I have a hard enough time finding someone conservative enough to respect in the Republican Party, much less in the Democratic Party, BUT, I can think of one. Former Governor and Senator Zell Miller. I have met him and truly respect him. In fact, I respect him alot more than all but one on your list.

Definitely agree. He's a very good speaker and his book A Deficit Of Decency is highly recommended. A friend bought it, and it's on my long list of books to read. He does act like a gentleman.

I got distracted by Muddle's squirrel gun. Anyway, I would like to nominate a couple of Republicans as good examples of politicians who rose above partisan politics.

First and foremost (in my lifetime, anyway) is Gerald Ford. He inherited a total mess from Nixon, not the least of which was Nixon's involvement in the Watergate affair, which was arguably a felony. In every decision he made as president, Ford did the "right thing", ignoring his own political future. He pardoned Nixon and put the entire affair behind us as rapidly as possible. This was controversial, but it was what the country needed. He also put Vietnam behind us, and signed the Helsinki Accords, which was a major step towards ending the Cold War. These decisions hurt him politically, and probably cost him a re-election, but it helped this country immeasurably. We could use another Gerald Ford in the White House.

Perhaps McCain would be that man. I certainly do NOT think he would be simply an extension of the Bush presidency. In any event, he is another Republican who I hold in high regard, and for the same reasons as Ford. He is willing to do the unpopular thing, if it is the right thing to do.

Locally, I've been reasonably satisfied with Gov. Perdue. He was not pro-education at first, but he has improved in that regard, and he is a straight-shooter, in my opinion.

I don't know why I didn't look back far enough. Betty Ford certainly brought people out of the shadows as well, to deal with their problems. Many an airline pilot and pop star has benefited.

The most important thing is, if no one reaches across the isle, we will see another 4 years without meaningful progress.

Cheers, and good luck with tomorrow's herd.

Kevin "Hack" King

You just ruined Steve Brown's chances of possibly replacing that political hack lawyer they call Ratt Mamsey... I mean Matt Ramsey. Along with Steve's staunch support of district voting and you lumping him in with those other knuckleheads above, you've doomed our fate and stuck us the developer's candidate.

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Specter & Snowe are GOP in name only; so that's like praising the Dems (see Nuk's comments). Reaching across the aisle -- that's what conservatives haven't liked about McCain. Joe Lieberman seems like an amiable person and has a realistic grasp on fighting terrorism (from what little I know about him), and Ted Kennedy is a co-sponsor, with Sam Brownback, of the Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act. Kennedy's sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver is the founder of the Special Olympics and an advocate for the disabled on behalf of Rosemary, their mentally ill sister.

Cheers ?

"Cheers" The Boston Pub tv show from 1982 to 1993 with Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley and Shelley Long?

That was a great show

As explained by Cliff Clavin, of Cheers, describing
the Buffalo Theory

To his buddy Norm:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this...

A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the
slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is
the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are
killed first. This natural selection is good for the
herd as a whole, because the general speed and health
of the whole group keeps improving by the regular
killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate
as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake
of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But
naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain
cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer
eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a
faster and more efficient machine. That's why you
always feel smarter after a few beers."

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Arlen Specter is terrible. He's been a huge part of the problem in Washington for a long time and I don't blame the Repubs for cutting out campaign support and encouraging opposition from within to run against him. Big spend, big grandstand, few principles. One of my least favorite entrenched politicians. His present crusade on the NFL investigation of Bellicheat's videotaping is yet another example of how much this guy craves attention and how he stands for anything that gives him media coverage. UGH.

I like Hagel's stance on the major issues and he's got a wicked sense of humor too. He's best friends with Dick Cheney(who at one time was very intelligent), but didn't pass up a chance to take a dig at the VP who dusted him infamously on the quail hunting trip with "maybe if he had served in the military, he'd have learned gun safety." OUCH!

Walter Jones I am a BIG fan of as he's now a libertarian-leaning Repub who is also part of the Liberty Caucus, a group of repubs trying to get the rest of the gang to get back to basic liberty issues and away from Big Brother, Neo-Con style. He has had some bonehead moments like wanting to raise the minimum wage, but he's getting there.

Olympia Snowe might as well be a Dem. I can't see much repub or anything resembling "conservative." The female version of Specter and also another media lover. She'll hold office until she dies and maybe beyond that. I think she has the highest approval rating of any politician at any level of House/Senate/Governor in the country.

Steve Brown? Maybe he has some of the right ideas, but doing everything possible to demonize everyone who disagrees with your opinions and also creating the "us vs. them" mentality will keep you on the sidelines as just another outsider throwing brickbats.

That's an interesting list, Hack:)

"She'll hold office until she dies and maybe beyond that."

Are there no Ds that you support? And remember, Nuk, just 'cause you don't like a republican doesn't make him or her a democrat. Some have tried that with McCain and GWB.

If no one reaches across, nothing gets done.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King

Answer to your question,

I live everyday as the last day of the first day of the rest of my life.

Because you never do know.

I'd load up the gang, drive to your place, and let them watch me empty your counter top decorations. Then we'd all non-rev to Gulf Breeze and wait for the last sunset!

cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King

Have a nice weekend, too. All of this rain should clear out some of the pollen and turn lawns a lovely shade of green. Just don't think about having to cut all of that green, though.

Sorry about the “Cheers” humor

I don’t do politics, but this I will do to be as fair as I can,

Arlen Spector On The Issues

Olympia Snowe On The Issues

Chuck Hagel On The Issues

Walter Jones On The Issues

Steve Brown ?? ??

2008 Presidential Candidates

Democrat(s)

Barack Obama On The Issues

Hillary Clinton On The Issues

Rebublican

John McCain On The Issues

Politics is like getting married,
it’s all about a choice of ones personnel preferences and desires.
You just hope you make the right choice.

Cheers was a GREAT show. We needed this blog; especially now. Thanks

Kevin "Hack" King