Posts with the tag 'independent'
The network of McCain supporter sites is going through a growth spurt, right, left, and center. On July 1st, the anniversary of John McCain’s promotion to Commander of Attack Squadron 174 in 1976, the founders of John McCain 2008 Social Network and McCain Now are launching LetsGetThisRight.com. They have worked tirelessly to launch a site that focuses on supporting Senator McCain and local Republicans across the country. They are looking to raise money for a series of candidates in important races.
On the other side of the spectrum, let me welcome Clinton supporters who now support Senator McCain to the club. The establishment and networking of Clinton supporters not willing to support Senator Obama, has been impressive to say the least. Over 125 sites and blogs have emerged within a few weeks. A list of all (or most) is available at Just Say No Deal. Here are a few that have already established a significant following. Clintons 4 McCain, Savage Politics, Puma Party (which includes the Puma Party forum), Done Dems, Hillary Clinton Forum, and Dems 4 McCain. Certainly, not all who have decided not to vote Obama have committed to voting McCain. However, there is mounting evidence that many Clinton supporters will vote McCain.
Some Hillary supporters have even decided to donate to Senator McCain’s campaign on July 4th. As a show of support, many long time McCain supporters have also agreed to contribute on that day. The request is that Hillary supporters make donations in amounts like $5.44, $25.44, or $125.44 and others donate in whole dollar amounts so Clinton supporters can be differentiated and counted.
Other new Pro-McCain sites include…
Battleground States ‘08 is a contributor based blog giving a state to state perspective on the presidential race.
Local Republicans similarly is a contributor based blog focused on down ticket candidates and state and local Republican candidates.
Grand Old Partisan is an excellent site for those interested in history. It remembers that the GOP is the party of Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.
also…
Jews for McCain
Conservative Mom in a Liberal World
Its All Dicta
McCain Brigade
McCain Independent
McCain Supporters
Local Republicans
Obama Independent or McCain Independent?
Red Arizona
Right Score
Stop Obama Vote McCain
Democrats and Independents for McCain Social Network
Tags: candidate, Clinton, Democrats, hillary, Hillary Clinton, independent, independents, John McCain, liberal, mccain, politics, president, republican, republicans
June 29th, 2008
With the Republican Party facing significant challenges in the upcoming elections here’s some advice from a friendly fiscally conservative Independent.
1. Recognize that the reason this election has been branded a ‘change’ election is that people are fed up with President Bush and his associates, and realize why they are fed up.
The President’s low approval rates aren’t simply issue based. There have been almost two decades of elections that show that the American people are split about 50/50 Republican and Democrat. The low numbers reflect a distaste for how things have been done. There has been an arrogance that often accompanies power that people are sick of. There is a perception that the president doesn’t consider opinions other than his own, and that loyalty to the President is valued over loyalty to ones country. Finally, campaigning has frequently been done in a less than decent manner and it has not only worn thin, but has become obvious and heavy-handed.
2. Fess up to mistakes.
A Republican strength has always been fiscal conservatism, low spending, low taxes. Admit that Republicans didn’t follow the wishes of their constituency on spending, and then prove that you will fix it. Admit that mistakes were made at the beginning of the Iraq War. It doesn’t take a foreign policy genius to realize this, and not admitting it makes Republicans look foolish.
3. Pick your issues.
Pick what is most important and run with it. Whether it is conservative judges, second amendment rights, fiscal conservatism, or a conservative foreign policy, there are plenty of people that support those positions, don’t whine if someone doesn’t agree on every issue that’s normal. The demands for party or candidate conformity will only disenfranchise people, focus on areas of agreement to pull people together.
4. Do what Republicans do best – Win.
For all the political hand wringing, what Republicans did in the primaries was pick the most electable candidate. John McCain provides a resolution to most of these problems. While the Democrat’s goal is to tie McCain to Bush there have always been significant differences between the two, and Senator McCain is the Republican most capable of running as a ‘change’ candidate. He has shown exceptional loyalty to his country, and he is known as a maverick because he doesn’t always follow the party line. He has repeatedly embraced bi-partisanship to get legislation passed. He has battled against pork barrel projects for years. He has been bold in pointing out the mistakes made in Iraq, being the only Republican to call for Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation, and being an early vocal supporter of the surge. He campaigns with decency and was the only Republican to condemn the Swift Boat ads against John Kerry. While this may have upset some Republicans, this gives him credibility with the American people, while maintaining a traditional conservative viewpoint. The party should take a cue from the electorate and embrace the changes that McCain represents. People are frustrated with the current political situation. Republicans don’t need to mope about it, just adjust. A McCain Obama race is one that Republicans can win. Take your cues from your nominee and run a good strong race.
Tags: bipartisan, bush administration, independent, party politics, president bush, republican
May 18th, 2008
As an Independent and someone who never felt the need for others think the way I do politically, there are several reasons I’ve been able to become such a die-hard McCain supporter. While some of those reasons are issue and experience related, one element that has aided this non-conformist in espousing my political opinion is that Senator McCain has been running a very decent and honest campaign. In his NH town hall meetings he would often say how he respects those who disagree with him voters and political opponents alike, and that he won’t attack anyone’s character. This sort of ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’ element of his campaign is refreshing, and could also be politically useful.
I have a sister who a confirmed Democrat and ardent Hillary supporter. When she found out that I was a McCain supporter last fall she was not amused and went up one side of me and down the other for supporting a Republican, ending her rant by saying that I could come work on the Clinton campaign when Senator McCain dropped out. As political fortunes changed, I bit my tongue and behaved gratuitously in spite of my desire to act like a 12 year old. In the mean time several Obama supporters have treated her rather rudely, and she’s actually considering voting for McCain in the Fall if Senator Clinton doesn’t win the nomination. While my guess is that she is very unlikely to vote Republican, there is a lesson in treating people (including the opposition) kindly. It’s a refreshing tact that Senator McCain has taken in promising a civil and above board contest, and hopefully his good behavior will be rewarded.
Published at Purple People Vote
Tags: Clinton, democrat, drop out, golden rule, hillary, independent, John McCain, republican, sister, supporter
April 7th, 2008
Despite the rants of some conservative radio commentators, the appeal that Senator McCain has to Independents isn’t that ‘he’s a liberal’, it’s that he’s principled. He gets things done. One reason I think conservative radio has become so mad isn’t because they disagree with him on issues, it’s because he has repeatedly stated that he won’t bash or belittle his political opponents. This is conservative radio’s forte, and Senator McCain’s approach may be seen as a threat. However, to many Independents it’s music to our ears. There are plenty of people left, right, and center that are simply sick of the bickering. There’s plenty to discuss and debate with out lowering the level of discourse to that of a junior high argument. The other aspect that angers some conservatives is that he not only opposed them on certain positions, but he headed up the legislation for those contrary views. As an Independent I see this as a positive. He knows how to reach across the isle, and he’s a worker. He doesn’t just sit on his hands and say ‘well they don’t completely agree with me therefore I’ll do nothing’. Good Senators have to compromise otherwise there’s gridlock, and Senator McCain is a good Senator. There’s also an appeal to this because it shows that his loyalty to his beliefs and the American people takes precedence to party loyalty. Some party people may not like that, but that is sorely needed in politics right now.
Now the reason I think he’ll win the race in November is issues and content. First Iraq and foreign policy: he knows more about war and foreign policy issues than any other candidate by miles. He was right about Iraq and staked his career on his support of the surge when it was very unpopular to do so. He knows the political players around the world, he’s been there he’s talked to many of them, and he simply knows his stuff. The Democrats really can’t hold a candle to him in this area. Even though the supposition is that the Iraq War is unpopular therefore the Democrats win, if people come to this election with an open mind he wins those open-minded people in a landslide. Second, he has an excellent human rights record. He addressed the situation with the monks in Burma, the genocide in Darfur, protection of children from online predators, opposed torture, and whenever an issue of human rights comes up Senator McCain is there front and center. This is an area I hope the campaign plays up more, because conventional thinking may give Democrats the edge on human rights, but the conventional wisdom is wrong. Finally, there’s experience. (I’ll skip health care and taxes for the sake of brevity.) Senator McCain is simply far more qualified to be president. He’s applying for the hardest job on earth, and it’s not an entry-level position. Experience matters, and he’s the guy who has it. He’s one of the most qualified candidates that the country has seen in years, and I look forward to the debates.
From: Purple People Vote
Tags: experience, foreign policy, independent, iraq, mccain, moderate, principle, radio
March 3rd, 2008
Hello - I’m a New Hampshirite who was won over by Senator McCain last summer primarily due to his position on the Iraq War. I continue to be impressed by his depth of knowledge on foreign policy as well as a variety of other issues. I started covering the primaries on my site BroadSideoftheBarn.com, then started the blog NH4McCain, and became a contributor for Blogs4McCain. I’m happy to now be contributing to Blogs for John McCain’s Victory. I am one of those dreaded Independents, but am convinced that the Republicans by far have the strongest candidate this year.
Tags: blog contributor, hello, independent, iraq war, islamic extremism, new hampshire, nh, republican, War on Terror
February 27th, 2008
