"My hope for our country resides in my faith in the American character, the character which proudly defends the right to think and do for ourselves, but perceives self-interest in accord with a kinship of ideals, which, when called upon, Americans will defend with their very lives." -- John McCain
This week, the McCain campaign has characterized Barack Obama as the "Dr. No" of energy independence and energy security. In the past few weeks, John McCain has proposed a number of actions to provide a balanced approach to helping the US achieve greater energy independence. Some of Senator McCain's proposals:
In April, John McCain proposed a summer federal gas tax holiday. ALthough Hillary Clinton agreed with Senator McCain, Barack Obama said "NO", saying it would "save consumers little and do nothing to curtail oil consumption." What Obama fails to realize is that the holiday would have had a significant impact on trucking and freight industry, reducing costs to consumers for items such as food.
Senator McCain has long proposed increased use of nuclear energy, and has proposed 45 new nuclear reactors in the US by 2030, arguing that since the Three-Mile Island accident, nuclear technology has gotten safer, as evidenced in countries such as France, which depends heavily on nuclear energy.Obama said "NO", claiming "said he supports increased research into nuclear waste storage and recycling, but could not endorse construction of new reactors until those concerns are resolved." (U.S. News and World Report)
Last week, Senator McCain came out for expanding oil drilling in the U.S. and in off-shore areas. Again, Obama said "NO", claiming it to be nothing but a "gimmick" that would not yield results for 10 years.
This week, John McCain proposed a "$300 million prize for the for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.” Again, Obama said "NO", calling the proposal a "gimmick."
While Obama has made some laudable proposals for developing "green" and renewable energy technologies, the truth is that we cannot rule out any proposal that has a chance in getting working Americans some relief. We can't be saying "NO" to anything -- we've got to do it ALL.
Mr. Mundell, University Professor of Economics at Columbia University, and a leading advocate for introduction of the Euro, stated that in the U.S, "the big issue economically . . . is what's going to happen to taxes."
"Democratic nominee Barack Obama regularly professes disdain for the Bush tax cuts, suggesting that those growth-spurring measures may be scrapped. "If that happens," Mr. Mundell predicts, 'the U.S. will go into a big recession, a nosedive.'
'It's a lethal thing to suddenly raise taxes,' he explains. 'This would be devastating to the world economy, to the United States, and it would be, I think, political suicide' in a general election."
When asked about further tax cuts, Mr Mundell favored a ceiling of 30% on marginal rates (currently 35%), but stated that "the most important thing that could be done with respect to tax rates now is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Eliminating that uncertainty would be more important than pushing for a further cut – in the income tax rates, anyway."
Mr. Mundell also favors reducing corporate tax rates to 25%, and says "It could be even lower, but I think it would be a big step to lower it to 25% . . . I made that proposal back in the 1970s."
So maintaining the Bush tax cuts and reducing corporate tax rates are what a Nobel Laureate says is the correct approach for America's economy. Who else has been saying that? John McCain!
CNN reports on comments by Barack Obama in Jacksonville, Florida yesterday at a fundraiser, where he clearly showed that he is determined to play the race card early and often throughout the campaign.
“We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run,” said the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. “They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. ‘He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?’"
According to the CNN article, this isn't the first time Obama has made such comments. Just last week at a Chicago fundraiser, he made similar statements:
"They’re going to try to make me into a scary guy ... They’re even trying to make Michelle into a scary person. Right?" And so that drumbeat – 'we’re not sure if he’s patriotic or not; we’re not sure if he is too black.'"
Senator Obama, WE DON'T CARE about your race. John McCain DOESN'T CARE about your race. This writer is certain that there is a small segment of the population of this country that will never vote for a black man -- but the vast majority of McCain supporters are not part of that group.
Scott Simon at NPR, discussing Obama's comments yesterday, points out that Obama's opponent is, "... John McCain, not a small band of jerks on the internet...Senator McCain has never mentioned Senator Obama's race."
