Conservative Radio Host: On Failed Hunt For Bin Laden, McCain Represents ‘Continuation Of Bush Policy’
Conservative Radio Host: On Failed Hunt For Bin Laden, McCain Represents ‘Continuation Of Bush Policy’
Yesterday, conservative radio host Michael Smerconish sat in for Bill O’Reilly to host the Radio Factor. He opened the show by discussing yesterday’s front-page New York Times story detailing “how the White House shifted its sights, beginning in 2002, from counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan to preparations for the war in Iraq.”
Smerconish ripped into Bush for the “national disgrace” of leaving the deaths of September 11, 2001, unresolved. Then he declared Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to be “representative of a continuation of the current Bush policy” — a fact that may present “a break point” between himself and the Republican party in the upcoming election:
To the extent that John McCain is representative of a continuation of the current Bush policy, I think it’s a huge impediment to his campaign for President of the United States. And I told him so. My feelings about this issue are so strenuous, are so strong, that it may represent a break point between yours truly and the Republican party in terms of the candidate on the top of the ticket. … I have never voted for a Democrat for President. I could do it on the strength of this issue alone because of my disagreement with the Administration and my fear that John McCain represents more of the same.
Smerconish warned his listeners, “I’m going to tell you something else many of you are not going to want to hear,” namely, “We’ve squandered resources in Iraq.” He added, “To my ear John McCain represents more of the same on this issue.” Listen to it:
The right-wing is already outraged over Smerconish’s apostasy. Newsbusters derided his indication that he may vote for a Democrat, asking “what kind of a Republican would consider voting for someone to the left of Barbara Boxer on abortion,” and “who would leave the Iraqi people to the tender mercies of al Qaeda…?”
When he interviewed McCain earlier this month, Smerconish told him his “vote was in play.”
Transcript:
For more than two years, I’ve been a harsh critic of the Bush administration in terms of its Pakistan policy, or lack thereof. I’ve done so on my own radio show in Philadelphia, I’ve done so when guest hosting for Bill here on the Factor, I’ve done it in certain television forums and in numerous columns I’ve written for the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Enquirer. And today the New York Times has confirmed all of my worst fears and concerns about what we aren’t doing to level the playing field on behalf of the 3,000 who died almost seven years ago. And it has ramifications for the political context in which we now find ourselves because — I’ll say this: I’ve interviewed, I’ve personally interviewed Senators Obama and McCain on this issue, each within the the last 60 to 90 days, John McCain just two weeks ago. And to the extent that John McCain is representative of a continuation of the current Bush policy, I think it’s a huge impediment to his campaign for President of the United States. And I told him so.
My feelings about this issue are so strenuous, they’re so strong, that it may represent a break point between yours truly and the Republican party in terms of the candidate on the top of the ticket. I’ve been a Republican since 1980. I’ve never missed an election. I don’t mean I’ve never missed a presidential election. I mean I’ve never missed an election. I’ve always split my ticket in general elections; I’ve never pulled a straight Republican lever. But, truth be told, cards on the table, I’ve never voted for a Democrat for President. I could do it on the strength of this issue alone because of my disagreement with the administration and my fear that John McCain represents more of the same. I know that’s a lot to break out on the Radio Factor but i want to tell you right up front how I feel.
[...]
We’ve let down 3,000 individuals, 3,000 innocent Americans. We’ve not brought that situation to closure. There’s been no justice on their behalf. And I’m going to tell you something else that many of you are not going to want to hear but the Times makes this clear as well: We’ve squandered resources in Iraq. Somewhere buried in this story is a report of how there was a request for more predator drones, the unmanned spacecraft, to fly over those tribal areas to try to zero in on the whereabouts of the al Qaeda leadership, and they were told, Sorry, we don’t have them because they’re all being used in Iraq. It’s a disgrace. It is a national disgrace. And I’ll play sound for you when I come back. I’ve questioned Senators Obama and McCain on this issue, and you’ll get to hear what they had to say. To my ear John McCain represents more of the same on this issue.
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What kind of Republican? The kind you’d better start getting used to, NewsBusters.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:05 pmWhat you are hearing is the first rat to recognize they are better off swimming
July 1st, 2008 at 8:15 pmEven a blind bald squirrel finds an acorn now and then.
