"If the phone rings at 3 a.m., I think the American people would want me to answer it first,’’ says Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican and onetime prisoner-of-war who has become his party’s presumptive nominee for president, in an interview airing this weekend.

Then of course I would BOMB, BOMB, BOMB...BOMB, BOMB IRAN. BOMB IRAN, blow off their hands. I'll be picking up the phone, picking up the phone to bomb Iran!

If anything, the U.S. is slightly left-of-center as a whole. Even with our "conservative" population, we, as a country, as a whole, will always be slightly left leaning. It's the very nature of how our country was founded.
Poor John. He has Bush around his neck like a big albatross and he's forced to say things he doesn't actually believe.

And everywhere that John McCain goes, Dubya's abysmal legacy is sure to be there to greet him.

!GOBAMA!

Yeah, McCain would answer the phone, bomb Iran, and find some people to torture. How is a former POW going to vote against a bill that would outlaw waterboarding in the US? Seriously. Think about the degree of sell-outedness that it takes to do such a thing. Don't vote for another puppet. Get someone that thinks for themself, please.

What's up with all of this 3 a.m. crap.

If the phone rings at 3 a.m. it's likely either a wrong number from a drunk somewhere or it's too late (i.e. your aunt Paulie died, there was nothing that could be done).

I want a president that can foresee events happening rather than being caught off guard at 3 a.m. I want a president that, if the situation calls, decides to stay awake through the night rather than gets to sleep EVERY night at 9 p.m.

I want a president that looks at a situation and says, "If X happen, let's be prepared to do (fill-in-the-blank)."

The notion that the president is going to be roused from his sleep at 3 a.m. and asked what do to about a situation is idiotic.

That American's continue to fall for this gag is indicative of our lack of perception.

More likely America is split right-at-center, as the past election showed. And its the politicians that are doing most of the splitting. McCain for sure. McCAin't it.

Bud McFarlin,

It's 3:00a.m., you get a phone call.

But instead of taking decisive action, you get out "My Pet Goat" and keep reading with a deer in the headlights expression on your face.

Only this isn't fiction.

If Hillary or Obama were to be elected, when the phone rang at 3 a.m., either one would say: "We surrender," and then turn over and go back to sleep.

Right of center McCain is directly following in W's footsteps. His campaign site says he will continue doing what W's doing in Iraq. He wants to take money out of Social security in the privatize scam that W wanted. Just think what would have happened to your investment when as it is NOW the stock market is tanking. You'd be gathering cans on the street while those stock market buddies would have already got their cut and run and thats the cut and run I'm worrying about.

John Mc Cain is the right candidate for the next President. He has all the qualifications and experience in all issues connected with the Presidency. Yes, critics, sometimes the President needs to bomb his enemies such as al-qaida. Go, Joh all the way!

I suspect Sen. McCain is probably correct. As long as the Dems keep fielding very left-of-center candidates for President (such as Kerry, Obama, Dean, etc.) They will continue to lose those elections against Republicans that are seen as more moderate. You can imagine that McCain is a far right-winger if you wish, but his record of working with Dems is long and irrefutable. Hence his difficulties with the right wing of is own party.
Voters will likely find his actual record to be far more bipartisan and ultimately attractive than they will Obama's. The general electorate is much less likely to look favorably on an immediate withdrawal of troops than the Dem's base does.
But we will, of course, see in November.

Yeah right, "right of center," means undoing every progressive initiative to help improve conditions in America for the greatest number of people. The farther right you go on the spectrum the least concerned you are about human rights, civil rights, conservation and environmentalism, workers rights and protections, consumer safety, and public health, transportation, etc. etc.

Bush was right of center and look where we have landed.

Those who think this is a right of center nation are kidding themselves, or think radios are only to be used when Rush is on.

This guy is no spring chicken so you better hope he makes it to November!

what is wrong to bom iran?
you pin head. we have contolled iraq, lets do it in iran.
it worths it, how many countries we have bombed in wwII? you think you get today's peace without any price?

