McCain and the Oath

He has not been bashful about advising the Supreme Court. He should weigh in again, against aspects of McCain-Feingold.

By George F. Will | NEWSWEEK

Mar 10, 2008 Issue

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Discuss

Posted By: DragonScorpion @ 03/16/2008 2:16:04 PM

Comment: Anyone that doesn't acknowledge the obvious corrupting influence that money has on politics either possesses a naiveté bordering on stupidity or they're just completely dishonest.

Those who advocate for individuals or corporations or organizations to be able to give as much money {and thereby influence} to political candidates as they want as part of protected "free speech" is advocating corruption in politics.

It becomes rather obvious why this is such an issue for Republicans as their chief priority is to
protect business & preserve wealth at any cost. Of course one must keep in mind, too, that their understanding of what unscrupulous favors money can buy runs deep.
Posted By: smartprimate @ 03/10/2008 5:06:20 AM

Comment: It all depends on whether the SCOTUS views this as purely a free speech issue or a commercial speech issue. Because money is involved, even with the noble SpeechNow, the Supreme Court can view this as commercial speech. If so, the State can restrict speech if they can demonstrate a substantial interest (see 44 Liquormart v. Rhode Island). As a naturalized immigrant I too made a similar oath to ???preserve, protect and defend the Constitution???. This law may be imperfect; and if so it will evolve or die. But to assume that Sen. McCain disregards or is too cavalier with the Constitution because you view it differently is unfair. Nine justices can listen to one argument and come up with up to nine, and sometimes more than nine, opinions. Perhaps an A for effort ??? even McCain???s Legal Advisor Ted Olson would agree with you, but there has to be a start.
Posted By: smartprimate @ 03/10/2008 5:05:50 AM

Comment: It all depends on whether the SCOTUS views this as purely a free speech issue or a commercial speech issue. Because money is involved, even with the noble SpeechNow, the Supreme Court can view this as commercial speech. If so, the State can restrict speech if they can demonstrate a substantial interest (see 44 Liquormart v. Rhode Island). As a naturalized immigrant I too made a similar oath to ???preserve, protect and defend the Constitution???. This law may be imperfect; and if so it will evolve or die. But to assume that Sen. McCain disregards or is too cavalier with the Constitution because you view it differently is unfair. Nine justices can listen to one argument and come up with up to nine, and sometimes more than nine, opinions. Perhaps an A for effort ??? even McCain???s Legal Advisor Ted Olson would agree with you, but there has to be a start.
Posted By: libsRstupid @ 03/09/2008 3:19:16 AM

Comment: I don't get it. Obama is the first real contender for presidency. Who is the one pulling all the tricks to stop him? I'll give you a hint. Her name starts with "h". A bunch of white guys and Hillary/Bill couldn't defeat a black guy. So, they are going to bring in another white guy Al Gore. What are they going to do if they still can't defeat Obama? Are they going to accuse Obama of reversal racism? What has the Democrat Party been doing the last 40 years? Not one white guy is coming to rescue Obama. They are all wringing their hands to watch Obama lose, grinning. They can't stand a black man beat a white woman. The white women can't stand a black man win an election over Hillary/Bill. This is truly a RACISM.
Posted By: Heather m @ 03/06/2008 10:49:39 PM

Comment: I would like to know, with respect to McCain's service to our country, when someone is going to have the guts to question why people think it's a good idea that a P.O.W. should be president? If you don't think that, that is going to affect his judgment on the issue of our national security, your fooling yourself! I don't want to be misunderstood, I do respect his service. I live in a military town, I have had friends and people in my own family who have been to war. All the way back to WW2, till now. I have seen first hand how going to war can affect you. I just don't think that it would be a good idea to have someone who was tortured for 6 years, in charge of whether we stay in this war for another 100 years or start a new one. Bob Dole stated tonight on Larry King, that McCain was locked up in a space no bigger than a table and has had anger issues in the past. We just don't really know his mental state. It has been proven that even a short time spent in solitary confinement in prison, that people are never the same. Anyone who has been to war, even behind the scenes, comes back a different person. Don't you think that if you were imprisoned and tortured for 6 years, you would have some issues? I do not feel he should not be allowed to live a normal life and have a normal job. I also know it has been a long time since he came home from Vietnam, but if you put him in a situation where he has to make those kinds of decisions for the United States, what do you think he's going to do? How do you think he's going to react? I just don't feel very secure with someone with his past, being in control of our national security. Someone in the media needs to bring this to our country's attention!
Posted By: votenic @ 03/05/2008 3:36:21 PM

Comment: McCain? No McCain?
Give us ideas for different polls!
Support your candidate!
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Posted By: JohnGaltlaketahoe @ 03/05/2008 1:48:16 PM

Comment: WHILE THE US MILITARY IS AN OCCUPYING FORCE IN SUPPORT OF AN INCREDIBLE IRAQI PARLIAMENT THE AMERICAN ELECTION PROCESS IS SUBVERTED, GAMED AND RIGGED.

