McCain’s ‘vision’ for 2013

Jim Eykyn, Publisher; Bryan L. Obenchain, Editor
John McCain’s largely been living out of the spotlight lately, content to let Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama duke it out for their party’s nomination. But when McCain did choose to discuss his political future in a speech Thursday, he didn’t exactly do himself any favors.


McCain discussed his vision of 2013, and what may be happening after the end of his first term as president. Huh? Has McCain been elected? Did we miss the election?


Among other things in his speech,  McCain, or should we call him the new age Nostradamus, said he sees “spasmodic” but reduced violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the death or capture of Osama bin Laden and a cut in government spending.


McCain sees the Iraq war being won by 2013 and sees Iraq as a functioning democracy.


McCain sees that there still has not been a major terrorist attack in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.


McCain sees several years of robust growth for the United States economy, and appropriations bills void of lawmakers’ pet projects. He also sees an energy crisis curbed by the start of construction on 20 new nuclear reactors.


Oh, and McCain also sees himself running for a second term.


Wow. Quite a vision for a man whose presidential aspirations seemed impossible a year ago, and who hasn’t even officially been named the Republican Party’s presidential nominee yet.


Using our own crystal ball, we’re looking ahead only as far as January 2009. We see someone on the podium, giving the inaugural address as the next president of the United States.


Is it John McCain?


Unlike the Arizona senator’s clear vision of the future, our crystal ball still seems a bit fuzzy on that.