McCain Claims That Anyone Who Says He’s Flip-Flopped Is ‘Drinking The Kool-Aid’
McCain Claims That Anyone Who Says He’s Flip-Flopped Is ‘Drinking The Kool-Aid’
In an AP article on how Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is supposedly a “rebel with a cause” who “chases the presidency,” former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee (RI) says McCain “compromised his credibility” by shifting his position on issues in order to reach out to the right. Former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) agrees, saying that “he appears to be something different than what he was.”
But McCain dismisses any claims that he’s changed positions, telling the AP “in all due respect” that his former colleagues are “drinking the Kool-Aid“:
McCain bats away that notion.
“In all due respect to my colleagues,” he says, “They’re drinking the Kool-Aid that somehow I have changed positions on the issues. All I can say is that we all grow. We all grow wiser. And we all refine our positions.”
McCain points to his support for the surge in troops to Iraq, far from popular at its inception last year, as evidence he’s unafraid to swim against the tide.
McCain’s claim stretches all credibility. As Steve Benen has documented, McCain has flip-flopped at least 74 times over the years.
While some of his shifts may be an attempt to “grow” and “refine” his positions, many of his flip-flops were calculated moves to “placate the GOP right” in the course of his run for president:
TAXES: In 2001 and 2003, McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts, saying that they would “mostly benefit the wealthy.” But in 2006 he voted to extend them and now he wants to double them.
IMMIGRATION: In 2006, McCain sponsored immigration reform legislation with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), but in a January 2008 debate, he said that he “would not” vote for his own legislation.
ROE V. WADE: In 1999, McCain told reporters that he “would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade.” In 2006, McCain expressed his unequivocal support for overturning the decision.
OFFSHORE DRILLING: In 1999, when he first ran for president, McCain supported the moratorium on offshore drilling. In June 2008, however, he called for an end to the federal ban on offshore oil drilling.
RADICAL RIGHT: In 2000, McCain declared Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell “agents of intolerance,” but in 2006 McCain said he no longer considers Falwell an “agent of intolerance.”
In reality, it seems like McCain is the one who drank the Kool-Aid about his own maverick persona.
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Who needs flip flops when you can have 500 dollar loafers?
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:12 pmI hate that phrase. Stop using it please. it’s not funny, it’s not original, It just sucks…
I guess it does fit McCain though.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:14 pmCherry, Grape, Lemon-lime, Strawberry, Raspberry, and that funny flavor that makes one lose their memory…
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:19 pmYa…lets review McCain’s Kool-Aid Drinking record
1) Iraq-war Authorization
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm2) Surge
3) Big Oil
4) Wiretapping
5) Pro-life
6) etc…
McCain is, bar none, the epitome of a flip-flopper. It’s difficult to say whether he changes his comments on virtually every issue due to the onset of senility, or the fact he panders to every group he stands before, in order to get their votes. It’s impossible to tell where he stands on anything, because he changes his tune depending on each audience. To most, this shows he has no real platform, no real policy statements– everything changes on a daily basis. But to his fans, it must be working– they have no idea what his real thoughts are on anything, and for some reason, they like that. I suppose it’s because they can cherry-pick whether they are on his flip or his flop side of each issue, and still support him. Frankly, I see most of his comments as definitely on the flop side.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:20 pmUsing a phrase that derives from a mass-murder is not cool from a presidential contender. I hope Obama doesn’t use it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 pmFlip flopping implies changing his mind consciously and for a reason. The truth is he just can’t remember from day to day what his position is, has been or will be on any given issue.
Now that should give everyone pause for concern.
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:25 pmOnce again, John McCain is confused. It’s not “drinking the kool-aid, it’s the “kool-aid” drinkers. The stress of this campaign is taking its tool on rich John McCain. It’s causing his Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome to escalate.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 pmAs I recall, his campaign went as far as to limit his cell phone calls, since he apparently would adopt the ideas of the very last person he spoke to. If that doesn’t indicate a person who doesn’t know who the hell he is, what he really believes or stands for, I don’t know what does!
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 pmSpensers mom – you bet I’m concerned. If his mental state can’t handle the stress of the campaign, it will only be worse if he is made president.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 pmHonestly and seriously, the position change that bothers me the most is McCain’s acquiescing on torture. If he was/is willing to flip on that one, he truly has no moral center and will say or do anything to get elected.
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 pmTripleKick 14 Says:
Obama flip flop on campaign funding, anyone?
Regardless, while McCain shows maturity and the ability to grow., Obama keeps regurgitating liberal talking points with no “hope” for “change”. At least we know exactly where Obama stands on infanticide.
Wow. Up to 14, are you? Finally caught up to your chronological age.
We do know where Obama stands on infanticide, indeed. Like anyone else, he’s opposed to it. I’m not sure how he feels about infantile, which is how all of your comments could be described.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:33 pmBe extra careful of the slime on the deck, McIIIrd’s been here…
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:34 pmKrippleTick, I’m sure Obama’s stance on abortion and a woman’s LEGAL right to choose is better than McIIIrd’s record of bombing civilians in Hanoi.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pmAll of the myriad times that Flippy McSpin has adopted a “moderate” or “liberal” view have one thing in common.
He was lying.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm11. TripleKick 14 Says:
Obama flip flop on campaign funding, anyone?
Regardless, while McCain shows maturity and the ability to grow.,
_____
Hey, DrippyDick –
McCowflop shows senility and the ability to grow taller when he takes his Viagra.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:37 pmTripleKick keeps racking up the points in McCain’s “Frequent Lyer” program. The cake’s in the bag.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 pmNo, Mcflippity is like Einstein.
His opinion is relative to the current wind direction and velocity. It only APPEARS to change course from the outside, but inside the McGramps campaign he is still the Maverick and full speed ahead.
It is all a question of relativty. What is his opinion relative to Obama’s. It is quite an elegant theory if you ask me.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 pm@1984 – maybe he wears these… prada-mens-sandals heh.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm#20
Evilpoet
Those are SOOOO, Mcfloppity. And such a bargain at $253.
Oy, I am going to get one, just as soon as I pay my mortgage, and electric bill, and put gas in the car, and, holy shit, no money left. I ain’t one of McFlippity’s “Rich”
“NO SHOES FOR YOU!”
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:48 pmIn my best Soup Nazi voice.
21. TripleKick 14 Says:
cute jonny. Sounds like you have personal experience with ED.
______
Souns like you have no personal experience with penicillin, DrippyDick. Your paresis is coming along nicely.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pmTripledick you are soo cute proving the NAACP banner.
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:49 pmTrippleKick, and where do you stand on the George W. Bush medical futility act, that applies to newborns as well as adults? He signed it as Governor of Texas. Hospitals and doctors can stop life saving measures, including food, for financial reasons.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:50 pmJust exactly what taste sensation is republican flavored Kool-aid?
Stains your mouth a dirty brown for days and tastes like…
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pmhey triple prick why dont you mention that ole john mcdepends broke campane finance laws by declairing that he was for them when he didnt have any one donateing to his campaine and got that loan from that bank on the collateral from that finaceing then when he actally found ppl stupid enough to donate to his campaine he was against it plus getting his name on ballots without haveing to gather signatures because hey can ya guess why campaine finace laws so before you go after obama check your own guy out first oh wait that would mean actually reading thelaws and we all know that the law dont mean diddly sqaut to the rethug mout breathers
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 pmMaverick McCowflop’s cowflops:
* McCain supported the drilling moratorium; now he’s against it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm* McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.
* McCain thought Bush’s warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.
* McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)
* McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.
* McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.
* He opposed indefinite detention of terrorist suspects. When the Supreme Court reached the same conclusion, he called it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”
* McCain said he would “not impose a litmus test on any nominee.” He used to promise the opposite.
* McCain believes the telecoms should be forced to explain their role in the administration’s warrantless surveillance program as a condition for retroactive immunity. He used to believe the opposite.
* McCain supported storing spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Now he believes the opposite.
* McCain supported moving “towards normalization of relations” with Cuba. Now he believes the opposite.
* McCain believed the U.S. should engage in diplomacy with Hamas. Now he believes the opposite.
* McCain believed the U.S. should engage in diplomacy with Syria. Now he believes the opposite.
* He argued the NRA should not have a role in the Republican Party’s policy making. Now he believes the opposite.
* McCain supported his own lobbying-reform legislation from 1997. Now he doesn’t.
