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McCain, Clinton, Presidential Power, and Rule of Law

This is a very well-thought-out post about issues that transcend party affiliation.

So on a first order, one of the most important issues to me is effective pursuit of the war on terrorists, and keeping our freedom here and around the world. That I was about to write "aggressive pursuit," if anything, brings this next point into great relief:

I think it's reasonable to assume that John McCain would make the best commander-in-chief of the presidential candidates who were still viable as of Super Tuesday. The conservatives who disagree with this notion tend to be people who see some of McCain's opinions about the correct way to go about this (for example, his outspoken opposition to torture), and who go on to confuse bugs with features.

(The sharp expansion of executive power, the whole Guantanamo situation, and so on, are at best necessary evils, where the word "necessary" might be even more debatable than the word "evil.")

With the very notable exception of campaign finance reform*, of all the issues where McCain sharply disagrees with conservative orthodoxy, I have trouble thinking of one where he's the wrongheaded one. (Maybe immigration -- I think his heart's in the right place, but I think no bill at all is better than any reform bill I've seen to date.)

*- There's a good chance Brian disagrees, inasmuch as he's been a big fan in the past of Russ Feingold.

Posted by Matt Bruce at February 7, 2008 11:55 AM