The Candidates
Featured Archives
As a kid growing up obsessed with and surrounded by politics, working on Senator Sam Brownback’s presidential campaign in Iowa for my first full-time campaign job was a thrill and a dream come true. Not only do I absolutely love working in politics, I also loved the guy I was working for. I virtually agree with Senator Brownback on every issue, and am passionate about the same issues he is passionate about. Needless to say, when he dropped out in October, the ride came to an end and I was left without a candidate.
Since then, I have struggled with who to support. I would come close to supporting a candidate, but then they would say/do something that would make me mad. It became pretty clear to me why the average Republican voter was feeling discontent with the crop of candidates (unless, of course, they ever seriously considered Sam Brownback).
So, I decided to go back to the basics, to really think about what issues are most important to me this election, and would pick my candidate based on those issues.
The one issue that I came up with actually covers two topics, and that is the issue of defense: Defense of the sanctity of human life and defense of our country.
Abortion has always been my motivating issue. Since I can remember, I have always felt called to do whatever I can to make America a pro-life nation. There are no winners in abortion; just a physically, mentally, and spiritually wounded mother and a dead child. I believe that abortion is the great civil liberties battle of my generation, and I am proud to be in the fight.
National security became a personal issue to me when I was playing football outside in gym class as a freshman in high school in Alexandria, Va., when I heard a horrible sound as terrorists slammed a plane into the Pentagon in neighboring Arlington. With friends of family, classmates, and neighbors dead, national security became a very personal issue to me on that day.
Defense of the unborn and defense of our country: John McCain has a proven record of defending both.
Although often ignored, Senator McCain has a stellar pro-life record, dating far back into the 80s when it wasn’t popular to be pro-life, especially as a politician. And with the endorsement of Washington’s pro-life all-star, Senator Sam Brownback, his pro-life credentials are bolstered even further, especially with judges. After all, it was Senator McCain who credited Brownback with forcing Pres. Bush to withdraw Harriet Miers.
I don’t even need to explain Senator McCain’s commitment to defending our country. Not only did Senator McCain make physical and emotional sacrifices defending our country in war as a POW, but he has made political sacrifices as a Senator. He has taken heat from all sides for his Iraq War strategy, especially the surge. I will never forget his quote when he said, “I would rather lose a campaign than a war.” That is courageous leadership.
Senator McCain also showed leadership when he attempted to solve America’s immigration problem, offering a solution supported on both sides of the aisle in Congress and by the sitting president. Despite taking heat from conservatives, he stuck by his plan because he knew it was a practical way to actually accomplish immigration reform. Although he ultimately lost the battle (with the issue only getting worse), he showed true leadership and a pragmatic approach to getting things done in Washington, despite any criticism or political loss he might receive for it.
Finally, McCain can actually beat the Democrats without re-branding the Republican Party. Many say that the Republican Party must “re-brand” itself to beat the Democrat nominee in 2008, and many think the guy to do it is Mike Huckabee. They are wrong. We need a candidate who will bring back the Republican principle of limited government, not a candidate who will bring more big government to Washington (as if it could get bigger). Huckabee would hurt the coalition by alienating fiscal conservatives, while McCain can keep the coalition together while attracting independents at the same time.
Overall, it has been an exciting race, yet its just getting started. Anything can happen (as we’ve seen with Huckabee). If you are undecided or not satisfied with your current candidate, take a look at Senator McCain, or even a second or third look. Give McCain a shot, he’s a proven fighter and leader, and he can win.
Within the next few days, I will be commenting on the other candidates and who my next choices would be.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:41 am
It’s Billy Valentine! Supporting the guy his Leader said to.
Praise Brownfro!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Billy,
I applaud you for your level-headed consideration on who to support for President. While I am
not a McCain supporter, I do have a lot of respect for the man, and I’m glad to see that it is
the issues that are important to you, as opposed to the raging emotions that have been flaring
all over this site as of late.
Just curious. Did you have a second choice?
December 18th, 2007 at 9:55 am
#2 — Within the next few days, I will be commenting on the other candidates and who my next choices would be. — Billy Valentine
December 18th, 2007 at 9:57 am
McCain had a shot – he was the frontrunner – but obviously immigration reform was poison. I believe he can win NH, but not SC pretty much for the same reason. Being independent and showing a willingness to work with dems (as shown by the Lieberman endorsement) works for NH, but SC is looking for a partisan. McCain has a shot, however, if he’s willing to go hard after Huckabee and Romney’s lack of foreign policy credentials.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Nice analysis and why more people should support Senator McCain. It is so simple: Pro-life, reduce government spending, leadership, experience in fighting a war, and can beat the Democrats in November.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:14 am
“SC is looking for a partisan.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txrikNFX-8E
December 18th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Billy,
I don’t know how a pro-life crusader like yourself could back McCain. Sure he has a nice pro-life record . . . but such voting was also politically expedient for him (like Fred) and must be viewed in that light as well.
