Bishop to Boycott Obama Commencement Speech
South Bend is heating up over the controversy surrounding Obama and the local bishop...Read the post2009 College Grads: We're the Lucky Ones
Why there is hope for the graduating Class of 2009, and how they can find work in a recession...Read the postBeer in Vending Machines -- What Drinking Age?
U.S. policies on drinking age seem restrictive when examining the rest of the world...Read the postHow The Press Can Remain Relevant
Is it any surprise that Obama has employed a strategy to cordon journalists that is similar to previous administrations?...Read the postBe Afraid, Cheney Warns. Be Very Afraid.
Just when you thought the Bush-era warnings of Armageddon around the corner were over, Cheney strikes again...Read the postObama: You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry...
Obama threw down his stick, spat on the floor and growled in the face of cameras -- metaphorically... Read the postObama to GOP: 'I Won, I'm The President'
"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," Obama told GOP leaders...Read the postPalin Seeks $11M Book Deal, but Can She Read?
One can only imagine what Republican rising star Sarah Palin could possibly write about in her memoirs...Read the post
boston university
politicsculture
McCain Wins the Maverick Vote
Matt NegrinPosted: Nov 2nd 2008 8:25PM
Filed under: US Elections, Politics, Culture, Boston University
Rough rider John McCain stormed through the halls of the Senate one afternoon in April 2007, punched open the swinging saloon-style doors that lead into the chamber and voted against a bundle of pork-barrel spending offered up by his colleagues.
"Absolutely ridiculous," the renegade growled. "Wasteful spending has gone from irresponsible to indefensible." Then he un-holstered his six-shooter and shot three Republicans, and a Democrat.
At least, that's what the Arizona senator would have us believe as he touts his fairy tale political career as a "maverick" from Florida to Indiana to Ohio and all other sorts of diverse swing states.
The term first came across my desk when I was reporting from Capitol Hill for the Union Leader. When I asked McCain's colleagues to describe him, I saw what logicians call a "pattern," and what editors call a "trend story." Senators Lindsay Graham, Susan Collins and John Sununu, even former senator Warren Rudman, all had one word for the guy: a maverick. A gun-slinging, independent, rebel-without-a-cause maverick.
Critics charge that the term is hollow, and that McCain's self-invented persona stemming 18 years back is a ruse following the Keating Five scandal of 1989.
Well, I know a few true mavericks who would disagree.
Arizona cowboy Jake Barnes, the seven-time team roping world champion and a self-defined maverick, has nothing but praise for the political cowboy who is his hometown senator. He shares McCain's "moral values" and identifies with the renegade culture that shaped his career in Washington.
"I would say that that's kind of western heritage for a cowboy, is being your own man," says Barnes, 49, a roper since his early twenties.
How do you know if you're a maverick? Well, for one, you have to be able to fend for yourself when the country goes to hell. If the stock market crashes again, Barnes muses, and American society is reduced to soup lines and massive unemployment, the mavericks will be tested.
"If it does get to that point, I'm gonna survive. I know how to survive," he says. "I have horses. I can ride to the mountains. I got a gun. I can shoot a deer. I can catch a fish."
Speaking from Fort Worth, Texas, fellow roper Clay O'Brien Cooper likened McCain's supposed maverick politics to a "legendary" lifestyle out on the range -- of being a "man's man, free, tough, on your own, do-it-your-way kind of John Wayne bravado."
"That's kind of the culture that I've grown up and lived in, where a man's word is his word, and you don't need contracts," says Cooper, 47. "If you shake a man's hand, look him in the eye, his word is your bond, and there are still a lot of those values still ingrained in that culture."
"You look at the people in the media," he adds, "and what's going on in the world today, and all the people that I'm around, they just shake their heads and think, 'Man, there are so many goofball kooks in this world, what are they thinking?' There's no ethics, there's no truth, everything's a lie, everything's fabrication, everything's propaganda."
Part of that distrust in government (polls hover around a 15-percent job approval rating for Congress) is what has likely sparked McCain's strategy of trying to distance himself from typical politics. Paul Waldman, of The American Prospect, looked into the "maverick myth" during the primary season and found that the M word appeared next to McCain's name more than 800 times in news stories in January alone.
"I would hope to think that he's honorable and truthful," cowboy Cooper says. "I hope for the best. I've never looked him in his eye or shook his hand."
For a look at what true independent-minded people think, I called around in Independence, Ky., and found that the head of the Kentucky Motorcycle Association -- a group of real rebels -- sizes up life on the "open highway" with being a political maverick.
The cyclist's credo, according to the organization's president, Jay Huber, is, "I'm my own boss. Leave me alone. If I'm not harming someone else, then you really have no business basically watching over me. Don't try to protect me from myself."