McCain will get this former democrat's vote. Don't know much about the republicans, but I do know from personal experience that the DNC would rather America lose the war on terrorism than elect an other republican. Those of you who post here with hate for McCain come off as shills for the terrorists.

The Funny Truth is that NO ONE is seeing the DEFLECTION by the republicans on major issues, Such as;

LOSS OF JOBS & Outsourcing,
Heres what we lost because of McCain= "But Boeing supporters in Congress are directing their wrath at McCain, the Arizona senator and nominee in waiting, for scuttling an earlier deal that would have let Boeing build the next generation of Air Force refueling tankers. Boeing now will miss out on a deal that it says would have supported 44,000 new and existing jobs at the company and suppliers in 40 states.

"I hope the voters of this state remember what John McCain has done to them and their jobs," said Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., whose state would have been home to the tanker program and gained about 9,000 jobs.

So you still want to vote for McCain? and carry on with more of the same? Good Luck for being a FOLLY and voting for the same OLD GOP. YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU'LL GET.

Maybe the pudits could tell us what is center?

When reading all the comments, I can see that most are leaning toward a democratic vote. There is several issues that are wrong morally with the democrat party that cause us as americans to have to make a choice. The worst war in US history is abortion. If we have as a nation gotten to a place that we would destroy innocent lives that haven't even got a chance to live then we need look at ourselves before making judgement on others. John Mccain is the best choice to see the real war possibly one day come to an end. The blood is on our hands.

Just make sure he has some heart attack pills before the phone rings.

God help this country and Americans from this man. John McCain is more of the same as we've had the last 7 years! Look at our economy, it's tanking, AGAIN, and the country is facing becoming hostage to foreign oil and sky high oil that is crippling our economy. Wake up America! If you want 4 more years of the same abysmal failures we've had the last 7 years, then vote for another Republican. You'll get what you vote for and then some, as the Bush administration has made the US hated around the globe, tanked our economy, ran up a record deficit, and doubled the national debt! That's a conservative record! Yeah right! A monkey could do a better job than Dubya or McCain.

Our country is going to ..... in a handbasket if McCain wins this election, and I'm moving, no real ID for me

...and another point: I like McCain's willingness to get pissed-off. Harry Truman was the same way and he made a fine president.

Even though I am a Democrat I have to admit that John McCain will be the next President. Something(maybe the gods) is working in his favour. Just like he won Republican Primary by default(Romney/Huckabee vote split), he will win the general(Obama/Clinton vote split). Take it from me Obama will be a candidate with or without the Democratic party

John's got it right. As a nation, we're not far-right of center, and we're not center. We're somewhere between because the vast majority believes our constitution defines us, and we're compassionate enough to bend to the left a bit without betraying our principles as defined in the constitution.

From the matrix-evolutions group.

If John McCain were seriously trying to get votes to win an election, he'd intelligently distance himself from Bush, one of more despised presidents of modern times. But McCain is not trying to win votes. He knows he is going to be elected without fail by the far right machine of America that pre-selected him to be the next president of our American war machine.

For those who benefit from war industry, vote for mc cain!! constant war is what they want!! no mater , haw many crimes are committed, they are making MONEY , that what they mater the MoST.

Yes, McCain should hire the communists to answer the red phone, after all he is supporting them with US tax dollars. Free Trade or Free Traitor. Tacking tax payer dollars to support foreign production of crticial industries like the Airforce award of its contract to EADS speaks of not only cronyism republican economics but a severe blow to the notion that critical industries should remain in America.
Its your country folks, and its your America.

Economy tanking? Thank the democrats. When will we drill our own oil, change to nuke power, mine shale oil, stop this pie in the sky over investmentment in alternative fuels? Gas prices are killing our economy.

Would a third war tilt us a little more right?

My fear -- We ended up with George W. Bush because people were sick of the Clintons and their drama. Now, we may end up with McCain because everyone is tired of Hillary and her under-handed politics. Please help us Obama! I really hope voters think about this. We'll get the same old stuff -- bad economy, bad health care, bad education, and war -- with McCain. Hillary is so devisive that she will drive voters to him. VOTE OBAMA!

