He sort of predicted this in 2000
by
bearcat98
07/11/2007, 11:09 PM #
I'm reminded of an interview with him from 2000. It was shortly after the Bush campaign started to overtake his and his defeat was sealed, but before he stopped fighting for the nomination. He was asked why he was running in the face of such long odds. His response was interesting.
Of course, he talked about the things he wanted to accomplish as president. He also said something along the lines of:
"I'm getting old, and 2000 might be my last realistic shot at this. I hope that when I outlive my effectiveness in politics, a friend will take me to the old soldiers' home and help me make a graceful exit."
I'm paraphrasing from memory, of course, but the comment about the "old soldiers' home" stuck in my head.
He was right. People change as they get older, and he's past his prime. He's not senile by any means, but he seems to fall into the "grumpy old man" category, and I just don't foresee him growing in the office of president. And age will just be more of an issue over the next two terms (2016!).
I miss the John McCain of 2000, who could make a generally pro-gun-rights, anti-abortion, pro-military, anti-flag-burning, small-government Republican appeal to the left, and who could also be serious about fighting corruption and protecting the environment. He had the potential to work with people across the political spectrum and bringing people together on the things they agreed on and showing people how to respect disagreement.
Today's John McCain has pissed off everyone with the possible exception of his military constituency. I still respect him because he's willing to pursue a surefire political loser of a war to the end because he honestly believes that it's the right thing to do, and because of his past efforts to reach out to political rivals and enemies and do the right thing even in the face of opposition from his allies and friends. But I can't imagine him being a good president for eight, or even four, years.
