My line in the sand with John McCain
By Erick Posted in 2008 | Bobby Jindal | Charlie Crist | Jeb Bush | Mike Huckabee | Mitt Romney | Squishes — Comments (249) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
News is breaking that John McCain is meeting with Bobby Jindal, Charlie Crist, and Mitt Romney this Memorial Day weekend.
The media is missing another name that I know of. Likewise, for those still following the Huckabee veepstakes rumor mill, a whisper in my ear tells me he has taken himself out of the running after a visit by a McCain emissary to Arkansas last week.
Let me just be blunt with the McCain folks. The name that the media is not listing is wholly unacceptable and I really can't think McCain would seriously consider him. I realize he's a friend and all, but seriously, no hell no. And I actually suspect he's just tagging along like he has throughout the campaign. But not him Senator -- go with Lieberman or Ron Paul before you go with him.
Now, to the list as presented by the media:
Bobby Jindal -- I expect he'll say no, but you can ask. Louisiana needs him and he needs more time in office. But good choice.
Mitt Romney -- absolutely, but he really doesn't get you as much as a few others could. But he'd be great.
Charlie Crist -- are you kidding me? Seriously? Let me be blunt yet again: I will bolt so fast from supporting you if you pick this well tanned squish and all his baggage. Charlie Crist is totally and completely unacceptable. That's not even negotiable. I do not think I could say anything positive at all about the GOP ticket if that guy were on it. Go with Ron Paul or Mike Huckabee, but do not go with Charlie Crist. Senator, your problem is with conservatives, not with squishy moderates.
(actually, I think Huckabee would be a good pick for you, but that's another blog post)
I realize McCain needs face time with these guys. My understanding is that this is one of several meetings like this. And I suspect this is the "thanks, but no thanks" meeting. As far as Crist is concerned, it sure as hell better be.
Honestly, and this is where you guys decide I'm crazy, but I'm convinced I'm crazy like a fox, have I got a Veep pick for you, Senator McCain. Seriously.
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SLC
I totally disagree with you, and think the best answer is to nominate the guy or gal best qualified to be President in case something happens to McCain.
The Donks will try to make this all about Bush, fine let them. Respond with nominating Jeb Bush who will connect with the Hispanic population, was a great governor in Fla, appeals to social and fiscal conservatives.
If the Donks want Republicans to run from President Bush, show them that as Bush Sr. once said, "No going to do it, would not be proper".
We nominate the best person, no matter what. Hit the donkey right between the eyes.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
Who'd have thought we'd agree on something twice in one month?
LOL, I don't remember what the other agreement was but it was good
;>)
ROFL
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Conservatives love him, Dems in FL even love him, Dems everywhere else will become rabid foaming dogs at the thought of him. Heck yeah!!
Unfortunately it is much more likely that McCain will choose someone who pushes the rest of us on the precipice right over the edge. I really could be convinced to stay home.
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
My parents and nephew are visiting.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
I like women of every heritage and I, too, come from a multiracial extended family. The result is usually beautiful children.
Who cares about the color of one's skin when there are a hundred reasons to despise someone? After all, In a world of idiots one can't afford to be racist. Anyway, thanks, 'nibblybits' for coming up with 101: Race-baiter Moby.
And I still like President Bush.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
Jeb? Jeb?? Seriously??
This must be some sort of Machiavellian strategy to thrust Obama into office, thereby Obama will fall flat on his face and rejuvenate the GOP for a GOP landslide in 2010?
Too cute by half - or else just a very bad piece of advice. Maybe both.
TraunerWatch.com
Wyoming people deserve the truth!
Just another Bitter white-boy clinging to guns and God!
Dude, get a grip. Jeb Bush; like Obama isn't claiming it's a thrid Bush term, or anything!
Pam
Anyone have any hints as to who the unnamed pariah candidate of whom Erick speaks might be?
Those 3 reasons are exactly why he got on the poop list - not just by way of "being on the team" but by being a tireless agitator and a shill for them, and for having his nose so far up McCain's butt that you couldn't see his head. And his disparaging words aimed at conservatives opposing the "Y'All Come On In" immigration package were particularly galling. We were "bigots" and "those loud people should just 'shet up'".
And yes, he is and has always been considered more conservative (and less 'mavericky') than McCain. Just not *enough* more conservative to excuse the other things.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
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next witness: John McCain, who is scheduled to speak to La Raza.
Lots of hate groups out there...
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
lindsey would have to be surgically removed from McCain's....
well...you get the idea
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Graham, since at least 2000, when the McCain-Graham ticket was elected President and VP of the U-MSM-SA!
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
story, so he has been mentioned by the media. I am guessing the person Erick is talking about is Brownback.
McCain '08
I'd stay home with a vengeance. NO GRAHAM!!
You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.
If you guys put a Bush on the ticket, I will be firmly convinced that neither party actually wants to win this year. But you are more than welcome to try.
seriously.
We all need to think like Americans, and stop thinking of party.
Of course, someone named Bush or Dole will be the V-P nominee, for the Globalists, intent on establishing a World Government via the Free Masons, the Illuminati, the Council on Foreign RElations, and the Stonecutters, will continue placing their trust in the Bush-Dole conglomerates.
Wake up, Republicans. In every election since 1976, they have placed someone named Bush or Dole on the Republican national ticket. Do you really think YOU control the nomination process?
Erick's post here on Redstate is just part of their building an apparent "groundswell" in favor of Jeb or Mrs. Dole. Meanwhile, in private, they will make it very clear to McCain (perhaps in this meeting), that he has no chance of victory otherwise, just like they did to Reagan in the summer of 1980. After all, look what they did to Goldwater in '64, or Nixon in '74.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
to me, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
--
Gone 2500 years, still not PC.
But maybe all of you aren't as addicted to the Simpsons as you should be.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sdaRuTwWl9I
Still, I find it interesting that somehow a Bush or Dole has wound up on the ticket.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
Actually, given the Politically Correct nature of the current leadership in the Republican Party I'd expect a Woman or Minority to compete with the minority nature of the Democrat ticket...
Libby Dole or Kay Baily Hutchison maybe?
