naturally, I’m celebrating the hell out of this fat tuesday…but don’t forget, Rolling Stone, that two years ago today the righteous king of weirdness died, a dude that your magazine made….Hunter S. Thompson

“There he goes. One of God’s own prototypes. Some kind of high-powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die”

rage on Hunter

McCain is the frontrunner in the Repugnican race to the bottom. I think there are still a few nuts who have yet to come off the shelf, though; they are short at least one man-of-God.

And, yes, there will be folks who will remember the passing of Hunter Thompson long after they have to start asking “John McWho?”. m

Exactly on target RS. Your singing my song.

Sorry to say, but I agree with the author. Such shameless pandering

I totally agree with your assessment of McCain.

I resent any implication or pretense that Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson speak for Christians. Those two are always dragged out when the left wishes to make a mockery of faith.

And today the wanna-be decider says we’ll be in Iraq for a long time, just like South Korea. Now THAT is a real vote-getting position for sure.

tim – excellent post. we have open primaries here in texas, and in 2000 i crossed over and voted in the republican primary for mccain. at the time i also saw him as a “straight talking problem solver”…. oh my how times have changed. mccain has shown he’s willing to pander to anyone in order to win the republican nomination. after all, this is his last shot.

Sadly, I would have voted for McCain if he ran 2/3 years ago. Now I realize that he is just trying to crank up his political campaign by casting his beliefs to the side. Guess its back to the drawing board for my vote

I live in Arizona, and I have to say nothing saddens me more than to have to agree with Tom. McCain has become McLame and become a prisoner of yet another war.

Senator Mccain is the status quo candadate. If he wins things stay like they are unless his party changes. I hope Rudi and Senator Obama get nominated that would be interesting and somewhat of a change

McCain commited Political Suicide by throwing him under the bus. This should have been done to his face while he was in office. This now makes him look like a coward.

it’s sad to see a man who could have, should have,been great coming apart. I quess it’s not as silly as I thought to get these campaigns started so early.

McCain has thrown more than Rumsfeld, “Under the Bus”…

The sad demise of a “Once Independent” political power, I give you, John McCain….

Ten Republican Cowards failed to show to vote against “A Troop Surge”…(Too busy kissing Far-Right Asses to do the work they are voted in to do).(Their collective names need to be publicized, Immensely). The Do-Nothing Ten….

Democrats were four votes short to get Open Discussion on the Perils of a “Troop Surge” and are counting on the Oil companies and military Industrial Complex to Dictate our War Menu, again(And hasn’t it gone well since Iraq?)

How much news coverage of the Saturday Senate Vote and that of Anna Nicole Smith, the clock-stopping impact of Spears shaving her hazy head into Hairless.(Dictators love to have the Press they own and control, cover issues that Dumb-Down the Country and take the focus off Corrupt leaders and the wars they want to instigate For Profit$$$$$$).

How about the “great coverage” of Libby’s “I’m a Cheney/Rove Fall Guy” trial where the three chimps in Control of our Nation skate on another “trial” on Corruption and Treason…(Hey, soak in that Patriotism…)

Ummmm, they just love our Troops while they Cut their Benefits(The Wounded and Disabled soldiers)that fought in Iraq and Vietnam(Isn’t that just Flag-Stirring Patriotic?

But, let’s make more wars with little Oil-Rich companies and keep Exxon Happy, Happy, Happy…..Wow…

McCain is an Embarrassment(the Big Sell-Out of the past few years) and his nine other senate-absentees are licking their lips for the Oil and Political Perks they’ll get from Bush and his Oil Pals, for “Cheer-Leading the “Surge” (Sludge, Slime and, Slicks)$$$$$$$$$$$$$by not bothering to show up for a Vote…

McCain tossed more than “Rumsfeld Under that Bus-America, the Troops, his Integrity(Laugh) and, his Credibility…..

McCain was always more myth than reality. Sure the Establishment Media loved him, but only because he sided with the D’s and the Establishment Left whose Orwellian political speak translated to Maverick. On the antiwar Right, we have always called him the Mad Bomber (see Serbia) when we weren’t reminding folks of the Keating Five. It’s Ron Paul (antiwar, anti-Drug War, anti-tax) or be revealed for the Establishment you pretend to be against, RS.

“I resent any implication or pretense that Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson speak for Christians.”

