Why would Americans want to give a third term to the most unpopular administration in American history? While many Americans still envision John McCain as the straight talking, special interest-disdaining maverick candidate of the 2000 election, the fact is that he's never really been any of those things. Make no mistake about it. A vote for John McCain is a vote for George W. Bush and a McCain win is akin to giving our current imperial president an undeserved third term.

The future of the aggressive Bush war machine will certainly be in good hands. McCain is a full-fledged "hawk" and a staunch supporter of President Bush's war effort. Not only does he think that the surge is "working," but McCain believes that the Iraq war is winnable and that winning is essential. Citing our long-term occupation of Korea, McCain has no problem keeping U.S. soldiers in Iraq for many years. McCain is also in lockstep with Bush on Iran. There is no question he'd use military force against Iran if he deemed it necessary. This is dangerous, given the milquetoast character of Congress. Would Congress stand up to McCain or roll over and play dead?

America's reputation is tarnished. Regardless of the strategy behind the "Bush Doctrine," his unwarranted invasion of Iraq has reduced us to worldwide bully status. Bush proudly calls himself a "war president," and he is. He has thrown away more than two hundred years of diplomacy, preferring the pre-emptive strike strategy embraced by the neo-cons. Do not expect better from Mr. McCain.

If you think John McCain is progressive where women's issues are concerned, think again. The National Right to Life Committee gives McCain a 72% rating for the years between 1997-2000, while NARAL Pro-Choice America gives him a 1% rating. When asked his position on contraception during a bus trip between campaign stops, McCain fumbled around for an answer, sounding like anything but presidential material. However, he did not hesitate to state that grants for sex education should not address the use of contraception, but rather adhere to Bush's "abstinence only" policy. McCain's mentor on reproductive rights is Senator/Doctor Tom Coburn (R-OK), who says he has delivered more than 4,000 babies. Coburn believes that life begins at conception, opposes abortion in all cases (except in the rare case where the mother's life is in danger), and advocates the death penalty for abortion providers.

Until recently, McCain had been a vocal critic of the

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