Just this once... I'm back. And you might want to help me.

[lwcon]

I've made no secret of my disenchantment with Barack Obama and his primary campaign.

I'm not here to talk about that. Obama is now the presumptive nominee, and I plan to vote for him in November.

But in the wake of a withering primary season, many Democrats have serious reservations about him, and they're questioning what to do.

Putting aside our respective feelings about the legitimacy of their concerns, I think you'll agree it's imperative that disgruntled Democrats facing this decision go in with their eyes wide open about what John McCain is all about.

Please reply with links and substantive comments that you think make the best case against McCain.

Not the case for Obama, please. For many of us, that ship has sailed.

Also the SCOTUS argument, though often cited, isn't a super-strong one, given Obama's flirtation with John Roberts. Anyway, that's about what Obama would or wouldn't do, as opposed to what McCain has done and will do.

Let's focus here, if you would, on the best and most compellingly stated reasons why McCain is demonstrably an unacceptable option.

Some topics that come to mind for me (don't be shy about linking to good items about these, as well as topics not listed):
* #1 cheerleader for the Iraq War
* Claimed moral highground on the Military Commissions Act (using his POW cred)... and then using that leverage to ratify torture and the suspension of habeas corpus
* Keating Five member
* Staunchly anti-choice
* Solution to Bush's failed economy? Making Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy permanent.
* Promises that, as Commander-in-Chief, he would delegate the decision on whether to stay in Iraq (to General Petraeus)
* Misogyny (publicly calling his wife the C-word, treating a question about "the bitch" as a legitimate one, and his demeaning joke about Chelsea Clinton)
* Knee-capped his friend John Kerry, e.g., by joining the fauxtrage over the "botched joke."
* Ditched his first wife for a millionairess
* Plays footsie with the Religious Right (Obama's also vulnerable on church-state, but it's still worth documenting McCain's sins in this area -- Hagee, etc.)

What have you got?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.


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[blogslut]

1. McCain is a Republican

Shouldn't that be enough for you?

[tularetom]

9. For starters I got this:

[lwcon]

24. Worth 1000 words, as they say n/t

[merh]

2. Bush

that is all that has to be said, look what the republicans did to our nation.

No one needs prove shit to you - you will vote dem and you have closed your eyes to what Obama has said he will do (which is odd because his platform is almost identical to his last opponent's platform).

He is more likable and has less baggage and he is not Bush where McCain is McBush.

[Fovea]

3. Cannot name the major players in Iraq

Wants another expensive endless military presence like Korea in Iraq and more than likely Iran.

Has no energy policy other than to put Cheney in his cabinet.

Cannot carry a tune, or justify his desire to bomb Iran.

[lwcon]

21. Thanks.

I meant to list the Iran song and forgot to note his endless confusion about Sunni/Shia.

Energy policy may be a tough sell as an Obama contrast, given the latter's vote for Bush's energy bill and Exelon connections, but again always good to document McCain's sins for parity or worse, and I wouldn't trust any Republican on energy politics given the last zillion years.

[Stephanie]

43. "Energy policy may be a tough sell as an Obama contrast, given {his} vote for Bush's energy bill"

Anyone still missing the point of this thread?

[lwcon]

57. Pretending away the weak points of arguments...

... is called "truthiness."

The goal is to make a compelling case, not to expect that astute Obama skeptics won't notice the limitations of particular arguments.

If the tables were turned, and I were making an argument for Hillary's Iraq position, would you object if someone raised "But she voted for the IWR"?

Defensiveness is not constructive.

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[Stephanie]

59. Pretending to seek arguments against McCain but using the thread to trash Obama is called...

Well you know what it's called, don't you?

[Stephanie]

4. If you want to gripe about Obama, go back to wherever you came from.

We're not interested in helping you.

[musicblind]

35. I think this person is looking for links to take back with him

so he can convince the others who are not satisfied with Obama that they need to vote for him anyway. It is a very doable thing. We need every vote we can get, even if that vote is not enthusiastic. We have the ability to turn red states blue that haven't been blue in a LONG time. Like NC. But we need to be able to make the case to those people who are skeptical. It's an easy case to make. I mean, wow, there is a huge different between these two candidates. McCain is backing the war for crying out loud. Once we point this out to these people... it should lead them to vote for Obama. If not... they problems we can't help them with.

[Stephanie]

38. This person is looking for ways to sneak anti-Obama crap into DU

And he is succeeding.

