Comments on: McCain Holding Firm on Unpopular but Principled Agri-Business Positions

By: Booker Rising

Booker Rising — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:25:36 +0000

McCain Holding Firm On Unpopular But Principled Ag…

McCAlan Stewart Carl, a moderate blogger, praises him for it: “John McCain hasn?t given us much straight talk this election, but he has stayed surprisingly firm on his principled stand against unescessary subsidies for large commercial farms and agai…

By: Mudslide

Mudslide — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:50:23 +0000

One of the appealing traits of Obama early in the primaries was that he held his ground on issues such as the gasoline tax holiday. I too do not like the fact that he caved in on FISA. I think it was politically motivated to not look like he was soft on terrorism. I think he could have made a good case that he was standing up for our constitutional rights if he had voted against it. Don’t get me wrong though. I think that there are times when a president needs to change his mind on issues as facts change. Obama’s compromise on oil drilling is one that comes to mind. If he can get most of what he wants in an energy bill by giving up some offshore drilling then I think he should do it. Politics is often about compromising. One of George Bush’s failings is that he is an idealogue first and foremost. He will not compromise his positions to move something along. It’s his way or the highway. This is the other extreme to a ‘flip-flopper’. Neither is good.

By: Alan Stewart Carl

Alan Stewart Carl — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:48:55 +0000

This is a fairly small example on McCainâ€™s part. But it is something. Is it enough?

Not enough. And he still has plenty of time to flip-flop. But I thought it worth pointing out.

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:33:26 +0000

Agreed Alan. I’ve said repeatedly that I’m looking for someone with at least the occasional willingness to tell some segment of Americans something they don’t want to hear. Lately, Obama seems eager to constantly hone his message of telling the people what they DO want to hear.

This is a fairly small example on McCain’s part. But it is something. Is it enough?

Jeff Jacoby’s recent editorial What, them worry has me questioning whether I can in good conscience support either guy given how eager they both are to pretend that with minor tweaks our fiscal house will be fine.