Anyone ever play that card game "bullshit," which is based on bluffing and posturing more than the cards in your hands? Well, I call "bullshit" on the Republicans. Although, I think I'm the only one doing so. When the Republicans took control of Congress in 1996 with their hugely successful "Contract With America" pledge, they did so for the first time in decades. At a point where trust with politicians was at low ebb, they made the unusual move of promising a comprehensive plan of legislation, accompanied by the threat that if they didn't do what they said, they would expect to be elected out of office. This kind of accountability was something America ate up and won them Congress during the term of an enduringly popular President Clinton and a thriving economy. The strategy was wide-spread among the party and novel in its sweeping effect, not to mention its overwhelming success.

Well I say the Republicans are at it again, pioneering election strategy in new ways. Whatever back-room party deals were made, it was clear that the GOP machinery was behind George Bush in the 2000 election. To try and gain an edge, to differentiate himself, John McCain declared himself a maverick, an anti-establishment guy. It didn't work. Or did it? Sure, he lost the GOP nomination then. Or did he? Maybe he was never meant to win. Maybe what he did was part of a long term strategy. What I am suggesting is that the GOP is attempting multi-campaign strategems, not content to plan each election on its own.

Look at McCain's voting record. Almost every vote during Bush's two terms McCain has voted lock-step with his party. Is that the record of a maverick? The only waves he made was in fighting the torture capacities of the U.S. a year or so back. Oh sure he stood up to Bush, he made a big push in the media. But the end "compromise" with the White House was that the U.S. could do what it wanted if national security was endangered. I paraphrase, but not much. Look it up. It made me sick to read the final wording. Incidentally, Bush just vetoed a recent attempt to make waterboarding illegal. I haven't seen McCain call him out for that. Any way, so McCain "loses" the GOP election, but with just enough efficacy that he is thought to be a future contender for the spot.

Now, in 2007-08, he runs again, but everyone counts him out. But then Rudy runs his campaign into the ground. Mitt the Mormon and converted conservative never stood a chance. To either, McCain still looks the favorite, so the GOP pretends its desperate and adds Fred Thompson as they so-called "true conservative," but then throws him in too late to make a difference and had him stumble left and right. Well done, Mr. Thompson. Well acted. Against any of these, McCain still looks conservative. So what do you do? Throw in Huckabee. Note: only against a former preacher does McCain no longer look conservative. And then conservative pundits rip McCain for not being conservative when he jumps out to a lead. Because that is how he is made to look. It is a chosen representation more than any indication of truth. Why does Huckabee stay in the race when it is clear he will lose? Because he needs to point out how not conservative McCain allegedly is. (And incidentally, he lays the groundwork for a future run if he or the party so think it is advisable).

All in all, the point is this. The GOP sees that their strategy over the last eight years has alienated many people, because in reality it has benefited so few. They realized the Demos will be poised to strike at the presidency. So they need to have a maverick ready, a rebel ready, who is just liberal enough to swing some moderate viewers, while the GOP faithful vote for whomever because that is what they do, just as loyal liberals will do the same with their candidate. And so the conservative pundits continue to complain, and some moderates and liberals may even think they don't want McCain but of course they do because either Clinton or Obama are insanely liberal in their eyes. Will it work? Who knows. I hope not.

But I for one, am calling "bullshit." McCain you are no fake conservative. You are exactly what conservatives want. You will cut back taxes and regulations on big corporations. You will mire us in years more of war. Both serving to give away our country's future to foreign banks as we build the national debt. At the same time, a President McCain would almost certainly ignore millions of Americans who suffer without health insurance or good jobs, and imperil all our civil rights by appointing conservative idealogues to the Supreme Court. I for one, have had enough of that type of leadership. Bush, McCain, it's all the same.

America, vote how you will. But don't be fooled.