GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
Turn away now if you cannot stand another post concerning potential running-mates.
Like many others, I have found myself torn between Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney. My loyalties have wavered day to day, as I read the arguments and rebuttals of so many across the political spectrum. I think now, for the first time, I have (probably maybe somewhat) settled on a choice.
This piece posted earlier reinforced my sentiment by highlighting McCain’s current struggle: Can the Senator establish a clear campaign message in a poisonous political environment, all while reminding the American public that he is an effective and trustworthy reformer?
One passage in particular caught my eye:
McCain has to decide why he wants to be president and then stick with his message. Right now, he’s seemingly a man with a split personality. On one day, he’s the candidate of the Bush base, wooing Grover Norquist with upper income tax cuts and planning to meet with James Dobson. The next day, he’s Dole ‘88/Perot ‘92, planning to take the nation’s fiscal crisis by the horns and balance the budget and reform entitlements. The problem is that no one knows who the real McCain is anymore. How can his Northern Republican base from 2000 be re-activated by a candidate who seems to only care about their issues on Tuesdays and Thursdays? Similarly, how can the Bush base really believe McCain’s one of them if he only speaks their language on Mondays and Wednesdays? McCain can’t be all things to all people. His appeal is in his straight-talking manner. By losing that, McCain loses everything.
If I were running Team McCain, I’d advise the senator to go for broke and resume Campaign 2000…
I will give that statement a 100% endorsement. While I am not here to critique George W. Bush or his presidency, I do urge the McCain campaign to steer the GOP away from some of the unpopular policies of recent years. Though he should be applauded for his efforts in weakening the threat of transnational terrorism, President Bush has overseen a growing federal bureaucracy, runaway deficits, persistent energy dependence, and the embarrassing decline of our party’s fiscal restraint.
We must let John McCain be John McCain. No, that doesn’t mean he should rejuvenate cap-and-trade or campaign finance reform. He must pound away, however, at the ideas of individual responsibility, fiscal restraint, government accountability, and balanced budgets. In other words: campaign message=reform, reform, and more reform. John McCain the crusader for reform all day, every day.
How, then, do we adapt his theme for McCain’s bread-and-butter issue, foreign policy/security? Highlight the Senator’s calls for abandoning the Rumsfeld Doctrine and applying the surge following the invasion. Make McCain’s willingness to reevaluate foreign aid to suspect countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia a centerpiece of the foreign policy debate.
Look, when only 9% of the American people approve of Congressional performance, you know that touting efficiency and reform with a spoonful of sober realism is a good idea.
Coming full-circle to the issue of his running-mate, John McCain needs three things: Executive experience to balance his inside-the-beltway career, gravitas and credibility on a leading campaign issue, and charisma to boost the ticket. Apart from these considerations, I am highly skeptical of selections that supposedly bring states or geographic regions. Hmm…Who could possibly have all of these characteristics? Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney, of course. Both have experience as governors, both would add credibility to major issues where McCain is lacking (Palin on energy and Romney on the economy), and both would excite the base.
In the end, though, Sarah Palin stands out. I cannot help but thinking that her history of standing up to her own party in Alaska will sit well with independent and moderate-minded voters. Palin has engaged in an endless fight to reform and restore government on all levels throughout her career of public service. Once the public becomes aware of her impeccable integrity and efficient manner, her addition to the ticket will fit nicely alongside McCain’s reformist campaign.
No matter the running-mate, I just cannot envision even the most conservative Republicans fleeing from McCain come November. He will secure 90%+ of Republican voters and, like each election in recent memory, the candidate who secures the swing voters will win the White House. And while I admit that Romney may be the better choice for the base, he is not the best selection to secure independents and Republican-leaning moderates. To many working-class voters in crucial states such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mitt may look and sound too perfect, too corporate CEO, too Generic Republican to win them over. Like it or not, Romney strikes many people as a guy who may too often echo Phil Gramm’s comments that the American people exaggerate their economic suffering and do not understand the true condition of the market.
Make no mistake, Mitt Romney is a gifted politician and holds an impressive private-sector resume. He has displayed loyalty as a McCain surrogate and remains someone who the GOP should look to on economic matters. Yet, I just do not believe he is right for the VP slot. For all those who say that McCain sorely needs Mitt’s fundraising abilities, it seems that the campaign is beginning to do just fine on its own, thank you. For all the talk about his economic and organizational prowess, I’d rather see Mitt Romney heading the RNC or taking the reigns at the Treasury Department in a McCain Administration. It seems that Romney could serve his country in better ways than if he were to be vice-president.
To put it frankly, Sarah Palin is right for the message in these tough political times. I will not deny that her being a young, pro-life, feminist woman helps her case. Nevertheless, politics, like life, is all about identity. Palin could stand on her resume alone, not even counting her gender. However, if McCain adds an accomplished and dedicated woman to the ticket, he has the ability to attract some former Hillary Clinton supporters that did not vote for the New York Senator because they liked her stance on abortion, rather, they felt a unique sense of pride that an assertive woman could assume the Presidency. We must not underestimate this sentiment among some suburban and working-class women.
