John McCain’s much-discussed appearance at Jerry [tag]Falwell[/tag]’s [tag]Liberty[/tag] University is tomorrow morning. Chances are, more reporters will be on hand for this than any other [tag]commencement[/tag] in Liberty history. At a minimum, the political world will be watching to see the extent to which McCain is willing to sell out for a shot at the presidency.
Just as a refresher, let’s not forget that less than six years ago, [tag]McCain[/tag] (accurately) described Falwell as an “[tag]agent of intolerance[/tag]” who had a “corrupting influence” on politics in America. A day later, McCain said Falwell had an “evil influence” over the [tag]Republican[/tag] Party.
Now that he wants the religious right’s support in the 2008 primaries, McCain has radically changed course and reached out to clowns like Falwell, leading to tomorrow’s commencement address at Liberty. It’s an offensive move for McCain to lend Falwell credibility by appearing alongside him publicly, but the speech, in and of itself, is only part of the problem.
In fact, I’d argue that the uproar over the graduation address misses the forest for the trees. Every time McCain is asked about the appearance, which is frequently, he explains that he speaks to college audiences all the time, whether he agrees with the school’s policies and/or leadership or not. Fine.
But the discussion misses the point.
First, it’s not just the appearance, it’s what he says while he’s there. Ted Kennedy, of all people, appeared at Liberty 20 years ago and delivered a remarkable speech in defense of tolerance and respect for diversity. Will McCain have the courage to do the same? It’s unlikely.
In 2000, [tag]Bush[/tag] caused a controversy by appearing at [tag]Bob Jones[/tag] University. At the time, McCain said he does not mind “going any place where people have views that I find hateful” — but “when I go there, I’m going to tell them exactly what I think of them.” He added that he would have told the Bob Jones audience that “they ought to get out of the 16th century and into the 21st century.”
BJU is not exactly the same as Liberty, but hate is hate. McCain can tell Falwell and his followers “exactly what he thinks of them” tomorrow, but I have a hunch it will be a friendly message.
Second, it’s also worth remembering that Falwell is not only a nut, he’s an anti-American demagogue who has said, among other things, that the United States “deserved” the 9/11 attacks. Yes, McCain should have better judgment than to speak at Falwell’s school, but the far bigger outrage is when McCain told a national television audience that he no longer believes Falwell is an agent of intolerance.
McCain will probably deliver a pretty standard set of remarks tomorrow and the event will fade from memory, but McCain’s shameless transformation from centrist “maverick” to right-wing ideologue has more to do with months of careful positioning, and less to do with one silly speech at Liberty University.