[lwcon]

45. This person has...

... at great cost to many relationships, swallowed the bitter pill of supporting a candidate who has deeply offended him and many other loyal Dems with his campaign:

http://www.correntewire.com/vastleft_endorses_barack_hu...

If you're not a GOP operative trying to ensure that Hillary voters don't end up voting for Obama, you're doing a terrific interpretation of one.

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[Stephanie]

46. You're full of it

And anti-Obama threads are no longer welcome at DU. Take it somewhere else.

[lwcon]

50. A and B

A. This isn't an anti-Obama thread
B. They were never welcome at DU

Why don't you take your agenda of marginalizing fellow Democrats elsewhere?

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[Stephanie]

52. It's absolutely an anti-Obama thread and you know it.

After the primaries ended attacks on Obama were ended here as well. You're not fooling anyone.

[lwcon]

68. This is what makes DU so toxic these days

The belief that someone who doesn't love your candidate can't be sincere and can't be a loyal Democrat.

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[Stephanie]

69. You are clearly neither so what is your point?

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

78. So leave!

[genna]

89. When you say "your" candidate, don't you mean THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE

I agree with Stephanie.

If you can't be for someone, why bother?
If I was just voting against McCain I'd hardly think this election was worth it.

[lwcon]

100. "Why bother?"

That's the spirit!

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Hypocrite!

Accepts $58K per year for military retirement and disability, but votes against benefits for veterans.

And you'll find plenty of info here:

http://www.reason.com/news/show/118937.html

[lwcon]

25. Good stuff, thanks n/t

[blondeatlast]

6. You can't find enough by searching this site? Or the internet?

If I really thought you had our best interests at heart, I'd help. But there's no reason to think that you do.

[lwcon]

22. Way to reach out to millions of disaffected Dems!

A lot of us feel that Obama mastered the art of not asking for our votes.

If getting Obama elected is important to you, you might want to help make the case against McCain. Because the case for Obama isn't getting us there.

Frankly, our motivation to find reasons to hold our noses and vote for Obama isn't very high. And your dismissive attitude about reaching out to us only dampens that enthusiasm further.

Despite deep, extensive, and well-earned reservations about Obama, I've pledged my vote to him and am making an effort here to find some common ground and keep McCain out of the White House. Sorry that, and 17+ million Democrats who may be on the fence about how to vote, isn't sufficiently interesting to you.

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[Stephanie]

48. "our motivation to find reasons to hold our noses and vote for Obama isn't very high"

I hear they're hiring at the RNC. Why don't you put your bias to work where it's welcome?

http://rnc.org /

[lwcon]

58. That would be nice

Maybe I'll get the desk next to yours.

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[Stephanie]

61. I doubt they'd provide you with a desk.

More likely they'd have you continue working from home.

[daninthemoon]

7. roe v wade, scotus, corporate welfare, thousands dead in Iraq,

bushler's sycophant, LIEberman's bff, bomb bomb Iran, ... I could go on, but why bother?

[mcctatas]

8. This site has great links to much of the info....

I hope it helps. Good luck to you....

http://www.mccainpedia.org/index.php/Main_Page

[Lucinda]

12. Thank you for the link!

[lwcon]

60. Thanks! I just posted it at my blog

... in a meta discussion about this one.

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[Stephanie]

62. link?

Thanks in advance!

[lwcon]

71. Just so you don't have to google it

http://www.correntewire.com/just_askin#comment-95812

[Stephanie]

75. That's the "meta-discussion"?

One post by you and two by pro-McCainers? Got it.

[lwcon]

76. That's the post within the discussion, to which I alluded

In case you're having trouble operating the scroll bar, this link takes you to the top of the discussion:

http://www.correntewire.com/just_askin


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[sellitman]

10. If after 8 years you can't get up for a Obama Presidency..

Then you need professional help.

[Life Long Dem]

11. I'm sorry but...

I don't believe that woman are running to McSame or there should be concern. The only concern I see is coming from MSM. Which tells me it's a manufactured thing. And if not, why are they telling us about all the surveys and polls showing every different statistic but the one that refers to the percentage of woman Clinton supporters going to McSame or the revenged sore sport losers?

I think you would find out that they are mostly repubs to begin with, and the dems probably have a handful of these revenge Obama voters. All because Obama supporters said something wrong about Clinton? Enough with the bullshit... please!

I thought GD-P was going to be different and we were through with this primary stuff?

