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Peggy Noonan: McCain must overcome Republicans' White House-itis
Wall Street Journal – Peggy Noonan observes that ‘most party (GOP) leaders in Washington are stupid,’ and that John McCain has a high mountain to climb in order to overcome his party's sorry reputation. Read. 05/16
McCain joins Global Warming cult
Townhall – Cal Thomas compares the ‘Global Warming’ crowd to a cult, with Gore, John McCain and its followers mindlessly ignoring contrary evidence or scientific point-of-view. Read. 05/16
The world according to John McCain
CNS News – John McCain peered four years into the future and saw a better world, largely due to the beneficial effects of his presidency, a surreal glimpse into the man’s conception of his place in the world. Read. 05/16
Viguerie: GOP leaders must resign
As long as the party keeps the leaders responsible for the current mess, conservatives will withhold their support from the party. Read and comment. 05/15
McCain’s Veepstakes: Maybe Mitch?
Human Events – The latest in political guru John Gizzi’s series on McCain’s potential VP choices, Gizzi presents Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, an experienced economics expert with budget cutting credentials. Read. 05/15
McCain’s gift to the green movement
Time – Here’s a view that lauds John McCain’s departure from George W. Bush on the ‘Global Warming’ issue. Read. 05/15
McCain’s close friend, Lindsay Graham – The worst Republican Senator?
American Spectator – Quin Hillyer looks at who he calls the ‘worst Republican Senator,’ John McCain’s constant companion, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Richard Viguerie describes Graham: “Graham doesn’t seem to have any conservative vision.” Read. 05/15
Is McCain the cure for an ailing GOP?
Washington Times – Despondent congressional Republicans are trying to find the answers on how to turn their image around, and believe that the answer just might be found in John McCain. Read. 05/15
McCain’s path to victory
Washington Times – The editors of the Washington Times write that John McCain can only prevail in November by countering Barack Obama’s ‘change’ theme with his own ‘victory’ platform. Read. 05/15
McCain presents his ‘vision’ for first term
Associated Press – John McCain outlined his policy goals for his first term, pledging to work with Democrats and pushing an agenda that looks little like what Reagan would have proposed. Read. 05/15
McCain says Iraq War can be ‘won’ by 2013
Washington Post – Up until now, John McCain has declined to offer a withdrawal time-line for Iraq -- but that's changed, as McCain has laid out a plan to have nearly all combat troops out of Iraq by 2013. Read. 05/15
Barr says McCain is a Big Government, Establishment Republican
National Review Online – Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr held little back in describing John McCain as a Big Government, establishment Republican who will not do much to change the country's direction. Read. 05/14
Could candidate Barr sink John McCain?
The American Spectator – Bob Barr’s presence could certainly impact John McCain in November, but it should be pointed out that Barr hasn't yet won the Libertarian Party's nomination. Read. 05/14
Mixed reaction to the notion of McCain/Huckabee ‘08
US News & World Report – Reaction was mixed to the ‘rumor’ of Mike Huckabee topping John McCain’s short list for VP candidates. The conservative blogosphere hated the idea, but citizens were mostly positive. Read. 05/14
McCain’s controversial pastor apologizes
New York Times – Pastor John Hagee (who endorsed John McCain) has drawn criticism for past remarks he's made on the Catholic Church -- but now he's trying to make amends. Read. 05/14
McCain and Hillary’s hot air on the gas tax
National Review Online – John McCain and Hillary Clinton's proposed gas tax ‘holiday’ won't help things, because their long-term policies will only serve to increase taxes on gas. Read. 05/14
John McCain is a green gasbag
The American Spectator – Political writer Larry Thornberry writes, if Republicans are going to give in to the hysteria surrounding 'Global Warming' and its socialistic 'solutions,' then what are they good for? Read. 05/14
McCain’s ‘green’ assault on reason
