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Novak?demonstrates McCain’s success at following the establishment strategy that has garnered many candidates in elections past the GOP nod.? Says Novak:
“It is beginning to look like “McCain Inc.” — that is, party regulars, corporate officials and Washington lawyers and lobbyists moving toward John McCain, the man they feared and loathed eight years ago. The GOP, abhorring competition and detesting surprises, likes to establish its presidential nominee well in advance.
I first appreciated this in 1996, when Robert J. Dole’s candidacy was dying after he barely won in Iowa and lost New Hampshire, Arizona and Delaware. He then won eight of eight primaries on a single Tuesday. When I asked a Dole adviser how this had happened, he said it was “Dole Inc.” repelling outsiders seeking the nomination: Steve Forbes and Pat Buchanan.
Viewing Republican presidential campaigns through this lens shows the corporate party selecting one candidate — and invariably nominating him. It has nothing to do with ideology. After the establishment fiercely opposed Ronald Reagan as an extremist in 1976, he became “Reagan Inc.” in 1980. The most vivid instance was the coalition’s early embrace for 2000 of “George W. Bush Inc.,” though he had little to commend him apart from his name.”
And on the rest of the field:
“Ideological conservatives are not happy about McCain’s ascendancy, and bemoan a vacuum on the right. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is trying to run to McCain’s right, but his past liberal positions on abortion and gay rights get in the way. Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating are testing prospects of filling the vacuum, but the required fund-raising will be daunting.
Actually, McCain’s danger may be on his left, if former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is able to get New Hampshire independents to vote for him in a Republican primary as they did for McCain in 2000. But Dole in 1996 and George W. Bush in 2000 each lost New Hampshire and recovered elsewhere as incorporated juggernauts. McCain, with that configuration, will be hard to stop.”
A few observations.? First, note that Novak isn’t even considering any candidates not named McCain, Rudy, or Romney as a prospective nominee.? Second, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve seen Mitt tagged with the “former social liberal” problem by the MSM.? It looks like the fisking Romney’s been getting on the blogosphere is working its way into the CW.? And finally, as every shred of empirical evidence shows, Rudy will be winning Republicans in a contest with McCain, not independents.? Rudy is not running on McCain’s left.? Far from it.? But this is the MSM we’re talking about.? They’ll catch on.? Eventually.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
It’s interesting how often the MSM is quoted around here w/r/t Romney, but when the MSM says something about Giuliani they get rightfully called on it.
December 14th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
[...] DaveG from Race42008 notes Bob Novak’s column on "McCain Inc." and says: Second, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve seen Mitt tagged with the “former social liberal” problem by the MSM. It looks like the fisking Romney’s been getting on the blogosphere is working its way into the CW. [...]
December 14th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
“It’s interesting how often the MSM is quoted around here w/r/t Romney, but when the MSM says something about Giuliani they get rightfully called on it.”
Well, I know the charge periodically comes up that we should basically re-label ourselves as a pro-Rudy site, but I can attest to the fact that Kavon has made very good efforts to secure a wide array of bloggers from diverse ‘08 schools of thought. When this whole thing started, we were hoping to get a couple of Rudy guys, a couple of Romney guys, maybe an Allen guy or two, etc. Just want to make sure everyone knows that if their camp isn’t being represented, it’s not by design. It’s just harder to find quality bloggers willing to commit to blogging regularly than you’d think.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
I admit, I like Rudy and Romney, but I’m not a solely pro-Rudy blogger myself. I try to diversify and just present my opinions on the political news of the day, regardless of how they affect my favorites. I do admit, I’m finding it harder and harder to deny the obvious fact that I’m somewhat of an anti-McCain blogger, but I try to be fair to him too… when he does good, I try to commend him for it.
December 14th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
What does anyone think McCain have to do or say about his “convestion” with Kerry about coming in veep in 04?
December 14th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
I’ve gone back and forth on that myself.
The most in depth account I have ever read of it was by Evan Thomas. He basically discounted that McCain ever seriously considered the offer. It was more that Kerry is his friend and fellow Vietnam Vet, so when he asked he couldn’t just tell him to go fly a kite.
What surprises me is that McCain didn’t use this leverage to get W to promise his endorsement in 2008. Seems like he could have demanded it if he wanted it.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Come on guys, I’m sure there’s some other pro-McCain writer out in the vast political blogosphere….
December 16th, 2006 at 12:58 am
Murph: I see your point. And I think the dynamic that you describe sort of occurs naturally when you’re an analyst with a dog in the fight, like I am. I’m going to reflexively call BS whenever I see the MSM dumping on Rudy, but my mind won’t immediately jump to defense mode when I see one of the other horses attacked. That’s why I’d ideally like to have a Romney guy, a McCain guy, and so forth blogging on here, so that they could call BS whenever their guy is dumped on, and point out the flaws in my guy as well when I don’t. But your point is not lost on me.
LJ: You’d THINK so, wouldn’t you?
December 16th, 2006 at 5:55 am
Going out of our way to find the elusive grassroots conservative McCain supporter…
And I thought we conservatives were against quotas…
December 16th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Ouch, Woodrow!
The only real prominent McCain bloggers are Liz Mair, Soren Dayton at EyeOn08.com and perhaps I could include myself here. By the way, Liz Mair posted a great “Why I Like McCain” article on GOPProgress the other day. It’s something I wish I had written. Check it out.