[grantcart]

13. This campaign is not even a one issue campaign its a one word campaign

IRAN

Iran would love to provoke the neocons into a military strike so that the price of their oil would double.


McCain as President will not have the patience to out smart them and will oblige the Iranians with a missle strike.

Iran will reciprocate by mobilizing volunteers to help pacify Iran and we will be in an expanded war in which McCain would continue to escalate with Bombing. Hamas would join in Gaza and try and draw Israel in. Chaos would follow and when oil hits $ 300 a barrel the Iranians would back down and our economy would be in shambles and a huge shift in world power would have occurred.

Voting for McCain is a vote for insanity III and $ 10 per gallon gasoline.

[lwcon]

42. Iran is a strong issue

The "Bomb-Bomb" song is a great window into McCain's sick disregard for the implications of a preemptive policy. Any other particular comments/actions that help build that case?

[Lucinda]

14. Thanks for the thread! And thank you to those who are actually contributing to it..

[lwcon]

101. back at you! n/t

[Hatchling]

15. FISA

I don't have the link, because it was just a quick interview question on one of the three news stations: CNN, FOX or MNSBC

He was asked if he thought the telecom spying was illegal, and he said it didn't really matter, that if we would just pass the FISA the problem would be resolved.

I'll try to search for a link, but when I heard that, I abandoned any thought of a protest vote for Cynthia McKinney and determined I had to vote AGAINST McCain which is a vote FOR Obama.

[musicblind]

39. What? Really?

Wow, you know, I respect McCain. But I cannot respect his political positions. Spying on the American people is so unacceptable. I hope that deep down he doesn't mean this and is only saying it to get elected. Either way, we need to be voting for Obama just to make sure!

[lwcon]

82. Why respect McCain? I don't get it.

My list in the OP is, I think, a pretty good start on why one shouldn't buy the mythical maverick moderate shtick or cut this guy any slack.

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[lwcon]

83. I do hope you find that. Thanks. n/t

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[bain_sidhe]

16. Do you want McCain appointing...

... Cabinet Secretaries for the following Executive Branch departments

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Health & Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Housing & Urban Development
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of The Interior
Department of Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of the Treasury

... candidates for the following Judicial Branch positions

Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims
Federal Judicial Center
Superior Court Judges
U.S. Circuit Court Judges
U.S. Claims Court Judges
U.S. Court of International Trade Judges
U.S. District Court Judges
U.S. Supreme Court Judges
Territorial Courts
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court
United States Bankruptcy Courts
United States Courts of Appeals
United States District Courts
United States Sentencing Commission

... the heads of the following Regulatory Agencies

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Drug Enforcement Administration
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Election Commission
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Federal Trade Commission
Food & Drug Administration
Occupational Health & Safety Administration
Securities & Exchange Commission
(just to name a few--there are way more "smaller" agencies that still have a big impact in the areas they regulate)


We won't have a country to call our own after even 4 more years of Pubbie looting of the public treasury and gutting of the few institutions with enough power to stop this corporate feudalization (esp. regulatory agencies and the courts). McSame's appointments could finish the job of turning everything, I mean everything, over to the corpRAT overlords.

[papapi]

17. Google it.

[JohnnyLib2]

18. Thread is appreciated, bookmarked, recommended.

The importance of your approach will probably be more obvious in the next several months.

[TwilightGardener]

19. Democrats are "questioning what to do"? Um...how about vote for the Democrat?

Is that a crazy fucking idea, or what?

[lwcon]

23. Remember any of the thousands of posts here that...

... called Hillary a Republican, etc.? A lot of those folks said that a vote for Hillary wouldn't be a vote for a Democrat. If Hillary had won the nomination, her supporters would be trying to bridge such a gap and get them to turn out in November.

But it played out the other way. Obama is the presumptive nominee, and many Dems don't consider him a legitimate Democrat. Deny and ignore that at your candidate's electoral peril.

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[Stephanie]

41. "many Dems don't consider {Obama} a legitimate Democrat"???

You are so fucking transparent. GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM - WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE.

[Youphemism]

20. "Not the sharpest potato in the refrigerator" /nt

[Melinda]

26. What I wanna know is... you left DU & are advertising another board in your sig line-

Why exactly are you here asking for help? Why should members of DU do your leg work for you?

Why not ask your friends at Correntwire or try googling for the information you seek?

