As I see it, McCain has a short resume that covers many years:

1. Seven years at the Hanoi Hilton, where he withstood torture and did the honorable, noble thing and refused to be released before other prisoners who had been there longer. This shows that McCain is an honorable man, someone we can admire, but it is not exactly an "accomplishment" that qualifies one to be president.

2. Served Arizona in the House and Senate for decades. Like John Kerry, McCain has few accomplishments to show for his decades as a Washington insider, except an ability to be re-elected. Recently he has shown some skill in skirting one of his few legislative achievements, the McCain-Feingold act.

What else? Has McCain ever run anything? Been an executive? Ever started a business? It sounds like his supporters claim his accomplishments are "tortured in Vietnam and served in the Congress for a few decades." (And some would say "Married money" like John Kerry did.)

Andrew

What John McCain has done to qualify as a GOP nominee is to be generally inconsistent and a major flip flopper. For example:

When it comes to getting U.S. troops out of Iraq, Sen. John McCain was for the idea before he was against it.

Three years before the Arizona Republican argued on the campaign trail that U.S. forces could be in Iraq for 100 years in the absence of violence, he decried the very concept of a long-term troop presence.

In fact, when asked specifically if he thought the U.S. military should set up shop in Iraq along the lines of what has been established in post-WWII Germany or Japan -- something McCain has repeatedly advocated during the campaign -- the senator offered nothing short of a categorical "no."

"I would hope that we could bring them all home," he said on MSNBC. "I would hope that we would probably leave some military advisers, as we have in other countries, to help them with their training and equipment and that kind of stuff."

Host Chris Matthews pressed McCain on the issue. "You've heard the ideological argument to keep U.S. forces in the Middle East. I've heard it from the hawks. They say, keep United States military presence in the Middle East, like we have with the 7th Fleet in Asia. We have the German...the South Korean component. Do you think we could get along without it?"

McCain held fast, rejecting the very policy he urges today. "I not only think we could get along without it, but I think one of our big problems has been the fact that many Iraqis resent American military presence," he responded. "And I don't pretend to know exactly Iraqi public opinion. But as soon as we can reduce our visibility as much as possible, the better I think it is going to be."

In addition, McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically, McCain if he were a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”

* McCain’s campaign unveiled a Social Security policy that the senator would implement if elected, which did not include a Bush-like privatization scheme. In March 2008, McCain denounced his own campaign’s policy.

* In February 2008, McCain abandoned his opposition to waterboarding.

* In November 2007, McCain reversed his previous position on a long-term presence for U.S. troops in Iraq, arguing that the “nature of the society in Iraq” and the “religious aspects” of the country make it inevitable that the United States “eventually withdraws.” Two months later, McCain reversed back, saying he’s prepared to leave U.S. troops in Iraq for 100 years.

* McCain used to champion the Law of the Sea convention, even volunteering to testify on the treaty’s behalf before a Senate committee. Now he opposes it.

* McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to illegal immigrants’ kids who graduate from high school. Now he’s against it.

* On immigration policy in general, McCain announced in February 2008 that he would vote against his own legislation.

* In 2006, McCain sponsored legislation to require grassroots lobbying coalitions to reveal their financial donors. In 2007, after receiving “feedback” on the proposal, McCain told far-right activist groups that he opposes his own measure.

* McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.”

* McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”

* McCain went from saying he would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade to saying the exact opposite.

* McCain went from saying gay marriage should be allowed, to saying gay marriage shouldn’t be allowed.

* McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as “an agent of intolerance” in 2002, but then decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans “deserved” the 9/11 attacks.

* McCain used to oppose Bush’s tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.

* On a related note, he said 2005 that he opposed the tax cuts because they were “too tilted to the wealthy.” By 2007, he denied ever having said this, and insisted he opposed the cuts because of increased government spending.

* In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending “dirty money” to help finance Bush’s presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.

* McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June 2007, he abandoned his own legislation.

* McCain opposed a holiday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., before he supported it.

* McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.

* McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he’s pro-ethanol.

* McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.

* McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.

Now, it’s worth noting that there are worse qualities in a presidential candidate than changing one’s mind about a policy matter or two. McCain has been in Congress for decades; he’s bound to shift now and then on various controversies.

But therein lies the point — McCain was consistent on most of these issues, right up until he started running for president, at which point he conveniently abandoned practically every position he used to hold. The problem isn’t just the incessant flip-flops; it’s the shameless pandering and hollow convictions behind the incessant flip-flops.

Ouch, and we've not even really started rocking on the guy yet.

Obviously this thread was intended as a counter-point to Deane's thread on Obama. Let's see what major accomplishments of McCain's that Deane can dream up.

