The GOP is unpopular, but is McCain?
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Republicans are going to have a very tough time getting elected this fall, except maybe for John McCain.
The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows only 27% of voters have positive views of the Republican Party.
It's the lowest level for either party in the almost 20-year history of this particular poll. The last time the numbers were this low, voters threw George Bush's father out of office and elected Bill Clinton in 1992.
And yet John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, continues to run about even in hypothetical match-ups with both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Interesting in light of the fact that an overwhelming number of us, 73%, think the country is headed in the wrong direction under President Bush. John McCain embraces many of the policies of President Bush, including the war in Iraq, which Americans have really had enough of. And President Bush has now achieved the highest disapproval rating of any president in modern American history.
And it's not just the war that has American voters in a foul mood. Our economy is struggling under the weight of high gas prices, the housing collapse and a loss of jobs. All things that have happened on the Republicans' watch.
A majority of voters say they want a Democrat in the White House next time. Which makes John McCain's position even more remarkable.
Here’s my question to you: Why does John McCain remain popular in light of sharply falling support for the Republican party?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Kevin from Albany writes:
Popular? Jack, if he’s so popular, why doesn’t he have thousands of excited voters showing up at all of his rallies, like the Democrats? Why isn’t he registering new Republican voters across the country, or raising tens of millions of dollars from millions of different donors? McCain supporters aren’t half as energized as the Democrats. The right is facing the same problem the left had four years ago. I mean, was anybody actually excited about Kerry?
Paul from Columbia, South Carolina writes:
If there was ever a debate where the candidates could only answer either "yes" or "no,” the only one that I would believe is John McCain. His courage and integrity is in tact. There is nothing wrong with his moral compass.
Greg from Ontario writes:
He isn't popular Jack. He just happens to be the sacrificial lamb picked by the Republicans because they know they are going down in flames in the next election. Politicians think an election ahead. He will get smoked, Mitt will come back and say "see I told you" and the people will put him in office.
Marie from Canada writes:
This one's easy. The same people who elected one of the biggest buffoons in recent history to a second term are quite capable of a three-peat. If there are enough people stupid enough to believe in the trickle down economics where competition will force insurance and oil companies to lower their prices for the consumer's benefit then McCain is a shoo-in. These same people won't even feel the draft coming!
Giselle from Atlanta writes:
He's a war hero and in the past he's been more forthright and moderate on issues such as the war, torture and tax breaks for the wealthy. Voters embrace that John McCain. However, a different picture of John McCain has emerged recently as he has shifted positions on the war and taxes while demonstrating that he is out of touch with respect to the economy. His "temporary gas tax relief" carrot is the politically expedient way of saying "let them eat cake...crumbs."
@jackcafferty on Twitter
For the life of me I can't understand why using the word "bitter" is so much worse than telling a lie about running under sniper fire.
John McCain is an honest up standing man who believes in our country.....We know who and what Mc Cain stands for and is the only canidiate running for the highest office who will make a change
Becasue they see that while his candidacy represents a third term for George Bush, Hillary's represents a third term for Bill and this is even scarier.
Rachelle Houston Texas
John McCain does not fit exactly into the "Republican mold" with his party. He is not as conservative and can actually work for with the Democrats if necessary. This is where he suffers with the base.
John MCCain does fit in the "Republican mold" with the rest of the population and to them represents President Bush and more of the same. This is where he suffers with the rest of the population.
He might just be the best possible canidate but he suffers too much and it may cost him a chance at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
He's perceived as "different' from other Republicans.Also, he hasn't been receiving much vetting from the Democrats yet because of the ongoing Dem primaries.He'll have a hard time trying to appear as not your regular Republican because he doesn't want to turn off his fellow members as ungrateful for GW's endorsement either.
Jack, Few people are purely Democrats or purely Republicans any more...there is a large number or voters who are intelligent enough to look at the issues and choose the person who most closely represents their beliefs and has the experience, guts, intelligence, and strength to be President.
McCain's so-called popularity is a result of two misleading factors:
1. He seems the stable alternative to the instability of the democratic party
2. The american public still sees the maverick of eight years ago, the man who challenged us all to think independently.
A settled democratic candidate will take a large bite out of McCain's popularity and America will soon see McCain as a pandering politician who sold-out his ideals for the love of his party and his ego.
Jack,
Probably because he is a war hero and been around awhile. He should have been President instead of Bush, now he is too old and out of touch with the Middle Class and poor.
Liz Western NY
simple jack. john mccain is not one bit like george w. bush. people are not stupid, they recognize integrity when they see it. particularly after several years of its noticable abscence from the leader of the republican party. mccain is a different kind of republican.
The reason John McCain's popularity remains high in this election period is because he has been around for a long time, and probably everyone in America knew his name before he announced he would run for president. Throughout his public life in congress, he has maintained a demeanor of a serious, thoughtful and compassionate person. His appeal has been that he will at least listen to other points of view and sometimes adopting them from the other side of the aisle. He is a reasonable man. We honor his service to the country, but we also honor him because he has been so reasonable, up until now. Once he and Barak Obama began to contest against one and other, the positions he has taken that mirror President Bush's, will drive most Americans away from him faster than you can say IRAQ. Likely, he will lose the contest in the general election by a huge margin to Barak Obama.
He's really not, his voters are people that don't understand the nation is falling apart and CHANGE need to happen. They are mostly voter who would prefer not to have an African-American leading the country. But they say they aren't the R-word. we haven't come as far as we should have in 2008.This race is about intregity. McCain doesn't have that quality.
Maybe we are hoping that with age comes maturity and wisdom. We are tired of the arrogant and inexperienced. And the old and tired Republican Party with the left over Nixon boys running it. Maybe the old man can bring new Ideas on how to live in peace with our neighbors.
Edith Oregon
John McCain may have a view on illegal immigration, which perceives the problem the way it was thirty or forty years ago, but at least his commitment to not grabbing for every pork-barrel dollar, makes me believe he is honest. A hard to find trait in any politician .
Once the dust clears in the Dem race and a clear winner is chosen, Focus will return to George McCain.. Oh, I am sorry... I mean John Bush.. whichever it is, he is Bush light and will lose his lead quickly as we do not need any more years of Bush or his disastrous policies.
Simple, uneducated people still think he's a maverick.
This is easy. He is perceived to be a war hero, a very strong individual who has suffered much but was never broken. It's the stuff of which books and movies are made, and his political leanings do not enter into the equation.
This is something that Dems who think he will be a pushover, had better recognize. Voters will feel "safe" with him, and that really counts in dangerous times such as these. He WON'T be easy to beat, especially if we run a weak and flawed nominee against him!
No one is really focusing on McCain right now because they know he is just 4 more years of the same. Once we finally decide on a democratic nominee his popularity will decline. If Obama is the nominee people will see how he will unite and bring change in Washington. If Clinton is the nominee she will beat him up so bad that he won't have a chance, but it will be politics as usual.
When Rush Limbaugh says he wouldn't vote for you as the Republican candidate, then you must be doing something right.
No pun intended.
Although it has been a while since the wedding (McCain announced as the presumptive Republican nominee), he is still on his honeymoon with the public. Once the Democrats get their act together, the honeymoon will be over and people will see that the Straight Talk express is the caboose on Bush's train.
Margie
Pembroke Pines, FLorida
Because a large segment of the voting base has been ignored by the press. We are out here and are fed up with the roles cable news have played on going to war, supporting Obama to the point of turning a blind eye on any hard questioning, etc.. As much as the pundints like to hear themselves talk, they should take a step back and listen how they are comming across. Of course John McCain is a viable choice. Better than Obama, that's for sure!!
Because those who back him are either as ignorant or uncaring as those who voted for Bush. There is an element in the voter population who feel familiar is safe and acceptable and McCain has been in politics for a very long time. He may or may not have a new idea or two but in general he is a Bush replay in all that is important to the financial, political and emotional health of the nation
McCain has spent his whole career running on the fact that he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He is nothing but a one trick pony. If people would really pay attention to his past (i.e. Charles Keating) they would drop him like a bad habit.
McCain has been getting a pass in the media, so all people know are the patriotic POW moments. They don't know where he stands on the issues. If you love war, can't wait for your employer to drop your health insurance policy, think outsourcing jobs is a good thing and want to continue charging tax breaks for the wealthy on the Chinese credit card, then McCain is your candidate.
Both Republicans and McCain are unpopular. McCain just represents a third term of George W. Bush, war criminal and Crawford, Texas's village idiot. I am supporting whichever Democrat wins the nomination and keep McCain and the Republicans away from the White House. John McCain needs to put into an nursing home and kept there for the rest of his life. Someone like McCain is the last thing that this country needs.
Hey Jack,
If I was an Obama supporter and someone polled me and asked:
Who would you rather vote for president Clinton or McCain?
I would say McCain!
Or if I was a Clinton supporter:
I would say McCain!
I would never vote for McCain but they dont need to know that!
The point is Clinton and Oboma are not getting as many poll votes as the would if it was a one on one matchup. That's why McCain is close for now!
He will bask in this lime light only until the democrats pick their nominee. People will always associate him with George Bush, and that will be his undoing. Someone said he might have some new ideas, lets really think about that, Not going to happen.
its simple, jack.. 3 words.........independently minded Republican
Could it be that the voting publiuc has realized that it may take a candidate with extensive military experience to extricate us from South West Asia? The current administration does not have anyone with military experience. One was 4-F; the other a draft dodging, Air National Guardsman who couldn't find his week end meetings. Unfortunately, the two Democratic candidates have a lack of experience. One was a heartbeat away from the presidency every night; the other can not seem to remember that he was not a member of the United States Senate when the vote on Iraq was taken. Wonder if Al Gore is busy?
When I see John McCain I see "old" and "tired" and I'm reminded that Republicans have been in White House far longer than Democrats in last 30 years and still they haven't done one thing worthwhile! Just start wars, drive up deficits, and money scandals. Republicans know how to get the things they want for their elitist supporters but when it comes to us regular people, the can care less! You would've thought that by now, at least, the republicans would've solved the border problem in the south, but again they're looking out for the Chamber of
Commerce. McCain isn't good with economy, he's into quick fixes, and has no problem being in Iraq 100 years so that means more US casualties, so really, what good is McCain? Wisdom? Please, you can get wisdom from a fortune cookie!
He hasn't been scrutinized or challenged yet. American voters are so
deadened by the terrible impact of Rovian style politics, they seem to
gravitate to the uninspired. McCain's kind of got Eisenhower's
dull edge and, regretibly, it's appealing to the average voter who is
also so very poorly informed . And doesn't he really cajole those
reporters out there on that bus and all?
Jack, McCain is an authentic American hero. Most who bother to check his positions realize that he is not Bush III. Unfortunately the Republican Party is dominated by the far right and the democratic party by the far left. McCain has had to 'talk the talk' to get the nomination. But President McCain will be much more mainstream than Bush or either of the Democratic candidates.
I don't believe this. The GOP and John McCain are one and the same.
My opinion on McCain has changed a bit. As long as he even speaks to Bush he will not receive my vote. I believe that Bush and Chaney should be tried for War Crimes and hung. Those who supported them should also be tried and imprisoned. I am really ticked off that the Dems have not tried to do so.
Unless he is blowing up at a reporter or somebody, he comes across as a likable guy. He is hard to dislike for his policies because he is seeing the Iraq War through Vietnam colored glasses. His take on reality will be distorted by the Vietnam War as long as he lives. Could a reasonable person expect anything different?
You can't judge McCain's popularity until the Democratic nomimee is selected. hen you can ge areading – Wright or Wrong.
When he's running against a Democrat, he will not be all that popular. Right now he's a novelty but in time that will wear off and he will just become 4 more years of Bush, you know, with the 71% disapproval rating.
Because we can understand him. We all have a grandfather or Great uncle who shows up at family Christmas. He usually sits in the corner and sleeps. He's harmless all by himself.
Maybe he is popular with core Republicans because he seems to be a little smarter than Bush. That's the only thing I can think of. As far as I'm concerned, he is a right-wing waffler who likes war too much. He hasn't offered any real solutions for working class people–I guess because he can't relate to them. I find it ridiculous that he calls Obama an "elitist." After all, McCain's been rich all his life, especially since marrying his current wife.
Once the democratic nominee is named, McCain will begin losing support. He's had the nomination for a few months now and that has allowed him to attack both Clinton and Obama and gain ground in these "so called" polls. People will rally behind either Obama or Clinton because they won't want 4 more years of republican leadership.
I don't know that John McCain remains "popular" as much as respected by the American people.
He's not drawing the crowds he might have if he was popular. He spent too many of the last eight years too close to Bush.
I don't believe he has much of a chance of winning this election, which in my view is exactly what the Republicans want, they'll be the party that brought us down, but they don't want to be the party that couldn't pull us back up again. Then they can blame the democrats for the whole mess.
He doesn't have too many 'flood-lights' on him right now. That will change, when the Democrats settle on a nominee. Let's see what the polls look like on Labor Day, once the general election campaign is in 'full-throttle."
When the domocratic nominee finally has taken his/her place in November, it will not take long to realize that Mr. McCain is out of touch with Americans. His flip flopping on issues relevant to the conservative base with lead many of them not to trust him as Democrats will have no problem as painting him as a pandering Republican running against all that made him different in the first place. His inability to explain anything will also hurt in debate as he wil come off as old and tired. It too late old man. Get on the bus
He isn't popular Jack. He just happens to be the sacrificial lamb picked by the Republicans because they know they are going down in flames in the next election. Politicians think an election ahead. He will get smoked, Mit will come back and say "see I told you" and the people will put him in office.
whatmakes you think that mccan is popular?and all Republicans will not vote for him.
because americans love having senile old white guys,to make fun of.do you know what i mean,jack?
McCain is not that popular among Republicans and the rest of the country is currently not focused on him. Once the media stop pretending that Hillary has a chance at the nomination and start discussing issues for the general campaign, we will see McCain's popularity as were drop like a rock against Democratic nominee Obama.
If there was ever a debate where the candidates could only answer either "yes" or "no" the only one that I would believe is John McCain. His courage and integrity is in tact. There is nothing wrong with his moral compass.
He knows how to work across the aisle, Jack. Instead of all this "Blame the other party for this" that has been present for the past 50 years, he has a track record of having gone to Republicans and Democrats alike for support. One of his biggest supporters is Joe Lieberman, and I seem to remember him having a slight affinity with the Democratic party.
He has done a better job of putting some distance between him and the most unpopular President in our History where Al Gore wasn't able to get the Clinton monkey off of his back. And besides Clinton has been able to destroy Obama's movement for a while. And lastly, he won't be so well off once he has to debate Obama in September and October.
McCain remains popular becuase the media fails to do their job and show America who he really is.
Because of being a former POW; however, Sen. McCain showed poor judgment in supporting war with Iraq. Wiser men opposed the invasion, including George Bush’s father, his father’s Secretary of State and his father’s National Security Advisor. So did President Ford. So did President Reagan’s Director of the National Security Agency, as did the former Commander-in-Chief of Central Command. And Sen. McCain still insists going to war with Iraq was not a mistake.
Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX
The GOP is at historic levels of unpopularity, but McCain is doing well. its just another oxymoron of the American public. however, when the war re-presents itself as the central issue that it is, McCain's numbers will fade into a more expected balance... far behind.
I have another logical oxymoron for you, regarding the war. Since we invaded Iraq, Iraqi oil production has been near all time lows. Who has benefitted most? Saudi Arabia, picking up the slack, banking about $ 1 billion a day on oil near $120 a barrel. Now follow the logic here. We invaded Iraq because of 911. Who was on all those planes that crashed into the towers? Saudis. Can you please explain this?
I guess it explains the 28 % that still think Bush is doing a great job. If you want us to drop further in the disaster we are in now, vote for McCain. Things can get worse, as hard as that is to believe, it can, and will.
The GOP will vote for McCain holding their nose because they will not stand for big-bad "libruls" in the White House who will spend out of control (can it get any worse than it is now?) or undo the good work that Bush has done to pack the Supreme Court.
I think his popularity is caused directly by the constant fighting by the Democrats. Once they stop fighting, you should see McCain's popularity to drop sharply.
Jack
John McCain is a good and decent public servant. He has served our country well in our time of need, however his age and thought process will not help him in dealing with this mess that our present administration is going to hand over to the next president. The republican party has lost touch with the working class American who is footing the bill for their blunders.
Three reasons I think. First, the problems of the Republicans are mainly connected to Bush and not McCain. Second, McCain is getting a "pass" while the media spends all its time on the Democratic race. Third, McCain is an outstanding politician who can talk out of both sides of his mouth, change his position while speaking and sound like he knows what he's talking about.
Richard from the Hoosier state
McCain has not been under attack yet. The DNC is trying to get lined out for attacks, but this is nothing like what we'll have when we can put the two candidates side by side and make some comparisons.
McCain will have an easier time than most people have anticipated. The old arguments still work–defend the nation, wave the flag, straight talk, etc. They sound good and are good, but his actual policies are counter to what this country needs right now. Hopefully we'll get to see that.
Boise
It helps that:
1. He's been around on the national stage for a while now. Publicity helps.
2. The Republican "base" attacked him viciously. Ironically, the harder his enemies in his party attack him, the better he looks to everyone else.
I listened to John McCain yesterday in a radio interview. He seems like a nice man who really cares but the thought of four more years of Bush policies, which I think we will have with McCain, scares the hell out of me.
Due to this fear I will not be voting for McCain in November.
And Derek Jeter will remain popular whatever you think of the Yankees.
Unpopular. McBush will be just another face on a failed republican policies. When the people who work for minimum rage have to spend more of that little money they make on gas and food McBush will become more unpopular. When more of the young have friends from high school died or wounded physically or mentally will have not love for anything resembling the current administration. Unpopular is an understatement.
He is popular currently because people are focused on the in fighting in the Democratic Party and are not listening to what he is saying.
If you listen to him and see how much he has changed from positions he once held to positions that give him favor with his party you realize he is no longer a maverick . He is now and extension of the Bush policies.
I think it is mainly because of the battle going on in the democratic party for the nomination. It has taken the spotlight off of Mccain and his policies. I think when the democratic party ends up with their candidate for president, you will see more in depth reporting on Senator Mccain and the issues. Then the people will start to realize how much the senator is following in president Bush's footsteps. You will hear about the scandal he was involved with in the beginning of his senate career. Plus other personal matters not known to the public.
Jack, McCain is a war hero, and you can't criticize a war hero, no matter how irresponsible his policies are.
Because he seems relatively down-to-earth, despite being a Washington politician. And because he's not running to preach from the pulpit of the presidency; he's a great option for those of us who hate listening to the extreme religious right and gag at the [largely empty] promises of socialist policies from the left.
ever since the GOP became the voice of the christian right in this country I have felt they are the hand of the devil. pat robertson jerry farwell and the other unreasonable christian forces in this world. they are killing the government for the sake of the antichrist who sits in office right now
Jack, I think the answer is fairly obvious.
Since the 2000 Republican Primaries, Sen. McCain has enjoyed substantial support from independents. He has built a reputation of being tough but fair-minded. Unlike his Republican cohorts who seem to be more interested in protecting their business interests John McCain actually resonantes with the average American. People feel they can trust McCain to bring back credibility and personal responsibility to the Republican Party.
It also hasn't hurt his image that he's been willing to buck the Republican trend and go against the grain on issues such as Campaign Reform and Illegal Immigration. His reputation as a "maverick" is largely in part why most Americans have a differing view of him than they do of his party.
John McCain is out there by himself so with no one running against him at the moment he is enjoying the peak of his popularity. But to be honest he is an old war mongering extreme conservative who would take this country back 50 years. His temper will get us into wars with North Korean,Iran,and Pakistan after all he only has a few years left.
who is he really popular with except those rich people who want to keep there tax cuts
The media for the most part has left McCain out of the main stream.
Clinton and especially Obama have had most , if not all, of the spot light for the past several months– largely due to the indecision of which one is going to make it to the finish line first. Everyone likes to watch a good fight and root for one side or the other. When the Democrates finally pick their winner, McCain's policies will come into the limelight and will be picked apart like Obama and Clintons are now.
When you have a president that has run down the constitution and the poor Republican who is running is trying to get elected he does not have much of a chance unless the Democrat party starts unraveling at the seams then McCain will be elected or if, God forbid there is another terrorist attack.
I don't dislike McCain. He is an old man who more than likely suffers from delayed stress syndrome and has a really bad temper. Do I want someone like that as my President making decisions. NO! We cannot afford to nuke the Russians or Iran just because the Pres got mad.
Jack,
I think your info is wrong. John McCain is not popular right now in any way. Any support you see for him is nothing more than disgruntled Obama or Clinton supporters venting their frustrations by threatening to support McCain. Once there is a clear Democratic nominee the excess support for McCain should subside. Don't forget that the voter turnout over this primary season for the democrats is almost tripple what McCain saw turn out for him. The support McCain thinks he has is simply an illusion and will vanish come the general election, unless the democratic super delegates spit in the face of the voters who've already made their choice.
Jack, who says McCain is still popular? Polls? CNN and especially yourself have stated that 100's of thousand of new voters have turned out to vote for Barack Obama and Hilliary Clinton. These people were never on a polling list and I suggest to you that these people who conduct the polls continue to poll the same ode people over and over again. Somethings wrong here.... McCain is not that popular and you have two Democrates in the equation to boot.
David
Dartmouth NS
Because there is still a huge amount of Republicans out there who select, vote for and elect whoever the party puts out there. This guy wouldn't be in the posistion he is in right now if primaries were structured so the states with the fewest delegates go first, then work our way up to the states with the most delegates. The American public gets cheated out of a longer learning curve to find out more about all the candidates. That's why people like this with no real logical chance, get as far as they do in this process. We need to take the primary system out of the hands of political vultures to have a real change that is meaningful.
He gets a free pass till the Democrats get done with the circus. Then watch his negatives raise up. He is wrong on almost every issue.
McCain = another 4 years of Bush
NO NO NO NO NO!! we've had enough!
Because people are more focused on the Democrats' fight to the finish than anything this clown is saying. What until that battle is decided, then we'll see.
I think the polls overestimate his popularity while the Democratic primary is still split, but the main reason for the higher numbers is that his statements and positions on policy are getting ZERO scrutiny. When he makes statements they are reported as facts, despite clear evidence that he's been grossly inconsistant. A McCain presidency would apparently be a third term of free passes by the press.
There's always that dreaded abortion issue Jack. It seems to keep the conservatives loyal regardless of all other issues.
Because the media still gives him a pass. The media doesn't scrutinize him as it does the other candidates..
John Mccain is only popular now because he has not competition now when Barack is the Nominee and shows How different the Democrats are from Republican we will see how popular he is then. Jack he has had a free ride and it is almost over
Does he remain popular or is it McCain is the only hope for the Republicans and they certainly won't go against their main man. Popular, don't think so. Just a necessary evil in this political circus they call an election.
Mcain is an Independent within the Republican Party, which gives him a seemingly maverick streak. The man just wants to do what is right for the nation and he beleives that dems and rep should work together to find the best possible solution.
He is the most versatile candidate of the three.
A vote for hillary is a vote for oppresive communism
A vote for obama is a vote for broken socialism
A vote for mccain is a vote for a united USA
McCain is viewed as "Honest John". You believe he will stand on principle. Of course, Bush has been standing on his principles for 7 years now and look where that has gotten us. What the voting public needs to understand is that a principled person is not necessarily the best president. A wise person who is willing to constantly reevaluate is a better choice. The only person in this whole race who has said they are willing to question their own beliefs and be persuased to the contrary is Barack Obama. Unfortunately, too many people prefer the easy ("principled") to the nuanced ("persuade me").
Jack,he is not a Republican,he is a maverick,I just haven't figured out if it's Brett,Bart,or Beau!
Is anyone taking into account that the republicans are rigging the votes for Clinton. If i recall about 400,000, registered in P.a. and Obama loss by less than that. Its horrific what republicans are doing. They know they can't win on their own merits so they are trying anything to deng up the democrats to make them unelectable. Republicans, if they had any sense of dignity, would practically just hand the democrats the presidency becaause they know they did such a horrible job. But No!! As usual, they want to concentrate on the trivial issues, blow them up, and try to steal the white house.
McCain is popular right now because he has no competition. I don't think his numbers will stay up there after the Democratic nominee is chosen and his allegiance to Bush policies is really exposed. Along with his other dirty laundry.
Jack as it looks right now we have the three stooges running for president. What choice do we have with what we have to choose from. No mater what we do we will have a bafoon for the next president. It has come down to a lesser of 3 evils and that makes McCain so popular. If we elect Clinton or Obama our taxes go up. (No candidate that has promised to raise taxes has ever been elected in America as president). And if we elect McCain we get a lot more of the same. I can deal with more of the same. What I can't deal with is liars and fools that think they can wave a magic wand and make it all better. I gave up on fairy tales at age 12.
John McCain is a genuine man, not the usual Republican stooge. I think he cares but is trying to straddle the fence between the conservative base and his more moderate conscience. He is the sacrificial lamb as the party knows they haven't a ghost of a chance with the mess they have made.
Until the Democrats unify behind a single candidate, the head-to-head general election polls will continue to reflect a more evenly matched race than public opinion would seem to decry. Thanks to CNN.com Live, I have watched numerous campaign events for all three remaining candidates, and I have yet to see a time where McCain's stagnant policies and personality generate nearly the level of excitement that either of his opportunistic opponents routinely enjoy. If the polls continue to indicate a relative dead heat a month after the Democrats have their own presumptive nominee, then I will admit I am likewise dumbfounded.
He remains popular because the mainstream media refuses to investigate him or talk about any of his ridiculous positions or supporters. The media is still in love with the John McCain of 2000; they refuse to look at the John McCain that has sold-out to Karl Rove the extreme right.
Where is the coverage of John Hagee and Rod Parsley's racist/sexist/homophobic comments? Where is the coverage of John McCain not knowing who the enemy is in Iraq? Where is the coverage/outrage over his numerous changes of policy?
