JOHN MCCAIN, WHY THIS CONSERVATIVE SUPPORTS HIM - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

Barack Obama is dangerous. That is a well known fact that conservatives understand and why we are so adamant in our opposition to this liberal candidate whose inexperience and lack of substance have no business even running for President much less sitting in the Oval Office.

In our zeal to defeat Obama though, we have neglected something that we as conservatives have always been consistent with when it concerns our politics. Conservatives have not only been able to articulate why we are opposed to an issue or a candidate but also why we support an issue or a candidate.

A fellow blogger, Gayle at the Dragon Lady's Den during my Blog Talk Radio show brought to my attention the fact that we bloggers are spending a considerable amount of time writing against Obama and very little time in why we support John McCain, other than he is NOT Obama.

We all know that McCain is not our first choice as a candidate but we also understand that when given the choice between the two alternatives McCain is the far better candidate. But is that reason enough to support anyone for President ? We conservatives pride ourselves on being informed about the issues and the candidates and as such when anyone runs for President we have always known exactly why we support their candidacy.

One thing about many liberals that I have noticed over the years is that when asked the question , "why," concerning a particular issue or candidate most are either angered or quickly begin repeating liberal talking points because they have not considered in their own mind an answer to that very important question.

In fact in my experience with liberals I have found that the quickest way to get a heated response is to simply ask, "why," during a discussion. In almost every instance the liberal that I was talking to became flustered or agitated and began repeating talking points or accusing me of promoting hatred.

During the 2004 election I posted a story giving liberals a full week to comment why they were supporting John Kerry. I was receiving numerous comments from liberals who were attacking Bush or making accusations but never one that stated why they were supporting Kerry. I stated in the post that I would NOT accept responses attacking Bush or stating that a liberal supported Kerry because he was not Bush or that they hated Bush. I wanted ONLY reasons why a liberal would support Kerry based on policy and ideas.

I received NO responses. I then followed this up with a lengthy posting about why I supported President Bush. Amazingly those same liberals who could NOT give any reason as to why they supported Kerry commented with obvious anger about my support of President Bush.

While we conservative bloggers are justified in our opposition and our considerable posting against Barack Obama, we also must remember that we as conservatives also know why we support issues and candidates and must somewhat balance our posting to show our insight and research about the candidate we support.

So with this in mind I submit the following reasons, based on several key issues as to why I support John McCain for President of The United States.

The war and national security - John McCain has been second to none on this vital issue. He is a staunch supporter of the military and is himself a hero whose military service especially as a POW is unquestionable. He stood , in many case almost alone, in his support for victory in Iraq and placed his political future on the line by taking this stand and was eventually justified as the surge not only worked but has brought victory because of a correct policy and the tremendous job performed by our best and bravest.

He understands that the only way to end the evil of Islamic terrorism is to defeat it and not to negotiate with it. His knowledge of the military and experience not only as a commander but in 25 years in Congress working with the military and on many committees whose responsibilities covered military matters and national security interests gives him a keen insight and ability as Commander in Chief. He understands that protecting our national security means that there are times that it is necessary to fight and defend freedom.

Energy and oil - While I have some misgivings concerning McCain's buying into Global Warming as a fact, he does understand that we are an oil based economy and as such it is necessary in the short and long term to develop and supply oil for our use from our own domestic capabilities. In other words, DRILL ! McCain was opposed to drilling but as he realized that a full 70% of our oil consumption is supplied from foreign sources and that this in itself presents not only an economic problem but a national security risk because of the vulnerability it creates, McCain reversed his stand and calls for drilling both off shore and other land based resources.

Though still hedging on ANWR, McCain is now on the correct side of this issue. Combining the necessity of domestic drilling with research for future alternatives for oil, especially nuclear technology.

Taxes - No tax increases period. That in a nutshell is McCain's stand on this issue. He understands that Americans have a tax burden that even with the tax cuts that were instituted by President Bush is still much to high. He not only wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent but reduce the tax burden further understanding that when taxes are decreased revenues increase and that the American people know better how to spend our hard earned money than the government.

Earmarks - This is one issue that McCain almost stands alone on not with just talk but by his actions. During his twenty five years in Congress as a member of both Chambers, McCain has never sought pork spending for his home State of Arizona. He has stated that he will VETO any bill that comes to him as President that contains any earmark.

Government Spending - Even with a Republican majority government spending has been long out of control. McCain not only understands that this was a prime reason why the GOP was booted out of the majority in 2006 but also that this excessive spending has to end before it bankrupts this country. Limited government and limited spending are a McCain mantra.

Supreme Court Justices - The next President will have at least one and likely two Justices of the Supreme Court who will retire during his four years. This one issue alone will shape law and whether the High Court follows Constitutional law and principles or tries to legislate from the bench. McCain has stated and has supported Judges like Samuel Alito and John Roberts.

Judges who understand that the responsibility of the High Court is to apply the law as stated in the Constitution and not use the court as a means of pushing through liberal legislation that cannot be passed in Congress.

Abortion - There are many who consider this issue alone when they choose a candidate to support. While I am an ardent pro -lifer, I also understand that many issues face this Nation and as such I am not a one issue voter. But for those who are and this is the issue in which they decide their vote, then McCain is also the candidate to support.

He has a twenty five year record in favor of the sanctity of life and believes that the rights of the unborn begin AT conception!

Immigration - Though in my opinion McCain is still wrong on several aspects of this issue, because of the defeat through grassroots efforts by the people of the massive amnesty bill that McCain co-sponsored, he has come to understand that border security is the first and utmost important issue concerning illegal immigration and now supports the fence and border security first. This also shows that he understands that the people still are the voice of this Nation and his willingness to listen to the people. A trait that many politicians do not have.

Yes I support John McCain because I cannot and will not support Barack Obama. Yes it is true that my zeal against Obama is somewhat of a driving force in my support. But as listed above I also understand that in supporting a candidate for President it is also necessary to know how that candidate stands and why his policy matches my support.

It seems that a vast majority of Obama supporters are mesmerised in support of the liberal because of two words, "hope and change." Though they have no clue of what hope and the type of change. Many support Obama because he looks and sounds good. None of these are reasons to support a candidate much less one for President. It is shallow and neglects our responsibility as voters in knowing why we vote.

My challenge stands to liberals as it did in 2004. Why do you support Barack Obama. I will not accept statements that he offers hope or change or that he is young and sounds good. I want real reasons based on the issues and knowledge of his stance on those issues and why those stances have given a vote to Obama.

I have detailed why I support John McCain, so to any and all liberals who read this post, I challenge you to do the same for Barack Obama. I am betting that most can't. We shall see!

Ken Taylor