Additionally, you've managed to make more than a few smarmy remarks about Obama in this thread... do you actually think we can't see through this?

Pulease.

[LowerManhattanite]

27. It's a lame-ass thought experiment. End of story. n/t

[lwcon]

55. Get off your high pony, friend

Any comments I've made about Obama here are apropos of the limited effectiveness of certain angles at impressing Hillary voters.

Only in your warped perception is my intention anything but to build a case that convinces fellow Dems to support a nominee who has failed to win us over.

The old "see Obama's website" answer has now been replaced by "google it."

How about showing a little respect to fellow Dems who are struggling with a tough voting decision because your guy has seriously underwhelmed and offended them?

Take off your blinders. There are millions of us who didn't vote for the candidate the media and big name Dems blessed, even when he was the clear frontrunner, the cool choice, and everything else.

Now, he's the standard bearer for our party, and some of y'all still spit in our faces. Amazing! And sad.

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[Liberal Veteran]

74. IF the situation were reversed and Clinton were the nominee...

....would you expect to have to grovel and beg Obama supporters to vote for her as the Democratic nominee?

Just put yourself in our shoes and ask yourself if you would be happy genuflecting to the Obama supporters or would you just expect us to get in line and do what's right?

[lwcon]

79. A request for your favorite oppo is asking you to genuflect?

WTF?

Having spent long, horrible hours reading the Hillary hate on this site, DKos, and others, I was well aware that there would be work to be done to get those who consider her a Rovian Republican Racist machine monster to vote for her. It's called "asking for your vote," something that a lot of Dems honestly don't feel Obama has done. I'm not going to elaborate on that, because I'm not looking for a flame war. The primaries are over. But the damage done isn't, and if we're all still in the reality-based community we need to recognize that there are a lot of loyal Dems who are struggling with the idea of voting for Obama. I know, because I've faced that struggle, and when I came out for Obama, plenty of them ripped me a new one. And the pissiness I'm seeing from many triumphant Obama supporters here simply isn't going to help. Maybe you won't need our votes. The GOP is in the toilet this year. But if you do, you might wish you'd reached out to us.

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[Liberal Veteran]

88. I'm just not sure I understand why one must convince democrats to vote for the democratic candidate.

[crankychatter]

28. It looks as if the stage is set... the lights are "just so" and your script is written

Now if you can get all the players to follow your directions to the letter...

your show will be just spiffy

positives about our candidate and negatives about the opposition are

ONE SUBJECT

if you can't hear something you don't like from fellow Democrats... how is it you're going to square off with Republicans?

If you can't defend the nominee with postiive information?

You have crippled your argument

perhaps, that's what you want

[crankychatter]

29. your contempt for the nominee is fucking insufferable - nt - go away

[Stephanie]

44. I see Operation Chaos is still in Operation

Didn't anybody tell them it's time to try anther tactic?

[crankychatter]

47. they hide behind the "constructive criticism" clause

layin' in the weeds like snakes

[undeterred]

30. Feingold actually voted for Roberts

because he believes the President has the right to choose justices, and he didn't think Bush would offer up someone better if there was a veto. And Feingold is probably the most progressive United States Senator. So get over it and try to learn how the system works.

[bunnies]

31. This from someone with "Party Unity My Ass" on their website.

What a fucking joke. Oh... and lose the drupal favicon. Hater.

[crankychatter]

34. I didn't go there... no SHIT? click twice from his link and you're at PUMA?

that's fucked up

[bunnies]

36. I dont know if its a link.... just a dumb ass graphic...

that references Obama as "the lesser of two evils". Wicked fucked up.

[quantass]

32. "CUNT!" and his passion to overturn Roe vs Wade...

From the book "The Real John McCain":

"Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days."

[Symarip]

33. Has McCain ever promised me a pony?

I don't think so!

Ponies/Leprechauns '08!

[rox63]

37. McCain doesn't think Habeus Corpus is important

Did you hear his whining complaining about the recent SCOTUS decision granting Habeus Corpus rights to detainiees?

[lwcon]

67. No, I missed that

I just found it, thanks to the tip. I'll post it to my site now!

Here's the quote:

http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/06/mccain_slams...

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[mrreowwr_kittty]

40. Serious anger management issues

Has not only verbally abused fellow members of Congress, he has gotten into physical scuffles with them. Shoving match with Sen. Charles Grassley and it's rumored that he physically attacked Rep. Rick Renzi.

In short, he's a scary ass dude who should not be anywhere near nukes.

[lwcon]

49. I was disappointed when I looked into it

That most of the time McCain swore it was at fellow Republicans.

I don't buy his moderate maverick myth one iota, but I'd love to see some hard evidence that he's come unglued with Dems.

And speaking of evidence, what I wouldn't give to find video or other corroborative evidence of this amazingly pathetic answer he gave about condoms and HIV/AIDS:

http://trulyequal.com/2007/03/17/mccain-clueless-on-aid... /

It originated in the NY Times blog, and I'm not sure that's as authoritative as the Times itself.


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[Stephanie]

51. "the SCOTUS argument... isn't a super-strong one, given Obama's flirtation with John Roberts"

Anybody besides me keeping track of how many anti-Obama points this guy has attempted to make here in the guise of piling up evidence on McCain?

[blogslut]

54. yes

[calimary]

53. The two words that stop me fastest: Supreme Court.

Also, how mcsame treated his first wife.

THE WIFE JOHN MCCAIN LEFT BEHIND
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-w...

That, and how he smacked down his trophy wife for wearing makeup - calling her a "cunt."

How ANY woman, Democrat or GOP, could vote for him is absolutely beyond me!!!!!

[dems_rightnow]

56. Might try to pilot Air Force One

You can guess how that will end....

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

63. just wont be happy till you get a dirt nap will you

go back to your echo chamber where you can circle jerk all you want

[Hippo_Tron]

64. Your concern is duly noted, and Obama is leading McCain by 7 points right now...

So that makes it difficult for me to believe that Hillary supporters are having trouble embracing him.

[lwcon]

99. I hope you're right

The conversation I'm hearing from not-Obama supporters makes me much less confident.

In the meantime, is the message to concerned fellow Democrats to buzz off?

[Hippo_Tron]

102. Well I read your blog post and frankly wasn't all that impressed

I find it more than a bit self-righteous that you go through the trouble of talking at length about how Obama isn't a real Democrat and will be a complete disaster in office but that you have graciously decided to vote for him anyway even though he isn't really worthy.

Obama's platform is 95% the same as Clinton's and every other Democrat that ran for President except for Kucinich and Gravel.

I realize that you were a big fan of Senator Clinton and are disappointed that she lost and probably a little pissed off that she was beaten by a guy who didn't spend years paying his dues like she did.

That being said, it is disingenuous when you trash Obama on your blog and then come here to tell us that the Hillary supporters you know have some concerns about him and therefore we should be worried. The polls are showing that the party and the country is ready to unite behind Obama and while constructive criticism is appreciated, your criticism is far from constructive.

[intaglio]

65. Nice to meet a well put together argument from

a concern troll

[yewberry]

66. There are many reasons to vote against McCain.

Here:

Project VoteSmart has issues breakdowns, voting records, endorsements, and interest group ratings.
Here are some ratings.


http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_...
John McCain

Abortion
2007 In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator McCain a grade of 0.
2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75 percent in 2005-2006.

Arts/Humanities
2005 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 0 percent in 2005.
2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 0 percent in 2004.

Civil Liberties
2007 In 2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator McCain a grade of 50.
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 15 percent in 2007.
2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State 33 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now 13 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 33 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 7 percent in 2005-2006.

Education
2007 In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator McCain a grade of F.
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 0 percent in 2007.
2006 Senator McCain supported the interest of the National Association for College Admission Counseling 0 percent in 2006.
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the English First 100 percent in 2007.

Environment
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator McCain received a rating of 0.

Health
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 0 percent in 2007.

Labor
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 0 percent in 2007.
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2007.
2007 Senator McCain supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 0 percent in 2007.

Vets
2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 20 percent in 2006.
2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D.
2006 Senator McCain sponsored or co-sponsored 18 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

Women's Orgs
2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 20 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 13 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Senator McCain supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 0 percent in 2005.

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_...
Barack Obama

Abortion
2007 In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Obama a grade of 100.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.

Arts/Humanities
2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 100 percent in 2005.

Civil Liberties
2007 In 2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator Obama a grade of 80.
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 85 percent in 2007.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State 100 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now 100 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 93 percent in 2006.

Education
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Association for College Admission Counseling 100 percent in 2007.
2007 In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator Obama a grade of A.
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 100 percent in 2007.
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the English First 0 percent in 2007.

