The "Maverick" rides on
Matthew Zavala, D.C. Correspondent
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Opinion
On April 11, 2007, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) delivered a speech at the Virginia Military Institute that ties him closer to the unpopular war in Iraq. While other presidential candidates are trying to distance themselves from the war, McCain maintains his support of the war and the current surge in troop levels, and because of this, he finds himself behind in the polls and fundraising.
In his speech, McCain, who is a Vietnam war veteran and a former POW, used familiar rhetoric saying that he "would rather lose an election, than lose a war."
McCain, who recently returned from a trip to Iraq, drew sharp criticism for his comments regarding the progress being made in Iraq and the reports that are given to the American people via the media. McCain said that he was able to walk through a market in Baghdad without fear and that would not have been possible two months ago.
What McCain did not mention was the approximately 30 soldier escort plus the two Apache helicopters circling overhead.
In his speech, McCain said, "However it ends, the war in Iraq will have a profound influence on the future of the Middle East, global stability, and the security of the United States, which will remain, for the foreseeable future, directly affected by events in that dangerous part of the world. The war is part of a broader struggle in the Arab and Muslim world, the struggle between violent extremists and the forces of modernity and moderation."
Last week, though, a bomb went off in the heavily guarded "Green Zone" in Baghdad, which served as another reminder that things are not completely safe in Iraq.
McCain's speech was well-received, even the critical Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote an op-ed commending the "Maverick" Senator.
Some analysts suggest that McCain's poll numbers are lagging because of his staunch support of the war and his whole campaign's success rests on success in Iraq.
Schwarzenegger: Green Is Sexy
April 11, 2007
ABC News' Matthew Zavala Reports: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., touted his recent efforts to curb the effects of global warming during a speech Wednesday at Georgetown University, his wife Maria Shriver's alma matter.
Schwarzenegger proclaimed, "For too long the environmental movement has been powered by guilt," adding, in his best motivational voice, "Guilt is passive. Guilt is inhibiting and guilt is defensive."
The body-builder turned movie star turned politician tried to show that the environmental movement does not have to conflict with economic growth.
"Capitalism, which was the alleged enemy to the environment, is today giving new life to the environmental movement," California's Republican Governor contended. "We can protect the environment and protect the economy."
He also sent a message to his fellow Republicans and said that they need "courage" to join the environmental movement, insisting that "political courage is not political suicide."
The audience was mostly Georgetown students and Schwarzenegger presented his ideas using his former profession of body building. Bodybuilding, said the still-fit Schwarzenegger, "used to have a sketchy image...but now the perception has changed. It has become sexier, attractive. This is what needs to happen to the environmental movement."
"Environmentalists were kind thought of as kind of weird and fanatics, the kind of serious tree huggers. The environmentalists were no fun. They were like prohibitionists at a fraternity party," joked Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger served as the keynote speaker as part of the Newsweek Global Environment Leadership Conference.
Note: This is the text of an article Matt Zavala wrote for abcnews.com
Political Humor
"Republican candidates are announcing their first quarter fundraising totals so far. And apparently they're doing very well. They've raised a lot. Yeah. Mitt Romney announced he's raised $23 million. Rudy Giuliani said he's raised $15 million. And Congressman Tom Tancredo announced he's raised two children."-Conan O'Brien
"I believe if you can't something nice about someone, then you must be talking about Hillary Clinton…"-Jeff Foxworthy
In his speech, McCain, who is a Vietnam war veteran and a former POW, used familiar rhetoric saying that he "would rather lose an election, than lose a war."
McCain, who recently returned from a trip to Iraq, drew sharp criticism for his comments regarding the progress being made in Iraq and the reports that are given to the American people via the media. McCain said that he was able to walk through a market in Baghdad without fear and that would not have been possible two months ago.
What McCain did not mention was the approximately 30 soldier escort plus the two Apache helicopters circling overhead.
In his speech, McCain said, "However it ends, the war in Iraq will have a profound influence on the future of the Middle East, global stability, and the security of the United States, which will remain, for the foreseeable future, directly affected by events in that dangerous part of the world. The war is part of a broader struggle in the Arab and Muslim world, the struggle between violent extremists and the forces of modernity and moderation."
Last week, though, a bomb went off in the heavily guarded "Green Zone" in Baghdad, which served as another reminder that things are not completely safe in Iraq.
McCain's speech was well-received, even the critical Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote an op-ed commending the "Maverick" Senator.
Some analysts suggest that McCain's poll numbers are lagging because of his staunch support of the war and his whole campaign's success rests on success in Iraq.
Schwarzenegger: Green Is Sexy
April 11, 2007
ABC News' Matthew Zavala Reports: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., touted his recent efforts to curb the effects of global warming during a speech Wednesday at Georgetown University, his wife Maria Shriver's alma matter.
Schwarzenegger proclaimed, "For too long the environmental movement has been powered by guilt," adding, in his best motivational voice, "Guilt is passive. Guilt is inhibiting and guilt is defensive."
The body-builder turned movie star turned politician tried to show that the environmental movement does not have to conflict with economic growth.
"Capitalism, which was the alleged enemy to the environment, is today giving new life to the environmental movement," California's Republican Governor contended. "We can protect the environment and protect the economy."
He also sent a message to his fellow Republicans and said that they need "courage" to join the environmental movement, insisting that "political courage is not political suicide."
The audience was mostly Georgetown students and Schwarzenegger presented his ideas using his former profession of body building. Bodybuilding, said the still-fit Schwarzenegger, "used to have a sketchy image...but now the perception has changed. It has become sexier, attractive. This is what needs to happen to the environmental movement."
"Environmentalists were kind thought of as kind of weird and fanatics, the kind of serious tree huggers. The environmentalists were no fun. They were like prohibitionists at a fraternity party," joked Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger served as the keynote speaker as part of the Newsweek Global Environment Leadership Conference.
Note: This is the text of an article Matt Zavala wrote for abcnews.com
Political Humor
"Republican candidates are announcing their first quarter fundraising totals so far. And apparently they're doing very well. They've raised a lot. Yeah. Mitt Romney announced he's raised $23 million. Rudy Giuliani said he's raised $15 million. And Congressman Tom Tancredo announced he's raised two children."-Conan O'Brien
"I believe if you can't something nice about someone, then you must be talking about Hillary Clinton…"-Jeff Foxworthy
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