Sorry, but these two jokers do speak for Christians every time they open their mouths–and they will continue to do so until Christians step up in force and publicly disown them.

Hey McCracken – unless and until you step up and demand that Falwell, Robertson and Father Dobson and his FRC whackjobs are outcast from the Christian community, they will continue to usurp -our- faith for their own ends.

You might get further boycotting gasoline until Shariya law is expelled from Saudi Arabia, cause the wingnuts ain’t giving up their Three Stooges of bigotry, greed, and heresy.

Sadly, McCain was broken in the 2000 race. Whipped so badly his spirit left and he became a neocon lapdog. I would have voted for him once but would be better off voting for Bozo the clown.

“when the left wishes to make a mockery of faith.” -J. McCracken

So it’s the left who says it’s silly to have faith in ghosts, gods and toothfairies? Ah, well, let them take the credit for common sense…

It really is a shame that politics in this country can transform even the most principled men into panderers. Five years in the Hanoi Hilton could not break McCain’s resolve, but a bid for the presidency can. Politics truly is an awful game and unless things change, I’m fearful we will be governed by those with bendable principles and moral vacancy. And that goes for both sides of the aisle.

… All he has to do now is say he’s in favor of nuking anyone who gets in his way. He’s sounding more like the infamous Barry Goldwater every day.

See what the thought of money and power does…

“dan the druid | 2/20/2007, 3:54 pm EST

“I resent any implication or pretense that Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson speak for Christians.”

Sorry, but these two jokers do speak for Christians every time they open their mouths–and they will continue to do so until Christians step up in force and publicly disown them.”

Now, I’m no Christian, but I don’t think their hate mongering is quite what Jesus intended. I never met the guy, but I have seen the 700 Club, and there’s more love on Springer. Pat Robinson would sooner fuck Ted Haggard in the ass (Ted would enjoy it) than turn the other cheek (i.e., a facial cheek). I don’t think Jesus would mind if his followers righted a wrong with a wrong; that said, Pat Robinson should be exiled to Iran. We’ll put monkey ears on him and say it’s George Bush—it’ll be a really cute peace offering!

When the hell was McCain (as a politician) ever a man of principle, or a “maverick” for that matter? When he “stood up” to Bush on torture only to make a completely meaningless compromise? When he’s courted the center and left with statements that aren’t backed up by his right wing voting behavior? The only change is that people are starting to wake up to what a con man he is. (Please note that I’m talking about his political career, not his experiences as a POW).

He was kissed by the devil–remember?

What ambition did to McCain shames America. Still, as long as Jim Webb keeps on being Jim Webb I am not despairing about the country.

he works at oscar meyer, he likes those big meaty throbbing hot dogs

Flip-floppin’ awaaayyy…
Flip-floppin’awaa aayyyeeeaaayyy…
You know the nearer your destination, the more you’re flip-floppin’ awaaayyyy….

McCain has been calling Rumsfeld incompetent for years. He has also been pro-life for years. The only real “flip-flop” I’ve witnessed is his cozying up to the powers that be on the religous right in order to snag the Republican nomination. It’s part of the game; in fact, I’d like to hear the name of a mainstream politician who hasn’t been guilty of pandering during the nomination process. Ethanol, anyone???

“No. Now it’s time to speak out against…Donald Rumsfeld.”

Ummm, McCain called for Rumsfeld’s resignation over three years ago, and has spoken out against Rumsfeld in drum-beat fashion ever since. His recent comments re Rumsfeld are hardly evidence of “weathervane” politics. As such, it is folley on the part of Dickenson to use them as the basis for a hit-piece blog.

Too bad you have to change your stance on some issued to shoot for the Republican nomination- the GOP party ruins good candidates. I hope Rudy holds firm to his beliefs instead of caving to the GOP party ideology. Everybody loses when you have to conform to one side or the other.

I seem to remember that Senator McCain is the person who once advocated that some countries be bombed back “into the stone age”.

Is this the mother of all flip-flops or what? He picked a fine time to let us know how he really feels. He is either: a. an opportunist or b. slow.
He should’ve let us know this months/years ago and pushed to remove Dumsfeld before more of our troops came home dead. Thanks alot John. And to think….you of all people. He’s starting to make Hillary look loyal and tough.