Finally, Palin’s selection would allow John McCain to bolster his argument that he, not Obama, could bring about real progress on the energy front. Governor Palin has been an outspoken critic of our dependence on Middle Eastern oil moguls and her eloquence on energy matters would connect with a public increasingly frustrated with rising prices and feuding politicians. The debate over domestic oil and alternative energy could swing the election and McCain must make these key issues throughout the fall. Despite their disagreement over drilling in ANWR, the selection of Sarah Palin could heighten public awareness on energy solutions and boost McCain’s reputation as the man with a plan and past results to back it up.
I have barely graced the tip of the iceberg, but that is enough for now.
McCain-Palin ‘08!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Yes, thanks for taking my advise on going for broke everyone. Sarah Palin is what we need to change the narrative. If we do go with her then we have to go the opposite with a Ridge/Lieberman pick. This election is on the edge of a knife.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:46 am
*If we *don’t go with her… sorry one too many beers tonight
July 11th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Gov. Palin was in a fender-bender around the corner from where I work, while driving to her Anchorage office. (Yes, she drives herself - no taxpayer-funded cheuffeurs for her.) No one was hurt in the accident. The following article recounts the story, which is kind of funny. Imagine exchanging insurance info and finding out you just rear ended the governor.
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/460669.html
July 11th, 2008 at 3:12 am
She has no experience and has just given birth to a child with Down Syndrome.
NOT
GONNA
HAPPEN
July 11th, 2008 at 4:14 am
It probably won’t happen and for various reasons, but she remains a great Conservative and an energy expert.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Alaska Jake, I have my own Sarah Palin story. I was up in Alaska for the election. I had been there for two months petitioning against the Anchorage smoking ban, working for the Libertarian Party of Alaska. In the final days of the election, LPA Chair Jason Dowell and I stopped at a busy intersection where Palin fans and Palin herself were waving signs. We jumped out and joined her and her crew. Sarah instantly recognized Jason. She pulled her over to wave signs right by her side in the tiny media (less than 2 feet wide). For some reason, I ended up crossing the street with her to the other side, and a Ford Bronco almost hit us.
You probably know the intersection I speak of? Right at Sears.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:28 am
At this point you really have to question John McCain’s judgement if he doesn’t pick Palin. Yes, Romney would be a good second choice. But the fever level on the Right is all with Palin, right now.
Imagine the let down for conservatives and libertarian Republicans alike, if McCain doesn’t pick Palin. It’ll be just another reason for the Right to stay home, or vote for Libertarian Bob Barr.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:14 am
McCain can’t run his 2000 campaign. That was all about his massive support from the media that’s all on Obama’s jock now.
They loved him because he was the anti-Bush and stuck it in the right’s eye on everything from campaign finance to taxes to the agents of intolerance.
He can’t count on the media this go round and in fact they’re actively against him.
And this idea that some VP will help him on the economy is pie in the sky stuff. The public doesn’t like the economy right now and is sick of Bush and the GOP’s handling of it. They want something new and have good memories of the Clinton economy in the 90s. They want a change from what they don’t like. The media has actively aided this and is doing everything possible to convince them it’s all the GOP’s fault and it’s the worst economy ever. Romney couldn’t even convince most Republicans he was better on the economy than McCain and he’s going ot be the magic bullet with dems and independents?
Even in 2004 when the economy was fairly decent, Kerry and the dems had a massive advantage over Bush on the economy, Gore had an even bigger one in 2000.
As long as job losses grow each month, gdp growth stays low, the stock market continues to slide, and the media does their best to pump up Obama, no VP is going to affect how voters perceive the economy and the two parties.
And people think that adding a Romney or a Portman(who’s claim to fame is as part of Bush’s economic team, maybe McCain should vet Michael Brown or Don Rumsfeld) will all of a sudden get people to totally shift and go wth the GOP and McCain on the economy? Please. Adding Kemp didn’t help Dole at all on the economy even though Kemp had sterling econ creds.
Bush lost the economy 80-20 to Kerry with record low unemployment, gas prices half of what they are now, low inflation and a good economy. The difference is that only 20% thought the economy mattered then vs close to 50 who do now. Terrorism and moral values which made up close to 50 in 2004 make up a fraction of that now.
I just think for McCain to try and fight his on the economy is wishful thinking. It would be like Kerry trying to fight in 2004 on moral values or nat’l security. You fight where you have strength.
And Heath, the public obviously doesn’t really care about experience. Obamas has none whatsoever in any real area. No business or economic experience, no foreign policy or defense or military expereience, no executive or leadership executive experience, nothing. And he took out the Clintons in their own party and is leading in the polls in the general, despite both Hillary and McCain crushing him on experiencein every poll. If experience mattered Obama would have been long gone. Experience is a negative in this election. The public wants something new. To paraphrase Reagan in this current crisis experience is the problem, not the solution.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:43 am
“Reform” is too amorphous in an economy with real and immediate problems in addition to those long term structural problems that McCain often mentions.
