Whats with McCain????

I have tremendous regard for John McCain's service to the nation and his tragic past as a Vietnamese prisoner of war. With that being said, is McCain a viable presidential candidate? In light of the events over the past few years, and more specifically, the past month, the answer is a resounding no.

Between 2000 and 2004, McCain gained popularity as a maverick figure in the GOP, standing by his beliefs rather than towing the party line. However, according to Wikipedia - "McCain's voting record in the 109th congress was the third most conservative among senators".

It is no coincidence that McCain's pandering to the GOP's ultra conservative base coincides with the rise of his presidential ambitions. The desire for the office of the presidency is understandable, but the complete lack of conscience makes McCain's campaign practically unforgivable. McCain jumped at the first opportunity to take cheapshots at a fellow vietnam hero John Kerry, by criticizing his "botched joke" about the troops just before the 2007 midterms. However, when criticized for singing the "bomb Iran" song, he asked his critics to "...lighten up.."!!!! His Iraq trip fiasco painfully highlights his ignorance of the reality on the ground, and his willingness to jeopardize the safety of American troops and Iraqi citizens to score political points.

It is still very early in the race, and at this stage, judging by McCain's weak campaign fund raising, it is apparent that many Americans feel the same unease with his candidacy.