Maverick or mad man
I wish John McCain were still the John McCain of old, rather than an old John McCain.
I'd settle for the McCain of even ten years ago, not because McCain is too old, but because he hasn't been a real maverick for at least a decade. Instead, he's become increasingly conservative, especially since 2000 when his less than Republican policies cost him the GOP nomination to George W. Bush. Now, McCain has all but sold his soul to the right over the last year to win the party's nomination.
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What happened to his pro-choice policies? Where are his domestic programs? The only remaining remnant of this alleged political free spirit is his qualifier-laden desire to federally fund embryonic stem cell research.
Furthermore, McCain has given into the Karl Rove school of campaigning he once condemned. Relentless, post 9/11-fueled fear mongering and the never-ending exploitation of the large American Christian demographic frontline McCain's campaign strategy.
McCain looks other way while the Social Security and health insurance crises plague the American social and economic structure and threaten the personal well-being of millions. He plans to continue a costly war, despite the elected Iraqi government's desire for US withdraw.
At 72, McCain would be the oldest first term president in US history.
This is especially frightening considering running mate Sarah Palin is the least qualified vice-presidential candidate in modern election history. She holds only a bachelor's in a politically unrelated field.
Her experience fails to make up for her educational short-comings. Low-profile service as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (population 5,469) and a partial term as Alaska's governor hardly warranted a VP selection--an obvious and pathetic ploy to recruit Hillary Clinton supporters.
America would be facing a real win-win scenario if McCain were still the maverick he once was. In today's ever-changing world, a candidate with dynamic policy-making abilities is essential, not one who aligns himself with the self-proclaimed party of not changing.
Mike Mountz
West York
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