Take this from a staunch Democrat (at least I was before this election cycle) John McCain will win this election. Obama and Clinton will destroy each other in the coming months as the delegate struggle continues. The battered and war-weary Democratic survivor will have to face a rested, confident and ready McCain. The rest of the country is (or will be) sick of the Democratic bickering by then. McCain is a good middle-of-the-road politician and will be himself as president. He surely will be a one-termer due to his age, so he can be his own president without need to kiss any special-interest butts for re-election. I just want it to be over. I am sick of the long political season.

Posted by: Anonymous | March 8, 2008 10:18 AM

When Bush took office, gas was $28 a barrel......Since then it has been nothing but him and the do nothing congress up until last year.

Obviously this site is not rite of center. why bother pretending you are an objective news organization.

""If the phone rings at 3 a.m., I think the American people would want me to answer it first,’’ says Sen. John McCain"

Right, and if it turns out to be something really important (rather than a drunk teenager), he should be sure to go wake up someone more competent and hand him or her the phone - that's a good boy, John

I just want it to be over. I am sick of the long political season.

Posted by: CF | March 8, 2008 10:29 AM

Well you won't be a good republican with that kind of attitude. You need to believe in "stay the course". Somewhat funny that one so tired of politics would be on the swamp. You could be an independent. What is the independent platform anyway?

John McBush the "Straight Talker" can't seem to figure out who he is. Is he the Maverick or the Mole? Does he stand for individual freedom or the religious right? Pro torture or anti-torture? It is sad to see how far this once steadfast man has fallen to win this nomination.

Everybody is left of old man McCain.

I want it to be over, because the news media has made me so tired of it all. Examining every last minute detail of every single thing one of the candidates does (and then repeating it over and over) is NOT good journalism. I mean, really, FOX and CNN, report on some other news! I don't care if McCain got a little hot under the collar at some stupid reporter's question! Get over yourselves!

I want it to be over, because the news media has made me so tired of it all. Examining every last minute detail of every single thing one of the candidates does (and then repeating it over and over) is NOT good journalism. I mean, really, FOX and CNN, report on some other news! I don't care if McCain got a little hot under the collar at some stupid reporter's question! Get over yourselves!

Posted by: CF | March 8, 2008 10:54 AM

I have to say that I agree with you. I grow very weary of listening to the media myself. However, I don't know how that is the democrats fault. The republicans had a very weak field so it was quite easy. I believe their are 2 strong candidates (whether you like one or the other) and it has been a hard choice for most. This is exactly why we need to stop these states from moving up their primaries. I would be in favor of a primary day. One day..get it over. This would stop states like Iowa from giving us candidates like Huckabee who would not have made it had it not been for Iowas' religious right.

I never cease to amaze the duality of this country's thinking. We want politicians are aren't "bought" and then slay them when a contract is rewarded to the better bidder and that politician didn't protect YOUR 9000 jobs. How hypocritical.

You can't compare McCain to Bush. Bush is flawed and stubborn (a lethal combination) and never could work with the other party. McCain has a long tradition of working with Democrats. McCain was also correct when Bush spent years with a bad strategy in Iraq. There is no comparison.

We will all vote for someone we dont completly agree with or like.But on the issue of character-McCain has no rival.

Depending on who McCain chooses as VP, I'll back him.
America does have values aka conservatives.

