RAISING MC CAIN

No sooner has the mid-term elections results come in, but the leading Republican Presidential candidate has stepped forward. This is no shock, he has already been aligning and posturing himself for candidacy. He has been raising money, and in the guise of supporting Republican candidates for the past election, gotten his name, and face out in Iowa, New Hampshire and many other primary states.

Let there be no doubt, this is one formidable candidate. War hero, by anyone's standards. A POW in Vietnam, beat that Kerry. Known for his independent stature, he will go from a "reach across the aisle" Bi-partisan, to an absolute "Bush hugger."

What Mc Cain does have, besides his chameleon like persona, is an enviable record of introducing legislation that hits all of the "hot spots." Besides the amendments listed below are many resolutions on the environment, and especially in the areas of Indian affairs (he is after all the senator from Arizona). Here are some of the proposals Mc Cain has brought to the Senate floor.

S.1151 : A bill to provide for a program to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States
S.1114 : A bill to establish minimum drug testing standards for major professional sports leagues.
S.1033 : A bill to improve border security and immigration.
S.1379 : A bill to provide increased rail transportation security.
S.2128 : A bill to provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, and for other purposes.
S.2265 : A bill to provide greater accountability of taxpayers' dollars by curtailing congressional earmarking, and for other purposes.
S.AMDT.1150 to H.R.2360 To increase the number of border patrol agents consistent with the number authorized in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
S.AMDT.1556 to S.1042 To prohibit cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government.
S.AMDT.1557 to S.1042 To provide for uniform standards for the interrogation of persons under the detention of the Department of Defense.
S.516 : A bill to advance and strengthen democracy globally through peaceful means and to assist foreign countries to implement democratic forms of government, to strengthen respect for individual freedom, religious freedom, and human rights in foreign countries
S.342 : A bill to provide for a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change, to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States

Senator John McCain is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services; and Member and former Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs.

See what I mean? A very formidable candidate. Watch his actions now that he is in the minority party of congress. He will move to the center, and work with key Democratic leaders for reform, and, oh yes, photo ops. My prediction? He moves to the center, positions himself as the top Republican candidate for 2008, and although he becomes a "watered down" version of himself, will prove to be the one and only man that can be stomached by the ultra right, and the extreme left.