In HinzSight, McCain can earn the votes of conservatives

Lawyer gamecock rarely uses the word "deserve". I usually reserve use of the "d" word for fruits of labor owed under contracts. But when it comes to John McCain, I agree with David Hinz that he deserves many accolades that are much too often passed around to moral midgets. I speak of plaudits like HERO and patriot, but let the Rooster stop crowing so we can see it through Hinz spectacles:

Because he spent more than five years in a North Vietnamese Prison, tortured on an almost daily basis, John McCain deserves to be honored by the people of a grateful nation. When offered an early release, because his father and grandfather were both high ranking Admirals, he refused. He knew that his early release would be used as a propaganda tool by our enemies, and so refused to be released before others who had been in captivity longer than he. This act of courage alone warrants high praise and honors, to a man who still bears the scars and disfigurement inflicted by his brutal captors. John McCain deserves to be honored for his many years of service to his country as a member of Congress. The people of Arizona, by dint of the election process, have seen fit to return him to Congress, by huge majorities, believing that he, better than anyone else, represents their state's interests in that body. As a member of Congress he has passionately fought for those issues on which he is most deeply concerned; sometimes angering and engendering passions on both sides of the aisle. As a Presidential Candidate, John McCain deserves his Party's nomination. Through a spirited primary season, he has defeated all challengers. His campaign appeared at one time to be stalled, and he was written off as dead as a candidate. Instead of rolling over and giving up, he was able to garner support from moderates and independents in early states, accumulating momentum and delegates. In what has often become a bitter and sometimes ugly brawl among supporters of various candidates, he has steadfastly maintained a positive campaign, determined to discuss issues and not personalities. And there is the issue. Based upon issues, John McCain does not deserve to be President. He must earn that position. No candidate, of either Party automatically deserved to become President, because they are next in line, or it is their Party's turn. No candidate of either Party deserves to become President, simply because the other Party is fielding a candidate who is unacceptable. The Presidency needs to be earned, based upon the merits of that candidate.

Read all the HinzSight column here, and especially the coup de gras of

...Senator McCain might well earn the vote of Conservatives.

Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns The HinzSight Report The Minority Report Race 4 2008 "One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson