I watched the Charlie Rose interview with Senator John McCain this morning. As I’m watching this former pilot and POW, accomplished member of Congress, highly-intelligent yet self-effacing individual, I asked myself why he is nearly summarily rejected by the Republican base.
On both the social and fiscal balance sheets, McCain has solid conservative credentials. He is the greatest defender of the War on Terror in the race, an advocate for the troops, and has a firm grasp of the issues in foreign affairs, with loads of experience in dealing with heads of state around the globe.
My take on why the base doesn’t trust him comes from the nature of the Senate, which often makes strange bedfellows in pushing agendas. The paling around with Ted Kennedy, his pushing through the McCain-Feingold campaign reform, and his rebellious nature does not endure him to the true believers. Senators in general don’t seem to make good executives, although that doesn’t seem to matter to the Democrats, as they will almost certainly nominate a current or former one this year.
Don’t misunderstand; I’m not saying that I’m behind McCain’s candidacy; I just find it curious on how terribly he is doing in the polls, being a man of high recognition and regard. Of course, with only 40 days to Iowa, this race can heat up and change very quickly.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:43 am
I think his fervent support of the recent attempt to introduce “immigration reform” legislation has contributed to his demise [deservedly so, or not --- that is another discussion]. In many areas of the country other than Erie, the influx of illegal aliens is quite significantly felt on a daily basis and represents a real “third rail” issue for voters.