* He wanted political support from radical televangelists like John Hagee and Rod Parsley. Now he doesn’t.
* McCain supported the Lieberman/Warner legislation to combat global warming. Now he doesn’t.
* McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically, McCain was asked if he is a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”
* McCain is both for and against a “rogue state rollback” as a focus of his foreign policy vision.
* McCain says he considered and did not consider joining John Kerry’s Democratic ticket in 2004.
* In 1998, he championed raising cigarette taxes to fund programs to cut underage smoking, insisting that it would prevent illnesses and provide resources for public health programs. Now, McCain opposes a $0.61-per-pack tax increase, won’t commit to supporting a regulation bill he’s co-sponsoring, and has hired Philip Morris’ former lobbyist as his senior campaign adviser.
* McCain has changed his economic worldview on multiple occasions.
* McCain has changed his mind about a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq on multiple occasions.
* McCain is both for and against attacking Barack Obama over his former pastor at his former church.
* McCain believes Americans are both better and worse off than they were before Bush took office.
* McCain is both for and against earmarks for Arizona.
* McCain believes his endorsement from radical televangelist John Hagee was both a good and bad idea.
* McCain’s first mortgage plan was premised on the notion that homeowners facing foreclosure shouldn’t be “rewarded” for acting “irresponsibly.” His second mortgage plan took largely the opposite position.
* McCain vowed, if elected, to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Soon after, he decided he would no longer even try to reach that goal.
* In February 2008, McCain reversed course on prohibiting waterboarding.
* McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty’s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes it.
* McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants’ kids who graduate from high school. Now he’s against it.
* On immigration policy in general, McCain announced in February 2008 that he would vote against his own legislation.
* In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving “feedback” on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he opposes his own measure.
* McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.”
* McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”
* McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite.
* McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed.
* McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance” in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans “deserved” the 9/11 attacks.
* McCain used to oppose Bush’s tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.
* On a related note, he said 2005 that he opposed the tax cuts because they were “too tilted to the wealthy.” By 2007, he denied ever having said this, and insisted he opposed the cuts because of increased government spending.
* In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending “dirty money” to help finance Bush’s presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.
* McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June 2007, he abandoned his own legislation.
* McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he supported it.
* McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.
* McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he’s pro-ethanol.
* McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.
* McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.
44 Kool-Aid Flavors, Past and Present — and each one represents a McSame flip-flop:
Apple, Berry Blue, Black Cherry, Bunch Berry, Cherry, Cherry Cracker, Cola, Eerie Orange, Frutas, Golden Nectar, Grape, Grapeberry Splash, Great Bluedini, Incrediberry, Kickin-Kiwi-Lime, Lemon-Lime, Lemonade, Man-o-Mangoberry, Mountainberry Punch, Oh-Yeah Orange-Pineapple, Orange Pina-Pineapple, Pink Lemonade, Pink Swimmingo, Purplesaurus Rex, Rainbow Punch, Raspberry, Roarin’ Raspberry Cranberry,
Rock-a-dile Red, Rootbeer, Scary Black Cherry, Scary Blackberry, Sharkleberry Fin, Slammin’ Strawberry-Kiwi, Soarin’ Strawberry-Lemonade, Strawberry, Strawberry Falls Punch, Strawberry Split, Strawberry-Raspberry, Sunshine Punch
Surfin’ Berry Punch, Tangerine, Tropical Punch, Watermelon-Cherry.
Just saying . . .
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:54 pmjonny,
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pmthat is because
“The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind”
Count,
Fear no more. When Obama gets elected Kool-Aid will return to its original flavors and be return to its jammed display in your neighborhood grocery store.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm30. Alecto Says:
_____
“How many flip-flops can one coot deny ….”
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pmI hope the Koolaid guy makea an appearance on Jan 20, 2009 and takes off his set of handcuffs and hugs President Obama and decries:
“They have had me locked up in a holding cell in the basement of the Whitehouse since Watergate, where the hell have you guys been?”
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 pmjonny,
That could be a whole parody.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pmTrippleDick,
If a woman decides to have a child, you’ll just reverse her decision using the Air Force. Or you’ll let that child live eighteen years and use stop-loss.
