Polk County Democrat (FL): McCain Is GOP's Clear Choice; Democrats Don't Want Florida's Input

Editorial

On Jan. 29, Floridians will go to the polls to express their preferences for the Democratic and Republican nominees for president, and to decide the fate of a tax reform amendment to the Florida Constitution.

The Democratic party has turned a deaf ear to Florida; the Republican party will listen with only one ear.

Only on the issue of the amendment will every vote count. We previously have taken the editorial position that the tax reform amendment would create two classes of property taxpayers, based on how long they have owned their homes.

While the amendment is not all bad, we think the voters should reject it and insist that the Legislature do a better job.

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The Democratic Party will not seat a Florida delegation at its nominating convention. Peeved because Florida set the date of its own presidential primary election instead of allowing the party pros to do it, the party has said that Florida's votes simply won't count.

None of the three major candidates particularly appeals to us, but normally we would make an endorsement of one of them.

However, since the Democratic party has made it clear that it doesn't care who Floridians want to see as their nominee, and has threatened to punish any candidate who is so brazen as to campaign in Florida, we will accede to the party's leaders.

We make no recommendation, and would not blame any Democrats who choose to vote for or against the property tax amendment and to ignore the three candidates in the knowledge that their vote won't count anyway.

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The GOP also is mad at Florida, but only half as mad as the Democrats. Florida will have half its usual number of delegates at the Republican nominating convention.

The Republicans have fielded a worthy group of candidates (and some who are not so worthy). They all have conservative credentials, and most have some degree of leadership on their political resumés.

One stands out as having all of these plus strength of moral and political character that sets him apart in the group.

John McCain.

A decorated combat veteran and a former prisoner of war, McCain has an understanding of what is at stake in international relations and military affairs. He has served on Senatorial committees in both areas.

While the Democratic candidates speak only of pulling our troops out of Iraq, McCain adds that first we must win the war. We do not need another defeat like Vietnam, not even one wrapped in a Nixonian phrase like “peace with honor.”

But McCain also calls “water boarding” what it is: torture. It is a tactic unworthy of America, and one that could be used by future enemies to justify their own mistreatment of our soldiers.

McCain had the political courage to support the “surge” in Iraq at a time when it had become politically popular to abandon our troops and write off their losses of life and limb.

McCain has shown himself not to be a Republican ideologue, but a thinking conservative who makes his own decisions without a pollster at one elbow and a spinmeister at the other.

We endorse John McCain's candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.

Give Senator John McCain The S.C. Victory He Deserves By Editorial, Charleston Post and Courier (SC)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Eight years ago we urged voters in South Carolina's Republican presidential primary to support John McCain. His record since then has left us even more convinced that the Arizona senator should be the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.

Not only has the senator continued to live up to the "straight talk" theme of both campaigns, he has provided the country with positive leadership in critical areas. Well known for an independent streak that has led to deviations from the party line,

John McCain mainly reflects mainstream conservative
values, as evidenced by his calls for less government regulation and a reduction
of federal spending, his opposition to tax hikes, his advocacy of Social
Security and Medicare reform, his push for an overhaul of the tax code, and his
support for a strong defense.

It is in the latter area that the senator, a former Naval aviator who survived more than five years in captivity in Vietnam, where he suffered physical and mental torture, has been the most effective. His was the knowledgeable voice that got the administration's and nation's attention when he spoke out on what was going wrong with the war in Iraq. He also was among the earliest and most steadfast supporters of Gen. David Petraeus' successful 'surge' strategy.

Never one to duck the tough issues, Sen. McCain has taken the lead on a reasonable solution to the illegal immigration dilemma, which he described to us in a recent interview as one of the most heartfelt emotional issues he has dealt with in his 26 years in Congress. His state is among the most adversely impacted, and he knows better than most the need to secure the borders before any new reform legislation goes into effect. He believes the failure to seal the borders as promised in connection with the discredited 1986 immigrant reform effort is at the root of much of the current public frustration.

While political hay can be made by calling for the blanket deportation of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in this country, that's unrealistic. The senator's more sensible approach calls for deporting the estimated 2 million who have committed crimes while in this country. The remaining 10 million would be punished through fines, required to learn English and to get in line for citizenship behind all others who are here legally. He makes the irrefutable point that it is the federal government's failure to act that is giving the illegal immigrants de facto amnesty.

The McCain spur to congressional action on immigration and other critical issues would be the power of presidential persuasion coupled with his willingness to use his bully pulpit to "call the names" of those who refuse to come to the table. He would preface negotiations, he said, by offering to give all the credit to those willing to work toward a solution. "Politicians," he reminded us, "crave approval." He's also ready to play tough with those who refuse to cooperate by "telling the American people" who "won't sit down with me." That's the kind of straight talk a lot of politicians in Washington would be loath for their constituents to hear.

In fact, the senator clearly feels regular communication with the American people has been sorely lacking. He pledges press conferences at least once every two weeks and also said he would go on television once a week — even if only C-SPAN would cover it — to update the American people "on what's happened where our young people are in harm's way."

In terms of national defense, what he describes as the 'war against radical extremism' would never be far from his thoughts. While he believes al-Qaida is on the run, "it is by no means defeated," and Iraq will continue to be the central battleground. He is encouraged by signs that there is an increased recognition around the world about the nature of the struggle, and he is well equipped to make America's case in the international arena. Certainly as the victim of vicious torture at the hands of the enemy, there is no one more credible to reassure this country and the world "that we will never torture another person in American custody."

He has equal credibility on the domestic side, particularly for his opposition to wasteful spending in general and, specifically, such hot-button, pork-barrel earmarks as a $230 million Alaskan "bridge to nowhere."

The senator notes that he has never asked for an
earmark for his state in all his years in Congress and rightly believes that
public disenchantment with his party is due to the level of pork-barrel spending
that occurred on the Republican watch. He pledges to veto every single piece of
legislation that contains an earmark.

