It is very easy to armchair quarterback, nit-pick and manipulate a story, then package your message to be appealing.  Anyone can sound good when they pick and choose the topics, script the dialogue, and set their own stage.   It is far more difficult to actually be “the guy”, no choices about who, what, when, or where…you must take on all comers.  Exposure comes when you must deal with real issues and make hard choices that will be subject to criticism by those who have no idea the effort involved or the sacrifice paid and won’t be held accountable for their opinions even when they are promoted as fact.

 This famous speech captures the sentiment well:

 It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

– Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic: The Man in the Arena” Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, France – April 23, 1910

John McCain is not perfect nor has he had a perfect career.  That is what is so hard about being human, none of us are.  But, he is the current voice of strength for conservative ideals in the Senate.  Scott Brown made that very clear last week when he singled out Senator John McCain in his acceptance speech.  I find it funny how appreciative conservatives where when they thought his relationship with Lieberman could be used to our benefit, but how quickly some turned it into a sign of defection when it suits a negative attack.   Sarah Palin is everyone’s darling based on her vision and beliefs, unless of course she would dare suggest she supports John McCain’s re-election.  She is either flawed or foolish…but she cannot be right?  

I do not believe this is the time for our energies to be spent on electing a different Republican when we have so much opportunity to elect NEW Republicans in Dem held seats.  I am not dissuaded with the twisted tales, selective snippets, or outright personal attacks.  Do I agree with everything he has ever done or said?  NO.  Is John McCain a bullheaded, hard-nosed, my way or the highway guy?  Probably.  Does he play hardball and expect you to be ready for it or get out of his way?  I think so.  Could it be those very attributes have uniquely placed for the time we are in to be a stalwart of Republican domination of the Democratic efforts?  Definitely!