I don’t mean to be negative, but a VP can’t solve McCain’s problems (just as Obama’s VP won’t solve his). The candidate must present a coherent agenda that the VP enhances not creates. So before you can say Palin enhances McCain agenda you must determine what exactly that agenda is.
Today and this weekend could be an excellent audition for a possible VP. The topic is going to be Gramm’s comments and its not enough for McCain to say “Gramm doesn’t speak for me.” Someone needs to go out there and do some counterprogramming.
So the question I have this beautiful Friday morning is - Who is best to represent McCain on this tough weekend to talk about the economy and rebut Gramm’s message?
July 11th, 2008 at 7:18 am
She seems like a nice, capable lady. I wouldn’t vote for a McCain/Palin ticket. These are serious times. McCain struggles on his own, in terms of electability. He can’t afford to bring someone on that’s not a proven power-hitter. If you are arguing that Palin is that power-hitter, I missed it.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Palin is an interesting, a a good choice. I like the idea of everything she brings to the table. However, if talking about a decision between Romney and Palin, the choice is simple - Romney.
The Vice President is not just about all these aspects we have been talking about - that will make the campaign stronger (with the base, on a specific issue, etc.).
We also have to remember that the Vice President is the person who will become President if the President leaves office (we all know these). As a Republican, I like Palin, but I want someone I can trust to be in the 2nd chair in case something were to happen. Palin would not be ready to assume the Presidency. Romney would. Voters know that.
Also, as a working class Ohioan all my life I would say that Romney doesn’t connect well with the working-class. I think he does just fine. However, he will be portrayed in that light, which is just as bad.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Opps…
“I WOULDN’T say that Romney doesn’t….”
July 11th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I agree with the post. McCain definitely needs to focus on reform and strengthen/maintain his maverick reputation. He simply cannot be a standard republican candidate and have any chance of winning. So, yes, he needs to take the risk of offending people in order to appeal to the middle. Then Obama can be framed as the conventional politician v. McCain as the reformer. And I agree with the VP criteria; whomever the candidate is, it needs to be someone who echoes that reform message.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:13 am
If McCain really wanted to throw caution to the wind and run as the 2000 campaign “Maverick” he would chose Crist. Remember, McCain’s 2000 campaign was as much a campaign against the GOP establishment (”Death Star”, “Agents of Intolerance”…) as it was about reform. Crist has certainly fought the GOP establishment in his State and is seen as a reformer or “Maverick.”
July 11th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hey guys, I hate to go off subject, here but don’t know how else to get your attention. Didn’t anybody pick up on the AP report of 550 tons of enriched uranium ore (yellow cake) that the U.S. military secured in Iraq and have finally moved it out of country to Canada where it will be used to make electricity. Although it isn’t a bomb per se that much uranium posed a significant risk. Where’s the news media on this? It kind of got buried!
July 11th, 2008 at 8:46 am
McCain is not just fighting against the Obama movement, he is also fighting against the GOP brand, unpopular and far behind in the polls (PEW has R behind D by 15%).
Governor Palin represents change for the GOP, not progressive change, but reform and conservative change.
This women is dynamic, energetic, and telegenic.
Newt Gingrich has been arguing the same point as Michael Stubel for over a year. Maybe it is time we listen to the father of the contract with America and run on a conservative reform agenda. But to do this, we need the biggest conservative reformer in the country. - Sarah Palin.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
With a VP a heartbeat from the presidency with McCain at the head of the ticket, we have to look at VP candidates as potential sitting Presidents. Does anyone think the American public can get comfortable with the role for Governor Palin in less than 60 days? Be serious folks, a state basketball ring is NOT negotiating with Vladimer Putin or running the world’s largest economy. We just have to find intellectual competence, management experience, and honesty in this position, and find it visibly evident to all, already, not hidden in some obscure part of the country or some invisible congressional district. There is less than 60 days from Minneapolis to the election, folks. There is no July convention. The biggest “rap” on Romney is that he flip flops. What in the hell is wrong with changing your mind? Isn’t that really a sign of strength, of competence, of being comfortable enough to admit you were wrong or smart enough to recognize circumstances have changed? I’m certainly uncomfortable with some dinosaur mentality that is stuck with a 20 year old opinion. “The times, they are a changin’ , folks” and you better be smart enough to see the change before it whacks you in the forehead. That really applies to Presidents and Governments , too.
