The Enemy of My Enemy is Not My Friend

Has another arch conservative come out against McCain yet today? They are popping up all over the place to moan and groan against McCain not being "conservative enough" - one even saying that if it were a vote between Clinton & McCain she would vote for Clinton because she's "more conservative."

So why aren't I jumping up and down at the chance to have this left wing liberal loving Republican on the ballot?

Mostly because I'm not an idiot. Rush & Co., on the other hand ... are they merely idiots, as we've always assumed? Or are they bitching about McCain in hopes of tricking people into thinking he's a moderate guy? Well the enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend. Let's take a look at John's voting and issues records, shall we?

• Supports repealing Roe v. Wade. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted NO on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
• Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
• Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
  

• Don't ask, don't tell is working; don't tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
• Confederate flag on top of capitol was wrong; in front is ok. (May 2007)
• Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools. (Jan 2000)
• Confederate flag is a symbol of heritage. (Jan 2000)
• Allow, but not mandate, school prayer. (Jan 2000)
• Flying Confederate flag should be left to states. (Sep 1999)
• Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
• Supports Amendment against flag-burning. (Apr 1999)
• Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas. (Jul 1998)
  

• Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
• Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
• Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
• Limit interstate class-action lawsuits to federal courts . (May 2002)
• Rated 0% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
  

• Voted NO on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
  

• Judges have limited scope under the Constitution. (Nov 2006)
• More death penalty; stricter sentencing. (Jan 2000)
• More community policing; enough hate crime laws. (Jan 2000)
• Pro-death penalty; more prisons; increased penalties. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on limiting death penalty appeals. (Apr 1996)
• Voted YES on limiting product liability punitive damage awards. (Mar 1996)
• Voted NO on restricting class-action lawsuits. (Dec 1995)
• Voted YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)
• Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
• Rated 85% by the NCJA, indicating a "tough-on-crime" stance. (Dec 2005)
  

• Administration is AWOL on the war on drugs. (Mar 2000)
• We're losing drug war - just say no. (Oct 1999)
• $1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction. (Mar 1999)
• Restrict methadone treatment programs. (Feb 1999)
• Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on spending international development funds on drug control. (Jul 1996)
  

• Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts. (Jun 2007)
• Teach virtues in all schools. (Dec 1999)
• Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success. (Dec 2007)
  

• Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending. (Feb 2000)
• Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education. (Jul 1996)
• Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer. (Jul 1994)
• Voted NO on national education standards. (Feb 1994)
• Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education. (Dec 2003)
  

• FactCheck: Oil independence will take 25 years, not 5 years. (Dec 2007)
• Reinvest oil profits in nuclear power. (Jun 2007)
• Strength Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto. (Jan 2000)
• Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Voted NO on do not require ethanol in gasoline. (Aug 1994)
• Rated 17% by the CAF, indicating opposition to energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Supports immediate reductions in greenhouse gases. (Sep 1998)
  

• FactCheck: Criticized $3M "bear DNA" study, but voted for it. (Nov 2007)
• Economic & environmental interests not mutually exclusive. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Voted NO on continuing desert protection in California. (Oct 1994)
• Voted YES on requiring EPA risk assessments. (May 1994)
• End commercial whaling and illegal trade in whale meat. (Jun 2001)
• Supports grants for brownfields remediation. (May 2002)
• Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• Focus on results, not regulation. (Sep 1998)
  

• Unfiltered Internet robs our children of their innocence. (Dec 1999)
• Media Responsibility Act requires video & music labeling. (Jun 1999)
• Violence in media caused Littleton shootings. (Apr 1999)
• Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition: a pro-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
  

• No circumstances where president can disregard treaties. (Dec 2007)
• Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro. (Dec 2007)
• Naive to exclude nukes; naive to exclude attacking Pakistan. (Aug 2007)
• Overthrow "rogue" governments to keep Americans safe. (Feb 2000)
• Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption. (Jan 2000)
• Concern over Chechnya spreads to Caucasus oil reserves. (Jan 2000)
• Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya. (Jan 2000)
• IMF's Russia policies bad, but agency is OK. (Oct 1999)
• Cuba: No diplomatic and trade relations. (Jul 1998)
  

• Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
• Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
• Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)
• Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)
  

• Consider subsidies a mistake, and oppose them. (Dec 2007)
• Every time US went protectionist, we paid heavy price. (Oct 2007)
• Supports ethanol, but by exporting, not by subsidies. (Oct 2007)
• No environmental provisions in trade agreements. (Nov 2004)
• Substitute trade treaties for protectionism. (Jan 2000)
• Admit China to WTO based on their concessions. (Jun 1999)
• Free trade with any country except security risks. (May 1999)
• NAFTA has had unambiguously positive impact on US. (Mar 1999)
  

• FactCheck: $35B in pork meant $484 per child, not $1000. (Jan 2008)
• Focus on homeland safety, restoring trust, and fiscal policy. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007) [BOO]
• Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
• Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
• Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
  

• Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
• Don't hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007)
• Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007)
• Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999)
• Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998)
• Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
  

• Preserve quality of health care by individual responsibility. (Dec 2007)
• Give individuals $2500 refundable tax credits for healthcare. (Oct 2007)
• Control health costs so manufacturers stay competitive. (Oct 2007)
• No mandated universal system; no mandated insurance coverage. (Jun 2006)
• Include a health savings account in healthcare reform. (Jan 2006)
• The problem with health care in America is inflation. (Jan 2006)
• Supports tax-free medical savings accounts & tax credits. (Nov 2004)
• Higher taxes on cigarettes. (Jan 2000)
• Matching funds for seniors citizens' prescription drugs. (Dec 1999)
• Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children. (Dec 1999)
• Keep health care promises to aging veterans. (Nov 1999)
• Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care. (Jul 1999)
• Full doctor-patient discussion even when it costs HMO. (Jul 1999)
• More tax-deductible health costs; limits on malpractice. (Jul 1998)
  

• Surveillance of overseas communications is ok. (Dec 2007)
• Ok to hold even US citizens as enemy combatants. (Dec 2007)
• I support the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war. (Jan 2006)
• Accepts gays in military under current policy. (Jan 2000)
• Military's political leaders need military backgrounds. (Jan 2000)
• Vietnam was a worthy cause despite losing. (Nov 1999)
• Discard ABM Treaty and develop a missile defense. (Apr 1999)
• Use force, with US control, only for vital interests. (Apr 1999)
  

• Voted with Republican Party 87.3% of 165 votes. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
• Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
• Member of the Republican Main Street Partnership . (Jan 2001)
• Rated 33% by the AU, a mixed record on church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
  

• Strategic bombing of Iran OK only if imminent threat. (Dec 2007)
• Congress can only declare war; not micromanage wars. (Dec 2007)
• Keep military option open against Iran, even if no nukes. (Dec 2007)
• No direct talk with Iran; talk is over-rated. (Dec 2007)
• Iran & Syria must not get nukes; they'll exterminate Israel. (Nov 2007)
• Iran is state sponsor of terrorism; no more evidence needed. (Nov 2007)
• Congressional consultation before attacking Iran's nukes. (Oct 2007)
• Sanctions to prevent Iranian nukes; but don't count on UN. (Sep 2007)
• Iran is sponsor of terrorism; US strike if they get nukes. (May 2007)
  

• Congress has no authority to cut off funds for Iraqi use. (Jan 2007)
• Voted NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on requiring on-budget funding for Iraq, not emergency funding. (Apr 2005)
• Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
• Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted NO on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
• Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo. (Jul 1995)
• Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism. (Jan 2002)
• Conclusions on Iran and North Korea are all classified. (Mar 2005)
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)