McCain hits two home runs

I’ll call it when I see it. I am not one of his best fans, but when he is right – he is right.

Point 1. – Open ended contracts. This was from yesterday’s WSJ, not available online.

“If the contractor can’t tell us what its going to cost, then they shouldn’t be seeking a contract,”

He was referring to the DD(X) and the C-130J as examples. In the same article,

Katherine Schinasi of the GAO, tha watchdog arm of Congress, said the Defense Department already knows many of the steps it needs to take. However, the Pentagon has yet to find the necessary willpower.
“DOD is not employing the knowledge-based approach, discipline is lacking, and business cases are weak. Persistent practices show a decided lack of restraint,” Schinasi said.

Yep.

Point 2. – That back-stabbing ass-covering display of Senate cowardice. (in the NYPost)

Anyone reading the amendment gets the sense that the Senate's foremost objective is the draw-down of American troops. What it should have said is that America's first goal in Iraq is not to withdraw troops, but to win the war. All other policy decisions we make should support, and be subordinate to, the successful completion of our mission.

Morality, national security and the honor our fallen deserve all compel us to see our mission in Iraq through to victory.

But the amendment suggests a different priority. It signals that withdrawal, not victory, is foremost in Congress' mind, and suggests that we are more interested in exit than victory. …
A date is not an exit strategy. To suggest that it is only encourages our enemies, by indicating that the end to American intervention is near. It alienates our friends, who fear an insurgent victory, and tempts undecideds to join the anti-government ranks.
…
Because the stakes there are so high — higher even than those in Vietnam — our friends and our enemies need to hear one message: America is committed to success, and we will win this war.

A date is not an exit strategy: it is surrender. Only 19 Senators, including Senator McCain, who voted with him show the maturity and knowledge of history to even deserve to be considered for CINC.

Here is the bad news for America and the Democrats.

First the 13 Republicans. Not a bad bunch on average. (Bunning, Ky.; Burr, N.C.; Chambliss, Ga.; Coburn, Okla.; DeMint, S.C.; Graham, S.C.; Inhofe, Okla.; Isakson, Ga.; Kyl, Ariz.; McCain, Ariz.; Sessions, Ala.; Thune, S.D.; Vitter, La.)

Now the 6 Democrats. Oh, my. (Byrd, W.Va.; Conrad, N.D.; Harkin, Iowa; Kennedy, Mass.; Kerry, Mass.; Leahy, Vt.)

I think all but one of the Dems, Conrad, voted no because they liked this instead.

I should stay out of politics, but this is too important to ignore. I think the Dems should look at their bench of Governors. Warner and Richardson – call your office. Christmas came early for you this year.