On the opposite end are liberal democrats with no regard for babies, pushing their lack of morality and forcing universal healthcare down our throats. They forget to mention that they will increase funding for planned parenthood (abortion), they will raise our taxes, they will be able to dictate what medical operations are necessary, and they won't do anything about our borders. They give pie-in-the-sky speeches about issues that are not important and neglect the important issues that should be dealt with first.
If all of a sudden a genie made me president, I'd overturn roe-v-wade and eliminate partial birth abortion. I'd stand for life. Rape/incest/or medically necessary abortion would be allowed but under strict guidelines.
I'd increase our troop strength overseas. I'd invest in our nations infrastructure, reduce taxes- or re-design the tax system all together. Actually build a border fence, and tell Mexico that they better do something about their people coming here or we will restrict their trade.
I'd promote US made products and cut our Chinese trade in half to allow our economy the ability to sustain itself. I'd promote green technologies and remove our dependance on foreign oil. I'd invade Venezuala and jail Chavez and secure their oil and border with Columbia. Opening our markets to Venezualan/Columbian goods. I'd stand behind Israel and let the world know that we will not tolerate a strike on Israel. I would allow public schools to teach about any subject that their students have interest in..yes I'd let them have bibles in schools along with any religous text that they wish to study. I think that we are selling our nation short by not allowing kids the right to choose between darwinism and creationism. I'd increase funding for married couples and give incentives for teachers, police, fire and city workers. I would reduce corp tax on pharm- companies so they can give their products at a reduced price to the elderly. I'd get us on nuke power. I'd increase funding for the VA, and provide incentives for doctors to cure people, not just diagnose and treat. I'd do all the above in my first year of presidency :)

I agree with Larry. I also agree that a one-day national primary would be a great idea - the one with the most votes becomes their party's nominee (no superdelegates) and that's that. The one-day primary could be as late as Labor Day, then they'd have two months to campaign - that's all each candidate would need - have a few debates between the primary winners in September and October, and then let's vote and get it over with. What do we need to do to make this happen?

If McCain thinks American is a right of center nation then McCain is just another right of center nut. What's the matter with the GOP any way? When did they become such pusses? They are frightened by anything and anybody. When did the Republicans start confusing smart foreign policy for surrender? Why does American need to be at war with a bunch of two bit religious crazies for the next 100 years? The right wingers have lost it, their old, their ideas are old and they don’t work any more. Let the modern Democrats take charge, new fresh ideas, new direction to get the Nation back on track, new leadership for a new age. Help American be great again, help American be respected again, forget McCain and his old-fashioned tired message and look to the new, the strong and the smart, VOTE OBAMA!!!

the center only defines the contours that not too many pople our interested in finding because the cost is not in the book,

how much would it cost on the left or right-center could keep the predessors curious to current times.

the magic number wins all the time,

"...Don't vote for another puppet. Get someone that thinks for themself, please."

I couldn't agree more. Vote Ron Paul 2008! No, I'm not some "bot' autoposting. Why RP?

1) Was not a lawyer before he became a public servant
2) Believes in protecting our national sovereignty
3) Wants to put more money back in the working-person's pocket
4) Proponent of reduced Fed/greater local gov't
5) Doesn't want to US to be the world police

It never ceases to amaze me how RP gets labeled a fringe candidate. And shame on McCain for being the presumptuous Republican nominee.

Cons3rvative, I enjoyed that little plan for your first year. Now let me describe the second year. After killing Planned Parenthood you would see off the record, unsafe abortions go through the roof, right along with an std epidemic (Remember, only 10% of what Planned Parenthood does is abortions. The rest is dedicated to giving people other, safer options.). But this would be the least of the countries worries.

The world economy would shatter after being hit by such a sudden economic shift as the one you propose. Considering the level to which our economies are entwined, our economy would collapse into a second great depression. This of course would make Americans desperate, and embolden our enemies who are less dependent on the world economy, largely thanks to our restrictions. Starting a war in South America would drag in most of the left leaning continent, taxing our military and inviting attacks on our forces in the Middle East, which would quickly spread around the globe. The American war machine, now in full force to try and revive the dead economy, would devour most of the worlds oil supply, pushing otherwise peaceful nations into the war to protect their existence. As our third world war was slowly lost, the American war machine would inevitably resort to nuclear weapons to keep the military from breaking, undoubtedly resulting in retaliation that would destroy America, along with much of the world. In the end, our civilization could never rebuild, as conservatives have let our nations level of education drop to a level so low that without the support of technology most cannot even add. After the war the EU will become the dominant world power, ushering in a second age of European dominance.

Enjoy your future herding goats, if you survive the fallout.

McCain isn't right of center, he sold out his integrity to the nutty Bush/Cheney Neocons a loooong time ago and he's not fooling anyone anymore.

WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain likes to present himself as the candidate of the "Straight Talk Express" who does not pander to voters or change his positions with the political breeze. But the fine print of his record in the Senate indicates that he has been a lot less consistent on some of his signature issues than he has presented himself to be so far in his presidential campaign.

Mr. McCain, who derided his onetime Republican competitor Mitt Romney for his political mutability, has himself meandered over the years from position to position on some topics, particularly as he has tried to court the conservatives who have long distrusted him. His most striking turnaround has been on the Bush tax cuts, which he voted against twice but now wants to make permanent. Mr. McCain has also expressed varying positions on immigration, torture, abortion and Donald H. Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary.

The article points out that McCain has reversed course on several key issues as he has tried to gain the support of the Republican Neocon base. To summarize the article:

On tax cuts...

In 2001, McCain voted against Bush's tax cuts, saying "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle-class Americans who most need tax relief." He also voted against additional tax cuts in 2003, later saying that "I just thought it was too tilted to the wealthy, and I still do."
Today, McCain wants to make those tax cuts permanent.

On immigration...

In 2005, McCain supported comprehensive immigration reform, which included a pathway to citizenship.
Now, he claims that "if his original proposal came to a vote on the Senate floor, he would not vote for it."

On abortion and Roe v. Wade...

In 1999, McCain said that he would not support overturning Roe v. Wafe "int he sort term, or even the long term," because that would "force X number of women in America" to undergo "illegal and dangerous operations."
Today, McCain has campaigned on overturning Roe v. Wade.

On his revisionist history regarding Donald Rumsfeld...

In 2004, McCain refused to call for Rumsfeld's resignation, saying that Bush "can have the team around him that he wants around him." In 2006, retired generals called for Rumseld's resignation, but McCain did not.
Now, while running for president, McCain has claimed that "I’m the only one that said that Rumsfeld had to go." The article notes that "[t]he campaign has since acknowledged that Mr. McCain was incorrect, and more recently the senator has stopped short of claiming he called for the defense secretary’s ouster."

On torture...

McCain has traditionally been against torture, citing his experience as a POW for his decision.
Now, McCain voted last month "against a bill that would require the Central Intelligence Agency to abide by the restrictions on interrogating prisoners outlined in the Army Field Manual."

In his decades in office, McCain has an average party unity score in the low 80s. Since he has campaigned for president, his party unity score has skyrocketed (link, link).

2005: 81%
2006: 76%
2007: 90%

It's refreshing to see members of the press taking a closer look at John McCain's disparate record instead of taking his "maverickness" at face value. And while it was expected that McCain would pander to the right to get the GOP nomination, the sharp turns on the "Straight Talk Express" listed above are sure to be a problem for him in the general election.

"pushing their lack of morality and forcing universal healthcare down our throats."

Your post is so crackpot that it hardly warrants addressing, but I think it should be pointed out that this clown thinks that insuring every American is LESS moral than leaving 45 million out in the cold.

Is that why they call you guys "compassionate conservatives?" Hilarious.

But seriously, how could I argue with the idea of invading Venezuela (with what, our magical clone armies currently being assembled on the outer moons of Endor?) and intervening in the 35 year civil war in Colombia. That would be a brilliant projection of American power.

Hilarious!

It's 3:00a.m., you get a phone call.

But instead of taking decisive action, you get out "My Pet Goat" and keep reading with a deer in the headlights expression on your face.

Only this isn't fiction.

Posted by: Doug "Hussein" Zook | March 8, 2008 9:10 AM

Doug,

WHAT?!

You make no sense, as usual.

Wow!!! Where do you far left people come from? Do you get out the house? I hate to burst your far left bubbles, but the country IS right of center. How could you even argue that?? Ronald Reagan(a Conservative) was president for 8 years, George Bush Senior(a Moderate) was president for 4 years, Bill Clinton (a Moderate)was president for 8 years, and George W. Bush(a Conservative) was president for 8 years. Let me ask some of you Far Left morons a question, when was the last time you saw a Liberal president????? Get over yourselves,this is a right of center country. If you don't like it.... get out. Move to Holland. And lol, at some of you lames trying to morph Mccain in to Bush, are you people that removed from society that you can't even tell the difference between a moderate and a conservative??? Look at Mcains' record you boneheads.I'm laughing at some of the comments being made that Mccain is a far right guy, lol!!! talk about being desperate. Oh, and I hate to break it to you, but Liberals are the minority in this country too, look it up.

Look at Mcains' record you boneheads.I'm laughing at some of the comments being made that Mccain is a far right guy, lol!!! talk about being desperate. Oh, and I hate to break it to you, but Liberals are the minority in this country too, look it up.

Posted by: WOW21 | March 8, 2008 3:49 PM

Goofball,

We have looked at John McSame as Bush's record and it shows him to be selling out his integrity and pandering to the far rightwing lunitc fringer's like you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqtL-P8kzo

I'd like to hear crazy old man McCain explain exactly how he plans to pay for all of these wars he has planned.
The guy is dumber than a bag of rocks when it comes to the economy and he's on the wrong side of the Iraq issue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu-tg1kQ8dk

Bud, Doug is referring to the infamous 9/11 book reading incident that Bush was doing when the towers were hit, and the video clip of his expression when he was whispered the news. The reference makes sense.

Labeling the country as right or left is somewhat foolish. The country is always moderate, period. It’s a moving average; there isn’t some fixed scale where neoconservatives are all bigoted hicks and neoliberals are stuck up socialists, that just happens to be where we are now. If I judged the country based on the political spectrum of two hundred years ago, it would be amazingly left, almost topping out the scale. And if I somehow lived another two hundred years and judged by that scale, I would probably comment on how frighteningly conservative the start of the 21st century was.
The cold hard fact is this: populations become more liberal over time. You can scream and cry about how the country should be Christian and adhere to the values of our forefathers, but the reality is that Europe is a fairly good model of what will happen in this country. Religious mobility is becoming astoundingly commonplace in America, suggesting that people are far more willing to rationalize their values rather than take what they're given. Rationality over belief is a decidedly liberal trait, perhaps the defining liberal trait (whether you believe the conclusions people rationalize isn’t the issue). Eventually, the majority will simply reason their way out of the conservative movement of today, just as they have in Europe. If any one of you conservatives wants to influence this process, it would be best to try and steer the change rather than fight it entirely.

* * * * *

Posted by: Laughing | March 8, 2008 1:15 PM

Actually, Cons3rvative, never said he would trash Planned Parenthood. He just said that he would “overturn roe-v-wade and eliminate partial birth abortion” – the first of which is totally unrealistic, whereas the second is already the law. The President can’t overturn a ruling of the Supreme Court without an amendment to the Constitution, and that’s not going to happen. In any event, even if, in his conservative fantasy, he could manage to get Roe v. Wade overturned, that would not be the end of Planned Parenthood or abortions. It would simply make the lawfulness of abortions depend on State laws. That wouldn’t make any difference in any of the predominantly blue states. The federal government could not outlaw all abortions. It simply doesn’t have that power (as long as we don’t let it regulate medical procedures for everyone. Hint. Hint.).

You are ultimately very correct in suggesting that Cons3rvative’s protectionism would cause a sever economic downturn. Protectionism, hyper-inflationary monetary practices and a lack of control on borrowing were three of the major factors that caused the Great Depression.

As for wars, Cons3rvative is totally unrealistic in expecting that Congress would go along with a number of his measures. The Constitution says that Congress has to authorize war before the President can take on the role of commander-in-chief. Indeed, many of Cons3rvative’s proposals would require proactive support of Congress, in which case they just wouldn’t happen. Any President that would unilaterally act as Cons3rvative would have him/her act, would face impeachment. In which case your doomsday scenario, replete with goat herding, wouldn’t come to pass.

'BOOOOOWWWWEEEEEEP
BOOOOWWWWWEEEEEP
BOOOOWWWWWWEEEEEPP!!!
Hard right rudder, hard right rudder!
(Just gettin inta' poh-sition...
(McBush)

WOW21 is exactly right,name one far left candidate that has been elected in modern history. None! If the democrats sell surrender they like in 1972,1980,1984,1988 will lose. Real Americans don't want to lose under any circumstances. Bring it on boys.