THESE CANDIDATES ARE FROM THE SAME BIPARTISAN CONGRESS WITH ALLEGIANCE TO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
THEY HAVE FAILED TO SERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES..FOR YEARS!
SOS TO ALL SHIPS AT SEA AND ALL AMERICAN MILITIA...TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY!

REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT CONVENTIONS WILL BE CHAOS AND THE REAL CANDIDATES WILL BE NOMINATED.

THEN THE REAL CANDIDATES WILL ANNOUNCE THE INDICTMENTS AND IMPEACHMENT OF GEORGE W. BUSH, RICHARD B. CHENEY AND THEIR CABINET OF ADVISORS.. THEY HAVE NO COUNTRY AND WILL HAVE NOWHERE TO HIDE.
Posted By: WeCanStopMcCain.org @ 03/05/2008 2:49:01 AM

Comment: RIDE ON DOUBLE TALK EXPRESS LEADS TO WAR

John McCain is clearly focused on one thing and one thing only - WAR. He lives for it, he loves it, he???s obsessed by it, it is his entire identity. He is a Post Traumatic Stress hot-headed and unstable lunatic who cares nothing about the will of the American people. He is loyal to his backers and his backers make a killing off of war, war and more war. It just so happens those are all of John McCain???s personal interests as well. He???s no sell out. He is a man of passion. And if elected, he will deliver.

In his own words, ???Friends, I want to give you some straight talk. Friends, there are going to be more wars. I???m sorry to tell you, but there are going to be more wars...???. Wow. Interesting Foriegn Policy approach there, John.

After 2004 it became apparent to me what I had been trying to forget after the 2000 election, that much of America has bad judgment. It would be foolish to under-estimate America???s bad judgment this time around. McCain, like Bush before him, can win. We cannot let that happen.

Unfortunately Hilary Clinton represents the exact same special interests that McCain does. They should run on the same ticket.

There is only one serious contender who is sane and that is Barack Obama. If you measure who the best candidate is by body count, consider that over 1.1 million people have died as the result of the Iraqi invasion. Consider also that Hilary and McCain pushed this forward every step of the way and remember that only Barack had the decency and good common sense to oppose this needless invasion from the very start, even when it was unpopular.

Someone who speaks in straight talk doesn???t have to keep reminding you that it???s straight talk. They just speak the truth. And that is why my vote is enthusiastically for Barack Obama this election season.

http://www.WeCanStopMcCain.org
- Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 08:45:16
  
  Comment: WecanttopMcCan: sounds like a PINKOBumer bullshivic: workers united for HOPE & CHANGE.
  intelligence analyst: Getzel.
- Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 08:11:08
  
  Comment: WecanttopMcCan: A #2 & #3 & #4: Says others insane, Says HOPE & CHANGE = no one will be at war with us if we just leave???clearly a PINKObumer campaign post.
  
  Research indicates there are 3, maybe 4 if you include congressmen, specific types of people that support PINKObumer.
  
  1. Hate themselves, and of course proclaim it is others that hate.
  2. Hate others, and of course proclaim it is others that hate.
  3. Most prevalent group: UDOPIANS: Characterized by bizarre manifestations of HOPE and CHANGE according to each individuals individual fantasy of utopia. UDOPIANS have the same side effects, not unlike alcoholics or drug addicts, they are in denial as to reality: that HOPE and CHANGE mean nothing; and yet those with UDOPIA feel HOPE & CHANGE means whatever they fanaticize it means. Each has the same basic politically correct response to those who try and point out they have UDOPIAN simplex: you are a neo-con or you hate or other similar politically correct accusations of the day. Someone points out: OBUMER you have UDOPIAN simplex: I see all the red flags of UDOPIA; same delusional HOPE for CHANGE answer every time.
  4. Congressmen, & their workers, who think PINKObumer is their: 4 more years of pork barrel: free meal ticket for their districts; no leadership with a clue to control congressional out of control spending.= easy re-election.
  