The media knows that nuanced and complex problems don't make good soundbytes; so they ignore McCain and concentrate on non-issues like flag pins and who your next door neighbor is.
Mr. Mcain remains popular because people are not saying they will vote for him but they really are saying they will not vote for Clinton or Obama instead they will vote against either one of them. I think you will be suprised how many people will not vote for either Democrat because they do not feel either is a person they can back. Prediction Mcain wins the White House with a 10% or bigger margin.
McCain problem is he is just as dumb as George Bush, I read last night where he want to kick Russia out of the G-8, I guess he had not got enough going on he needs to start the cold war over. McCain is republican to the bone. I hate to tell Russ L and the rest of those of those jerks the better get out their swift boats because they are not going to win.
He is very different then the democratic nominees. You could call the 3 of them Bi-POLAR
Dillsburg PA
There are a lot of questions I want answered about him. Conservatives like him, but he supports abortion and gay marriage. His position on conservative issues is no different than the democrats. He is someone who is so bent on winning that he will never get us out of Iraq, because we can not win. Shiites and Sunnis have been fighting each other and themselves since 600 A.D. This is not going to stop. He has a poor ideas, and everyone I hear about has so many negatives about his plans and they will never work. Most of his ideas are for the upper class and its time we had someone representing the majority in this country, the middle class. Hillary and John McCain are truly the same. She even admitted it in an interview that she would involve him in her presidency. He is also willing to start more wars with our Arab counterparts in the middle east. He has threatened Hamas and failed to realize the way the Palestenians are being treated by Israel. We need change. Obama is different and right for America now. Vote Obama!
The only reason McCain is so close in the polls is because both Obama and Clinton supporters are telling pollsters they would vote for him if their candidate is not the on the ballot. Don't the republican's know that "If it seems to good to be true, then it's not true?
Jack, John McCain remains popular in spite of his choices to keep Bush's policies intact and the unpopularity of the Republican Party, is because the Democrats have yet to choose a candidate, so much of the focus is on the Democrats. Really at this point in the race John McCain is merely an after thought. Once the Democrats choose their nominee and the focus is back on McCain, I believe the poll numbers of John McCain will begin to drop.
The Democratic Party is doing more to help John McCain with this campaign than McCain is himself. With Hillary and Obama swinging at each other will verbal jousting, the public and McCain can address real issues. Also, McCain never earned the tag "conservative". In some ways, he marches to his own beat and some democrats see this as a chance to make changes in government to their liking. When will the Democrats wake up and decide on a candidate. If it goes to Denver, they've lost it.
Jim Buffalo, N.Y.
JAck you are very funny! McCain is enjoying a free ride right now! Wait and see! Rightafter the Democrat party is nominated if the party is united, how McCain will feel the Bush sickness in the polls!
He's a war hero and in the past he's been more forthright and moderate on issues such as the war, torture and tax breaks for the wealthy. Voters embrace that John McCain.
However, a different picture of John McCain has emerged recently as he has shifted positions on the war and taxes while demonstrating that he is out of touch with respect to the economy.
IMO, his "temporary gas tax relief" carrot (lauded by HRC) is the politically expedient (when dealing with gullible voters) way of saying "let them eat cake...crumbs."
This one's easy. The same people who elected one of the biggest Buffoon's in recent history to a second term are quite capable of a threepeat.
If there are enough people stupid enough to believe in the trickle down economics where competition will force Insurance and oil companies to lower their prices for the consumer's benefit then McCain is a shoe in. These same people won't even feel the draft coming!
It's because he's such a nice guy. You've seen him appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart right? He's neither the blood-sucking villain that we imagine when we hear "Karl Rove" nor is he the heavy-breathing Darth Vader type of guy we think when we hear "Dick Cheney." John McCain is, simply put, a nice guy.
McCain doesn't even know who he is. About the only people voting for McCain are die-hard Republicans, Hillary-haters, close friends and family. Yep...that's it.
Once the Democrats have their nominee...McCain probably won't stand a chance. Besides, I don't like a person with such a hot temper.
Although the GOP is unpopular, it is currently united under one candidate.
The Democrates are divided about 50-50 between two. So, if the GOP has 1/3 of the people in favor of it, then 2/3 are in favor of the Democrats. However, split 2/3 in half and you get 1/3 each for Clinton and Obama. Hence, McCain = 1/3, Clinton = 1/3, Obama = 1/3. If Clinton loses, about half of her supporters will go to McCain and half to Obama. Likewise if Obama loses, half his supporters will go to McCain and half to Clinton. So. however you slice it, McCain will match up fairly evenly with the winning Democrat while his party only has 1/3 approval.
Interesting Math, but there you have it.
McCain is a war hero and he still carries a reputation as a maverick even though he has been the strongest supporter of Bushes policies in the Senate. Once the Democratic Nominee is chosen all efforts of the DNC, Obama and the several progressive organizations that exist will be focused on showing McCain for who he really is, how he has flip-flopped on his positions and how nonsensical many of his statements, policies and positions are. And in the Presidential debates, Obama will mop the floor with McCain. Then we will see the polls change. If McCain somehow manages to win the Presidency, I will be moving to Canada with many other Americans who are fed up with what McCain stands for.
The way the GOP is organized, John McCain, George Bush, Limbaugh, OReilly, Hannity and Cheney (along with the entire cast of far-right fundementalist loonies) are all mixed in and fipped from the same bowl of fruit.
McCain and the GOP are one in the same. I must admit if it were down to Hillary and McCain. McCain will get my vote each and every time. Atleast he is sincere about his convictions regardless how unpopular they may be. Hillary will just change positions depending on the audience. Im No republican but i do admire McCain Honest approach to things, i.e to Detroit "those jobs are not coming back, lets creat new ones".
Obama 2008
Jack,
Unlike Obama who talks about bridging differences between Dems
and Republicans to get things done, John McCain has done it!
McCain will do what is best the country not any political party or
special interest! We should be thankful he is in the race.
I was originally excited that mcCain got the nomination, because he was the only republican candidate who didn't act like a cartoon character. Since then he has made so many irresponsible policy proposals that I can't beleive he's the same person we knew before.
Jack,
Isn't it obvious? The average American voter hasn't got the brains that God gave a fork.
Anyone who is undecided, or can be swayed by stupid, vacuous non-issues has no core convictions to begin with. People who say if Hillary doesn't get the nomination they'll vote for McCain, or Obama supporters who say if he doesn't get it they'll vote McCain are insane. Is it any wonder that the voters have consistently voted against their own best interests for over thirty years now? Such voters are just brain dead.
He will be once democrats have a nominee and the media focuses their attention on him. Why would'nt he be unpopular? Same Bush polices, war and tax cuts for the wealthy.
Jack, everything is crazy around here. Gas prices are ridiculous, Hillary is having hallucinations of sniper fire, Barack had to tell his pastor "Thou Shall Not", and amazingly, John McCain is looking young and attractive as the GOP nominee. I wonder what's next?
From Old Lyme, CT
Jaaaaaaack:
The answer to that question is somewhat obvious. It seems that the only political coverage these days highlights the fight between Hillary and Barack for the parties nomination. The race just keeps going and going, just like the Eveready Bunny.
Presently, the only reason McCain is gaining in popularity is because a vote for John McCain is NOT a vote for Hillary CLINTON.
Old Johnnie will kick Obama's ass in any debate. It'll be harder with Hillary but the end result will be the same. He'll get elected as well because the Democrats don't have a better choice and will remain too "diverse" to be united. Woe will again stalk the land. Thanx you idiots in Democratic Party
For a presidential candidate, he keeps a relatively low profile. Many people associate him with words like maverick, straight-talk, and war hero. The Democratic candidates have been careful not to challenge his status as war hero.Whe the real election season begins, he will be revealed as the conservative he claims to be. His support of the war, the tax cuts, the insurance industry, his loopy economic statements, his pandering to the evangelical radicals will all be brought to the attention of the voting public. He is not the anti-Bush. He is the Bush.
McCain is GOP in title only. He is an Independent. And yes, he is popular because of that.
Jack,
Is it that McBush is that popular, or that he is not on page one getting on people's nerves? Obama and Clinton are the center of attention and the truth is that people at this point are more focussed on who is going to be the nominee for the Democrats than they are on who is going to end up being President. Don't worry, Bush will rub off on McCain when the spotlight comes back to McCain in June (assuming the Dems have their issues sorted out then). Once that happens there is no doubt that the numbers will change.
McCain is a socially moderate conservative. He is very similar to many of the resients that you will find in states such as Michigan, Ohio, Florida, etc... . He has certainly been very poular here in Michigan for over a decade. Personally, he's my favorite Republican. I am an independent voter who knows much better than to waste his money donating to either the RNC or the DNC. While being a democrat because of my left-leaning social views, I am first and foremost a pragmatist. JonMcCain, while supporting a "team" that is philosophically opposed to many of my ideals, has earned much of my respect from his years of service to this country. He will probably stay far away from fractious social divisions, as he has enough on his plate to fix- not the least of which is the damage done to his party by president "he-who-shall-not-be-named."
P.S.- I am one of the many voters in this state who will either be voting for Hillary Clinton or Jon McCain. If the DNC wants to punish Michigan for moving its primary by removing my vote for Clinton, I will return the favor come general election time. These people who say that individuals like myself will EVER vote for Barack Obama are seriously delusional as to how irate disenfranchisement makes a free man. The fact that this ruling comes from the "liberal" Howard Dean and the DNC makes it even more evil and patently absurd. Aside from capital punishment, disenfranchidement is commonly reserved as the "final punishment" in a free society for serious criminal offenders. The fact that it was his FIRST CHOICE in punishments makes me question his sanity. The RNC wasn't even that severe! Putting Howard Dean in charge of the DNC is as ludicrous as placing Ralph Reed in charge of the RNC. The DNC is DRASTICALLY out of touch with the voters in this state. So, in summary, you can count me in the McCain column if Obama runs.
McCain is not as unpopular as the GOP because the media keep portraying him as a maverick. If the media ever decides to tell the truth again, then people will see he is just as bad as the rest of them. There is no difference between him and George Bush. Time to quit paying any attention at all to the media and check your facts about McSame online.
McCain is very likeable so he is very popular. If he was running for Captain America, he would win hands down. But after we register that online or text-message vote for Captain America, we will fume. And we will drive our vehicles with those fumes in our gas tanks to the polling places to vote for a new direction. Republicans are an archaelogical dig buried deep beneath the rocks–hardly a new direction.
