it's not raining mccain anymore

Here are two columns from the huffington post. They kind of sum up my feelings about John McCain.

Shakespearean Tragedy
Hero Worship Dies Hard

"This isn't Mitt Romney we're talking about, folks -- a man for whom pandering and flip flopping fit like a perfectly tailored suit. This is John McCain, a man whose personal history, in the words of Newsweek in 2000, "makes the other presidential candidates look like pygmies" -- and who, at one time, before he held a fire sale on his principles (Everything Must Go!), was ennobled by that history and had the chance to become that rarest of things -- a real leader."

Once, when I was 16, I met John McCain. I was on a trip to Washington, D.C., with Close-Up. It was our day on the hill, where you get to meet with your local representatives. This was right in the middle of debating the McCain-Feingold CFR bill in the senate, so, as usual, we met with a spokesman for McCain. Also, Jim Kolbe (I didn't like him very much, but he was on the saner side of the republican party, also openly gay). Then, we had a few hours of free time to explore. Meghan McConaughey and I were hanging out in the senate office building (yeah, that's what kind of high school kid I was...we also once tracked down our AP american history teacher the year after that class because we couldn't remember the significance of the Charles River Bridge case when it came up in conversation during lunch), and here he comes, along with his entourage. We stare, totally starstruck, as he talks to another senator outside his office. One of his aide's notices our gaze of adulation, and points him our way. We talked to him for about 2 minutes, about Arizona, his daughter, and dogs (as I remember). Then he had to go work a little. Meghan and I ran outside, and, once out of sight, giddily jumped up and down and squealed on the steps of the Russell Office Building, like we were 12 and had just met some famous boy band. I'm from Arizona. I've voted for John McCain. More than once. Back when I wanted to be a speech writer/run for president/anything in the realm of elected politics, John McCain was my hero. So, these essays resonate with me. I am heartbroken at what he's become. And, in the democratic bickering, whenever someone says that they would rather vote for McCain that Obama or Clinton, I am amazed. People really feel that strongly about their democratic candidate? That they would wish four more years of the exact same on this country before Obama/Clinton? I wish people would stop saying that, because they don't mean it. It's just for effect. And, that is what is dividing the party. Not this long, dragged out primary. In fact, I think that this is exactly what primaries should be. Every state counts, the candidates have to campaign in every state, we, as a party, have longer to get to know each candidate. Also, there is a lot of talk of what McCain will sling at either Obama or Clinton once the primary is over, and which will bear it better. And that this is giving the democratic party less time to run against McCain. Well, I see more time with the democrats controlling the story. The headlines are dominated every day by what Hillary or Barack say, by their platforms, by these primary votes. They can't go very negative against each other, and the Republicans can't start their full fledged attack yet. How long has it been since we've heard really anything about McCain? I see only good things, here. A party really talking about which candidate would be the better nominee, less negativity, more votes actually counting. Hooray primaries! They're great. Also, as an Obama supporter, you better bet your boots I'll vote for Hillary in November if it comes down to it. Not even a second thought. And, I don't want her to drop out before I know that she's actually lost. I don't think she's lost yet. In fact, I am gaining, and not losing, respect for her. Hooray democracy! Hooray long primaries! Now, can we stop talking about lapel pins and what church people go to and whether or not they have feelings and when they can shed tears and when they can't? I want to hear more about health insurance, gas prices, Iran, fixing Israel and Palestine, education...you know...things that matter.

Sorry for the unfocused political nature of this. I've been moving and working and not sleeping enough and thinking too much.