OK, so he’s not saying, “Bring ‘em on,” or, “Dead or alive.” But McCain is coming out with a new album called “I’m Dreaming of a Nuclear Winter.” You’ll get such classics as “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran,” “Maybe exporting cigarettes is a way of killing Iranians,” “Thanks for the question, you little jerk. You’re drafted,” and many more, all for $20.08!
One of the many attributes it was thought Bush would bring with him to the White House was a cooperative spirit and respectful tone to governing. However, seven years into Bush’s presidency, one of the most prominent criticisms of his leadership style is his transformation from occupant of the bully pulpit to bully himself. Similarly, many have long viewed McCain as a “maverick,” “independent-minded Republican,” or whatever other “sound-bite” applies to this media-fueled phenomenon. But there is nothing either “civil” or “independent” about McCain. Don’t take my word for it. Just ask Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS): “The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.” Or former Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH): “His temper would place this country at risk in international affairs, and the world perhaps in danger. In my mind, that should disqualify him.”
If these rather candid remarks from McCain’s Republican colleagues don’t alarm you, you could always check with the senator himself. “F*** you!” (to Sen. Cornyn, R-TX). “Only an a**hole would put together a budget like this! I wouldn’t call you an a**hole unless you really were an a**hole!” (to Sen. Domenici, then Budget Committee Chairman).
While the president doesn’t swear like an ex-Navy pilot, he has managed to create as toxic a political environment as there ever was in our capital. McCain and Bush not only see eye to eye on the manner in which they lead, but in the agenda they set as well. Both men were opposed to the S.C.H.I.P. Bill of 2007, designed to give underprivileged children expanded health care. Both men were against the Equal Pay Act, designed to allow women who are being discriminated against in the workplace to sue for equal pay for equal work. In defense of his vote, McCain said, “Women need more education and training than men.” Both opposed the G.I. Bill (created to give wounded vets a college education) as well as the publication of medically accurate sexual information for teenagers.
McCain has often touted his “experience” and his ability to handle a crisis throughout the campaign. McCain voted against the Katrina Commission, designed to investigate the poorly handled government response. Likewise, Bush opposed the creation of the 9/11 Commission. Why learn from your mistakes, right? There was something very Marie Antoinette-esque about McCain celebrating his birthday with President Bush at his Crawford ranch the day Katrina struck. Perhaps they played a fun game of pin the blame on the donkey after all that yummy birthday cake. Similarly, President Bush read a children’s book while being told, “The country is under attack,” without as to even subtly inquiring the nature of the threat.
But, hey, to be fair, McCain and Bush do have their differences. McCain’s ranch is in Arizona.