Why does McCain want to shake up the political establishment in Washington?

Question

McCain has been in Washington for 20 years. He's part of the political establishment.

How can he see himself as a reformer who has the intention to shake up the political establishment?

He had 20 years time for that. Why now?

And finally, HOW does a person shake up the political establishment?

Weren't these words of McCain just empty?

Answer 1

He has been doing just that for 20 years.

Now it's time to do it from a place of more power and authority with someone by his side who will help him.

It is sooo great watching the power-center of Washington start to sweat with nervousness right now.

Answer 2

The Republican base is not large enough to drag McCain over the finish line this time. That's why his campaign is full of this haphazard double talk. They can't alienate the fundies but they have no chance at winning if they don't peel off independents. But saying two different things at once is not going to do the trick.

Answer 3

You're right; it's hard for someone from inside the system to be a mover and shaker.  The longer you’re in a system, the more you play the system and become like the system.

John McCain is simply playing the political game like everyone else that's been in the senate for 20 years.  He knows people want change and he has to say he's the guy to bring it; if he doesn't he loses - period.

Change can be brought.  Look at how George W. Bush shook up the system.  For years people assumed the president would abide by the constitution, George W. Bush sure showed them.  Most people aren't ignorant to the fact that corruption exists at all levels of the government; however, they were surprised that George Bush would so carelessly expose it, welcome it and even create it.

Many people knew of George Bush's poor record on economics before getting elected in 2000 but the consensus was the economy was too strong for one sitting president to dismantle in a mere 4 to 8 years.  Once again, George Bush showed us how naive and comfortable we had become and opened our eyes.

You can shake up the "political establishment" but it's not always going to be in a positive way.  George Bush has "shook" or should I say screwed things up and the reaction was more people are paying attention to politics than ever.  As proof, more people voted for John Kerry than any other presidential candidate ever, except the man he was running against.

McCain is a politician, who’s worked 20+ years in the system he says he’s going to change, he is going to say what he thinks will get him elected.  If you don’t believe him when he speaks, then the words are empty to you.  He’s record is one of voting with George Bush 90% of the time.  10% doesn’t sound like a shake up to me.

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

- Buddha

Answer 4

Cause the "Bus Lady" wants to post

Answer 5

At least he would know how to did it. Obama pretty much wants to do the same thing but would be clueless on how.