John McCain, the George Wallace of our time

[Politicub]

It makes me wonder if McCain has any sense of history, or cares about how people will remember him when he's gone. More than any other thing, his stance on DADT damned him to join the group of people who stood in resistance to civil rights and human progress.

Securing civil rights can take a long time in America -- sometimes more than a century-- but we seem to do the right thing more times than not.

And even though he wasn't the only senator who voted against repeal, his face is the one that will go down in the history books as the ringleader.

When future history books are written, McCain will probably be included in the same chapter as this guy:


Taken in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on June 11, 1963, this black and white photograph shows Governor George Wallace attempting to block integration at the University of Alabama outside Foster Auditorium while being confronted by Deputy United States Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach.

Ref: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/4884



Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), once a voice of optimism for repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, reportedly called Saturday "a very sad day" before the Senate voted to lift the military ban.

"I hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage," said the four-term incumbent before the vote, according to ABC News. "Today is a very sad day."

Ref:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/18/john-mccain-dadt-repeal-_n_798726.html

[PDJane]

1. to answer the question, yes.

And it will continue to repeat itself as long as we refuse to learn from history.

I remember that picture.......and the story that went with it. I remember being puzzled...and infuriated.

As for McCain, he seems to be a less-than-wonderful human being. There seems to have been some atrophy in his moral sense. I have also wondered, more than once, how abusive he is to his wife in private. Very controlling man.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. That's a terrible thing to say

And Wallace is no longer alive to defend himself. Shame on you.

True, Wallace was a racist demagogue, but when he saw that wasn't going play in the world that emerged in spite of his efforts, he changed his tune. In his last election for governor, the man who once barred the door at the University of Alabama courted and received the black vote. He was wrong in 1963, but, even if his heart was never really in it, at least he was smart in his old age.

Homophobia cannot stand any more than segregation, but McCain entrenches himself in it now like he never did before. Between the two of them, I'll take Wallace, thank you.

[Politicub]

3. Serious question - who do you consider to be John McCain's historical analogue?

I didn't mean to offend. Though Wallace realized the error of his ways, in his time he was the symbol of segregation.

In your estimation, who will appear in the history books next to McCain? You have to agree he's part of a notorious pantheon.

I hope McCain eventually comes around. But it won't take away the stain of what he's said and done in re: to DADT.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Neither man really has an analogue

Both are quite unique.

Wallace started his political career as a segregationist, as did every Southern politician for nearly 85 years previous to him. He knew he was wrong in the end and ran like most good politicians, looking for votes wherever he could find them.

McCain started out as a "maverick" and parted ways with his fellow Republicans often, especially on the issue of campaign financing. Now, he checks with the the tea party, a motley crew of right wing bigots and discredited free market ideologues, before uttering a word. Some maverick.

In my view, Wallace went forward with the times, even if he did so reluctantly, while McCain has gone backward for short term political gain when short term is Father Time is giving him. If it were me faced with toeing the tea party line or losing, I'd retire. At least I'd still respect myself.

[Johonny]

5. Wallace went from an extreme view to a more moderate as time passed

McCain has gone from more moderate views to extreme asshat views. So I'll go with a no on this.

[Raine]

6. That's an insult to Wallace

he at least got smarter as he got older and more reasonable McCain goes the opposite, seriously.

edit: typo