Subject: COUNTRY FIRST vs. SELF-SERVING PARTISANSHIP
To: Interested Parties
From: Steve Schmidt, McCain 2008 Senior Advisor
Date: June 26, 2008
Re: Country First Vs. Self-Serving Partisanship
Today, our country faces great challenges. But the problem is not a Republican Administration that has disappointed many or a Democratic Congress that cannot take action on the challenges facing our nation. The problem is that politicians in Washington are working for their own self-interest or that of their party.
Too many in Washington are putting politics first and country second. Too few are setting aside their own interests to work together on solutions for America.
For John McCain, country first is how he has lived his life and how he has worked in Washington. When John McCain was offered early release as a prisoner of war, he refused, subjecting himself to torture rather than give a propaganda victory to his captors. Is it any wonder that during the Republican primary, John McCain was working with Democrats and
talking about the need for comprehensive immigration reform? Is it any wonder that at the nadir of the Iraq war, John McCain was arguing for the successful surge strategy rather than timetables for withdrawal?
Does anyone think that John McCain would have broken his word on a bipartisan agreement for public financing in the general, even if it accrued to his benefit?
Senator Obama's rapid ascent to the Democratic nomination is an historic achievement of which he should be proud. But while Senator Obama is certainly a fresh face, his campaign offers more of the same old typical politics that have broken Washington. In his time on the national stage, he has consistently put his party and his self-interest first.
On campaign finance, Barack Obama had to choose between keeping his word or enjoying a financial advantage. He chose the money. On town hall debates, Barack Obama called for an elevated, civil debate, but has worked to undermine the possibility of joint town halls where he would have to answer questions from real voters. On Iraq, Barack Obama has refused to acknowledge success on the ground because he would risk losing his base of support. Likewise on energy he has refused any supply solution to our energy crisis because of left-wing opposition.
There has never been a time when Barack Obama has bucked the party line to lead on an issue of national importance. He has never been a part of a bipartisan group that came together to solve a controversial issue. He has never put his career on the line for a cause greater than himself. Even as a state Senator, Obama voted 'present' on controversial bills. We have seen Barack Obama forced to choose between principle and the interests of himself and his party. He has always chosen the latter.
We don't need to trade Republican partisanship for Democratic partisanship. We need to put our country first and put our politics second.
That is what John McCain has done his whole life, and that is what he will do as President.
List of major bi-partisan issues led by John McCain in his most recent term in office:
1) 2002 - Proposing campaign finance reform with Democrat Russ Feingold
2) 2003 - Introduced bill with Democrat (now Independent) Joe Lieberman to combat global warming
3) 2005 - member of the Gang of 14
4) 2006 - Introduced comprehensive Immigration reform with Democrat Ted Kennedy
List of major bi-partisan issues led by Barack Obama in his entire time in office:
...
List of positions currently or previously held by John McCain that are at odds with the official party position or at odds with the position of the head of the party (The President)
1) Advocated the need for a larger invasion force upon entry of Iraq
2) Pushed for the removal of Donald Rumsfeld from his post as Secretary of Defense
3) Pushed for anti-torture ban of US detainees
4) Publicly stated that Guantanamo Bay should be permanently closed
5) Publicly stated that he believed The President unwisely had too much confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin
6) Has pushed for the normalization of relations with Cuba
7) Voted against the Bush Tax cuts twice
8) Has criticized President Bush for signing "pork-laden" appropriation bills
9) Voted twice again the repeal of the estate, or "death" tax
10) Opposes federal funding of Amtrak
11) Voted for Democrat-appointed Supreme Court nominees Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Stephen Breyer
12) Has advocated a one-year moratorium on earmarks
13) Has voted not to pursue earmarks during his time in the senate for his home state of Arizona
14) Voted for reduced emission standards for US vehicles
15) Has said he would elevate the EPA to a cabinet-level department
16) Previously opposed offshore drilling in areas such as ANWR
17) Proposed increasing non-corn ethanol imports
18) Has publicly opposed increase increase in corn-based ethanol production
19) Speaks openly about his belief that global warming is real and needs to be addressed immediately
20) Voted against Federal Defense of Marriage Act
21) Believes abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incest, and births that would put the mother's life in danger
22) Supports embryonic stem-cell research
23) Has a C+ rating from the NRA for not being "pro gun" enough
24) Supports the legalization of current illegal aliens following restitution payments
25) Opposed ballot efforts to repeal affirmative action
26) Opposed creating an official national holiday recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr
Positions that Barack Obama have taken that are in opposition to his party or his party's leadership
1) Supports the death penalty for those convicted of child rape
Amazing, isn't it? Judging from this information, who is more likely to work for "change" and be prepared to reach across the aisle to solve future issues that will require bi-partisan action?
If I have unfairly characterized Senator Obama's record, please let me know. I am not trying to be unfair to him, I am just unaware of a significant number of position that are at odds with his party.
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