John McCain isn't interested in my vote. I'm not his base. Here's a little video evidence, followed by some straight talk from Thomistic:
Why can't the rest of the Republican base be as intelligent as this kid?
Here's where you can find the link mentioned in the video above: The Hall Report- John McCain is NOT a Conservative!
My thoughts...
John McCain doesn't need my vote. If he gets the nomination, he'll have done it without me (and many, many conservatives). He hasn't been trying to appeal to me or other conservatives, and he gives little indication that he will. Why would he? Why would he admit being wrong in the past or change his positions when they've gotten him this far?
McCain's own mother said the base doesn't support him, but will have to plug their nose and vote for him: "Yes, I think holding their nose they’re going to have to take him."
Here's why the base doesn't like him: McCain Method: Tell Republicans They're Racist, Wrong and Stupid
John McCain: The Anti-Conservative by Jed Babbin
If the Republican party chooses McCain, they'll have done so by saying that conservatives like me don't matter, and I can respect their right to hold that opinion, but don't expect me to vote for someone I don't want, in any way, shape, or form – someone you've essentially ramrodded through, much the way McCain tried to ramrod his amnesty bill through. You got him without my help while telling me I'd have to accept him as the nominee once you did. Okay, he may get the nomination, thanks to his supporters and those who've promised to vote for him if he gets nominated (thereby reassuring his supporters that it's safe to thrust him on the rest of us), but he will never get my vote, unless he admits to lying about the things he's lied about and admits to being dead wrong on major issues for over a decade.
Republicans banking on McCain's ability to draw liberals, moderates, and independents into the "big tent" have been steamrolling any opposition and insisting that conservatives will have to just hold their noses and vote for McCain. What's the compelling reason for voting for McCain given to conservatives? McCain is better than Hillary or Obama.
If McCain does get the nomination through support from "Republican" liberals, moderates, and independents, then he didn't need me to get nominated, and those who nominated him shouldn't expect me to turn around and vote for him when I, and many, many others, tried to warn them not to do it.
"But", they'll say, "McCain really, really is still better than Hillary or Obama".
First response: As the videos above indicate, there's a lot of evidence to the contrary.
Second response: Is that the best you've got? I have to vote for him because he's not either of the Democratic nominees? That's really your answer?
So, let me get this straight... I get no promises that he'll do anything to advance the things I care about? I'm supposed to just vote for John McCain because he's got an "R" after his name and therefore not technically a Democrat?
I'm supposed to ignore the fact that he's known to have considered becoming a Democrat and even running as John Kerry's vice-president (according to John Kerry, and I believe Kerry on that score).
I'm supposed to ignore that McCain has shown little evidence of conservative principles over the last decade, and sided with liberal Democrats over conservative Republicans on major issues of serious importance to the Republican base, while insisting that those who disagree with him are extreme, ignorant, nativists, and racists. Everyone talks about how well McCain works with Democrats, but there is scant evidence that John McCain works well with conservatives.
I'm supposed to ignore that he supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, which is essentially government funded abortion.
Any claim that people who support killing developing babies for scientific research is "pro-life" is intellectually dishonest. How will Roe vs. Wade ever be reversed if the government, popular "wisdom", and "Maverick" support killing human beings for scientific research at the earliest stages of their development?
Yet I'm supposed to vote for that because Hillary or Obama will be worse, right?
Worse than what? Killing developing human beings for scientific research is morally reprehensible.
Some conservatives call him McShamnesty over his support for amnesty comprehensive immigration reform, and i can see why they do. He can also be called McMengele for supporting the destruction of developing human beings for scientific research.
I'm tired of people trying to say that candidates who support embryonic stem cell research are pro-life.
That's not pro-life.
John McCain is not only not a reliable conservative, he isn't running as a conservative. He's not even trying to promise conservatives he'll give conservatives the things they want. Why should he? Look how far he's gotten without us? Call Romney a flip-flopper if you like, but at least he's saying the right things now!
Video: Romney vs McCain - Economy, temper, conservatives
McCain is still trying to justify everything he's done in the past, telling people who cite his record that they have misunderstood his actions, and claiming that his past actions really aren't what they really were, and he's making no effort to indicate he'll do things differently in the future. He's running a very dishonest campaign for someone who claims to stick to "straight talk". See: McCain’s Crooked Talk
Rush Limbaugh: John McCain Is No Maverick
What is a maverick? A maverick is somebody that bucks tradition and principles held by a majority of people. A maverick is somebody in it for himself. Even Cindy McCain has said that her husband loves the maverick label, and she does, too. Who attached the maverick label to McCain? The Drive-By Media! Are there any Democrat mavericks? Are there any mavericks on Democrat side? Lieberman is a maverick, and look what the Democrats have done to him. They ran him out of the party! Now, we're left to believe that the Drive-Bys and the Democrats, that they love these mavericks. They love these independent thinkers, these "straight talkers." Only when they're on our side! When the maverick is on our side denouncing our side, running against our side, doing what he can to diminish our side, of course the Drive-Bys love him. The New York Times, Washington Post, whoever it is endorsed this guy, the Drive-By Media choosing our candidate. What majority is McCain going against right now? Conservatives! He says he's trying to unify, but he's going against conservatives, and who are conservatives? Conservatives are the principled people who cut their teeth on the minority, were shut out until the 1980s when Reagan finally won, but made their presence felt in 1976. They had to continue to fight from a minority position back then through the nineties and even now today, and we do. Swimming against the tide? Conservatism goes against the ease of the population, the vapidity of cosmic justice like fairness and inequality that sounds so good. Conservatism is constantly swimming against the tide, because it's hard. Conservatism is an intellectual application. One arrives at conservatism after having thought about things, after having been curious. You know, liberalism is simply what you feel. You feel good about things. It's the most gutless choice that you can make. Anybody can be a liberal. By the way -- this is not my quote. I wish it were. I can't remember who said this. Might have been John O'Sullivan at National Review, but whoever it was said, "Any organization that is not by definition conservative will be liberal." Liberal is not something somebody has to be convinced of. It's not something you have to run around and persuade people about. You don't have to argue with them to change their minds. It's just the natural ease of dealing with ephemeral issues and it is not really solving them, but making you and everybody else think you care deeply about them. Conservatism is not easy. It takes work. It takes thought, conviction against easy answers from the left that do not work but they sound wonderful -- and it really grates on a lot of conservatives who have devoted their lives to try to bring the ideology to as many people as possible; remind them it's the structure and basis for the founding of our country. It just grates to have people on our side so easily defect and then turn around, and turn the guns on us as though we are the problem, which is what is happening with the McCain campaign. Senator McCain successfully targeted the weak, the mushy, the squishy, the Jell-Os, some of the left, the Drive-By Media. The maverick... Here's the dirty little secret. The "maverick" is swimming with the majority. The maverick is not a maverick. The maverick is with the majority, and he's swimming very easily with the tide. He's not a maverick.
His record over the past ten years or so indicates that he's clearly not interested in conservative principles and has no love for conservative Republicans or the Republican party. He accuses those who oppose his ideas of being extreme and even suggests they are ignorant and/or racists.
He's on record as saying he doesn't want to appoint justices who wear their conservatism on their sleeve, which is the #1 reason I voted against him and encourage others to do so.
No matter how much a presidential candidate says they oppose abortion or think it's a bad thing, all that matters is what kind of justices they'll appoint.
All the rest is just talk.
If John McCain is the nominee, I will essentially be being asked to select between two proponents of the culture of death. Republicans will tell me I should pick McCain on the crapshoot that he might appoint good justices, despite ample evidence that he won't. Oh, and they'll remind me, for the millionth time, that he's not Clinton or Obama, and he's technically not a Democrat.
That's it?
Really?
Vote for McCain. He's not the other candidate. "You don't have to fall in love, you just have to fall in line."
I'm supposed to get in line behind someone who looks prepared to destroy almost everything I believe in because he might not destroy it as quickly as the other candidates?
Seriously?
Lame!
If you pick him, you can have him, but don't expect me to follow you.
You'll have gotten him without me (and many, many other conservatives). "To this point, about two out of every three primary and caucus participants have voted against him."
Good luck getting him elected without me (and many, many other conservatives). See: Caller: I am Not a Mind-Numbed Robot
Rush Limbaugh: One Candidate Now Stands for All Three Legs of Conservatism
We're Fed Up with "Compromise"
See also:
John McCain - Not Conservative, Not Good For The Pro-Life Cause
Conservatives Really Don't Like John McCain
The New York Times Spins For McCain: "As McCain Wins, Critics On Right Look Again"
Any thoughts?
I am sorry for you, Thomistic. You are not being, well, Thomistic in your analysis of the choices in November.
I for one will vote for Huckabee; I believe he is truly closer to Catholic Social Doctrine, including on immigration - considering that the extreme position on immigration is quite different from the position of the Catholic Church, before and after the Council.
Nevertheless, I will happily vote for McCain in November if he is the candidate, because there is an abyss between him and the Democrats. Between a pro-abortion, pro-infanticide (as is the case of Obama) and a pro-life (even considering the clear problem of stem-cell research*), there is truly no other choice than voting for McCain.
*Let us remember that most Republicans, including the current version of Mitt Romney and the President also support abortion in cases of rape or incest (the Mormon Church officially allows for abortion in such cases, and also in the all-encompassing case of "health risk" for the mother), which is also a problem for Catholics. But we have supported them in the past due to the fact that the option is still so much better than a 100% pro-abortion candidate.
Posted by: oy | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Oy,
Huckabee is a pro-life, pro-traditional family liberal. I support his pro-life, pro-traditional family values, but don't like anything else about him.
He also has zero chance of winning the nomination.
A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Of the remaining candidates who still have a chance of being elected President (McCain; Romney; Clinton; Obama) I am seeking the one who will stand up and commit to reduced taxes & spending; prsent a balanced budget and cease driving us toward complete socialism. As I haven't heard any politician since Reagan actually identify "government as the problem" I know full well that my ideal candidate is not among the last four still in the running. What a sad lot they are and what a downer it is for our children and grandchildren!
Posted by: Michael B. Layton | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I for one will vote for Huckabee; I believe he is truly closer to Catholic Social Doctrine, including on immigration - considering that the extreme position on immigration is quite different from the position of the Catholic Church, before and after the Council.
That is bull. First of all, people are upset about illegal immigration--not immigration in general. The United States is, already, the most generous country in the world when it comes to legal immigration. The U.S. allows more legal immigrants than any other country in the world.
What many people object to is massive illegal immigration and chaotic, dangerous, uncontrolled borders in an age of terrorism. I don't seem to remember anything in Church teaching stating that we must allow that situation to continue.
Secondly, Hucksterbee is a fraud. If he really cared about the issues he would have dropped out by now and thrown his support to Romney. But, he is staying in and splitting the conservative vote. He probably wants to be VP. They are just a bunch of egomaniacs.
Posted by: Patrycke | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Well, another emotional rant.
Yes, you should vote for McCain in the Fall for the sole reasaon that "he's better than Hillary". That's pretty much it. At least you got the argument right. He's better on abortion, his party is better on stem cell research (although McCain, Arlen Spectre, Arnold, and some other prominant Republicans support it), he's WAY better on judges, he's better on taxes, better for the economy, better on jobs, he's better on immigration, he's better on health care, better on the war...do I need to go on and on?
Yeah, when you minimize that he's basically a white Obama or male Hillary the way you do, you forget you're really talking about all these things and more.
You are not paying attention to the Democratic Race apparently. These aren't democrats anymore, they're socialists. And you have NO idea how bad a unified democratic trifecta (congress, judges, and president) would be...just as their party has lurched to the hard left.
You want federal funding of abortion again, don't vote for the better (not best) candidate; you want single payer health care, don't vote for the better candidate; you want a quick withdrawal from the war on terrorism, don't vote for the better candidate; you want more pro-abortion judges that will end the hope of overturning of Roe v. Wade for the rest of our lives, don't vote for the better candidate; you want immigration addressed, imagine what it will look like when republicans aren't consulted.
Now, the time may come where conservatives are being so ignored--and I think that time is closer than many think--that they need to sit some elections out or go elsewhere. I just don't think this one is it, not when so much is at stake.
I have no problem valuing the logic you so disdain: vote for McCain simply because he's better than Hillary. Yup, that about sums it up. I dislike Arnold's governing a lot, but I know things would be worse with a pro-la Raza, democratic governor (Cruz Bustamonte). It's hard to remember that...it's hard to imagine that...but we all know it. McCain is better than Hillary and Obama. We all know that; we'd be foolish not to vote that way in the Fall.
But at least that weird religious, self-righteous part of us (super-ego) that so loathes to feel it is just settling for things will not feel piqued or offended.
Posted by: Jimbo | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Jimbo, what they say is different from what they do. I don't believe Hilary would govern as liberal as she talks. And, I don't believe McAmnesty can be trusted to govern as conservative as he SOMETIMES talks. Talk is cheap.
At this point, barring a miracle by Romney, conservatives should start focusing on the Congressional elections. Obama must be defeated. But, if comes down to Hilary vs. McAmnesty, money and energy would be better spent on Congressional seats.
You will need as many conservatives in Congress as you can muster to keep either Hilary or McAmnesty in check. If that could be accomplished, then all is not lost. Sometimes the best you can hope for is stalemate. :o)
Posted by: Patrycke | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 01:34 PM
There was a VERY interesting focus group evaluation last night on FOX's Hannity and Colmes...there were two focus groups; one all Republicans and one all Dems...the two questions that were most compelling and telling to both were:
1) What significant can you say about the accomplishments of McCain? And, then Obama...?"
2) Would, as a Republican you consider Obama for your vote? And, to the Dems, "Would you consider McCain for your vote?"
Breaking it down, both sides cited accomplishments of McCain...war hero, record supporting troops and surge, Reagan Republican, etc (How the last one, I don't know as he really is a liberal)...for Obama, neither side could cite ACCOMPLISHMENTS...just that he was an effective orator...
On the second question, NO democrat said they'd vote for McCain, but, about 20% of the Republicans said they'd vote for Obama.
What does this mean? To me, it means that the dems are so fed up with Republican leadership there will be no crossover vote...they will be UNITED for the democratic candidate...and that some Republicans (albeit moderate to left) will abandon the party line in favor of a socialist dem...why, because they're fed up too...how sad...I've said here on this blog before...due to the inflexibilities of this administration to work with congress creating a bipartisanship to better this country not the excessive spending, a war that shouldn't have happened (although I don't support "cut and run" since we're there) no improvements to education, social security and, frankly, a division even within the Republican party I have not seen in my lifetime...it's sad really...the current administration is the reason we're in the position (for the next 4-8 years) we're in now. Then, it'll be VERY difficult to turn back to the true "Reagan Republican" White House that is so significantly blurred right now. This economy is heading for recession and a DEM will send us into a tailspin. People, keep your eye on the ball. Your future and the future of your children lay in the balance...and don't listen to the "noise" of people like Coulter who says she'll campaign for Clinton if McCain is nominated...she won't...She is VERY smart and has alot of good to say, but, she is a bit of a sensationalist and people listen to her...very confusing to the people that take her word as GOSPEL according to Ann.
Posted by: Donald | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Folks, Let’s have a chat … shall we?
McCain only cares about one thing and that is McCain. His stance on certain issues has nothing to do with his values or principles, it has to do with what he thinks is the best political position to take.
If something is good for McCain, he will see it as good for America.
BUT If something is good for America, but not necessaryily good for McCain .. he will choose what is best for him.
This man has taken his former POW status and made a political career out of it.
He doesn’t give a rats a$$ about anything or anyone except himself and his ego.
Did you know that he has been the biggest enemy to the families of Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action from Vietnam? He has made the efforts of these families a mockery by belittling witnesses during testimony at Senate hearings, supporting and passing legislation that weakened previous legislation which gave the families some sense of oversight. McCain just came in and gutted it - He has saw to it that documents remained classified LONG after their declassification date - Why? Because some of them deal with him and what he did while in captivity. Once again, he made the POW/MIA Issue about HIM!
for more - please go to http://powwarrior.wordpress.com
It will make you sick what this man has done to families whose fate was much worse than his own.
There is no denying what is there in black and white. Just watch the video … It will make you sick!
The man is a psycho - if elected, they will be adding a psych wing on to the West Wing! Maybe Brittney can come by for a visit and they can chat! UGH!
Posted by: Marc | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I just did some reading (online) about the 2008 Congressional elections. It was interesting.
The Democrats will have the advantage in the Senate because they need to defend only 12 seats. On the other hand, the Republicans must defend 23 seats. However, you never know what will happen. Bush and some corrupt Republicans really caused things to turn out bad for the Republicans (in Congress) in 2006.
Things look better for the Republicans in the House. Some analysts say that many rural districts (esp. in the South) could turn Republican from Democrat if it were too become apparent that a Democrat may be elected to the Presidency.
I know it isn't a likely scenario, but I would rather see a frustrated President Hillary battling a Republican Congress than a President McAmnesty having his way with both parties. The biggest problem is having enough conservative Republican senators who will block undesirables from the Supreme Court.
