Does McCain give hope to Republicans?

[sandnsea]

Sure his comments help our side. But do his comments also give some sort of hope to the mainstream and disenchanted Republicans that Bush can be pulled back to some sort of "reasonable" polices? Does it leave the impression that there are a variety of views in the Republican Party, like Powell does, and convince some of those fence sitters to go ahead and vote Bush?

Always the cynic, looking for Rovian motives here. I don't trust Republicans.

[w4rma]

1. Yes, imho. However, I don't think this is McCain's plan. I think he is

honestly concerned about the direction his political party is heading and is trying to reverse that course from the inside.

[Renew Deal]

2. McCain is no friend of Rove

McCain says what he means and means what he says. I doubt he is doing any favors for the Bushies.

[tom_paine]

5. McCain is an American, the Busheviks ARE NOT AMERICANS

This also explains why the Freepers/Brownshirts/Dittoheads are being programmed to hate him.

They HATE Real Americans like McCain. Their shame and fear of these genuine Human Beings frightens and disgusts them.

Why won't McCain fall in line and just let himself be programmed by his Masters like they do?

Because not BEING able to be programmed is a sign of a Free Person, though the Freeps could never understand, like trying to explain "blue" to a Blind Man")

[JI7]

3. well, it depends

there is a difference between being seen to work with someone who may not always agree with you and therefore being viewed as willing to listen and be more moderate. but in mccain's case it's not really like that. it's very easy to tell that mccain doesn't like bush. while not as extreme i would say it's kind of like zell miller attacking democrats. i see no way it helps us. although i don't think it really hurts us as zell miller comes across as an angry fool. add to the mccain factor that you can tell he likes kerry and doesn't want to attack kerry. this should make kerry look good to those who like mccain.

[sandnsea]

6. But he's campaigning for Bush

I don't think we should forget that. He's the campaign chair or co-chair for Arizona. And a good campaign strategy is to act as if there's a tough Republican pushing Bush back to traditional values, respecting the views of those in the middle questioning the war, and acting as if Bush is listening. That could be just enough to get that middle-of-the-road vote. When he comes out and says Bush is a threat to the country because his global military domination policy is wrong, then maybe I'll trust him.

[JI7]

7. i don't think we should depend on mccain

to really come out and attack bush and say he wont support him. but i don't think he really helps bush either. if our nominee was not john kerry and it was instead someone who mccain doesn't like or isn't friends with then you would see mccain speak out against the democratic nominee more and in this way he would be helping republicans. but we are kind of lucky with kerry as the nominee as mccain really doesn't want to attack him. of course it would really help us if mccain came out and said he will not be supporting bush, but i don't expect that to happen. i think mccain should have switched to independent around the time jim jeffords did because then he would be free to criticize and praise both sides as he wants and doesn't feel an obligation to help someone he doesn't really want to just because he is in the same party.

[sandnsea]

10. Here's what I'm saying

We need to be prepared if we start running into that kind of chatter. It's exactly what happened in 2000, Powell will keep things steady. Now we might just hear, McCain will keep things steady. Even though you and I know they hate each other, Mr. & Mrs. America don't. We can't let them vote for Bush thinking that McCain has his ear. We can't let them think the Republican Party is going back to the center, via McCain's tough talk. It's very dangerous and very smart and McCain IS still a Republican. It's a good thing he probably won't criticize Kerry, but being the reasonable centrist uniter puts a face on the Republican party that we just don't want this year.

[JI7]

11. i agree with that, it's perception

despite what is seen on du, if you look at the overall population of voters, kerry's problem in getting support mostly comes from moderate type voters who see him as too liberal. the liberals and others in the democratic base is where kerry is strongest at. so what you say does make sense, especially with such a close election.

i think the best way to counter or weaken the argument that bush has such great people around him is to say that if the leader doesn't have good judgement then the rest doesn't matter and this was proven during bush's presidency. of course kerry should make the case using better words and in a way that would really get the message out. at the same time as this kerry needs to show that he can be a good strong leader to get those moderate voters i mention in the above paragraph to feel good enough about him to vote for him since when people are unsure they usually stay with what they have even if it sucks.

[Stoic]

4. McCain is positioning himself for 2008

Now, I'm not saying you said this, but others in the progressive community mistake McCain's anti-Bush stances as being pro-progressive. The man is as right wing as they come. Just because he's less ideological that the current crop, doesn't make him the Democrats best friend.

McCain is more than willing to replace the failed presidency of either Bush or Kerry (if the Pukes can destroy Kerry as they tried to do in Clinton) in 2008.

[JI7]

8. no, mccain would be in his early 70's in 08

i don't see him as having any future in presidential run.

[napi21]

9. No McCain in 2008

I have heard him repeatedly state he IS NOT EVER going to run for Pres. again. He's getting older and simply doesn't want to do that anymore. I believe him!

Besides, he would NEVER get the nomination!!!! Most 'Pugs feel the same about McCain as as we do about Zell. Believe me, I've had the discussions with lots of RW's when I tried to give away Zell. There are several guys they want to get rid of, but McCain is at the top of the list.

[x-g.o.p.er]

12. I love McCain...

Had he been the nominee in 2000, I don't think the GOP would be in the mess they're in now. McCain reminds me of what the Republican party used to be.

If McCain were to somehow take control of the party, I think many disenchanted Republicans would return to the fold. He is definitely not an extremist automon, and could bring sanity back to what is quickly becoming insane.