I learned about John McCain when he ran for president in 2000. Even though I don't like his conservative ideology, I admired him and found it difficult to object to him. He has a reputation for honesty and reform. McCain is also a war hero, and I can't believe people can object to a war hero. I wouldn't have voted for him over Al Gore or Bill Bradley, but I definitely WOULD vote for him over a Democrat I don't like (such as Robert Byrd or Zell Miller).
If my mother hadn't attempted to be an Al Gore delegate, I would have voted for John McCain in the Illinois primary. I thought he was a breath of fresh air and something the Republican Party needed.
I didn't like Bush. I found him to be too slick, too dumb, and too selfish. While McCain was a war hero, Bush enlisted in the National Guard to avoid being drafted to fight in Vietnam. What's more, he was FOR the war. I couldn't believe that Republicans were tripping over each other to support Bush after bashing Clinton a few years earlier over the draft issue. (And recall that Clinton was AGAINST the Vietnam War.) I couldn't believe that veterans liked Bush better than McCain. I admire those who valiantly fought in the Vietnam War and those who protested against it. However, I have a negative view of draft-dodging HAWKS. It's one thing to be a dove who dodges the draft - such people at least act on their beliefs. But the HAWKS to dodge the draft are selfish. Veterans should be angry at the draft-dodging hawks, NOT the draft-dodging doves.
If you are a Republican, how can you object to John McCain? He's a reformer and a war hero, AND he's conservative on the hot-button issues. What more could you ask for?
Since the 2000 primaries when he went into that whole "Star Wars" analogy and other things he has said I believe he is not all together. I respect him as a good Senator and an American Hero. However, I do not believe he should be President. Senator yes, Governor, yes, President NO!
