John McCain 2008: Our best and worst hope in 2008!

This is an America’s Small City Mayor’s perspective on the critical race for the heart and soul of the Republican Party.

A few important points that need to be made:

I am a strong supporter, and will continue to be strong supporter of Governor Pawlenty. He has been right on a wide range of issues, and has lead our state through some very turbulent times. The point of this article relates to misinterpretations by our Governor on certain events over the last few years that have given many in our party concern.

That being said……..

It is common knowledge that Governor Tim Pawlenty is co-chairman of Senator John McCain’s Presidential Campaign. I have always been somewhat puzzled and nerved by this quick alignment. I certainly agree that John McCain is a true patriot, has been right on his view of the surge, and correct on the threat that radical Islamic extremism presents to the free world.

Pawlenty is certainly astute having navigated the political waters in Minnesota for decades. I certainly assume he is learning a lot and is taking good notes. I hope, from his front seat vantage point, he will learn the far reaching implications that seem to be culminating as we enter the home stretch of this primary season.

After Tim Pawlenty won his very close election he immediately came out with some more “moderate” positions. I know many in the party were taken back because he appeared to interpret his win as luck. It was the first time I have witnessed a politician seemly apologize for winning a truly remarkable race during a very difficult political environment.

Sadly, I think he misread the meaning of his narrow victory. He won because he held the line on raising taxes and limited spending within the majorities he had to work with. Had he advocated those “moderate” positions during the general election he would have, in fact, lost.

We have watched our Governor become Chairman of the National Governors Association, and has supported a number of “green” and “socially moderate” positions since that time. I think some of this shift is a direct result of the next generation of politicians watching McCain “like” politics over the last decade. Their continued misinterpretation of the 2006 elections continues to hinder the retooling and rebuilding of The Grand Ole Party.

It appears they watched the certainty of Senator McCain’s Republican Presidential Nomination in spite of his previous legislative record, and honestly thought the Reagan Coalition was dead.

As we all know that inevitability changed drastically. The McCain Campaign started to crumble under the pressure of a disastrous immigration bill, contentious relationships with conservatives on economic issues, and a war that at the time was not going well.

It always appears for McCain to get any message it requires a “near death political experience” to get him to finally listen. (OK maybe….alright we hope???)

Strangely this is why:

John McCain is our best and worst hope for the Republican Party in 2008.

Imagine if you will John McCain winning the nomination. What do you think the next generation of politicians will think?

Viewing from the moves since 2006 it would appear that a politician would think they can move center, and even left of center on many traditionally conservative ideals without consequence. Never mind the party platform or the base. The message…..a candidate can still be viable if you simply say you are a conservative loud enough and long enough.

Now imagine that McCain is defeated. I see all of those next generation politicians witnessing the funeral and viewing the epitaphs of a McCain campaign that is dead…his political obituary written. I think it will make many think twice and reevaluate their positions………..for the better.

Honestly, a McCain primary loss is the outcome I am endorsing. I do like McCain on a number of issues, but a lesson is desperately needed for our party that only McCain can provide.

The benefit of a McCain loss would be a valuable lesson in the savage world of politics. It would lay out clearly that while you may gain the favor of main stream media outlets, receive catchy nick names....ultimately the consequence will be the political grave yard only to be remembered as the way not to do something……..and then soon forgotten.

The Reagan Coalition and The 1994 Republican Revolution Coalition are out there alive and well. The Republican faithful, and a majority of Americans, are just looking for politicians that believe in what they say and then act like it too.