Let’s stop these almost silly discussion about everybody and his brother. Almost NONE of the people mentioned would be hired to run the world’s largest corporation, General the world’s largest army, administer the world’s largest bureaucracy. The fact that many of these amateurs are seriously considered is what is wrong with the country today….too many sound bites, too many photo ops and far too little substance and experience.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Are you guys watching tv? They are talking about Freddie and Fannie failing, oil is now at another new high and stocks are down about 160 pts. My stomach is in knots.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:53 am
***claps for craig**** Bravo.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Today’s Ras:
McCain - 45
Barry - 47
Mittbots for Romney in 2012 beware.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Mrs. Palin may be less experience (and qualified) than most candidate, but at least she is more Conservative than most candidates. I’m sure sure that she is the best choice or the most electable, but I would vote for her over any Democrat and ever some Republicans. Putting Mrs. Palin on the ticket is certainly not going to send me to Mr. Barr, I could vote for a McCain Palin ticket.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:00 am
That poll is great news Sampo, we shall be tied shortly,
July 11th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Ras has it 47-45 today.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Maybe an inexperienced person like Palin for VP isn’t such a bad idea. Why? For this simple reason: McCain will assemble and awesome cabinet. I think someone who looks good on camera, can connect with the folks, and stay relatively gaffe free is all McCain really needs. I think it’s a foregone conclusion that McCain will already have more experience than Obama and his running mate combined.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:09 am
The people who say Palin is inexperienced/undready are uninformed about the things she has accomplished as an executive (she has been in an executive role for near a decade).
July 11th, 2008 at 9:10 am
The problem is we probably won’t get an accurate poll within the next few days because the Gramm comments and the video of McCain answering the Viagra question are going to cost him a couple points.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Sigh. Joel, we’re talking about being a heartbeat away from holding the office of most powerful person on earth.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:17 am
BREAKING: obama raised about $30 million in June
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/report_obama_may_have_raised_3.php
July 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
Nice lady, not ready to be Commander-in-Chief.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
That result means the last poll added was likely either a tie or a slight lead for Sen McCain. I’m not sure it will move tomorrow, but as weekend polls are added, expect Sen Obama to get a slight bump soon. It looks like the trend, however, is very good for Sen McCain.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
OT: McCain pulls within 2%
of Obama in Rassmussen.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:31 am
How about this deal, if Palin is VP and happens to become President due to McCain’s health or whatever, she’ll promise to name Romney her VP and he can handle the economy and all the things folks are worried about? Sounds good to me. Everyone wins.
On experience, if it really mattered McCain would be up by double digits about now and Obama would have never made it past Super Tuesday.
$30 million is a good number, but McCain did well enough to remain plenty competitive when you factor the RNC/DNC in. They is really going to be the burn rat eand the COH.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
30 million is ok, but Obama’s burn rate could still be higher. we’ll be hearing of massive rolling staff cuts if this continues. *cross fingers*
July 11th, 2008 at 9:37 am
$30M is actually bad news for Obama because McCain has $95M cash on hand at the end of June when you add in RNC money. Obama can only count on about $4M from DNC. So at least in the short-term, the Kossack leftwing fetish of making McCain fight in all of these extra states because of a huge Democrat money advantage is just not going to happen.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
WTF is Rick Santorum doing on foxnews propping up Gramm’s “nation of whiners” comment. LEAVE RICK. NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I swear it, if Sara Palin were unattractive, there would not be a single person on this board suggesting she be the VP.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Santorum never liked McCain so I am not surprised.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:40 am
If the McCain camp and the RNC want to know where they can get information for campaign ads, look no further than this site for a documented list of Obama’s lies.
http://www.antiobama.net/2008/07/obamas-list-of.html
This is a list of all the times Obama has deliberately tried to misled us or has said something that he emphatically denies. For example: There is the Tim Russert transcript that shows Obama did in fact say that Bush started the war in Iraq for political reasons when he says he never made sucha statement. Or the fact that he takes credit for reducing welfare rolls when he was against welfare reform. Or back in 2004 when he said that tropps should not be withdrawn.
You could run dozens of ads with this stuff alone. This alone would be enough to tear him apart and ruin his credibility. I am no politician, but I have enough political sense to know that his own words are his worst enemy. His associations pale in comparison to this! There should be an ad every week on the air in the states of PA, MI, OH, NH< NV, and NJ. Each week it could start like this: “Senator Obama, do you remember this?”: and then the ad can run his words or any audio of him saying it. Folks, I am not an Einstein or a genius in any shape or fashion, but I could make God knows how many ads on this alone. I really feel that the RNC has no balls and McCain is not fully using what he can. They have 95 million dollars in the bank. My God, use it!!!!!!!!!!
