GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
Our post “BREAKING: Romney VP Pick” has generated quite a bit of excitement, discussion, and (as expected) controversy. I wanted to write a post explaining how we came upon the information, and take you inside the decision to run with the story. I am going to leave everyone’s name who was involved with the story out of it for now. They can, of course, post their own statements or comments relating to the story if they choose.
On the way to an all-day meeting this morning, I received a telephone call with the tip that Mitt Romney had been selected as Sen. McCain’s running mate, but that the official decision to announce would not be immediately forthcoming. I found the source of this information quite credible. In other words, the information was coming from someone who was in a position to know.
I asked the person if it was OK to run with the story. My tipster asked me to hold off for now because they wished to confirm it with someone associated with Team Romney.
During a break from my meeting, I called my tipster back and was informed that the story was corroborated by two sources directly associated with Mitt Romney, and two employees of the McCain Campaign. It was at this point that I asked Jason to post the story.
I think I made the correct decision, and I doubt that anyone else in the position of running a blog devoted to the minutiae of the 2008 race would have done any differently.
Now comes word that this may have all been an elaborate ruse to take eyes off of Sen. Obama’s highly covered overseas trip. I really doubt that folks. The only way that eyes are coming off of Barry is if Sen. McCain announces his decision.
More likely is that perhaps the campaign really was set to announce the decision very shortly, only to pull back at the last moment.
I was also made aware that one of the largest conservative sites in the Blogosphere was set to run the exact same story that we did, only to pull back after we posted it before them. So if this was all just an elaborate ruse, we here were not the only ones to be fooled.
And finally, if this all was just a Psi-Ops project on the part of the McCain Campaign to get people talking today, there is no reason to be angry about that. As is usual for Race42008, we had a great deal of stimulating and spirited discussion about the state of our party and where we would like to see it head in the future. So I’d like to think that the bottom line is that some good did come out of our little feeding frenzy today.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Neat. Bonham has credibility. I don’t know anyone else you mention. So I’m thinkin’ we’re back to square 1.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Its all good Kavon - We got time to get the results!
thanks for the Back Room info
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
It seems to me that the McCain camp is using the Romney camp. I doubt it’s Romney just because the democrats will come accross the McCain line in a debate where John Mccain says, “I agree Mitt, you are the candidate of change” =meaning Mitt’s flip=flops. For the same reasons, Obama will not pick Hillary. There are too many you-tube moments.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
At least I used the string to get some cuts in about Huckabee.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
IT’S RIDGE!!!!!! …or Portman!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Maya,
Same here but with Romney
LOL…It was fun…
Friends?
Check yes no maybe
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Kavon + all R4′08 commenters = BFF!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!PLAYED!!!!
It’s going to be Huckabee and I feel like taking a shower. That’s the one guy which would make it hard for me to vote for. When I first noticed him I thought I could but over the primary cycle…ahhhh…yuck!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
It sounds like my information is more reliable… I just make it up as I go.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
BREKING NEWS NEXT ON FOXNEWS ON HANNITTY AND COMLBES ON VP I JUST HEARD ON FOXNEWS
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Ridge would run the campaign off a cliff by alienating the base, portman is possible, though a Bush economic advisor seems like a poor choice right now…
As for flip-flops, McCain has things he can be criticized on without Romney, and letting murderers run loose is much more scandalous and damaging than some position shifts everyone knows about and has discussed to death. In any case, Obama won’t bring up flip-flops because it could be spun back on him far too easily - it would have been like Giuliani attacking McCain for being too moderate.
MY guess is that the decision has been made - and I’ll go as far as to say it looks like it will be Mitt, but that a scheduling conflict, likely on Romney’s part, is forcing a Delay, probably until the end of the week (thur/fri).
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
#8 - been drinking tonight?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
nowanalater,
If r408 banned someone for beiong annoying I wish it would be you.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Jason, I seem to recall we did ban some in the past for just that.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Jindal now on the list?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
#12, keep in mind, #8 was a Rudy supporter. I would been drinking as well. $50 million = 1 delegate.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
#10, what did Fox say?????