He goes on to say:
"No doubt Senator Obama has had to bravely bear up under bigoted insults in his life, but not from John McCain. Can someone raise questions about the experience of the candidate, who has only been a U.S. Senator for 4 years, and does not have a prodigious legislative record, without being stained as a bigot? The results of this year's primary and the results of todays public opinion polls might suggest it is politically more injurious to insinuate that someone is a bigot than it is to make an issue of their race. Millions of Americans hope the country can go through this year's historic presidential campaign without anyone playing the race card. But they'll have to watch both sides of the table."
The MacPac '08 has invited a few of our new friends from the John McCain.Com Blog to present their thought & views on why they made the switch from Sen. Hillary Clinton to Sen. John McCain. Please read my summery at the end on why I think Hillary sent a secret message to her followers.
.........Boooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a former Hillary supporter and a lifelong Democrat - now an Independent - I am supporting and will vote for Senator McCain. I can break my decision down into four categories. First, I have great admiration and respect for John McCain. Second, I lack faith in Senator Obama's character and judgment. I further strongly disagree with his campaign tactics. I believe he has manipulated the vast majority of his followers. This brings me to the third category, which are the people who follow Obama. I am apprehensive about large blocks of people who are willing to follow someone without being able to specifically identify what that person is going to accomplish. To say that he is going to accomplish "change" simply is not good enough. I believe that the individual is left to determine the definition of change and that in itself will make change an unachievable task. The fourth category relates to how the members of the DNC managed this election process. Ifirmly believe that their candidate was chosen well before the first person began campaigning and the outcome was manipulated from said beginning. The decision of which states to put first in the election process speaks to that manipulation. The decision of what states to "punish" speaks to that as well. As for me, I did take a leap of blind faith when my candidate suspended her campaign. I started investigating the possibility of voting for Senator McCain. I changed my political affiliation. I term it a leap of blind faith in that I knew I liked the senator but really didn't know his stance on the issues of importance to me. My instinct was to help anybody that would defeat Obama. That instinct is still there but after looking at the issues of health care, cutting pork barrel spending, and what to do in Iraq, I know that I did make the right choice. Will I fully agree on every issue? No. Would I ever fully agree on every issue with any candidate fromany party? No. That is a silly thing to expect. What I can expect is that my candidate will perform the duties of President of the United States to the best of his ability with wisdom and dignity. I know that John McCain will do that and that is why he will get my vote in November.
KarenKay
Why this former Hillary Clinton supporter is now supporting John McCainJohn McCain will reform our country’s broken systems and policies. I trusthim to get the job done.John McCain says he will rid our government of wasteful spending. I believehe will get the job done.John McCain cares about our planet and will set realistic policies that makeeconomic sense while protecting the environment. I believe he will get thejob done.John McCain understands that all Americans need tax relief. I believe hewill get the job done.John McCain knows our health care system is broken and has solid plans tomake care affordable and accessible for all of America. I believe he will get the job done.John McCain has earned my trust, and he has earned my support. He has a lotof work to do, and I believe he will get the job done.(As much as I like what Machelle has to say here, it was what she didn’t intend to say in an email to me that spoke volumes) Hi Bodyman!I am in and out of the McCain blog as GoMacFL.. I was a strong Hillarysupporter, and listened carefully to her words along the way. Though she"has" to support Obama, or it is the death of her politically, I believestrongly that in her heart she supports McCain. She has indicated this manytimes in the past months. Hillary and John are friends and colleagues whowork tirelessly for our country. They don't share all of the same ideas andplans, but both have good intentions and a long record of service anddevotion to the USA and trying to do what is right. That is why it is soeasy for many of us Hillary supporters to now support John McCain. I am happy to participate on the blog as a writer for "why I, a former Hillarysupporter, now supporting John McCain". We who have come to McCain aredeeply disturbed by Obama and his supporters. He is dangerous, and they aretoo.Let me know if and how I can help in the MacPac "article".
Machelle in Tampa, FL
Hillary supporter who can't vote for Obama.
As a former Hillary supporter, I can not in good faith vote for Barack Obama for a variety of reasons. I have only focused on one reason that I can't support him. I'm not the greatest writer, but it's honest and from my heart.