Environment
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Obama received a rating of 67.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Wind Energy Association 100 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 100 percent in 2006.

Health
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Academy of Family Physicians 100 percent in 2007.
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 100 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine 100 percent in 2005-2006.

Labor
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 100 percent in 2007.
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 75 percent in 2007.
2007 Senator Obama supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 62 percent in 2007.
2007 In 2007 Utility Workers Union of America gave Senator Obama a grade of 100.

Vets
2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 80 percent in 2006.
2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Obama a grade of B+.

Women's Orgs
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 90 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Business and Professional Women USA 100 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Federally Employed Women 100 percent in the 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 91 percent in 2005-2006.


I wouldn't vote for John McCain, period.

[Buck Rabbit]

70. "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?"

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno." John McCain

Frankly, I have read many of the "Cintonista for McCain" rants. Actual arguments on policy mean nothing to them. So many of them are completely clueless as to where Hillary herself stands on issues let alone Obama or McCain. Others that at least understand Hillary's positions will take a 5% deviance between her and Obama's position and say that equates to a 95% difference between her position and McCain's.

Many of these supporters will only react viscerally against McCain by pointing out things like the Chelsea joke above or McCain calling his wife a cunt or dumping his overweight injured wife for a young rodeo queen.

Another group of them are racists building strawman reasons to justify voting against the uppity black man. They are beyond reach.

[lwcon]

73. Wow. Simply wow. n/t

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[RUMMYisFROSTED]

72. Hello.

[kevinmc]

77. Here ....... there is plenty here for you to start with .........

http://www.mccainsource.com/

[lwcon]

80. Thanks!

I've added it to the list!

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[kevinmc]

86. Here's another site ..... John McCain Revealed

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain.cfm

[JohnnyLib2]

81. Kick for tenacity.

It looks roughly like the OP is being taken seriously by about 7/8 of those replying.

[lwcon]

87. Much appreciated!

I truly wish I knew how this place devolved from being a welcoming place for all loyal Democrats to being a place where no nuance could be allowed, if it cast any doubts on one particular candidate's perfection.

We don't get perfect candidates, and this year a lot of us are struggling to support the presumptive nominee.

It's easy to strut about, bragging about your candidate's awesomeness. It's harder to talk respectfully to people who have an honest disagreement. Now that we need to find a way to row together, it's frightfully important.

Those who insist that Democrats must pretend away their objections to Obama in order to earn their respect are doing great harm to our party.

Because your candidate became the presumptive nominee does not mean our qualms about him are illegitimate, stages of grief, trolling, etc.

The closest thing we can get to unity between now and November is to get us to agree on keeping John McCain away from the levers of power. If we accomplish that, one group of Democrats or the other can enjoy the I-told-you-sos in due time.

The one I-told-you-so I don't want to have is that I told you not to disregard the good and loyal Democrats who are wringing their hands about how to vote this year.


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[Emit]

92. Good and loyal Democrats

shouldn't be voting for McCain, imho, plain and simple.

[lwcon]

96. Fundamentally, I agree with that, but...

Again I note the literally thousands of posts at DU that cast Hillary as not a real Democrat.

There are many on the other side of Dem Primary '08 who see Obama just that way, not a true Democrat, not a true progressive, someone who didn't ask for and doesn't deserve their votes, and many other things. Many, probably most, of these folks are dedicated, lifelong Democrats. I know, because I'm one of them, but I've gotten my mind around to exactly what you're saying, and I'm going to vote for Obama. I'm hoping I can convince a few others, but I know what they've seen this campaign, and it ain't pretty (rather than serve up some flamebait with specific grievances, I'll leave it at that). And I worry that I'm steering them wrong, because their concerns are, as I see it, quite legitimate.

But so, too, are the concerns about McCain, and I think it's essential that those who have the energy to support Obama's campaign (and that's not me, I'm afraid) make it easy on the Obama skeptics by doing a strong job with McCain oppo, as opposed to telling us to "get over it," etc., as so many have.

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[Duder]

84. Given your comments about Obama...

And the website listed in your signature, I can genuinely believe that you may need some help in order to be better informed. So for those few Democrats that may have ill-conceived and misguided reservations about our nominee here’s some McCain info with links:

McCain helped pass unconstitutional Military Commissions Act; Obama opposed it. http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/12/boume...

Three books on McCain
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/21470

Newest McCain official: President has "near dictatorial powers"
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/02/goldf...

McCain gets the WMD issue dead wrong
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/29/mccain-mcclellan /

John McCain's lifetime voting record, as measured by the League of Conservation Voters, reveals a senator who did not vote consistently for the measures supported by environmental groups. His lifetime score is 24%, compared with 86% for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. In 2007, he scored a zero, out of a possible 100, primarily because he missed votes on failing measures that might have passed if he had been on the Senate floor and not out campaigning. This year, he's championed a gas tax holiday that major economists, environmentalists and think-tank analysts have derided, in part because it will encourage more oil consumption at a time when the nation needs to find a way to reduce its dependence on oil.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/...

Also from the first link:

Three of the five Justices in the majority -- John Paul Stevens (age 88), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (age 75) and David Souter (age 68) -- are widely expected by court observers to retire or otherwise leave the Court in the first term of the next President. By contrast, the four judges who dissented -- Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts and Sam Alito -- are expected to stay right where they are for many years to come.

John McCain has identified Roberts and Alito as ideal justices of the type he would nominate, while Barack Obama has identified Stephen Breyer, David Souter and Ginsberg (all in the majority today). It's not hyperbole to say that, from Supreme Court appointments alone, our core constitutional protections could easily depend upon the outcome of the 2008 election.

[lwcon]

91. Please don't lead with condescension n/t

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[Duder]

94. Then perhaps you should leave out the bs such as...

"many Democrats have serious reservations about him, and they're questioning what to do." That's a McCain talking point not a Democratic one.

[lwcon]

98. Um, no, it's the truth

Check out some Hillary-centric blogs:

http://hillarysvoice.reclusiveleftist.com/2008/04/21/th... /

Wishing and hoping doesn't make it so.

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[Duder]

103. Your Hillary-centric blog post was from April 21st…

Today is June 14th (Flag Day) and there’s been some changes since April. One being that Hillary now supports Barack Obama for POTUS. I’m sure there will be a few in both partys that will vote or not vote based on a singular issue but that’s neither unique nor significant. I felt there was not much difference between the Clintons/DLC and republicans back in 2003. So the blog thought is neither unique nor progressively original in politics. Progressive causes generally have better success when propagated at the grassroots level which is perhaps why the blogsphere leaned more towards Obama’s 50 state strategy which has coattails instead of Hillary’s campaign.

[K Gardner]

85. What utter bullshit. I thought we were past this garbage.

[27inCali]

90. "Troops coming home isn't important"

"maybe a hundred years" (of war)

so pro-life wont pick a pro-choice running mate

can't distinguish between Sunni and Shiite

thinks Iraq is an unmitigated success

has a horrible temper problem

called his wife a c*nt publically in front of reporters

sings fun little ditties about bombing Iran

totally in the neocon's pocket

wants to continue Bush's tax cuts for the rich, and his middle class taxcuts look pathetic next to Obama's.

top advisers have worked as lobbyists for 3rd world dictators

When Katrina was going down, he was literally hanging out with GWB eating birthday cake

so stupid and out of touch he doesn't even know how to use a computer

changed almost all his positions on the big issues during Republican Primaries to kick ass to the base

Kissed the ring of various intolerant evangelical hacks

has that annoying habit of saying, "My friends" -you really wanna hear that shit for the next 4 years

there's a lot more but I don't have the lifetime needed to list all the things wrong with him.

[lwcon]

93. Thanks, I added the "troops" quote to the list n/t

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[yewberry]

95. Also against equal pay for women

and suggests that what women need is education and training, not equal pay.

The issue is not “education and training.” When denied equal pay by her supervisor, Lilly Ledbetter was doing the exact same job as her male counterparts and received numerous performance-based awards. McCain has a long record of failure on women’s issues...

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/23/mccain-dismisses-eq...

[DogPoundPup]

97. McCain Doubles Down On His Social Security Privatization Bamboozlement»

At another town hall in Pemberton, NJ today, McCain tried to push back against criticism of his position on the issue by telling the crowd, “I will not privatize Social Security and it’s not true when I’m accused of that

The problem for McCain is that his current stance means he was either lying in March when he told the Wall Street Journal’s Bob Davis that he supported private accounts “along the lines that President Bush proposed” or he doesn’t understand the nature of the private accounts he campaigned for in 2005.
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/13/mccain-social-secur...

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

104. Locking.

The primaries are over. Here's a link to Skinner's thread for anyone who missed it.

best,
wakemeupwhenitsover