Stunning, in every sense of the word.
Update, 2/07/2008 1247 hrs.: Lotsa links and Romney video at Wizbang. And Taylor Marsh sez "Bet on it. It's McCain. Things just got tougher for Democrats." S' true, that.
Something else that's true: I just gained a whole helluva lot of respect for Romney, something that was previously lacking. The handwriting was on the wall, true. But it takes a very BIG man to recognize that fact and concede gracefully. And I SO like the way Mitt put it: "In this time of war..." Good on ya, Governor Romney.
Update 2/07/2008 1350 hrs: Well, I just finished watching McCain's CPAC speech. He hit all the right points and... surprise of surprises... was roundly cheered by the crowd. There were some isolated boos, but not all that many. As I said: surprise. Michael Steele, the Republican former Lt. Governor of Maryland, said McCain "hit it out of the park." I tend to agree. We'll see what the rest of the conservative world has to say as the days, weeks, and months unfold...
From where I sit, it's wonderful, in every sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the POTUS 08 station at 8:45 this morning (on XM Satellite radio in my new car), and reporters were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Romney and McCain at the Conservative Political Action Conference in DC. It was noted that there were tons of Romney tchotchkes available, but literally nothing for McCain. Interesting that Romney would choose that venue to make his "suspension" announcement. Most of the attendees must've lost their appetites immediately.
So now it comes down to McCain and preacher Huckabee ... and the far right wing will finally understand that no one wants a president who can't separate keep separate the matters of church and state.
I'm waiting for McCain's speech at CPAC, as we speak (and I type)... Fox sez they'll broadcast it, but I'm sure C-SPAN will re-run it later tonight if Fox doesn't broadcast it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as ...the far right wing will finally understand that no one wants a president who can't separate keep separate the matters of church and state.
I wouldn't be too sure about that. There are some serious die-hards in that camp. Can you say "third party?"
Whoops. NICE car, Lori. Quite "manly." ;-)
ReplyDelete> I wouldn't be too sure about that. There are some serious die-hards in that camp. Can you say "third party?"
ReplyDeleteSure, but I can say "Libertarian," too and I don't see much happening there either. (Which is too bad; I might even join that party, were it more viable.)
Anyway, thankfully the "serious die-hards" in the wing nut camp number fewer than the moderates in the rest of nation.
Thanks for the comment about the car. The "Manly" thing is pretty funny. I hadn't planned to ever buy a car four doors OR an automatic tranny, but I guess those things were inevitable, since I'm turning 50 this year, eh? (Or not; I still ride the Yamaha!)
(Which is too bad; I might even join that party, were it more viable.)
ReplyDeleteBeen reading my profile, have ya?
The link to the bike pic is broken, Lori. But, speaking as a guy who owns a manual-transmission car and is waaaay over 50 years of age: NOT inevitable. But then again, it ain't too practical, my car. But it IS fun!
As for the fringe: They may not out-number the moderates, but they do vote in greater numbers. Which is why all the "I'll-stay-home" talk from erstwhile conservatives worries the shit out of me. With all due respect, the Clinton-Obama alternatives (and I use THAT term loosely) just scare the living crap out of me. I know we're strong as a nation, and all that, and we'd most likely survive if either of those wrong-headed people win... I'm just NOT willing to take that risk. There's TOO much at stake.
Interesting about the link to the bike pic. It worked for me. Try this one, instead, which has the addition of "www." (You've probably seen the pic before, anyway, so no biggie.)
ReplyDelete> There's TOO much at stake.
Between that slogan and the "change" thing, it's all sounding the same, regardless of candidate.
Like I said, I can live with McCain if he's the choice. I'm not sure what that says about me, other than I'm "moderate" about some things. (That, and I'm not in support of immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, if only because I believe we have to fix the mess we've made there.)
Mike Huckelberry=A far right winger...lol! That is funny! I'm a far right winger, "The Huckster' is not....he's an open border moderate that let's murders and other perverts out of jail on a free pass...sounds pretty liberal to me....amazing how those that hate Christians then they are all right wingers.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, McCain gave a good speech, do I trust or like him...Hell No!
But I am keeping my options open come November.
Your second link worked for me, and no, I hadn't seen that particular pic. Masterful tie-down job!
ReplyDeleteAgree on the "change" crap. Enough, already. TOO much, actually.
Pat sez: Having said that, McCain gave a good speech, do I trust or like him...Hell No!
ReplyDeleteI disagree with McCain on a lot of stuff, but I agree with him a whole helluva lot more than I do with someone like, say, Obama. Just as an example, ya know. ;-)
"Mike Huckelberry=A far right winger...lol! That is funny! I'm a far right winger, "The Huckster' is not....he's an open border moderate that let's murders and other perverts out of jail on a free pass...sounds pretty liberal to me....amazing how those that hate Christians then they are all right wingers."
