Charley, those are your images of McCain, not the images of the people. If there is any thing clear, it is that most people of the middle want nothing to do with professional politicians, party goons, immoralists, of religious extremists. Because of the stupid party system in the U.S. one must vote in one or the other primary, and then for one of two or three party nominees. The parties that have open primaries are much more likely to select candidates who will appeal to the real majority. Excluding centrists and lukewarm (Reagan) democrats from a Republican primary is a guaranteed way to select an unelectable candidate. In running to the right in the primaries, Bush, a perfectly reasonable centrist (as is evidenced by Texas condominium government), labels himself as a captive of the racists (S.C., BobJonesIII),and the lunatic religious right (Pat Robinson) and a companion of haters of Catholics. Unless he can shed this baggage, he is finished.
McCain has several excellent advantages. First, he is a military hero. Americans love military heroes (Washington, Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Grant, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Bush Senior). Second, organized politicians hate him. Third, he shows no contempt of hatred from anyone (except his captors), but will eagerly accept those who support him.
From the film clips I have seen of Bush, he appears to be petulant, vain, abrasive, and very, very stupid. He is probably being framed by reporters -- for obvious reasons -- but they cannot make an ass out of him, unless he acts like an ass. His mushmouthed, southern accent gives (me) the impression of a slovenly and irresponsible man.
I have never voted for a Republican candidate for President, and I doubt if I ever will. I hate the thought of a Republican appointing further Supreme Court judges who are racists, opponents of human rights, and who fail to enforce the bill of rights broadly and expansively (including the second amentment). I care very little about anything else. One is just as bad as another of foreign and domestic affairs. I would, I believe, vote for McCain if he came out for human rights believably, over Gore purely on the matter of character. I cannot vote for a Bush who participates in the execution of 120 people, some of whom could have been proved not guilty or mitigated if they had the time.
I know about the character charges in this race. If its about character, and if all the charges are true (which I doubt), then I think we must elect Bradley, who at worst is only a quitter, over Gore (a liar and friend of reprobates), Bush (an accused drug dealer, daddy's boy, and alcoholic in denial) or McCain (Manchurian candidate, ugly temper, wife beater). I think all of the candidates have to nail down their denials with public speeches and solid exculpatory evidence. Bush could make a powerful speech discussing his experience as an alcoholic, release his psychiatric records, reassure the public that drug charges are fabrications. I don't think he is up to it. And I suspect that many people will suspect that it is because some or all of the charges are true in some degree.
I think Gore, using the facilities of the U.S. Government, already has everything he can need to nail Bush's hide to the barn door and is just waiting. I also think that he has defences prepared against the charges of lying. I think a Bush-Gore campaign would be pitiful. They would try to outpreach and outpray each other. I think Bush (and the Republican Party) will have antagonized almost everyone but white, conservative, male Christians by November. That would mean he could not win. I think he must change dramatically if he is to have a chance of election.
I will bet that McCain could win against Gore. I think many liberals and Reagan democrats and independents would support McCain (especially with some reassurance on race and human rights issues).
I think it is a very interesting election. |
