[SuperJon]

It's a two way street. He was invited. If he wasn't invited then he request was granted. If Jerry's bringing politics into this then I won't be offended by the numerous seniors that don't go to graduation. There are already a ton saying that they don't see the point in going to the ceremonies this year, some are saying even though they paid they're not going, and some are saying they're only going for their parents. If this is a political move by Jerry then I don't blame them one bit for not going.

[Flamesfanva]

Even though as I have said, I won't waste the time going to see him, it will be interesting to see what he has to say. Will it be a speech geared towards warming up the Christian vote? Most likely, and you know JF will hold him to anything he says he "now" believes in.



Couldn't resist this when I saw it. By the way in case there are any doubts, yes, I was a member of the Young Republicans while at LU.

[SuperJon]

I think I'm the only person at LU not a Republican. I'm not a Democrat either, but not Republican. Both parties are messed up and I didn't wanna be grouped in with either one. I'm a registered independent. So far I like McCain, I don't have a problem with him.

[Sly Fox]

Believe it or not SJ, I'm listed as an Independent as well. I admit that I generally vote Republican but I'm not married to any party.

[BJWilliams]

Im actually registered as a Republican but my views tend more toward the Libertarian side of things (although I don't know of many Libertarians who want to blow countries like Iran, N Korea, and Cuba clean off the map)

[Brokeback Flamer]

If Jerry's getting political favors for someone to come speak at graduation then his heart's not exactly where I thought it was.

What?!? Jerry doing something out of political expediancy? Shocked I say SHOCKED. Next you will say there is gambling at Rick's !!!! (Casablanca Ref) JF has already come out against RUDY and J Mac is the only other real candidate. It makes nothing but sense to invite him. Christian, doubtful, but he is apolitician and will say what he needs. I would LOVE to have someone hack into the sound system and play Rush Limbaugh's paradoy of him. CLASSIC.

[SuperJon]

The political stuff is what I can't stand about Jerry. I hate it. This is our school, not his place to spout off on politics. Graduation is a place for the students to be congratulated on four hard years of work, not for Jerry to get his political agenda out. I absolutely hate Jerry on that point.

[fsn32]

You want to know the funny thing about this...regardless of politics, must schools would kill to have a big name person like McCain speak. I don't agree with everything he says, but he is a fascinating figure and powerful man... not to mention a war hero. Anyone who served our country and spent years in a Vietnamese prison camp... I am interested in hearing speak. I look forward to seeing him and hearing what he has to say.

I may not agree with Rudy G's stand on every issue either... but who wouldn't want him to speak... same for McCain. Heck, as the days go by, there are things that George W is doing that I don't agree with... but I would welcome him on campus too... it's not all about politics.

[PAmedic]

I honestly think some people live in a bubble, but I'm not gonna get into a major political argument here, you won't change how I think and I know I won't change your mindset(s) either.

Bottom line, I think McCain is great- I'm a conservative, usually vote Republican, with Libertarian leanings and I think our current federal gov't is a MESS, thanks to a guy I voted for.

I think FSN hit the nail on the head with this one.

[TallyW]

Having a potential President of the USA speak to you at graduation is something that EVERY student (no matter their political leanings) will be ecstatic to tell their kids about. I guarentee you that the Vines will be packed out and if a handful of students don't show up it will be their loss. The party will go on and they'll lose the opportunity for that memory. I don't personally love McCain but I would have loved him as a speaker at graduation.

[LUconn]

While this is definatly a political move by McCain accepting the offer, and it may be a political move by Jerry, that's up for debate, the actual speech itself will most likely not be some Republican pep rally. We had THE Karl Rove at my graduation and he just talked about things that he learned himself that he wishes people would have told him when he graduated. He didn't tell us to go out and vote republican or bash Hillary or anything like that. People need to not let their panties in a bunch over this and go to the ceramony. Unless they don't want to be bored to death. That's reason enough not to go.

[belcherboy]

I have no problem with McCain speaking in graduation. I would attend if I were a graduate or in town and had a ticket. I just don't like the guy. I think he is a showboat and media whore. I have a great deal of respect for his service to our country in both the military and politically. I would rather see him as a senator than a ton of other people. I just don't want him to ever sniff the presidency. I think the campaign finance reform thing really soured me on him and bumped several others in the republican party above him in terms of my preference for a presidential candidate. If I had a choice of McCain or Hillary/Kerry/Gore, I would choose McCain ALL DAY. I would support him in that situation, I just would rather see several others in the position instead of him.

[Hold My Own]

EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the presidents cabinet is going to speak somewhere, and there are not that many Christian schools out there not to mention how many Sen's are going to speak at places....

SJ if JF does not speak on behalf of Christians who will? It's ok for people like Jesse Jackson (also appeared on LU's campus) to get on TV every day and speak on behalf of the left wing....if nobody was to step up from the Christian side then that's all the American public would see....it's amazing how many idiots are in America and will believe anything they are told on TV or the Newspaper and if they are only introduced to one side (which is the case anyways with channels such as CNN & many others) then that is what they'll believe....not to mention the scores of students that are at LU b/c they or their parents saw JF on television representing something they want their children to be apart of

& what favors does JF need? They're not going to over turn abortion as a personal favor to JF, he doesnt need favors he just enjoys being in the presence of these politicians, they have always been important to JF, Helm's, and many other examples...back when JF was younger he would go up to the White House several times a year just for the opportunity to speak with the president....a few years ago I was at a baseball game and I over heard him on the phone and when he got off he turned to the person beside him and said, "You'll never believe who that was" and he said who....it was President Ronald Reagan....JF's movement doesnt go over looked even to those in the highest power in the USA...I just don't think we should sit back and let those of Soul Force and other crazies determine how we should run our country without us putting up a strong fight

LUconn, I dont believe it'll be a Republican pep rally either, I believe it'll be on par with last years speech....I dont know if you remember back but we had Newt here back when he was just like McCain and expected to be a presidential hopeful

[TIMSCAR20]

Newt spoke at my graduation in 91 too.

[LUconn]

PS

McCain haters: No worry, senators can't be presidents. They have a voting record that can't be denied and can easily be used against them. See John Kerry, Bob Dole, etc.

[SuperJon]

HMO, I don't mind Jerry speaking on politics because that's his right. We all have that right, as long as we vote. The thing I don't like is when he mixes the school with his politics. I think there should be a seperation of those two things.

I've always liked McCain. I love listening to him when he's on talk shows or whatever. He's interesting. If it was my graduation I'd love for him to speak.

[LUconn]

I just thought about it and hopefully he won't win the primaries because that rule still applies unless the dem candidate is also a senator. Because, Warner would roast McCain in my opinion. Hopefully Hillary will get it

[TallyW]

SJ- do you have any reasoning behind your opinion or is it just your opinion?

[Sly Fox]

Honestly, outside of some elite politcal circles Warner has ZERO name recognition outside the Mid-Atlantic region. He may wind up getting nomination but it will take a very well run campaign to do it.

McCain already has the chutzpah and the financial clout to make a serious run at the White House. He has made plenty of enemies in the Republican party but that could actually help him distance himself from Dubya's negative fallout.

[LUconn]

That's my point though. If Warner wins his primary, nobody has any track record for the guy. What does he stand for? Who knows? He could make it up any way he'd like to maximize his votes. If McCain wins, there's years and years of his voting record for us all to view and critique. Any smart DNC campain manager could take any vote or stance out of context and take away the moderate votes.

[PAmedic]

I just thought about it and hopefully he won't win the primaries because that rule still applies unless the dem candidate is also a senator. Because, Warner would roast McCain in my opinion. Hopefully Hillary will get it

Honestly, outside of some elite politcal circles Warner has ZERO name recognition outside the Mid-Atlantic region. He may wind up getting nomination but it will take a very well run campaign to do it.

I hate to even ask this because I know I'm gonna get blasted, but- here goes.

in all seriousness- is this Warner guy a Republican or Democrat? I'm confused if the theory here is that he'd defeat McCain and give the DEMS the Whitehouse, or you're saying he's a potential candidate for the REPUBLICANS in the primaries.

I assume that he's political figure from VA?

[LUconn]

he was a Dem Governor of VA.

[PAmedic]

and no yelling! thanks bro (I really didn't know)

for some reason I got the idea he was a Republican.

[bigsmooth]

sly, mark warner is well known in the democratic party, and is certainly in the mix for the nomination. i am not a democrat, but he did some good things for the commonwealth after a republican who messed things up. he is a viable candidate.

[Sly Fox]

I'm not denying his viability and I know the Dem braintrust likes him. I'm just pointing out the hurdles he'll have to clear if he is to defeat Hillary.