I personally believe that our great country is in a critical place right now. I do not believe that Barack Obama has the experience necessary to lead our nation. Integrity, character and judgment are critical to the job for which he has applied. It is my personal belief that Barack Obama does not possess these qualities in any significant amount. I believe that in order to fully commit yourself to anything you must truly have a passion and love for it. Obama. To me, [he] does not respect this country enough to get the job. It is my honest belief that Obama's candidacy is all about him. John McCain's candidacy is about all of us, our country. I own my vote; it is not for sale and does not belong to a party. It is mine to cast how I want. I will not vote for the party this year, instead I will cast my vote for the person I believe will bring character, judgment, integrity and most of all honor to the White House. My candidate come November, will be John McCain. I believe that he possesses all the qualities that I want in my President. I trust him, it's that simple!
I saw you on the blog -- you didn't do anything to chase me away-- the caramelized bacon was good, but I'm sure it can't be healthy. I have been in the heat of battle with the Obamabots for months now-- I needed to take a break for a while. I am refreshed and ready to do battle again. They are draining after a while though.
Thanks for the opportunity-- ;-)
With a smile,
MACKIE
I was one of the fundraisers for Hillary Clinton! The Democratic party is hateful to her and her supporters! We have been called uneducated, w. trash for about a year by Obama and his campaign. I liked Hillary for the economy, but when we have to make a choice between Obama and McCain, my vote goes for McCain for many reasons. 1) McCain has much more experience. 2) McCain has a better character. 3) McCain did not stay at that hateful church for 20 years! Dropping out for political reasons did not convince me about Obama's honesty! 4) If we look at Obama, Hillary and McCain, the Capital gains taxes increase between Hillary and McCain is only 5% But Obama will double your capital gains Taxes and it is insane! 5) I can not imagine Michelle Obama as our first lady in the White House after her anti-American comments! Cindy McCain deserves to be our first lady. 6) I liked Hillary because of her health care reform, universal health care. I took a look atObama's and McCain's health care plan and found out that McCain offers a better health care plan than Obama. 7) There is no comparison between Obama and McCain when it comes to national security! McCain knows how to defend this country 8) I liked Hillary because of the economy but if I have to make a choice between McCain and Obama, I'd rather McCain! I think that Obama's capital gains tax increase will ruin our system. 9) War in Iraq is manageable with McCain. I trust McCain, he will win the war in Iraq. 10) Obama flip-flopped on so many issues like Iran, his pastor, lobbyists, etc. 11) I finally trust McCain more than Obama! Obama is too much for the conservative Democrats or independents who lean on Democrats! McCain will sweep all those voters including me. America comes first than the unity of the party!
Aviva
I am soooo glad you're doing this. Here we go:Making the move to McCain was easier than I ever thought it would be. I havehad a great measure of respect for a man who is centrist, is his own man,and who stands up, openly, to the crazier side of his party. That takesguts, especially when the crazies have all the power at the moment. Withoutknowing another thing about him, I admired him on the spot. Idiot cowboysare one thing. Intelligent mavericks have an appeal all their own, and thatis McCain's appeal to me.I have liberal leanings, I admit it. I feel we should make our society oneof the most admired in the world by respecting people of all walks of life,honoring our elderly who've paid their dues, and building solid futures forour children. So imagine how a woman who's close to her PhD, with anaccomplished career in high tech management feels when she sees anaccomplished woman get up the courage to run for the presidency. A womanwho's positions I didn't always agree with, but whose tenacity, strength,and command of the issues I came to admire. I threw myself into getting herelected. Then suddenly, the world goes mad, and decides the game we're in is notdeciding who should be the next leader of the free world, with all theperils and struggles therein. No the country decides to play American Idolwith the presidential race, and the media took the lead in declaring Obamarock star. HRC supporters were a little shocked, but felt after seeingReverend Wright, Rezko, inexperience (a whopping 143 days in the US Senate)and a prissy demeanor that cried racism every time you asked 'what's hedone, exactly, that makes him qualified? Well, we thought a few monthsof that