McCain or Clinton/Obama

There are many conservatives, particularly those that work in talk radio that are throwing out the idea that a second President Clinton or a first President Obama would be better for the conservative movement than a President McCain. Not that it would necessarily be better for the GOP, just that it would be in the better long term interests of the conservative moment and (if you are a conservative in your opinion) better for the country as a whole.

The argument, I believe, harkens back to the early of Bill Clinton’s first term. He came in to office with a far too liberal agenda (gays in the military, nationalizing health care etc) and became deeply unpopular. More importantly the conservatives in particular and the GOP in general were united in opposition to President Clinton. That unity lead to the Contract With America, the 1994 election, and conservatives taking over Congress for the first time in 40 years. Well the GOP anyway, those 1952 era Republicans might not have had much in common with Newt Gingrich.

Conservatives will be more united in opposition to a Democratic president, I will agree than they will be in support of a President McCain. But to throw the Whitehouse to Democrats for the next four to eight years is hardly in the best interest of America.

First and most importantly, is the war on terror and the war in Iraq. The only way the United States will lose in Iraq is if we give up. We can’t afford to lose. Losing means a failed state in Iraq, a breeding and training ground for Al Qaeda, and Iran becoming a Middle Eastern super power. President John McCain would enter office determined to win. President Hillary Clinton would enter office trying not to lose, but also trying to retain the support of the liberal base of the Democratic Party. President Barak Obama would enter office determined to pull out at the earliest opportunity. President McCain is better for America for this reason alone.

There is the economy. McCain may be a late convert to Bush’s tax cuts, but they are far more likely to be made permanent (or at the very least extended) during a McCain administration than a Clinton or Obama one. McCain is also far more likely to enforce budget discipline and reform earmarks.

Then there is the Supreme Court. John Paul Stevens is almost as old as Methuselah, and the next President will get at least one and perhaps several appointments to the Supreme Court. There are also the very important lower courts. McCain has pledged to appoint judges in the intellectual vain of John Roberts and Samuel Alito, in that they will see their job is to interpret and enforce the law, not rewrite to suit their personal preferences. But lets say he disappoints us. Let’s say that instead of a Scalia we get an O’Conner. That instead of a Thomas we get a Kennedy. A lost opportunity sure, but wouldn’t such appointments be infinitely superior to the types of judges President Obama might appoint? Remember, Obama has the most liberal voting record of anyone currently in the Senate.

So, my fellow conservatives: All I can say is get a grip, and get united behind John McCain. Focus on the positives of this truly great man. Wait until he is elected to start attacking him again. The country may never thank you for it. But it will be better off.