How generous of you to care. Stupid bastard.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pmHow many flip-flops can one coot deny
Before they call you insane
How many houses must one man own
Before they call you homeless
The answer my friend,
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 pmis blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind
35. McWars Says:
_____
DrippyDick & his repulsive ilk maintain that a vote makes him a baby-killer.
Wonder how many babies Maverick McCowflop actually killed personally before he got his ass shot down.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:05 pmOne could have a bit of fun with those flavor names:
Kickin-Iraqi-Lime-stocked in copius amounts at House #1
Snarkleberry Fin-John’s nighttime tonic
Sunshine Bunch-poured at Campaign HQ
Rock-a-dile Redneck-mailed out in small packets to supporters
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:05 pmstateofthedivision Says:
Rock-a-dile Redneck-mailed out in small packets to supporters
That better not be white powder buddy.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm#37 jonny Says:
But let us remember, since he signed on to the current torture as “Enhanced interogation technique” He can no longer claim he was tortured, as those acts are now sanctioned as Enhanced Interogation techniques”
Repeat it often, repeat it loudly.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pmMcInsane was NOT TORTURED
Yep, littly Johnny McCain doesn’t believe what he suffered is torture anymore. So the traitor signed confessions and made tapes because he couldn’t deal with a little enhanced interrogation. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:14 pmRight on, jonny.
About the puff piece AP article TP linked to, they mentioned McCain “survived an explosion aboard the carrier Forrestal that left 134 dead.”
Did that have to do with the “wet start” practice?
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm40. Alecto Says:
_____
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm.
R E M E M B E R:
According to the Bush Administration, McMaverick was never tortured.
.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm“McCain Claims That Anyone Who Says He’s Flip-Flopped Is ‘Drinking The Kool-Aid’”
lol From that statement alone, all I can say is Gramps McSame needs more nap time.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:24 pmThe old coot thinks the way to the presidency is name calling. Grampy McSame, you’re losing it, MY FRIEND.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm“Daryll Says:
——————————————————————————–
Amen, Senator,amen. They are drinking koolaid that is bitter and sour. It lacks sweetness. It rottens teeth and dillutes the mind. Once you’re hooked on, you attitude to life is equivalent to residents in the San Francisco area, as well as other liberals.
“
Phuck you! You are full of hate and are of no use to this great democracy moving forward!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:43 pm47. Daryll Says:
_____
Never been to San Francisco, have ya, Jethro? Yeah, it is a little different from Dogpatch.
Why do you hate Americans, Jethro?
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pmoh the debates should be wonderful!
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pmThe comments on this post point out two very important factors that will weigh heavily on this election. The first being the technological advances in communication in the last few years and secondly the complete disregard of the same by the Republicans. During our formative years McOld and I got out visual news on Saturday afternoon at the movie theater. Our audio news came on the radio in the evening if Dear Departed Daddy had sold enough feeder pigs to buy new “B” batteries. Our written news came via the local (15 miles away) weekly newspaper and a week-old (if Uncle Estel was home)Saturday Evening Post. The Presidential Candidate’s railroad train stopped in the big city (90 miles away where we got to maybe once every two years) and what we knew of them was what was reported in the local papers a week or two later. They could say any thing to anybody and never flip-flopped because it was impossible to compare notes. That is the world in which McAncient still lives and operates. He still believes that he can tell one side what they want to hear in the morning and in the afternoon tell the other side the opposite and no one will ever know. It is just not so today. He can fart in Bangor, Maine and the Democrats in Bangor, Washington will know what he had for lunch before he can change his underwear. Like it or not, we have immediate communication today–EVERYWHERE. It is a whole new world today and let it be a whole new world tomorrow. Let McClueless go on preaching to his imagined choir until November when all us fat ladies will begin to sing and McGone fades into the bushco morass.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pmDarryl, You have GOT to stop hating America.
Why does Darryl hate America?
Why does Darryl hate her potential?
Why does Darryl infest our nation with religious poison?
God doesn’t know who you are, Darryl.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 pmDarryl, why do you carry the bible around, when you lack reading comprehension?
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 pmCrusty OB,
What about those COMPLETELY tricked up voting machines?
