March 3, 2008
America faces challenges today that are unlike any we have confronted in our history, and our nation will surely be confronted with many more tests during the term of our next president. It is times like these that call out for someone with the experience to know what is right and the courage to do what is difficult. That's why I am supporting John McCain for president.
By now, John McCain's incredible life story is well known. The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain himself entered the Naval Academy and went on to serve his nation for 22 years as a naval aviator.
During that time, he survived an accident on board the U.S.S. Forrestal when a missile misfired and struck his aircraft while he was in it. The accident cost the lives of 134 on board, and when McCain was given the option to go home he instead decided to continue serving his country by transferring to another aircraft carrier. Less than a month later, McCain was famously shot down over Hanoi and taken as a prisoner of war. McCain endured horrible beatings and torture.
When the North Vietnamese learned he was the son of a high ranking admiral, they attempted to score a propaganda victory by offering him immediate release. But McCain, conscious of the damage accepting such an offer would do to morale among his fellow inmates, refused the offer citing the Code of Conduct principle of "first in, first out." As a result of his courageous stand, McCain would endure another five years in captivity.
John McCain is a man of uncommon valor and character --
a hero in the truest sense of the word. And during his public life John has
regularly demonstrated willingness, even eagerness, to speak the difficult
truths and do the hard things. We may not always agree with his stands, but one
cannot argue his intentions are anything except to do what he believes is best
for the country he has sacrificed so much to serve.
During his recent visit to Vermont, Sen. McCain spoke passionately about some of the difficult issues he will tackle as president. He pledged to end out-of-control spending by vetoing any bill with an earmarked, pork-barrel project. When he makes such a pledge, Vermonters can have confidence he will keep it because he does not make a habit of promising more than he is willing to deliver.
Sen. McCain also highlighted his commitment to confronting the challenge of climate change. We applaud his stand both because it will help reduce environmentally harmful greenhouse gases and because the green technologies he supports will aid Vermont's economy while reducing America's dependence on foreign oil from dangerous lands.
While we may not agree with Sen. McCain on every issue, we know he says what he means and means what he says. He is unafraid to work across party lines for the good of the country, just as we have sought to put progress over partisanship here in Vermont. He stands on principle, but understands that debate must be based in mutual respect.
Our next president must be prepared to deal with an orderly transition out of war, an economic slowdown, an entitlement system that must be reformed and saved for future generations, a country that has too often been divided against itself for political gain, and a federal government that has lost sight of its responsibility to the people. John McCain is uniquely prepared to address the challenges based on his experience and character. We urge Republican primary voters to support him on Tuesday, March 4.
Jim Douglas of Middlebury, a Republican, is governor of Vermont.
No comments:
Post a Comment