Add Palin to the ticket, and we look like we are serious about reform and moving beyong Bush. Also, it would be a nice jab at Obama if he selects a man for his VEEP.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Rick Santorum was a good senator for PA in the mid 90’s before he lost his way. He became to obsessed with so-con crusades and was too outspoken. He acted like he was a senator from MS instead of a senator from PA. He was only too happy to have McCain’s support in 2006 and then stabbed him in the back after he lost. Even though he makes Laura Ingraham’s heart all aflutter it would serve us all well if he would just go away.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I would not dismiss Santorum so lightly. He is a true believer and real conservatives respect him. His problem with McCain is that Santorum does not consider McCain a true conservative, but I think its someone like Santorum that McCain needs as VP. I would not be surprised if he is on the real shortlist.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Paulette,
Santorum as VP? That’s crazy! He lost as an incumbent by 19 points. It’s hard to spin this any other way than to just say that the public was sick of Santorum. He was too abrasive. I think the problem for the GOP is that they value too much people who are “true believers” instead of people that can prgamatically look at a problem and find a real solution. The Democrats have the same problem, of course, but they have the luxury of having been out of power so long that no one can call them on it.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I do think that America would buy Palin as a credible Commander in Chief. While she has not stared down dictators, she’s come about as close as you can in a governor’s chair. Shes’ stared down the Dems, the old guard of the Alaska GOP (SCARY people, trust me), the oil companies on a gas pipeline route, the radical environmentalists on the Polar Bear issue, and Harry Reid on ANWR. I think she has much more credibility as a steel-spined Commander in Chief than other Governors like Pawlenty and Crist, and maybe even Romney (who was a credible presidential candidate but has no national secutiry experience).
The task for ANY running mate (especially if that person is a governor or economy wonk) will be establishing him/herself as a credible president on national security. It’s a universal issue, so I’m having a very hard time understanding why Palin is being criticized on that front while everyone else gets a free pass.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:51 am
And if McCain doesn’t want Romney because of arguments during primary season, he surely doesn’t want Santorum after he toured the talk radio blabosphere trashing him.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:51 am
It may be crazy to put Mr. Santorum in the VP slot, but he was a great Senator.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
#36,
I really take offense at that remark. I’ve said many times that Palin’s looks are not relevant. She’s a bona fide leader, a reformer, and a class act. Being telegenic is only icing on the cake.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
#36,
I really take offense at that remark. I’ve said many times that Palin’s looks are not relevant. She’s a bona fide leader, a reformer, and a class act. Being telegenic is only icing on the cake.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Palin has negotiated and signed accords with foreign Governments (due top Alaska unique nature of not being part of the lower 48). Romney, Pawlenty, Crist and Sanford cannot say the same.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Apart from the fact as to whether or not Mrs. Palin is or is not qualified, the comment about her looks is a cheap shot. There are plenty of good looking people that I would not support. It is a shame if people vote on looks.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:04 am
#28 Sampo, “Obama $30 million”.
This is great news for McCain! How much did the DNC raise?
Remember Obama/DNC need to raise enough $ to compete with McCain/RNC and match the $84.5 million in matching funds. By my calculations, Obama/DNC needs approximately $75 million per month over the next four months to match McCain/RNC.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:08 am
#36, that was a cheap shot.
It is not about being “good looking”, it is about being telegenic. We equally are critical of male and female candidates on this. Someone who looks youthful, healthy and can communicate well will always do better on TV.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Palin would be a good choice but I think Romney is a better choice considering the economy is top issue this year. Palin has a bright future in GOP national politics.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:13 am
At this point you really have to question John McCain’s judgement if he doesn’t pick Palin. Yes, Romney would be a good second choice. But the fever level on the Right is all with Palin, right now.
Imagine the let down for conservatives and libertarian Republicans alike, if McCain doesn’t pick Palin.
Heh. Those are all great reasons NOT to pick her.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I’m from light blue NJ and have asked several of my friends are girls (ages 20-30) who either were hillary supporters, left leaning dems who dont like Obama or simply dont care much about politics, about the prospect of McCain picking a woman for VP.. I email them a few links about Palin and all of a sudden they would turn into at least semi-enthusiastic McCain supporters if not downright giddy at the possibility of a woman being in that high of a position. These type of voters, for the most part, are not going to be combing the issues. They are going to know what they like when they see it. Plain and simple.
Even my 82 year old Hillary-supporting grandmother is starting to warm to the idea of McCain out of fear of an Obama administration. I cannot repeat what she says when she sees him on TV but lets just say shes a very old fashioned first generation Italian-American woman with ideas still stuck in the 1940s.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
The biggest “rap” on Romney is that he flip flops. What in the hell is wrong with changing your mind? Isn’t that really a sign of strength, of competence, of being comfortable enough to admit you were wrong or smart enough to recognize circumstances have changed?
Romney’s shifts to the right were so egregious that we can not confidently say that we know where he really stands on most issues. Also, they indicate that the man is less interested in policy than in landing the job. Both are very big strikes against him.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:23 am
“Nevertheless, politics, like life, is all about identity. Palin could stand on her resume alone, not even counting her gender.”
The entire Palin hysteria is based on the notion that the unfriendly liberal media will take to Palin’s biography in the same way its recieved on the conservative blogosphere. They will have no enthusiasm in introducing her and no mercy in destroying her. By the time Joe Sixpack hears the name Sarah Palin, she’ll be cast as a crazy out of whack conservative with no experience from ALASKA who was selected based on her looks and nothing else.
It isn’t true or fair, but deal with it. That’s life.
