I know, I know -  Hugh Hewitt doesn't like McCain as the Republican nominee.  I am here to argue that McCain's maverick-ness is over-rated.  Yes, there are some strikes against him:

- McCain-Feingold.
- The gang of 14 deal. From where I stand, that got us 2 pretty stellar judges on the Supreme Court without having to alienate the general public (the all important middle).  I'll argue that Spector is more of a hinderance than anything McCain has done.
-The Torture Ban (which ended up being passed pretty convincingly by both houses)
-Taxes.  He voted against some tax cuts, but also against the moronic prescription drug benefit.

However, in the most important issue of the day - the War on Terror - McCain would be a continuation of Bush's policies. He is conservative on most issues that the right holds dear - abortion, guns, education (vouchers), social security accounts, etc.  He is arguably more conservative than Bush on spending, which is clearly out of control.  Spending is something that most conservatives are most upset about.  McCain can use that and his unwavering support for the Iraq war to win the conservative vote.

But, the most important reason that McCain should be embraced, not shunned by Republicans is that he can't lose the general election.  From Rasmussen yesterday:

Could John McCain (R) Beat Hillary Clinton (D) in Massachusetts? The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in the Bay State shows McCain wresting 44% of the vote to 43% for Clinton. The numbers are identical for a hypothetical contest between McCain and Al Gore (D).

As a practical matter, this very blue state probably won't run red in the next presidential election. While a McCain-Clinton and McCain-Gore match-ups are a toss-up, the survey also found that when asked about a generic match between unnamed Republican and Democratic candidates, the Democrat wins 53%-22%.

Clinton leads another Republican, Rudy Giuliani, 50% to 42%. Gore leads the former Mayor of New York 50% to 41%.

It’s hard to think of a scarier scenario for Democrats than Massachusetts as a toss-up state on Election Night in 2008. In 2004, John Kerry won the state with 62% of the vote. Even George McGovern, buried under the Nixon landslide of 1972, managed to pick up the Bay State’s Electoral Votes.

Which is more important?
a) McCain being the nominee (although I only agree with him on 80% of issues), it's nearly a guaranteed win in the general election and continuity in the most important issue of the day.

OR

b) Someone alot further right being the nominee, and losing to Hillary or Warner (whom I only agree with on about 10% of the issues). 

Let's face it, Bush isn't the most popular guy in the world right now.  His public defense of his policies is - shall we say....lacking. But, McCain has been steadfast in his support for Bush even as his poll numbers were at their lowest.

McCain ensures the Republican dominance of the presidency for another 8 years and keeps Hillary out of the White House. 

The funny thing is, that there are so many on the right willing to jump all over a Giuliani candidacy, even though he is far more socially liberal than McCain.

McCain is the vote for continuity.

Ralph Peters in the NYP today:

H/T Powerline.

Heck, even the SCOTUS understands that while they disagree with some of Bush's decisions, they most certainly don't want the scum let go.

Bill Curry writes an open letter to Pat Fitzgerald:

Pat, there is Grace in this situation. As terrible as the pain is for Coach Walker's family, the team, the staff, and the rest of us, there was something prophetic and comforting in his clear instructions about the future. The words of his wife Tammy about you are stunning, considering her burdens at the moment:

Fitzgerald is the new head coach at Northwestern - at 31 years old - making him the youngest head coach in D-1.  He was a member of the 95 Rose Bowl team coached by Gary Barnett.  He, like both Walker and Barnett, exudes the class, confidence, and the mentality needed to succeed at a place like Northwestern.  Needless to say, they don't get the USC and Texas recruits.

This from Kudlow at RealClear Politics.
Thanks, Willisms for the tip.  China. Every 3 years.

There is certainly quite alot of vitriol in Washington these days, and for the most part, it seems to flow in one direction - left to right.

But, when someone deserves some props, I will give them.  Reading the economist this weekend, there was a pretty good article on Barack Obama.  I disagree with his politics, but I must admit, he at least comes across as someone who can disagree reasonably.

The real question is, if abortion didn't exist, would Republicans garner 70% of the vote?

From Lorie Byrd's Townhall column.

I love Shanahan.

42 catches last year.  Yeah.

With Javon Walker, Rod Smith, and the future star Brandon Marshall coming in....

buh bye, Ashley.

As 'Scanner Darkly" opens, Keanu "Ted" Reeves slams the police state.