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I am allowed to vent, right? I do occassionally try to have some constructive conservation.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Everyone, no one knows or can speculate who is VP. The pundints were wrong the whole campaign season for example…
Obama will win NH
No 2nd teir will break through
Hillary and Rudy will be the nominees
Obama cannot win Iowa since Iowa is 99% white
and so on and so forth.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Breaking News: McCain has selected Barack Obama as his running mate and said “Obama needs to be VP in order to gain experience to become a president some day.”
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
That there COULD BE AN announmcement in new orleans Thursday I heard on fox news
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I can totally see the Huckabee pick. It’s the maverick think to do.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
In other news Romney is running away with the AOL Veep poll http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/07/22/hot-seat-who-will-mccain-pick/?icid=200100397×1205935321x1200294558
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Sean M,
Yeah, Romney is running way with the AOL VP poll because they excluded everyone and put no names next to Romney.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
CNN: a Republican source who attended a small private meeting with John McCain Tuesday in New Hampshire tells CNN that the GOP candidate dropped a serious hint about Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. The Republican source said “out of the blue” McCain told the gathering that he thinks they are “really going to like” Pawlenty.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Anne it doesn’t matter who else is there Romney still would be leading.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
PAWLENTY IS A WASTE OF A VP PICK HE’S UKNOWN!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Tim Pawlenty would be a great choice, it seem’s like i’m the only one who like Tim Pawlenty though, but he and McCain are very close.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
The country would have time to get to know Tim Pawlenty if he chooses him this week Greg.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
MCCAIN/PAWLENTY!!!!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Pawlenty who???
I’m from Iowa and I didn’t hear about him until all this VP speculation. He couldn’t even deliver Minnesota for McCain.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
If McCain really is waiting beyond this week, it has to be Romney. Besides the candidate not being around, it doesn’t make any sense to wait. There is only a week and a half left in Jul, and you don’t want to wait until Aug, because you will have to share the spotlight with either the Olympics or the Democratic convention. Pawlenty, Jindal, Portman, all could be announced this week.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
We’ve got an interesting group here. On some of the other conservative blogs you have ego driven echo chambers.
It’s a testament to Kavon, that he brought such a diverse group together. Our comments section really reflect the same diversity and intellectual depth.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Anne,
Tim Pawlenty, one of only a handful of REPUBLICAN governor’s to win reelection in 2006 and has strong ties to the Evangelical Community and is an economic conservative.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
The problem with Pawlenty is that he is unknown, and has no economic experience. MN looks to be out of reach, and that is really the only place T-Paw would help.
McCain can’t pick an unknown now - he could have in Apr. or May, not now. There is not enough time for people to get to know, like, and trust the person, who, lets face it, has more than a small chance of becoming President in the next four years.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Tim Pawlenty would be a good pick.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Bryan,
I very much like Tim Pawlenty. He’s been my top choice for months. I’d be very happy with either Pawlenty or Palin, but Palin seems pretty unlikely at this point.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
If the VP announcement goes past like FRIDAY does it benefit any body?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
IT’S HUCKABEE !!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Greg,
Yep, it benefits Obama.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
It’s gotta be Romney it just makes the most sense. Romney’s strongest point(economics) is one of McCain’s weakest. Not to mention Romney looks the part, is well spoken,has a large following and he can actually 1 up Obama on the “change” factor.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Brett,
Who are your sources?
Huck himself?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Wait a minute. If your credible source about Romney being selected “was in a position to know,” why would the tipster have to check the story with the Romney camp??
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
They have made a movie about McCain, and he has been depicted (POW Hanoi) in two other movies. McCain is as well known as the President. McCain does not need someone well known as his VP. That is his luxury.
What the McCain camp has done with this VP head-fake is amazing. I am not surprised, look at the history of Jill Hazelbaker. I respect her a lot, but she can pull some fast-ones.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
SO basically MCCAIN HAS TO PICK VP THIS WEEK?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Brett, you’re killing me.
How do you know?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
“If the VP announcement goes past like FRIDAY does it benefit any body?”
see #32 - I think it benefits Romney.
This week would be the perfect week to announce, you get to steal Obama’s thunder, and have time to allow the pick to set in before other things take some of the headlines away - ex. the Olympics, the DNC convention, Obama’s VP pick. Over the next week, McCain will be in LA, PA, and OH - and could easily announce Jindal, Ridge, or Portman.
