But it's okay because he's such a "straight-talker," right? Via America Blog, we learn that Eleanor Clift at Newsweek gives Sen. John McCain a "get out of jail free" card regarding his shifting statements on same-sex marriage and gay rights while taking Mitt Romney to task:
McCain was clearly squirming when ABC’s George Stephanopoulos pressed him on "This Week" last weekend about whether he supports civil unions, a loaded term among social conservatives who see it as a fig leaf for gay marriage. McCain avoided the phrase but said he supported various partnerships to facilitate hospital visits and the like. His home state of Arizona just voted down an anti-gay marriage initiative that also would have banned domestic partnerships even among heterosexual couples....
McCain gets more latitude on this subject because we sense that in his heart, he’s a Goldwater libertarian. Social issues are not what drive him in public life. He’s playing to his party’s conservative base as newly defined by the religious right, but if elected president, he’s not going to be beholden to them the way Bush has been...The voters may be less inclined to give Romney a pass if he goes overboard with his fealty to the right.
We really shouldn't worry about McCain's statements on gay marriage because he doesn't really mean it—he's just "playing to his party's conservative base." But we can rest assured that "if elected president, he’s not going to be beholden to them the way Bush has been." Thanks a lot for the re-assurances, Eleanor.
McCain is already on record for supporting that "anti-gay marriage initiative" voted down by the citizens of his state. The "Goldwater libertarian" even recorded two commercials asking for a "yes" vote on Prop 107—and we all know that Barry Goldwater himself supported gay rights in his latter days. Remarkable that a columnist of Eleanor Clift's reputation wouldn't know and would actually excuse McCain's lying. Too bad. Back in the day, she was the only sane voice on The McLaughlin Group. Now, just another fawning McCain groupie.
Mitt Romney and Same-Sex Marriage (Newsweek)
Don't Let Judges Redefine Marriage in AZ (You Tube)
Don't Worry About What McCain Says (Horse's Mouth)
More "Straight Talk" from John McCain:
McCain Flip Flops on Roe v Wade (R20) For Gay Rights Before He Was Against It (R20)
"McCain groupie"
Priceless
Posted by: Greg | 30 November 2006 at 02:13
Yep, as far as many in the big media are concerned, Mccain has already won.
Posted by: Carl | 30 November 2006 at 02:14
I'm trying to understand this one. McCain claims that same-sex marriage should be left to the states ... but he records a commercial and wanted people to vote yes on the anti-gay marriage. Liar.
Posted by: Derrick | 30 November 2006 at 08:02
not only did he do a commercial for prop 107, his sent out flyers week in and week out to my house as well. he isn't "flip-flopping" he is a hypocrite who is pandering for the wote of the so called christians. i for one have never voted for him in this state, what the media sees in him,isn't what i see as a resident of arizona. he has been running for president for the past 8 years.
Posted by: jared | 30 November 2006 at 08:36
Why do they like him so much? He's always been far to right and pretended like he was not.
Posted by: ATL Kid | 30 November 2006 at 12:29
yes it troubles me that he has already been anointed president
Posted by: DFS | 30 November 2006 at 13:33