What's more, he will make sure the American public knows about such earmarks as the $3 million allocation to study the DNA of bears in Montana and promises to do so with a bit of "good natured" chiding, much in the style of his mentor, Ronald Reagan. We could use more of that kind of humor in Washington.

The 71-year-old senator's also willing to poke a little fun at himself, momentarily pretending to doze off, for example, when the media ask age-related questions, including whether he would be too old to withstand the rigors of being president. In a serious vein he points to the energy level he has displayed during the debates and campaign, noting that age questions should be balanced with those of judgment and experience.

He notes that in the eight years since he first ran, America has been attacked and currently is engaged in two wars. He rightly points out that this is no time for "on the job training."

John McCain correctly gauges the nation's thirst for a problem solver who can cross party lines. He points to Sen. Joe Lieberman's endorsement of him in New Hampshire on national security issues, despite differences on domestic issues, as a "singular" moment in that campaign and as evidence of his ability to attract independent and Democratic votes.

On Saturday, South Carolina voters will once more have the chance to give him the boost he needs to be the Republican nominee in November. Of all the contenders in that primary, he has the best chance of forming bipartisan coalitions to solve this nation's domestic problems and the most credibility and experience in international affairs.

For the good of the country, give tried and trustworthy
Sen. John McCain the chance to be president with a much-deserved S.C. Republican
primary victory.

Please click here to read the Charleston Post and Courier endorse John McCain for president.

Senator Is GOP's Best Hope Of Keeping The Presidency - The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC

Posted on Wed, Jan. 16, 2008

S.C. voters who want the president who replaces George W. Bush next January to be a Republican have little option but to support Sen. John McCain in Saturday's S.C. GOP primary.

The gentleman has broad appeal to the independent voters who decide every presidential election. For that reason, he well may be the only Republican candidate who could win in November, bucking the national pro-Democratic tide wrought by the failures of the Bush administration and the previous Republican Congresses.

More important, McCain, R-Ariz., would be a competent president. He understands that America must root its foreign policy in robust diplomacy and vigorous, well-trained, well-deployed military forces. He understands that federal spending restraint is the key to relieving the economic misery of the American middle class, that massive new open-ended entitlement programs would be a mistake. And he knows how to work across party lines to forge compromises that work well for the American people. He could be successful from Day 1 in office.

The other Republican candidates would have difficulty prevailing in a general election and, presidentially speaking, are unknown quantities.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has strong values credentials and experience as a government chief executive. But vigorous pursuit of his economic policy - scrapping the income tax for a national sales tax - would divert political energy away from the more pressing need: reining in spending to fend off recession, reduce the deficit and ease pressure for tax increases. And why gamble that Huckabee could overcome his lack of foreign-policy knowledge?

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney grounds his case for the presidency in business acumen. But his shift in position on values issues such as gay marriage and abortion could haunt him - and the GOP - in the general election campaign. And as with Huckabee, his lack of foreign policy experience invites dangerous missteps.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani advocates the same neoconservative foreign policy positions that made such a hash of the Iraq war. And while his executive experience as mayor could translate into a talent for federal administration, he seems, at times, politically inept. He has, in effect, made himself a nonstarter.

Former Tennessee Sen. and TV actor Fred Thompson says the things conservatives love to hear. But it's hard to see how he could connect with enough voters to win the presidency - and hard to imagine how he would comport himself as president.

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is so far outside the modern Republican mainstream that he's virtually unelectable. And an unlikely Paul presidency could be disastrous if the gentleman is really serious about returning to the pre-World War II isolationist conservative foreign policy of old. In a globalist world, America has no choice but be globally engaged - though not in wars of uncertain outcome.

S.C. voters were unkind to McCain in his 2000 presidential run. This time, they can - and should - anoint him the Republican establishment candidate, in hope that GOP voters in the big states holding primaries Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 will cement the deal. McCain represents their best hope of retaining the presidency and retaining a sane political balance in Washington.

He earns The Sun News
recommendation.

Former Michigan Governor William Milliken Endorses John McCain For President

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken has endorsed John McCain for president.

"I have long admired Senator McCain for his straight
talk and service to the country,"

said Governor Milliken.

"There's a real sense of integrity in
the firm positions he takes, even though they are not always popular. I don't
agree with him on all issues, but I like his well-earned reputation of saying
what he means, and meaning what he says."

John McCain thanked Governor Milliken for his support, stating, "Governor Milliken is among the most honorable and decent people to serve the great state of Michigan. I admire his service and am grateful for his support."

William G. Milliken served as Michigan's 44th and longest-serving governor from 1969 to 1982. From 1963 to 1969, Milliken served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor George Romney.

South Carolina's Largest Paper Endorses JOHN McCAIN for President!

The State (SC): John McCain Clearly The Best In GOP Primary

By Editorial, The State

January 12, 2008

FOR SOUTH CAROLINA, and to some extent for the nation, the choice among Republican candidates for president has come down to two men.
More Endorsements

First Rudy Giuliani, then Mitt Romney looked at political realities and fled the Palmetto State, deciding their priorities lay elsewhere. Fred Thompson seems to be running in this first-in-the-South primary just to say he did. Ron Paul keeps on being Ron Paul, former nominee of the Libertarian Party.

The two remaining contenders here happen to be the two strongest candidates - Mike Huckabee and John McCain. Gov. Huckabee is an exciting newcomer who shows a wonderful ability to connect with voters' concerns, and Republicans could do far worse than to choose him. But his utter lack of knowledge of foreign affairs is unsettling.

It's not just about Iraq and Afghanistan. As freshly demonstrated by the incident involving U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz last week and the assassination earlier of the opposition leader in the world's most volatile democracy (which possesses nuclear weapons, and shelters Osama bin Laden), our commander in chief will need a far broader and deeper understanding of our relationship to the world than on-the-job training can adequately provide.

Clearly, the best Republican candidate to lead our
nation at this time is U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona. He has the necessary
experience, not just in time served, but in the quality of understanding he
exhibits across the board.