"Certain personal rights that were protected in the (U.S.) constitution for privacy are being chipped away at under the guise of homeland security without redress, and that's not good," Reeves told Reuters.

Several years ago the media tried to create a stereotype that Keanu Reeves isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, a complete 180 from the truth. Anyone that knows Reeves and has spoken in depth with him comes back with the same impression, that Keanu is a deeply engaged thinker and cares passionately about real issues.

You know, he's right.  All this time, I thought Keanu was a dim bulb. To be proven wrong so abruptly really put a hit on my ego.

The lessons of Canoe and Charlie Sheen are not only powerful. They are powerful.

The defections made Republicans giddy, adding a dramatic twist in a fast-moving session likely to set the stage for a bitter November election.

In committee, Democrats fought Republican efforts to put Senate Bill 1 on the ballot, but were thwarted on the floor when a single Democrat, Sen. Ron Tupa, of Boulder, broke ranks, leading other Democrats to change their votes and side with the GOP.

The amendment will ensure non-emergency taxpayer-funded public services go only to those lawfully in Colorado. Persons not lawfully in the United States will be prevented in Colorado from receiving public services other than those directly related to public safety or life-threatening emergencies, and K-12 education. Citizens and persons who are in the country lawfully will not be affected by this amendment.

Hmmm. Anyone notice the differences in the media coverage for the "scandals" at CU and Duke?

As of this posting, pretty much everyone in the MSM is lining up in an attempt to discredit the victims in the Duke Lacrosse case.  The Duke players have been charged with ACTUAL crimes here....even though it seems quite obvious that they are innocent.

What is the general opinion of Colorado Football?  That they use 'sex' to lure recruits to the school and that the football players are rapists.  The media, who jumped all over the recruiting 'scandal,' sure disappeared as soon as it fizzled.

In the Colorado case, instead of assuming the victims were lying, the liberal Boulder/Denver media (heck, even the supposedly conservative Governor) were frothing at the mouth to declare the football players guilty.  But, did you know....

1. The girls at the 'recruiting party' (that wasn't a recruiting party) passed out condoms?
2. The girls played the century club (a shot of beer per minute for 100 minutes).
3. Once CU player, Ron Monteihl, was misidentified by the 'victims'
4. One 'victim' that was 'raped' after a night at the bars described her assailants as 'two big balck men' who 'might be football players.'  Headline news one day, but when both players were exonerated, page D18.
5. In Rick Reilly's idiotic article,  Katie Hneida claims she was raped, but refused to say who, when, or where?  How convenient.
6. Judges have denied appeal after appeal after appeal by the victims
7. Two other victims were anonymous tipline callers.
8. One CU regent, Cindy Carlisle, was married to one of the accusers lawyers - Blaine Kerr. She also employed Regina Cowles, head of Boulder-NOW as her campaign manager.
9. Not one charge was filed in relation to any of these supposed assaults. 

But, still today, CU Football's reputation is sullied. 

Why the different treatment?  Why wasn't the media going after the clear and obvious flaws in the accusers case? 

This is one that's been around for a long time, but it gives you an idea where I stand. 

My score: 29
Center right.  Pretty much what I predicted.  Give it a shot!

Little Political Quiz

Blog Day #1. 

This is a rare day....not only is this my first post, but the Rockies are sitting in first place.  In July.  Miraculous.

I have followed blogs for the past several years, but have never posted on a blog. Most of my internet posting has come on a message board dominated by lefties.  I have found that lefties in general have four responses to factual arguments.  These are the clear signs that you won.  It happens often.

1.  Talking Points.
Buffjason says: The tax cuts sure seem to be helpilng the economy.  Federal receipts are WAY up. 
Lefty:  Clearly Rush Limbaugh told you to say that!

2.  Hitler.
Buffjason Says: You know, the democrats always complain about not connecting the dots - but when Bush tries to connect the dots - the NYT advertises it on their front page.
Lefty: Bush is Hitler.

3. The Chickenhawk Bomb.
Buffjason Says: The progress in Iraq is remarkable - when you really think about how far we have come.
Lefty: If you love war so much, why don't you enlist!

 4. Fox News.
Buffjason links: to a story on Fox News.  (The story could come right from the AP wire)
Lefty: Yeah, well Fox News is just a shill for Bush.

And so it goes.