March 17, 2007

You Don't Forget What You Believe In

McCain: "I Have to Find Out What My Position Was"

Let's reprise: McCain has been in public office for almost a quarter of a century. And he has to ask his aide to research what his position is on an issue of great interest to the conservative wing of his party. He couldn't just reach inside himself, search his principles, think fast on his feet and make the tough call. He has to ask an aide to tell him what he believes.

No, not what he believes, because you don't forget what you believe in. McCain didn't forget what he believes on the issue - he forgot what his carefully-politically-strategized-and-probably-poll-tested position was supposed to be. No wonder conservatives have come to view McCain as someone who tacks right and left and right again because he is devoid of core principles except one: saying what he needs to say to advance McCain's career.

America's greatest presidents have been those who believed in something - Abraham Lincoln believed in preserving the Union, Franklin Roosevelt believed in a New Deal, Ronald Reagan believed the Cold War could be won.

What do you believe in, Sen. McCain, besides that it's your turn to be the Republican presidential nominee?