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 pm52. McWars Says:
_______
Daryll hates San Francisco. The citizens are literate, they brush their teeth, their heads are symmetrical, and there aren’t a lotta banjos in evidence.
Daryll fears & hates what he doesn’t understand.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:52 pmDarryl, what if President Obama were to replace you in your government job with a gay or lesbian? Most Americans think that should happen, you demented freak.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:53 pmIn the recent Past, the conversation was all about Obama.
This was the Republican Game Plan.
Now the conversation is also About McCain. Soon it will also be about President Bush.
This must have the Republicans worried.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pmjonny Says:
Daryll hates San Francisco. The citizens are literate, they brush their teeth, their heads are symmetrical, and there aren’t a lotta banjos in evidence.
Hahahhaaaahahayahahhahah!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pmOh, that McCain — he’s so witty!
So yesterday.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 pmThis campaign is going to be the downfall of McCain — he is wearing under the stress. His memory is worse — his gaffes are more — his errors are numerous.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 pmHe can only campaign once a day, with weekends off.
How could he handle the White House?
All that is lacking is his having a fit of temper on video – he will be toast.
Marie Says:
——————————————————————————–
This campaign is going to be the downfall of McCain — he is wearing under the stress. His memory is worse — his gaffes are more — his errors are numerous.
He can only campaign once a day, with weekends off.
How could he handle the White House?
All that is lacking is his having a fit of temper on video – he will be toast.
It all sounds bad but he has the corporate, fascist, RePugniScum MSM sucking his d*ck all the way to the finish line!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm. . . a sadder, but wiser man
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 pmhe woke the morrow morn
dixie blood Says: “What about those COMPLETELY tricked up voting machines?”
We had that covered. We used a pencil that we sharpened with a pocket knife. Aunt Edith counted the votes so we knew it was right.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:07 pmWould that be the very same kool-aid that your supporters drink ?
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:12 pmHuston . . we have a connection . .
Boy, what a flip flopper! To think it’s been us liberals who have used “drinking the Kool-aid” to describe the neocons who support George Bush, now Johnny McTeleprompter is using it. *sigh* He can’t even NOT flip flop when he’s trying to tell everyone he’s not a flip flopper.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:12 pmDid he change his mind about medical marijuana, too? He looks like he over-medicated there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:16 pmCrusty OBm
Can we go back to the pencil?
It would be more fair and accurate than the sh|t machines that will INACCURATELY count our next election.
Crooked machines will elect McBotch regarless of turn out.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 pmMcCain keeps writing Obama’s ads – can’t wait till they include this gem.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pmSorry “Crusty OBm” should be “Crusty OB,”
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 pmBad enough that McCain flipflops.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pmEven worse that he says he doesn’t
worse still is that any kid with YouTube can put together a great commercial showing the flops.
McCain hated Romney didn’t he but now he’s going to be his VP pick. Well he was but since Romney has as much money as McCain I’m thinking McCain will have to flip flop on this choice too.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pmdixie blood Says: “Can we go back to the pencil?
It would be more fair and accurate than the sh|t machines that will INACCURATELY count our next election.
Crooked machines will elect McBotch regarless of turn out.”
Dixie,
My normal cynical self could not agree with you more, however, the ever present but well hidden optimism tells me that twice burnt the American voter will not tolerate another hanging chad or Supreme Court Dictum. I think there will be so many “Precinct Monitors,” official and/or unofficial that any hanky that tries to mate with panky will be tarred and feathered and run out of town on the Diebold. In addition, the difference will be so great in the “honest” States that one or two Repuke owned vote counters will have little or no effect.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pmHey, its Daryll the pseudo-con. Still driving that gas guzzler Daryll? As I recall, Daryll, McCain called people that used religion as a means to demonize, judge and hate as agents of intolerance.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pmHe thinks everybody else drinks the koolaid because he can’t remember what he was for yesterday. Senile old coot.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 pmDaryll, scores two points on today’s “Frequent Lyer” talking points.
Amen, Senator,amen. They are drinking koolaid that is bitter and sour. It lacks sweetness. It rottens teeth and dillutes the mind. Once you’re hooked on, you attitude to life is equivalent to residents in the San Francisco area, as well as other liberals.
That’ll get you a couple of packets of Rock-a-dile Redneck Koolaid. Enjoy the rush!
