CALIFORNIA YANKEE: McCain Looks Back At His First Term

Senator John McCain gave a terrific speech today in which he took a look back at the accomplishments of his first term as president.

The McCain campaign also released the following ad focusing on what John McCain envisions achieving during his first term in the White House:

In the speech, McCain's vision of accomplishments includes the following:

NATIONAL SECURITY

After four years of a McCain administration, America will be more secure and working with its allies and partners around the world to make us safer. In 2013:
The United States maintains a military presence in Iraq, but a much smaller one that does not play a direct combat role.

The Taliban threat in Afghanistan has been greatly reduced.

There is a functioning League of Democracies that has effectively applied pressure on Sudan to agree to a multinational peacekeeping force to stop the genocide.

There is no longer any place in the world al Qaeda can consider a safe haven. An increase in actionable intelligence leads to the capture or death of Osama Bin Laden and his lieutenants.

Through increased international cooperation and concerted use of American power, we have disrupted terrorist networks and exposed plots around the world.

The United States and its allies have made great progress in advancing nuclear security.

The size of the Army and Marine Corps has been significantly increased, and are now better equipped and trained to defend us. A substantial increase in veterans educational benefits and improvements in their health care has aided recruitment and retention.

THE ECONOMY

After four years of a McCain administration, the economy is stronger, Americans once again have confidence in their economic future and businesses are empowered to thrive. In 2013:
The economy is growing and Americans again have confidence in their economic future. Congress has lowered taxes and passed fundamental tax reform offering a choice in how taxes are filed.

The spending binge in Washington has ended. After John McCain exercises his veto pen in his first year in office, Congress has not passed an appropriations bill containing earmarks for the last three years. A top to bottom review of government and reforms yield great reductions in spending.

New trade agreements have been ratified leading to substantial increases in exports.

Americans who have lost jobs in the global economy are assisted by reformed unemployment insurance and worker retraining programs.

Public education is much improved due to measures that lead to increased competition, higher quality teachers, a revolution in teaching methods, higher graduation rates and higher test scores.

Health care is more accessible to more Americans than at any other time in history.

Medicare's solvency has been extended and both parties have worked together to fix Social Security without reducing benefits to those near retirement.

The United States is on its way to independence from foreign sources of oil with a cap-and-trade system spurring innovation, advancement in clean coal technology and the beginning of construction on 20 new nuclear reactors.

OTHER ISSUES

After four years of a McCain administration, new judges have been confirmed who understand they are not there to write laws, the border is secure and more Americans are called to serve. In 2013:

Scores of judges have been confirmed to the federal bench who understand they were sent there to enforce our laws and make sure they are consistent with the Constitution.
Border state governors have certified and the American people recognize that after tremendous improvements, our southern border is now secure. Illegal immigration is under control, and the American people accept the practical necessity to institute a temporary worker program and deal humanely with illegal immigrants.

Voluntary national service has grown in popularity.

For the sake of comparison, lets consider what America’s economy and national security would look like after four years of an Obama presidency.

MIDDLE EAST

Obama’s premature withdrawal of troops from Iraq would lead to “devastating consequences,” according to our commanders in Iraq. As a result we could be re-entering a more chaotic situation in 2013 after an Obama Administration.

Gen. David Petraeus Testified Before The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Of Which Obama Is A Member, That A Premature Withdrawal From Iraq Would Have “Devastating Consequences.” Gen. Petraeus: “In describing the recommendations I have made…I believe Iraq's problems will require a long-term effort. … Our assessments underscore, in fact, the importance of recognizing that a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences. … Lieutenant General Odierno and I share this assessment....” (Gen. David Petraeus, Committee On Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Testimony, 9/11/07)

Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen: “I do worry about a rapid withdrawal... in a situation that wouldn't call for that in terms of the conditions on the ground, which would then... basically turn around the gains we have... struggled to achieve and turn them around overnight.” (Jim Garamone, “Mullen Says Rapid Withdrawal From Iraq Would Negate Security Gains,” American Forces Press Service, 2/28/08)

NUCLEAR TERROR

Obama’s pledge to unconditionally meet with Ahmadinejad would strengthen a regime pursuing nuclear weapons and threatening our allies.

Obama’s Foreign Policy Pledge Would Strengthen Ahmadinejad. “Middle East experts said Obama's strategy holds potential pitfalls. In , they said, Sen. Obama could strengthen Mr. Ahmadinejad if as U.S. president he moves too quickly to hold direct talks with Tehran's leader. They note Mr. Ahmadinejad is facing presidential elections in 2009 and could use a summit with Sen. Obama as proof of his enhanced stature. They said Mr. Ahmadinejad also could seek to sell to his people that talks with Washington were a direct result of his hard-line stance. ‘If Obama comes into office in January 2009, I wouldn't advise him’ to hold talks with Mr. Ahmadinejad quickly, said Karim Sadjadpour, an specialist at Washington's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who said he is generally supportive of Sen. Obama's agenda. ‘Only two things can rehabilitate Ahmadinejad politically: bombing or major efforts to engage’ him ahead of the vote.” (Jay Solomon, “Obama’s Foreign-Policy Pledge Sparks Criticism from Rivals,” Wall Street Journal, 3/26/08)

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Obama’s windfall profits tax would reduce domestic oil production and increase U.S. dependence on foreign oil, just as it did under Jimmy Carter.

The Non-Partisan Congressional Research Service Found That The Windfall Profits Tax Reduced Domestic Oil Production And Increased Our Dependence On Foreign Oil By As Much As 13 Percent. "From 1980 to 1988, the WPT may have reduced domestic oil production anywhere from 1.2% to 8.0% (320 to 1,269 million barrels). Dependence on imported oil grew from between 3% and 13%." (Salvatore Lazzari, "The Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Of The 1980s: Implications for Current Energy Policy," Congressional Research Service, 3/9/06)

The Wall Street Journal: The Windfall Profits Tax Reduced Domestic Oil Production, Increased U.S. Dependence On Foreign Oil, And Increased Prices At The Pump. "The last time Congress imposed a form of the windfall tax was the final gloomy days of Jimmy Carter, and the result was: a substantial reduction in domestic oil production (about 5%), thus raising the price of gas at the pump; and a 10% increase in U.S. reliance on foreign oil. A windfall profits tax is the ultimate act of economic masochism because it taxes only domestic production, while imports and foreign oil subsidiaries bear almost none of the cost." (Editorial, "Windfall Accounting Tax," The Wall Street Journal, 11/30/05)

WASTEFUL SPENDING

Budgets are bloated, wasteful spending continues, as Obama continues his poor Senate record on pork.

Citizens Against Government Waste Gave Sen. Obama A Lifetime Rating Of 22 Out Of 100. (Citizens Against Government Waste, "CCAGW Challenges Presidential Candidates On Earmarks," Press Release, 12/27/07)

The Club For Growth Gave Obama A Score Of 33 Percent For His Votes Against Anti-Pork Amendments. "[T]he Club for Growth released its 2007 Senate RePORK Card, compiling a scorecard of all senators' votes on fifteen anti-pork amendments throughout 2007. ... Obama (D-IL) Score: 33% Ratio: 2/6." (Club For Growth, "The Club's 2007 Senate RePORK Card," 11/5/07)

ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE

Consumers struggle as Obama’s increases on income taxes, Social Security taxes, investment taxes, and corporate taxes, and his "massive new domestic spending," undermine economic confidence.

"Obama's transformation, if you go by his campaign so far, would mean higher income taxes, higher Social Security taxes, higher investment taxes, higher corporate taxes, massive new domestic spending, and a healthcare plan that perhaps could be the next step to a full-scale, single-payer system. Is that what most Americans want, someone who will fulfill a Democratic policy wish list?" (James Pethokoukis, "Barack Hussein Reagan? Ronald Wilson Obama?," U.S. News & World Report's "Capital Commerce" Blog, 2/12/08)

Need I ask which future do you prefer?