Juan McCain has an uphill battle trying to convince the conservative base that he will represent them on fundamental issues of long term or permanent tax cuts, enforcement of immigration laws, gun ownership, right to life, appointment of conservative judges and business friendly policies. He can not stand on his record while making those promises. Here is a review of McCain’s record.

For starters, there was McCain-Feingold. This bill was well intended. The purpose was to regulate the way in which corporations, and phony non profits funded by special interest groups, advertise within 30 days of an election. The intended affect was to prevent lobbyist groups with deep pockets from literally buying an election simply because they had more financial backing to advertise. However, some argue that the bill injected more government intervention into what should be a free process. What is inarguable is that America now has what amounts to a federal speech code, enforced with jail terms of up to five years. Not to mention McCain’s association with another liberal senator.

McCain-Kennedy was perhaps one of the biggest political blunders of his career. This was a failed attempt to undermine an already poorly administrated immigration enforcement policy. As they say, you can tell a lot about someone, based on who they associate with. Enough said.

McCain-Lieberman requires reduced emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, beginning in 2010. Some view this as an attack on American industry that will result in a huge economic impact.

According to a study by Charles River Associates, if implemented:

• would cost the average U.S. household at least $1,300 per year by 2010, rising to at least $2,300 per year by 2020;
  • would cost the U.S. economy at least 250,000 jobs in 2010, and at least 610,000 jobs by 2020;
  • would force at least a 31 percent rise in electricity prices by 2010, and at least a 43 percent rise in electricity prices by 2020; and
  • would force at least a 23 percent rise in gasoline prices by 2010, and at least a 37 percent rise in gasoline prices by 2020.

  Under the plan, the federal government would lose at least $18.8 billion per year in tax revenue by 2010, with the states suffering similar, proportional losses.

  The new Charles River study is especially informative for state legislators because it breaks down costs on a state-by-state basis reflecting local economic factors.

  For example, the study reports Illinoisans would suffer even more under McCain-Lieberman 2004 than the national average. McCain-Lieberman 2004 would cost the average Illinois household at least $700 per year by 2010 and at least $1,100 per year by 2020. Similarly, the New England governors’ plan would disproportionately affect Illinoisans by forcing at least a $1,400 decline in average household income by 2010, and at least a $2,400 decline in average household income by 2020.

McCain was the leader of the Gang of 14. The Gang of 14 successfully stopped the Republican Senatorial leadership from changing Senate rules that would have ended filibusters to prevent majority approval of judicial nominees.

So, what is a conservative to do? The way I see it McCain is by far the lesser of evils given the choices we have. In fact, you could make the argument that out of all the Republican candidates McCain may be the only one to have a legitimate chance of winning the election. He can argue to the independents and those abandoning Hillary that his record speaks to them. He will have to do that quietly so as not to ignite another firestorm within conservative supporters.

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