McCain is not a conservative

You can define conservative anyway you want, but McCain doesn't fit the mold. Thus, we are seeing this massive backlash from the base. Let me start by saying that politicians continually promise things on the campaign trail which they don't hold up in office. We can see this in both Bush presidencies. They both ran as small government fiscal conservatives making all kinds of promises to the base. We all know how that turned out. Anyway... Social Conservatism- I will admit, as I did in the first round, that McCain has a strong record on life and a good one on marriage. This is perhaps the only reason he still has an R after his name. "he promises to appoint non-activist judges to help ensure that such decisions are in the hands of state governments" Again, this whole notion of promises. We need to look at McCain's record. His participation in the notorious 'Gang of 14' proves this false. He has opposed numerous Bush court appointments, the only conservative thing Bush does well. McCain personally prevented the progress congressional republicans tried to make on procedure about court appointments. He favored filibusters on appointments as a policy, instead of opting for an up or down vote on appointees. His record on court appointments is atrocious. Fiscal Conservatism- Ah, yes. Earmarks! We all know McCain to be against earmarking. He has used this to employ his 'straight-talk' strategy. However, McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts, everyone knows this. Even now, under the pressure of the campaign, McCain isn't admitting his error. If he doesn't support tax cuts on his record or under the pressure of campaigning, when it is popular, what makes you think he will support tax cuts when he isn't accountable in office? He may have supported some tax cuts, but on the whole, McCain is for the tax status quo. He wants to keep the death tax and the estate tax, something a true conservative, and other republican candidates, stand for. He only favors tax cuts when they are accompanied with spending cuts. This isn't always politically possible and McCain has shown that he won't support tax cuts in anything but an ideal situation, where it is politically convenient for him. Foreign Policy- We all know McCain supported the surge, but so did every other republican. Look at the voting record, every other republican congressmen, save a handful, voted for the surge. This wasn't exactly a difficult position. While McCain is strong on the war, his other foreign policy is weak. Many believe McCain doesn't have the wherewithall or strategic foresight to manage the complex foreign policy facing our country. Notice my opponent tries to dodge key issues where McCain is unwaveringly liberal. Immigration- Of course there is a liberal-conservative line. Specifically on amnesty, McCain sided with senators like Ted Kennedy, personally championing the McCain-Kennedy bill, which grants amnesty to over 20 million illegal immigrants. Everyone is for securing the border, but when it comes to contentious issues, McCain takes the liberal side, drastically, on immigration. He is against an ID card, against holding companies liable for hiring illegal immigrants and for sanctuary cities. McCain's own state is the largest sanctuary state, even among border states, save Texas. Free Speech and Civil Rights- McCain-Feingold put campaign restrictions on the individual rather than PACs and lobbyists. This is a clear limit of civil liberties, disallowing campaigners and constituents to voice and support their views. Big Government- McCain has voted to expand the size of government with these bills and others. He is for OCEA regulations and cap-and-trade systems. He is against free trade and is an economic isolationist. McCain is for policing the world and trying to ensure that America is the known superpower all over the world. While conservatives do support the surge, they don't think that America should be so heavily involved in everyone's affairs. Listen to Paul in any debate. Many believe McCain is a conservative who reaches across the aisle. This is simply not the case. McCain reaches across the aisle, but takes the liberal stance. He has jumped to the other side on court appointees, illegal immigration, free speech, campaign finance reform, and COUNTLESS other issues. When is the last time McCain pulled democrats to the conservative side of an issue? Sure, McCain has voted conservatively on some issues. But, the issues that McCain is most passionate about and has championed bills for are dramatically liberal. Every politician makes promises on the campaign trail, especially when pressured to get the support of a particular group, but we need to look at his record and tendencies in office.