McCain: The Ties That Bind

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 02:21:46 AM EST
Tags: John McCain, 2008 (all tags)

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Ralph Reed, pal of Jack Abramoff is holding a fundraising event for John McCain.

“John McCain believes in a strong national defense, a smaller, more accountable government, steady economic growth and opportunity, the dignity of life and traditional values,” wrote Reed, whose 2006 campaign for lieutenant governor sank under the weight of evidence detailing his relationship with Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff — much of it uncovered by McCain’s Indian Affairs Committee.

Giulianni and Ralph Reed were close too. Anyone remember Reed's treatment of women in his recently published novel? Publisher's Weekly described it this way: [More....]

For Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, politics is a man's world to its very core—especially when it comes to the race for president, which is at the center of this first novel. Women characters are either wives with drinking problems, tarts who use sex to get ahead professionally (but not that far) or VP candidates chosen purely for show, who are belittled behind the scenes for lack of experience and “lightweight” intelligence. Democrats are drunks who play dirty and bloody each other's noses. Cue the white knight—Gov. Bob Long, newly come to Christ, a true independent candidate—to save the day, rock both parties' worlds and remind the country about good values and the meaning of patriotism. Long is God's candidate, and with Christian leaders taking his side, he just might trump Republicans and Democrats alike. Reed's prose is average for a potboiling political thriller, and the crisis-laden plot keeps the pages turning, but the novel's specifically Christian agenda will satisfy some readers and alienate others. (June)

(Via Think Progress.)

In other news of possible McCain ties, Angelina Jolie says she is still undecided between Obama and McCain.

"I have not decided on a candidate," Jolie says, "I am waiting to see the commitments they will make on issues like international justice, refugees and how to address the needs of children in crisis around the world."

Unlike many other celebrity endorsements, Jolie's carries the weight and influence of her extensive humanitarian work around the world, as the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Her statement was an indication that she would be open to choosing a candidate.

In June, Jolie had this to say:

I think people assume I'm a Democrat. But I'm registered independent and I'm still undecided. So I'm looking at McCain as well as Obama."

Jolie's father, Jon Voight, has endorsed McCain and recently wrote an op-ed for the Washington Times highly critical of Obama.

Is Jolie sympatico to Cindy McCain due to their similar concerns with refugee children? That's my guess.

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McCain: The Ties That Bind | 5 comments (5 topical)

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Cindy McCain (none / 0) (#1)
by Grace on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 03:51:02 AM EST

also rescues animals. She appears to be a genuinely nice human being who cares about others. The adoption of their Indian daughter says more about Cindy and John than words can. They do care about people.

As for Angelina Jolie... She's deeper than most people imagine. She cares about people too. She's not going to fall for the latest "historic speech" because she'll want to see action with the speech.

Brad Pitt is pretty deep too, but he falls under the influence of George Clooney and Clooney is almost opposite of Jolie.

Interesting Hollywood politics.

What are traditional values anyway? (none / 0) (#2)
by Xanthe on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 07:24:50 AM EST

What we've seen in the last 8 years? That tradition.

Mr. Campaign Finance Reform strikes again! (none / 0) (#3)
by Molly Bloom on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 08:05:26 AM EST

The PW description could be plucked (none / 0) (#4)
by Valhalla on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 08:26:52 AM EST

away from Reed's book and used for a good half of the books out there, at so far the treatment of women is concerned (aside from the VP bit). It's pretty challenging to find fiction that doesn't have cardboard, sexist portrayals of women.

This is not much of a tie. When I saw the title I figured the post was going to be about lobbyist money to McCain, or another wackadoodle clergyman. Did McCain read Reed's book? Praise it in a review? Recommend it to a friend? Load it onto his ipod? Surely there are more damaging aspects of Reed to try to tie to McCain.

Why (none / 0) (#5)
by tek on Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 09:44:30 AM EST

do we always assume there's some selfish motive for supporting the opposition? Democrats need to admit that Barack Obama is lacking in many ways as a presidential candidate. If someone has a particular issue they're voting on they will support him no matter what, but if not, he begins to look a lot like the Republicans in important ways (Department of Faith in the WH?). Many liberals are hesitant to support him because he does not espouse liberal values, seems opportunistic and is undoubtedly inexperienced. He's so secretive and changeable it's not possible to really know what he'll do in office. I personally am tired of Democrats being chastised and ridiculed by Democrats if they don't support this man.