Why I Voted for John McCain

I early voted about two weeks ago. I voted for John McCain.

I voted for John McCain because I think he is the candidate who will be up to the job of running the most important office in the world. Yes, I am a proud American and I believe in our country's exceptionalism. If we do not lead the world, who does?

I voted for John McCain because I am a lifelong Republican. John McCain and I hold similar views on the two most important issues - national security and fiscal responsibility. I am not a single issue voter on moral issues. I am a moderate to liberal Republican. John McCain is a conservative Republican. It is a popular cry from the far right of my party to label John McCain other than conservative but it is not factual. He is fiscally conservative - fighting earmarks and demanding spending cuts - and he is socially conservative. He is pro-life and always has been. He is a strong voice for national security through a strong Defense Department. Our enemies know this and that is why the other candidate has received glowing support from them.

I voted for John McCain because he is a strong and honorable man. He is a man of his word.

I voted for John McCain because he walks the walk. He has been all over the world observing the conditions and day to day struggles of the people across the globe. He usually does this without a travelling entourage of reporters and photographers. He considers it his job, his duty.

I voted for John McCain because he is long time friends with many of the world's leaders. The president of France recently commented that his opponent is not up to the job. He is not the lone doubter. The countries in Eastern Europe are conservative and the Western European countries are following with more and more election results. Even Canada has kept a conservative prime minister. Electing a far left liberal will go against the tide of international leadership. John McCain doesn't expect America to fit into the visions of the rest of the world, but his opponent does. John McCain expects to lead the rest of the world in our vision.

I voted for John McCain because he has skin in the game. He was a POW during the Vietnam war for 5 1/2 years. He has two sons in active duty now. One son will be re-deployed to Iraq on Christmas Day. John McCain demands victory in Iraq. John McCain knows how to accomplish that. The military, according to polling, is voting overwhelmingly for John McCain. Who better to know about leadership?

John McCain does not campaign in the gutter. Though his opponent and his opponent's supporters cry foul when ads are run speaking to the record and speeches of the candidate, that is not negative campaigning. That is telling the facts of a record. That is defining your opponent. When a candidate runs with the least amount of experience in recent history for the highest office in the land, while claiming to have all the judgement necessary for the job, it is imperative that voters understand the candidate's associations. This tells us who the candidate is and what judgement he will use in choosing those surrounding him while in office.

I voted for John McCain because he doesn't have a hateful spiritual adviser spewing anti-American speeches or racial hate. John McCain could have made that an issue but didn't. Even the candidate himself said in an interview that the spiritual adviser was a legitimate issue. That was after he threw him under the bus.

John McCain doesn't throw loved ones or associates under the bus. In his case, it is not necessary.

John McCain is not a racist. His opponent is, however. His opponent has, at every opportunity, claimed the Republicans and the McCain campaign would make race an issue. It was the other way around. John and Cindy McCain have an adopted daughter - a young woman of color - and prove again to walk the walk.

John McCain supports women. He pays his women staffers at a more equal level than his opponent does. He has mostly women staffers. His opponent hires more men. And, John McCain loves his wife. His wealthy, successful business woman wife who travels the world to make it a better place. Whether it is adopting a baby girl in Bangladesh or distributing medical supplies in Africa or the Far East. Or, observing land mine removal in war torn countries.

John McCain adopted his first wife's two sons when they married. Those sons are still a part of his family today and campaign with him. One son works as Comptroller for Cindy McCain's business. The daughter from his first marriage is active on the campaign, too, though she lives in Canada with a successful career in the music industry. His ex-wife supports his bid for president and still considers him a friend.

John McCain works in a bi-partisan way. His opponent claims to do the same but there is no such evidence in his short career. John McCain maddens his own party as he does the opposition party. He does what he thinks is in the best interest of his country. And, when he brokers deals bringing both sides together, he keeps his word. His opponent does not keep his word.

The McCain family has many pets. They have a habit of adopting stray dogs and cats and even ferrets. This speaks of the nature of a family. This speaks to a family with a good heart. This speaks of a family with a generous heart.

John McCain will not overturn Roe v Wade. John McCain will appoint judges who interpret the Constitution as the Founding Fathers wrote it. He will not appoint judges who legislate from the bench. Want a living Constitution? That is what the Constitutional amendment process is for. Those Founding Fathers were some smart guys.

John McCain will not stifle free speech. He will not bring back the Freedom Doctrine. He appreciates the discourse of public speech and listens to more than one side of an issue.

John McCain understands the economy. He knows that a soft economy will not mend with higher taxes. He knows higher taxes bring unemployment and lower productivity. Higher taxes close markets and shutter small business. Higher taxes punish success. Higher taxes will not pay for all the campaign promises made by his opponent.

John McCain says that Americans don't hide from history, we make history.

Country First.