  Intelligence analyst. Getzel
Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 1:14:05 AM

Comment: Will George report on Condoleezza Rice having an oil super tanker named Condoleezza Rice or Will George stay a hack to the highest bidder. Intelligence analyst: getzel

OK they changed the name of her oil super tanker when she went in politics and parade her as a provost.
Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 1:07:11 AM

Comment: Will George report on Condoleezza Rice having an oil super tanker named Condoleezza Rice or Will George stay a hack to the highest bidder. Intelligence analyst: getzel

OK they changed the name of her oil super tanker when she went in politics and parade her as a provost
Posted By: mlbuie @ 03/04/2008 2:59:05 PM

Comment: "Also never mentioned, McCain was responsible for the deaths of 165 Navy seamen when he "Hot-dog wet-started his A-6" and "cooked-off a missle" on jet behind him on carrier Forrestal flight deck, which then struck his plane causing one of greatest single incident loss of life on a carrier"

I don't want McCain to win this, but are you trying to start another smear internet rumor? That is a bogus account of the Forrestal fire. People, please!
Posted By: 4th gen floridian @ 03/04/2008 11:59:57 AM

Comment: McCain's Ranch, Just like Bush's "Fake Ranch" (no horse, no livestock, just Hat) has become standard Republican political stage setting and Political Theater, so we must wonder what is real, if rest is false?

No true reporting?

McCain being a prisoner was not a "choice". McCain only had 20 hours of combat when shot down, he was a victim. Like other POWs, he survived, not a hero, But he got equivalent of 1 1/2 medals per combat hour. He also received better treatment than other POWs because NV knew his Father was Navy Admiral in charge of Europe, and he even got medical care for injuries in a Hospital.

Also never mentioned, McCain was responsible for the deaths of 165 Navy seamen when he "Hot-dog wet-started his A-6" and "cooked-off a missle" on jet behind him on carrier Forrestal flight deck, which then struck his plane causing one of greatest single incident loss of life on a carrier.

McCain was a Hot-Dog and got away with dangerous behaviors causing the deaths of others, crashed 4 planes in training, but as Son of Navy Admiral, he was treated specially? A true Son of Priveledge, just like barbeque stories by Big corporate Owned MSM?
Posted By: grama @ 03/02/2008 11:51:22 PM

Comment: typical John, arrogant,egotistical,extremely selfish and abviously thinks he is above everyone else which he probably will be if elected President, but who else is there, we are in big trouble
Posted By: Reefsaver @ 03/02/2008 1:48:47 PM

Comment: We owe our troops the best Commander-in-Chief we can give them. John McCain is by far the best option we have.

If somebody was shooting at George Will, I think he'd be more concerned about things other than McCain-Feingold.
Posted By: Reefsaver @ 03/02/2008 1:45:08 PM

Comment: I'm more worried about the little kids in Iraq. McCain is the right person to fix that anti-conservative mess.
Posted By: jgosnellc @ 03/02/2008 1:24:49 PM

Comment: George Will has been a one man obsession when it comes to McCain-Feingold. I have to wonder should it end tomorrow would he have anything at all to write about senator McCain --- it???s so one dimensional
Posted By: jgosnellc @ 03/02/2008 1:23:58 PM

Comment: George Will has been a one man obsession when it comes to McCain-Feingold. I have to wonder should it end tomorrow would he have anything at all to write about senator McCain --- it???s so one dimensional.
Posted By: Tivoli @ 03/02/2008 11:50:33 AM

Comment: John McCain must really hate these distractions from his single-issue candidacy. After all, the evil Democrats will pull us out of Iraq if we don't rally behind him.

Unfortunately for John McCain, there are so many of us who vote out of faith, not fear.
- Posted By: harmony55 @ 03/04/2008 18:22:52
  
  Comment: If it is faith that guides you, How can you let those in that vote against faith and free speach?
Posted By: LibertyCause @ 03/02/2008 11:05:15 AM

Comment: John Mccain must not be President. He violates the constitution, has no idea how an economy runs, and now that he is in his senior years, wants to be involved in war unlike after his time as a prisoner of war. He is a man with no direction for this country, only his own ambitions. It is not too late to write in Ron Paul for President.
Posted By: Bill45 @ 03/02/2008 10:05:34 AM

Comment: George Will does the voters a great service with the devasting analysis. John McCain must answer it specifically.

The sad dilemma for the voters is that Obama is worse.
Posted By: Bill45 @ 03/02/2008 10:04:32 AM

Comment: John McCain must respond to this. George Will has done the nation a great service in a few hundred words.