And on her resume, if I was in charge of hiring a Vice President and could only do so based on resume, a 2 year Governor, albeit with a good track record, wouldn’t make it past the first cut. But the rest of your statement is true. Politics is about identity. Palin has none. And that’s why she cannot be selected Vice President.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
It will not help McCain picking anyone over the age of 55. He basically admitted it on Don Imus two months ago.
McCain’s biggest weakness is not the economy, or health care, or family values, McCain’s biggest weakness is his age. ALL THE POLLS SHOW THIS!
Again, he will not pick anyone over the age of 55. Bet on it.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama’s presidential campaign has requested information from Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd as part of its search for a possible vice presidential candidate.
The former White House hopeful and Connecticut lawmaker indicated Wednesday that he has been approached by the campaign. “There’s been some inquiries, yeah,” Dodd said. “They ask for a lot of stuff. I’ll leave it there.”
July 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Kristofer:
It’s not that much of a cheap a shot (#36/#50). And, you better believe the other side will be making the same argument with far less tact.
Palin was a beauty contestant, it plays into her media interactions, and it will be very much part of the political discussion. It was discussed in the limited media appearances that I’ve seen of Palin.
Our culture, if gauged by the MSM/entertainment media, values youth and beauty above all other things.
To contrast the party of rich, white, old men with a young attractive woman will be irresistible for the MSM. If you don’t think that’s true, explain Ann Coulter.
Compounding the problem will be the reach Palin advocates need to make to prove her experience.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
If McCain were seriously considering Palin I think they would have floated her name out to test reaction because it could go very well or very badly.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:32 am
For those thinking Gov Romney is a good choice because he “helps on the economy,” guess again. (A) He’s one of those “greedy, evil, rich businessmen (all synonyms to the undecided voters)”, and will be seen as part of the problem, not the solution. (B) He lost the issue to Sen McCain during the primaries, meaning he has about ZERO credibility on the issue, rightly or wrongly. Now, there may well be other good reasons for Gov Romney to be picked for VP, but the economy isn’t one of them.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Romney is 61 with the energy and looks of someone ten years younger. So does the age arguement really stack up against him? I don’t think so
July 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
#58
Compounding the problem will be the reach Palin advocates need to make to prove her experience.
She played point guard on her high school basketball team, which shows that she is a natural leader. Also, she was mayor of the vibrant city of Wasilla, so she had years of high-level experience even before she became governor.
#60:
For those thinking Gov Romney is a good choice because he “helps on the economy,” guess again. (A) He’s one of those “greedy, evil, rich businessmen (all synonyms to the undecided voters)”, and will be seen as part of the problem, not the solution. (B) He lost the issue to Sen McCain during the primaries, meaning he has about ZERO credibility on the issue, rightly or wrongly. Now, there may well be other good reasons for Gov Romney to be picked for VP, but the economy isn’t one of them.
This is correct.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I don’t think 55 or 60 is the cut-off for McCain, but rather 65+. Romney certainly is the picture of health and vitality.
Did anyone see the report that Pawlenty said he is not being vetted? That’s pretty significant if true.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Could we please deal in facts!!!
#1 negative for Obama is that 40-50% of the country thinks he is not experienced enough, which is why he is vetting people like Webb and Dodd. He is trying to overcome his weakness by picking Washington insiders.
#1 negative for McCain is 20-30% of voters think he is too old. How does selecting someone over 60 help him? Let us get real, Mccain needs someone who is not close to the retirement age. If Romney was 51, not 61, then he might be at the top of the list, but Romney does not help McCain.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:48 am
#63 Lee, what this all means is that the leaks we have been reading about are all wrong. half these people mentioned are probably not even on the list.
Yesterday, Portman stated he wanted to “stay home for a while”, when asked about the VP slot.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I don’t think its chronological age that is important. McCain is “only” 71 but he looks older. He could easily pick someone in their 60’s who does not look it.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:51 am
How much time is left till McCain will pick a VP, its still a long time to go isn’t it?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Mitt Romney is McCain’s perfect Veep. I can’t stand the guy, but he fits JMac like a glove. He has everything McCain is lacking - including hair.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
July 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
#67, McCain has to make his pick before the start of the Olympics (Aug. 08-24 2008), or just after the Democratic convention.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am
#59 Paulette, Palin’s name has been floated on Fox News Sunday and Matthews’ Hardball and Rush, plus
a bunch of bloggers discuss her non-stop.
Wall Street Journal and People are running articles on Palin too.
Who ever Mac selects hopefully it won’t be in July as so many of the MSM are saying, blowing hot
air as usual.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Michael Stubel:
“For all those who say that McCain sorely needs Mitt’s fundraising abilities, it seems that the campaign is beginning to do just fine on its own, thank you.”