National Review Online – Here’s an actual scientist’s (Dr. Roy Spencer) view of ‘Global Warming’ and his opinions on John McCain’s cap-and-trade policy proposals -- bad science, bad policy, and bad economic times ahead. Read. 05/14
McCain’s intellectual bus hits the mud
Washington Post – Liberal columnist Richard Cohen says he used to admire John McCain, but that was before McCain went off the deep end by claiming Hamas endorsed Barack Obama. Read. 05/14
Farah: No on Hillary, Obama, and McCain
Human Events – Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily writes that, since the next president will pursue a leftwing agenda (no matter who wins), it would be better if that president were a Democrat. Read. 05/13
For McCain, distance from Bush is key
Politico – A recent poll found John McCain stands to lose more support because of his association with George W. Bush than Barack Obama would lose because of Jeremiah Wright. McCain needs to ‘break up’ with Bush before it’s too late. Read. 05/13
Rumor: Huckabee tops McCain’s VP list
US News & World Report – James Pethokoukis passes along a tip from the McCain Inner Circle: Mike Huckabee tops the VP list. Read. 05/13
Paul’s forces quietly plot convention revolt against McCain
Los Angeles Times – Ron Paul's supporters plan to make some noise at the GOP convention this summer, to ensure their candidate's views are fairly represented in the party platform. Read.
It's 'Green' social conservatives and 'moderates' McCain wants, not us
RushLimbaugh.com – Rush Limbaugh looks at McCain’s 'climate change' position and sees it as cover to court ‘Green’ Evangelicals and independents while once again stepping on conservatives. Read. 05/13
McCain’s climate ‘market’ is Obama-lite
Wall Street Journal – John McCain’s 'climate' proposals would create massive new bureaucracies, subsidize foreign polluters, and tax American industry – and still not satisfy the extremists. Read. 05/13
McCain departs from Bush on so-called climate change
New York Times – The Times, the Left's 'newspaper of record,' claims that, to win, McCain must distance himself from George W. Bush on the weather issue. Read. 05/13
McCain must not fear the racists
Human Events – Pat Buchanan writes that McCain must be willing to do what other Republicans have been heavily criticized for: point out the truth, even if it gets you in trouble with the race-baiters. Read. 05/13
Cindy McCain’s lagging public image
Washington Times – Unlike other candidates' spouses, Cindy McCain stays mostly in the background. Read. 05/13
McCain’s Christian (Huckabee) problem
Washington Post – Mike Huckabee claims to back McCain, but Robert Novak writes that Evangelical activists may be waiting for Huckabee 2012. Read. 05/12
Questions for John McCain
Newsweek – George Will has some questions for John McCain on several key issues where McCain's been vague and inconsistent – and conservatives would love to hear the answers. Read. 05/12
Limbaugh: My impact will increase with a McCain victory
Politico – Rush responds to those who predict that he would lose influence during a McCain administration. Read. 05/12
McCain scores points with conservatives on judges
National Review Online – Kathryn Jean Lopez writes that McCain's speech on judges was reassuring, but McCain still gives conservatives much to worry about. Read. 05/12
McCain says global warming is undeniable
Associated Press – John McCain's latest policy speech addresses the concept of catastrophic manmade global warming, which he argues, based on his deep understanding of science, is undeniable. Seriously. Read. 05/12
Republican Establishment forced to turn to McCain
Bloomberg News – Conservatives are still evaluating John McCain's credentials, but Republican congressional candidates seem to want his help. Read. 05/12
McCain endures despite GOP's low standing
Politico – McCain continues to poll well despite his party’s near-crash. Read. 05/12
McCain not conceding the youth vote
Associated Press – Young voters are a tough sell for McCain, but he’s giving it a try. Read. 05/12
McCain on Obama and Hamas
WorldNetDaily – It took McCain to bring up the fact that Hamas endorsed Barack Obama -- and once again, the liberal news media failed to do their jobs. Read. 05/11
Is Barr McCain’s Nader?