The value of his experience is multiplied by his integrity and independence. He is a slave to no ideology or faction. Not only will he work with anyone who wants to do the right thing anytime, he is usually the driving force at the head of coalitions to get the job done - from the Gang of 14 that broke Senate gridlock and paved the way for the confirmation of conservative judges to his principled leadership on campaign finance reform. He knew the political risk he took leading the quest for a comprehensive solution to illegal immigration, but he believed securing our borders was too important a priority not to try.

He is deeply respected by his colleagues in both parties, despite the fact that, as he jokes, he has never sought the "Miss Congeniality" title. No one is as likely as he to fight, expose and defeat waste, fraud or corruption.

Experience, certainly. Integrity, even more so. But John McCain's
most conspicuous virtue is courage. He is a brave and tough man who unlike some
candidates has no need to bluster, but is able to speak with humility and
generosity to those with whom he disagrees. A McCain presidency would do much to
restore confidence in American leadership, at home and abroad.

There is of course the extraordinary physical and moral courage that he displayed as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he withstood nightmarish torture for years rather than let his country or his comrades down. But he also possesses the kind of political fortitude that keeps him from giving up on any worthwhile quest. He evinces a wisdom born in pain, a confidence earned in many battles. When others despair, John McCain knows he has seen worse, and keeps striding forward.
For much of the past year, his candidacy was dismissed, his support depleted, his coffers empty. He kept on, and gradually won the doubters back to his cause.

More to the point, consider the wisdom and courage he has displayed with regard to our nation's struggle in Iraq. For four years, he was nearly alone in his insistent criticism of the Bush administration for sending too few troops to quell the violence. When the president finally adopted the McCain approach a year ago, the senator lent Gen. David Petraeus his unwavering support at a time when so many in both major parties either thought he was wrong, or simply lacked the courage to stand with him. He was right all along.

John McCain has shown more clearly than anyone on the American political scene today that he loves his country, and would never mislead or dishonor it. He is almost unique in his determination to do what is right, whatever the cost. And he usually has a clear vision of what's right.

So it is that we confidently and
enthusiastically endorse John McCain for the Republican nomination for president
of the United States.

Please click here to read the endorsement in The State.

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New Hampshire Union-Leader

McCain Has Earned Chance To Lead Nation from the Times-Herald (MI):

Senator outshines rest of GOP field

January 13, 2008

Michigan has taken considerable heat for Tuesday's presidential primary. Its early date puts it at odds with the Democratic and Republican national committees. Both say the election violates their rules.
More Endorsements

Nevertheless, the primary's Republican race has emerged as an important battleground. The three leading contenders - former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Massachusetts governor and Michigan native Mitt Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain are fighting for a win in Michigan. McCain is the one who deserves the victory.

The state's voters gave McCain a stunning victory eight years ago. There are strong reasons to do so again.

In a field of capable candidates,
McCain shines. That is especially true in his stance on Iraq.
Americans are
divided over the nation's involvement there, and there are growing calls to
withdraw our troops. Although reasons for the U.S-led invasion of 2003 continue
to fire that debate, the truth is America has an obligation to ensure Iraq's
government can stand on its own.
McCain has clearly stated more U.S. troops
are needed to stabilize Iraq. It's a contention he's made throughout the war -a
position that challenged the Bush administration.

Last year's surge in U.S. troop strength is beginning to see a reduction in violence. Warning that al-Qaida and other insurgents are on the run, McCain also stresses the importance of a counter-insurgency strategy to protect Iraqi citizens.

For much of his career, McCain has stood by what he believes, no matter how unpopular. He opposed GOP tax cuts in 2001 and 2003. He co-authored historic campaign-finance-reform legislation with Democrat Sen. Russ Feingold.

In Michigan, battered with an ailing economy and a shrinking auto industry, McCain said some of the state's lost manufacturing jobs won't return. Michigan, and the nation, he said, must take up the challenge of creating new jobs and new industries.

McCain pointed to Michigan's wealth of research and development resources and its colleges and universities as the hope for economic growth. Community colleges should play a greater role in retraining displaced workers with marketable skills.

Unfortunately, Michigan's Democratic race is fraught with obstacles. Although the national contest has boiled down to three leading candidates - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards - Obama and Edwards bowed to Democratic Party pressure and removed their names from the state's primary ballot.

Despite the national party's exclusion of Michigan's 156 delegates from this summer's convention and that voters cannot write in their favorite candidates, the Times Herald still sought to offer an endorsement. The newspaper's editorial board and its editors were unable to reach a consensus on any candidate.

Read the Times-Herald online here.

Heavy Hitters From Reagan Era Back Senator By Jennifer Harper, Washington Times

Article Excerpt:

Lawrence Eagleburger, George P. Shultz, Marlin Fitzwater, Robert Mosbacher, Alexander M. Haig Jr., Margaret Tutwiler, Gen. P.X. Kelley, Dan Coats — the list is weighty with stalwarts from another political era.

The Reagan era, that is.

There are 93 self-proclaimed "Reagan alumni" who worked for the former president and who now insist that Sen. John McCain of Arizona has compelling Gipper-esque qualities and is the sole candidate who could unite a fractious Republican Party.

"There has been some back and forth about which of the Republican candidates was most like Ronald Reagan. An unusual number of Reagan administration alumni began to look to John McCain. In Congress, he led the fight to limit government, lower taxes, cut spending and keep families strong," said Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., who served as White House counsel from 1987 to 1989 and is now chairman of the law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP.

"McCain also doesn't have a sense of entitlement. He's motivated by obligation. Like Reagan did, he sees government service as an honor and a privilege," Mr. Culvahouse said.

"I think Reagan would have agreed with McCain that we must win in Iraq. Both of them had long-held beliefs that were not negotiable," he added. "John McCain is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, independents and conservative Democrats needed to defeat the Democratic nominee."

Washington Times: Heavy Hitters From Reagan Era Back Senator.

Read the entire article here.

Romney's Hometown Paper Endorses JOHN McCAIN!!!!

The Detroit News

The new year begins with the nation on the doorstep of political transition. We look with keen anticipation toward a pragmatic presidency that will set a course of national purpose and prosperity, a presidency that will restore the government’s financial discipline and revive America’s effectiveness on the global stage.