Andrew

Keating Five.

Deane? Hello? Are you there? Is this thing on????

Oh, wait! You guys are missing the obvious. McCain is an old, white, male!

That, in Deane's world, is the number 1 thru 10 qualification to be the "leader of the free(?) world".

John McCain served his country honorably, but lacks sufficient reason to be president. His party has failed its test of leadership – but he runs on the same old planks that got us to where we are today. And he’s got the biggest political albatross to date hanging around his neck, George W. Bush. To run on a platform which embraces the failed presidency of George W. Bush shows a lack of creativity and foresight into the realities of life today. His candidacy reminds me of Bob Dole’s candidacy in 1996. Bob Dole was a perennial candidate and finally got the chance to run in the general election. But when the rubber hit the road, he was full of hot air. He was an establishment figure with an honorable war record but little else. And his campaign was lackluster at best.

It’s time for a change; Obama for president.

(Side note about Dole: I recently chatted up a woman at a campaign rally, someone of Dole's generation. She had actually been social friends with the Doles back in Kansas way back when Dole was first in the Senate. She loathes Bob Dole now. She said Dole was the biggest liar she'd ever met. Said Dole used to sit back and laugh at all social conservatives Dole had fooled about Dole's supposed Christian values. The woman I met had also known and like the first Mrs. Dole (whom Bob left for Liddy later) and liked her, said Mrs. Dole #1 was devastated by Bob's leaving her.

Dole had me fooled! I always thought he was a genuinely decent guy, compared to many in Washington.)

Andrew

I can't image being married to Senator Elizabeth Dole. She's as plastic as her many face lifts. She's style over substance. When she was at the Red Cross, she spent more time with her public relations advisor than anyone else. I’m sure her tenure as both Labor Secretary and Transportation Secretary was a mirror image of her time with the Red Cross – all about self promotion.

Andrew, were you cougar hunting?

The speaker at my luncheon today was Dole's former communications director. Seemed like a good guy. Really had some good stories about Presidents and their level of humor and how it effected their perceptions.

It was really good stuff.

I got to ask him his take on Scott McClellan " he appears to be in it for the money." I didn't get to ask him if he thought what Scott wrote was true or accurate.

What I REALLY wanted to ask him was " How frustrated were you, as in insider, knowing how sharp Dole was behind the scenes - and having handlers temper that to a degree that made him impossible to identify with?"

Right after Dole quit his Presidential bid, he went on Letterman, I found that to be a legendary segment in which we got to see the real Bob Dole.

I sort of feel that way about McCain. He's got this streak in him to be a maverick ( not as much as he likes to wear the hat - but at least he's earned the hat ) - yet I can't help but feel shades of Dole swirling around McCain when it comes to pandering against what he ACTUALLY believes. I'm not saying that McCain is secretly a Democrat. But everything he says seems SO forced and just rings flat so often. He's not helped by his handlers - unless the goal is to literally trick the people into voting for him so he can actually do full scale turnabouts in policies he already declared his position about when he didn't have anything to lose. Now that he does have something to lose, he's playing it like so much game. It's like everyone around him knows what the truth really is, and so do the voters. So who exactly is this SHOW for?

Come to think of it, it does leave him a tremendous " out " should he ever do an about face on some policy he institutes as President; You knew I was for ( or against ) this, I said so for many years. " He will have all his positions fully covered and supported - no matter which way he goes on them. He holds all positions. And while that may pacify some, I think I'm going to go with the guy who actually believes what he is saying and give that a try this year.

Deane, have you managed to dig up a McCain accomplishment yet?

Andrew

"This shows that McCain is an honorable man..."

Given the abysmal Clinton years of lying and debauchery, I'll take honor.

Mr. McCain suffered and bled for our nation, which proceeded to spit upon him and his fellow veterans as they returned.

Mr. McCain is not perfect. But he was given a 'free pass' to leave the hell-hole where he was held captive in Vietnam and refused 'special treatment.'

I honestly question whether I would have ever had the courage to do the same.

John McCain has my eternal gratitude for doing not what was easy, but what was hard.

Herbert F. Kennedy

'We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.'

I would take Bill Clinton's lie about having extramarital relations than the unbelievable series of lies compounded by unspeakable debauchery that highlights the administration of George W. Bush. George W. Bush is a liar of the highest order, known almost universally as a war mongering buffoon. And then to masquerade as a paragon of virtue and good judgment speaks of his unparalleled degree of arrogance and shows his total disregard for human life.

As for John McCain, if respect his service, but he’s simply lacks the temperament and deportment to be president of the United States.

'I would take Bill Clinton's lie about having extramarital relations...'

How about Mr. Clinton's selling our military secrets to the Chinese?

Herb

How many soldiers are dead because Clinton supposedly sold secrets to China? How much did it cost US taxpayers?

Answer your own question, Herb. When was Bill Clinton was ever charged with treason for secrets to the Chinese?

I'm sure though if it were Jonathan Pollard selling secrets to the Chinese, you'd be doing the old Herb/Nixon/Likud Happy Dance.

"When was Bill Clinton was ever charged with treason for secrets to the Chinese?"

Oh no you don't. Mr. 'it depends on what the meaning of is is' is far too cunning to be caught red-handed on that one.

What Mr. Clinton did was to re-classify our secret missile technology as commerce. Then it was simply a matter of pushing it through using bribery, threats, enticements or worse:

'Clinton Overrules Secretary of State'

'The alleged improper export by Hughes of satellite technology was cited as a key reason when Clinton's secretary of state, Warren Christopher, rejected a plan to give the Commerce Department full authority to control satellite exports.

According to a Sept. 22, 1995, memorandum, Christopher rejected plans to give Commerce the authority to approve satellite exports after an interagency study noted that "significant" military and intelligence capabilities could be lost.

The memorandum stated the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies strongly opposed the policy change because Hughes exported two satellites with sensitive cryptographic technology without first getting a State Department munitions license. Cryptographic technology is used to scramble communications sent to satellites to prevent unauthorized access.

President Clinton, who transferred the power to regulate sensitive satellites to Commerce, under Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, ultimately overruled Christopher.

Clinton's transfer allowed the Chinese army to acquire advanced U.S. technology for military purposes. Hughes satellites currently provide the Chinese army with secure communications that are invulnerable to earth combat and highly accurate all-weather navigation for strike bombers and missiles.

Hughes satellites purchased by Shen also provide direct TV and cable TV broadcasts to most of Asia. Thus, cable and pay-per-view services help pay for the Chinese army satellite communications. The brilliant planning and logistics mean that Chinese military communications pay for themselves.

Clinton Legacy – A New Arms Race

The satellite and missile technology obtained from Hughes by the Chinese army is critical for the design and manufacture of missile nose cones and electronic missile control systems. The technology clearly helped the Chinese army field a new generation of ICBMS, including the Dong Feng 31 missile, which can drop three nuclear warheads on any city in the U.S.

The success of Shen is a story of missiles, politics and greed. Gen. Shen succeeded in using Hughes and President Clinton as valuable tools to obtain weapons that are now pointed at the United States.

China won and the U.S. lost what may very well be the first round of World War III. Gen. Shen led that victory and he did it with a checkbook. The Clinton legacy for the 21st century is a new arms race.'

From:
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/1/14/143258.shtml

And you probably think Ron Brown actually died by accident. Guess again.

Herb

After years of Republican economic policies (and Clinton's boneheaded approval of NAFTA) government secrets are about the only thing Made in America that has any value on the world market anymore.

Herb, once again you've missed the mark. When was he charged with treason? I don't see any evidence that he handed the Chinese government secrets. Do I need a special decoder ring to read between the lines? I guess I forget to buy that special box of Cracker Jacks. You accuse the man of being a traitor, but you have ZERO evidence to support your contention. And when is it treason to overrule a subordinate? Why wasn’t this so-called “treasonous act” included in the Articles of Impeachment against President Clinton? I’m mean really Herb, if this is treason, the kangaroo Republican Congress under Newt Gingrich would have most certainly claimed that he committed treason – the most serious charge you can make against a person, especially against a sitting president. Give the Republicans some credit -- do you think Bob Barr of all people would be stupid enough not to include such a salacious kernel in their crowning legislative achievement since Welfare reform? Too, you probably think Bill and Hillary Clinton loaded Vince Foster's body in trunk of Bill’s Mustang convertible, drove to Fort Marcy Park and then dumped his body.

And Herb, please. To use Newsmax.com as a credible source of information for anything doesn't pass the laugh test. Anything associated with Richard Mellon Scaife has as much credibility as Reverend Jimmy Swaggert ministering to prostitutes in a Baton Rouge trailer park.

Herb, how many soldiers are dead because Clinton supposedly sold secrets to China?

How much did it cost US taxpayers?

I'm sure Bill Clinton has a secret bank account in the Cayman Islands marked as "Secret Chinese Espionage Fund".

Given the abysmal DUHbya years of lying and debauchery, I'll take honor.

Well, If McSame is going to carry on with DUHbya's plan then it will be a failed plan and McSame will be just like GDUHbya... One and DONE!

So McSame happily carries on WPE's plan "for a hundred years"?

Here's a short and sweet response to that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq30lapbC9c