McCain has always been recognized as a man of courage. He refused an offer by the North Vietnamese to repatriate him when he was unsure he could survive. Since his career in politics began, he has been an advocate of control of spending. Other than that, his positions have been all over the map and his Republican colleagues have been frustrated by his willingness to cooperate with the Democrats when the issue was one where solidarity might have been appreciated. His position on immigration, for example, has been puzzling and irritating to those worried about illegal immigration.
His choice of Sarah Palin was a welcome sign of an open mind and, while her campaign was mishandled, she was a sign that he could appreciate new talent. His conduct in the present crisis, however, may be his finest moment.
McCain’s stand is significant in a way no other Republican senator’s would be. He’s not the run-of-the-mill Republican making a partisan point. He’s hardly a Limbaugh dittohead. McCain is the Senate’s most relentless seeker of bipartisan compromise. His colleagues feared he might seek the media’s favor by going along with Obama.
But Obama left McCain and nearly every other Republican in Congress with only one option: Just say no. That’s what Republican House members said when they voted unanimously against Obamanomics. And on its merits, the Obama bill cries out for rejection. It’s dangerously expensive, crammed with pork, and bereft of credible economic incentives.
But, yes, there’s political risk in opposing it. An economic recovery may begin later this year not because of the Obama bill but in spite of it. Obama would step forward shamelessly to claim credit. And you can imagine the Democratic attacks on Republicans for opposing aid for college students, emergency help for strapped homeowners, funds for medical research, and all the other non-stimulative stuff in the bill. Politics can be unfair.
I’m assuming Democrats won’t embarrass Obama by failing to enact his first major piece of legislation when the final vote comes this week or next. Why would they balk? Like Obama, they adore spending. Never in the congressional careers of the current crop of Democrats has there been an opportunity for a spendfest like this. They will take full advantage.
Thus, McCain, so often the bipartisan, has seen that this is the time to say NO. He has earned the appreciation of the entire Republican Party for this stand.
Jamie, one comment is nice. Fourteen are spam. Sorry, ol’ buddy.