It looks like they are ready to make the announcement - since they were going to do it this week (and still may), so if they don’t, it suggests an inability to announce. Since Romney seems to be the only candidate unavailable, a delay, to me, would increase his chances.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Jill Hazelbaker ? She work with Bob Dole ? Before or after the Viagra commercials?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Shouldn’t even be a discussion on Veep. Mitt has it in the bag. I’ve even heard McCain has said as much in at least one private meeting between the two in the last few weeks.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Pawlenty’s really the do no harm pick at this point. I mean, McCain is not going to win MN, WI, or IA. Pawlenty’s basically the runner up when Ridge is nixed by conservatives and when Romney is nixed by independents. I’m not sure that Pawlenty will be able to excite anyone at this point. But I can’t imagine that he’ll hurt the ticket.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I just would like to say I have 4 sources claiming McCain has chosen Romney. Good sources. So, I stand by the first post, which said we had sources telling us Romney is the pick.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Anne, just be patient - and let time run its course
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
“Wait a minute. If your credible source about Romney being selected “was in a position to know,” why would the tipster have to check the story with the Romney camp??”
Likely so as not to upstage them. The last thing McCain needs is credible rumors, a denial from Romney, and then an announcement of Mitt. It would look like the same kind of disorganization that McCain is getting criticized for.
–
Well, I just hope its not a “safe” pick - a so-so who was choosen to do no harm, because that would leave us stuck with another “blah” nominee in four years.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Jason, do we have anything on Romney’s location?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
But Dave, thats the problem - T-Paw isn’t that exciting, he’s a boring pick, so what do we do four years from now when we would be stuck with him as the nominee?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
ACT, no idea. But I think someone spotted reindeer coming in from the north pole.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
lol.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
#55, you have clearly never heard Pawlenty ad-lib with a mic before?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
#56, that was Palin coming to meet with McCain.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
“More likely is that perhaps the campaign really was set to announce the decision very shortly, only to pull back at the last moment.”
Um, wouldn’t they wait for Romney to be in the country? You and your sources have no clue where Mitt Romney is, let alone if he’s been selected for VP.
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/on_mccains_vp_timing.php
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
act-blog,
Romney is in Canada with his family.
Huck (by the way) is in Rawanda with Cindy McCain and the ONE campaign.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
this he would announce during the weekend since obama comes back to to chicago from that trip ?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hmmm… someone mentioned a reflective post on huckpac.com… I agree with Brett, it’s Huckabee.
1. Huckabee
2. Pawlenty
3. Jindal
[...]
4,666,436. Romney
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
“Um, wouldn’t they wait for Romney to be in the country?”
Which is why I think its Mitt…
“Alright, lets make the announcement. Oh, wait, where is Romney? Canada?!?! Well, I guess we have to wait.”
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
60.
No one claimed it would be this week, and it’s funnier that you link to an article that heavily implies Romney will be the pick to argue that he won’t.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
#9. JPL, do you tele?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I am a huge Mitt fan, but I don’t want him to be the veep candidate. Although it is the only way I am guaranteed to vote for McCain. I would rather see Mitt be head of the RNC or just run his PAC for the next four years and beat Obama in 2012. I think Obama will run away with this election. Why would Mitt want to be part of the losing team?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
67. Agreed.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
act-blog, yes I can hear Romney now.
“Sorry Senator McCain, you will have to just wait to offer me the VP pick, as I am busy fishing in Saskatchewan with Ann. Please put the entire campaign on hold for me”.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I will also add that I dislike McCain as much or more than Obama. All McCain will do is drive the GOP further into the ground. Why not let the Dems screw the country up for the next four years and allow us to resurrect our party in that time. Not that i am voting for Obama, but i may not vote for McCain either.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
…because I don’t see Obama winning. Think about it, the Democrats got their dream year - an unpopular war, a sagging economy, high energy prices, and an unpopular GOP President to blame it on. They got a long-time GOP senator to run against, and put up the most exciting, anti-Bush candidate they could get - and are still only running 3-5 points ahead. Republicans generally improve closer to the election, and all this is before we start really hitting Obama on national T.V.