would turn things back to a sane direction. Instead, we watched ourcandidate get eviscerated by the media, and by her own party. We watchedpeople who'd come to her table as friends, like the black community, andlongtime powerful friends she and her husband had helped into their currentcareers, stab her at every opportunity. We watched the Obama camp play therace card every chance they got. And we were attacked in hordes by his blogtrolls (the Republicans are starting to see how nasty those little collegekids play. They're not only using plays from Rove's book...they're pullingout stuff that makes one vaguely start to recall Nazi tactics fromtextbooks). But worst of all, we saw the Democratic Party itself determinedto do her in. A woman who won the popular vote, and who kicked Obama's buttin the key swing states. It seemed completely suicidal. Many of us werereeling, taking it all in, and then realizing what it meant. They meant totake her down, and put in their puppet. Not for the votes, not for the goodof the country, but for the money and their own personal gain. She, likeMcCain, was too powerful, too much her own thinker, and couldn't be countedon to 'play'. So they offed her in the media, and the DNC helped engineerit.Our candidate did us a lot of honor. She was someone who could work acrossthe party aisles to get things done, like McCain. She was strong, tough, andsmart....so smart. And she never cried victim, like Obama did. She waiteduntil the very end to say, hey, this sexism thing in the media is prettydisgusting. I face sexism all day every day...always have. It comes with theterritory of being a smart woman determined to fulfill her ambitions. Butthis election woke all of us up. Racism, as we now know, is uncool and [any slight perception of racism] will be instantly ratcheted up to intense media glare. Butyou can call a woman anything you like to demean her, and that's ok.When she suspended her campaign, the howls of grief were deafening. She isone of the most powerful women in the world, and they took her down. I beganto view the Obama camp with real fear, and loathing. And I became determinedto be part of the effort that stops him from buying that presidency.The defection to McCain was easy. He's also a centrist, but right-of-center.I am aware he is no friend to women, but he was a friend to her, and he getspoints for that. He's also a man who knows what he's doing. And because he'sbeen in the Senate forever, he's racked up favors. Lots of favors. Peopleowe him. He'll be able to get things done. No one owes Obama anything - he'snever led a day in his life. But like Bush, Obama will owe the powerfulinterests that put him there. And in no way can I feel confident that thosepeople have our interests as a country at heart. Instantly, I decided:country over party. Absolutely. No question.As I work with newly acquainted Republicans on this task, I am reminded thatpolitics makes for strange bedfellows. However, I hear they hate Bush aswell. He's dragged down their party, and they're mad. They've alreadytraveled the road the Dems are now careening down. The truly terrifyingthing is that Obama is Bush v2. He's an affable, know-nothing, charismaticguy who will be a puppet for those putting him in. This is the Dem's do-overof 2000 with their own idiot. I cannot let my country go down in flames likethis. I find myself compelled to act, to turn my strategizing skills everyday to what I can do to make this come out differently. I fret because theRepublicans I am meeting seem ill prepared for the vitriolics of the Obamacamp. Obama's people are superbly organized, and he's got the money. I findmyself pulling out the Republican playbook to determine what can be done toknock the wind out of Obama's sails. I pray you guys have some incendiarystuff up your sleeves.And I am proud to join you.
Sharon
Although I don’t agree with Sharon’s opinion on Sen. McCain’s view of woman, I also wasn’t a woman involved in a sexist campaign against my candidate. If I had been a female Hillary supporter, would I feel different towards men, media or the Obama campaign? I think sexism played a huge part & if you are willing to listen, you might just hear it from Sen. Clinton herself.
Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Awani, the governor of Al-Anbar province, insists that al-Qaeda has been vanquished, and also notes:
"Iraq is in a strategic location and has huge resources. There are a lot of eyes on Iraq... Liberating Iraq is a very good dish. And now you are going to hand it over to Iran?"
Mr Stevens also notes,
"...a sense of incredulity hangs over the way Iraqis see the U.S. political debate taking shape. The governor tells a moving story about their visit to Walter Reed hospital, where they were surprised to find smiles on the faces of GIs who had lost limbs. 'The smile is because they feel they have accomplished something for the American people.'
But the Iraqis came away with a different impression in Chicago, where they had hoped to meet with Mr. Obama but ended up talking to a staff aide. 'We noticed there was a concentration on the negatives,' the governor recalls. 'The Democrat kept saying that Americans have committed a lot of mistakes. Yes, that's true, but why don't you concentrate on what the Americans have achieved in Iraq?"
"What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections."
Senator Obama, we urge you to join Senator McCain in this endeavor. What a tremendous opportunity for all of us to REALLY learn how both candidates stand on the issues, and an even greater opportunity to uplift our country's democratic values.
Fred Barnes has a few comments about the offer, and Obama's desire for more structured, speech-oriented debates where his clear advantage in prepared speeches is clear. Our question, Senator, is what are you afraid of? If you believe your policies are so clearly superior, why haven't you jumped at the chance to prove it to the country?
Senator McCain has proposed a first date of 12 June 2008, at Federal Hall in New York City. Will it be Senator McCain, yourself, and the citizens you propose to lead, or Senator McCain, the citizens, and something else?
Senator Obama, please accept Senator McCain's invitation. Time's running out!
I have been giving this a lot of thought & with the uncertainties of the upcoming election, the time to act could be running out. If Sen. John McCain were to be elected President, my concerns would be limited, but in the off change that we end up with President Obama, we can’t afford to wait. These are my thoughts & views; I in no way represent the views of Sen. McCain, MacPac08 or other associates & representatives of Sen. McCain, written or implied.
Iran has been trying to flex its muscle & expand its influence for decades in the Middle East. It is currently funneling money & weapons to a number of Anti-American & Anti-Israel terrorist groups; such as, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Al-Quida in Iraq & even the Taliban in Afghanistan. The U.S. government hasn’t outwardly acknowledged it, but we are already at war with Iran. It is only being waged via a proxy war fought in Iraq & elsewhere in the Middle East. This action alone by Iran gives the President authority to launch an attack. The U.S. is poised in the region to not only single handedly handle Iran, but give them a crushing blow that will set them back militarily for decades.
Many believe that Israel’s attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon in the summer of 2006 was a test run at a two pronged joint effort by the U.S. & Israel to not only hit Iran, but also Syria & Hezbollah. Israel would sweep through Syria knocking out all military targets & flank Hezbollah in Lebanon cutting off weapon & other supply lines to the terrorist organization. With Israeli forces to North, South & East, that only leaves the sea & the Israeli navy to the West for Hezbollah to try to attempt an escape. Knowing Hezbollah, surrender or retreat is not an option. This could leave the Israeli forces no other choice, but to launch a brutal house to house search & destroy mission to demolish the last remaining terrorist not killed in open combat.
Lebanon is made up of a split between Pro & Anti-Syria government or Pro & Anti-Western government, depending how you look at it. The Lebanese President is a lame duck with a parliamentary majority, but the Hezbollah backed minority has veto power over any decision presented in the parliament. The Lebanese military, battered & fearful from the 16 years of civil war, will offer no support for Hezballah & zero resistance to the Israeli led occupation. The Lebanese government, after having been targeted for assaination for control of the government, now welcomes the defeat of not only Hezbollah, but also the much medalling Syria.
Since Syria & Hezbollah don’t pose an aerial threat, Israel’s air force will assist the U.S. in an all out air assault on Iran. From the Persian Gulf & other instillations around Iran, the U.S. & allies will start its assault. In the first wave stealth & unmanned Predator aircraft will launch a huge barrage of bombs on radar, air craft & anti-aircraft instillation. A continuous pounding from a multitude of Navy fired missiles, that were also used to hit radar & other first strike targets, will rain down on Iran day & night until all objectives are achieved.
The U.S. will be very successful in it’s initial wave, but it will not come without cost. Iran will get lucky with a rogue surface-to-air missile that hits or destroys an aircraft or ship. This action will bring the U.S. forces to the cross roads on whether we push ground troops into Iran or not.
The U.S. has been retrofitting its B-2 Stealth bombers with massive bunker-buster bombs, a move that could be a prelude to an attack on Iran and its nuclear facilities. Iran has refused to comply with international demands that it stop its nuclear weapons programs. Experts have noted that a U.S. or Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear program could be difficult due to the large number of installations - some of which are buried deep underground in hardened bunkers. Apparently the U.S. has big plans for Iran. Northrop Grumman in a little noticed release that the company had begun integrating on the B-2's a new 30,000-pound-class "penetrator bomb" or bunker buster. "The U.S. Air Force's B-2 Stealth bomber would be able to attack and destroy an expanded set of hardened, deeply buried military targets" using the monster bunker buster, the company said in its release.
Since most military instillations have now been destroyed, we are faced with verifying that the nuclear faculties that were previously hit with Bunker Buster missiles, were indeed destroyed. The U.S. will mount a force that sweep through Iran, in much the same way as we did in Iraq. The Revolutionary Guard will be extremely crippled, but not destroyed & offer little resistance to the far superior U.S. forces. The Resistance in Iran will strengthen & be heavily weaponized by the U.S. with small to medium arms.
A continued roll through Iran will be the final stage of this theater. U.S. forces will finish its full circle that will bring most ground forces back to Kuwait & Iraq; while others continue to Afghanistan for redeployment & reinforcement of allied forces to battle the Taliban . With Iran, Syrian & Hezbollah crippled or destroyed, the U.S. will immediately start its limited troop withdraw from Iraq & permanent withdraw from Iran.
From the perminate base in Iraq, U.S. force will provide a support roll in assisting & continuing to train Iraqi forces. Without the continued flow of weapons from Iran & Syria, Iraqi forces now have the upper hand to handle their own security. Since Iran is now caught in a new Revolutionary War of their own, the Revolutionary Guard has no time to organize attack on a better armed & more prepared Iraqi army.
With Sen. Obama’s resent endorsement by Hamas, his agreeing to sit down with Iran with no preconditions & his most recent vote against a more aggressive approach to Iran; time is running out if he were to become President. I do not in any way represent the views of Sen. McCain or imply his course of action. I have total faith in the leadership of Sen. John McCain, but less faith in the judgment of John Q. Public with the rise of Sen. Obama. Dare we wait in the hope that President McCain will deal with Iran in a manner & time of his choosing or risk the annihilation of Israel at the hands of the irresponsible President Obama. I am placing my hope in President Bush or John Q. Public, if Pres. Bush with his limited time is unable to deal with the pestilent Iran.
Last Sunday, Barack Obama gave the commencement speech at Wesleyan University, filling in for the ailing Senator Ted Kennedy. In following the great tradition of commencement speeches, he attempted to encourage graduates to service, but more importantly his comments revealed his view of the world in general and Americans in specific:
"There’s no community service requirement in the real world; no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should by. You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s.
But I hope you don’t...It’s because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition..."
We here at www.macpac08.com applaud all those to choose a career of service to others, and believe it to be one of the highest callings, but for Obama to sit in judgement over those whose choose other paths indicates a lack of understanding of what made this country great.
The quintessential GREATNESS of America is that each of us has the opportunity to seek out our own greatness, and be the best that we can be in our own chosen endeavor. Doctor, Pastor, Soldier, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Astronaut, or Teacher -- all these careers, and many others, provide service to others in their own way. Obama's weak finger-wagging at those who don't choose the path he took shows a fundamental lack of understanding of this principle.
For me, I choose to restate the words from McCain's victory speech in New Hampshire, which is permanently posted at the top of this blog. These words define what I find great about our country, and are words Senator Obama should read and consider before sitting in judgement on others:
"My hope for our country resides in my faith in the American character, the character which proudly defends the right to think and do for ourselves, but perceives self-interest in accord with a kinship of ideals, which, when called upon, Americans will defend with their very lives."
This week, the McCain campaign has characterized Barack Obama as the "Dr. No" of energy independence and energy security. In the past few weeks, John McCain has proposed a number of actions to provide a balanced approach to helping the US achieve greater energy independence. Some of Senator McCain's proposals:
nuclear energy.Obama said "NO", claiming "said he supports increased research into nuclear waste storage and recycling, but could not endorse construction of new reactors until those concerns are resolved."