The successor to George W. Bush will face challenges domestic and foreign that will demand thoughtful and inspired leadership. Michigan’s economic disorder looms largest among our concerns, complicated by international trends that have diminished the vitality of our industrial base. It matters much to this state who occupies the White House.


Iowa kicks off the presidential nomination process this evening, but Michigan’s place on the primary calendar is just around the corner, Jan. 15. We would like to have made endorsements in both party contests, but many of the Democratic candidates have chosen to skip Michigan, leaving us to focus on the Republican race.


The presidential candidates must be judged by the task at hand. America needs a president who can answer the terrorist threat without destroying civil liberties; who can press the war on terror without alienating vital allies; who understands that cutting taxes to stimulate the economy works only when spending is brought under control as well, and who recognizes that the moment is at hand to subjugate partisan ideologies to solve the nation’s most nettlesome problems — immigration issues, health finances, entitlement pressures and environmental concerns among them.

On the Republican side, we believe Arizona Sen. John McCain is the
candidate who is best qualified to lead the nation.

Other GOP contenders, most notably former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, are capable figures with impressive resumes and a solid grasp of the issues. But McCain’s longtime presidential ambitions are at last aligned with the needs of the nation.


On the Iraq War, McCain was proven right in his warnings that America was deploying too few troops to keep order after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. He was against the Rumsfeld strategy before it was cool, pressing repeatedly for more troops. The president finally agreed, and the early results are encouraging.


McCain would strengthen and restructure the military to meet the unique needs of the war on terrorism. He would stand strong against tyrants who threaten U.S. interests, while using all possible diplomacy to avoid conflict.


He has broad appeal to the middle of the electorate, offering hope that the bitter partisan divisions that dominate Washington would diminish under a McCain presidency. He is a conservative who has worked across the aisle throughout his career to push for common-sense solutions — most recently with pragmatic approaches to immigration and global warming.
Many Iowa Republicans have embraced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who carries the most conservative credentials on social policy. But compared with McCain, his resume is practically silent on national security and economic affairs where a president must be most active. We doubt he would have broad appeal among the general electorate.


For McCain to prevail, his candidacy will need to find footing in New Hampshire and Michigan, where he won in 2000. We think he is best positioned among the Republicans to prevail in a general election that will be decided by middle-of-the-road independents. And for good reason. He won’t hesitate to forge the alliances necessary to overcome congressional paralysis.


No matter whose ox is being gored, John McCain puts the country first. He is the leading critic of congressional earmarks to fund pork-barrel projects. He has co-sponsored campaign reforms to slow the influence of money in politics. He will use the veto pen if necessary to curb the growth of the federal government (nearly 50 percent during the past seven years).


The latest federal budget included more than 11,000 earmark projects worth roughly $20 billion — or 12 times the number of earmarks in the 1996 budget. It will take a strong advocate for fiscal discipline in the White House to get spending under control. McCain has the experience to know when the economy needs a helping hand from the government, and when it would be better off without tinkering. Unlike Huckabee, he would not be tempted to respond to an economic bump with populist solutions that do more harm than good.


McCain is already a respected national leader with a strong grasp of foreign and military affairs. He would be well received on the international stage where his experience and judgment would fortify American leadership.


As mentioned, we see Romney as an appealing candidate with considerable depth on key issues. He has Michigan roots and the best understanding of the automotive industry of any candidate. He brings an analytical bent and a business executive’s tools to politics, admirable traits that would bring advantage to governing.


Unfortunately, Romney hasn’t campaigned hard enough on those strengths. Instead, he has panted after the GOP’s most conservative values voters, taking hard-line stands on gay marriage and abortion in conflict to his earlier positions as governor of Massachusetts. The result is that many voters will wonder if they’re seeing the real Romney.


McCain doesn’t have an identity problem. In Iowa, while other candidates pay homage to the ethanol economy, McCain has stuck to his opposition to massive ethanol subsidies. He has also stood firmly for expanding troop levels in Iraq, even though it has cost him the support of some of the independent voters who backed his run in 2000.


McCain is hoping for a surprise showing in Iowa, though the pre-caucus polls showed him far behind Romney or Huckabee there. As we said, we had anticipated endorsing a candidate in the Democratic primary as well. But the Democratic boycott of Michigan in laughable deference to Iowa and New Hampshire makes that primary a meaningless cakewalk for Sen. Hillary Clinton (who at least had the spunk to put her name on the ballot).

So Michigan’s Jan. 15 competition will be all about
Republicans. And in that primary, we endorse Arizona Sen. John McCain with
enthusiasm.

Dan Nowicki from 'McCain Central' has more on this story

Nashua Telegraph: McCain Our Choice For GOP Nomination

The McCain Campaign is on a HUGE ROLL!!!

By Editorial, Nashua Telegraph

December 30, 2007
Editorial

Article Excerpts

Eight years ago, when he was running as a political maverick against Republican establishment candidate George W. Bush, we endorsed John McCain for the GOP nomination for president of the United States.

We did so because of his integrity.

We did so because of his leadership.

We did so because of his forthrightness and his refusal to pander to voters by telling them what they wanted to hear.

A lot of things have changed in this country during these last eight years, starting with the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, which resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans and led to the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

But not everything has changed. McCain is here once again, crisscrossing the Granite State in his Straight Talk Express tour bus, displaying the same integrity, vision and, yes, straight talk that marked his earlier, unsuccessful run for the presidency.

Oh, and one more thing hasn't changed: our support.

Today, we endorse John McCain for
the Republican nomination for president. At a time when some candidates present
themselves to voters as something they haven't always been, we find the Arizona
senator to be the genuine article. You might not always agree with his answers,
but you won't leave a conversation wondering where he stands.

That fire-in-the-belly response should come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the senator's remarkable pre-congressional career. Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Twenty-two years in the U.S. Navy, interrupted by 5-1/2 years of grueling captivity as a prisoner of war after being shot down in his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam in October 1967. Recipient of the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous service to his country.

