Fred plus JC Watts? Nah, couldn't be. Could it?
By E Pluribus Unum Posted in 2008 — Comments (16) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
[This was originally posed as a comment in response to Whacker77 and gamecock -- but hey, I thought I'd run it by the gang...]
There's suddenly a little rumor said to originate from a source close to JC Watts that the Fred Thompson campaign and Watts (prominent former GOP Congressman from OK) are discussing the possibility of Fred naming Watts as his running mate.
My bet is that the rumor's got little to no substance to it. But let's play 'what if'. Take the jump with me...
If it's true, why would Fred do such a thing? Here's why. He's mired in 4th place (in the nationwide polls typically) after a sloppy early campaign. But suddenly a Bruce Lee-style debate performance in SC, there's a small buzz. No new polls are out yet, but his campaign contributions have picked up dramatically, and anecdotal evidence in SC says the local townhalls are suddenly full to overflowing. Got a little Fred-mentum going. But it could die down easily, especially if the SC primary fails to yield him at least 20%. So.......
So, throw deep downfield. Name JC Watts as your VP. Headlines will abound, and while some would rightly call it a desperate move, it'll be mainly more positive buzz. The JC Watts name is overwhelmingly positive, and a little Fred-mentum might turn into a serious re-alignment of the stars. Huck came out of the second tier in a fairly short time, it can still happen to Fred. And my oh my, what timing.
Watts is a powerful name, especially among movement conservatives. An alliance like that would move Fred from being the 'most consistently conservative' candidate to the 'we OWN the conservative side of this campaign' category.
Additionally JC Watts is ANYTHING but lazy and disinterested, and his name alone would impart a sense of vigor, youthfulness, and raw energy. We have to admit, the tag on Fred about being lazy and a less than enthusiastic candidate is still floating around there. JC Watts is photogenic, telegenic, well respected, and a HECK of a speaker. Let HIM do some stumping and townhall rallies, in SC and elsewhere. Holy cow!
The 'adult in the room' would have hitched his wagon to a rising conservative star in the party. Deadly combination. And if nothing else, he wins OK and TX in a walk. Fair number of delegates right there.
So I think it's just talk, but who knows.....potentially a desperate but savvy move.
I've been saying all along that JC Watts would an incredible running mate. Ideally, I want a Romney-Thompson ticket, but a Romney-Watts or a Thompson-Watts ticket it would be incredible.
I've met JC Watts and he is simply amazing. I think he'd be perfect as a runningmate: little or no scandal, young, excellent record, and a bit of an unknown outside conservative circles.
He had to leave Congress to support his family which I fully understand, but wouldnt the two lobbyist ticket hurt?
JC will help in OK that is for sure, I like him alot personally.
Of all the criticisms of Fred, that is the one I hear the least. It's called having a job.
I love this ticket idea. I also like the idea of Thompson/Palin.
about the potential of naming a VP pick now. Watts was actually the first thought to come to my head. I like it. Bring it on.
Michael Steel, had he won last year, would be the perfect VP for any of those running. JC Watts is great, but OK is a red state and there is no need for "help" there. Maryland? The east coast? The gov of Minnesota could actually swing a close blue state over. Bush could have won Pennsylvania in 2000 if he had picked Tom Ridge over Cheney (great adviser, not so great choice for VP) since Wyoming isn't a big problem for Republicans either. By the way, choosing a veep now is an interesting idea, but it didn't work in 76 when Reagan tried it.
of the internet. FDT names Watts as his running-mate now he will suck all the air from all the others for two solid news days. But Watts might also suck all the air from Fred this soon in the campaighn.
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
Annd just my 2-cents, he's in 4th, and this would be a hugely positive move for the primaries. You're right, it doesn't help all that much in the general, in terms of geographies. But even for the general, the youthful, energetic move helps.
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
stated on Hannity & Colmes after the Thursday night debate that the Reagan Coalition is indeed no longer and that the Republican Party has changed it's track. He said this after the interviews with the candidates when Hannity brought up that we need a conservative candidate. He supports the McCain/Huckabee point of view as does Ed Rollins. I don't know why this was not picked up by the media or Hannity did not take him to task over it, but he said it none the less. Find the video of the commentary after the interviews and you will hear what I did. Sad but true.
--roxer
I find the rumor to be exciting....I would like to see that ticket....I love the sanity JC bring to an argument when he is on FOX.
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion
...I specifically remember JC Watts and Fred having a couple meetings during his "testing the waters" stage of the campaign. I will come back later in the day and try to find a link to this information.
However, this is not a "desperate move" but rather an already planned move. I do honestly believe that Fred planned on naming him as a running mate before he officially entered the campaign. The only thing that may have changed is the timing of the announcement.
I will try and find a link to back up this assertion.
Wubbies World, MSgt, USAF (Retired):
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("An argument is a sequence of statements aimed at demonstrating the truth of an assertion.); }
In all the best ways.
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www.RightMichigan.com
This would be great. I have been an advocate of this since the summer. However, I heard an interview with him on the radio recently and he seemed to be in the McCain camp. I was very disappointed. If he changed his mind and is with Fred, it would be very good news to hear. That would be one hell of a ticket.
does JC Watts have enough experience to be a VP?
I would argue that he doesn't in the traditional sense. Would the Democrats be willing to argue this as well?
I think anyone who hears Watts talk will definitely find him likable and competent.
And this WILL drive movement conservatives to Fred's side.
I think JCW's experience will be adequate. I just wonder how much he'd want the job because he seemed to have enough of the public sector after his 4th term in the House.
Many people have hoped this would be the ticket long before Fred Thompson even looked into getting into the race. Would be a knockout ticket I think
why not break with tradition and name a running mate now, before anyone else does it? All the other traditions seem to be falling this year. Fred could really make some waves and get some attention with a move like this. Plus, JC Watts is an excellent choice, now or later.
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