Given that and the association's involvement in politics, it seems natural that it would support McCain and his rebellious tale of bucking his own party. But the KMA favors another candidate: Libertarian Bob Barr. "With the exception of Ron Paul, Representative Barr falls more in the maverick category than most others up there in Congress right now," says Huber, 38.
Okay, what about Sarah Palin, the fabled hater of government spending for politically expedient bridges? (Palin at the vice-presidential debate: "And I've joined this team that is a team of mavericks with John McCain.")
"I think that she's a breath of fresh air," roper Barnes says. "Honestly, I think if you combined the two together, and let her speak, I think that she's -- man, she can say exactly what's on her mind and speaks very well."
"I don't know that she's ready to take over the reins for running our country," he adds, "but I guess that's just a chance that we're gonna have to take."
So how does McCain spread the image? He's got surrogates from Palin to former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina dubbing him with the phrase whenever they can, and plenty of conservative buddies in the media helping out. And don't put it past the carpetbagging Arizonan to declare it himself.
At the first presidential debate Sept. 26, McCain asserted, "I have a long record, and the American people know me very well, and that is independent and a maverick of the Senate, and I'm happy to say that I've got a partner that's a good maverick along with me now."
Not so modest, but give him a break. The guy's a maverick.
Join The Discussion
Categories
Recent Comments »
Page 1/8
Post Your Comments Below
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments
Mike
10:23PM 10:23PM Nov 2nd 2008
"COALGATE" TAPE HAS OBAMA SAYING...ON TAPE...THAT ELECTRIC PRICES
WILL SKYROCKET UNDER HIS PLAN! LISTEN TO THE TAPE!
BOMBSHELL!
Hidden Audio: Obama Tells SF Chronicle He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry
By P.J. Gladnick (Bio | Archive)
November 2, 2008 - 07:26 ET
Please read update about the San Francisco Chronicle neglecting to mention Obama's willingness to bankrupt the coal industry at bottom of this blog.)
Imagine if John McCain had whispered somewhere that he was willing to bankrupt a major industry? Would this declaration not immediately be front page news? Well, Barack Obama actually flat out told the San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate) that he was willing to see the coal industry go bankrupt in a January 17, 2008 interview. The result? Nothing. This audio interview has been hidden from the public...until now. Here is the transcript of Obama's statement about bankrupting the coal industry (emphasis mine):
Let me sort of describe my overall policy.
What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.
I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓
That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches.
The only thing I've said with respect to coal, I haven't been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as a (sic) ideological matter as opposed to saying if technology allows us to use coal in a clean way, we should pursue it.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can.
It's just that it will bankrupt them.
Amazing that this statement by Obama about bankrupting the coal industry has been kept under wraps until this time.
UPDATE: NewsBusters' Tom Blumer has found out that the San Francisco Chronicle story published on January 18 based upon this January 17 interview did not include any mention of Obama's willingness to bankrupt the coal industry which you can hear on the audio. You can read the story here when you scroll down to the "In His Own Words" section. Way to cover up for The One, SF Chronicle!
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
uppervalleybtm
11:22AM 11:22AM Nov 3rd 2008
Let's see - so far under Republican watch: 9/11 - ACTUAL VOTING FRAUD - ECONOMY DISASTER - TORTURE - INFLATION - RECESSION - FLUSHING THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE CONSTITUTION - IGNORING HABEUS CORPUS - IGNORING OSAMA BIN LADEN - IGNORING ADVICE FROM EXPERTS IN ALL FIELDS - NO COST BIDS AND WAR PROFITEERING COSTING BILLIONS TOO MUCH - ABJECT CORRUPTION IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE - HALF THE COUNTRY EMPOWERS BIGOTRY, RACISM, AND ALASKAN SOCIALISM - THE WORST DEFICIT IN HISTORY - INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER - FEMA AND THE KATRINA FIASCO - OUTING CIA UNDERCOVER PEOPLE - NO CHECKS AND BALANCES ANYWHERE - 4000 DEAD AMERICAN KIDS IN IRAQ - ENRON - HOMELAND SECURITY LISTENING TO YOU ON THE PHONE - get the picture? Remember the economy under Clinton? He's a Lib Dem, and the best economy in decades. and lastly - vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com - 'nuff said GO OBAMA
Rating :
Report!
Radioflyer
12:21PM 12:21PM Nov 3rd 2008
Just goes to show , we need to invest more in education. When you read the statment properly, not out of context, it state that anyone building a coal plant under revised rules or current requirements is looking at a very expensive proposition. Context people context,get it right.
Rating :
Report!
heidiperre
1:34PM 1:34PM Nov 3rd 2008
Mike you"re an ass--
Rating :
Report!
