Politics Somewhat Less Ugly Than Who?
posted by on March 19 at 12:46 PM
Giving his acceptance speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention, George H. W. Bush—the current president’s father—envisioned a “kindler, gentler nation.” Nancy Reagan, sitting in the Houston Astrodome, saw that line as a swipe at her Ronnie. She famously asked “Kinder and gentler than who?”
This weekend John McCain vowed to repair America’s image abroad. We have an “ugly American” problem, McCain said, and it’s hurting our ability to, you know, lead the world and shit. Laura Bush doesn’t have to ask “less ugly than who?” McCain spells it out:
In a sign that he wants to distance himself from the president—to whom he lost in an ugly campaign in 2000—Sen McCain outlined a series of measures to roll back Bush policies and counter the “ugly American” image.“I would immediately close Guantanamo Bay, move all the prisoners to Fort Leavenworth (an army base in Kansas) and truly expedite the judicial proceedings in their cases,” he said. “I would reaffirm my commitment to address the issue of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. I know how important this is in Europe in particular.”
McCain promises to be less ugly than Bush. That wouldn’t be setting the bar too high, of course, but it would be an improvement.
Now if he'd just pull a Cheney and tell James Dobson to go fuck himself, I might consider voting for him (if the only other choice is Hillary).
Given that McCain is an open liar who will now say anything to anyone to get elected, these remarks are totally meaningless.
Based on his voting record, he would be to the right of Bush. So, if you're happy with the state of the nation today and are squealing for more then vote McCain.
McCain promising to be less ugly than Bush is like Paris promising to be less skanky than... no, I guess that's not the same.
McCain promising to be less ugly than Bush is like McDonalds promising to be healthier than Taco Bell.
So McCain is saying that instead of Hitler he will be more like Goering? Hmm, not sure if that is much of a step up in the world.
McCain is an idiot. There were a lot of moderate democrats and independents who would have voted for him in 2008 if he hadn't decided to pander to the religious right instead. Does anyone know how many electoral votes evangelical Christians account for?
The fact that a Republican front-runner just used the phrase "Climate Change" in a context that didn't imply it was "just a theory" is a pretty good indication that should all start thinking about moving to higher ground right now.
Dan are you insinuating that you've gained the class and maturity to vote for certain Republicans?
elswiger--exactly so. and he's maybe starting to see the error of his ways, but he's sure not ahead of the curve, and it's probably too late for him, as he's lost ALOT of (largely undeserved) credibility lately.
McCain was never a moderate to begin with-- take a look at his voting record-- he just managed to hide it better in 2000 than he's doing now.
Kindler and gentler than Panama, whose civilians Sr bombed the shit out of for no reason other than to take over the Panama Canal.
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