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
you're not picking the veep! Huckabee? What about Watts? Not a fan but Mitt would help his ticket he's more conservative then Mac himself. Anyway,the veep must be very conservative to be an asset.
Watts has repeatedly stated that he is not interested and will not do it.... Too bad, really....
Furious activity is no substitute for understanding.
-- H. H. Williams
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
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"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
That's like blaming you or me for Sheila Jackson Lee. Or Domenech for William Jefferson.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
McCain is solid in Florida (so forget Bush and Crist).
As impressive as Jindal is, six months as governor just isn't ripe.
Romney is not getting on this ticket and becoming the heir apparent. McCain will never bestow that gift on someone he clearly so dislikes.
Graham adds nothing but rumors (besides he wants to be AG-which is another bad idea).
Lieberman just totally, totally loses you the social conservatives (he's bad on judges as well as abortion). If he joins the McCain team at all, it will be at the Pentagon.
Finally, if McCain makes his Veep selection process a perverse variation of "The Bachelor" (which is perverse enough in its original form), forcing prospective Veeps to play the supplicant, he will degrade himself and his eventual running mate.
I don't think he's that stupid.
The ACTUAL list of prospects will have Sanford and Palin on it. No doubt, other names as well.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Ms. Rice is respected, sophisticated, educated, articulate, cool-under-pressure, patriotic, politically savvy, courageous -- in short, an "adult" that this country should be very proud of...and rightly elevate on a national stage. Most importantly, this selection has nothing to do with race or gender. She is deserving and uniquely competent.
(and, be honest now: do you wanna reconsider your suggestions of Charlie, Jeb, Bobby, Lindsey, Mitt and Huck?)
She is deserving and uniquely competent. However, her capability in running for office seems limited, especially as she has never actually done it before. However, if McCain does pick her, Obama would face a nearly impossible situation as many female voters would up and walk out of the Democratic party.
Erik
Let me count the ways
- Miserable failure at State
- Zero political experience
- Tied to Bush administration policy McCain has made a point to oppose
- Pro-abortion
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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
Through all this talk of Ms. Rice being the potential VP pick, I was wondering what all the enthusiasm for her was about, given her pro-abortion stance. I would think that, in light of the problems Conservatives have with McCain, Rice on the ticket would make the McCain choice that much a harder pill to swallow for we Conservatives.
When it was suggested again, I was wondering if I misremembered things.
Brian
I mean if we are considering Condi Rice, why not give voters in 2008 a really loved VP candidate to remind them of the issues they have with our party the past few years and currently?
C'mon. Using 'miserable failure' to describe Condi is using the Left's own language against our own people, something that John McCain has been endlessly criticized for here (and rightly so; "tax cuts for the rich" my patootie).
Criticizing Condi for her job at State is much like complaining that someone sent to shovel out the Augean Stables with a teaspoon didn't leave it smelling minty fresh. She's the first Secretary of State in what seems like forever that's kept State from actively undermining a Republican President's foreign policy (unlike Colin Powell), and that's saying a lot.
---
Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
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"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
Criticizing her from the left would be to say that she lied and people died.
Criticising her from the right is to say that she is totally ineffective and represents a weakening and nearly impotent foreign policy.
Rice is one of the few VP picks that could send me packing.
stop swatting at flies in Afghanistan from day one of the administration, and why we had a plan that was executed to perfection so soon afterward.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
If it were up to me we had a different Presidential nominee, and I said so.
I don't see why that would suggest I should withhold criticisms for a VP nominee.
And I notice your defense of Rice only addresses one of my points.
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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
I didn't tell you to withhold criticism, I criticized your use of liberal codewords in your criticism.
Regarding your points:
Zero political experience isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's not like she has zero *governmental* experience, after all.
Unlike Bush, Condi still has high favorables, and thus isn't 'tied' to the Bush Administration. What Bush policy that McCain opposes that's relevant to Condi's job are you talking about anyways?
A VP's previous positions on issues like abortion, unless radically held, rarely matter. I believe Bush Sr. was at least somewhat pro-choice before becoming Reagan's VP, and Condi isn't even that far. Also, Dick Cheney I believe was pro-gay-marriage before becoming W's VP. Both Bush Sr. and Cheney followed their respective president on those issues.
---
Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
you announce her
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times ....?
Bushes are the problem, not the solution to, the conservative movement.
He won't do it, and I hope he does not - I think the Bush name is toxic for the next 20 years, unfotunately, because I think he would have been a better president than W - and not even close. A bonafide 3-stool conservative who knows how to communicate and share his vision.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
To the dungheap with it.
--
Gone 2500 years, still not PC.
Perhaps the guy is just that dedicated to bran flakes...
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Here's why I think neither are seriously interested in the VP slot. Both clearly want another shot at the nomination. Both are young enough to bide their time and build their network to do so. Let's say one of them takes the VP spot and McCain loses. That's it...go join John Edwards in the failed VP candidate club.
But on the flip side, what if McCain wins in November? Then, Vice President Huckabee/Romney is stuck for the next 8 years. 2012 only becomes an option if McCain chooses not to run or dies/is incapacitated in office. Then, if McCain wins a second term, sure, they would then be the Republican frontrunner. But no matter the state of the country, history would be against them. Would voters extend 16 years of Republican dominance in the WH to another 4? That's a mighty big gamble. And if McCain loses re-election, they are back in the Edwards boat.
Huck/Mitt can afford to wait this one out and come back in 2012 or 2016 and retain their "outsider" status, regardless of who is the sitting president.
Because it needs to be a governor or former gov NOT named Crist, and furthermore, it needs to be Sanford. Or that guy that Leon said.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
I think he'll pick someone young, and Fred looks old. The last thing he wants is to play into the caricature of the GOP being the old white guy party.
no to a ticket where a significant portion of the party faithful would like the roles reversed.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Are you saying most Americans would want a McCain/Graham ticket reverses to a Graham McCain Tiket?
I don't think so...I don't think Graham would get to first base...I could see him the first time somone pressed him on anything..."JAST SHAD AAAP!!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Lite Loafer Lindsey? Got no use for him.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
I see you started your Friday night drinking waaaaaaaaay early Brian.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
exactly what were you implying there?
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
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I'm sad he didn't get the big name on the ticket, as I think he'd turn the GOP back in the right direction. But, as others have said, McCain and Thompson together would be a disaster from an image stand point.
And I'm pretty sure that Fred has stated unequivacably he wasn't interested in being #2....
Brian
Fred for RNC Chairman.
After the way he ran his campaign?
I love Fred and what he stands for but no thanks!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
RNC Chair does not manage campaigns or anything of the sort. But he's the front man for the GOP brand, he has potentially a BIG say in recruits for candidates -- which has been in the crapper since Haley Barbour left. Just think - Fred recruiting and supplying an army real conservatives, real straight-talkers, people who will challenge liberals on the merits, take the conservative message to the people.
As opposed to this recent history we have of weak-kneed, gutless triangulating. Do you suppose for one second that if Fred headed up RNC we would have them endorsing Specter over Toomey, or Chafee over Laffey (was that his name?), and so on?
It could be pretty neat.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
My issue with the RNC right now is the fact that they've done so little in terms of outreach that I couldn't tell you who the RNC Chair even is and I read the news incessantly!
There's no excuse for it. Fred would be a good spokesman but I'd worry about his energy and apparent lack of enthusiasm. I don't mean that as a knock because I love Fred, he just doesn't seem to get all that worked up about campaigning and such!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
to the current amount of energy and enthusiasm coming out of the RNC.
Honestly, could it really be any less?
One more thing...think of Fred's response to Castro. That's exactly the sorta thing we need coming out of the RNC on a regular basis.
Honestly, could it really be any less?
No...I don't think a corps would exhibit any less energy or enthusiasm than the current RNC leadership.
That was a great quote and Fred is a great spokesman...I grant you that...the issue become Fred's own declaration that he hates campaigning, With that being said, why would he want to sign onto a position that requires perpetual campaigning?
I just don't thing RNC Chair is the place for him! Something communications related would be better suited for him.
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
which serves only to illustrated your point. I *think* it's a guy named Ed Gillespie, about whom I know very little. And like you and NightTwister are saying, there is NOTHING coming out of the RNC.
In a presidential election hear.
In which we are outnumbered by small margins in both Houses.
Where a vibrant, enthusiastic effort from the RNC might move us over the hump.
Instead of over the cliff.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
I'm pretty sure of it...He used to get out on the talk show and news talk circuit and tell everyone what they were up at the RNC...
Hold on...I'll look it up....
It's Mike Duncan?
I have no knowledge of who he is or what qualifies him to be chair but there it is!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
That ticket reminds me of a movie from the early 90's with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, what was it called, oh yeah...Grumpy Old Men :)
Is this the same Erick who frothed at the mouth at the mere mention of Romney's name during the primary.
Anyway, one thing I know is true. Romney stands out in person. He along with Jindal are the only two real geniuses in that group. When you get them all together those, it will become apparent whose the wheat and whose the chaff. Romney, from age and experience will have an edge on Jindal in Gravitas. Thi scould hurt or help those two. They are clearly the best and brightest. But that could also be intimidating to have a veep who can go around the country and could explain things like free market principles, the mortgage crisis, and trade with China in a way that McCain never could.
From an insecure standpoint, I think McCain may like the plastic Charlie Crist. But I think McCain needs a curveball - youth, women, or minority. For some reason I think Colin Powell is a real sleeper in all this even though he isn't discussed much.
who's
whose the wheat and whose the chaff
Eye just thought ewe wood want two no.
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
Powell would fit the bill for an affirmative action pick but he does the same thing Huckabee would do to the ticket. Where Huckabee would immediately lose you 1/3 of the Party,(FisCons) the day he's announced Powell loses you the SoCon third since he's pro choice and a self professed "Moderate/Liberal on social issues!.
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
What did Crist do to merit such contempt? I thought he was generally conservative and very popular in the important swing state of Florida.
If we need him to win FLorida, we're doomed already. McCain will win Florida easily if it's close.
Elswhere he's a net negative--appears conservative to moderates, but appears moderate to conservatives.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
He holds Pennsylvania, helps in Ohio, he's Jewish which helps in Florida and he's a Clinton acolyte without actually having been in the Clinton administration. Given that, who would we want to debate Rendell (not that that should be the sole or even a chief criteria, but for the sake of discussion...).
I'll throw out a name to be picked apart I am sure....John Thune. No, South Dakota is not in play, but Thune has slayed a Senate Majority Leader, he's "telegenic" and "young", he's not prone to Quayle-like gaffes.
I'd bet on Claire McCaskill. She'd re-solidify the female vote in the Democratic camp (not as if they were going to flock to McCain in droves anyway), put Missouri in real play, and she's been on board with Obama from the start.
since they were alot of rumors about her drug habits in her senate race. If they want to go with a do no harm candidate Strickland makes alot of sense, he has all of Rendall's strengths, without being the polarzing personality that Rendell is.
McCain '08
I've heard McCaskill and would love Obama to pick her, she's weak. Strickland has been Governor for as long as Jindal, he beat a GOP candidate whose sitting Republican Governor had an approval ratings in the sub-10% range. Quite the accomplishment!
I maintain it will be Rendell who will be able to spend most of his time campaigning in his home state which the Dems desperately need and which will be in play otherwise; with occasionally forays to the Jewish community in Florida and he can be the tough to Obama's tender in the couple of VP debates.
And how is the GOP going to attack her on that? I invite you to look at her photo on Wikipedia. Do you really see the GOP going hard-nosed at someone who reminds people of their mom?
She's very popular in Missouri, having been governor and now Senator, and she would energize the female vote. I warn you: Fear the Claire!
To Matt Blunt. She won in 2006, when any Democrat with a pulse and $100 in the bank beat Republican DC incumbents burdened with the Iraq debacle. I'm not calling her a "fringe candiate", but the idea that she is some electoral powerhouse, such as a two-term Governor and multi-term Senator is just not the case. She is a losing Gubernatorial candidate with 2 years of Senate experience.
Brain fart on my part. I still think that Obama needs a popular, likable woman from a swing state, though. Especially if Hillary decides to make it nasty on the way out (as I expect she will).
...what makes you think she is?
She won a close election against a bad candidate in a Democrat tidal wave year.
She also has a big mouth and tends to mouth off a lot. She is a liar as well, and ran a vicious campaign against Jim Talent, accusing him and the GOP of "fixing gas prices to win the election" among other ridiculous claims.
Claire McCaskill is a joke and a disgrace to Missouri.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
By single-handedly conducting stem cell research out of her Senate office? I believe that crucial issue was the keypoint of her big win?
She ran millions of dollars worth of ads starring Michael J. Fox attacking Jim Talent as someone who wanted to "criminalize" stem-cell research. Another lie.
I think Claire McCaskill has too much of a b*tch factor to be considered. She is a mouthy, domineering woman who reminds men of their first wives every bit as much as Hillary Clinton does.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
along with Strickland, he has rumors of skeletons. I keep wondering about Salazar, who is Hispanic and might put CO in play.
Ohio will be close, and will prove critical. If he can win that, McCain will have to cobble together a few other states.
Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin are the big, close states today. If things don't change (and they will), they will be the critical 3 in '08, much as Florida, Michigan, and PA were in 2000.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
He appointed the first open lesbian to the Ohio equivalent of Circuit Court, so that will be a clear sign the Gov. shares the kos-kids priorities and give them comfort with Obama's future court nominees.
I don't have a beef, ideological or otherwise, with him, but the only thing he does is give Obama an edge in Ohio. He would have little effect on the rest of the swing states.
In regard to the suggestion below of Richardson, yes he would shore up Hispanic support, but Texas is going to go Red and California is going to go blue no matter what. New Mexico and Colorado would turn a slightly darker shade of blue, but the net benefit is small.
McCaskill, on the other hand, not only puts Missouri in play, but would result in an increased voter turnout among women nationwide in Obama's favor. Since they make up 50% of the population, I think she would be his best net plus pick.
She won't put Missouri (Bush +7 in '04) in play unless Obama is already winning big. But she will be a net drag on the ticket--a big "DIVERSITY" (i.e., liberal) label attached to the ticket.
"People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." -Edmund Burke
Hispanic, great resume with gravitas to shore up Obama's inexperience.
--------------------
Small is beautiful.
Certainly don't care for her politics, but do admire the fact that she went with the "O" months ago and really pi**ed off Bill and Hil. Somehow, she will see her courage to split with the "gender fender" rewarded by her party.
Understand Obama has all the diversity "Oprah" vote he is going to get. It would be the equivalent of McCain finding a 70-something Vietnam war hero to run with. I hope to God Obama picks Sebelius or McCaskill and I am certainly not looking to help him out in case he reads RedState to pick his running mate! But Rendell delivers the most bang for his buck by securing Pennsylvania and tightening up Florida.
Neither Seblius or McCaskill do anything for Obama in PA, OH or FL and without 2 of those 3 Obama is done for. McCaskill delivers Missouri and Sebelius Kansas the same way Edwards delivered North Carolina for his liberal running mate.
and if he needs "shoring up" in Pennsylvania, he's done for anyway. He's not going to win Florida, whether he puts a Jew on the ticket or not. His current strategy is to hold the upper midwest and pick up New Mexico. Assuming he loses New Jersey, he needs to pick up EITHER Ohio OR two of the following: Colorado, Virginia, Missouri (Virginia being by far the longest shot).
He currently leads in Colorado, and he only trails in Missouri by 3. Picking Strickland puts all his eggs in the Ohio basket. McCaskill (yes, because she's a woman) would tilt all the swing states, not just Missouri, a few points in his direction, allowing Obama to win by several different methods.
Jersey's political machine makes sure the dead vote for the Dem, and some live people too. It'll be a perfect fit with Obama's hometown roots.
If Rendell had been for Obama from the beginning than maybe so- but there have to be a TON of clips of Rendell talking about how much better Clinton would be than Obama, and how Obama would have a tough time winning with 'white people'
we could just play all those ads of Rendell attacking Obama- couldn't we?
"Small town folks get bitter after which they cling to guns or religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment"- Barack Carter Obama
I've predicted elsewhere, and now here:
The VP pick will be a Governor, or Ex, from a state that McCain might not otherwise win (but only lose by a TINY amount, so that the VP pick will turn the tables)
He won't pick a conservative, as the RNC doesn't need to pander to conservatives. (There are enough people who already believe that unless you vote republican, you are defacto voting Democrat)
Therefore they only need to pander to moderates.
Independence is Freedom. Dependence is Slavery.
Some of our multi-term Govenors are from deep blue states, the others are short in numbers. Such is the cost of leaving states like North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, and the entire upper Midwest other than the Dakotas for the Dems to Govern the past 4-6 years. I wish to heck we had a strong 2-term Governor in, say, North Carolina or Ohio who would be a natural pick for McCain. But, we don't.
Thin benches all around...here in NC, we haven't had terribly deep benches at all for governor. This year we had a number of good contenders, but it will be yet another uphill battle against an entrenched "conservative" Democrat who has already won statewide multiple times. The problem here is that we are ceding ground to the Dems in the lower offices like Sec State, Attorney General and the like.
All of my representatives (state and federal) are the typical good old boys who have been entrenched for years. Part of me would love to run against my state house rep, but he's been there for 30 years and the establishement is locked in around him. We are shooting ourselves in our own foot!
We need good, solid, young conservatives to start supplanting the entrenched establishment guys across the country so that we don't have to worry about a thinning pool of good governors and senators to put up for Pres/VP.
We have to start electing AG's, Secretary of State's, etc. in red/purple states. As it is, we seem to spend all of our time and resources at the state level concentrating on one (Governor) race at best and at the federal level begging old ex-Governor's to run for the US Senate, while the Dems have deep benches of state constitutional officers ready to run for Governor when the seat comes open or the US Senate.
The Council of State is all Democrats except for Labor, Auditor and Agriculture, and the Ag Sec barely won last election. All the biggies, Lt. Gov, Treasurer, AG are Democrats...heck, the local GOPers here gladly vote for the current Dem AG over any GOP challengers. All we are doing is padding his resume if he ever runs for Gov/Senate. And the guy we have challenging him this year is a local lawyer who, IMOH, comes across as a typical ambulance chaser.
But I think we need an organization that targets several dozen "down-ticket" races in important states to elect young, socially and economically conservative folks in key states.
Tell me about it, I'm from Oklahoma.
Our State government is split down the middle Republican Democrat, with a Democrat Governor.
Yeah, we have a concealed carry program, but the Democrats wrote it so it is very anti-gun friendly.
Frankly, I'd like to see J.C. Watts get the nod from McCain. Though not a governor, he is a good guy.
(Heck, I'd love to see Zell Miller! There's a Democrat I could vote for! heh)
Independence is Freedom. Dependence is Slavery.
I forget what happened when Steve Largent ran against the current Dem Gov. Henry? Wasn't there a third-party candidate who siphoned votes from Largent? That's typically maddening. As I recall Largent was considered a shoe-in, but stumbled at the end and as a result a "conservative" Democrat is now a "popular" 2-term Governor in a deep red state.
I like J.C. but this is frustratingly our pattern as a party. We go searching for a "minority" and all we can find is an ex-Congressman, out of politics for almost a decade, with no executive experiences. Better than we JC had taken on and beaten Henry and was sitting in the Governor's mansion of Oklahoma with a solid executive record behind him...at that point he would be considered not just a strong Veep candidate, but a legitimate Presidential candidate...
What killed Largent was not a third party guy or a 'conservative' Democrat, but that he never came off as having any passion.
He tried to be nice and not engage in much discussion.
Turns out, when you won't talk about why you're better than your opponent, no one has a reason to prefer you over them.
So Henry won again.
As for Watts, some people in 06 asked about him running for President, but he's running his own company now and says he enjoys spending time with his family.
Independence is Freedom. Dependence is Slavery.
As I recall, there was a third-party candidate, ex-prosecutor and former Republican candidate for the US House that got over 10% of the vote allowing Henry to win with less than 45% of the vote. Once in office Henry did some "conservative" things, the Oklahoma (oil) economy boomed and Henry cakewalked to re-election 4 years later. I don't doubt that Largent was not passionate, I suspect he probably thought he couldn't lose.
As I'm not a native born Oklahoma boy, my Oklahoma State Politics knowledge has a few holes in it.
However, the people keep voting for extra taxes to do things, so maybe they just LIKE having a Democrat run things?
Me? I was instantly a fan of Istook, Coburn and the rest of the good Republicans here once I moved here in 2005.
MUCH better than my experiences in Minnesota.
Independence is Freedom. Dependence is Slavery.
who fits your description is Ridge, and he would be a disaster (bad on national security, taxes, and of course abortion).
There are a few. Most have been named by others, so I won't rename them.
I don't expect there to be a conservative VP named... there's no reason to as they're trying to win "Moderate" votes away from the Democrats, and you don't do that by moving to the right.
Independence is Freedom. Dependence is Slavery.
LanceKates I think you are correct. Everyone keeps forgetting that you don't need a rabid conservative for VP. No matter how much the social conservative bitch they still will hold their noses and vote republican. Ridge is my guess as to who might be McCain's VP.
He is respected by conservatives:
He was a popular governor in a large purple state
He was our first homeland security secretary
He is ex-military
What more do you want?
"No matter how much the social conservative bitch they still will hold their noses and vote republican."
He won't pick a conservative, as the RNC doesn't need to pander to conservatives. (There are enough people who already believe that unless you vote republican, you are defacto voting Democrat)
I don't doubt that's the thinking at the RNC, but they'd better disabuse themselves of that notion if you're right. Many have consigned themselves to voting for the lesser of two evils which is pretty much a no brainer if McCain only serves one term. The task gets harder to accept if McCain stays for eight years. If McCain makes a Moderate/Liberal Republican his choice for VP, and the Conservative base is suddenly faced with the prospect of 12 to 16 years in the wilderness...all bets are off and the consideration that a four year Obama Presidency would be better than 16 years of leadership by Moderate/Liberal Republican comes into play!
If McCain picks a Graham or someone like him November will become a forgone conclusion and we might as well start looking toward the 2012 elections!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
I Like Mitt for VP!
But he may need to find an Hispanic, if he want to have a chance of winning.
I mean I would love a strong social and economic Hispanic Governor to be on the ticket. But he or she does NOT exist. We need to come up with our own Salazar brothers like in Colorado to be elected AG or Sec. of State, etc., then Governor and then on the national ticket or the US Senate. But we can't just create one out of thin air.
Also, I think Obama is going to have serious Hispanic problems and a benefit of McCain's immigration "policy" will be he will equal or exceed Bush's Hispanic vote. I would also saturate Hispanic "markets" with the message that a vote for Obama is a vote for homosexual marriage.
1) By his gracious withdrawal after the primaries and support of McCain, he has shown he can be a team player
2) His business acumen will be a big plus in a campaign where the economy is a big issue
3) He has more firsthand experience of bigotry than the charmed Obama ever has had, and can counter the Divine One's pretensions in the Suffering Sweepstakes
4) With the focus provided by McCain, his indefatiguable energy will be an enormous boon
5) Putting him on the ticket will make McCain look magnanimous, especially if Hillary isn't on Obama's
6) His fundraising ability
7) His own money :>)
Homeland Security needs a turnaround guy. A high profile, get-the-job-done position would be good for Mitt.
Mitt seems a good choice. He offsets McCain's age problem. The business experience fills McCain's econmic shortfall in a time when Americans are ranking the economy as the top issue. Mitt can also bring some of his own money to help with McCain's lack of fundraising.
The question is will McCain be able to set aside their past differences.
GO JOHN!
You senile old fart. Go to one of your wife's 8 or 9 or 10 homes and relax until the Creator (or whoever) calls you.
And I'm about the biggest W fan there is not named Bush... And all y'all that have been duped by the MSM into thinking GWB isn't a great president, well, you can kiss mah grits! GWB brought integrity back to the White House after eight years of disgrace. And if you think you were betrayed by his "moderate" policies on some issues you just did not pay attention to his campaign or his Texas record.
That said, GWB has sacrificed his political capitol to keep us as secure within our borders as possible by taking the fight to the enemy in their lands. Anyone named Bush or seen as a part of the Bush Administration is toxic for at least this election and probably two more cycles. Jeb's national political career is probably over. There is no way he can be considered a "plus" as a veep choice.
Steve in Tennessee
http://sdo1.blogspot.com/
Playing Monday morning QB, I really wish Rep. Ed Bryant would have ran for Governor back in 2002 rather than challenge Lamar for Fred's open seat. I am almost positive that Bryant would have beat Bredesen, and would be in his second term as Governor right now, and potentially a McCain VP candidate.
Gov Sanford and Sen Graham have been mentioned, and are from my state, I will throw in my 2 cents.
Sen Graham would add nothing to the ticket. He is just a McCain-lite, and McCain will carry S.C.anyway.
Sanford is more interesting, but I would not choose him either. He has some good ideas, but is really more of a libertarian than a republican. There are better choices out there.
Unless you strongly disagree with Garner's assesment, it seems a bit silly to start threatening to commit Seppuku over Sen McCain's VP choice.
If it swings a key state or helps the campaign and stops Obama givig you four to eight years of pain (and cost) then what more do you want. After the campaign the VP doesn't often matter much to the presidency (perhaps the current holder being the exception).
But for all the effort to paper over McCain's disagreements with the conservative core of the Republican party, there's still a lot of nervousness about him. All of his choices about who fills what important positions within his campaign will be put under the electron microscope for analysis. So the frequently chosen route of "Pick somebody who wins an important swing state and don't worry about the rest of it" is pretty much closed to McCain. So McCain needs to pick a nominee who shores up his support with conservatives, appeals to moderates, and takes the age issue off the table. I don't think such a candidate exists.
The importance of McCain's VP pick is heightened by the fact that many conservatives are mentally "writing off" the next 4 years as a loss. However, if McCain puts in a viable young conservative in as VP then conservatives have something to invest in.
I'll happily put up with 4 years of McCain if I get [insert your favourite solid conservative] at the top of the ticket in 2012.
John McCain wants me to say this:
"The Issue: Time for Solutions
John McCain will put the national interest ahead of partisanship, he will work with anyone who sincerely wants to get this country moving again."
http://www.johnmccain.com/ActionCenter/BlogInteract/BlogInteract.aspx
As well as this:
"John McCain kisses puppies and died on the cross for your sins."
And this:
"John McCain's blood is composed of red, white, and blue components."
Other than using your own brain, why wouldn't you vote for John McCain?
How many points did you earn for that head scratchins?
LOL
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Take it to the contact form if you're going to go around accusing people of being shills.
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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
lighten up
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
When talking to Contributors (and up) you need to strike a better tone than that.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
The "McCain wants me to post this" comment made me think he was referring to Eric's post from yesterday that has a link from Red State asking Pro McCain posters to post their talking points to the site.
If you follow the link from the post it will take you to the page...apparently you get points for which you can use on McCain's site.
If I missed something then of course I ow head scrtchins my humblist apologies as well as niel
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
It's the attitude. I haven't been following the thread so I have no idea about all that. But telling a front-pager to "lighten up" in what I take to be a dismissive tone, to me is just a bit much.
Ace, I'm your friend and I'm not climbing up your back. I just want to remind you that for RedState to work like it should, regular guys like us can't be dissing on the front-pagers. Plus, I think I'm on solid ground when I say Neil has earned a hefty amount of respect here. Earned it the old-fashioned way.
Also, just a thing, you're killing Neil's name, man. It's not 'Niel'.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
I was saying it was a joke, lighten up...had we been within arms reach I'd have given him a slap on the back like I would any friend...
I write the way I talk and it's hard to convey benign intent when writing since you can't add voice inflection so I'm sure I come off as more snide than I intend at times...as I'm sure we all do!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Alright, its all good Ace. But hey, learn to use those smiley faces and stuff :o)
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
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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
from the Barn to the house.
spelling is hobgoblin of...
smile
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
He is a loose cannon, witha loose mouth and bad attitude.
We haven't spoken with Hilary either, but we know a lot about her.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
but right now, anybody named Bush is too toxic to pick.
He's still a good guy, and making him a serious part of the election team might be a smart move, maybe even a Secretary position after the election is over, but not veep.
Realistically I expect Jeb to steer clear of high profile positions for a bit. If he stays active but out of the limelight for 4-8 years, he can re-emerge on the national stage later.
Actually all these choices look bad.
McCain/Romney polls somewhere between McCain and a Sandwich and McCain and Carter.
Jindal would be great, but really age would be a huge factor, we say Obama is too young, they'll have a field day with this (despite the fact they say McCain is too old, yet we in NJ get a 91 year old running)
As of right now McCain's best bet is Joe or someone to the deep right, but not nuts. John Kasich was talked up a few times for VP, good fiscally, but really McCain would be bogged down with Anti-Fox News Ads from every which way.
If theres a very conservative person in a lib state then that might be McCains best chance.
...and months ago, on this forum, many were touting Chris Cox as an up-and-comer and possible VP...what's the word now?
My point is this: all the names that have been suggested come with (some) well-founded criticisms re: political baggage or just plain old unelectability. To use a very tired, old, but appropriate phrase: we need a breath of fresh air to reinvigorate our GOP (not saying it's Cox or Condi, just want to think outside the proverbial red box). We're gasping for breath, fellas.
Huckabee and WALNUTS! McCain would be perfect for each other. Talk about two total mavericks. When they become co-president of red America Mexicans will literally be crawling of the walls to get here!
He can counter the Messiah with his own Christ, er, Crist
OK...it's cute once but can we stop the word play between Crist and my Lord...it's extremely offensive!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Governor of Idaho, very conservative.
Any thoughts?
over to the fold. Possibly similar effect that Romney would have.
But for all these guys the vetting will have to be tremendous.
Erik
The West Coast won't swing. The only two Western states in play are Colorado and New Mexico, and I doubt homestate advantage stretches quite that far.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Is there a sizable enough population in Northern Nevada that would consider the governor of Idaho to be the "home team" to make a difference?
would have any influence whatsoever, like you I don't really know. I was just noting that Nevada is pretty purple, a Western state that's not locked up.
Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated. -- IMAO
Nevada is Red everywhere except Las Vegas. The culinary and service unions have turned my town into a liberal hog trough. Rural Nevadans, like most rural Americans, lean towards conservative ideals, small government, and killing terrorists.
Mac can win here, but not by pandering to the center. I don't think his VP choice would mean alot, unless its Romney. Romney could really make a difference here because of the size of our Mormon population.
The current Governor has plans to create an income tax here (only sales tax currently). We can mimic Califortaxia and Taxachusetts.
We need more Republicans in all levels throughout Washington. Colorado will be a tough play IMO with how the Senatorial race is shaping up. This could help both out.
Erik
Shaffer. He is going to need get out and push back much more than he has so far for people to see past the crap that is being said about him.
And Udall is just another socialist from what I hear.
"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!
Don't think CO is a lock, but agree that Mitt can help in more places than his haters like to admit including NV, CO, MN, WI and MI.
swamp, Let's not forget that Boulderitis is on the rise and we've already lost the governor and a Senate seat to the convention that's coming to dinner.
Romney landslided Colorado on the GOP side with 60% to McCain's 19%.
Oh yeah....if these are the choices, then it is a no brainer....
It's Crist by a landslide.
He's the perfect RHINO compliment to McCain. He's got the young, metrosexual chops that McCain does not have, and the most important thing of all.....
He will be alive in 2012!
Trust me, most of the desperate Repub's who couldn't ever vote Libertarian or just sit this one out and the blue-collar Democrat's who will never vote for a Black Marxist will hold their nose, cover their eyes and yell, NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH as they pull the switch for McCain will pull it only because they will feel more assured that Crist will be President by 2012.
Just like the foreclosure crisis and the oil spike crisis, a McCain/Crist ticket is the perfect storm for the GOP. And just like the Hurrincane Season in the Gulf of Mexico will make the oil crisis worse in the fall when oil rigs and refineries along the Gulf Coast will have to be shut down for a time, so too will the fall be worse for the perfect storm affecting the GOP.
HOLY CRIST !!!!!!!!
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
Ridge would be the final nail the the McCain coffin for SoCons and pro life Republicans...I can't imagine McCain picking him unless he really doesn't want to be President!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
McCain's only stated guidelines of being prolife and ready to take over. Ridge is not prolife.
Now also found at The Minority Report
He, like Pawlenty, had a prior commitment.
I don't see Ridge on the ticket. He is pro-choice, as you say, and he is a Bush guy.
Most Americans will see him as the founder of the failed DHS. Not an image we need to project.
I'm thinking more and more Mitt Romney makes the most sense. We could do much, much worse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just a typical, small town, white girl...
it is getting more than annoying having those who never backed McCain in the first place now issuing "directives" as to what he needs to do every day to get their support. There are just as many paleocons who would be furious with choosing Huckabee as if he chose Crist.
But for some reason, members of Redstate get to threaten that if McCain chooses one over the other then they are history. Kind of like the leftist moveon.org losers whining whenever they don't get their way.
We still live in a democracy, where our nominee was chosen by the MAJORITY of Republicans in this country. Whether anyone likes it or not..
"Small town folks get bitter after which they cling to guns or religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment"- Barack Carter Obama
We don't believe he was chosen only by Republicans, we were the first victims of cross voting.
We also, are looking for reasons TO vote for the man and not really finding many. The choice of VP is much more important than normal for the reason of balancing the ticket, and because of his age.
I said, a long time ago, when it was first clear that he had the nomination sewed up that his VP pick would determine if I could support him or not.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
our nominee was chosen by the MAJORITY of Republicans in this country
That's a non starter, McCain never got 50% of the vote until everyone else dropped out. He was named the Nominee before half the country had a chance to cast a vote! so you can take that and put it away because it's not true!
Second of all..."those who never backed McCain in the first place" get the issue directives because WE'RE the ones being asked to betray everything we believe in and walk the plank for McCain! We get to issue directives because if we have to hold our nose and vote for McCain, we have a right to demand something in return which is a VP candidate that will represent our values in four to eight years!
You can be annoyed if you want to but like I said above, falling on our swords and voting for McCain is a no brainer if he's it for four years and a little harder to take if he's going to be in for eight years...but if he picks a Liberal/Moderate as his VP, I don't see anyone falling on their swords for the idea of 12 to 16 years of Moderate/Liberal policies coming out of our White House and your annoyance isn't going to change that!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
Aren't there some questions about his being a 50 year old never been maried, well tanned, well dressed, fancy man?
unless the economy and Iraq does a 180' (soon), it would be near impossible. The Dems are already painting JM as McBush or Bush III, etc. How would a McCain/Bush ticket campaign as an alternative to Bush? Not even all Republicans are thrilled with the Prez right now.
Although, as the Veepstakes go on... I'm less worried about it than I used to be (so long as there's a strong pulse). If and when McCain gets to the WH, he will not likely go for a second term... the VP will not be the automatic nominee because of those circumstances unless he or she performs so extraordinarily that it's a shoe in. I suspect all these names will be thrown into the hopper for Prez 2012.
McCain/Romney, Crist, etc. '08
Bush/Jindal 2012?
time to turn the page on that era of American history, Time to move forward.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
If McCain chooses Mitt Romney as his running mate, then McCain will be saying, "I don't have to like Mitt Romney because we won't win and he won't be my vice-president." I know that there are many, many, many out there that will not vote for McCain if Romney is on the ticket. I mean, it would be like Barack putting Hillary on his ticket after all the ridiculous name calling. I'd take almost anyone for V.P., just not Mitt.
I'm sure there are many Huckabee supporters that feel as you do. I disagree with your caricature of "I don't have to like Mitt Romney because we won't win..". If McCain chooses Romney, it would be because of the maturity of folks who can say, we disagreed in the past, but we can work together for the future.
As Director of OMB Mitch was known as 'Mitch the knife'. All of the porker on the Hill hated the way Mitch said NO to them including GOP porkers like Ted Stevens. John McCain could use a VP with executive experience as a Governor. Mitch will help McCain with upper midwest votes in the general, and Daniels will be a good hatchetman who will not outshine McCain on the ticket.
Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business … frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise.Ronald Reagan
we might want the guy in a cabinet position so he can keep cutting programs.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Tell me more.
Anybody like the idea of Tom Ridge?
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/mccain_ridg...
I think Jim Beam also has a nice ring.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
What would be a good name for John McCains gathering of friends this weekend in Sedona?
Let's see...
Beauty pageant? Nah. Pols on Parade? yelch.
I've got it!
Mating Dance
Help me out here...
smile
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
you just have to go to the kitchen to hear them.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
If the Dems feel that Obama has gone beyond the dead girl/live boy level of inevitability, then Obama will probably pick a good leftist minion to build up after 8 years -- and the Dems are more and more likely take such a stand. Look for a socialist or crypto-commie.
The flip side is that if we feel that McCain will lose (considering the anti-GOP bloodbath that November will likely turn outt to be), then we either nominate a "deserving" elder statesman as a pat on the head, OR we use the Veepspot as a chance to introduce onto the national stage the future of the GOP. To this end, Jindal would be perfect. People will know him from this race and in 4 years time he'll have a lot of accomplishments as Governor.
Republicans have been making for the last decade or two: Pulling the farm team leaders up to the national level before they've been able to develop more depth at the farm team.
Yes, Jindal would be a great VP pick - if he hadn't just been elected governor of a state that has been a Dem plantation for as long as I can remember. He needs time to show the people of Louisiana how Republican leadership will benefit them by empowering them as individuals instead of wards of the state. Let the man finish the job he has started before pulling him out.
As I recall he more or less finished second, which makes him popular with all kinds of people.
Big bonus: He can be provide much needed comic relief when the chips are down and/or tragically hopeless.
In no particular order:
Carcieri
Huntsman
Mitch Daniels
A woman:
Hutchison
I don't think he picks Romney, Huckabee, Condi or Jeb.
___________________________________
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We are Republicans not Democrats. Why not go out and pick the most smartest/most qualified individual for the job?
Chris Cox would be the guy I'd pick. He is a rock solid social conservative. He is a rock solid fiscal conservative. good looking guy with a great personal story.
his experience level is off the charts impressive. The negative is he is Californian, and probably can't really swing that state. He is Minnesottan by bith so that could help.
The way I see it, McCain who has made the dumb statements before about knowing nothing about the economy, is going to have to step into the race with a running mate who has serious economic bonfides. Romney might be that guy, but he has huge personal negative rating, and doesn't really help with many social conservatives.
If not Cox, bob Portman has been mentioned before. I wouldn't be opposed to Portman, and if Obama doesn't choose Strickland Portman might just be enough to lock down Ohio
Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business … frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise.Ronald Reagan
unfortunately, he's (1) part of the Bush Administration and (2) has run the SEC during times when you had the Bear Stearns collapse and related issues that have generated a load of bad publicity.
I wouldn't say that either of those make him at all a bad Vice President, but they probably make him too radioactive to pick right now.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
engagement" list grows longer:
Tim pawlenty
Tom Ridge
Names I keep hearing:
Whitman
Snowe
Crist
Sununu
Voinovich
Graham
Hagel
Alexander
I'm sure if McCain could really pick who he wanted one of them would be it, but the base wouldn't stand for it. SoCons in particular would bolt in a hurry if any one of them were his running mate.
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
But for me? The best choice would be Marsha Blackburn (despite her apparent mess-up on the Farm Bill), just to flip the script on the Democrats by having a woman on the ticket. Even better is that she can lay a hurtin' on Democrats - the woman is a frickin' warrior. Read up on what she did to Sundquist (R-TN) and the Democratic leaders of the TN legislature when they tried to introduce an income tax to the state.
Carcieri is interesting, it's just that he never was much of a presence on the national stage and his state is probably the Bluest in the nation after Massachusetts. But in his political career he checks off more as a three-wing conservative than Mitt. And to be frank, as a re-elected Governor, his political record is better.
Mitt, I think, would be a good choice as well. But he has to do a hell of a lot of work on his image before now and November, I would suggest focusing entirely on competence (his record is one of the most impressive in the world of business among politicians) and being open about his differences with McCain while highlighting their similarities on 95% of the issues i.e. "Big Tent."
"First you win the argument, then you win the vote." - MARGARET THATCHER.
So let's start winning the argument.
Granted she is 11 years younger than Sen. McCain. She isn't too far from his 'moderateness'. She is a member of the 'Gang of 14' fiasco. She has a 2007 ACU rating of '28' Sen. McCain's is '80' She is barely better than a consevative Democrat!! She might appeal to the 'women's vote' but would definitely turn off the Social Conservatives and the Fiscal Conservatives. Whitman is out because of her ties to the Bush family and administration.
A good female VP would strengthen Sen. McCain's candidacy but I don't see one that would pull him to the right to get the conservative vote.
My problem with Bobby Jindal: [...actually, we're going to guess that riekhosuave@yahoo.com 's problem with Bobby Jindal has much more to do with Bobby's melanin content, but by all means: attack his belief that he participated in an exorcism in college. That should go over well. - Moe Lane]
I was hoping this was an Onion article when I first saw it, but no, it's for real.
I mean, he had the good sense to Jettison Rod Parsely and John Hagee, so I can't imagine him backtracking and letting this Jindal clown on the ticket.
(Are you gone yet?)
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The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
BOO!
Scared ya didn't I?
"A political party cannot be all things to all men."--Ronald Wilson Reagan
TheMad2HourWonder and you neglected to Reply To This...
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Whodathinkit...LOL...Is he banned?
"A political party cannot be all things to all men."--Ronald Wilson Reagan
of that year but the Russian one, Yeltsin vs. Zyuganov, which is to say, our choice is between a deeply flawed candidate and another who is completely unacceptable. I really hope McCain doesn't make the wrong VP choice but even if he does, I don't see myself changing my vote.
No way in hell. I also highly doubt it will be anyone in the Senate. Joe Lieberman is out because McCain has already stated that his VP will be pro-life.
Jindal and Crist are too new to the scene. Both of them only have two years of executive experience as governors.
I still maintain it will be Pawlenty, Sanford, and MAYBE Carcieri. I think Sanford is the frontrunner, due at least in part to Sanford's strong backing of McCain in 2000, and the fact that they are both strong reformers.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”