R
Raymond
Guest
McCain was against lobbying reform before he was for it
Remember, McCain still believes his strength as a candidate is his
credibility and consistency.
Permalink
Last year, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), perhaps best known for the
campaign finance reform measure that bears his name, sponsored another
reform measure that would require grassroots lobbying coalitions to
reveal their financial donors. For McCain, at the time, it was all
about his signature domestic policy concern: transparency and
accountability in the political process.
This year, McCain opposes the very measure he used to champion.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has told conservative activists that he
will vote to strip a key provision on grassroots lobbying from the
reform package he previously supported.
The provision would require grassroots organizations to report on
their fundraising activities and is strongly opposed by groups such as
the National Right to Life Committee, Gun Owners of America, and the
American Civil Liberties Union.
While grassroots groups on both sides of the political spectrum oppose
the proposal, social conservative leaders such as Dr. James Dobson,
founder of Focus on the Family, who broadcasts a radio program to
hundreds of thousands of evangelical Christians, have been its most
vehement critics.
Asked to explain the complete reversal, McCain's spokesperson said the
senator changed his mind after receiving "feedback" from conservative
groups, which, coincidentally, just happen to be some of the same far-
right activist organizations McCain hopes to impress for his
presidential campaign.
Of course, you know what this means -- it's time to update the list of
McCain's biggest flip-flops as he transforms himself from maverick
hero to right-wing hack. We're up to 15 now.
McCain said before the war in Iraq, "We will win this conflict. We
will win it easily." Four years later, McCain said he knew all along
that the war in Iraq war was "probably going to be long and hard and
tough."
McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of [tag]Roe v.
Wade[/tag] to saying the exact opposite.
McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying
gay marriage shouldn't be allowed.
McCain criticized TV preacher [tag]Jerry Falwell[/tag] as "an agent
of intolerance" in 2002, but has since decided to cozy up to the man
who said Americans "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. (Indeed, McCain has
now hired Falwell's debate coach.)
McCain used to oppose Bush's [tag]tax cuts[/tag] for the very
wealthy, but he reversed course in February.
In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of
being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush's
presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the
Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out
at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for
support.
McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore
his name. In June, he abandoned his own legislation.
McCain used to think that Grover Norquist was a crook and a corrupt
shill for dictators. Then McCain got serious about running for
president and began to reconcile with Norquist.
McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to
White House demands.
McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he
supported it. [corrected]
McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones
University before he was for it.
McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he's pro-ethanol.
McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate
flag.
McCain decided in 2000 that he didn't want anything to do with
former Secretary of State Henry [tag]Kissinger[/tag], believing he
"would taint the image of the 'Straight Talk Express.'" Kissinger is
now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.
Remember, McCain still believes his strength as a candidate is his
credibility and consistency.
It's also worth noting that McCain's desperate attempts to reinvent
himself may be backfiring. American Research Group, a New Hampshire-
based polling firm, recently found that McCain's popularity among
independents in the Granite State has "collapsed." (thanks to T.B. for
the tip)
"John McCain is tanking," says ARG president Dick Bennett. "That's the
big thing [we're finding]. In New Hampshire a year ago he got 49
percent among independent voters. That number's way down, to 29
percent now."
McCain is struggling with Republicans who don't trust him,
independents who are disappointed in him, and Democrats who've grown
disgusted with him. Other than these voters, however, McCain's in
great shape.
Remember, McCain still believes his strength as a candidate is his
credibility and consistency.
Permalink
Last year, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), perhaps best known for the
campaign finance reform measure that bears his name, sponsored another
reform measure that would require grassroots lobbying coalitions to
reveal their financial donors. For McCain, at the time, it was all
about his signature domestic policy concern: transparency and
accountability in the political process.
This year, McCain opposes the very measure he used to champion.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has told conservative activists that he
will vote to strip a key provision on grassroots lobbying from the
reform package he previously supported.
The provision would require grassroots organizations to report on
their fundraising activities and is strongly opposed by groups such as
the National Right to Life Committee, Gun Owners of America, and the
American Civil Liberties Union.
While grassroots groups on both sides of the political spectrum oppose
the proposal, social conservative leaders such as Dr. James Dobson,
founder of Focus on the Family, who broadcasts a radio program to
hundreds of thousands of evangelical Christians, have been its most
vehement critics.
Asked to explain the complete reversal, McCain's spokesperson said the
senator changed his mind after receiving "feedback" from conservative
groups, which, coincidentally, just happen to be some of the same far-
right activist organizations McCain hopes to impress for his
presidential campaign.
Of course, you know what this means -- it's time to update the list of
McCain's biggest flip-flops as he transforms himself from maverick
hero to right-wing hack. We're up to 15 now.
McCain said before the war in Iraq, "We will win this conflict. We
will win it easily." Four years later, McCain said he knew all along
that the war in Iraq war was "probably going to be long and hard and
tough."
McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of [tag]Roe v.
Wade[/tag] to saying the exact opposite.
McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying
gay marriage shouldn't be allowed.
McCain criticized TV preacher [tag]Jerry Falwell[/tag] as "an agent
of intolerance" in 2002, but has since decided to cozy up to the man
who said Americans "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. (Indeed, McCain has
now hired Falwell's debate coach.)
McCain used to oppose Bush's [tag]tax cuts[/tag] for the very
wealthy, but he reversed course in February.
In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of
being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush's
presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the
Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out
at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for
support.
McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore
his name. In June, he abandoned his own legislation.
McCain used to think that Grover Norquist was a crook and a corrupt
shill for dictators. Then McCain got serious about running for
president and began to reconcile with Norquist.
McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to
White House demands.
McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he
supported it. [corrected]
McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones
University before he was for it.
McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he's pro-ethanol.
McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate
flag.
McCain decided in 2000 that he didn't want anything to do with
former Secretary of State Henry [tag]Kissinger[/tag], believing he
"would taint the image of the 'Straight Talk Express.'" Kissinger is
now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.
Remember, McCain still believes his strength as a candidate is his
credibility and consistency.
It's also worth noting that McCain's desperate attempts to reinvent
himself may be backfiring. American Research Group, a New Hampshire-
based polling firm, recently found that McCain's popularity among
independents in the Granite State has "collapsed." (thanks to T.B. for
the tip)
"John McCain is tanking," says ARG president Dick Bennett. "That's the
big thing [we're finding]. In New Hampshire a year ago he got 49
percent among independent voters. That number's way down, to 29
percent now."
McCain is struggling with Republicans who don't trust him,
independents who are disappointed in him, and Democrats who've grown
disgusted with him. Other than these voters, however, McCain's in
great shape.
