JC Watts for Vice President
By matpruitt Posted in Archived — Comments (49) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I have three main criteria that I hope Senator McCain will follow in picking a running mate:
1. That the individual be from the South;
2. That they be able to consolidate both religious and economic conservatives, and;
3. That they be able to bring new voters into the fold and expand the Republican base.
Considering these three criteria, I am endorsing an individual that hasn't been given much thought... former Oklahoma Congressman JC Watts for Vice President.
My second pick will more than likely be Governor Mark Sanford, but I believe Watts has the ability to make a difference in the outcome of a national election, by just a hair.
He is an unapologetic social conservative, a former pastor, former Oklahoma Corporate Commissioner and Congressman, former college football star, and currently a successful business man, national pundit, and a board member of such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America. More importantly, JC is a true believer in free market economics, and consistently for more defense, less government overall, and lower taxes. Watts can speak to the Huckabee, Romney, Thompson, and McCain voting blocks with out batting an eye, and without having his sincerity questioned.
I'd be lying if I said that I didn't appreciate the fact that Watts is an African American, I do. I am against affirmative action, but believe it makes sense for Republicans to recruit minority candidates. African American voters have been taken for granted by the Democratic Party, as has become evident with Obama's overwhelming wins in South Carolina and Georgia. With McCain's popularity in the Hispanic community and Watts' ability to reach out to African Americans, the Republican Party can break into typical Democratic voting blocks that are not only key for victory in 2008, but an absolute must if we are to be successful in the future.
No, I do not believe that women vote for women just because they are of the same sex, or that blacks vote for blacks, etc. I am an HR executive. I judge people everyday. Trust me, we listen most to those individuals that have similar perspectives and backgrounds, and yes, also to those individuals that look like us. So while I am not saying that we are going to get African American votes simply by putting Watts on the ticket, or even former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele, I do think that both men present a window of opportunity that is closing at a rapid pace.
Most importantly, Congressman Watts can be President. He has come from a modest background to make something of himself, he is of high character, he has been on the national scene playing a leadership role in the Republican Congress, and he has started and successfully ran a business since his time on the hill. He is also, BTW, a good friend of Senator McCain's and would make a loyal number two who has been an effective spokesmen for conservative ideals.
I believe over the next couple of months Senator McCain has to reach out to conservatives in his own party who have rightfully, at times, questioned his loyalty to the cause. He can start by picking one of the cause's greatest advocates.
Good luck pulling him back out of private life, though.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
That is a problem, really?
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
Plus JC didn't like the way GOP leadership treated him in the house, Gingrich in particular was very patronizing to him.
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will."-John McCain
Mitthead for McCain/insert conservative not named Huckabee here in 08
That is going to be the Congressman's close personal friend... Senator John McCain. C'mon... Do we really think that he would let this moment pass?
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
Let me be the first to say two things. One I think he would make a great VP and a great President. Two, I have personally interviewed JC Watts so I'm not giving you speculation. JC Watts barring a miracle is not in the running for VP.
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will."-John McCain
Mitthead for McCain/insert conservative not named Huckabee here in 08
I have it on tape recorder and have not transcribed it yet. But he did say he is not interested in returning to run for office.
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will."-John McCain
Mitthead for McCain/Rudy or insert conservative not named Huckabee here in 08
If Obama is the Democratic nominee, or is on the ticket (like that might happen) then you have a point.
If Hillary does 'shut him out' then picking JC Watts would be almost a master stroke.
As I have said in an earlier blog, any Black candidate will 'lose' anywhere from 2 -5% of voters... older voters that just can't vote for the Black man. We in the GOP would see that too.
But...
We don't get much of the Black vote anyway, so any that JC Watts would pull in, would be new, "found", votes.
As we have seen, as little as 2% of the vote can move a state from one candidate to another. JC Watts just might put states like PA, IL, MI & NJ into 'play' while helping in places like OH, VA, & FL.
Yes, that's what I've been saying. If Hillary is the nominee, pick Watts. It's a perfect strategy. It'll pull away increasingly independent minded blacks, and will appeal to conservatives as well.
Well, except some of the lunatics, which are out in force today. They'll just say Watts is a RINO because he's said he's not sure affirmative action should be ended.
John Bolton for President
"FEAR THE 'STACH!!!"
Conservatives understand that no candidate is going to embody all of our principles. Unlike McCain (1) deviations by Watts are few and far between; and (2) Watts didn't advance his career by giving us the finger.
My dream ticket would be Bolton/Watts.
It was RHINOs who sold Bolton down the river, nut us lunatics.
1) It plays into the identity politics of the liberals. We should be above that and make our pick on merit. Firstly, who would be the best President (starting anytime between now and 2016)
2) Truthfully, JC Watts' accomplishments are not very impressive. I respect what he has done in the private sector (and as an oldtime Sooner fan, I respect what he did on the football field), but he was rolled like a punk when he was in Congress. I well remember listening to him complain about how Tom Delay and Newt Gingrich were leaving him out in strategy meetings when he was chairman of the House Republican Conference; essentially treating him as a token. Moreover, I also remember several Republican Congressmen at the time complaining that if they needed anything done, they would have to bypass Watts and go to Delay, not having confidence that Watts could get the job done.
3) I don't think JC Watts wants to get back in politics. Again, despite his comparative failures in Congress, he has been successful in business; I don't think he wants to go back. Besides, against repeated promptings he has declined running for Governor or Senate, either office he is likely to win in Oklahoma
...assuming Watts could put MI in play? Good luck. If anything, a free-market background hurts candidates here. Besides, if you think you can put MI into play, you might as well put CT and MA in play as well... it's that sort of a long shot, sadly.
"No matter how much lipstick you put on the taxation pig, it's still a pig... and it's currently snout-down in your wallet." - Michael Fisk
You gotta admit he is impressive
http://www.jcwatts.com/jcwatts.htm
Sarah Palin is the most popular governor in the United States. However, she's only in her first term, and only 44 years old. As much as I would like her to be a Veep candidate, I admit that it might be too much superficial symbolism. But, I'm not convinced that a Vice President Watts falls into the same category. He might make an excellent Veep candidate.
He served on the House Armed Services Committee for eight years. He co-authored legislation that created the House Committee on Homeland Security, and then he served on that committee. He served in the House from 1995 to 2002, and is former chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party in the House. He’s 50 years old.
He's critical of the GOP’s presidential candidates because they "don't show up" for black voters:
Republicans want to say we reach out. But what we do instead is 60 days before an election, we'll spend some money on black radio and TV or buy an ad in Ebony and Jet, and that's our outreach. People read through that.
Here's a link to a video of Watts.
We could do a lot worse than this guy as the vice-presidential nominee. Here's a video of Watts talking about a particulalry volatile issue. He's a
friend of John McCain.
I honestly don't know a whole lot about J.C. Watts, but I don't think that considering him for Veep would necessarily be superficial symbolism. Would he be considered a prime contender if he weren't African-American? Maybe not. But McCain probably wouldn't be the nominee if he hadn't been born into a military family. Et cetera, et cetera. The main thing is whether Watts is qualified, whether he'd be a good leader, whether he could handle it.
I have no problem with that.
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
Every time I hear him on Hannity he gets me fired up.
I've always said if he wanted it, he would have run for Ok governor in a race where he would have won in a landslide. JC Watts doe not want to come back to politics period. If he did, we'd be talking about him for President.
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will."-John McCain
Mitthead for McCain/insert conservative not named Huckabee here in 08
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
A Governorship is well known to be the road to the Presidency except for this year, certianly more os than a Congressman. I'm saying that if he wanted to get back into politics, he wouldn have gottena nice resume winning governor with some 70 percent of the Okie vote, and then been a much more likely pick for all of the reasons you say. Not to mention the fact that he's said time and time againhe wants to stay in the private sector.
"Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight. We're Americans. We're Americans, and we'll never surrender. They will."-John McCain
Mitthead for McCain/insert conservative not named Huckabee here in 08
I knew him several years ago and understood his move to the private sector to be for financial reasons and to be able to spend more time with his family. I think he might listen to VP but I think it is going to go to Thompson who is 64 and not "too old" to be Vice President.
But passing on a chance to be Governor in what would have been a sure thing does seem to indicate that he's not interested in public life. Why would you not want to be Governor but want the significantly less powerful and whole functionless job of VP? I mean he'd be dependent on McCain to give him a portfolio. Why do that?
He hasn't shown an interest in returning to public life, and I don't think we're going to pull him in from it.
If you want a black conservative, why not go with Michael Steele, who actually held an executive office, more recently than Watts, and has shown some interest in maintaining a higher profile for a possible future run?
1. Not from the south.
2. Not able to solidify economic and social conservatives.
Mike Steele is a good man, and his star is rising, but he hasn't held any office higher than Lt. Governor. Furthermore, he is more of a moderate than a conservative and has taken with Christie Whitman and John Danforth to build a centrist Republican organization... not what McCain needs right now.
Furthemore, he is from Maryland and isn't going to bring us any real geographic support. He lost the race for U.S. Senate which leads one to the conclusion that we still lose the state even if he is on the ticket.
Don't take this as I don't like the man. I am an admirer. I think he is a good leader. I think he should run for Governor.
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
* qualified to assume the Presidency immediately upon incapacity of the President or at the next open election cycle
I like Michael Steele as a politician, but the only office he's ever won is the bottom half of a statewide race in liberal Maryland. I can't fathom that anyone could consider him to have the experience needed to run the country.
And, although I love J.C. Watts as an undisputed champion of conservative principles, I wonder whether his experience in the House is really enough to say that he could govern the whole nation. I'm definitely open-minded on that point, but I'm not yet sold.
I voted early in the Florida primary. Find out who and why.
* qualified to assume the Presidency immediately upon incapacity of the President or at the next open election cycle
In the past that WAS the first criteria. As THIS election cycle has demonstrated, the only qualification to run is a pulse.
86 degrees -- by which you might assume it COULD be revived.
As for the type of reptile mentioned, I am not sure she fits into a category.
In politics you have to sell your soul at times - and Watts isnt that kind of man.
I also agree about the president thing.
I will say it again - any time I hear him talk on Hannity's show he gets me fired up.
I will say this. America needs him, though.
I think he would a great choice
and a lot of people begging him to run. As an Okie, he is one of my favorite politicians in the state, but he's been out of office since 2002 and has shown no desire to return.
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Maybe you are right.
But, I don't know, I sort of believe in the whole, you know, "a cause greater than our self interest" line.
I got to think that if JC Watts is the man that I think he is, if he is asked he will do it despite any thoughts about money or private life. I got to think that if his party, his movement, and its nominee needs him, he will answer the call.
I like Governor Pawlenty, but McCain got killed in Minnesota, and he doesn't help in the south. I like Governor Bush, but enough is enough. I like Senator Thompson, but two old white guys is a losing ticket. I like Governor Sanford, he is an acceptable choice that meets most of my criteria, I just believe that this an outstanding and historic opportunity that no honest man is going to pass up if it lands in his lap.
I have known a lot of politicians, and JC Watts would be the first that gets the bug completely out of his system. He may not have ran for Governor or the Senate, but a part of him wanted to.
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
First, if McCain is to win, he's gonna need to convince conservatives to vote for him. Adding a guy like Watts would go a long way towards doing that as Watts is a trusted true conservative. It would also show good decision-making by McCain and a recognition that he needs us.
Secondly, Watts would be the natural successor and front-runner for 2012 or 2016 should McCain serve 2 terms. Of course, he may be saddled with the liberal McCain administration record, which would be tough to defend.
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Before I moved to Texas, I was involved in Oklahoma politics, and had friends on both sides of the aisle. I managed some state legislative campaigns, and was involved in several others. That is where I first learned about some "baggage" in JC Watt's background.
I do not want to describe the baggage with any specificity; suffice it to say that there is a reason he did not seek higher political office (in Oklahoma or elsewhere). The state Democratic party has some significant dirt on him that would be a significant drag on any ticket with which he was associated.
but there are rumors of some sort going around. I'm half a continent away and have heard that there were rumors about JC Watts at the time he left office.
Now, it could be that the "rumor" is simply someone's attempt at an explanation as to why a rising young politician would drop out of that particular rat race. Presumably, if he reenters politics as a candidate for VP, due diligence will be done and the rumors will be a non-issue.
My prediction:
Charlie Christ
But seriously, Charlie Crist is moderately popular here in Florida, where he's done a fine job as King Log taking no positions that might offend anyone. But he wouldn't swing the state one way or another, in my opinion, and he's not ready to assume that high an office.
He's been governor of the state for just over a year, before which he was the state Attorney General. Charlie's day may come, but it's too soon.
Also, anyone who's familiar with Florida politics will tell you that there are reasons he might not be a good VP pick for a GOP ticket, mostly due to the innuendo arising from his continued bachelorhood. He'd have to get married first.
I voted early in the Florida primary. Find out who and why.
In all due respect as someone who likes JC a great deal but I don't think this is good mix. Republican party should continue to reach out to African american voters but it looks like it just is not working now and I doubt even if Obama is not on ticket at all and us Republicans had a black on ticket it would help us
I found this today
The poll by Minnesota Public Radio and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute found 55 percent approved of Pawlenty’s job performance, while 39 percent disapproved. Views on the DFL-controlled Legislature were more mixed, with 46 percent saying they approved compared to 44 percent who disapproved.
I am all for Pawlenty!
he needs to pick a conservative running mate. It might help him get the conservative vote. I am still undecided if I will vote for him in the general. If his running mate is Huckabee or Crist no way. If he picks Thompson or Demint (a real conservative) I WILL vote for him. Barring a conservative canidate I just know if I can hold my nose tight enough. I love JC Watts, I think he would make a great president or VP but not because he black but because he is good. Some of these comments made me think of class warfare. Not good on our side of the aisle.
"Where I stand does not depend on where I'm standing." Fred D. Thompson
If Watts were McCain's VP, I would feel infinitely better about voting for him.
Great choice, great guy. It would be nice if we could take a little wind out of the "making history" thrust the Democrats are enjoying. However, a former House member could only accentuate how weak our penetration has been in the African American community.
Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650), Publisher of the HoustonBusinessReview.com and writes frequently in his www.BizPlusBlog.com.
Sounds like a good choice to me. If JC Watts is not going to run for VP I hope that he will return to public office soon. Out nation needs individuals like him in office to help keep the country moving in the direction it needs to be heading.
JC Watts was a great Congress Critter, but he is a bit light on executive experience.
I can see him in a cabinet level position in the McCain administration, then running on his record of accomplishment as a VP and then eventual President.
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I suggest you look up what he's been doing since he left the Congress.
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would be seen as the superficial symbolism it would be.
The fact is it would be seen as a desperate attempt to create a "Republican Obama". Watts should run for statewide office first.