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 pmI find it ironically hilarious that Daryll supports the free-market myth while not considering that capitalism creates liberalism because of its exploitative nature of peoples desires hidden and real.
Lets take Bernays for instance. The tobacco industry was looking for a way to get people [women] to smoke more. Bernays asked Freud why women didnt smoke. The answer was they saw cigarettes/cigars as a a phallic symbol and they would have to frame cigarettes/cigars in a new way. Bernays had the women hide cigarettes in their hose/skirts and when the media was about he gave the signal for the women to light up calling the cigarettes ‘freedom torches’ which broke the taboo.
Free-market right Daryll?
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 pmPerhaps the senator should check out “flipflop.bi30.org” for a refresher.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 pmShayne Says:
McCain hated Romney didn’t he but now he’s going to be his VP pick. Well he was but since Romney has as much money as McCain I’m thinking McCain will have to flip flop on this choice too.
Actually, Romney has more that twice as much money as the McCains, plus five sons who have never served in the military. Elitist, yes, but I’m sure Mittens knows how many houses he owns!
If the Fundies have a problem with McStain, wait until it sinks in that #2 in line for the Oval Office is a Mormon (cult, in BACville) and was both pro-choice and pro-gun control in just the last few years!
So we have flip flop McStain running with flip flop Mittens? The ads just write themselves!
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 pmWow. Once again, I arrive late to the site, and next thing I know the definition of Kool-Aid had been switched to truth serum. I’m afraid I just can’t keep up with the terminology these days.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pmAll I can say is he is pathetic. He’s changed positions on so many issues, I cannot keep track. You are the ultimate panderer, John. Sorry to say that’s what you are reduced too.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pmTomorrow, McCain will claim never to have heard of a flip-flop or kool-aid.
Somebody pin a note to his shirt before the man gets lost on his way home(s).
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pmDang, GOD sure is punishing those sinners, like Limbaugh, in Florida
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 pmWell, I guess when you can’t defend yourself, the traditional strategy is to attack. McCain can’t explain why he talks out of both sides of his mouth, so he uses a catch-phrase that demonstrates his lack of knowledge as to what it means.
McCain DID say that we all grow wiser and we change our positions. This is true. But one would think this is more of an evolutionary process that takes place over time. For example, I have different opinions now at age 52 than I did at age 18. But McCain switches his positions in the space of a couple of years, and in some cases — months. And he went flip-flop-flip on Social Security taxes within a 12 hour period.
When he says that “we all grow” — I had no idea he meant like giant bamboo.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 pmI wonder how he finds his car after stopping and going into a store…
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pmXisithrus Says:
I wonder how he finds his car after stopping and going into a store…
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
He has “people” for that sort of thing. The kind of “people” who don’t count as servants, which makes Obama an elitist. :-D
Hey Zep, how ya doin’?
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pmHey Zep, how ya doin’? -Zoo
Good, just got back from visiting my younger brother in New Mexico. You?
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pmI hope you had a good visit, Zep.
I’m busy getting ready to go back to school. Had a bit of a crazy & sad summer.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 pmI’m busy getting ready to go back to school. Had a bit of a crazy & sad summer. -Zoo
So I read. How are your parents?
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 pmZep,
Mom has gone on, and Dad is hanging in there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 pmZep,
Mom has gone on, and Dad is hanging in there. -Zoo
My sincerest condolences Zooey.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pmThank you, Zep.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pmYet she is still very close to you for one step forward and one step to the left is where those we love reside, unseen but not unfelt.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pmShe’ll always live in my heart. :)
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pmShe’ll always live in my heart. :)
With such a big heart as you have there is probably room for all of us.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pmYou’re such a great guy, Zep. :)
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pmThank you.
You’re such a great guy, Zep. :)
Thank you.