I agree there are risks involved in being the VP, but its the only way for Mitt to gaurentee himself the nomination in four years. If someone else gets picked, particularly a younger person like Palin or Jindal, or God-forbid Huckabee, it could be a real dogfight.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
act-blog,
Name me some Republicans, other then Romney, who are “exciting”? I’m always hearing this, and I confess that I’m at a bit of a loss. Pawlenty gives a terrific speech, full of self-deprecating humor and humility; he gets several rounds of laughter and applause during all the speeches I’ve seen him give. He talks persuasively about conservative values, with a reformist tinge. He’s young and can speak the language of the young (he’s known for his references to pop culture and analogies to technology). What is “exciting”? Continual red meat? A pair of ovaries? Darker skin color?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Jindal/Palin is already my dream ticket for 2012 if McCain gets thumped in November.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
#65-
I didn’t say it wouldn’t be Romney, I said that he and his sources are ignorant. Please re-read the quote… he said that they were going to announce the pick shortly but changed their mind at the last minute. Why does this site attract illiterate hacks?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Nothing would get moved that was on the schedule before today.
…and can you come up with another reason for waiting? The decision has been made - this we know from the fact that it was going to be this week. So, can you come up with another reason for putting it off.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Swint (#70), you may want to follow American Thinker for a while. It is one sources of Rush’s daily readings — a very conservative site. It analyzes Obama’s policies and proposals in depth. If you do follow it for a couple of days or three, it will be enough to cause you to reconsider not voting for McCain. I have announced on this site some months ago I won’t ever vote for McCain under any consideration, not even with Romney on ticket (I was one of most vocal Mittbots on this site). Now, I am willing to do an anti-Obama vote, and McCain happens to be the guy to get it. Romney on his ticket will make it easier for me to swallow the medicine!
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
RT,
I can only guess why you are here.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Jindal is exciting, Palin is exciting, an argument can even be made for Huckabee being exciting. I don’t think any of those people should be picked, but I think they would generate a lot more buzz than Pawlenty, and have a much betting chance in four years.
What is so special about T-Paw? And do you honestly believe that, four years from now, he can run as a strong conservative, win, and be the Reagan-like figure the party needs to set us up for the next three decades?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
All I can say is
Mac & Mike
Heck..It makes a good sign
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
If McCain selects Romney the American public wont care. They have seen him in the spotlight. He’s the guy who spent 45 million dollars of his own money to win some delegates in Wyoming and Michigan. His campaign was only second to Rudy’s as the worst in Republican Primary history. Give the public someone fresh and new so they can have time to discover someone. A McCain/Romney ticket would suck media attention for about a day. I still think Pawlenty,Jindal and Crist are solid picks. Sarah Palin would also be a great choice. For McCain to pick Romney is almost exactly like Obama choosing Hillary, its not wise.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
#76, interesting point. The American Thinker laid out a McCain cabinet yesterday, and in fact placed Sarah Palin as the VP. http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/07/the_mccain_administration_1.html
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I generally question unnamed sources, particularly when the facts seem a little suspect, and especially from all these new people - many of whom, I suspect, are over-enthusiastic supporters making up stories.