We all know that McCain fights tooth and nail for what he believes in. He’s among the most prolific writer and sponsorer of new legislation on issues he cares deeply about.
He has never done anything to prove that he’s a “fighter” for the unborn. And we all know that he’s a fighter. Also, with McCain-Feingold it’s a hard sell to get pro-life activist groups to support McCain.
You’re right about the war/defense credentials though.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Jeff,
A Romney supporter is probably not the best person to question McCain’s commitment to pro-life causes and whether or not it was for political expedience.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:24 am
We need a candidate who will bring back the Republican principle of limited government, not a candidate who will bring more big government to Washington (as if it could get bigger). Huckabee would hurt the coalition by alienating fiscal conservatives, while McCain can keep the coalition together while attracting independents at the same time.
I wish people weren’t dumb enough to believe that junk. Running a state gov’t is different than running a federal gov’t. States have to raise revenues on their own to get federal matching funds. most of the programs they have are ones the feds are pushing down their throats anyway. and since states can’t print their own money, they have to raise taxes. I would think that fixing roads and schools was a good thing, but maybe I’m wrong.
And Billy, as someone who has been around a long time, I despise McCain more than any of the other GOP candidates.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:29 am
McCain is probably the most electable Republican candidate. He would really give Hillary a run.
Another shameless plug…: Interactive ‘08 online poll! On the top right of the page.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
December 18th, 2007 at 10:30 am
mccain is looking good to many because he has been out of the spotlight for so long. peopel forget all his problems. most conservatives however really don’t like him. he has ticked them off too many times.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I always thought of the Brownback endorsement of McCain interesting. I certainly viewed Brownback as a great deal more to the right than McCain. I dismissed this endorsement on grounds that the two are Senate pals having worked together for so long there.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Great post Billy!! I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into this decision and I’m glad
that you’ve decided to support McCain. I’m with you 100%
December 18th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Hello, Billy-
As the publisher of a McCain site, I am very impressed by your endorsement, and not solely b/c of your decision to support McCain. That’s very well-written…
December 18th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Adam (8),
My argument stands irrespective of who I support.
Maybe you’re reading into things a bit much . . . but I don’t recall saying anything in that post stating that all “pro-life crusaders” would/should back Romney (though he does have quite a few on board).
I just thought it was odd (like cwpete above) that Brownback supported McCain when his #1 issue is the pro0 life movement. Maybe people see something there that I can’t/don’t.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am
If the election were held today, I would probably vote for McCain. When the time comes I will vote for whoevery has the best chance of beating Huck.
I would be supporting Huck if he really was the conservative he pretends to be. I voted for Reagan (1984), Bush (1988), Bush(1992), Dole (1996), Bush(2000) and Bush(2004).
If Huck is the nominee, for the first time in my adult life I will consider voting for a Democrat. Hillary and Edwards would be difficult for me to stomach, but Obmama and Richardson wouldn’t be as difficult.
I am pro-life, pro-gun, but during Huckabee’s years in AR I watch him smash our coalition to pieces by being a tax raiser, pro immigrant, soft on crime and embarrasingly weak on ethics, taking thousands of $ in gifts from special interests.
When Huck came to office, AR Republicans had a reputation of being tough on crime, tough on taxes and for open and ethical goverment. After 10 years of Huckabee, our efforts to use any of these issues against Democrats always resulted in the same responds from Democrats: Getting it rubbed in our faces that Huck supported taxes, Huck released criminals, Huck took gifts from special interests. Huck did nothing to build the Republican party in AR. Unlike the rest of the South, the state never turned Republican. The reason is Mike Huckabee.
A democrat in office would serve the cause of conservatism better than Mike Huckabee, so if Hillary and Huck win their respective nominations, I will hope for Bloomberg.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Great article! I know Senator Brownback put a lot of prayer behind his decision of supporting McCain and its clear that you have as well. I hope people in New Hampshire wake and and see Romney as the flip-flopper that he really is.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:22 am
[...] any criticism or political loss he might receive for it… Here’s a link to the full McCain endorsement. You can contact Election Night HQ at publisher@electionnighthq.com. [?] Share This Book [...]
December 18th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Katie, QuacknHack, Natalie-
You might be interested in my McCain site as well…
I would concur w/ Axel G. above, that the immigration issue is the one that has caused him the most problems… and that his credentials for appealing to independent voters are considerably more likely to help him in NH than SC. However, the strategy is to hope that a victory in NH would catapult him upward in SC, and hoping that if Fred doesn’t do well in Iowa, that he might be out of the race by the time SC votes…
Thoughts?
December 18th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I agree with that Election NightHQ and i believe that is a real possibility as long as Fred doesnt catch fire in Iowa b/c he is certainly done in NH.
