Reflections On John McCain

And all the other candidates.

I think we all have to understand it's completely about manipulation, and who submits to and believes the soft serve-like, spoon-fed pablum/bullshit proffered. About manipulation both overt and covert, on both sides of the (ever-rapidly closing) aisle. If we didn't believe it last year when these campaigns began, we oh-so-believe it now, do we not?

We'll get to McCain in a moment. In the meantime, my take on:

1. FRED THOMPSON

The late, great candidate on whom so many placed such Dickensian-like Great Expectations. He waited too long to engage -- at first because we thought and hoped he possessed some sort of super-secret, great Reagan-like Ultimate Plan. What we subsequently discovered was every bit a grand disappointment: he was pretty much what he'd been all along. Somewhat self-serving, self-assured, but lacking the fire we know is demanded by current campaigns. Campaigns are what they are unconsidering of candidates' ages. And further examination revealed the soft white underbelly of Fred: too tied to lobbyists, too tied to the Bush Regime. Full of that slow, complacent Good Ol' Boy. We momentarily admired him for his principled stands to "not quite so play along" but finally recognized things for what they were: HE wasn't even convinced he wanted to be President.

Thereby killing any future political actions he may envision. Fool us once, Fred, but fool us twice?

2. RUDY GIULIANI

I supported Giuliani for a time because I recognized some Leadership qualities within him. He was hated in NYC because he refused to kowtow to every faction. He refused to allow Arafat into his city. He provided great leadership following 9/11. He cleaned up the city but, of course, it was his way or the highway. Managers and leaders are like that. He too had "gun" issues, "immigration" issues and "abortion" issues. My first triage topic: SCOTUS judges. He said from the very beginning his would be Strict Constructionists. Giuliani spent $60 million and acquired ONE delegate. His campaign manager should be lined up against a wall and shot. Rumors are that his campaign manager's pushing the "cheeseburger" icon on the register at an east coast McDonalds. Then Giuliani threw his support to McCain. So much for any political career in Giuliani's future. Dude, you are so dead to me.

3. MITT ROMNEY

Romney provided his finest prose in his final speech. Hey, excellent speech but about a year too late. Timing is everything. Perceived as a flipper, known as a Mormon, supported and promoted to the Nth degree by Hugh Hewitt (and therefore damaging my utter confidence in Hewitt, sadly), Romney could simply not overcome his religion, his buckage, his perfect good looks. His hair was every bit as pre-formed as John Edwards. Almost like running Jay Leno's jaw as a candidate.

But trust me: you haven't seen the last of Mitt Romney. 2012? He is smart as well as perfect. He is a card player. And he still has a few decks left.

4. MIKE HUCKABEE

In a way, Huckabee frightens me more than any other candidate. Even Ron Paul is more of a Known Quantity than Huckabee. Because, let me be blunt: I don't want Jesus as a candidate. I couldn't give a shit less that he may be "revered" by so-called Evangelicals. Too much of any one thing is simply too much. Period. And when you let religion interfere with common sense decisions and judgments, in my mind you are gone. WWJD simply DOESN'T translate into good policy or common sense for me. In a Perfect World we'd let everyone into the US. We'd fund every social program, here and abroad.

But this isn't a Perfect World. And it isn't MY responsibility as an American taxpayer to Save The Planet. I have a hard enough time saving myself. Huckabee will spend and tax for what he perceives to be his religious duty. Globally.

Okay. I'll admit it. I am not that altruistic. Not even close. And I submit that Huckabee, whilst motivated by "good," is about the least practical candidate here. And I ain't even going down that road if I can help it. Huckabee scares me, quite frankly, as an Islamist would scare me. And I'm still not convinced he's motivated even by altruism. People voting for Huckabee are voting to have their taxes increased, their pockets turned inside out, and their sofas upended for every last bit of coinage.

5. RON PAUL

One thing I must admire about Ron Paul: he is about the most base, clear, obvious and unpretentious candidate running. He is what he is, he states over-and-over what he is, he pulls no punches, he holds nothing back. He is every bit of what he is, on his face. I admire clarity and simplicity so, in a way, I admire Ron Paul on some levels that I don't admire any of the above candidates. But I simply cannot support his current positions. Maybe he was a Man Ahead Of His Time. Give me four more years. Maybe I can support him then. Maybe I'll have consumed sufficient vodka.

6. JOHN McCAIN

I think perhaps what concerns me most about McCain is his inner volatility. He seems to be motivated so much by inner vulcanism, retribution, arrogance, certainty and, I must admit it: anger. He is an angry, tempestuous, rash man. I think many of us objecting to McCain realize and recognize this, though we may not be able to coherently verbalize or publish these feelings.

Those dullards voting for McCain in the primaries are doing so after having seen only his First Coat. They are voting for the visual: clean. White. Male. Older. War veteran. POW.

They are not even remotely interested in digging a millimeter beneath the surface. My father, sadly, included. He is duped at his age.

If he would but declare what is so obvious: move to the Demorat Party, John. You are there. You are them. Simply declare the obvious and we shall have no argument.

But no.

BZ