It’s Time for John McCain to Put Up or Shut Up on Earmarks
John McCain has said repeatedly that he is against bloated budgets and tons of Congressional pork, but his record is enpty when it comes to laying anything of importance on the line to get either one. Well, now is his chance to do more than talk about it.
House Republican leaders will meet with a group of conservative members Tuesday in an attempt to remedy key differences on earmark reform before the rollout of their economic agenda later this week.
The conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) favors an immediate earmark ban, while House leadership backs a moratorium contingent on Democratic participation.
RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and members of the fiscally conservative group have pushed for the immediate ban on earmarks because they believe it would send a strong and clear message to voters, many of whom who are not closely monitoring Congress.
These guys are going to need help. It is going to be tricky enough bringing together the disparate parts of the Republican party, especially the pork-fat old guard. They’re also going to have to pull in some Democrats who are inclined toward fiscal discipline. In order to make that happen they’ll need someone with seniority and credibility to help bring that coalition together to support this effort. Can you think of someone who fits that description?
I can and his name is John McCain.
If his talk of fiscal discipline is worth anything to him, if he intends on using even a tiny amount of his vaunted bi-partisan magic to bring the budget juggernaut to heel even a little, this is where it must start. I can’t think of anyone better on the Senate side to make common cause with the conservatives in the House. The notion of an earmark moratorium fits his campaign rhetoric like a glove and it will get conservatives who think he’s a giant phony off his back for a little while. It will be proof that there is a conservative principle that matters so much to him that he will put some political capital at risk to see it manifest.
It’s your move, Senator. You want conservatives to believe that you’re one of us. That time is now.
Other Posts of Interest:
- Is John McCain Conservative? Show Me.
- John McCain Has a Small Government Track Record? Who Knew?
- Obama’s Better than McCain Because Republicans Will Oppose Obama
Category: Johnny Mac, The Economy and Your Money, The Republican Minority