While I have not voted for a Republican since 1972.
Sen, McCain sure is looking good. Or is it that the other two sink
to high heaven.
Big difference between McCain and Bush? McCain honorable served his country,bush hide behind mommy skirt!
Mel
La Junta,Co
I suggest that his popularity is the result of the ugly ugly democratic race. The twisted Clinton machine is taking the country down the wrong path.
Jack, I would like to hear from the media some clarification of this Paul vs. Clinton campaign fraud case going on in California. Apparently, the media is staying away from it, but it is all over the internet and the judge in the case has delayed Hillary Clinton testifying until after the November elections. This is of great concern as if there is another huge Clinton scandal and/or crime we need to know now.
He's NOT popular, Jack. Have you looked at our choices for the White House lately? He's the lesser of three evils.
Popular, Jack? If he’s so popular, why doesn’t he have thousands of excited voters showing up at all of his rallies, like the Democrats? Why isn’t he registering new Republican voters across the country, or raising tens of millions of dollars from millions of different donors? McCain supporters aren’t half as energized as the Dems. The right is facing the same problem the left had 4 years ago–I mean, was anybody actually excited about Kerry? It’s just as well that they’re polling neck and neck right now; it will give this election’s narrative somewhere to go once the Dems settle on a nominee.
One reason, Jack: No one is focused on John McCain. When the collective attention turns to the general election and more people hear his specific policies contrasted with Democratic policy his support will erode very quickly. He's a likeable enough man who has no doubt personally sacrificed much for our country, but he's simply too far out of the main stream to win it all. If he stays positive (a relative term) in the general election I think most of the country will still like and admire him personally. It's the big R and the policies that go with it that will drag him down in the end.
I don't think he's popular. I think the Dem voters are so into their candidate, they wouldn't dare support the other. Not even in the hypothetical. But after Obama clinches the nomination, I know people will chose to go forward, not return to the Stone age.
We're a partisan country. Even if a Republican knows the party is wrong and there needs to be change, he or she will only look to other Republicans to bring "change." All this humbug about Hillary's supporters not supporting Obama or vise versa is nonsense. As long as the Democratic primary is up for grabs their supporters will say that, but once there is a nominee, there is no way a Democrat will vote for McCain. It's all bull.
Doesn't he represent the GOP?
If only 27% of voters have positive views of the Republican Party and yet more than that would vote for McCain, this just proves that Repubican voters are either hypocrites, or very confused. Hasn't their bumbling idiot of a choice for President from the last two terms taught them anything?
What get's me is the double standard with the Media and American Citiizens. The Republican Party can all out lie, pick one the fraudulant rationale for the never ending War in Iraq, thousands of American soldiers men & women have been killed. Our economy is in shambles, gas prices and healthcare are at an all time high and the only coverage that has been reported at Nauseam by the MSM is Reverend Wright and you Jack, are now asking about the popularity of McSame as Bush? Did I miss something or am I asking too much for all you journalist to dig deep and report and cover the substantive issues that will really impact the lives of the American people?
John McCain's popularity must come from Republicans that want the country to spend 100 years in Iraq.
Because rightly or wrongly most Americans think he's the reasonable and independant thinking McCain of 2000, not the guy who has embraced the Republican right wing to get the nomination.
Popular? Please, McCain is in no way popular. Obama is popular, hamburgers are popular, but McCain? The only reason he looks somewhat like a competitor is because Americans are still deciding which democratic nominee they want in the White House. The question should be, How is John McCain getting any votes at all?
Pandering to everyone he meets. The man flip-flops more than Mit "the morphing" Romney.
When is McCain going to release his medical and financial records? I believe we were promised them in early April or does being the PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE relieve you from such disclosures?
It's nothing but smoke and mirrors, Jack, What is it they say about statistics, liars, and damn liars?
Hartwell, GA
Let's see...McCain is planning on continuing Bush's failed economic policies. He wants to continue funding and fighting a winless war. He plans on even further privatizing health care so that it becomes even more unfordable for the average Joe. He was was born in 1936 which makes him older than Yoda. If elected he'll get to chose the next three Supreme Court Justices so, you can throw Row V. Wade out the window. I really want to answer your question Jack but the truth is...I'm completely stumped.
Senator McCain offers a point of stability that is not seen in the other choices. However, to my dismay, the public guided by the "hoopla" of headline grabbers and supposedly non-biased media are again being led by the ears-not the nose- for a dream that cannot be realized.
All three inidvidual are leaving the place where they could accomplish something for America. The office of President is to enforce the laws no make them. Although in the hopes of finding a scapegoat many have been incorrectly blamed for the downfall of this country. The blame should and does rest with those responsible for passing legislation to correct, prevent and or curtail the problems facing society. When the Democratic majority came to power they had issued grand promises but have been to bsuy chasing their own tales to accomplish anything. The Republicans have done no better. All are to busy looking out for their own with no interest in a unified accomplishment for the good of the Country and it's citizens.
Granted the President can Veto and the Supreme Court can rule "unconstitutional, both of which can be dealt with; veto overidden, and a new law constructed that passes "constitutional muster".
To add concerning the Supreme Court; I am not all that happy with just 12 individuals having the import and impunity of their positions for life. No-one is that learned – in my opinion- to fulfill their obligations.
Respectfully
G. L. Johnson, Alabama