I am an Independent, and have often been stymied by J MCains positions.
However in the past 18 months most of them have been all to obvious,particularly the massive about face on torture.
It is time to stand down , Sir.

typical politician. mccain is exactly that. i don’t know why everyone is so surprised. he’s a whore like all the others. surprise, surprise.

McCain is a classic old-school flip-flopping political ass kisser just like John McCain and the rest of them.

“Limagag”

Here come the Republican apologists-”Don’t they all pander?”

No, guy, they do not…

Take that money, sell yourself out, become oblivious to lies, Big Brother, wars and rumors of wars

So drink your Koolaide and Sleep-away–don’t let the Fascists disturb your Slumber…. Needless deaths, poverty and illness, Blood pays the price for Halliburton’s and political leaders accumulation of riches and power.

Control-just like we see it working on you!

Gee Miss Dickerson,

You are SO enlightened to have registered to vote as a NASTY Republican. I think your diaper must be wet. Stop whining and maybe your mommy will change it.

I voted for McCain the last time he ran for the Senate here in Arizona even though I am a liberal. I thought that he had integrity. He has now become a tragic farce. There is no way in which he will be the next president.

i am independant, and i ve followed mccain a long time, i agree, loosing the nomination the last time broke him, he ll now say and do anything to be elected, but by doing so he lost my vote. it is really sad to see what has happened to him, and yes, his actions now do make hillary look 100% better.

Anything coming from Rolling Stone about politics is a mockery of journalism. And can its readers disagree without becoming violent or crude? Leftist pukes vs Right wing wackos vs spineless independants? Your readers’ motto is “my way or the Highway”. Lets just have a civil war and get this over with.
Stupid young punks.

If you are looking for a Republican or Democrat who has internally consistent principles by which they live and vote in Congress, to state it charitably, you are on a fool’s errand.

Maybe he should start calling himself McCain’t.

He also didn’t distriguish himself when he was involved with the Keating Five; but that’s apparently ancient history. But it is consistent with weasling thru.

Interesting that all of the anti-McCain posters continue to accept the basic premise of the article when it is factually incorrect in virtually all particulars.

McCain has openly criticized Rumsfeld for years.

He has been openly an enemy of Bush and the neo-cons for even longer.

He is not speaking at a “Creationist Convention”

etc, etc, etc

how many of the posters here have been volunteers for John Edwards or John Dean?

how many people here can say “put-up job”

For the reasons you mentioned and others it is unlikely McCain will ever earn the nomination as the Republican candidate. Conservatives like myself are not willing to support someone who is “all over the place”. His distinguished military and legislative career is not enough to qualify him for the presidency.

I do not have one good to say about McCain. However, it is interesting that a writer for Rolling Stone registered as the R word.

I am a Vietnam Veteran and I am oposed to the war in Iraq and have been since Georgie boy waged the war. The United States is now engaged in another Vietnam, a tragedy.

McCain should have taken the Kerry offer to be VP on that ticket. Clearly, he could have done more good for this country as a strong voice in the capacity of VP to the commander in chief currently in office than in his current incarnation of chief panderer.

In the parlance of liberal journalists, “maverick” is defined as a Republican who bucks his party. I’ve never heard Ben Nelson or Joe Lieberman called mavericks.

Interesting to read the comments about McCain now after he cut his own throat with his latest attempt at gaining support for the presidency.

John McCain has not changed, he’s finally finding out that he never had much to offer right from the beginning.

This “pluralistic democracy” that we live in creates the very mealy- mouthed weasel candidates that we have to endure. When you run for nomination you have to appeal to the likely primary voters in each party. Gun-nuts, tree-huggers, religious zealots and just about every other freako group that have been empowered to steer the process so far from the average American’s day to day interests, that it is no wonder that by the time of the General Election, the voters are tired of it. McCain has to turn right to get through the process and if nominated will spend the next following three months moderating his positions. The whole process sucks when Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina can determine where the parties are going to invest their money. Let’s open up the primary process to everyone everywhere regardless of primary affiliation. You would have one primary vote to use so use it wisely. It would make the general election more of a run-off
and the quality of the candidates will improve. Can anybody tell me what the hell Romney beleives in? In an open primary he would not have to back-pedal on his record of left of center policies whlie governor of Massachusetts. Right now he just another phony kissing right wing ass for the money.

