just heard this on MSNBC.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), February 16, 2000

Answers

Bauer to endorse McCain for president

Conservative Christian to accuse Bush of miscasting senators abortion views.

Gary Bauer, who espoused a conservative Christian philosophy and a zero tolerance of abortion in his since-abandoned bid for the Republican presidential nomination, has decided to endorse Sen. John McCain, sources told NBC News on Wednesday.

BAUER, WHO withdrew from the race on Feb. 4, after finishing last in the New Hampshire primary, was to deliver his endorsement of McCain, R-Ariz., campaign appearance at noon ET at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Bauer is going to say that hes been very disappointed in the way that Texas Gov. (George W.) Bush has conducted his campaign, that it has been in Bauers estimation unfair to paint John McCain ... as being somehow not sufficiently anti-abortion, NBCs David Bloom reported.

After dropping out of the race, Bauer pledged to be a major factor in the debate in the country on issues such as abortion, which he opposes without compromise, and American eagerness to trade with China, a policy that he equated with betraying who we are. McCain, on the other hand, supports a exception in the ban to allow victims of rape, incest or when the mothers life is in danger. On China, he has said he supports engagement with China and a continuation of normal trade status, but not at the expense of U.S. security.

Bauers endorsement will blunt criticisms of McCain by other conservative Christians, particularly on the issue of abortion. Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson already has called the Arizona unacceptable. Other religious leaders have expressed concern about his spiritual commitment, noting he seldom talks about religion on the stump. Before running for president, Bauer ran the Family Research Council, a conservative group in Washington. In the 1980s, he worked in President Ronald Reagans administration.

-- Vern (bacon17@ibm.net), February 16, 2000.

Bauer's endorsement shouldn't hurt McCain too badly, IMHO.

-- Imso (lame@prepped.com), February 16, 2000.

You people who support McCain scare me. He is a closet liberal. Obviously. Check his record. OF COURSE, the press will help to present the case that he has been misrepresented, DUH. He talks the talk really well, doesn't he. Let's just see how he walks the walk. Oh wait, we can see, all we have to do is check his record.

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 16, 2000.

McCain sounds like a Clinton repulican, except for the pinocchio nose, of course.

-- X (X@X.com), February 16, 2000.

Vern,

Your incessant political bullshit has persuaded me. I didn't want to do it, but now I will. I'll vote for Dubya.

Get off it.

-- (-@-.-), February 16, 2000.

Just the Facts....

- McCain was one of the "Keating Five," congressmen investigated on ethics charges for strenuously helping convicted racketeer Charles Keating after he gave them large campaign contributions and vacation trips.

Charles Keating was convicted of racketeering and fraud in both state and federal court after his Lincoln Savings & Loan collapsed, costing the taxpayers $3.4 billion. His convictions were overturned on technicalities; for example, the federal conviction was overturned because jurors had heard about his state conviction, and his state charges because Judge Lance Ito (yes, that judge) screwed up jury instructions. Neither court cleared him, and he faces new trials in both courts.)

Though he was not convicted of anything, McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating after Keating gave McCain at least $112,00 in contributions. In the mid-1980s, McCain made at least 9 trips on Keating's airplanes, and 3 of those were to Keating's luxurious retreat in the Bahamas. McCain's wife and father-in-law also were the largest investors (at $350,000) in a Keating shopping center; the Phoenix New Times called it a "sweetheart deal."

- Mafia ties: In 1995, McCain sent birthday regards, and regrets for not attending, to Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonano, the head of the New York Bonano crime family, who had retired to Arizona. Another politician to send regrets was Governor Fife Symington, who has since been kicked out of office and convicted of 7 felonies relating to fraud and extortion.

- At least one veteran's group (U.S. Veteran's Dispatch) really hates him, and accuses McCain of cooperating with the North Vietnamese while he was their prisoner. They also sketch McCain's ties, through his wealthy father-in-law, to various Arizona scandals including the murder of reporter Don Bolles. Check out their version at the US Veteran's Dispatch web site.

- Family troubles: McCain has a reputation as a politician who has difficulty keeping his pants zipped, according to Republican sources. He acknowledges that his adultery broke up his first marriage. His second wife Cindy, the daughter of a wealthy Budweiser beer distributor, was addicted to prescription narcotics and even stole hard drugs from a medical charity that she ran. McCain acknowledges that she didn't want him to run, and only agreed once he promised that she doesn't have to go to New Hampshire or Iowa.

Quotes: - "Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly? Because Janet Reno is her father." -- John McCain

- "He took his role as father very seriously. But when we finished chores, we'd go to the beach and swim. He'd pretend he was Banana Man and throw me into the waves. We had bodysurfing contests." -- McCain's daughter Sidney. Banana man?

- Leonardo DiCaprio is "an androgynous wimp." -- McCain.

Sources:

"The Pampered Politician", by Amy Silverman, The Phoenix New Times, May 15, 1997 "See John Run Off at the Mouth", Phoenix New Times, October 1, 1998

"Opiate for the Mrs.", Phoenix New Times, September 8, 1994

"Flashes: What's Up, Murdoch?", Phoenix New Times, September 17, 1998

the US Veteran's Dispatch web site.

"Symington Gets Slammer", Phoenix New Times, February 2, 1998

Election 98: Arizona Governor, Fox News web site

"Keating Gets New Trial", CNNfn Web Site, December 2, 1996

"No More Wagging,", (editorial) by Maureen Dowd, The New York Times, January 3, 1999

"John McCain, rock-and-roll dad", by Andrew Essex, The New Yorker Magazine, December 6, 1999 p52

-- Diane (cptlauthor@aol.com), February 16, 2000.

How much did Bauer's endorsement cost? How much is it worth? Who gives a fig?

-- (nemesis@awol.com), February 16, 2000.

McCain is the man for America! ...and China... and North VietNam... and North Korea... and the UN...

American honors McCain for his personality... and want him for a president! North VietNam honors McCain with bust... an honor no other American soldier- MIA or POW has ever been rewarded! China honors McCain for his foundational work in undermining the financial empire of America ... lobbying for Chinese everything... McCain the man for the job!

What job? To kill freedom once and for all!

I am saddened that one of the leader of the Christian elite has done this dishonorable thing...may GOD have mercy on his soul!

-- S BRyan G III (sbrg3@juno.com), February 17, 2000.

Vern... who are you trying to impress with that announcement? I hate labels, but would easily be called a conservative Christian. I lost respect for Gary Bauer when some men of integrity withdrew their endorsement of him. Do you know why they did that Vern? I guess it doesn't surprise me that Mr. Bauer would endorse a Wife Deserter.

-- Mumsie (shezdremn@aol.com), February 17, 2000.