The dilemma for the voters is that Obama is worse.
Posted By: Ohg Rea Tone @ 03/02/2008 8:50:00 AM

Comment: John McCain, like just about every other ambitious politician, has aligned himself with others for two reasons - (1)get the job done and (2)Build alliances for future elections. But the Law of Association from mathematics is equally relevant in politics.......
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/03/01/politics-and-laws-of-association/
Posted By: jdugg @ 03/02/2008 8:25:44 AM

Comment: Mr. Will - you are committing a writers' worst sin. You are becoming T I R E S O M E. Write about baseball.
Posted By: marcmikematt @ 03/02/2008 3:30:57 AM

Comment: Attempting to limit political expeditures is futile, even if it were constitutional. There will always be a way out. Instead, why not prohibit broadcasters operating under FCC license from selling time for electioneering? They could still give it away, broadcasting as much electioneering speech as desired provided that it be even-handed with respect to candidates who are certified with suitable restrictions.
Posted By: marcmikematt @ 03/02/2008 3:24:25 AM

Comment: It is futile to attempt to limit expenditures by the speaker, even if it were constitutional. There will always be a way out. Instead, why not prohibit broadcasters operating under federal license from selling time for electioneering? They could still give it away, broadcasting as much campaign speech as desired, provided that it be even-handed with respect to candidates certified with suitable restrictions.
Posted By: sfinney0724 @ 03/01/2008 11:32:01 PM

Comment: There are a number of very valid reasons for conservatives to not support McCain. However, it comes down to this: The single most dangerous and long-range consequence of a Clinton or Obama presidency would be the appointment of perhaps two or three progressive liberals to the Supreme Court. Such appointments would be devistating to the Constitution as we know it, and to the liberty and freedom dreamed of by our founders.
Posted By: sfinney0724 @ 03/01/2008 11:31:35 PM

Comment: There are a number of very valid reasons for conservatives to not support McCain. However, it comes down to this: The single most dangerous and long-range consequence of a Clinton or Obama presidency would be the appointment of perhaps two or three progressive liberals to the Supreme Court. Such appointments would be devistating to the Constitution as we know it, and to the liberty and freedom dreamed of by our founders.
Posted By: TheAnalyst @ 03/01/2008 10:54:08 PM

Comment: You might call McCain a poser, a RINO, a liberal , even a left winger, however I bring this question forth: Why not vote for him next November? Even if you believe him not Conservative enough, think of what the alternative is. Is the alternative not more so against your conservative beliefs? If you do not vote for McCain, then you will have a Socialist Liberal in Charge, not a Moderate one. Use your heads folks, becase although you are very passionate about your beliefs and thus show a lot of heart, you must use logic. McCain was not my first choice either, however all things considered, I would rather have him in office than the Socialist Obama or True Liberal Hillary. Come on Conservatives, do not give in, even if he is not your ideal candidate, he is the best choice currently available.
- Posted By: bbsearchlight @ 03/02/2008 02:27:34
  
  Comment: Maybe next time the party will learn not to put up a candidate who is a Democrat. I live in New Jersey, we had RINO on our ballot named Christie Whitman, she was elected Governor and was one of the worst Governor's this state ever had, even Democrats were better than her. Your premise that McCain is better than the alternative is flawed. RINO's are worse than Democrats because they end up being EXACTLY the same as Democrats except that Republicans get blamed for everything they screw up. McCain's nominees for Supreme Court will all be liberals (take a look at the nominees of every RINO President in the past - every one of them were liberals). No, I will not vote for John McCain under any circumstances, I will either vote for the candidate on one of the other parties (not Democrat or Republican) if I can find a credible candidate, or I will write in a candidate for President.
Posted By: bdribus @ 03/01/2008 10:31:50 PM

Comment: McCain is public enemy number one when it comes to the First Ammendment. What is really disgusting is how he has benefited by limiting speech and debate. Were it not for McCain Feingold, Mike Huckabee could have competed financially with McCain. Now he refuses to debate Huckabee and uses surrogates to try to force him from the race. He stole the delegates from Louisiana by manipulating a corrupt system. He reeks of corruption, and is now trying to weasel out of the restrictions of public financing because of money troubles caused by his own legislation. Vote him down!
Posted By: rpallies @ 03/01/2008 9:11:25 PM

Comment: Why should there be any limits on anyone or any organization contributing as much as they want to any group or individual(including themselves)? Simply make a law that requires all contributions and thier cotributors to be made public. A web site could be created that lists all such contributions and thier contributors. Transparency seems the best and simplest answer to thjs problem
Posted By: doctorfixit @ 03/01/2008 9:08:16 PM

Comment: McCain clearly has no regard for the Constitution. He's a collaborator with the liberal fascists who believe that the end (international totalitarian marxism) justifies the means (subversion of Constitutional protections of free speach). He makes a point of stupid statements that he will not engage the Democrat party nominee. McCain is admitting that he is going to throw the election to the liberals. He is a poser.
Posted By: pmcs @ 03/01/2008 9:05:38 PM

Comment: McCain's greatest weakness is National Security.

