Disclaimer: "McCain Supporters" is a generic, non-specific euphemism for any individual who has decided that they will vote for John McCain in November for any reason under the sun.
I have to vent, McCain supporters. Mainly because not nearly enough McCain-oriented venting has broken through the Primary Paralysis experienced across the universe of Democratic/liberal/progressive blogs of late. But secondarily, I have to vent because your guy is so... horrendous as a prospect for the Presidency.
Venting, over the fold.
(H/T to Tortmaster's diary lamenting the absence of "I have to vent diaries". On reading it, I thought to myself, "Self - surely there's something productive about which you can vent." And with that, I wrote.)
Stupid Votes John McCain Has Made Vent
My first McCain vent is about his voting record. Comments in bold italic are mine.
10/18/2007 - Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions
VoteSmart Description: Vote to adopt an amendment that prohibits funds in the bill from being granted to organizations that perform abortions when a woman's life is not in danger, unless the organization is a hospital.
McCain vote: YEA
Proof positive that the far-right pander is alive and kicking.
5/22/2008 - GI Bill and Other Domestic Provisions
McCain vote: NO VOTE
Guess campaignin' trumps support our troopin'.
8/2/2007 - State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization
VoteSmart Description: Vote to pass a bill that reauthorizes and expands the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
McCain Vote: NAY
Guess those children either advocate abortions or don't support the troops. Withhold their vaccinations, damnit!
3/16/2006 - Education Funding Amendment
VoteSmart Description: Vote to adopt an amendment that adds $3 billion for education, training, employment, and social services programs for 2007 and increases federal revenues by $180 million.
McCain Vote: NAY
3/16/2006 - Natural Resources and Environment Funding Amendment
VoteSmart Description: To restore funding for the civil works programs of the Corps of Engineers, the Federal Water Pollution Control State Revolving Fund, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal conservation programs, and other natural resource needs, through an offset achieved by closing corporate tax loopholes.
McCain Vote: NAY
Take THAT, Katrina survivors!!
2/2/2006 - Tax Reconciliation bill
VoteSmart Description: Vote to pass a bill that authorizes and extends $70 billion in tax credits and cuts.
McCain Vote: YEA
And there are a string of earlier votes for the same type of tax kickbacks to the richest among us! Thanks McCain - we don't need education or healthcare or natural preservation or anything - just wars and breaks for the wealthy!!
2/12/2008 - FISA Amendments Act of 2007
VoteSmart Description: Vote to pass a bill that expands the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including allowing electronic surveillance of foreigners outside the U.S. without a court order and granting immunity to electronic communication surveillance providers.
McCain Vote: YEA
Thanks McSame! But I'm sure you already knew I was going to write this since I was discussing it with a friend on my cell phone earlier...
3/10/2005 - Bankruptcy Reform Bill
VoteSmart Description: Vote to pass a bill that imposes a means test for individuals wishing to file for bankruptcy. The means test determines whether the individual would be allowed to file under Chapter 7, essentially exonerating their debts after they have liquidated their assets, or if they would be forced to file under Chapter 13, requiring them to pay back creditors on a court approved time table.
McCain Vote: YEA
Way to look out for the interests of the "average" American. But hey - you don't think the economy is in bad shape, so maybe your excuse is that you thought it wouldn't really affect anyone...
8/2/2007 - Lobbying and Donation Regulations
VoteSmart Description: Vote to pass a bill that increases regulations on members of Congress regarding lobbyists and donations.
McCain Vote: NAY
Ha. Ha ha. I guess this whole I-don't-work-with-lobbyists thing is just a coincidence...
9/19/2007 - Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States
VoteSmart Description: Vote to invoke cloture on an amendment that would reapply the habeas corpus requirement to persons being detained by the United States.
McCain Vote: NAY
Rights? We don't need no stinkin' rights!!
Bear in mind - this is just a sampling. Add your favorite vote-related vents in the comments! Fun for the whole family!!
Stupid Things John McCain Has Said Vent
Plastic comb to fix hair, $1.99.
Teeth-whitening treatment to appear youthful, $499.00.
Per-flight cost on a private jet, $10,000.00.
Bomber jacket for VFW speech, $250.00.
Saying something truly ignorant and asinine, priceless.
"Make it a hundred...That would be fine with me." -to a questioner who asked if he supported President Bush's vision for keeping U.S. troops in Iraq for 50 years
Sure. Why the hell not?
"I'm going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated."
"F**k you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room." --to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), during a testy exchange about immigration legislation
Do we really want this guy to have the nuclear launch codes?
"There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today." --prior to visiting a Baghdad market while being flanked by 22 soldiers, 10 armored Humvees, and two Apache attack helicopters
"You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." (Watch video clip)
"I think I'd just commit suicide." --in October 2006, on the prospects of the Democrats taking back the Senate in the November election
Clearly he doesn't embrace a sense of standing by his commitments.
"No, I'm calling you a f*cking jerk." --to fellow Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, when Grassley asked "Are you calling me stupid?"
See comment on nuclear launch codes.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we will prevail and there's no doubt in my mind, once these people are gone, that we will be welcomed as liberators." --on the Iraq war, "Hardball" interview, March 24, 2003
How's that workin' out for ya?
"At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt." -to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there," as reported in the book The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter
"Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly? Because Janet Reno is her father." --at a 1998 Republican fundraiser
I didn't even include the multiple times he's screwed up on the vast differences between Shi'a and Sunnis, nor about his latest greatest, adopting a policy position on Iran that is nearly identical to one outlined by Barack Obama over a year ago.
I want to digress for a moment and get totally serious. His votes on reproductive rights, education, children's welfare and environmental welfare (to name only a few), coupled with those last two McCain quotes should at least give Clinton supporters, those who vow to jump over and vote for McCain, a measure of pause. I ask only that you consider what you would be buying by voting for McCain, a man who has clearly demonstrated a disturbing lack of respect for women. Those last two quotes alone are disgusting and telegraph more about McCain's character than years worth of voting records.
So OK. I feel better now! I'm jazzed that it looks like McCain is coming firmly into the Democratic party's sights. THIS is where our focus should be - on sticking to the facts about John McCain.
Add your favorite stupid McCain moments, pictures, gaffes in the comments! Fun for the whole family!