Los Angeles Times – Will Barr get the Libertarian nomination, and would it make a difference in November? Read. 05/11
Richard Viguerie launches new Web site, UltimateJohnMcCain.com
Read the release. 05/08
Judging McCain’s ‘judges’ speech
American Spectator – Quin Hillyer writes that John McCain’s speech on judges, and especially the Justice Advisory Committee proposal, was a step in the right direction,. Read. 05/10
John McCain and the ‘Hillary Democrats’
Human Events – Pat Buchanan sees the ‘Hillary Democrats’ ('white' working class voters) as the key to the 2008 presidential race. Unless McCain embraces their conservative cultural values, he’ll lose them. Read. 05/10
Will McCain’s past abortion stances haunt him?
ABC News – John McCain often touts his 100% pro-life record, but his past support for abortion ‘exceptions’ doesn’t gel with the GOP platform. Read. 05/10
McCain now the center of Obama’s attention
Washington Post – Obama turns his fire on McCain. Read. 05/10
McCain’s Veepstakes: Michael Steele
Human Events – John Gizzi, the conservative journalist with an encyclopedic knowledge of politics, presents the latest in his series on potential McCain running mates. This time: former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele. Read. 05/09
Mitt Romney as McCain’s VP?
Sabato’s Crystal Ball – Kathryn Jean Lopez, whose magazine (National Review) endorsed Mitt Romney for president, argues for his selection as McCain's VP. Read. 05/09
Free-market expert: McCain healthcare plan isn’t perfect, but it's pretty good
National Review Online – Michael Cannon of the libertarian CATO Institute has mostly good things to say about McCain's healthcare plan. Read. 05/09
Did McCain push a shady land deal?
Washington Post – Is there anything to the Post's story of an Arizona land deal? Or is this another hit job, like that New York Times story on McCain's "relationship"? Read. 05/09
Some still dissing McCain at polls
Politico – McCain’s people have varying explanations for the continuing strength of their candidate's primary opponents. Read. 05/09
A fight strategy for McCain
American Thinker – Based on a boxing analogy, a three-pronged strategy for McCain in battling Obama. Read. 05/09
Senator McCain and Judicial Appointments
RedState – Representative Tom Feeney blogs that John McCain has the right philosophy on judges. Read. 05/09
Cindy McCain: I’ll never release my tax returns
Breitbart – Cindy McCain says she’ll never publicly release her tax returns, even if her husband wins the presidency. Howard Dean smells a rat. Read. 05/09
NBC’s Ann Curry: John McCain is so old, he’s 71. Did I mention he’s 71?
Newsbusters – The liberal media – usually oh-so-sensitive about any attitude that might be construed as bigotry – keep trying to make an issue out of John McCain’s age. Witness Ann Curry of the 'Today' show. Read. 05/09
McCain pushes priorities that resonate among conservatives
New York Times – Social conservatives are wary of Republican candidates promising them many things during a campaign only to shun them once the election is over. So they're skeptical about McCain. Read. 05/08
Jack Kemp: McCain’s savvy tax ideas
Washington Times – Jack Kemp sees newspaper editorials noting John McCain’s ‘changed’ position on tax cuts, and asks: So what? Aren't politicians allowed to see the light? Read. 05/08
Navy records say North Vietnamese tortured McCain
Associated Press – McCain’s Navy file acknowledges that he was tortured – and what he did and didn’t do about it. Read. 05/08
Protest votes handicap McCain in primaries
Washington Times – Pundits compare John McCain’s primary-vote percentages with those of George W. Bush in 2000 – which is ironic, because the common factor in both tallies is McCain himself. McCain’s getting smaller percentages in both instances, a sign that the base isn’t yet with him. Read. 05/08
McCain’s quest for the Hispanic vote
Washington Times – Hispanics in the U.S. are by and large conservative, yet conservatives and Hispanics are pushed apart by such issues as illegal immigration. What's McCain to do? Read. 05/08
Will some Clinton Democrats support McCain?
