first time that McCain had risen on the Senate floor to accuse the Pentagon of being in cahoots with defense industry lobbyists, and he does deserve high marks for being one of the few members of Congress willing to hold the military-industrial complex accountable. But we hear little from that McCain these days as he goes on and on praising a pointless war in Iraq that has become the main excuse for wasting trillions in so-called defense dollars.

This last is the deal breaker. It is simply not possible to be a genuine small-government-give-taxpayers-a-break President while planning to pour trillions more down the rat hole of failed imperial adventures.

[noloyalisti]

This crazy war-monger is the ultimate-flopper (even more than the bush-cheney crime cabal neo cons). He was for campaign reform and then took major money from corporate lobbyists. He was against the bush tax cuts in time of war and now for them. He was for government accountability and fiscal responsibility and now against it. He has been quoted over and over about how we are making progress in Iraq in the next few months (for the last 5 years).

What an embarrassment for the GOP and America. Is this all they got?

[irliberal]

McCain? He''s already stood up.

He stood up and sang "Bomb bomb bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys'' "Barbara Ann" to the PRESS and thought it was *funny*.

That''s not only odd, for a presidential candidate it is simply PSYCHOTIC. The only reason it didn''t knock him instantly out of the race is because all the other more highly favored repub horses died in the starting gate.

Quite amusing, really.

[wiccantexan]

"No More Drama, Vote Obama"

McSame simply doesn''t have the savvy to make himself look Presidential.

[noloyalisti]

I think we need to bring back the news about the immoral, illegal occupation of Iraq that is killing our economy and that we are losing anyway (there is no winning an occupation of conquest). Since McBush is all about this, the Dems need to get the Iraq disaster back in the media (try to find any mention of it right now).

[jerr11]

Crass opportunism is right on the money.

Why would this self-styled straight-talker decide to become Halliburton''s #1 spokesman on the Iraq war?

Because he wanted to be on the ticket.

He would sell Cindy if it would put him on the ticket.

[omnibus66]

The inconsistencies and reversals of position are what will ultimately cost McSame the election. It''s called political prostitution, and only works for a short time.

However, you can indeed fool some of the people all of the time, and those who fit that category seem to be a large percentage of the Republican base.

Ultimately McSame will fall into lockstep and tow the party line, since he believes, as most true Republicans do, that party loyalty trumps loyalty to country.

[macusweil]

Flipper is (the name of) a 1996 remake of the 1963 film of the same name. McCain is a Flipper and remake of George W. Bush. The Senator from Az loves Bush''s tax cut after he voted against the cuts. He was for amnesty for illegals before was was opposed.

He even though the radical clerics were "radical" before he though they were all right and sought their endorsement which was before he decided again they''re too nutty and rejected the endorsement.

Whew.

FLIPPER THEME SONG

"They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
Flying there under, under the sea!

Everyone loves the king of the sea,
Ever so kind and gentle is he,
Tricks he will do when children appear,
And how they laugh when he%u2019s near!

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he,
And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder,
Flying there-under, under the sea!"

[irliberal]

He would sell Cindy if it would put him on the ticket.
Posted by jerr11 at 01:17 PM

That''s 130 pounds of makeup right there. Nasty. Only Tammy Faye can do that and get away with it.

[gkc99]

One big unknown about McCain:

What does Cindy McCain want?

After all, she pays all his bills, and controls the purse strings.

To think that little Cindy just does what John says is naive. More likely, she''s the power behind the throne.

What is her financial position and what are her financial interests?

Isnt'' a cowardly, a$$ kissing press ever going to investigate this woman.

Or does she get a free pass from the right-wing controlled press?

Maybe Rupert Murdoch doesn''t WANT us to know what she believes.

[roach9703]

No, from the McCain''s speech last night in the New Orleans area, may he be named Hillare McBush.

[ericdrexil]

I cannot support a man who would leave an injured wife. She is a woman who remained faithful while her husband was a POW. He found a better deal. For better or for worse must have just meant, "for better". I simply cannot support Obama because of his stance on social issues. He appears to have the standard democrat commitment to change EVERY social standard. In effect, they wish to throw out all babies along with the bathwater. This leaves me voting for a 3rd party who cannot win. In good conscience, I have no other choice.

[mcvet]

I am an independent who thinks John McCain has some real issues! He should be honored for his military service but never put in charge of anything, let alone the Presidency of the United States. If he thinks that continuing Bush''''s foreign policy is going to get him anywhere, he is sadly mistaken. Americans will not back foreign adventures unless it is against regimes that directly threaten us. If they have WMDs and threaten us, fine, go get ''''em but don''''t stay and play footsie with them, especially when they are religious nuts who cannot even understand themselves let alone have anyone else understand them!


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Posted by linymo at 02:42 PM : Jun 05, 2008

Man from a combat vet I''m here to tell you it can NOT be said any better. The problem you face with just invading and staying is you can not leave. We can NOT "Give" people what we have... any Viet Vet who had to fight with the RVN Army knows what I''m talking about... THEY, the people of that nation MUST be willing to fight for it themselves. It''s just so sad that so many families have been hurt so bad by this arrogance.

[incog-nito]

The U.S. has a real problem in its hands with Iraq, not unlike Vietnam. There is no real good way for the U.S. to extricate itself without being perceived as "losing".

The U.S. learned the wrong lesson from Vietnam. One would think that from that experience, the U.S. would think very carefully before going in, and plan for every possible contigency. Instead, the (wrong) lesson it learned is to avoid humiliation, stay and try to "win" at all cost, even when there''s nothing to be "won" and no longer a reason to stay there.

Only when the public outcry becomes too great that the U.S. will begin pulling out, victory or not. Of course some people will then find reason to blame the "pacifists" for the pullout, and again the wrong lesson will be learned.

[perceptions5]

Thank you The Nation for yet another predictable "hate and divide" story from your intolerant staff of "left-wing liberals".

Now that you have trashed Hillary you can now turn your "hate" to John McCain 100% of the time.

All Americans should shun this vile "magazine".

***OBAMA, Vote NO to a Jimmy Carter Second Term***

[mbburch06]

Campaign finance reform was "remarkably principled ... historic legislation."

Is this guy serious?

The author lost all credibility in the fourth paragraph (not that he had much to begin with).

[joyous88]

when the real mccain stands up you will see;

McBushSame, McInsane, McSame, just another tired old,

greed driven, racist , nazi fascist, that looks like

GW Bush, the first anti american president.

[jersupporter]

Man from a combat vet I''''m here to tell you it can NOT be said any better. The problem you face with just invading and staying is you can not leave. We can NOT "Give" people what we have... any Viet Vet who had to fight with the RVN Army knows what I''''m talking about... THEY, the people of that nation MUST be willing to fight for it themselves. It''''s just so sad that so many families have been hurt so bad by this arrogance. Posted by MCVet
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Again another misinformed vent from MCWheelie who has no clue what is happening in Iraq. If you do not believe the Iraqis are fighting each and every day - you are a fool.

[joyous88]

mcvet is right on!

I am a Vietnam Vet as well, 101st and 82d Abn several tours, in the Infantry,

this game being played by the neo-cons is nothing but an--
Un American disgrace

bush ,McSame, the first anti american president of the US


the neo cons are completely anti military , usinmg our men and women for pawns in their game of GREED

[element51]

JERSupporter...First of all, you have no right to insult MCVet. If you disagree with him, fine...but he made a sacrafice that you evidently do not understand and he deserves a little respect. I know he gets heated up sometimes but his heart is in the right place and I give him the respect he has earned. I suggest you give it some thought and do the same. He is right when he says you cannot "give" a nation something that they don''t want. Viet Nam did prove that as the RVN did not step up as they should have. The only good thing Nixon did was to get us out of Nam and we did not leave in victory. We left billions of dollars worth of equipment but we got our troops out and home safely. MCVet was there and has no reason to lie about it. He paid a big price so please give him the respect he has earned. I have a very low opinion of McCain but I do give him respect for his military service and for what he endured in the Hanoi Hilton. He earned that respect.

[jersupporter]

Element51 - excuse me was I talking to you. MCWheelie deserves zero respect because he is a dying HATEFUL person obsessed with the Nazi Regime. Just like yourself, if you have not personally been to Iraq, talked with the people, then keep your ignorant opinions to yourself. Later

[ioweign]

Element51 - excuse me was I talking to you. MCWheelie deserves zero respect because he is a dying HATEFUL person obsessed with the Nazi Regime. Just like yourself, if you have not personally been to Iraq, talked with the people, then keep your ignorant opinions to yourself. Later

Posted by JERSupporter at 01:05 PM : Jun 06, 2008

So you speak what - Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian or all of them ?

[joyous88]

ioweign;

typical neo-con loser, someone makes an intelligent observation grounded in "reality", something conservatives have a problem with, and you resort to
personal attacks. neo cons are UN American.

Bush and McSame are Un American as well, their aristocratic daddies took them from their private boys school and got them into pilot training to keep
them safe, PERIOD! McSAME WAS JUST UNLUCKY, hardly a
hero,

AND he supports the NAZI ,Fascist bush and his cabal

they all belong in prison

[snorp73]

How is anything published by the Nation put on CBS News?

Here''s how the media works folks:

Step 1: Refer to McCain as a "Maverick" until he is in the position of representing Republicans.

Step 2: Turn on the Clintons; because after all, there is someone even more nutty running.

Steo 3: Turn on the "Maverick" when it''s all said and done.

If only Americans did as much research on the next leader of the free world as they did on buying their next car, the media wouldn''t have the power to do this. We have only ourselves to blame for the disaster any of them will do to our country in the next four years.

[messiahx4eve]

I have a title for this article, how about, "Will the real or fake John McCain Just Go Away."

[joyous88]

McSame is just one more neo con nightmare,

his job? to take as much money as he can out of the hands of normal americans and send it to the very wealthy,

remember the wall street bail out, but not one penny for disableed vets

[joyous88]

the fascist nazi''s of the republicon party

bailed out wall street,

but will not spend a penny on a disabled veteran

***

[joyous88]

republiCON Bast*rds

[ioweign]

ioweign;

typical neo-con loser, someone makes an intelligent observation grounded in "reality", something conservatives have a problem with, and you resort to
personal attacks. neo cons are UN American.

Bush and McSame are Un American as well, their aristocratic daddies took them from their private boys school and got them into pilot training to keep
them safe, PERIOD! McSAME WAS JUST UNLUCKY, hardly a
hero,

AND he supports the NAZI ,Fascist bush and his cabal
they all belong in prison

Posted by joyous88 at 06:49 PM : Jun 06, 2008
###
joyous88 - I was throwing a remark at know it all JERSupporter for his remark where he/she seems to think they set the rules of engagement:

Element51 - excuse me was I talking to you. MCWheelie deserves zero respect because he is a dying HATEFUL person obsessed with the Nazi Regime. Just like yourself, if you have not personally been to Iraq, talked with the people, then keep your ignorant opinions to yourself. Later