I think highly of McCain as a Veteran and former POW. It took great courage to make it through the unknown, and in the face of constant realms of torture. As far as his political career up to date, I'm not a season ticket holder by any means. I tuned in to watch the Republican Convention last week and the programs in entirety felt and seemed "off". It seemed like an off, off, way off Broadway play of bad actors who couldn't muster up real passion or vision. This didn't feel or seem like a reflection of the true political gamut, nature of issues, and powerful leaders that we'll need. When the McCain/Palin ticket was announced, I was bewildered. Palin has been in politics for quite awhile now but the choice just seemed to spring from nowhere. It's a choice that is scary with no give --just straight up the ass conservatives who mean to take certain choices out of people's hands because of their total belief system in abortion, gay marriage rights, environment etc.. I didn't like the tableau I saw, and it sincerely feels like a weird ass pairing and I wouldn't be confortable with this combo for our country.

Was as dry and arid and empty as the state he represents.

You know what McCain/Mr. Maverick reminds me of? A man who mistreats his wife, America. For 8 years he's been treating his wife badly by ignoring her when she's hurt, not being out for her best interest, and letting others treat her any kind of way.

Now that America is about to walk out the door he says, But I've changed! I'm different now. I wasn't myself! I'm really Maverick, the man you fell in love with 8 years ago! I'll be better than I was, you'll see. Just stay!

And even as America calls a cab and has her bags packed, McCain's bestfriend's wife, Hockey-Mom Palin, comes over and cajoles that even though she's watched America be hurt and abused without a word, that really she's out for her best interest. "I'm a pitbull in lipstick so you know I'm tough! I won't let him hurt you anymore." And yet she never said a word about America's black eyes, or when America was openly taunted during dinner parties. While America hid in the kitchen, Palin was in the living room talking guns and hockey and the best way to build a bridge to nowhere. She'd say to America, "Maybe if you did everything he wants you to do, he wouldn't hurt you!"

Here's the question: Can America afford to stay with an abusive husband with a split personality and a friend who hasn't shown herself to be exactly helpful in the past?

I don't think so.

Prepare to eat shit.

So, this time, your "progressive" illusions will work?

This time, redistribution will work without the necessary extermination of those who might disagree?

This time, our economy can thrive with high taxes and counter productive, corrupt, wasteful government programs (like our urban public schools)?

This time, a corrupt big city politician named Obama will denounce his Rezko-Stroger-Daley Machine roots and renounce the corrupt money game?

This time, collectivism will work? We won't need gulags and reeducation camps this time?

Please do not expect us to leave this country like a spiteful Barbra Streisand or A. Balwin, the one-note actor who threatened to move to France. Actually, France's new PM is more pro American than you are.

Mr. Conason, you wrote that "earmarks represent a tiny portion of the Federal budget." As always, you were absolutely right! For the $2.9 trillions 2008 budget, we had "only" $16 billions for earmarks, about 0.6%, approximately $50 for each citizen.

As the mayor of Wasilla (population 7,025), Ms. Palin squized out $27 millions earmark for 4 years via Senator Stevens. She was not only the Beauty Queen of Wasilla, but the Earmark Queen too.

The 27 millions for 4 years translate to roughly $1,000/person/year, a 20fold increase over the average. Instead of 16 billion, the earmarks would represent 300 billions, almost double the deficit. For Mr. McCain it will be a worthwhile fight against earmarks.

Get used to what it feels like to lose, because the only thing the republicans are gonna pull out their asses two months from now, is the agony of defeat. Brace yourself for the big one.

Yes, it will be a sad day indeed if people of intellect are managing the country.

I do not understand how Obama could pull even 1/3 of the electorate, let alone win. I guess that is possible if 1/4 includes the AA vote plus the out of work and almost out of work blue collars. The other 1/4 (to make up 50.1%) could be the unionized public school teachers, unionized SEIU clock punchers, and the intellectual crowd from the Hudson River to San Francisco Bay. What a lovely electorate to manage this great nation.

And, what will you get?

In 2000 I had a lot of respect for McCain he was actually a maverick then! And didn't deserve the screwing the Republican Party gave him. I might have at one time considered crossing the aisle again and voting Republican! But, no more. He is like to many Republican's he has become tainted by the corrupt neocon system he has supported for the last 8 years. He has become a pathetic old man grasping for the golden ring anyway he can. Telling any lie he has to to obtain that prize. He is like to many Republican he tells lies with to much ease! That seems to be all he knows these days are lies, lies and more lies! Accepting any pathetic religious right vice Presidential pick the party throws at him in order to win. Does he really imagine a lot of us are fooled by his rhetoric????? He is what needs to be changed in Washington! He is part of the 'Good Old Boy' network that has made a wreck out of our country!

McCain was a hero, once. Sadly, his continued spinning of the details of his imprisonment betrays the thousands of heroes who emerged from the Vietnam war.

McCain really didn't have much of a choice in his so-called refusal of early release. The code of conduct in the military is clear: first captured, first released: "The service member cannot receive special favors or parole from their captors..."

The Vietcong made an offer which John McCain would NEVER have been able to accept. Going along with the enemy would have disgraced both his father and grandfather - both four-star officers - and effectively ruined his family's legacy. John would also have been excoriated by the American public, possibly even tried for treason (his father might have wanted to shoot John himself). McCain would have had to move to a foreign country or find an quiet job in Alaska.

McCain really didn't have the latitude to exercise any options. He knew he was probably better off staying where he was and waiting his proper turn, or pray for an end to the war. Acceptance of a release would have been worse than dying.

What he did was what is expected of every soldier. I applaud that. BUT, his constant efforts to make his act appear to be beyond an officer's duty, and that he willingly turned down living in comfort and freedom as an easy and inconsequential option to imprisonment (offered only because his father was a well-connected military leader), just comes off as ... dishonorable.

He should simply admit that he did what every soldier should do - his duty.

To make more if it - to make it a Hollywood story - is just not honorable.