George W. Bush, John McCain, and Barack Obama are three completely different politicians…

John McCain is the true bi-partisan candidate. If the American people are really desperate for a change from politics as usual, John McCain is the clear cut choice. The Obama campaign and the far left are trying desperately to portray John McCain as the same as George W. Bush. This is, of course, deception of the highest order!

Heck, the truth is many conservatives like myself wish John McCain was more like President Bush on some issues! Let’s just take a look at some of the hot button political topics that really fire people up and see where Bush, McCain, and Obama stand. On almost every issue there are three distinctly different views held by the three distinctly different men.

Fiscal Responsibility

John McCain is a true fighter against wasteful government spending. President Bush has been a huge spender; and many conservatives feel betrayed by his spending. McCain has made it one of his goals to eliminate earmarks and pork barrel spending. Under a McCain administration it seems likely that there will be a new era of fiscal responsibility and government accountability.

Barack Obama, however, believes in the same big government that has grown under President Bush. Under an Obama administration we will likely see a huge increase in both taxes and spending. Obama sounds ready to open up a giant “Government-Programs-R-Us Store” using taxpayer dollars to pay for everything under the sun! Get ready for big brother to start making your decisions for you if Obama wins.

The Environment

John McCain is a stark contrast to the Bush administration on environmental issues. To the annoyance of many conservatives, McCain is against drilling in ANWR and has voiced support for a cap and trade carbon emissions policy. This is very disturbing because it is a direct response to the man made climate change theory which seems based on junk science! McCain is not only is a staunch conservationist, he also believes fully in man made climate change. The economic implications of these views are not only bothersome but dangerous.

If you think Barack Obama is any better you had better hold your horses. He’s worse. Obama shares these same views as McCain only he would go even further to ensure the government takes away many of your freedoms in the name of this crusade fueled by wacky extreme environmentalists. Obama might try things like banning the ability to leave your car idling too long in the winter (hey it happened in Minneapolis) or outlawing SUVs or somehow attempting to control the way you set your home thermostat (his words not mine.)

The Right to Life

John McCain is OK with federal tax dollars going toward embryonic stem cell research, as is Barack Obama. This involves the process of creating life and then destroying life for medical research. This is a very disturbing position held by both McCain and Obama which is in contrast to President Bush. Bush has stood firmly in favor of protecting all human life. McCain is heralded as pro-life (and while he may be on most issues) this is not one of them. Obama on the other hand is downright pro-abortion. Obama has even spoken out against a ban on partial birth abortions!

The War in Iraq

John McCain advocated the successful surge strategy in Iraq before the Bush administration decided to go forward with it. McCain was also a very vocal critic of the Bush administration and their original Iraq strategy. While McCain understands that we have built a key ally in Iraq, for fighting against terror and tyranny in the middle east, Obama doesn’t grasp the concept and would instead abandon the region to utter chaos. Obama has said he’d gladly sit down for a face to face meeting with the leader of Iran (who has called for the elimination of Israel and the United State) but won’t visit Iraq! Obama’s foreign policy is very alarming.

Traditional Marriage

John McCain seems to be alright with civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. He has expressed that he believes they deserve the same benefits as married couples when it comes to taxes and other legal issues. While McCain says he’s against the term “gay marriage,” that may not be good enough for social conservatives. McCain is opposed to a federal amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. President Bush has been in favor of this. Bush correctly understands that activism from the bench and other political offices threaten to tear down the institution of traditional marriage, which is the bedrock of our civilization. John McCain is wishy washy on the whole matter. Barack Obama believes strongly in gay marriage and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was in favor of a constitutional amendment to protect it!

Illegal Immigration

This is the only issue where Bush, McCain, and Obama seem to all pretty much be in agreement! They all seem to advocate a pass for illegal immigrants already in the country by giving them a path to legal citizenship. This has left many Americans feeling disenfranchised. A good portion of the American population believes that illegal immigrants should be deported and have to wait in line like everyone else to apply to be a citizen of the United States.

As you can see, John McCain truly is middle of the road. He’s been labeled as a party maverick because he’s not really a Republican. He’s not really a Democrat either. He’s an independent. He’s much different from President Bush, and much different from your typical partisan politician. Barack Obama on the other hand is a far left Democrat who gives great speeches and tries to look moderate. Unfortunately, for him, he simply does not have the record to back up all his talk. Obama talks the talk, but he clearly hasn’t walked the walk. Conversely, John McCain has walked the middle of the road successfully. McCain really is the candidate of change from politics as usual.

While McCain is the bi-partisan candidate, it remains to be seen if this is attractive to the American people. McCain runs the danger of alienating conservatives who find him too liberal. McCain also runs the danger of falling victim to the outright lie by far left liberals in the media who label him as another Bush.

Most people agree that the majority of Americans are moderates. If that moderate majority turns out to vote, John McCain should win in a land slide. However, if the vote is comprised more of activists on the far left and far right, McCain will lose in a land side. That’s my theory at least.

There are two possible exceptions with this theory. One exception involves the moderate American public being tricked into believing that John McCain really is just like George W. Bush. Personally, I think American voters are smarter than that. The other exception involves the far right sucking it up and voting for John McCain simply because he’s not Barack Obama. The latter is a conundrum I debate internally on almost a daily basis.