The look of desperation, the wide eyed stare, the fear he may not be president are driving him to the dark side. I was disappointed in McCain when he sided with Reagan and the Pope for Charles Keating, but people can grow and change and I was willing to put that aside. But now, cozying up to Pat, the Anti-Christ? I feel only pity.

I think Mickie2 said it best. Why all the surprise?

The Arizona senator is behaving exactly as one would have easily predicted.I take refuge in the Libertarians, who don’t have a chance in hell of winning but stay their course nevertheless.

To me John McCain is a perfect example of what is wrong with this country. A man who once stood against the religious right and now panders to them for their votes. I was a strong McCain backer in the 2000 primary and even voted on the Republican ticket for the first (and LAST) time ever to support him. Now I see how luck we are that he did not win. George W Bush is an awful president but we knew that when he was elected – I feel it would be much worse to elect someone like McCain was in 2000 who looks promising and then turns into what McCain is today – a flip flopping NeoCon who will sell his soul and beliefs for a vote from the religious right. Sad indeed.

I would never vote for John McCain! He left his wife after she waited for him while he was in a war camp. When he got home she had been in a wreck and became a bit disfigured so he divorced her and was married like a month later. He is also really mean. I have seen him yell at women reporters.

I agree with Travis, “John McCain is a perfect example of what is wrong with this country.” For weeks during the 2004 election, on one of the most liberal campuses in the nation, I attended rally after rally and was handed more fliers than I can remember renouncing a re-election of the incumbent. Reality hit when Bush was announced president, which unfortunately makes me insensitive to the corruption and childish decision making of today’s politicians, McCain no exception. Is anyone surprised? Does anyone think this is ever going to change? I anticipate that our media will slowly, and I repeat s-l-o-w-l-y, grow some balls and start reporting the “truth.” Until then, politicians like McCain will get elected, change their minds over and over again, pay the media to make them look nice and pretty, and a few million people might just die along the way. But hey, what do I know about the thought process of a 60-something year old man? I’m only 20, just old enough to personally know four guys terrified and defending a nation they were once convinced needed defending.

McCain…just another war criminal. He flew 23 missions bombing the hell out of Vietnamese childen, mothers and fathers.

McCain is trying to get the Republican nomination as an Indepdent. He’s not flip flopping or throwing people under the bus (those activities are reserved for a lot of Democrats), he’s trying to get a job.

And Gerald, suck a dick. I suggest you should learn what you’re talking about before commenting. You probably think that our soldiers in Iraq are killers and mercenaries, too. That would be consistent.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve admired and respected John McCain for his beliefs and the way he defended them, whether I agreed with all of them or not. Usually I didn’t, but I just couldn’t help but respect the fact that he played fair for the most part. But lately, I agree, I have noticed some changes in those beliefs, and I think it’s just disheartening to see such a great politician flip-flop the way he has on so many topics. I’ve always told myself that if he ever ran for President again, I would vote for him, but of course, this was before the disappointment that has lately been instilled in me towards him. I’m not so sure about him anymore.

and yet another fine example of how the ‘I smell like propaganda’ guy shows his respect and avoids insulting others unless he’s insulted….

‘And Gerald, suck a dick. I suggest you should learn what you’re talking about before commenting’

That’s fine. If you disagree with me on policy it’s perfectly acceptable, but I’m going to tell off people who lie, are being completely ignorant, or are saying malevolent things about someone/something they know thing about. I apologize for being vulgar, but I stand by saying something. I’d do the same thing to someone who said the Holocaust didn’t happen or Abe Lincoln deserved to be murdered.

and yet you whine and complain when the very same thing is done to you. When you are treated in the same way you treat others when you spout off ignorant and malevolent about something you obviously know nothing about.

You’ve got alot to learn buddy.

Now that I know Dickinson voted R I too will come out of the closet and admit I crossed over to vote for Billy-Bob-Bubba Clinton just to keep the front pages interesting. That and a one-armed candidate just doesn’t inspire awe in the electorate.

“…when you spout off ignorant and malevolent about something you obviously know nothing about.”

-

Nope. I don’t call public figures liars or murders when it’s not true and I DO know what I’m talking about. Saying that I don’t know what I’m talking about everytime I give an opinion that’s different than yours is stupid. You can come up with different opinions on an issue knowing the same information. That’s logical. You’re not.