Senator John McCain for President
Anyone who knows me understands that I am not a "yes-man (woman)". I have been voting in Presidential elections since 1984 when Ronald Reagan was running under the slogan "Four more years". (I was too young to vote before that.) It was also the year I graduated high school and my parents determinedly made the necessary sacrifices to see that I finished college.
Enough about me. Until now, I have not felt so torn about who should be our country's next President. Because I do not wish to break Reagan's "11th Commandment", I will not speak aloud what is on so many people's minds.
In a previous blog, I touched on some of the things that I think will win a national election for the right candidate. Since then, I have visited several candidates' own campaign sites, something I never had felt the need to do before.
I have also studied carefully two debates, the CNN You Tube debate and the Des Moines Register debate in Iowa. I now believe I have learned all there is to learn. I have found the candidate who I believe is the "right" choice for America, the one who can unite us and restore our credibility overseas. The one who will reign in a government that has grown out of proportion and work to keep America safe, secure without throwing out the Constitution in the process.
That person is John McCain. It will not be easy for any Republican to win in the fall, but I believe it can be done with the right strategy and with a view to the future, one that is full of hope and promise. McCain has a record of working with both Democrats and Republicans in a way that seeks to solve our problems in a way that makes sense to all.
Still, as with any candidate, the road to victory will not be without some obstacles. The Senator will face some hard questions with regard to some of his statements and voting record, from both the left and the right. For my part, I look at his record and consider it to be fair and balanced. He is a true conservative where it matters to be so, and he is flexible where his conscience has required him to be.
Senator McCain will need to be a little more careful about his campaign ads. FactCheck tore him apart over his ad "Outrageous". While funny and poignant, the ad does more harm to him than good to voters who spend any time researching truth from fiction. Still, McCain has a strong record and reputation fighting pork barrell spending and campaign finance reform.
My advice to Senator McCain:
1) Merely spouting "school choice" and "increase competetiveness" of our nation's school system is not gonna fly with the voting public. America is committed to public education, and the sooner Republicans make stronger commitments to real solutions and make it an item on the federal agenda, the better off we all will be.
2) Stick with your message on other issues. People are smart enough to see that the Democrat agenda will either increase the deficit or tax us into oblivion. I am one of the people who was not in favor of sending troops into Iraq. But one thing is clear. Now that we're there, we must win. Senator, what we need to hear is that one of the first speeches you will give is to define victory in Iraq in a way that is measurable, reachable, and clear. I think you are the one to do that.
So, honored guests, visitors and friends, I ask you to join me in supporting the campaign of John McCain. Do whatever you can in your sphere of influence to nudge people in his direction. If you are still not sure, at least visit his site. Learn what you can and make up your own mind. When your state's primary comes up, do vote. Vote for Senator McCain. As a mother of four and a teacher, I support him. Will you?
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