I was thinking McCain reacts like Truman also. As far as his age goes, many world leaders have been his age or older and just keep ticking along. One only needs to look at his mother to realize he may have inherited longevity genes. It is impossible to know what tomorrow will bring. I actually like the question raised the other day when was the last time if any that Clinton or Obama got a bloodied nose. If you believe that only those that walk the walk can possibly know the truth about any job, then how on earth can voters choose to put any candidate in the WH without actual military experience? It would be like hiring a chef that has never worked in a kitchen.

This whole thread is premised on the mistaken idea that, somehow, Republicans represent the “Right” and Democrats represent the “Left.” In truth, folks, we have no left or right; we have only a right wing government regardless of party affiliation.

The classical designations “left” and “right” represented a political continuum in continental Europe. The left (designated by their placement on that side in parliament) represented the anti-statist, pro-individualist, pro-liberty caucuses. The right wing of the parliamentary hall was occupied by those who favored statism in the form of the established monarchy and/or aristocracy. [Which is why, at one time, the terms “left-wing” and “right wing” became equated with “liberal” and “conservative.”] The further to left or right of center, respectively, the more a member represented the extreme of liberalism (libertarianism) or absolute statism.

This pattern and nomenclature did not fit American politics for very long. At the outset, there was a clear division between the “left” represented by anti-federalists like Madison and Jefferson, and the “right,” represented by John Adams and the neo-federalists. However, these distinctions eventually got blurred, and the parties came to represent their opposites. Democrats from the middle to the late 1800s would be considered conservative “right wingers” owing to their staunch support of states rights, slavery and (eventually) Jim Crow, whereas the Republicans of the same era would be the liberal (even radical) “left wingers” due to their anti-slavery, pro-civil rights and pro-reconstruction stances. Things became even more confused when the “progressives” of the early 20th Century challenged the basic premises, deciding instead that government ought to be a positive engine for social evolution as well as the promotion of individual rights. In doing so, they mixed the “statist” model with that of the neo-civil libertarian, thereby negating the classical distinction between left and right. That mixture became orthodoxy under F.D.R. and his “new deal” government. At that point, if it had any value before, the distinction between “left” and “right” became perfectly useless for political analysis.

This is where we are today. Both the Democrats and Republicans embrace a rather strong, statist model of government. All of them believe there is no social, economic or political problem that cannot be solved by more government, less private, social action, and less liberty. Even the Republicans, with all of their lip service to “small government” – and nothing but lip service – have abandoned any pretense of striving for the Jeffersonian ideal of individual freedom without governmental hindrance. [This explains why they can’t help themselves, and spend like drunken sailors, too.] In short, according to the classical continuum, both the Democratic and Republican parties are far to the right of center. The Democrats may be to the left of the Republicans from time to time (although this is becoming more of a rare occurrence), but that hardly qualifies them as either “left-wingers” or even “liberals” since they support statism with equal vigor.

And the American people have become accustomed, if not downright comfortable, with this arrangement. So, yes, Americans have embraced statism. That means that John McCain is correct: the American people are to the right of center. This isn’t true for the reasons he might think or even hope, but they are.

Obama is committed to ending the war as fast as he is uncommitted to ending the war. It really depends on the venue he''''s speaking to. He is the expert in double speak. The one vote he had to send the clear statement to GW and the Iraqis, Obama decided to vote for continued war funding without strings.

His one vote gets my no vote. Not just because he was totally wrong but because he''s a simplistic lier to the people. Stop the double speak Obama!

All we have to do is look at Europe to see far-left liberalism doesn't work. The Dutch are fleeing their country, the Brits are fleeing, largest brain-drain in Germany since the 40s, Jews fleeing France and countries moving more to the right as they see the failures of liberal policies. They've already given us the example of the 'experiment' and it isn't working.

Did anyone else think that John McCain suggested that George Bush was a war criminal since he was violating international law by using torture (waterboarding) like the japanese did in WW2?