MEA CULPA: My Own Flip-Flop on McCain

By Kimberly Krautter

Simply stated, I was for McCain before I was against him.

Eight years ago, I was such a McCain fan that I blogged a proposed "Gore-McCain" ticket. Of course, I knew that was a scandalous suggestion to the wingnuts on both sides of politcs. Yet, since McCain was (then) a social moderate, a true maverick, etc. I thought his strengths made a great complement to Gore's. I also thought, how healing it would be to our bitterly divided country to have a ticket that defined bi-partisanship and called for -- dare I thought -- partnership politics and perhaps even a return to statesmanship in Washington.

Even without a combined ticket, had McCain won the GOP nomination that year, I would have voted for him over Gore because I was sickened by the then Veep's inability to be strong in his own convictions. As a professional "handler", I was deeply upset by how Gore had allowed himself to be overly handled, resulting in a campaign that I viewed as a cynical grab for higher office.

Flash forward to this year... I am likewise sickened by McCain's weakening spine. His pledge to put "country first" now looks like nothing more than patented Rovian doublespeak.

Without further ado, here is a list of McCain's flip-flops and other inconsistencies which are guiding my decision to vote against him this year. (NOTE: Much of this info has been gleaned from other blogs. I apologize for failing to cite the sources and promise to amend this posting ASAP with that info and links.)

• Peggy Noonan (conservative strategist, speechwriter for Reagan and Daddy Bush) on why the Palin pick is cynical and opportunistic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDBW0SbDxPo
• Charles Krauthammer (ultra-conservative columnist and Republican wonk for the Wasington Post)http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/ultraconservative-charles-krau.php
• Frank Rich (NYTimes liberal columnist) on the big white elephant in the room http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14rich.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

And, for your review... the ever expanding list of McCain flip-flops on major policy:

• TORTURE: (this column cites specific legislation on which McCain has voted, appeasing Bush admin policy on "enahanced interrogation" techniques such as waterboarding, etc.)http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-giraldi/john-mccain-and-torture_b_87163.html
• ABORTION: Now he's both for and against overturning Roe v. Wade.
• TORTURE: McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to White House demands.
• RELIGIOUS RIGHT:  McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as "an agent of intolerance" in 2002, but has since decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. (Indeed, McCain has now hired Falwell's debate coach.)
• RELIGIOUS RIGHT: McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.
• BUSH TAX CUTS: McCain used to oppose Bush's tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.
• ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he's pro-ethanol.
• CAMPAIGN FINANCE 1: In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush's presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.
• CAMPAIGN FINANCE 2:  McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June, he abandoned his own legislation.
• CAMPAIGN FINANCE 3:  McCain gave up on his signature policy issue, campaign-finance reform, and won't back the same provision he sponsored just a couple of years ago.
• CONFEDERATE FLAG: (Albeit not a major policy issue, but one that measures a candidates political cynicism and opportunism) McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.
• GENERAL PHILOSOPHY: McCain used to think that Grover Norquist was a crook and a corrupt shill for dictators. Then McCain got serious about running for president and began to reconcile with Norquist.

No matter what your political sympathies, it's important to stand tall and demand the most from our leadership. Even more important is to have dialogue with family, friends and neighbors. It was through respectful and spirited dialogue that our Founders drafted the U.S. Constitution -- that wonderfully revolutionary parchment that gave birth to our nation and changed our world. Let's make it o.k. to once again talk about issues around our family dinner tables and friendly gatherings. It is the legacy that our forefathers bequeathed to us, and it is vital to ensure that our children witness this so that legacy continues for generations to come.