Just saying . . .
July 1st, 2008 at 8:17 pmUh oh….methinks Mr. Smerconish ’bout to get Swiftboated. What goes around comes around…
July 1st, 2008 at 8:21 pmBush invaded Iraq to win the election in 2004. It was never about freedom, or WMD, Saddam Hussein, or even oil.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:23 pmAbove the Clouds,
July 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pmYou can’t really ignore PNAC and the Pentagon’s writings about the importance of controlling the Middle East—oil being a major reason.
God no not a wingnut talk show host that can reason. What is the world coming to? Next we’ll be hearing that they are seeing the results of their failed preemptive war and how it’s come close to costing us our nation
July 1st, 2008 at 8:33 pmI will thoroughly enjoy watching the Reichwingers turn on each other. I just hope we can minimize the collateral damage.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:36 pmSomewhere, water is flowing uphill. Enjoy the return of the reality-based planet folks.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:41 pmI bet Bill is about to pop a blood vessel over this one. On his radio show, of all things, what is this world coming to. I’m sure the listeners weren’t expecting to get a dose of reality for once. They have grown accustomed to Bill’s ranting and raving about the left being the ruination of the country. I can’t wait to hear how he spins this one, the day he is back on his radio show.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:57 pmCould it possibly be that Israel fears Iran’s nuclear threat because DICK Cheney is giving them “reliable intelligence,” which coming from the VP, is the true definition of oxymoron.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:57 pmEven the whores in the hen house realize they are getting screwed!!! With a majority of these whores driving big gas guzzling SUV,CUV,LUX…all bets are off!!! on this expirement….getting raped without getting kissed is not the american way even if your a republican.
Don’t worry, your going to a gang of thinkers…for a change.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:59 pmA true conservative(which Smerconish probably doesn’t qualify) can come to no other conclusion. Squandered opportunity, treasure,blood chasing a dream. Thats not conservatism, certainly no pragmatic. Bushco see’s a different reality in Iraq, how else could they be pursuing war with Iran? How could they not see they absolute necessity of chasing the last of the original alQaeda down and killing them? The unimaginative McCain went along for the ride. They dream of some neocon conclusion that is long past possibility. True conservatives should’ve not only rejected them, they should have insisted on impeachment.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:59 pmWith any luck at all, the ratings will shoot up, and Billo will not be back.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:59 pmDid anyone read the posts over on “Newsbusters?” They truly are a disturbed lot, what a bunch of racist, homophobic idiots (much like our trolls here, actually).
July 1st, 2008 at 9:05 pmblue state bob,
thanks for the tip.
i’m gonna rustle up
some nachos, mix up
up a blender of margaritas
and get ready to enjoy something
i like to call “troll mania”.
•
thank you.
•
triplekick, check_fraud,
would guys like to get things started?
:)
good luck.
?
July 1st, 2008 at 9:08 pmblue state bob,
do you have link for that?
•
July 1st, 2008 at 9:10 pmmoondancer: A true conservative(which Smerconish probably doesn’t qualify
I tend to agree.
Smerconish has posted quite a lot at HuffPo and of the dozen of his two-dozen (?–roughly) posts I’ve read there, I judge him ‘remedial’, I guess. IN a political context that would make him a Libertarian in my view. He can after trial and error figure out that the square block fits in the square hole and the star fits in the star-shaped hole, but don;t expect him to understand that that ther is more than one type of triangle. I wouldn’t want him to put up a shelf for me, is what I’m saying, but I’ll let him admire it.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:15 pmHere is the link. Nothing too out of the ordinary, just stupidity and ignorance with a little bit of homophobia thrown in.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/06/27/smerconish-i-might-vote-obama
July 1st, 2008 at 9:17 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnychOXj9Tg
2:10
July 1st, 2008 at 9:20 pmSmerconish: “I’ve always split my ticket in general elections…I’ve never voted for a Democrat for President.”
Translation: I vote for my own personal interests locally ( ignoring the fact that local candidates declare themselves being of one party or another just to get elected) and nationally Libertarian (just because) or GOP ( especially because).
Still, I have to admit professionally he’s doing a lot better than me, so that’s something.
ALthough he isn;t dating a supermodel that I know of, and neither am I so we are equal ion that respect. O’m just saying…
July 1st, 2008 at 9:25 pmWell, he could be sitting ON billo….that would be interesting.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:27 pmHope he enjoyed his stint on Billo’s radio show… he’s about to get the boot.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pmObviously, he’s been brainwashed by his stints on MSNBC and Huffington Post. Or maybe 2-way communication media just isn’t conducive to those who wear ideological blinders.
So it took Mike 7 years to figure out this administration could give a rat’s az about anything that this country values. Hurray. Will the last Bush defender please turn out the lights on your way out?
Looks like Bill’s going to be doing some serious damage control… Mike has talked his way out of future gigs there.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:37 pmWe will have to take his word if he divulges who he votes for – but it is possible that he will jump from the sinking Republican ship — I’ve been watching him on MSNBC quite a bit lately and I have been surprised that he is not the usual rabid rightwinger that he once was — it’s the Bush effect and it seems to be contagious to McCain.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:28 pmThe right-wing is already outraged over Smerconish’s apostasy. Newsbusters derided his indication that he may vote for a Democrat, asking “what kind of a Republican would consider voting for someone to the left of Barbara Boxer on abortion,” and “who would leave the Iraqi people to the tender mercies of al Qaeda…?”
The kind that doesn’t want to drink anymore of the Kool Aid.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
July 1st, 2008 at 11:42 pmWhat kind of Republican?
Hhmmm.. the kind who is not a Bush bootlicker? Do those exist anymore?
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 am.
Conservative John Yoo speaking about IMPEACHMENT:
G O T
O B L?
.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 amWhy does no one in our Government care WHERE OBL IS?
Even our dear president, George Worst Bush admits he doesn’t give a flying F*…
… but his war of terrorism… that’s a story Worst cares a heck of a lot about.
WHY IS THIS…
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 amThat NO ONE in our Government gives a poop about the cause?
Instead, focusing on the prize of OIL…
I have to admit, I really enjoy Smerconish’s commentary on the MSNBC shows. Despite being a conservative, he doesn’t just repeat the party line. Some of these conservative seem to actually have a brain, and they realize the party continues to support Bush at their own peril. The country has made up their minds that Bush is the worst President of our time (maybe ever).
McCain had a chance to change the entire Republican Party for the better, and throw out the Bush cabal and their failed policies, but instead he sold out like he always does.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 amMichael Smerconish and Scott McClellan should form a former Republican support group for what appears will be a growing number of disenfranchised true Conservatives and Libertarians.
from an undisclosed basement location somewhere in a D.C. suburb:
Smerconish, “Hi I’m Michael Smerconish and I used to be a Republican.”
McClennan, “Hi Michael!”
Smerconish, “It’s been four years since I voted Republican.”
(smattering of applause)
McClennan, “Does anyone know if these donuts are free?”
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 amI recall that McCain said he would chase OBL to the gates of hell. Wouldn’t it be fitting to task McCain with chasing down OBL, just like when knights in the days of yore would go on a quest in order to win the affections of a lovely princess? And, he couldn’t be the R’s nominee until he returns successfully with OBL’s head in his hands.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 amOMFG! A reich-wing propaganda spokesman finally dares to speak the truth!
At least I’ve lived to see that.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 amfriendsofronmexico says “I will pray for all those who will die when Obama gets elected.”
You’ll have time to do that after praying for all those that have died at the hand of the this Chimperor?
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 amMaybe I can set the record straight for this Neo-clown.
The Bin Laden’s are Bush’s longtime business partners.
911 was an inside job. The PNAC fascists planned it with the help of Isreal Mossaud and the CIA.
Bin Laden thus will never be captured.
Life goes on with the criminals still on the loose.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 amSmerconish may want to hold off on his “voting Democratic” rhetoric…Obama is moving so far towards the center that he’ll have the same policy as Bush before it’s all over. And in that respect (and for other Obama flip-flops), I know exactly how Smerconish feels.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:49 amEt tu, Brute…?
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am