We have been told that there is only one candidate that has the experience and proven skills necessary for the Presidency. That candidate is, of course, John McCain. Everyone knows Barak Obama is a gifted orator, and can inspire the masses with his prepared speeches. But the true test of political skill and insight comes not from prepared speeches, but from statements made "off the cuff", when you must fall back on your accumulated years of experience to speak truth and wisdom.
To this end, I thought it might be helpful to collect some of John McCain's own words to illustrate how more than a quarter century in public office has made him such a respected public servant and presidential nominee. Some of these quotes are well known, some are not. They all have one thing in common, though: They speak to McCain's readiness to be the next President of the United States.
John McCain on Economics
"The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book."
Fortunately, putting together economic policy is a relatively minor responsibility of a president, as evidenced in the following quote.
John McCain on the Duties of the President
"I'm running for president because I want to help with family values." Referring to one of the primary responsibilities of the president.
As soon as I find the part of the Presidential Oath of Office dealing with Family Values, I'll update this post. Please be patient, it might take a while.
John McCain on Working with Congress
"Fuck you! This is chickenshit stuff." Spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn during discussions on McCain's amnesty bill.
"No, I'm calling you a fucking jerk!" Spoken to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, after Grassley asked if McCain was calling him stupid.
"Can I get the translation? That's an excellent question." Responding to a supporter's question on what McCain would do in an election to "beat the bitch" (meaning Senator Hillary Clinton).
The main theme here is that McCain is highly skilled at working with others in a calm, mature, respectful way.
John McCain on Foreign Affairs
"We have reached a crisis, the first probably serious crisis internationally since the end of the Cold War." Referring to the Russian attack on Georgia. If this is the first serious international crisis since the end of the Cold War, some might ask why we attacked Iraq, sacrificing the lives of over 4000 Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For something not serious? But that's just liberal talk.
"We are all Georgians now." This shows McCain's well-reasoned, measured resolve to come to the aid of a vital American ally.
"I was concerned about a couple of steps that the Russian government took in the last several days. One was reducing the energy supplies to Czechoslovakia." Referring to a country that has not existed for 15 years, but that's a minor detail.
"We have a lot of work to do. It's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq-Pakistan border." Spoken during an ABC News interview, referring to an international border that does not exist, but that's also a minor detail.
"Well, it's common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training, and are coming back into Iraq from Iran." This a claim proudly repeated at least 4 times, that Shiite Iran is training Sunni al Qaeda.
As McCain himself has told us, he is a much more respected and knowledgeable expert on foreign policy than Barak Obama.
John McCain on International Diplomacy
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940's who is still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it." Commenting on French opposition to the Iraq War.
"Maybe that's a way of killing them." Referring to reports that cigarettes are being exported to Iran despite restrictions on trade with that country.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Sung to the Beach Boys tune, "Barbara Ann".
Finally, we can have a president with the maturity and wisdom needed to heal diplomatic ties with allies, and reduce needless tension with potential adversaries.
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