John McCain not only has earned our gratitude for his meritorious service to his country, but once again our endorsement for the Republican nomination.

Read the entire editorial from the Nashua Telegraph

Concord Monitor: Republicans' Best Choice Is John McCain

By Editorial, Concord Monitor

December 29, 2007

Editorial

Article Excerpts


Like the gyroscopes that keep ships and planes on course, firm principles and a profound sense of honor guide Sen. John McCain. He learns from his mistakes, but he does not abandon long-held beliefs, even when his stands could cost him the presidency.

McCain's willingness to break with his party on issues like climate change and immigration, his honesty and his refusal to pander make him the Monitor's choice in the Jan. 8 Republican presidential primary.

Last summer in Concord, with his campaign broke and his unwavering support for the war in Iraq costing him politically, McCain said he would rather lose the presidential race than lose the war. No one in the room doubted that he meant exactly what he said. Since then, he has earned the support of New Hampshire voters by attending town meeting after town meeting, where he has invited tough questions and answered them.

We do not agree with McCain on every issue. We doubted the wisdom of committing more American troops to a surge in Iraq, yet events may prove McCain right. Either way, we are secure in the knowledge that in coming to his decision, McCain put the well-being of the nation and the troops above all else.

As a soldier and a senator, McCain has
proven that he can lead. His legislative history demonstrates his willingness to
work in a bipartisan manner to achieve common ends. And because he has paid the
price of war, he more than the other candidates can gauge whether putting troops
in harm's way is worth the consequences.

Earlier in the campaign, when McCain was being counted out, a consultant might have urged a makeover: Lose the moral compass on torture and immigration, ditch the vision for a turnaround in Iraq.

Not a chance. John McCain held on to his principles and defended them with dignity.
New Hampshire residents who vote in the Republican primary should reward that integrity with their votes.

Read the entire editorial from the Concord Monitor

Quad City Times GOP caucus endorsement: John McCain -- Time for a real hero

By Quad-City Times Sunday, December 23, 2007


John McCain’s “Straight Talk Express” plows through where other Republicans steer clear.

Mitt Romney addresses the deficit by exhorting Republicans to “stop acting like Democrats.” McCain doesn’t resort to name calling.

He sets it straight: “Republicans lost the last election, not because of Iraq ...” he told a crowd in Davenport. “We lost it because of spending... We presided over the largest increase in government since the Great Society.”

Rudy Giuliani hedges on torture and seeks definitions of waterboarding. McCain clearly says “no” to torture.

Fred Thompson jokes about alien SUVs when asked about global warming. McCain says he’s seen the evidence of climate change on trips to both poles.

For those who choose to ignore science, McCain offers this compelling, bipartisan appeal: We owe our children a better planet.

On immigration and campaign finance reform, McCain talks like a problem solver, not an idealogue.

His faith, he has said repeatedly, is a matter between him and his maker. Look for evidence of it in his actions, not campaign speeches.Those rambling, stream-of-consciousness speeches won’t win a rhetoric prize. They simply offer clear insight into a leader whose life experiences, personally, politically and heroically, have tested his mettle for the nation’s top job.

We disagree with the senator’s stance on the war. We believe he’d be wrong to pull ethanol subsidies, at least right away. But at this critical point in history, America can benefit from an honorable man with a hero’s record.

He’s survived tough opposition and deplorable campaign tactics, particularly some from his own party. Yet he’s never taken the bait.

For Iowa’s Republican caucuses, we support John McCain.

Boston Herald: McCain's The One

December 21, 2007


There are times in this nation's history so perilous that they cry out for a steady, experienced leader, a person so trusted that we would put the fate of this country in his hands.


This is one of those times, and Sen. John McCain is that person.


He has a brand of courage that is rare in the public arena these days - a courage forged in part by those years spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and in part by more than two decades of fighting for what he believes in on the floor of the U.S. Senate.


In an age when too many candidates are driven by polls and focus groups, fashioning and re-fashioning their "core" beliefs, McCain is a man of unwavering conviction and integrity. His values, his beliefs, his goals are what they were when he first entered public life, what they were in 2000 and what they will be a decade from now.


And those goals include a safe and secure America, a country that is respected around the world for honoring its commitments, for encouraging and respecting the rule of law whether in Baghdad or Guantanamo Bay.


During a meeting with Herald editors and reporters Wednesday McCain was accompanied by James Woolsey, a man who has served in two Republican and two Democratic administrations, including a stint as CIA director under President Clinton. If Woolsey's presence was designed to send a message - well, message received, at a number of levels. Yes, McCain is well regarded by those who share his commitment to national security. And, yes again, there are those who operate above the partisan fray.


The two men were passionately critical of the latest National Intelligence Estimates that downplayed the danger of a nuclear Iran.


"It's not up to the intelligence community to make policy," McCain said, adding that their conclusions about Iran's future nuclear capability is "not substaniated by the facts on the ground."


The war in Iraq has, of course, loomed large both in the national consciousness and as a campaign issue. McCain knew that the administration's early military strategy was not enough to get the job done. And he was among the first to sign on to this year's troop surge as devised by Gen. David Petraeus.

"John Edwards used to call it 'the McCain surge.'
He doesn't anymore,"

McCain said.

"Al-Qaeda isn't defeated in Iraq, but it's on the run."

But John McCain's expertise doesn't begin and end with national security. He is now a firm believer in the power of tax cuts as a driver of the economy. He saw the Bush tax cuts work and vows to make them permanent. He also supports an end to the alternative minimum tax, which has managed to snare far too many middle class families in its unindexed grip. This week the Congress moved to increase the exemption for the middle class, but that's merely a one-year fix.


McCain's name, of course, is also synonymous with immigration reform - the kind of real reform that will both safeguard our borders and provide a path to citizenship - not amnesty - for the 12 million illegal aliens who now live among us. The senator freely acknowledges that his support for immigration reform threatened to jettison his presidential candidacy.