Boston Globe – The tension of the drawn-out Democratic campaign season is beginning to show, as a high percentage of Hillary Clinton’s supporters say they won’t vote for Barack Obama in November. But, in the end, will they really vote for McCain? Read. 05/08
McCain takes time to joke with comedian Jon Stewart
Associated Press – McCain appears on ‘The Daily Show,’ the leading source of 'news' for many of our citizens. Read. 05/08
Remembering McCain’s teacher
The Weekly Standard – McCain’s high school classmate, Ken Ringle, writes of a teacher at Episcopal High who heavily influenced his life and McCain's. Read. 05/07
McCain still hasn’t united Republicans
New York Times – The presumptive GOP nominee is still losing about a quarter of the Republican support. Is this a problem? Read. 05/07
McCain says he would put conservatives on the Supreme Court
Washington Post – Good news for conservatives, and arguably a reason to support McCain despite everything else: McCain promises that his principal advisors on judicial appointments will be a group headed by prominent conservatives Ted Olson and Senator Sam Brownback. Read. 05/07
McCain assures conservatives of his stance on judges
New York Times – Most conservatives were pleased with McCain’s speech about judges, but many still have a problem with his membership in the ‘Gang of 14.' Read. 05/07
Is McCain an ‘extremist ideologue’ on judges?
Washington Post – McCain says he is against judges twisting the Constitution to advance political ideology. For this, the Democratic National Committee calls him an ‘extremist ideologue.’ Read. 05/07
Arianna Huffington says McCain didn’t vote for Bush in 2000
Huffingtonpost.com – Liberal blogger Arianna Huffington says that John and Cindy McCain told her after the 2000 election that they didn’t vote for George W. Bush. Read. 05/07
McCain says he actually did vote for Bush in 2000
Washington Post – No matter what Arianna Huffington says, John McCain insists that he did vote for George W. Bush in 2000. Read. 05/07
McCain targeting Hispanic votes
Washington Times – Conservatism takes the side of the average person against powerful elites. Conservative principles are universal and apply to all, regardless of ethnic group or language. Hispanics in particular tend to be conservative. So the way for a Republican to get Hispanic votes is to by being consistently conservative – not by targeting Hispanics with a Spanish-language Web site or by visiting a convention of La Raza ('The Race'), as McCain is doing. Read. 05/07
Is McCain a Goldwater conservative?
FindLaw – John Dean – Nixon aide, Watergate figure, now a leading basher of President Bush and most things Republican – claims the McCain betrays the Goldwater tradition. Read. 05/06
McCain rips liberal justice system
Washington Times – McCain attacks judges who impose their personal and political views on the Constitution and the statutory law – finally showing some passion on an issue that conservatives really care about. Read. 05/06
McCain will seek judges like Roberts, Alito
Reuters – McCain pledges to appoint more judges like Roberts and Alito, the moderate conservatives currently on the Supreme Court. Read. 05/06
How John McCain can win the base: Pick Jindal
The Yorktown Patriot – Well-known conservative thinker James Lucier writes that, if McCain wants to win over the GOP's conservative base, he can choose Bobby Jindal as his running mate. Read. 05/06
McCain would evict Russia from G-8 Group
Bloomberg.com – McCain wants to exclude Putin's Russia from the G-8, the group of industrial democracies, since it is neither. Some see that as saber-rattling. Read. 05/06
McCain, Democrats would only make campaign finance mess worse
Wall Street Journal – The McCain-Feingold law is an unmitigated disaster, empowering wealthy extremists like George Soros while making it hard for honest candidates of modest means to compete. McCain, Obama, and Clinton all want to take away even more of your First Amendment rights. Read. 05/06
The McCain dilemma: split personality on his wars
Renew America – McCain is brave enough to call Islamic terrorism ‘Islamic terrorism,’ but his Straight Talk on domestic politics seems aimed at criticizing his own supporters. Read. 05/06
Star Parker: McCain is right on health care
Townhall.com – Star Parker writes that McCain’s healthcare platform is a step in the right direction. Read. 05/06
McCain-Jindal ’08?
New York Times – Bill Kristol writes that, in order to beat Obama, McCain must choose an unorthodox running mate – NOT someone like Romney who would remind voters of the tainted Republican ‘brand.' How about Jindal? Read. 05/06
Jindal as VP: a local view
BayouBuzz.com – From a Louisiana perspective, a look at Jindal's prospects as a potential VP candidate. Read. 05/05
Poll highlights importance of character
New York Post – In a tough year for Republicans, McCain's character is what's keeping him in the race. Read. 05/05
McCain launches Spanish-language site
TheHill.com – The McCain campaign launches a Spanish site in order to connect with Hispanics... but sends a questionable message about the necessity of a unifying national language. Read. 05/05
Differences between McCain and Obama go beyond the obvious
Associated Press – Whether it's McCain or Obama, a candidate's personal campaign style will be reflected in his presidency. Read. 05/05
The trouble with McCain’s health plan
National Journal – Commentator Clive Crook writes that McCain’s plan is ‘half right,’ but that won’t work in the end. Crook adds the Democrats’ plans won’t work either, but that those plans are more likely to appeal to concerned voters. Read. 05/05
Is McCain’s age just a number in 2008?
Politico.com – Fair or not, John McCain’s age will be an issue in the presidential race. Some say McCain has Reagan’s age-defying qualities. Others compare him to Bob Dole, a war hero but kind of a fuddy duddy. Read. 05/04
Is McCain fudging on his health, finances?
New York Times – John McCain keeps insisting that his health is fine, and he’s released a couple years’ worth of tax returns, but the New York Times thinks that’s not enough. Read. 05/04
Jim DeMint: McCain’s health plan empowers people
RealClearPolitics.com – Senator DeMint, a rare conservative among members of Congress, notes that McCain’s healthcare proposals would reform a broken system. Read. 05/04
McCain’s health care ‘plan’
Washington Times – John McCain’s recently announced healthcare proposals would let private individuals make their own decisions but would help the hard-to-insure and veterans. Read. 05/03
Fred Thompson will join McCain on trail
CBSNews.com – Fred Thompson, a self-styled conservative who never caught on with conservatives, will join John McCain on the campaign trail in North Carolina next week. Read. 05/03
Lowry: Is John McCain the candidate of change?
National Review Online – Rich Lowry commends John McCain on his latest health care proposals, but says fixing the healthcare system is just the start of a broader conservative reformation. Read. 05/02
McCain slowly distancing himself from Bush
Reuters – With George W. Bush setting records for unpopularity, John McCain has no choice but to try and distance himself from the president. With carefully targeted criticisms, McCain is trying to do just that – albeit, very slowly. Read. 05/02
By chasing so-called moderates, McCain may anger conservatives
Washington Times – Fundraising numbers indicate that McCain’s still got a long way to go to convince his conservative base that he’s for real. Read. 05/02
From a former POW: Messages from John
Wall Street Journal – From his days as a POW, a telling portrait of the GOP candidate. Read. 05/02
McCain swings outreach to conservatives
USAToday.com – John McCain’s spent weeks on his biography tour, his ‘forgotten places tour,' and his ‘health care tour,’ but will soon target conservatives on such issues as judges and the Second Amendment. Read. 05/02
McCain and Hillary join on gas tax break
Bloomberg.com – Clinton and McCain both support a federal ‘gas tax holiday’ for the summer months. The 'experts' dug up by the media don't like the idea. Read. 05/02
John McCain: The Right Rx
National Review Online – John McCain himself authors an article on his healthcare plan. Read. 05/02
Bush is McCain’s Dr. Wright
Salon.com – Joan Walsh concludes that George W. Bush is a greater drag on John McCain than Jeremiah Wright is on Barack Obama. Read. 05/02
McCain’s tax cuts and thrift are what America needs
National Review Online – Deroy Murdock expresses support for McCain’s economic plan and criticizes George W. Bush for profligate spending. Read. 05/02
McCain Veepstakes: Running with Ryan?