His flawed judgement, when it comes to the greatest national threat, such as engaging in a war that will cost $12B a month, cost 4,000 American soldiers' lives, make the enemies get stronger, not weaker, then he (McCain) is extremely weak in National Security.

Even worse problem for McCain is that he (McCain) still believes that Iraq War strengthened our National Security. McCain doesn't know, or doesn't acknowledge if he 'knows', that the Iraq War terribly weakened our National Security.
- Posted By: razedbywolveswi @ 03/01/2008 23:02:27
  
  Comment: You dont have to apologize for the fact we are destroying the al Qaeda animals in Iraq. Nothing could have been more devastating to their credibility in the Arab world than for their Sunni brothers to side with the infidels and help hunt them down. Al Qaeda responded by strapping bombs on mentally disabled women and blowing them up in crowded markets. Only a moral idiot can fail to see the difference between our mission in Iraq and these violent criminals. The Iraqis have rejected the Wahhabi version of Islamo fascist hell and the Surrendercrats should too.
Posted By: pmcs @ 03/01/2008 8:12:20 PM

Comment: George W. Bush is the most disaterful President for America.

Bush doesn't care about the lives of ordinary Americans.

McCain-Bush, they share common policies and thus they are the same.

McCain Bush's era is over. It is time to move in different direction.

McCain, step aside.

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McCain and the Oath

Discuss

Posted By: DragonScorpion @ 03/16/2008 2:16:04 PM

Posted By: smartprimate @ 03/10/2008 5:06:20 AM

Posted By: smartprimate @ 03/10/2008 5:05:50 AM

Posted By: libsRstupid @ 03/09/2008 3:19:16 AM

Posted By: Heather m @ 03/06/2008 10:49:39 PM

Posted By: votenic @ 03/05/2008 3:36:21 PM

Posted By: JohnGaltlaketahoe @ 03/05/2008 1:48:16 PM

Posted By: WeCanStopMcCain.org @ 03/05/2008 2:49:01 AM

Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 08:45:16

Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 08:11:08

Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 1:14:05 AM

Posted By: getzel @ 03/05/2008 1:07:11 AM

Posted By: mlbuie @ 03/04/2008 2:59:05 PM

Posted By: 4th gen floridian @ 03/04/2008 11:59:57 AM

Posted By: grama @ 03/02/2008 11:51:22 PM

Posted By: Reefsaver @ 03/02/2008 1:48:47 PM

Posted By: Reefsaver @ 03/02/2008 1:45:08 PM

Posted By: jgosnellc @ 03/02/2008 1:24:49 PM

Posted By: jgosnellc @ 03/02/2008 1:23:58 PM

Posted By: Tivoli @ 03/02/2008 11:50:33 AM

Posted By: harmony55 @ 03/04/2008 18:22:52

Posted By: LibertyCause @ 03/02/2008 11:05:15 AM

Posted By: Bill45 @ 03/02/2008 10:05:34 AM

Posted By: Bill45 @ 03/02/2008 10:04:32 AM

Posted By: Ohg Rea Tone @ 03/02/2008 8:50:00 AM

Posted By: jdugg @ 03/02/2008 8:25:44 AM

Posted By: marcmikematt @ 03/02/2008 3:30:57 AM

Posted By: marcmikematt @ 03/02/2008 3:24:25 AM

Posted By: sfinney0724 @ 03/01/2008 11:32:01 PM

Posted By: sfinney0724 @ 03/01/2008 11:31:35 PM

Posted By: TheAnalyst @ 03/01/2008 10:54:08 PM

Posted By: bbsearchlight @ 03/02/2008 02:27:34

Posted By: bdribus @ 03/01/2008 10:31:50 PM

Posted By: rpallies @ 03/01/2008 9:11:25 PM

Posted By: doctorfixit @ 03/01/2008 9:08:16 PM

Posted By: pmcs @ 03/01/2008 9:05:38 PM

Posted By: razedbywolveswi @ 03/01/2008 23:02:27

Posted By: pmcs @ 03/01/2008 8:12:20 PM

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