"What we miscalculated was the total mistrust in government," McCain told the Herald. "They didn't believe we could secure the borders." But this isn't 1986. The technology has changed. But more than that, it takes commitment. A McCain administration would have that commitment.
On immigration reform, on tax reform, on campaign reform McCain has proven time and time again that he has the ability to reach across that increasingly wide partisan divide and make things happen.


This week Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who was himself on the Democratic presidential ticket in 2000, took the unprecedented step of endorsing McCain in the upcoming Republican primaries. He did so with these words:

"In this critical election, no one should let party
lines be a barrier to choosing the person we believe is best qualified to lead
our nation forward. The problems that confront us are too great, the threats we
face too real, and the opportunities we have too exciting for us to play
partisan politics with the presidency."

The Boston Herald agrees. And so this newspaper too will break with its decades-old tradition of endorsing candidates in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. In doing so we also address our words particularly to those millions of independent voters here, in New Hampshire and around the nation who can choose to cast their ballot in either party primary.


The choice this year is indeed clear. John McCain should be the next president of the United States and the Boston Herald is proud to endorse his candidacy.

Source is Boston Herald.

Dr. Henry Kissinger Endorses Sen. John McCain Yesterday in Boston!

Lieberman to Cross Aisle to Endorse McCain - By Chris Cillizza - The Washington Post

Sunday December 16, 2007


Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.), the 2000 Democratic vice-presidential nominee who currently lists his party affiliation as "Independent Democrat," will break party ranks tomorrow to endorse Sen. John McCain's presidential bid, according to sources close to the Arizona Republican.

The announcement will be made Monday in New Hampshire where Lieberman's moderate credentials may well help convince influential independent voters to support McCain.

"Obviously it helps us with Independents in New Hampshire" said a McCain source familiar with the endorsement. "But the real reason Lieberman is endorsing McCain is because he believes that John is the best candidate on issues of national security and the candidate most prepared to fight war against radical Islamic extremists."

McCain and Lieberman have been close friends for years and have emerged over the last several years as two of the most outspoken proponents of the war in Iraq. Lieberman's support for the war cost him his party's Senate nomination in 2006 as anti-war forces from across the country rallied behind businessman Ned Lamont to oust him. Unbowed, Lieberman ran and won as an independent for re-election.

"McCain has always been loyal to him and went to bat for him in his reelection campaign," said one senior McCain adviser. "There is no doubt that he is more closely aligned to McCain than anyone running for President."


While Lieberman has grown less and less popular within Democratic ranks, he remains a respected figure among moderate and unaligned voters.

That constituency is crucial in New Hampshire as unaffiliated voters, who can vote in either party's primary on Jan. 8, make up roughly 40 percent of the Granite State electorate.


The Lieberman endorsement is the latest in a string of successes for McCain. Over the weekend, the Des Moines Register and Boston Globe editorial boards endorsed his presidential bid.

Breaking News: JOHN McCAIN Endorsed by the Boston Globe & Des Moines Register Newspapers for the GOP Nomination for President 2008!

This Just In:

The Boston Globe & The Des Moines Register Newspapers have endorsed Sen. JOHN McCAIN in his bid for the Republican nomination for President in 2008.

This is HUGE as each is the leading newspaper in MA & Iowa, two of the first primaries/caucuses in the 2008 Primary season.

Here are the endorsements:

December 16, 2007

CONVENTIONAL wisdom among political handlers used to hold that a candidate needed to capture the political center. The last two presidential campaigns proved that wrong. The Republicans scraped out victories by pressing just enough buttons and mobilizing just enough voters. But such wins breed political polarization and deprive a president of the political capital needed to ask Americans to sacrifice in difficult times.
more stories like this


The antidote to such a toxic political approach is John McCain. The iconoclastic senator from Arizona has earned his reputation for straight talk by actually leveling with voters, even at significant political expense. The Globe endorses his bid in the New Hampshire Republican primary.

McCain is a conservative whose views differ from those of this editorial page in a variety of ways. He opposes abortion rights. At least in the current election cycle, he has shown no particular quarrel with his party's knee-jerk view of tax cuts as the cure to the nation's economic problems.

Also unlike this page, McCain has strongly supported the current war in Iraq, including the troop surge. Yet the Arizona senator has never been an uncritical booster of President Bush's policies. Early on, he accurately predicted that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wasn't sending enough troops to maintain order after Saddam Hussein fell.

Today, he straightforwardly acknowledges the fragility of the Iraqi government and the corruption that pervades that country. He understands that US failures in Iraq, along with President Bush's torpid response to Hurricane Katrina, have damaged the nation's credibility abroad and at home.

McCain's honesty has served him well on other issues. As a longtime public official from a border state, he recognizes that illegal immigration is a complex problem - for which better border control is only part of the solution. His thoughtful stance may be a tough sell politically at a time when many Republicans (and many Democrats) are anxious about the number of people living and working in the United States illegally. But his opponents' get-tough poses are unlikely to close the gap between immigration law and immigration practice; McCain's comprehensive approach is far more likely to bring the two back in line.

One of McCain's great virtues is his willingness to acknowledge unpleasant realities. McCain sees that special interests with money to throw around have an undue influence over the electoral process and public policy, that the planet is getting warmer because of human activities, that interrogating a suspect by pretending to drown him is a form of torture. To the consternation of many of his fellow Republicans, McCain has pushed for serious reform legislation in all three areas.

In 2000, McCain's insurgent candidacy almost succeeded in stopping the George W. Bush juggernaut. This time around, McCain is running further back in the pack of candidates. Yet Republican voters in New Hampshire would be wise to consider this: Of all the party's candidates, McCain has the greatest potential appeal to independent voters.

The Arizona senator is running for president at a treacherous time. Iraq is in flames. The economy is weak. American voters are worried about their futures, and about their government's ability to enforce its own laws. A general election campaign with John McCain in it is more likely to turn on substance, not demagoguery.

As a lawmaker and as a candidate, McCain has done more than his share to transcend partisanship and promote an honest discussion of the problems facing the United States. He deserves the opportunity to represent his party in November's election.

December 15, 2007

Yet, for all their accomplishments on smaller stages, none can offer the tested leadership, in matters foreign and domestic, of Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

McCain is most ready to lead America in a complex and dangerous world and to rebuild trust at home and abroad by inspiring confidence in his leadership.

In an era of instant celebrity, we sometimes forget the real heroes in our midst. The defining chapter of McCain's life came 40 years ago as a naval aviator, when he was shot down over Vietnam. The crash broke both arms and a leg. When first seeing him, a fellow prisoner recalls thinking he wouldn't live the night. He was beaten and kept in solitary confinement, held 5 years. He could have talked. He did not. Son of a prominent Navy admiral, he could have gained early release. He refused.

The one-time playboy emerged from prison a changed, more serious man. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 and the Senate in 1986, he has built an unconventional political career by taking stands based on principle, not party dogma, and frequently pursuing bipartisanship.

His first term was touched by scandal when the Senate rebuked him for meeting with savings-and-loan regulators on behalf of campaign donor Charles Keating Jr., who was later imprisoned. That ordeal steered him into championing government transparency and battling alongside Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold for the campaign-finance-reform bill that bears their names.

Time after time, McCain has stuck to his beliefs in the face of opposition from other elected leaders and the public. He has criticized crop and ethanol subsidies during two presidential campaigns in Iowa. He bucked his party and president by opposing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

A year ago, in the face of growing criticism, he staunchly supported President Bush's decision to increase troop strength in Iraq.

In this campaign, he continues to support comprehensive immigration reform while watching his poll standings plunge. Some other Republican candidates refuse to acknowledge that climate change is a serious threat caused by human activity. McCain has worked on the issue for seven years and sponsored bills to limit greenhouse-gas emissions.

McCain would enter the White House with deep knowledge of national-security and foreign-policy issues. He knows war, something we believe would make him reluctant to start one. He's also a fierce defender of civil liberties.

As a survivor of torture, he has stood resolutely against it. He pledges to start rebuilding America's image abroad by closing the Guantanamo prison and beginning judicial proceedings for detainees.

McCain has his flaws, too, of course. He can be hot-tempered, a trait that's not helpful in conducting diplomacy. At 71, his age is a concern. The editorial board disagrees with him on a host of issues, especially his opposition to abortion rights and gay marriage. McCain foresees a long, hard and difficult deployment of troops in Iraq. The Register's board has called for withdrawal as soon as it's safely possible.


But with McCain, Americans would know what they're getting. He doesn't parse words. And on tough calls, he usually lands on the side of goodness of compassion for illegal immigrants, of concern for the environment for future generations.

The force of John McCain's moral authority could go a long way toward restoring Americans' trust in government and inspiring new generations to believe in the goodness and greatness of America.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO FROM THE DES MOINES REGISTER

McCain Endorsed by Over 100 Retired Admirals and Generals

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today over 100 retired admirals and generals endorsed John McCain for President of the United States at a press conference in Columbia, South Carolina. These distinguished leaders supporting John McCain come from all branches of the armed services and include former POWs, Medal of Honor recipients and former members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.


John McCain was joined today in Columbia by five distinguished military veterans: Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, USN (Ret.); Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, USN (Ret.); Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.); Rear Admiral Bob Shumaker, USN (Ret.); and Major General Stan Spears, USA, Adjutant General of South Carolina.


"This nation is at war and we'd better damn well understand that fact," said Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, USN (Ret.).

"John McCain understands it,
and he is the only candidate that has not wavered one bit in his position
regarding the importance of victory in the war against Islamic extremism or in
his commitment to the troops who are doing the fighting. He has consistently
demonstrated the kind and style of leadership that we believe is essential in
our next Commander in Chief. Our nation faces a growing array of serious foreign
policy challenges. John McCain is the ONE candidate who, in our view, truly
understands the strategic landscape and is fully prepared to deal decisively and
effectively with those who wish to be our friends and, importantly, those who
wish us harm."

John McCain thanked the admirals and generals, stating,

"I am deeply honored to have the support of so many
distinguished military leaders. I thank them for the trust they have in me, but
more importantly, our nation is indebted to their service in defense of our
freedom. Our next president will face two wars and an array of national security
challenges around the world. My experience, knowledge and background have
prepared me to confront these great challenges and lead as commander in chief
from day one."

Retired Admirals And Generals Joining John McCain In South Carolina Today:

Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.): Admiral Smith retired from the Navy after over 34 years of service in positions that took him, literally, around the world. His last active duty assignment was Commander, U.S. Naval Force, Europe, Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO) and, concurrently, Commander of NATO's first ever out of area land operation, the Implementation Forces (IFOR) in Bosnia charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Accords. As a naval aviator Admiral Smith flew carrier-based light attack jet aircraft during multiple deployments to the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Western Pacific and Indian oceans. These included three cruises in waters off North Vietnam where he flew over 280 combat missions.

Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, USN (Ret.): Bowman spent 36 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of Vice Admiral. Highlights of his Navy career include: Naval aviator with tour tours in Vietnam and Wing Commander during Desert Storm and notable assignments including Squadron command, three Air Wing commands, Senate Liaison for the Secretary of the Navy and later Chief of Legislative Affairs, Carrier Group command, Chief of Naval Air Training and Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.): After a 31-year career of naval service, Lynch retired in the rank of Rear Admiral. His naval service included Chief, Navy Legislative Affairs, command of the Eisenhower Battle Group during Operation Desert Shield, Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from 1991 to 1994 and Director of the Navy Staff in the Pentagon from 1994 to 1995. Admiral Lynch graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with his Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 and received his M.S. from George Washington University.

Rear Admiral Bob Shumaker, USN (Ret.): After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, Admiral Shumaker attended flight training and eventually joined VF-32, a fighter squadron in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a finalist in the Apollo astronaut selection, but a temporary physical ailment prevented his selection. In 1964 he graduated with a masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and then joined VF-154 in San Diego, California. In February 1965, he was shot down on a mission over North Vietnam, was captured, and spent the next eight years as a POW. In 1973 he was repatriated and resumed studies, which eventually led to a doctorate degree in electrical engineering. As a Captain he was a government project manager for smart missiles at the Naval Air Systems Command. In 1983 he was promoted to the rank of Commodore and became the Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School. At the Pentagon in 1986, as a Rear Admiral, he was responsible for coordinating the research efforts of the Navy's air, surface, electronics and space activities. He retired from the Navy in 1989 and became an assistant dean at The George Washington University and later became the associate dean of the Center for Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, from which he retired in 1991. Admiral Shumaker's military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Major General Stan Spears, USA: General Spears is Adjutant General of South Carolina. He leads and directs the 10,500-member South Carolina Army and Air National Guard. He serves on the Board of Visitors for the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. General Spears is the senior Adjutant General in the United States and the several territories. Born and raised in York County, South Carolina, General Spears is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he played on the football team. In 1962, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He served as a traditional Guard member for the next 32 years, achieving the rank of Brigadier General and assignment as Assistant Adjutant General.

RETIRED ADMIRALS AND GENERALS SUPPORTING JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

Rear Admiral John W. Adams, USN (Ret.)
Major General Albert B. Akers, USA (Ret.)
Major General John Blatsos, USA (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Harry Blot, USMC (Ret.)
Major General John L. Borling, USAF (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, III, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Roger Box, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Bruce Bremner, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Thomas Brown, III, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Tom Bruner, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Lyle Bull, USN (Ret.)
Major General George Cates, USMC (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Jack Christiansen, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Edward Clexton, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General John B. Conaway, USAF (Ret.), Former Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Lieutenant General Matthew T. "Terry" Cooper, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General Robert Dastin, USAF (Ret.)
General James B. Davis, USAF (Ret.), Classmate of Senator McCain's at the U.S. Naval Academy, Former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe (NATO)
Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Major General Hollis Davison, USMC (Ret.)
Colonel George "Bud" Day, USAF (Ret.), POW, Medal of Honor
Rear Admiral Jerry Denton, USN (Ret.), POW, Former U.S. Senator
Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Russ Eggers, USAF (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Paul Engel, USN (Ret.)
Major General Bill Eshelman, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Merrill Evans, USA (Ret.)
Admiral S. Robert Foley, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Rear Admiral Skip Furlong, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Barton Gilbert, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Andrew Giordano, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Russell W. Gorman, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Ronald J. Hays, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPAC and CINCUSNAVEUR
Rear Admiral Robert P. Hickey, USN (Ret.)
Major General Don Hilbert, USA (Ret.)
Major General Kent Hillhouse, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral A. Byron Holderby, USN (Ret.)
Admiral James L. Holloway, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations
Lieutenant General Jefferson D. Howell, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Evan Hultman, USA (Ret.)
Major General Charles Ingram, USA (Ret.)
Admiral Bobby Inman, USN (Ret.), Former Director, NSA
Major General Harry Jenkins, USMC (Ret.)
Admiral Jerome Johnson, USN (Ret.), Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Rear Admiral J. Michael "Carlos" Johnson, USN (Ret.)
General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.), Former Commandant, USMC
Admiral Robert J. "Barney" Kelly, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Admiral Frank Kelso, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations
Major General Phillip G. Killey, USAF (Ret.)
Admiral George "Gus" Kinnear, USN (Ret.), Former COMAIRLANT
Admiral Charles R. "Chuck" Larson, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPAC
Vice Admiral Tony Less, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Frederick L. Lewis, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Joseph Lopez, USN (Ret.), Former CINCUSNAVEUR
Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch, USN (Ret.)
Admiral James "Ace" Lyons, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT
Vice Admiral Michael D. Malone, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Daniel P. March, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Edward H. Martin, USN (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral John J. Mazach, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral William "Scot" McCauley, USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General Fred McCorkle, USMC (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Denny McGinn, USN (Ret.)
Major General Ed Mechanbier, USAFR (Ret.), POW
Rear Admiral George Meinig, USN (Ret.)
Major General Robert L. Menist, USA (Ret.)
Admiral Paul David Miller, USN (Ret.), Former CINCLANT
Vice Admiral Joseph Mobley, USN (Ret.), POW
Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Benjamin Montoya, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Douglas Moore, Jr., USN (Ret.)
General Carl E. Mundy, Jr., USMC (Ret.), Former Commandant, USMC
Rear Admiral Jack Natter, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Warren "Bud" Nelson, USAF (Ret.)
Brigadier General Eddie Newman, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Robert S. "Rupe" Owens, USN (Ret.)
Major General Earl G. Peck, USAF (Ret.)
Major General John Peppers, USA (Ret.)
Brigadier General Maurice Phillips, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral David Polatty, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral William E. Ramsey, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Jon A. Reynolds, USAF (Ret.), POW
Vice Admiral David B. Robinson, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General Wayne Rosenthal, USAF (Ret.)
Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.)
Major General Michael D. Ryan, USMC (Ret.)
Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.)
Vice Admiral James E. Service, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Edward D. "Ted" Sheafer, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Robert F. "Dutch" Shultz, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Robert H. Shumaker, USN (Ret.), POW
Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.), Former CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH, Commander IFOR
Lieutenant General Norman Smith, USMC (Ret.)
Major General Stanhope S. Spears, USA, Adjutant General of South Carolina
Lieutenant General Hank Stackpole, USMC (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Howie Thorsen, USN (Ret.)
Colonel Leo Thorsness, USAF (Ret.), POW, Medal of Honor
Rear Admiral Ernest E. Tissot, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral John B. Totushek, USN (Ret.)
Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Lloyd "Joe" Vasey, USN (Ret.)
Brigadier General W.L. "Bill" Wallace, USA (Ret.)
Major General Gary Wattnern, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Donald Weatherson, USN (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Hugh Webster, USN (Ret.)
Lieutenant General James A. Williams, USA (Ret.), Former Director, DIA
Brigadier General Mitchell M. Willoughby, USA (Ret.)
Rear Admiral Dennis Wisely, USN (Ret.)
Admiral Ronald J. Zlatoper, USN (Ret.), Former CINCPACFLT