It's not that the Old Dear has changed positions, it's just that he can no longer remember the previous ones.

Oh, McCain still believes in what he has always believed in. It's just that what he _says_ he believes in oscillates wildly.

there are no honest, sane republicans in washington, not a one.

Back when I admired him, I liked that he was open to working with Vietnam. I don't believe he's backed off on that position.

The man is ridiculous. I still don't understand how "war hero" or whatever translates into good legislator. I sure there are some but John McCain is not! John McCain is a two-faced whore.

Can anyone name a single major policy position that McCain hasn't flip-flopped on?

Militarism and anti-choice. McCain is delusional, absolutely drunk on his own myth. The real fault here lies with a Beltway press corps that is still infatuated with that myth. How many weeks ago was it that ABC aired an "exclusive" hour long interview with McCain on their Sunday show. They really believe he's something special, as does he.
The really sad thing is, for all the sound and fury and hero-worship, McCain's only enduring legacy will be Sarah Palin. That's the only real effect he has ever had on American politics.

John McCain has not changed his positions on bombing Iran or engaging in more wars in general. He hasn't changed his position on the issues he cares about.

steve,

do have a similar list compiled for mittens romney?

it seems relevant since i see him as a shoe-in for the 2012 gop nomination.

also, i have a friend who's a big fan of his and i'd like to send it his way...

As a holdover from the late, lamented Carpetbagger Report, I well remember the list of McCain flip-flops you compiled there, Steve. Too bad it couldn't come along with you to Political Animal. Wouldn't it be great if Rachel Maddow's crew put together a video of Panderin' John debating himself?

I happen with agree with McCain. Only his policy statements change, but his position remains constant ... to take every opportunity to do, or say, what benefits McCain at any given time.

John McCain still believes that he should be on at least one Sunday Morning talk show every week.

The world is here for John McCain.

John McCain's position is that he'll do whatever takes to secure the GOP nomination.

once upon a time Senators were activists for the State which they represented. So what HAS McCain done for Arizona?

His one major claim to fame, campaign finance reform was overturned by the Supreme Court.

He opposes earmarks which bring jobs, buildings and useful things like bridges and school buildings to our state.

Hum. there must be something else...

And he doesn't have any 'standards'. Whatever standard he had were thrown away when he made is faustian deal in order to try to get elected as President. And that deal of course included the emodiment of evil itself: Pallin. He made his faustian deal and the results of that fact speak for themselves ...... he is like looking as an insect that has had it's innards sucked out by another insect ... nothing left but a shell ...

"among the single most ridiculous claims I've ever heard"

Apologies in advance; I can't help myself -- it's beyond my control...
But:
It is not possible to have more than one "single most ridiculous claim... ever heard."
One can have multiple candidates for the "single most ridiculous claim... ever heard." And with the current crop of Publicans, there would indeed be many, many such candidates.
But there can be only one "single" of anything (except of course at Match.com, eharm, etcetc).

The disaffected right is so unhappy that they are blaming Obama and the Democrats for their finest accomplishments. They forget that it was Bush/Cheney and Paulson who structured the TARP program and undertook the vast bailouts of the various banks, not Obama. Also the auto company loans idea was started under Bush, with Obama picking up the discussions after winning bigtime in the November 2008 elections. The Iraq debacle is the disastrous creation of Bush/Cheney, and Obama is getting us out, as promised. The deficit grew to $1.4 trillion under Bush due to unpaid for tax cuts and wars, and a faltering economy where tax receipts were sliding like a toboggan during Bush's last year. Blame the Democrats? Hah! Whatever happened to that oldtime GOP principle of responsibility?

If those guys hate the government so badly, then why are they trying so hard to get control of it again in the November elections?

Bolshevik tactics, with a good dose of Red Guards behavior thrown in, is what the right is engaged in today. No lie too big, no conflict too dangerous, and all fear and propaganda to scare (like terrorists) the public. Obstructionism, no concern about cooperation or compromise - all very much like that nasty group that sent its enemies to gulags and firing squads after they got the power they so desperately fought for. The American right now is very much like the Bolsheviks, with any means justifying the end!

Doonesbury on Sunday was almost a paraphrase of this exchange -- which goes to prove that parody is impossible with the modern GOP.

McCain, I've finally come to believe, will probably win his primary, which will no doubt convince him this was all the right move. But I don't think it's so much a matter of his winning over the tea-baggers as the fact that Hayworth is so flawed and moth-eaten himself. If some generic unknown tea-party person like Angle or Buck was running, I'd bet they'd beat McCain, all this position-twisting notwithstanding.

Flip flopping help cost John Kerry an election. The GOP drove it home like a sports car pedal to the floor in an unbelievably mean spirited manner.. That, in a nut shell, is the difference between the two party's philosophy. The Dems would never go for their opponent's jugular in that manner. The GOP is effective because they play to the dark, cynical side of politics. They define opponents as mealy hog shit and continue until the body is devoid of humanity.

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves picking on johnnymack like this. Anyone can see that there is something wrong upstairs. XOXOXO--Snooki.

John McCain's positions have always been consistent when viewed through the "I believe in whatever will get me votes and press attention" prism.

As a holdover from the late, lamented Carpetbagger Report, I well remember the list of McCain flip-flops you compiled there, Steve. Too bad it couldn't come along with you to Political Animal. Wouldn't it be great if Rachel Maddow's publish a book crew put together a video of Panderin' John debating himself?

"The Dems would never go for their opponent's jugular in that manner."
Posted by: stevio on August 17, 2010 at 3:58 PM

You say that as though it were a good thing.
In this environment, it clearly is not. "Uncompromised, pure election-losers" are a luxury we can no longer afford (if we ever could). A "moral victory" is no victory at all. And the high road isn't the road to take if it's the highway to Hell.
Besides, it's also not true, unless and until you qualify it as "today's Dems."
Two words: "Daisy ad."
And if the reference isn't a familiar one, this might help:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Daisy+ad

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