I am just an average guy, but thanks. =P
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 pmThanks johnny…I’ll use your talking points in the future. My wife is tunning for State Rep in a district that’s never voted Democrat. We love a good challenge!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:06 pmrunning, not tunning….sucks you can’t correct your post.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 pmI’m so very sorry for your loss, Zooey. Hang in there and don’t be afraid to be selfish and take care of yourself. I know, from bitter experience, that “being strong” can make one very ill. It’s kinda like putting on your own oxygen mask before the young children. You don’t yourself, or anyone else, any good if you’re passed out. And remind those grown boys of yours that they aren’t too old to give Mom a hug.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 pmI’m sorry but I’m not a baby boomer and I’m not in the age range of McCain’s voting block. I’ve never heard of the phrase ‘drinking the kool-aid’. I mean, I figured it out right away. It shows you that McCain is too old and disengaged with younger voters and reality itself.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 pmThe “drinking the Kool-Aid” expression seems pretty popular among politicians and pundits. O’Reilly goes so far as to break out a Kool-Aid logo when talking about “far left loons”
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 amConsidering its grisly origins, I’ve always been baffled as to why the phrase is so casually thrown around. It’s particularly strange that conservatives would use a phrase that is not so much about politics, as it is about blind religious devotion.
How well do you know your DNC? If you’re good, I’ll give you 1,000$.
We all know the DNC and RNC(bleh) are coming up. For some reason, only 236.com seems to be running a good trivia contest as the conventions unfold. The winner will win 1,000$. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to win the cash but I’ll probably beat all of you…except for maybe two of you. Start taking the quiz here:
http://236.pickmanager.com/
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 amThe more seasoned and wiser . . . the more putrid [frowzy, fusty, musty, rancid, rotten].
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:13 amMcCain needs to seek professional help at this point. It really seems like he is senile. Kind of sad, actually.
Here’s a little list of 61 flip-flops by Steve Benen:
National Security Policy
1. McCain thought Bush’s warrantless wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.
2. McCain insisted that everyone, even “terrible killers,” “the worst kind of scum of humanity,” and detainees at Guantanamo Bay, “deserve to have some adjudication of their cases,” even if that means “releasing some of them.” McCain now believes the opposite.
3. He opposed indefinite detention of terrorist suspects. When the Supreme Court reached the same conclusion, he called it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”
4. In February, McCain reversed course on prohibiting waterboarding.
5. McCain favored closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay before he was against it.
6. When Barack Obama talked about going after terrorists in Pakistani mountains with Predators, McCain criticized him for it. He’s since come to the opposite conclusion.
Foreign Policy
7. McCain was for kicking Russia out of the G8 before he was against it.
8. McCain supported moving “toward normalization of relations” with Cuba. Now he believes the opposite.
9. McCain believed the United States should engage in diplomacy with Hamas. Now he believes the opposite.
10. McCain believed the United States should engage in diplomacy with Syria. Now he believes the opposite.
11. McCain is both for and against a “rogue state rollback” as a focus of his foreign policy vision.
12. McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty’s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes it.
13. McCain was against divestment from South Africa before he was for it.
Military Policy
14. McCain recently claimed that he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”
15. McCain has changed his mind about a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq on multiple occasions, concluding, on multiple occasions, that a Korea-like presence is both a good idea and a bad idea.
16. McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.”
17. McCain has repeatedly said it’s a dangerous mistake to tell the “enemy” when U.S. troops would be out of Iraq. In May, McCain announced that most American troops would be home from Iraq by 2013.
18. McCain was against expanding the GI Bill before he was for it.
Domestic Policy
19. McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)
20. McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.
21. McCain supported storing spent nuclear fuel at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Now he believes the opposite.
22. He argued that the NRA should not have a role in the Republican Party’s policy making. Now he believes the opposite.
23. In 1998, he championed raising cigarette taxes to fund programs to cut underage smoking, insisting that it would prevent illnesses and provide resources for public health programs. Now, McCain opposes a $0.61-per-pack tax increase, won’t commit to supporting a regulation bill he’s co-sponsoring, and has hired Philip Morris’ former lobbyist as his senior campaign adviser.
24. McCain is both for and against earmarks for Arizona.
25. McCain’s first mortgage plan was premised on the notion that homeowners facing foreclosure shouldn’t be “rewarded” for acting “irresponsibly.” His second mortgage plan took largely the opposite position.
26. McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed.
27. McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr. before he supported it.
28. McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he’s pro-ethanol.
29. McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.
30. In 2005, McCain endorsed intelligent design creationism, a year later he said the opposite, and a few months after that, he was both for and against creationism at the same time.