Posted by: Patrycke | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 02:08 PM
One more thing (I am really gettin' into politics today). I agree with what Donald aid about Coulter. As soon as McCain becomes the nominee, all the Republican pundits will probably shift gears and begin extolling his virtues. I still won't vote for him. I live in his home state. I see what he is like. The other Republican senator here isn't worth any rat's body parts either (Kyl).
**Okay, it's time to quit this nonsense (posting messages) and get some work done.**
:o)
Posted by: Patrycke | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Mormons are blasphemers. Blasphemy is worse than abortion. If Romney is a Mormon then his being "pro-life" (this week, anyway) is utterly irrelevant.
To vote for a Mormon is to slap our Lord in the face. No Catholic should behave with such contempt and disloyalty.
Viva Cristo Rey!
Posted by: Adeodatus | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I will be voting for Alan Keyes, as he is unabashedly Catholic, and is COMPLETELY in line with Church teaching. The media do not like him because he is conservative AND black... which doesn't fit their world view.
Posted by: Mark Jacobson | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Protestantism is blasphemy, as well. So I guess Catholics should only vote for Catholics, right Adeodatus?
Adeodatus, I don't love Romney or support Mormonism. I'm not electing him as Pope.
Hiring a Mormon isn't blasphemy, and neither is voting for one, particularly if they are pro-life and running against pro-abortion candidates.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Donald,
Here are some links as food for thought:
Bipartisanship is overrated.
A Bipartisan Compromise or a Conservative Sellout?
Quote:
Bipartisanship almost always means Republicans lose, Donald. The Democrats never, ever give an inch, but they'll happily take a mile.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:27 PM
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/
Election_mary.htm
The link above has a great election day prayer.
As St. Ignatius actually said (not reversed as is commonly done):
"PRAY as if everything depended on you; WORK as if everything depended on God."
Posted by: mary g | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Thomistic:
Never giving in, while absolutely utopian and honorable, does not yield consensus judgement...I wish it were as you say, believe me...unfortunately, Hitler, Stalin, Marx, radical Muslims, the PLO (get my point, I'll go all through history if I keep going) all had a form of utopian thinking. I think that the writings you've presented have GREAT honor as a goal. But, I think you'd agree that compromise (which is a form of giving to get the greater good, right?) such as voting for say, Huckabee, or Romney, or whomever, is a form of seeking the better of candidates, because the utopian candidate is not there, nor electable...or so I've read in your past posts to Paul and Keyes supporters thus, compromising their respective view of utopian thinking?
Unfortunately, my point is that Nixon was unyielding...and a nut job...Bush and Cheney are unyielding, and have not moved this country properly...those are my points...Reagan was a strong leader, but, a consensus builder...a quality of working with others, even those that didn't totally agree with his principles. That's what I mean by bipartisanship.
I also agree that the Dems are unyielding...I can't nor won't vote dem...I'd rather see a Libertarian than McCain or a Dem...it is, unfortunately, not a perfect world made up of imperfect people. Thanks for the reading materials and this GREAT blog, Thomistic!!
Posted by: Donald | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Although it cannot be disputed that the Most Blessed Sacrament is truly the Body and Blood of our Lord (and so eternally glorious and perfect), and the Protestant teaching of "consubstantiation" is thus a false and heretical doctrine, nevertheless I think there is a difference between that Protestant folly and the vile doctrines of Mormonism. "Consubstantiation" is an error born of pride and faulty intellect. What is the origin of the doctines of Mormonism? You know, the ones that teach that God has a physical body, that he had sex with the Blessed Virgin Mary, that Jesus is a "spirit brother" of the enemy?
Perhaps you will say that I'm splitting hairs, but I find the latter far more blasphemous than the former.
And while we're on the subject of who is or isn't Catholic... would you care to explain why immigration from Mexico is such a crisis for us Catholics? Most Mexican and Latin immigrants are Catholics. The percentage of American Catholics is actually increasing due to the influx of these brothers and sisters. Now, some will say it's costing "us" money. Who is this "us"? I'm poor - it's scarcely costing me a dime. Maybe it is redistributing money from our wealthy elites (mostly non-Catholic) to these salt-of-the-earth Catholics. Why should I be crying about that?
Anyway, the immigration issue is just a side show compared with the possibility of winding up with a President who teaches Mormon blasphemy. If a Mormon despiser of our Lord with access to the world's largest nuclear arsenal wouldn't turn out to be the Antichrist then I'm not sure who would.