But with Jason, well….he has been around long enough that I trust him when he claims to have connections to the Mitt campaign.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I’m still waiting for the tape of Michelle Obama saying “whitey”.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Jason’s hesitation/opposition to Romney as VP is the only thing that gives me pause to completely supporting the idea.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I’ve given up on the anti-McCain people. Does no one here realize that a credible case can be made that John McCain is the third most conservative Republican nominee in 80 years (after only Reagan and Goldwater). Bush the former began his career as a blue-blooded Rockerfeller Republican; pro-choice, pro-government growth, the whole shebang. His father was a mover in Planned Parenthood for goodness sake. He believed staunchly in international institutions, was no sort of supply sider, raised taxes, created bureaucracies, etc. Dole was a leader of the moderate Republicans in the senate. Ford was a believer in smaller government, but higher taxes, and was a social liberal to boot. Nixon was awfully liberal domestically. Eisenhower believed in preserving the New Deal (when it might still have been rolled back through effort), appointed the two liberal icons of the century to the Supreme Court (Earl Warren and Bill Brennan). No offense, but conservatives have become hopelessly perfectionist. John McCain is far from a perfect nominee; I often find myself depressed that we’re stuck with him. And he’s not a movement conservative; but he is conservative, and a good deal more conservative then some of the other character’s we’ve been stuck with. I supported Romney, but recently I’ve wondered if nominating John McCain may have kept the Republican Party from driving itself off a cliff, ala the Democratic party circa ‘72.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Do you Think Mccain could wait till olympics are over reason I ask Rumor mitt to go to olympic I heard?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
just thinking Do you Think Mccain could wait till olympics are over reason I ask Rumor mitt to go to olympic I heard?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
SGS,
Thanks for the link, I will look into, but I also will read it with cautious eyes knowing that is slanted with their perspective (which is fine, we all do it and have our biases). Ultimately I disagree with Obama on nearly everything. But I don’t trust McCain and he just isn’t a good person. It is not really a matter of conservative or liberal with McCain, I just can’t stand him. We’ll see, I may be at the polls in Novemember and just not mark a Presidential choice. We’ll see.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Mitt is going to the Olympics, though I doubt they would wait until afterwards to announce - because from the Olympics, we go right into the DNC convention, and then our own.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
No way McCain waits until the Olympics are over. This announcement is coming before August 10. Unless he just hasn’t made up his mind.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
By the way, I just posted my thoughts about Mitt’s choice as VEEP (if indeed it is true) on my blog, check it out. http://mydryfly.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/is-it-mitt/
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Time to get out my Huckabee shirt and sharpie a VP before President.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
ugh, a Huckabee selection will guarantee that I vote for Obama.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Can we get a ban in here for the troll on #89?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
BREAKING NEWS! INSIDER TIP! McCain certainly, probably, possibly, maybe will select Pawlenty! Seriously, no one knows. Kavon had an inside source who told him about the impending Ridge selection. As a long time McCain supporter, here’s some straight talk, will only know who McCain will select when it hits CNN or Fox.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Just to add to the merriment: I preface that I don’t think it’s Huckabee at this point, but just for the record: I have seen two separate news item announcing that McCain will be in NW Arkansas in early August — one news item says August 8th, the other says the first week in August. The Arkansas GOP executive mentioned that McCain was NOT attending a fundraiser, he was looking to “grab votes.” Neither news items was giving any details beyond the visit itself. Are you kidding? Grabbing votes == in Arkansas? Ark and LA are the only two states McCain is guarenteed to win. So he’s going to LA this week and a week and a half later to Ark? Who the heck knows anymore.
Frankly, I think McCain better stop playing games and get on the “serious campaign bandwagon” to have even a ghost of a chance to win.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
“Can we get a ban in here for the troll on #89?”
Agreed.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Why don’t you try reading the article? I never said they were going to announce it immediately. Just sooner than people think. I am hardly the only one to speculate that the pick would be announced this week some time.
Geesh… You want something untrue so badly you put words in my mouth.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Mafe -
Get the #@!*% off this website unless you can show maturity beyond the level of your average 12-year old.
Where the hell is Kavon when you need him?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
This is the second time I have had to ban that Mafe character for telling that story.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
So basically mccain’s deadline is MUST ANNOUNCE VP BY BEFORE OLYMPICS THE or day of the the olympics opening AUG. 08 2008 that pretty much where we are calendar wise ?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thx Kavon.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I think McCain is putting the media on a tailspin.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I would say by August 1st. Anything the week of the Olympics is going to be overshadowed, at least partially, by the games, and afterwards, we go right into the conventions.
Like I said, this week would have been optimal, but, for some reason - and I said what I think here - they couldn’t. So, probably next week, when they can get Sunday show coverage.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Greg- I think so. I would also say McCain needs about a week prior to the Olympics to grab some press. So an announcement by August 1st seems very likely to me. The Olympics don’t end until like August 26, and then you almost immediately have the DNC meeting. RNC isn’t until early September, and frankly, that’s too late. The announcement will come by August 1.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Act-blog,
“Jindal is exciting, Palin is exciting, an argument can even be made for Huckabee being exciting. I don’t think any of those people should be picked, but I think they would generate a lot more buzz than Pawlenty, and have a much betting chance in four years.”
