<p>Ross Perot, the billionaire who paid for McCain's first wife's medical bills, on McCain:</p>
<p>
[quote]
McCain is the classic opportunist. Hes always reaching for attention and glory, he said.</p>
<p>After he came home, Carol walked with a limp. So he threw her over for a poster girl with big money from Arizona. And the rest is history.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Tried to change the title of this to the real point:</p>
<p>Hopefully none of them. I hope an independant wins.</p>
<p>I dont think there is any question Obama is an opportunist, also. Not on the same level of McCain, of course. Why did you need two threads for this?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I think every politician is an opportunist, and ipso facto, there shouldn't be anything wrong with this given the difficulty of the position and getting to that position (we want them to be motivated by something). However, McCain's level of opportunism is demonstrably pretty detestable, by the standards that Republicans themselves have set in the past decade.</p>
<p>Re why two threads, I wanted to change the title to being about McCain since that's what this is really about.</p>
<p>
[quote]
However, McCain's level of opportunism is demonstrably pretty detestable, by the standards that Republicans themselves have set in the past decade.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Agreed. Of all the Republican candidates at the start, I think McCain was the most respectable(sans Ron Paul) and the most sensible in most of his policies. However, since the start of the process, he has been a walking gaffe. The Republicans have made this into another fear-inducing, "I'll keep us safer than the next guy", Rove contrived campaign.</p>
<p>I'm having trouble understanding where McCain stands on issues. I used to respect him a great deal, but he's flip flopped so many times over the past year he just seems to be grasping for some sort of identity - first he's against tax cuts, then for them; then he's against torture, then for it. I just don't get him anymore. His speeches are less than emphatic. I really like the guy, he just seems like he's in over his head a little.</p>
<p>Say what you will about Obama, but the man has been consistent from the beginning, run an incredibly efficient campaign in which dissent from staff was encouraged (imagine that, Bush!), and pushed for a great deal more transparency in government.</p>
<p>I was very wishy washy on him. I still think the Dems would have been smarter to let Hillary win this time, then let Obama take over from VP to P when he's more seasoned. </p>
<p>But, I gotta say the guy's got a strong head on his shoulders and I think he's going to get some stuff done - even if it is pretty conventional liberal stuff that doesn't really change anything but swing the prevailing ideology back to liberal until they screw it up like the did in the 70s and it swings back conservative. </p>
<p>I don't think a lot of young people raised mostly in the Bush era realize how conventional Obama's ideology really is.</p>
<p>I'm all for John McCain. He understands that identifying himself with a party doesn't restrict him to being bound by its general policies of the time. With that, I think he's proved himself as more than "just" an opportunist. Plus, I agree with him on many, if not most, issues.</p>
<p>First "republican" I've backed. =]</p>
<p>I wouldn't say he's just an opportunist. I would say he's also pretty damned likeable (even if I think he lacks a moral center), he's done some amazing things in his life, and he's a liar -- or at least so flexible on the issues (from day-to-day, not year-to-year) that he comes across as a liar.</p>
<p>However, I don't know how one can get much worse than being the kind of opportunist that McCain was with respect to throwing over his first wife to "marry up."</p>
<p>The</a> wife John McCain callously left behind | Mail Online</p>
<p>An excellent article about McCain's character and accomplishments, what he stands for:</p>
<p>Maverick</a> Vs. Iceman</p>
<p>The comprehensive New Yorker article about McCain and Republicanism:</p>
<p>The</a> Political Scene: On the Bus: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm all for John McCain. He understands that identifying himself with a party doesn't restrict him to being bound by its general policies of the time.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You might have been eight years ago. But McCain voted 100% with Bush in 2007, and 95% in 2008. Also:</p>
<p>1) He has flip-flopped on the Bush tax cuts
2) He has reneged on campaign finance reform
3) He has backed off his immigration policies after he saw that the conservative base didn't like them
4) He has sucked up to the religious right after famously calling the likes of Falwell and Robertson "agents of intolerance"</p>
<p>Some "maverick". I guess he still has his ill-temper though.</p>
<p>Kwu: Great articles. Thanks.</p>
<p>It was the New Yorker article that made me realize that no matter how much I may disagree with McCain and not like his style politically, he's essentially really likeable. But I separate the personal likeability from whether I want hime to be my president or whether I respect his "political journey."</p>
<p>Obama's an opportunist too. You realize he won his first ever election by disqualifying his opponent right?</p>
<p>What human being is not an opportunist? Has this somehow become an immoral trait? I sure hope we have opportunists in the White House.</p>
<p>I actually like both McCain and Obama. I think this time around, the US cannot lose. They both seem to be good men. Personally, I think Obama is better equipped to deal with the strain of being president for 8 years. At 71 (soon to be 72), McCain is already showing signs of his age. He often loses his temper and says things a president shouldn't say.</p>
<p>I agree, Alexandre. I like them both too. I would have no problem shaking either of their hands and calling them Mr. President. I can't say the same currently. </p>
<p>There's just something different about this McCain than the McCain of yesteryear. I don't think it's his age. I think it's that he's in the limelight for the first time and has to appeal to a very broad and often contradictory Republican base (one that both wants minimal government and wants government to regulate personal lives and choice on any number of issues). </p>
<p>He just seems a little confused and weak because he can't be the maverick. He has to be the party. I don't think it has to do with age.</p>
<p>I also agree that we need to stop delusionally wishing our presidents weren't ambitious or opportunitist or power hungry. They've basically exposed their lives for years to come to the highest level of scrutiny in order to control the most powerful occupation in the world. </p>
<p>Perhaps we should stop voting for the guy who's most like us and start voting again for the one who most impresses us, whoever that is. I doubt the average 19th century farmer would have found Thomas Jefferson to be a very comfortable bar companiion.</p>
<p>The U.S. will lose if McCain is elected. He will merely extend the economic policies of Bush (he has already stated his lack of knowledge on how the economy work!). Alexandre, I respect you on these boards and all, but I don't see how you believe the U.S. cannot lose with either of them. The economy will just get worse if the American people elect McCain; it's as simple as that. Obama is the wild card here, I believe. He could bring on the next New Deal, he could be Bush term III (which is what McCain is promoting), or he could be as effective as Jimmy Carter was while in office! I know what McCain is going to bring the U.S. - more Bush policies. I don't know what Obama will bring, but there is a chance it could be amazing. </p>
<p>To any McCain supporters in general, I fail to realize what he brings to the table that is going to make your lives better and bring this country to the world stage carrying respect again. Bush has raped this country and McCain wants to keep that going. If a McCain supporter on here would enlighten me as to why he appeals to you, I would be thrilled. I honestly don't see how America can improve itself with McCain at the reins.</p>
<p>Sligh_Anarchist, I have not looked into their intended policies. I am only referring to their character. They both seem to be good men. In terms of Economic plan and foreign policy, I tend to agree that McCain will not shake thinks up too much. Obama, on the other hand, may.</p>
<p>my question is what wil obama do? Will it be like the 3rd new deal type of stuff. I mean i dunno, i kinda want to know what he will be doing to help the slow economy.</p>
<p>Alexandre, I see now. You were just judging character. My apologies for the misunderstanding.</p>
<p>Look up Obama's Blueprint for Change. It lays his agenda out there.</p>