Posted by: Adeodatus | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Donald,
I want to be clear that in saying I won't vote for McCain, I'm not endorsing a vote for a Democrat or third party candidate.
I'm also not saying I won't vote. I'll just vote for everything but President of the United States.
I also want to be clear on why i won't help McCain. McCain hasn't given any indication that will be in the best interest of my values and a lot of reasons to believe I'd essentially be helping him undermine my values.
McCain can have my vote if he gets the nomination and can prove he won't undermine my values.
If not, I can't feel compelled to vote for a pro-abortion candidate, even a lesser one who "only" supports developing killing babies for scientific research.
Perhaps John McCain will come around.
I'm not holding my breath.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Totally understood, Thomistic and I agree with you 100%...let's pray that Senator McCain understands that too...from the Republican base for which he has turned his back on. He kind of scares me though the more he speaks...I think you've had him pegged all along.
Posted by: Donald | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Adeodatus,
1) Consubstantiation is a Lutheran doctrine. It is not held by all or even most Protestants. Most Protestants believe the Lord was speaking symbolically at the Last Supper.
Most Protestants reject belief in the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin and deny her Immaculate Conception and sinlessness after her conception in the womb of St. Anne. They insist Our Lady was a sinner and just like any other woman. They maintain that God could have chosen any woman to do what He planned for Our Lady from all eternity and accuse Catholics of idolatry because they love and honor the Holy Mother of God. In fact, most of them hate hearing Her called the Mother of God.
All Protestants deny that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church. They reject the Holy Father. They reject most of the seven sacraments. The list of ways in which they deny Christ's teachings and misuse Sacred Scripture would fill volumes of books.
Their error may not be as bad as that of Mormons, but their error is egregious in that it is contrary to the truth and the Holy Will of God.
It is a sin to believe what Protestants believe if one knows that it is an error, and their errors are blasphemous. Make no mistake about that. They essentially refuse to believe what Christ taught.
They are not culpable, and can (and often are) good people.
The same can be said of Mormons, who generally do not know any better than a garden variety Protestant that they are in error.
2) Antichrist will claim to be Jewish. He may or may not actually be Jewish, but the Church Fathers taught that he would and cited Our Lord in John 5:43:
"I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."
He will set himself up in the Temple of Jerusalem:
"Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Jesus mentioned this in Matthew 25:15:
""So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place..."
The antichrist will therefore not likely be a Mormon.
As for a President teaching Mormon blasphemy, you keep seeming to think the President of the United States is some sort of religious leader. He's not. Hiring a Mormon as president is not intrinsically immoral. It's as moral as hiring a Mormon to work as your employee.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Realize that the same people you quote would be vehemently against Romney if it was a Thompson v. Romney race. It wouldn’t be: “they are both Regan conservatives with strengths and weaknesses.” Instead, they would attack Romney accusing him of being a fake conservative opportunistic flip flopper who couldn't be trusted on life, private healthcare, traditional marriage, Regan coalition, etc...
I understand being for Romney when its Romney v. McCain. But making McCain out the be the devil is a little much.
The issues conservatives have with McCain are as follows:
1) He limited how much one can contribute to political campaigns; 2) wants to allow illegal aliens become citizens if they have no criminal record, pay a fine, learn English, and pay all back taxes; 3) supported federal funding of embryonic stem cell research; 4) voted against two of Bush’s tax cuts because Bush would not rain in spending; 5) worked with democrats to form the “gang of 14" to allow Roberts and Alito to be confirmed, but prevented the republican majority from using the nuclear option (which is good now that the dem’s are in power); and 6) opposes water boarding and other coercive interrogation techniques because he was tortured while a POW in Vietnam.
The embryonic stem cell research support is troubling. Everything else I can live with because I know it’s better than what I would get in a democratic administration. McCain is the more pro-life candidate (vs. the dems), will reduce government spending, and will not pass universal healthcare or push through liberal judges.
Other than stem cell research, my main problems with McCain are the side issues (his anger, his twisting of Romney’s “time tables” quote). I worry that he has lost his “straight talk” and has turned into the very thing he claims to be fighting against.
In all honesty, I don’t care that he may have pondered switching parties. As you said, simply having a (R) next to your name is meaningless. I’d trust him with our armed forces in Iraq, I can’t say the same for Hillary.
November will become a referendum on the war. If you want us out, vote for the democrat. If you want us in, vote for the republican. Despite all the big talk, that will be the only realistic policy “change” that could come out of the election.
Posted by: Charley | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 05:41 PM
1. Romney: I don't care what Mormonism *teaches*; I do care that he says, in regard to Mormonism, what Kennedys say in regard to Catholicism. If he said, "I'm a devout Mormon and my religion is the most important thing in my life," I'd respect him. As it is, he's a flip-flopper. Like Schwarzeneggar, he's only a Republican because of the state he governed, and he suddenly became a "conservative" when he decided to run for president.
2. Can't stand McCain, but if I have to hold my nose and vote for him in November, I will--if he has Huckabee or Brownback as a running mate.
3. I voted for Huckabee. He's firm in his religious convictions. He's not perfect (what politician is), but he's strongly pro-life (wants to be an activist president and not just settle for "appointing justices); He supports homeschooling and traditional marriage. He opposes divorce. I strongly support the Fair Tax plan (which is badly misrepresentated in the media and by conservative pundits). And Huckabee still has a chance. People say he can't win the election, but I think just the opposite. Since Reagan, history has proven that there are three swing groups who win for the Republicans:
a) Libertarians (if Ron Paul runs 3rd Party, we can count them out)
b) extreme Evangelicals who would rather abstain than vote for a mediocre candidate (Huckabee, Brownback, or maybe Paul could win them over).
c) "middle-of-the Road" Catholics: the people who consider themselves "Democrats at heart," and care about pro-life somewhat, but justify their vote by "The Republican's aren't much better." THese people won it for Reagan, and they won it for Bush in 2000 & 2004.
Groups a) and b) are predictable. Group C) is not. But a ticket with McCain and either Huckabee or Brownback would probably win group C over, easily.
Posted by: JC | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 06:12 PM
The more I read this garbage the more I realize that we all must vote for Alan Keyes.
He is Catholic through and through and our sweet Saviour will bless this country when he is elected,
Romney and McCain will keep the abortuary, that America has become, churning away and we are dead if either one of them is elected.
Ut Prosim
Posted by: Dan Hunter | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 11:27 PM
ALL:
Not that I'm for McCain (I'm not), but if it makes you feel better, even though McCain is for federal funding for embryonic research, I have reason to believe that he will NOT remove the ban on it.
Here: http://ncregister.com/site/article/7967/
This is an article from the National Catholic Register and the article supports McCain and is written by Senator Brownback. Now normally, this would just be just an endorsement by another senator. But there are two differences:
-He's solidly catholic. That should make even Thomistic's eyebrows raise just a little.
-He's the AUTHOR of the ban on federal research money for embryonic stem cell.
This article basically says that McCain is prolife. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)
TRANSLATION: "Please notice that I wrote about ALL the pro-life issues EXCEPT the ban on embryonic stem-cell research. And considering that I'm the author of the ban, not mentioning it is to be taken as a message to you all which is this: I spoke to McCain about the whole ban-thing, and don't worry he won't take it away."
I can't be sure that that is what the article means, but it gives me a little relief.
Martin
Posted by: Imprimartin | Wednesday, February 06, 2008 at 10:41 AM
3 points here....
1)Appointing pro-life Justices
With McCains voting for liberal justices Ginsberg and Stephen Breyer and of colluding with Democrats in their campaign to kill the most conservative Bush nominees, what guarantee is there a President McCain will nominate and fight fokr the fifth jurist who would vote to overturn Roe v Wade?
2) Vote for McCain because he was a War hero.
Benedict Arnold was a war hero! Enough said.
3) McCain is anti-America.
Why does McCain have Juan Hernandez who is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Mexico however was born in Fort Worth Texas as his Hispanic Outreach Director for his campaign?
Juan Hernandez was head of Vincente Fox's Presidential Office for Mexicans abroad. In this capacity he was a tireless advocate for amnesty, driving license for illegals and most importantly the non-assimilation of Mexican immigrants and the Mexicanation of the United States. He is a senior fellow of the Reform Institute of which McCain founded and is funded by George Soros.
Go to Vdare.com to learn more about how McCain is Anti-American by his actions of the past and the many speeches he has made about America. For example that America does not have a culture however the Mexicans have a culture, what! Yes, there is more at Vdare.com check it out.
Posted by: american patriot | Wednesday, February 06, 2008 at 11:43 AM