Jindal and Palin are exciting only because they’re identity politics picks. Objectively, neither gives a great speech (Jindal is borderline awful here). Palin has a great deal of warmth and poise, but Jindal has almost no polish. Jindal reminds me of the Paul Ryan’s and Eric Cantor’s of the party (though Jindal is much, much smarter then either); they all ought to be exciting and might well become exciting, but right now just seem awkward more often then not.
“What is so special about T-Paw? And do you honestly believe that, four years from now, he can run as a strong conservative, win, and be the Reagan-like figure the party needs to set us up for the next three decades?”
I’ve gone over this before, but again, I think objectively Pawlenty gives a great speech. He’s knows how to sprinkle anecdotes and jokes into more serious themes, to make the audience comfortable. He seems to understand the art of rhetoric; pacing, building, themes, tonality, etc. His speeches have both moments of forcefulness and lightness. In the speech-making department, I’ve only seen two modern Republicans that are consistently in Pawlenty’s class; Huckabee and Newt. Romney comes a close fourth, largely because his speeches don’t seem as natural.
I also happen to think that Pawlenty is the perfect model for a new GOP; blue collar; suburban; folksy and faithful without being abrasive; forward-looking; and essentially conservative on all three major legs of the stool (with enough deviations to sell the middle). Do I think Pawlenty can be our Reagan in 4 or 8 years? In so far as another Reagan is possible, I think Pawlenty is the best prospect (with Palin close behind).
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Isn’t this Thursday still a possibility?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
If McCain is bent on waiting until Obama announces him, Obama may just wait until the 7th to announce, to which McCain would be overshadowed by him and the olympics. Veep seems to be more important to McCain’s chances than to Obama’s. Obama doesn’t have anyone who will make him better, he is already THE story of the election and get’s people excited, his veep could be Al Franken and no one would care. But for McCain, no one is excited about him. He needs someone to generate some buzz and a little passion. The only two who do that are Palin and, to a lesser extent, Romney. (Jindal as well, but he needs to stay in Louisiana for now). The problem for McCain is that Obama probably recognizes this import of Veep for McCain and, as a result, holds the cards. If McCain announces first, Obama will announce a day or two later and steal all the news and thunder. If McCain waits, Obama will announce just before the Olympics and overshadow McCain again.
The one way to overcome this however, would be to announce Mitt Romney as the veep during the Olympics and with Mitt attending. The story of the guy who turned around the Salt Lake olympics who is now a candidate for Vice President might be worth some solid buzz during the Olympics. We’ll see.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
#103, you are correct.
They are so creative. They release a video attacking the media for bias, then they leak VP stories. First Romney, then Jindal. I wonder who it will be tomorrow?
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I don’t know about Thursday, Novak said it was unlikely to be this week, and Thursday falls within a 48 hour window that is really the earliest I would have expected the announcement to come anyway.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Well IF it’ mitt more reason to annouce soon I would think cause IF he’s going to olympics he would have to leave soon won’t he?
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
..which is why I think Aug. 1st is the latest we would see an announcement.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
All of this is making my head spin. I’m very hesistant to believe anyone at all at this point and after all that’s happened with Novak and others…but I must say, Jason and Kavon have done a very good job convincing me of their sources. I’m still hoping McCain shocks the MSM and pulls out Sarah Palin, but I’ll be incredibly happy with Mitt.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
CNBC was running the ticker about McCain announcing this week and Larry Kudlow was even discussing it on his show tonight. There is something going on in the McCain camp and perhaps it is all a farce but I’ve known Kavon and Jason for long enough to know that they wouldn’t post something this big without many corroborating sources.
I really did hope it wasn’t going to be Romney, though. That will make it a little bit difficult for me to pull the lever for Barr come November. But, since everyone on here has reminded us all many times it’s not about about the bottom of the ticket it’s about the name on the top and I won’t vote for McCain under any circumstances. I appreciate all the wonderful emails the Romney camp has sent me asking me to donate money to McCain and support him and volunteer for him but it isn’t going to happen. I’ll still be voting for Sen. Sununu and Grant Bosse for Congress in the 2nd CD but I will not, under any circumstances, vote for McCain. My wife will not be voting for McCain either. I believe she just won’t vote for Pres period.
