Harsh Times

On John McCain

He is not as energetic as Barack Obama, and uncharismatic, but he has something to say –unlike Obama who likes the word ‘change’.  Change what?  Everything?  That doesn’t say much.                    Sen. McCain has laid out a vague plan of action, but one we’re all interested in having at least some idea of the goals.  Remarkably, it’s one he doesn’t even guarantee.

"What I want to do today is take a little time to describe what I would hope to have achieved at the end of my first term as president. I cannot guarantee I will have achieved these things,"

 One could say that he is at the very least honest.  He has objectives he wants to meet, but doesn’t know for sure if he can meet them.  Some might pick at this characteristic of him like at a scab.  However, one should keep in mind he’s talking about an entire country, a nation, a Congress and the world, and not a grocery list.  One man, alone, cannot make things come true without cooperation, tact, and a little luck.

"By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom.

By his words, he seems to be a realist.  Most politicians are not so.  Politicians tell people what they want to hear (“change”), when they want to hear it (primaries), so that they get what they want (a nomination).   

He also seems to be resistant to political party lines –a reason why hardcore conservatives in the population and in Congress don’t really like him.

McCain pledged to work with members of either party to make the country safer and more prosperous.  "And I won't care who gets the credit," he said.

He is the ‘crusty old white dude’ according to many liberals and conservatives alike.  He is JFK’s Nixon, and we are in a term like Eisenhower’s in that people really do want a change (in that case civil rights issues, and in ours Iraq, health care and the border).  However putting faith on a different political party alone is as ignorant as believing that pastors, priests and reverends aren’t capable of wrongdoing. 

What will get us through the next four to eight years successfully will be clear leadership that’s in the best interest for most, to all Americans, with the rest of the world a close second.

Source:  Cnn.com