Economic Policy
31. McCain was against Bush’s tax cuts for the very wealthy before he was for them.
32. John McCain initially argued that economics is not an area of expertise for him, saying, “I’m going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues; I still need to be educated,” and “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.” He now falsely denies ever having made these remarks and insists that he has a “very strong” understanding of economics.
33. McCain vowed, if elected, to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term. Soon after, he decided he would no longer even try to reach that goal. And soon after that, McCain abandoned his second position and went back to his first.
34. McCain said in 2005 that he opposed the tax cuts because they were “too tilted to the wealthy.” By 2007, he denied ever having said this, and falsely argued that he opposed the cuts because of increased government spending.
35. McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.
36. McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically, McCain was asked if he is a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”
37. McCain has changed his entire economic worldview on multiple occasions.
38. McCain believes Americans are both better and worse off economically than they were before Bush took office.
Energy Policy
39. McCain supported the moratorium on coastal drilling; now he’s against it.
40. McCain recently announced his strong opposition to a windfall tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.
41. McCain endorsed a cap-and-trade policy with a mandatory emissions cap. In mid-June, McCain announced he wants the caps to be voluntary.
42. McCain explained his belief that a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax would provide an immediate economic stimulus. Shortly thereafter, he argued the exact opposite.
43. McCain supported the Lieberman/Warner legislation to combat global warming. Now he doesn’t.
Immigration Policy
44. McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants’ kids who graduate from high school. Now he’s against it.
45. On immigration policy in general, McCain announced in February 2008 that he would vote against his own bill.
46. In April, McCain promised voters that he would secure the borders “before proceeding to other reform measures.” Two months later, he abandoned his public pledge, pretended that he’d never made the promise in the first place, and vowed that a comprehensive immigration reform policy has always been, and would always be, his “top priority.”
Judicial Policy and the Rule of Law
47. McCain said he would “not impose a litmus test on any nominee.” He used to promise the opposite.
48. McCain believes the telecoms should be forced to explain their role in the administration’s warrantless surveillance program as a condition for retroactive immunity. He used to believe the opposite.
49. McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite.
Campaign, Ethics, and Lobbying Reform
50. McCain supported his own lobbying-reform legislation from 1997. Now he doesn’t.
51. In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving “feedback” on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he opposes his own measure.
52. McCain supported a campaign-finance bill, which bore his name, on strengthening the public-financing system. In June 2007, he abandoned his own legislation.
Politics and Associations
53. McCain wanted political support from radical televangelist John Hagee. Now he doesn’t.
54. McCain wanted political support from radical televangelist Rod Parsley. Now he doesn’t.
55. McCain says he considered and did not consider joining John Kerry’s Democratic ticket in 2004.
56. McCain is both for and against attacking Barack Obama over his former pastor at his former church.
57. McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance” in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans “deserved” the 9/11 attacks.
58. In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending “dirty money” to help finance Bush’s presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.
59. McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.
60. McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the honorary co-chair for his presidential campaign in New York.
61. McCain believed powerful right-wing activist/lobbyist Grover Norquist was “corrupt, a shill for dictators, and (with just a dose of sarcasm) Jack Abramoff’s gay lover.” McCain now considers Norquist a key political ally.
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 amTAXES: In 2001 and 2003, McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts, saying that they would “mostly benefit the wealthy.” But in 2006 he voted to extend them and now he wants to double them.
So how much did McCain cost to change his opinion on this? The great wealth transfer, more to the top and in a time of war and promise of more wars.
August 23rd, 2008 at 3:46 amYou don’t even know San Francisco, Daryll except what Bill O’Reilly tells you. You don’t know San Francisco values such as trying to give people a living wage, compassion, and justice. You don’t know how many workers died here for better working conditions, you don’t know jack s*it except for your talking points…All you see is Dobson complaining about TEH HOMO-SEX-YOU-ALL agenda and you assume that everyone in SAN fRANCISCO is evil and should burn in hell…
Perhaps you should visit the place, I promise you won’t go to hell for that…
August 23rd, 2008 at 5:06 amNot flip flop. The forked tongue express, says one thing, votes another. Lies about it the week after, claims amnesia. This is most notable, my friends, in his voting record for veterans in the Armed Services.
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm