John McCain in 08 would either revitalize or destroy the Democratic Party

[Armstead]

If John McCain gets the GOP nimination in 08, it is going to force the Democratic Party to make a clear choice.

He would be touted as the "anti-establishment" candidate, running against the mushy status quo and the boineheaded elite and entrenched power. He will be perceived as the candidate for reform, and the breath of fresh air voters will be clamoring for after the last eight years.

Of course, that will largely be an illusion. McCain is an ultra conservative, and his policies in the real world translate to more of the same, and continued perpetuation of the elite oligarchy.

But it's going to box the Democrats into a corner, because in an ironic flip-flop, the Democratic Party could be perceived as the party of the status quo. The Democrats defending the Beltway Elite against McCain, the white knight of populist reform.

That's one reason, IMO, the Democrats have to stop being the proverbial dead armadillo in the middle of the road real soon.

We can bash Bush until the cows come home, but if the GOP decides to make a U-Turn and move away from the Bush crew, it will make the Democratic Party irrelevant in the big picture.

Our side needs to crave out an identity as the party of real reform, which means addressing the core issues that have been ignored for too many years, and staking a position that is clearly on the side of the people against the entrenched morass of power and wealth.

[brainshrub]

1. McCain won't get it.

McCain won't get it for the same reasons Kucinich won't get the nomination. The current power-structure shuns anyone capable of creative thought.

[expatriot]

7. um, no. Republicans march in lock step. If conservative leaders are

put into a room and told "Hey, it's either McCain or a Democrat." They will go with McCain. McCain is very evil. Very very evil. He is even more evil than Bush because people believe the myth that McCain is a "maverick" and a "moderate."

[aquart]

2. Aww, you're being funny.

McCain is a Bush asslicker. He has done nothing any Republican would rally around.

And any Dem who votes for him is beyond the definition of stupid. This man is NOT our friend. And I don't think many Republicans see him as a savior either. He's appeared with Bush too often.

It was, after all, McCain's cake.

[Armstead]

3. I said it is perception...and it's not that far-fetched

If things keep going as they are, the GOP will recognize the need to at least seem to change their spots. And a McCain, Guilini or other "moderate" Republican could be their antidote.

The Republicans who really dislike McCain are the more diehard fundy types. The GOP power structure may see the need to jettison them anyway to become more "centrist," as the Democrats once jettisoned its base of true believers of liberals and progressives.

[melody]

5. I think you're correct

The GOPhers are going to have to go to McCain or Giuliani or a similar type person.

The real hope of the Dems is to go left then mock the right-wing for their "paranoia" of liberals. The Dems need to use the psychological ploys the right has set up against them. They need to start attacking their right-wing mouthpieces now and set themselves up as a real alternative *now*.

[karynnj]

9. Guiliani would be a real change as he is a liberal on some social issues

For this reason McCain who seems a maverick, but isn't might be easier for them to swollow.

[Armstead]

19. Guiliani is a Fascist who is liberal on his own morality

He is just as right wing as any Republican. He just happens to be more sympathetic to certain aspects of civil liberties related to some aspects of sexuality.

However his jihads against museums that carried sexual material showed that he isn't all that liberated.

More important, some of the ways he "cleaned up" New York were very right-wing and against the concept of civil liberties.

[Vincardog]

4. That doe not change the fact that Democrats have to stake out

clear positions for Universal Health Care, Full employment at living wages, Free Universal Education, and definitely against the Corporate Capitalistic FASCIST policies of the RADICAL RIGHT WING NUTS

[Zenlitened]

6. "Breath of fresh air"? The only air McCain is breathing...

... comes straight from Dubya's armpit:



I don't think we'd have any trouble letting voters know McCain is little more than a lap-(or underarm-)dog. Any remaining illusions people have about McCain should be pretty easy to dispel.

[PsN2Wind]

11. Strange you should refer to McaCain as "A lap-dog"

as I always refer to that picture as McCain humping Bush's leg.

[Wabbajack]

21. Is Bush his daddy?

What's with that hug?!

[expatriot]

8. The difference between McCain and Bush has always been one of strategy....

...not substance. They both have the same real powers behind them... pure, unadulterated anti-democratic corporate powers. The difference is strategy. Bush rules by pandering the to the social conservative base while McCain's strategy is to first and foremost try and appeal to the moderates as a "maverick." They both have the same agenda. McCain is one of the most if not the most anti-union, pro-corporate Senator out there.

[snowbear]

10. Armstead .... that is strictly YOUR opinion.......

McCain isn't as impressive as you make him out to be.

He's also OLDER THAN DIRT. http://eliteleague.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/duh!.gif

He's the ultimate FLIP-FLOPPER and I don't think there's a chance in hell he'd win.

And that Armstead, is my opinion..

[adigal]

12. And I think he is sick, too

He does not look well to me, at all. One side of his neck seems to be always bulging. I wonder if his cancer (right??) came back.

[Armstead]

20. Not my opinion

I've never been impressed by anything about him except his willingness on occasion to go against the GOP power mongers, like on campaign finance reform.

But the media paints him as independent, and when you have Democrats like John Kerry not laughing at the rumors of a joint ticket, it's pretty clear he's not as far-fetched as it seems.

But you're right....Everything I write here on DU is my own opinion. :)

[rniel]

13. i would love the political ads

Of him hugging and kissing bush and kissing his ass at every turn. Followed by Bush/Rove's attack on his wife and family.

[rniel]

14. Most true republicans I've been around

Absolutely can't stand John McCain. And the same for a lot of democrats. He wants to appear in the middle by angering both sides. He's a big fake. He's probably more right wing then you could imagine.

One trait that may get him far is what a great bootlicker he is. You could burn his house down and if you were the guy he had to kiss ass to he'd drop on his knees and thank you for burning his house down.

[snowbear]

15. What the hell does this mean Armstead.....

...."but if the GOP decides to make a U-Turn and move away from the Bush crew, it will make the Democratic Party irrelevant in the big picture."

Explain yourself --- because that statement makes absolutely no sense at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ((( :wtf: )))

[Armstead]

22. The Republicans could appear to be the party of "the center"

If they expunge the boil that currently is at the top of the GOP, and sacrifice the hard-core wingnuts, the GOP could easily rehabilitate their image and seem to be the party of "the center."

Yes, it would all be appearances, and the same bastids would still be pulling the strings. But they could easily do it.

And if they do that, the Democrats would be in big trouble, if they don't carve out their own territory.

With two "kinder and gentler" Corporate Parties, the GOP would have a distinct advantage over a Corporate Democratic Party.

[Strawman]

16. Let him whip people up against the status quo

and then outflank him. He's for campaign finance reform, we're for full public financing. That's how you really give ordinary citizens some power.

[sadiesworld]

17. You're dead on.

I think McCain is a *-loving corporate toad but that is NOT the view held by the largely uninformed middle. Hell, he'll even be able to point a bit of an environmental record (which will probably come in handy in the future). Of course, the diehards hate him but if we run Kerry or Clinton? My guess is that the rabid right will trudge out to the polls and hold their collective snouts while they vote for McCain. Even if some stay home, my guess is that some will be staying home on the left as well.

[Crunchy Frog]

18. I think he's completely washed up.

That picture of him and * eating cake while Katrina was tearing into the Gulf will not do him any good politically. He's completely blown his appearance of being an independent minded maverick, and frankly just looks weak and pathetic.

Plus, the hardline Pukes hate him and would never let him get the nomination.