Human Events – John Gizzi takes a look at another name that’s been mentioned as a possible running mate for John McCain, Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan. Read. 05/01
McCain promises billions in spending
Associated Press – So much for the Era of Big Government being over! John McCain has made many proposals to increase federal spending. NOTE: This article falsely describes tax cuts as ‘spending.’ Read. 05/01
McCain health plan could mean higher tax
New York Times – John McCain says his health plan would cut costs and improve affordability by allowing individuals to ‘shop’ for coverage. One effect the plan might have is to raise taxes on those with good incomes or health plans, because the tax credits wouldn’t offset their higher wages. Read. 05/01
Novak: McCain not taking advantage of Obama stumbles
Human Events – Robert Novak provides some Washington insider tips – including criticism of John McCain for his missteps in the North Carolina GOP Obama/Wright ad issue. Novak also writes that Mitt Romney is seen as the leading candidate to be McCain’s running mate, though the decision has not yet been made. Read. 05/01
As McCain targets so-called center, can he hold conservatives?
Reuters – John McCain is departing from the Bush/Rove strategy of 2000 and 2004, where the conservative base was leaned on heavily (and promised everything) in order to do what was necessary for Bush to win. McCain is relying less on conservatives, hoping that independents will push him over the top – and that conservatives will go along. Read. 05/01
Senate declares McCain eligible for presidency
New York Times – The Senate has spoken: John McCain, born in the Panama Canal Zone while his father was in the Navy, is a ‘natural-born citizen,’ and constitutionally eligible to become president. Read. 05/01
McCain courting House GOP
New York Times – John McCain may be a bit behind in his outreach to conservative leaders, but the same can’t be said of his efforts to court support amongst the House Republican leadership. McCain has often been at odds with party members in the House, but he’s taking steps now to make sure there’s a happy ‘marriage’ there. Read. 04/30
McCain offers (semi-)market-based health plan
Washington Post – McCain’s plan would essentially eliminate the tax deduction for businesses that purchase health plans for their employees and shift the benefit to individuals through tax credits. Individuals would then be able to shop for more affordable health plans. Read. 04/30
McCain’s health plan shows progress
Wall Street Journal – John McCain’s plan is probably the least bad of any offered by the remaining major-party presidential candidates... which isn't saying much. Still, it contains elements of consumer choice and free markets. Read. 04/30
Liberals already shredding McCain’s health plan
ABCNews.com – It didn’t take long for self-appointed health coverage expert Elizabeth Edwards (wife of John) to take shots at John McCain’s health plan. Too much reliance on free people making free choices, one supposes. Read. 04/30
Karl Rove: Getting to know John McCain
Wall Street Journal – Karl Rove relays some personal stories he’s heard about John McCain, and insists that the candidate must ‘open up’ to become known – it would only help him to allow the public to know him better. Read. 04/30
McCain should spread H.O.P.E.F.U.L. message
Townhall.com – Cal Thomas writes that McCain needs to go about it differently if he wants to truly lift up the poor. Instead of heading to the ‘forgotten places’ of the country, McCain should spread a message of success – a 'H.O.P.E.F.U.L.' message of Helping Other People Enjoy Full and Useful Lives. Read. 04/30
Presence of Bob Barr could sink McCain
Third Party Watch – A recent online Zogby poll showed that the possible presence of Bob Barr on the Libertarian Party ticket would drain 3-4% of John McCain’s support, which would place him behind Barack Obama.
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