Alexander Bolton and David Matthews make the case that McCain has benefited a great deal from Romney’s money connections already. Perhaps some of the reason why McCain is performing much better in that dept is because his former foe is out there working hard on McCain’s behalf.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Kay, I separate appearances on shows and mentions by commentators from a deliberate leaking of Palin’s name. She is not as well known as Romney, Giuliani or even Lindsey Graham so McCain can’t know how she would be received. I guess they could do private polling, but it would only reveal how little people know. The same could be said for many others, but Palin and Jindal are special cases because of their relative inexperience.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am
While everyone wants to think positive in that McCain will win, consider the impact of having two white guys on the ticket and losing — the negative image of the Republican brand is perpetuated. Only white men need apply for leadership positions in the Republican party. But if McCain picks Palin and loses, at least the Republican brand gets a new and improved image that will help in future elections.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Jindal is really underperforming lately. He just vetoed a disclosure requirement bill that would have applied to elected officials, including the governor, and he signed a universal pre-kindergarten bill.
I am not to sure about this guy anymore.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Well i still say that not only is Tim Pawlenty the safe choice but also the best choice and i still believe that it will be a McCain/Pawlenty ticket and hope that it is so.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Bryan, McCain would have had to handed out the vetting papers by now. If Pawlenty does not have them, he is not on the list. Sorry dude.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Pawlenty not being on the shortlist is hard to believe. And if true, I suspect it means McCain picked his VP many months ago, and none of these up-and-comers are it. And it’s a guy McCain likes.
If Pawlenty crashes on Intrade, I’d buy some Rudy and Petreaus shares.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Lets be honest here. Romney is the current VP pick; barring some major fallout. All these names being tossed around just serve as outlets for poltical junkies that feed off of endless speculation or who dislike Romney. The reason Palin’s name is being thrown around political blogs is because other names like Crist, Portman, Sanford, Jindal & Pawlenty have already had their “15 minutes” only to fizzle out in comparison to the default pick of Romney. This will happen to Palin too with enough time. I welcome all this speculation, it’s fun, but that’s all it is.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Maybe Pawtenty’s wife said no? Maybe Pawlenty has a health issue? We don’t know.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Taylor, I’d check out McCain’s new ad two threads up before you believe Romney is the pick.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Metro, I’m not here to make the case for or aganist Romney. I’m just talking about current political reality.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
HearMeRoar:
“While everyone wants to think positive in that McCain will win, consider the impact of having two white guys on the ticket and losing”
I disagree with the suggestion that McCain has to have a non-white man or a female on the ticket. Qualifications and experience are what should count the most, not sex or skin color. For every election till now, both Republicans and Democrats have always “won or lost the ticket with two white guys.”
I would be insulting to say to Jindal that his number one asset is his skin color or to Palin that her number one asset is her sex. If Republicans try to out racebate or divide by sex like the Democrats do, then we are no better then they are. Liberals are the master at such things, we could never beat them at those silly games.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
#81: Which is exactly what I’m referring to in the thread about “Gods Children.”
July 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
cwpete, you must have missed 1984, where VP Mondale chose a woman as his running mate. Other than that, I think you’re right.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
82. In this election that is like no other election before it, McCain has several viable VP candidates that he could choose to break the mold and re-brand the party. People like Jindal and Palin who a lot more going for them than the color of their skin or gender.
And if McCain loses with the “same old, same old” ticket, and will be a double-whammy loss. A loss in that McCain won’t be our President, and a loss to the Republican party in that its image continues to be the “old boy’s club” party.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I think I agree with Taylor, that Romney is the pick for now. I don’t think he moves the dial much, and there is that pesky personality clash, but he is generally solid.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Richard M:
You are correct. My bad..
July 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy Palin. I’m sure she’s great and all, but how can Republicans complain about Obama’s lack of experience and then put a 2 year governor a heartbeat away from the Presidency?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
“if McCain adds an accomplished and dedicated woman to the ticket, he has the ability to attract some former Hillary Clinton supporters that did not vote for the New York Senator because they liked her stance on abortion, rather, they felt a unique sense of pride that an assertive woman could assume the Presidency. We must not underestimate this sentiment among some suburban and working-class women.” As a suburban woman myself I’ll admit that is why I like Hillary. I don’t agree with most of her policies and so will vote for McCain no matter what (unless he picks Huckabee), but I think a lot of women will like Palin because she too is a female with a real shot at the presidency. With that said, I still prefer Romney.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
[i](Romney) has displayed loyalty as a McCain surrogate….[/i]
That line stood out for me because of it’s shocking naivete. Romney is not loyal to McCain, he is loyal to Romney and Romney’s future political career. He is an intelligent enough individual to know he has to do something to remain relevant for 2012 (or 2016). Being VP, or even the VP nominee on a losing ticket, sets him up to be the front-runner in 2012. He knows this and thus his actions are all taken under the premise or remaining a “player” within the party. I don’t understand how someone like you, Michael, could miss this. The fact of the matter is that McCain knows this - Romney’s loyalties lie with Romney and Romney alone - and McCain (who let’s not forget most likely despises Romney) knows this and that is why McCain will look for any and every reason to find someone other than Slick Willard to be his running mate.
But I agree with your overall thesis - if the choice were in fact between Palin and Romney, Palin is the better choice far and away.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Maybe McCain should do stuff to look younger.
