John McCain, What Do You Stand For?

You ever see a fish out of water, flip-flopping on the ground trying to survive? That’s John McCain.

John, it appears that you have adopted the strategy of being in favor for whatever is popular at the moment. This is not the type of politician we need in Washington, or anywhere for that matter. We are tired of ‘yes’ men who change with the wind. A president should stand firmly behind his/her clearly defined position on every issue, every time. If you have not yet determined where you stand then you have no business in this presidential race.

Before becoming a presidential possibility you stood behind your convictions and everyone knew fairly well how you would vote on an upcoming issue, even if they didn’t always agree with your position, you at least had the conviction to stick to it. This is an admiral trait in a politician, it is an admiral trait for any person. But now that you have a shot at becoming president, it is as if your convictions went up for sale. You have become a whore for popular opinion, John. You are reversing every controversial stance you once took in order to get votes. This is the wishy-washy, spineless, paid-for politician that Americans are disgusted with.

Just what does John McCain stand for? You stand for whatever will get you into the White House. And then what are we going to get from you, John McCain? You will forget the taxpaying voters who put you there, just as George W. Bush did, because we will no longer have any power. You will make yourself available to the highest bidder, just as George W. Bush did. I think it has become abundantly ing clear, that your value as a man with convictions has passed. We cannot place credence in what you say because your opinion will change tomorrow. John, you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything. You are not showing leadership qualities. You are not presidential material.

The only thing we can count on from you, John, is that you will not vote the same way twice. A positive spin might be that you are trying to please everyone. While it is a noble gesture to try to please as many people as possible, we want someone with a consistent platform, someone with the ethical fortitude to know the best course of action. And believe me when I say, John, changing with the wind takes you off course, every time. We Americans admire anyone who is not afraid to show us what he believes, and sticks to it. The person that shows they are human, that they make mistakes and have the ability to get back up and try again is the person that reaches deepest into the hearts of the American people. Likewise, we are disdainful of anyone who comes off like a snake-oil salesman pushing dreams we know can never come true. You have become a man of action, John, but your kind of action is your constantly changing opinion to match whatever is popular at the time. And with so many lobbyists paying so much money to your campaign you are going to keep yourself so busy playing to their popularity that you will not have time to appease the voting public.

You have a voting record, John. When you say things that contradict how you voted, what are we to think? You define your position by your vote and then state the opposite opinion at a later time. This tells us one of two things, John. You are either being paid to change your mind or you change your mind based on what the majority of voters want. While it would be good to finally have a president who listens to what the citizens want and actually speaks for them and, now here’s the sticking point John, repeatedly and unwaveringly stands behind his convictions, I don’t think you are that person. This fantasy president I describe does not describe John McCain.

Do you change your opinion because you can’t remember what you said the last time you was asked? Perhaps you have a medical problem that is interfering with your ability to think clearly. Do you have Alzheimer’s, John? We don’t fault you if you do, and we would be sympathetic because it can’t be helped. But if you do, then please stand aside and let someone who can at least remember what he stands for to take your place.

Voters put you in this position because of your clear stance on core issues, and now your position is becoming cloudy because you no longer firmly stand behind anything long enough to convince us that you believe in it. So what do you stand for?