ReplyDeleteI hope you're not lumping me in with "those that hate Christians." I don't hate Christians. I really like the few actual Christians I've ever met. In fact, one in particular is one of my best friends.
It's the "faux Christians," who can't seem to understand or put into practice the philosophies of Jesus, who bother me so much.
Politically, I wonder how you would define me, considering my positions on how to deal with criminals. I'm a registered Dem but I'm far to the right of most people on the subject of crime, since I think there should be MORE capital punishment applied. I believe the death penalty should be an option for pedophilia and all violent crime. (Beat your spouse? Die, m*f*!)
In fact, that would solve much of the jail overcrowding problem. Yes?
I don't call myself a Christian (I was never baptized or confirmed, never will be if I can help it), but I do like some of the stuff I find in the Old Testament ... (which would partly explain why I don't consider myself a Christian, I guess).
That said, I'm still going to vote for Hillary in November.
: )
Okay, okay. I'll probably have to go with McCain now that all seems to be decided. I liked his speech just now as well as his promises to extend a hand to conservatives. -Who'd a thought I'd have more conservative views than YOU, Buck? :)- McCain's positions were nicely expressed, too. I just hope he can keep his infamous temper in check (it's not a pretty sight that).
ReplyDeleteSo now you like Romney?
My parents have a soft spot for the guy because my mom is from Michigan and they adored his dad. They really felt that Mitt best represented what was good for the U.S. Being Mormon, he would not be holier than thou, as some of the evangelicals have a tendency to be, and would not have brought his religion to the forefront. (His dad never did) And his kids are such great guys and would have been a blast to have around the White House (practical jokes galore). And most importantly, Mitt's understanding of the jihadist threat is rock solid.
As the pundits said, the conservatives waited too late to back him but this election was so unpredictable. It was like watching the train rushing by before schedule and thinking, "Oh, wait a minute. Was I supposed to hop on THAT one?"
I think that most of the squawking you hear from the right is from sheer disappointment in the direction the party is going - and disgust at McCain's ugly accusation toward Mitt on the timetable option in Iraq.
However, you must admit that the right's complaints have never reached the atrocious level as that of the dems toward Lieberman.
To be fair, who knows if Mitt would have been able to contend with Washington...
Who'd a thought I'd have more conservative views than YOU, Buck? :)
ReplyDeleteAh, Bec, there's a LOT of space between me and those I'd call "doctrinaire" conservatives and those of the evangelical persuasion (two separate entities). When you come right down to it, I'm only conservative where (current) foreign policy is concerned, and national defense. Throw in "fiscal" while you're at it, too. Which is my principal beef with Dubya and where I think McCain just might do better.
So now you like Romney?
I've always respected his record of accomplishment. I didn't like the way he changed some of his previous positions to be more in line with focus groups. That may or may not be an accurate or even fair comment, but it IS the way I feel. I've seen some commentators say something to the effect that Romney was "too good."
However, you must admit that the right's complaints have never reached the atrocious level as that of the dems toward Lieberman.
True, that. But we were/are beginning to get danged close, from my POV. Some of the vitriol directed McCain's way semi-amazed me. Some still does.
As for all your other stuff, Bec... Agreed!
You feel the spiraling down the commode getting steeper?
ReplyDeleteBy the time the primary gets to NM (and Texas), there won't be anyone left but McCain.
ReplyDelete> You feel the spiraling down the commode getting steeper?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I feel like there's now a chance that the country will begin to CLIMB OUT of the commode. But that's only my opinion.
What's happening now is a direct result of the country having gone too far right for the last 7 years. I'm telling y'all: MOST Americans are somewhere in the "moderate" category, and they want at least the illusion that the president is reasonable and in tune with most people. The craving for moderation is what's driving this entire thing.
Two views on McCain...
ReplyDeleteWe're Dem'ed if we do, dem'ed if we don't.
...or...
McCain for President, or we're really screwed.
He's awfully appealing as a purely strategic chess-move, once you leave your principles at the door. But when playing chess, you have to consider your opponent's next move.
Perhaps the real question isn't whether McCain would be better than or equal to Hill-o-bama, but rather -- once nominated, would he be more vulnerable to attacks from one democrat candidate, versus the other?
You can take it to the bank that the democrat speechwriters and scandal-mongerers are coming up with two different sets of McCain "facts," depending on whether their bosses choose to nominate the kinda-black-guy or the kinda-female-person.
Morgan sez: Two views on McCain...
ReplyDelete[...]
He's awfully appealing as a purely strategic chess-move, once you leave your principles at the door.
Well, I'll take the latter, non-ringing endorsement over the former.
And principles plus a quarter used to be sufficient to buy a cup of coffee, back in the day. Now, what with inflation, it's up to about principles + a buck and a quarter. It's good to see principles have held their value over time.
I would comment, but my blood pressure might go up. I always get a bit crazy when someone counts out us right-wing Christian nuts who homeschool their kids and join a gun totin' cult.
ReplyDelete