It has been quite interesting talking with many people I work with. Some were Paul supporters, some were Romney supporters, others supported other candidates but ALL of them are disgusted by McCain and Obama. I can’t remember a presidential election where so many people can’t stand either choice. I wish there was a way to track voting histories for individuals from one election to another because I would be really interested to see how many people who voted in 2004 will not be voting this time around.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
RayinNH, It’s all about the courts….Think!
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
“I can’t remember a presidential election where so many people can’t stand either choice.”
Then why do Obama and McCain have positive (50+) favorability ratings??
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Ray, you make a commercial for Mitt and you won’t help him become President by voting for McCain/Romney. We can put up with Mac for a short time. Besides a vote for Barr enables the Socialist Obama to be President. That’s way too dangerous.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I am thinking. And it’s all about Barr now. McBama won’t be the only 2 names on the ballot. I’m done being tied down to any particular party and I’m done voting for the lessor of 2 evils. If McCain is elected the lib judges will just stay on the SC anyways. Unless they die he won’t even get a chance to replace them.
Macis - I don’t speak for the entire country. I speak for my circle of influence and my friends, co-workers, and family. In my circle I can’t recall anything like this.
Drill Everywhere! Drill Now! Pay Less!
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Romney would bring more than squeaky clean qualifications and youthful good looks to the ticket. New polling in Michigan by Ayres, McHenry & Associates shows that Romney gives McCain a significant jump — “off the charts,” as someone familiar with the still-unreleased poll described it — and makes him competitive in a state that hasn’t voted Republican since 1988. Mike Huckabee had little effect on the survey results and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s name was of negligible value
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Matthew E. Miller:
Don’t you remember the graph that measured McCain’s voting record and showed that he had become increasingly liberal with each passing year. I wish someone would put it up again. He reached the point where he was right in the middle between the dems and repubs.
I also disliked the call I got from McCain’s campaign during the California Primary which informed me about many of Mitt’s religious problems. McCain has always played dirty and has been hypocritical about it. Why, it was just a year ago that McCain tried to force feed me a terrible immigration proposal, and he told me I was heartless if I didn’t support it. He also begged to be Kerry’s running mate against GW.
I can’t stand the man, and I am a die-hard republican. There are many like me that just cannot vote for him out of good conscience. I would prefer that he lost and the republican party learned a good lesson from it. We need intelligent candidates that have actually made a difference, not guys liike McCain who have ridden the shoulders of his parents to political office.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Voting for a McCain/Romney ticket does not help Romney become President in 4 years. Romney as RNC Chairman helps Romney become President in 4 or 8 years from now. Romney as Chairman of the Free & Strong America PAC helps Romney become President in 4 or 8 years.
And voting for McCain instead of Barr allows the Socialist Obama to be President. That’s way too dangerous.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
“And voting for McCain instead of Barr allows the Socialist Obama to be President. That’s way too dangerous.”
I’m not being a smart aleck, but what is that supposed to mean?
I honestly believe we will win this with Mitt as VP unless we lose good people like you.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 pm
John McCain has opened a modest lead over Barack Obama in the key swing state of Ohio. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Buckeye State shows McCain attracting 46% of the vote while Obama earns 40%. Last month and the month before McCain held a insignificant one-point lead over Obama.
Seven percent (7%) of voters say they’d prefer a third party candidate over either McCain or Obama and another 7% remain undecided.
When “leaners” are included in the totals, McCain leads Obama 52% to 42%.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
RayinNH, please do not vote for McCain against you will. Vote for who you want to. It is your legal right.
John McCain is saving the GOP. He is moving polling for GOP Congressmen and Senators and now it looks as if the Dems will not obtain 60+ seats.
This year could have been devistating for Republicans, and that it might have taken another 40 years to regain control of Congress, but maybe not?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
IlGuy - simply stated I think Barr is a better option than McCain in 2008. I think people are wasting their votes on McCain and should, instead, be flocking to Barr. Why should McCain be the only option against Obama? If there is a better option shouldn’t people be looking there instead of looking at the same ol’ same ol’ put forth by the GOP. And, btw, I have a lot of respect for you, your insight, and support of Romney so I’m not trying to bash you or attack you. I’m just stating my honest opinion, which luckily on this site does not get blocked or banned.