Dennis
11:32PM 11:32PM Nov 2nd 2008
Wow, he said that 10 months ago???? Idiot republicans will lie about anything. Pathetic and desperate.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
billmcmaho
10:56AM 10:56AM Nov 3rd 2008
When George Allen ran for Senate against no load Jim Webb the truely pathetic Dems pulled out a comment he made in the early 70's and used that aginst him. Wake up fool all is fair in love, war, and apparently politics. Politics brake that woed down. Poli means many and tics and blod sucking insects. So what we have is many blood sucking insects.
America need deorderant - B.O.
Rating :
Report!
Rose
1:34PM 1:34PM Nov 3rd 2008
FIRST OF ALL DENNIS ... IKT'S NOT A LIE..... SO BEFORE U CALL ANYONE AN IDIOT GET YR FACTS STRAIGHT! HE SAID IT YES WHETHER IT WAS MONTHS GO OR YESTERDAY WHAT IS SAID IS SAID! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT U DEMOCRAPS ARE THINKING! OBAMA WILL RUIN AMERICA! HE IS NOT FOR AMERICA HE IS AGAINST AMERICA..... USE YOUR COMPUTER TO EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE U SPEAK UR MIND!
McCAIN/PALIN 08
Rating :
Report!
John
1:35PM 1:35PM Nov 3rd 2008
A comment in the early 70's? He made that comment on the election trail during his loss to Jim Webb. Geeeeez. Spread more lies - it's free ...... or is it?
Rating :
Report!
Mike
11:36PM 11:36PM Nov 2nd 2008
Joe Biden "The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training. I would be honored to run with or against John McCain because I think the country would be better off."
Hillary Clinton "In the White House, there is no time for speeches and on-the-job training. Sen. McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign, and Sen. Obama will bring a speech he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference."
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
malcolmjake
11:32AM 11:32AM Nov 3rd 2008
And Sarah Palin? The turnip truck has lost a load!!!
AND you think she can pull her weight with out on the job training?
Rating :
Report!
CA11550
10:51AM 10:51AM Nov 3rd 2008
Obama will ruin the nation, McCain is our salvation!
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
malcolmjake
11:31AM 11:31AM Nov 3rd 2008
ARE YOU ON CRACK?
Rating :
Report!
meme
10:57AM 10:57AM Nov 3rd 2008
Personality knowledge found in Enneagram. A personality denoted by the number 8 (challenger) with 7 wing is a Maverick, distinctive positive and negative trait they are a persona, a outside mast to the world. A fixation. Interesting, Obama is a 3 (acheiver) need for recognition at a cost is the fixation. A poseur.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
hf2hvit
5:20PM 5:20PM Nov 3rd 2008
McCain is an adulterer--doesn't say much for those who agree with his moral values
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Kelly
11:59AM 11:59AM Nov 3rd 2008
And Obama has corrupt allies, ties to an extremely racist church, and terrorist associates - doesn't say much for those that agree with his moral values.
Rating :
Report!
Catelynnw3
12:00PM 12:00PM Nov 3rd 2008
If you want to talk morals, then Obama supports partial birth abortion (killing full term babies).
Rating :
Report!
Judy Power Clark
12:00PM 12:00PM Nov 3rd 2008
Yes, nobody ever mentions that McCain left the original wife and kids for Miss Cindy, the heiress to a $300 million fortune. That's real values for you.
Rating :
Report!
hf2hvit
11:03AM 11:03AM Nov 3rd 2008
McCain is an adulter-he had his second marriage license before he ended his first divorce.
Cindy McCain stole narcotics from her own chairity
Palin's sone is an oxycontin addict who went into the army to avoid jail because he and his pals vandalized 31 school buses cutting the brakelines
Palin's husband was a member of the ALaska Independence Party-a group that wants to secede from the nation and she addressed their convention twice
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
paul
1:28PM 1:28PM Nov 3rd 2008
got som
Rating :
Report!
John
11:05AM 11:05AM Nov 3rd 2008
OBAMA SAID:
Let me sort of describe my overall policy.
What I’ve said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else’s out there.
I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.
That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches.
The only thing I’ve said with respect to coal, I haven’t been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as a ideological matter as opposed to saying if technology allows us to use coal in a clean way, we should pursue it.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can.
It’s just that it will bankrupt them.”
ILLINOIS, THE COAL STATE OF AMERICA, LANDSLIDE FOR OBAMA???
THEN THE BANKRUPCY OF THE COAL INDUSTRY IS OTHER ENERGY SOURCES GAIN! HE IS TAKING THE COAAL MONEY AND GIVE IT TO SOLAR, WIND, ETC?
OBAMA DICTATES THE ENERGY ECONOMY???
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments