I’ve heard a number of my fellow Democrats comment of late that McCain “wouldn’t be so bad.”

First let me say this: the Republican party supports an exclusionary and hate-filled platform and any nominee of that party must support its platform. I presume I don’t need to waste anyone’s time with the litany of reprehensible positions promoted by the Republican party. This is why no Republican at any level should ever receive the vote of a true Democrat.

Second, and more important, please review the below positions of John McCain. These aren’t slanted comments made by biased commentators, they are quotes lifted almost entirely from McCain’s own web site (plus a few public comments made by McCain in various speeches and debates). The next time you hear someone say, “well, if we have to have a Republican in the White House, McCain wouldn’t be so bad,” make sure they’re aware of the below. In his *own* words:*

Strict Constructionist Philosophy:

John McCain believes that one of the greatest threats to our liberty and the Constitutional framework that safeguards our freedoms are willful judges who usurp the role of the people and their representatives and legislate from the bench. As President, John McCain will nominate judges who understand that their role is to faithfully apply the law as written, not impose their opinions through judicial fiat.

• This is not a new position for John McCain. He has long held it. It is reflected in his consistent opposition to the agenda of liberal judicial activists who have usurped the role of state legislatures in such matters as dealing with abortion and the definition of marriage. It is reflected in his longstanding opposition to liberal opinions that have adopted a stance of active hostility toward religion, rather than neutrality. It is reflected in his firm support for the personal rights secured in the Second Amendment.
• When he was running for President in 1999, he promised that, in appointing judges, he would not only insist on persons who were faithful to the Constitution, but persons who had a record that demonstrated that fidelity. A President should have confidence in the judicial philosophy of those he is appointing to the bench. That is why he strongly supported John Roberts and Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court and that is why he would seek men and women like them as his judicial appointees.

Overturning Roe v. Wade
John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench.
Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states.

Protecting Marriage
The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

Strategy for Victory in Iraq:

Bolster Troops on the Ground

A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq. John McCain agrees with retired Army General Jack Keane that there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq. More troops are necessary.

John McCain believes the current force structure and power vacuum persisting in many areas of the country demands a more robust counterinsurgency strategy. Iraqi and American forces must not only use force to clear areas occupied by insurgents but to stay and hold these areas to deny them as a base for insurgent forces and allow economic and political development to occur in a secure environment.

The United States must also bolster its regional military posture to make clear to Iran our determination to protect our forces in Iraq and to deter Iranian intervention in that country.

Right to Bear Arms

John McCain believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals – criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway.

John McCain opposes restrictions on so-called “assault rifles” and voted consistently against such bans. Most recently he opposed an amendment to extend a ban on 19 specific firearms, and others with similar
characteristics.

Importation of High Capacity Magazines: John McCain opposes bans on the importation of certain types of ammunition magazines and has voted against such limitations.

John McCain believes that banning ammunition is just another way to undermine Second Amendment rights. He voted against an amendment that would have banned many of the most commonly used hunting cartridges on the spurious grounds that they were “armor-piercing.”

As part of John McCain’s defense of Second Amendment rights, he cosponsored legislation to lift a ban on the law abiding citizens of the District of Columbia from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms.

John McCain has opposed “waiting periods” for law abiding citizen’s purchase of firearms.

Other Issues 

Q [to Romney]: In 1994 you were quoted as saying that you advocated gays being able to serve openly and honestly in our nation’s military. Do you still feel that way?

McCAIN: We have the best-trained, most professional, best- equipped, most efficient, most wonderful military in the history of this country, and I’m proud of every one of them. There just aren’t enough of them. So I think it would be a terrific mistake to even reopen the issue. The policy is working. And I am convinced that that’s the way we can maintain this greatest
military. Let’s not tamper with them.

I support the constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag.

I think it’s important that we recognize that the death penalty is an appropriate punishment for some crimes.

I propose cutting the corporate tax from 35 to 25 percent.

I support supplementing the current Social Security system with personal accounts.

Promises made to previous and current generations have placed the United States on an unsustainable budget pathway. Unchecked, Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare obligations will grow as large as the entire federal budget is now in just a few decades. Without comprehensive bipartisan reform to America’s entitlement programs, the nation will be unable to meet the challenges of providing vital medical and social security assistance to future generations.

Health care reform: Families should receive quality, accountable care at lower costs by harnessing market competition. Promote competition throughout the health care system – between providers and among alternative treatments.