Welcome to the McCain camp Billy. As you know i was supporting Sen.Brownback as well and it was a fun ride, but Sen.McCain had always been my Number 2 guy, and when Brownback endorsed him it was a done deal for me. That was a great article and you nailed everything to the T. Sen.McCain is just simply the best man to lead our nation at this time in our History, and i truly believe he could be the best President this Nation has ever seen. Welcome aboard Billy!!
McCain/Brownback 08′
December 18th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Billy great article. When our opinions match up like this, you should be my wingman. Don’t listen to any of these other jerks. They are either evangelical nuts, conspiracy theorist nuts, or even worse baby-killing nuts.
December 18th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
[...] Valentine over at Race42008 has this great [...]
December 18th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Great article Billy. I agree with you 100%.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
too much opposition against mccain in the republican party for him to win. no way he wins the nomination. he is broke and has a single state strategy. can’t win. the longer its takes for him to drop out the more it helps romney i think. hpoefully he will do well enough in nh to continue up until florida.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I am a conservative pro-life Republican, I agree with alot of what Billy has said and then some. John McCain is Presidential material. He is the GOP’s best shot in 2008. If he can win NH he will win the nomination. I too supported Sam Brownback, was happy to, now I am a McCain guy am happy to support him as he is pro-life and stands for a strong national defense.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Do the McCain folks think that the sort of justices who will be fond of McCain-Feingold 1st amendment squashing will also be the sorts of justices we can trust to overturn Roe v Wade?
I think not.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Billy; I would like to ask a question. I know McCain have voted on the right side every time the pro-life issue is brought up. Fred too have voted on the right side each time. They both have perfect pro-life voting records. However, Fred has been receiving many of those Right to Live organizations (national and states). I am curious on why you have decided to go with McCain over Fred?
December 18th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
SGS, Thanks for your comment! I will be discussing Fred and why I decided not to back him in an upcoming post which I hope to get done by early tomorrow.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
If Billy Valentine supports John McCain based on his record of defending life and our country, I don’t want to hear any stick about it. Billy Valentine has done more in the span of a few years to improve this nation’s outlook on saving babies (and mothers) than most elected officials, priests, and laymen have done in their entire lives. Granted, each has their niche, but Billy’s is one of pure, unadulterated defense of the unborn. No amount of political expedience would affect his decisions, and like McCain, he comes from an ancestry that has thrived on virtuous decisions.
Credo ut intelligam
December 18th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Billy,
Nice to have you with us on the McCain team. It seems like the longer people have to consider the options, more and more they come back to they guy who holds the coalition together, has the experience and leadership to do the job, and can win.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
The McCain scandal in Texas is gaining a little traction: local newspaper reported on it, and a major news network out of DFW is investigating the affair.
To recap: A McCain staffer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area was found to have been arrested twice for credit card fraud. And there are allegations that he advocated voter fraud in a conference call with two campaign operatives.
ThirdPartyWatch.com first broke the story two days ago.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Billy, why would you support Sen. McCain? Along with Giuliani, Thompson, and Romney, McCain supports embryonic stem cell research. As a pro-lifer, wouldn’t it be critical for you to support the candidate who OPPOSES this research. Gov. Huckabee says on his website, “With respect to stem cells, I am opposed to research on embryonic stem cells.” Why won’t any other candidate say this? It’s because they’re not pro-life. If you favor killing microscopic americans to suck out their body parts (stem cells) in order to do testing, then you’re not pro-life, period.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Thankfully, it looks like embryonic stem cell research is no longer an issue since adult stem cells seem to be working beautifully. Billy, I think the McCain campaign is damn lucky to have you.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:49 am
#32 – to call Billy not pro-life is to say the Pope is not Catholic. Given the new research on stem cells, it looks like that debate is finished. We have other options now. I am sure that Billy thought about the stem cell issue prior to his final decision,
December 19th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
No One Else To Support. Not even an option. I am not sure If I am happy for your conclusion and vote, and or disgusted that it took such a process.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
John McCain WINS NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THE PRESIDENCY!!!! http://madirishmaninc.blogspot.com
December 20th, 2007 at 12:28 am
I like McCain and I think he is very strong. In fact, he is my #2 candidate. He is a great pro-life advocate, is strong on the war, on economic poliy, and strong on healthcare.
However, his record isn’t promoted enough. Too many times he just tries to stand alone on his record, that he won’t tell people his record or sign pledges on issues that he agrees with.
Immigration is a weak issue, especially with Tancredo’s immigration cause, as well as gay marriage. Even though marriage is a state issue, states will usually be lead by federal issues.
McCain has a tough road ahead of him. I respect your decision Billy, even though I disagree, but I respect it.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Billy,
I couldn’t agree with you more. My two big issues are the war against Radical Islamicists and Pork Barrel spending. So obviously the candidate I support is John McCain
September 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
[...] out in October, my biggest roadblock to supporting McCain was this very issue. On December 18, 2007, I decided McCain was our best shot at defeating the Democrats in November, praying that the day would come when he would abandon his support for [...]