Thanks Kristofer. I just wish more Americans realized there were more than 2 options in November.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
RayinNH,
No. We have a two-party system. Third parties are utter wastes in America. If people favor Barr, and they don’t actually care about who wins the election, but rather about standing for “principle” then they ought to vote for him. If they view politics as something more then self-assertion, an exercise in narcissism, then they’re stuck, at least nationally, with only two plausible choices come November.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I don’t know what to say Ray, but Barr is not going to get more than a few percentage points of votes. Unfortunately, nearly all will come from Republican voters who are not very happy with McCain. When Mitt first pulled out, I was not a very happy camper, because I thought that he had been a victim of team tactics, and some outright lies the last weekend before Florida. I still believe that. However, I think Mitt will be a huge influence on the ticket if McCain choose him. I think Mac will be smart enough to include him in a wide variety of issues, recognizing that Mitt is an amazingly intelligent man with a great grasp of the issues. I’d like to see you keep and open mind about it. Thanks!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
For the last time already he isn’t picking before Obama! Deal with it.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
6 Anne, after long thought, YES!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 pm
3rd party candidates are a little like unmarried guys over 40. A little weird.
If this offends you, read what was written about Crist up until a few weeks ago! I’m not the only one that thinks it!
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
67. Because he will view as his duty if he is asked.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
Mitt may not bring a big direct impact but he will help McCain. He will help bring order to the campaign and can persuade McCain to make corrections were other might not.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:28 am
#133, wrong dude. VP’s have to change most of their views to accomodate the POTUS cabdidate. Do not be fooled.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 am
On the one hand all this talk about people claiming that Mr. Romney is definitely the one is typical arrogant type, on the other hand, for the rumor to go this far, there must be some truth to it. I think Mr. Novak cares about his reputation enough to want to be sure that there is at least a reasonable chance that he is right. Perhaps Mr. Romney article in the WSJ was an attempt to show Conservatives the he is not all that bad on Health Care after all. He said enough to comfort me, but not enough to excite me.
Yes there are many Evangelicals, SoCons and Catholics who like Mr. Romney a lot, but most of them that I know would feel at least a little insulted by putting him on the ticket. Many are flitting with Mr. Barr as it is. As of now, I frankly question whether I can vote for a McCain / Romney ticket in 2012, but then again the ticket has 4 years to get its act together. I shall support such a ticket in 2008 because it is the best alternative. I fear allowing Mr. Obama to win during a time of war and Mr. Barr has not been acting the wisest lately anyways.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
“Voting for a McCain/Romney ticket does not help Romney become President in 4 years. Romney as RNC Chairman helps Romney become President in 4 or 8 years from now. Romney as Chairman of the Free & Strong America PAC helps Romney become President in 4 or 8 years. ”
Wrong - the VP spot would virtually gaurentee Romney the nomination in four years. Anything else, at best, would make him the best known challenger to McCain’s VP - and VPs don’t lose the nominaition. Its not like Romney needs more experience, or better connections to the party - in which case you might be right - he just needs the path to the nomination, and that comes from being on the ticket.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
You guys seem to think Romney is out of the country, like Tibet. He is no more than a 30 minute flight and a 2-3 hour drive from Detroit or Buffalo
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
If it’s not Mitt Romney, we all loose! He’s shown his loyalty, sincerity, his debating skills are excellent. His economy skills, business exposure in the private sector, and darn, he is so Presidential looking. Ann and Mitt are excellent role models. Mitt came in second to McCain, don’t forget, with alot of dirty politics. Mitt brings Michigan!!!!! M&M SWEET!!!!!!2008
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
IF WE GOT PLAYED FOR AND IT’S NOT MITT ROMNEY , MCCAIN IS GOING TO PISS-OFF 1/4 OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
I FOR ONE DON’T LIKE TO BE TAKEN FOR A FOOL BY MY OWN PARTY. WE ARE NOT STUPID , ( WERE NOT DEMOCRATS ) WE ARE REPUBLICAN ELEPHANTS WHO DON’T FORGET.
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER I’M VOTING FOR MITT ROMNEY , EITHER AS V.P. FOR MCCAIN OR AS A WRITE IN FOR PRTESIDENT.
ROMNEY 2008