McCain Does Not Speak for Me

Scott Hardie | May 20, 2006
In the news: John McCain was booed and heckled during his commencement speech at a liberal university, while some students waved anti-McCain banners and turned their backs on him. (link)

The students said he didn't represent them, and that he shouldn't campaign on their turf, but what does that have to do with a congratulatory speech? My commencement address was delivered by the CEO of Home Depot; not only do I not care what his values are, but I didn't rush out afterwards to buy some lumber or a garden hose.

It's a sad sign of the times: A decorated war hero, not to mention a politican widely lauded for acting on his conscience, is booed simply for having different values. The only thing we respect any more is agreement. Any villain who's on our side is preferable to a hero from the other side. I would think that of all places, a university should be the last place left where a multitude of opinions are still welcome, but then these are the polarized times in which we live. How do we expect to stand firm against our real enemies when each half of our country refuses to respect the other?

Kris Weberg | May 20, 2006
McCain has rather turned on his old "conscience" rep these days -- he's been making pre-campaign nice with Jerry Fallwell, a man he called an "agent of intolerance" just a few years back.

More to the point, McCain has said that he's giving the same speech at all of these events, and the speech includes a whole lot of material about disagreements between Americans and so on...right before he launches into an explicit defense of the Iraq War.

McCain's not makiing congratulatory speeches. He's making campaign speeches.

Jackie Mason | May 21, 2006
[hidden by request]

Kris Weberg | May 21, 2006
First, some follow-up:

(link)

Second, I'd encourage anyone who thinks of McCain as a centrist or whatnot to examine any of his positions on anything other than campaign finance and the Iraq war. He's quite conservative on pretty much every other issue out there.

To be honest, I still have no idea how McCain got his "maverick" reputation in the first place.

Jackie Mason | May 22, 2006
[hidden by request]

Kris Weberg | May 22, 2006
I'd say that making a campaign speech about controversial political issues at a graduation is simply crappy behavior. The day isn't about John McCain, it's about the students and their achievements.

Scott Hardie | June 9, 2006
At your urging, Kris, I did a quick lookup of McCain on Wikipedia. True, he's pro-life and supports intelligent design, but he also supports stem cell research, speaks against global warming, legislates in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants, and voted against the ban on gay marriage. I don't know that these amount to much in reality, but I thought I'd mention what you suggest I find. :-p

Scott Horowitz | June 9, 2006
McCain will not get the GOP support for President. He may run, but I highly doubt he'd get the Nod. I'm not sure who they're going to have up there, but I'm 100% sure it won't be him.

Scott Hardie | June 21, 2006
I apologize for being rude, Kris. I got carried away.