Blogressive November 28, 2005

McCain's Southern Strategy

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is fundraising for George Wallace Jr., who is running for Lt. Governor of Alabama.

Several bloggers document Wallace's longstanding association with the Council of Conservative Citizens, a racist organization that refers to blacks as "a retrograde species of humanity."

COMMENTS FROM BLOGGERS:

McCain’s True Colors [Outside the Tent] "If anybody truly thinks that John McCain is a different kind of Republican, they can now file that away with common misconceptions (perhaps next to the misconception that George Bush is an amiable dunce)."

McCain, that's mighty white of you [Pam's House Blend] "Well, John, I think your political team might take a look at its strategies. I know you're trying to lock up the right winger vote, but this kind of maneuver almost guarantees moderates are going to question your sanity. It's too late for the progressives. We think you need a padded cell."

Straight Racist [Atrios] "I'll never understand certain liberals' love affair with John McCain. I'll set my bar slightly higher than 'not as obviously incompetent and evil as George Bush' thank you."

McCain: Dream Candidate [Meanwhile back a the ranch...] "So, how exactly is McCain 'moderate' or a 'maverick'? Are we supposed to consider him 'reasonable' just because he's against torture now, 2 years later, when EVERYONE is angry about what's going on? Is that really how low our standards have sunk? Or on the other hand, is he actually moderate, but willing to sell out on his principles for a stamp of approval from the wackos, the lobbyists, and the bigots? Is that any better?"

The Future’s So White, He’s Gotta Wear Shades [Shakespeare's Sister] "The group opposes interracial marriage, hate crime legislation, massive immigration of non-European and non-Western peoples, and 'Afrocentric' curricula in schools, but Wallace says he finds 'nothing hateful' about the group. That’s good enough for McCain, apparently, who’s not only endorsing Wallace, who he calls a 'committed conservative reformer' (which I suspect is different from my belief that the both of them ought to be committed), but has also consented to attend fundraisers in Mobile, Birmingham, and Huntsville, to help get this douchebag racist elected."

John McCain (hearts) racists [Brilliant at Breakfast] "Seriously, though: It's one thing for a Republican candidate to want to shore up 'the base,' even if 'the base' is insane. However, when you have a reputation as a straight-talker, rather than as a political animal/whore, doing things like endorsing George Wallace Jr. for a Lt. Governor post, calling him 'a committed conservative reformer' when the guy is connected with the racist Council of Conservative Citizens, is not the sort of thing that's going to appeal to swing voters."

He's a Nice Guy, Except for the Racism [The Evil Petting Zoo] "Is John McCain trying to see how much I can start hating him before '08 runs around? Just for perspective, this is the same George Wallace Jr. who considers the Council of Conservative Citizens (a.k.a., 'The Klan Lite') good people."

PROGRESSIVE ARTICLES RELATED SENATOR McCAIN:

McCain's Eloquent Sophistry by Matthew Rothschild, August 31, 2004

Dem 527s Mock McCain/Feingold by Matthew Rothschild, August 5, 2004

McCain Says No to Torture, Bush Says Yes, Radio Commentary, October 4, 2005

Blogettes Headlines and blogs you may have missed

Right of way. A motorist with the "Respect Life" license plate fired a shotgun at another motorist in an apparent fit of road rage. [Channel 7 News - Denver]

I'm asking for an iPod and his resignation. Who needs to sit on Santa's lap when you can put your arm around the big guy. Vice President Dick Cheney will speak and pose for photographs at a Fundraiser for Tom DeLay on December 5th. "For $4,200, a donor gets an invitation to a VIP reception, a photograph with Cheney, and recognition at the event." [TalkLeft]

Righties rig (internet) poll. A member of the conservative blog site FreeRepublic.com admitted to rigging an internet poll on Rep. Jack Murtha's website. When the congressmen's webmaster was forced to remove the poll, the conservative "news" site WordNetDaily.com published a story implying that he removed the poll for political reasons. [Crooks and Liars]

Reporting for (Jury) Duty, Sir. "Sen. John Kerry's public profile and prosecutorial past didn't spare him from performing that most mundane of civic responsibilities -- jury duty. Kerry was not only chosen this week to sit on a jury in Suffolk Superior Court, but also was elected foreman. The case involved two men who sued the city for injuries suffered in a 2000 car accident involving a school principal. The Kerry-led jury rejected their claim Tuesday, and his fellow jurors said the state's junior senator was a natural leader." [CNN]

Somebody ought to invade. "The former Iraqi prime minister, Iyad Allawi, has called for immediate action against human rights abuses. Such abuses are as bad today as they were under Saddam Hussein, Mr Allawi told Britain's Observer newspaper." [BBC]

First Female Conscientious Objector Speaks Out. "She's just 22 years old, but from her words, Army Spc. Katherine Jashinski sounds wise beyond her years. She joined the army three years ago, at the age of 19, as a cook. She now seeks to be classified as a conscientious objector. But the military won't let her. Jashinski applied for conscientious objector status in 2004, but after 18 months, her claim was denied and she is required now to attend weapons training, in preparation of her deployment to Afghanistan." [akou]