McCain's my man

I wish to declare my support for John McCain. I have absolutely NO interest whatsoever in Hillary Clinton - and am surprised that the Conservativehome editor has declared for her. She is self-serving and deeply unpleasant. There is something wrong about dynastic rule - to go from Bush (Sr) to Clinton (Mr) to Bush (Jnr) to Clinton (Mrs) appears almost feudal. But more importantly, there are good, good reasons for backing McCain. Not simply because he's making a comeback - though that he has certainly done. His performance at the Conservative Party Conference in 2006 left one wondering if he'd still be alive now. He's killed off those rumours. But in a troubled world, we need a president of the USA who has foreign policy experience - and has the right instincts on foreign policy. He's the only candidate to talk consistently and seriously about militant Islamism. He's the only candidate with a track-record of supporting human rights and democracy promotion as a priority in foreign policy. He's the only candidate to speak out strongly both in favour of the surge in Iraq to bring stability to that conflict, AND to speak out against torture in any circumstances. I was in Washington, DC last week and several friends of mine who work in the current Administration in senior jobs told me he was their man - and their judgement I trust. A Henry Jackson Society paper made me realise that McCain is my man on almost all foreign policy issues - and for us Brits, that's what matters.