He could go skydiving with Bush 41. A nice whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River. Fly with the blue angels.
I think i’ve finally figured out how to get McCain to flip on ANWR. Just have Gen Petraeus tell him its necessary for nat’l security. McCain pretty much listens to whatever Petraeus says. If Petraeus would say the resources would help against Iranian and terrorist actions, McCain will be on board in a second.
What does everythink think of my Romney as Palin’s VP if McCain’s term end early idea? It seems everyone wuold be happy.
As for not considering Palin if she wasn’t attractive, so what. If Romney was 300 pounds and bald you think he’d be considered?
July 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
91. “As for not considering Palin if she wasn’t attractive, so what. If Romney was 300 pounds and bald you think he’d be considered?”
jim, I really enjoy your “straight-talk” posts.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
#90 (who let’s not forget most likely despises Romney)
If McCain doesn’t choose Mitt, its because Mitt overshadows him by leaps and bounds, and Mac is smart enough to see that. However, he may think of this as an asset, because he knows lots of people will be looking 4 years down the road, and get off their duff and come out and vote.
McCain/Romney 2008!
Romney/Paline 2012?
July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
#76 — During the last few days, each of Huckabee, Romney and Pawlenty has stated that he has not been requested to provide any information and has not had any conversations with McCain and his staff about the VP position. (As an aside, when Hannity posed the question to Huckabee, he prefaced it by saying “by now you would know if you are being vetted,” thus rather gleefully inferring if Huckabee said no, he was clearly off the list; but the next night in response to Romney’s same response, Hannity said, “Well, maybe it’s still early.”)
But I digress. The point is that, unless you want to suggest that none of Huckabee, Romney or Pawlenty has survived at least to the vetting stages (a scenario that should be rather skeptical to even the most arden of Jindal, Palin, Thune, Portman advocates), I would suggest to you that McCain is not vetting at this time — at least to any candidate’s knowledge.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
The pick is going to be in the first week of August so you better bet the vetting has started.
You are all forgetting the biggest factor. Who does Barry choose. White guy - Kaine/Bayh, or woman - Sebilius?
July 11th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Palin is clearly a strong candidate for all the reasons stated.
She’s a woman.
She’s a governor…no voting record (especially since McCain’s seems to be a constant source of contention)
She’s young. She just had a kid.
She’s not bogged down in the game of politics.
One of her sons enlisted in the Army.
She’s big on energy reform…especially when Alaska is often such a source of contention.
She’s definitely a good choice to compliment McCain and get the necessary votes from Moderates and Republicans.
She’s got my vote.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:34 am
McCain’s not going to do anything until he knows if Clinton will be running with Obama. If she does it will change everything; any choice made by McCain up to that point might have to be thrown out the window. He will have to choose a VP who can run against Clinton. An Obama/Clinton ticket is a scary prospect for McCain. Who could run with him and win against that ticket? That is the question that needs to be answered, and the one we need to be looking at.
July 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
As a Huckabee donor, volunteer and voter, I have until now hoped for McCain-Huckabee.
Until now. Now, I find myself thinking that Sarah Palin would be the best choice.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Becky: In addition to what you list above, add the fact that she unflinchingly cleaned up a huge mass of political corruption in her state.
Middle Snu: Palin is much more than just “a two year governor”. Read her biography before you make snap judgments. She’s more than qualified. (And actually has more political experience than BHO)
And P.S. - I’d be just as enthusiastic about what Palin has to offer even if she was a man, but a woman on the ticket is a HUGE bonus that will attract some otherwise unenthusiastic “undecided” voters who do want “change” and to “make history”, but can’t stomach the thought of Obama as prez.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Who helps McCain WIN? Easily it is Palin.
DON’T EVEN TALK POLICY IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TRY TO WIN.
VICTORY FIRST! Policy later!
Picking Romney for Veep is just reinforcement that the Republicans don’t give a shit about women.
Palin has enough executive experience and most important will CONNECT with Americans.
I don’t care if Mac dies in office and Palin takes over. She’ll put HER cabinet together to assist her with those areas the administration needs.
I was a supporter of Romney during the primaries, but he is the WRONG guy for the Veep slot.
We need a communicator and someone who connects with the ‘people’. And, represents REAL change for the Republican Party’s image which is right now this: “Old white guys”.
McCain must raise voter turnout. Palin will raise voter turnout by Independents and Republicans.
McCain must generate excitement and passion this election to get people off their rear ends to vote.
Right now, that kinda excitement is Sarah Palin.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Also, don’t ever underestimate the powers in a presidential election of just being a good person like Sarah.
Remember how Bush was effective in just being a normal guy when campaigning. I don’t agree with much of what Bush did in office, but he still had a likability about him in 2000.
Much of the Presidency is now public relations and pursuading others to join in policy goals, not simply designming poicy.
Pay close attention when Palin hits People Magazine, hopefully the August issue.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am
[...] a disclaimer, I have already voiced my support for a McCain-Palin [...]