Republicans need McCain

I must be honest. Despite considering myself slightly left-of-center and usually favoring the Democratic Party, I have been much more engrossed by the race for the Republican presidential nomination.\nIn a race still lacking a clear frontrunner, I have often wondered if there was a candidate up to the task of saving the party after it had failed at all the important tasks of governing. John McCain has continued to catch my eye. \nPart of his appeal to me goes back to his reputation as a maverick statesman, as well as a feeling that he was horribly wronged in the South Carolina primary in 2000. The man was, in my opinion, quite frank about the influence of people like Jerry Farwell on the Republican Party. If blaming 9/11 on gays and lesbians doesn’t qualify you as an “agent of intolerance,” I’m not sure what does. \nMcCain was one of the few Republican critics to speak out about the current administration when it mattered. He questioned the logic of the Bush tax cuts because he was skeptical about whether spending would be reined in. Not only was spending not reduced, it was in fact increased, which led to huge deficits. \nHe also spoke out against torture, the growing corruption of lobbyists and the logic of trying to secure Iraq without enough troops on the ground. He was right across the board. He was even one of the few Republicans to acknowledge that global warming is a real threat.\nThat isn’t to say McCain is perfect. In my more nostalgic moments, I wish I could root for the John McCain of 2000. In an effort to secure the 2008 nomination, the “Straight Talk Express” has moved to appease many of the groups he previously offended. \nHe spoke to many radical evangelical moralist groups and offered them his sympathy. He never really got the Bush administration to clearly define what torture is and isn’t, making it impossible to ban. He’s even become a believer in voodoo economics by subscribing to the (incorrect) notion that Bush’s tax cuts actually raised more revenue.\nI am also not thrilled about his foreign policy. I am glad he called for more troops in Iraq initially. After all, while I was against the war, if it had to happen it should have been done right. But now hardly seems like the time to massively increase our troop presence. He is certainly less apocalyptic than Rudy Giuliani, but, much to my dismay, the compliments McCain offers “America’s Mayor” lead me to wonder if Giuliani is McCain’s likely choice for vice president. \nThis is not an endorsement of McCain for president. When the general election comes around, it’s more than likely I will send my liberal vote toward the Democrats. This is, however, an affirmation that the man deserved to win New Hampshire, that he best represents the individualistic and free-enterprising part of his party and that he deserves the Republican nomination for President of the United States.