July 30, 2008
Veep Rumor Du Jour: Lieberman Back in the Mix + Intrade Evening Update
This rumor is courtesy of ABC News’ Jan Crawford Greenburg:
McCain’s tough new “celebrity” ad campaign, designed to portray Obama as an empty suit who — like Paris Hilton — is devoid of substance, is the first part of a broader strategy that ultimately could have ramifications for McCain’s VP selection.
The campaign will continue to hit hard that Obama is not an agent of change — but a man who merely plays to his audience and is unwilling to risk losing his adoring crowds by making the tough decisions. This is only the first volley, sources close to McCain tell ABC News.
There’s a bigger point — and this initial volley, they say, lays the groundwork for it. They will be sharpening McCain’s message that he, not Obama, is the true change agent, a man who’s repeatedly taken unpopular stands, made the hard calls and forged bipartisan alliances.
Part of the calculus now is how his VP choice will further sharpen that message. There is significant support among top McCain advisers that he make a “transformative” pick who would change the Republican Party — someone who would appeal to moderate Republicans and Democrats.
This pick would be someone who, like McCain, has taken the unpopular stands, made the hard calls and stood firm on principle.
A person who fills that bill, these advisers say, is Joe Lieberman.
Lieberman, an Independent Democrat, flatly denied his interest to ABC’s Ron Claiborne earlier this month, but McCain is now seriously considering him as that “transformative” pick, sources tell ABC News.
McCain is close to Lieberman, admires his willingness to stand alone on principle and shares his views that Islamo-fascism is the most serious threat to the nation’s future.
What’s more, some McCain advisers believe Lieberman would dramatically enhance the point they are now trying to make about Obama in this “celebrity” ad campaign.
McCain and Lieberman are anti-celebrities, the argument goes. They have, as one top adviser said, felt the heat after taking unpopular positions because they were willing to do “what’s right for the country” — whatever it meant for their own popularity.
McCain has not decided which route to take. The transformative pick would anger a slice of the base, and he could decide, at the end of the day, to pick the conventional conservative.
That would be Mitt Romney, Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty or former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, sources tell ABC News.
Despite my many differences with Sen. Lieberman on the issues (and there are many), he will always have my respect and admiration for risking everything that he spent his life attaining by refusing to give in to the demands of the nutroots and join the chorus of surrender to al-Qaeda on Iraq.
That reason alone is enough for me personally to support the ticket. I would urge anyone who cares about our soldier’s sacrifice of the past 5 years do the same.
Finally, here is tonight’s Intrade Veep update:
Republican Vice Presidential Nomination
- Mitt Romney 38.5
- Tim Pawlenty 30.0
- Tom Ridge 25.0
- Sarah Palin 19.9
- John Thune 10.0 (tie)
- Rob Portman 10.0 (tie)
Democratic Vice Presidential Nomination
- Tim Kaine 38.9
- Evan Bayh 24.5
- Kathleen Sebelius 20.0
- Joe Biden 13.9
- Dick Gephardt 8.5
http://race42008.com/2008/07/30/veep-rumor-du-jour-lieberman-back-in-the-mix-intrade-evening-update/trackback/
July 30th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I’ll say what I just said in the other thread about a Lieberman pick:
“There is no way I could support that ticket. If McCain tries to put him on, we need to look into ways to replace McCain as the nominee. A move like that, particularly for the reasons that the article mentions, would cause me to lose any support I’ve developed for J-Mac.
If John McCain is truly setting out to change the party, to diminish the role of Conservatives, to move the party drastically to the left, I don’t want any part of it…”
July 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
And Kavon – best wishes to you and your wife. Hope everything is all right.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
“someone who would appeal to moderate Republicans”
Uhhh isn’t that what McCain does? I mean that is pretty much the group of Republicans who gave McCain the nomination.So tell me again why we need someone else who appeals to this group?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I obviously don’t understand the far right hand-wringing over this. At the end of the day, at the national level, the VP does not matter, right?. The selection is at best a momentary blip in the polling data. How many votes did George H.W. Bush lose because Quayle was running? And he was universally regarded as the worst VP in recent memory (well, except maybe for Agnew).
I understand what values matter to guys like Doug and ACT, but why the VP selection would make them change their mind boggles me. I mean, for me personally, Huckabee is diametrically opposed to everything I believe in, but it’s not like I would vote for someone else if he was the selection. Is it because you guys didn’t get your pick, so you just need the slightest thing to make you take your ball and go home?
And, as a hypothetical, what if somebody like Huck (or Romney) picked somebody like Rudy (or Bloomburg) as a VP chice?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Lieberman is going to speak at the GOP Convention. I don’t think he will be McCain’s VP.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Kavon,
I hope and trust your wife is fine and that she recovers quickly from what is surely a traumatic event.
As to politics, I read the ABC article and I completely agree with http://www.act-blog.co-nr. There is no way I would ever vote for this ticket, nor would I ever vote for the other ” transformational ” VP selections mentioned. If I wanted to be a Democrat, I already
have Obama, who has already ” transformed “himself. Is McCain ” nuts?” I live in Georgia. We will have a huge Democratic turn out in the Atlanta metro this fall, but we will hold the state with McCain and the GOP if we have a motivational ticket. But
people marched in the streets in April against McCain and the McCain- Kennedy immigration bill. He is on tenterhooks in the south. If McCain puts Lieberman or Ridge on the ticket to ” transform” the party, he will lose most of the south. No question. In
fact, even Smith and Palin are unknown. Portman, et al.as well. Mccain is not that popular in the south and Obama is wildly popular in the black community and among the younger democratic party. If McCain doesn’t energize his traditional base, he loses
Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and possibly Mississippi.
Of course, the commentators at ABC will be ecstatic because they never vote Republican anyway. They just get us to run our weakest tickets. But McCain is in NO POSITION to start tweaking the party to look like him…..many, who may vote for him, do
not like him. They just like Obama less, but they can be persuaded to change.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Oh yeah, Kavon, best wishes to your wife. Glad to hear she is OK.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Granted my intellectual prowess is nowhere near that of Metro’s, but I find it odd that there’s a 133.4% chance that McCain will pick one of those 6 candidates. Especially since it’s gonna be McCain-Powell (also read: invincible).
July 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Adam,
McCain is not 46 years old. The VP pick for McCain is FAR more important than that for Obama.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Take care of your wife. Family first. Politics can wait.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Jeez, Kavon! That’s scary. Hope everything is back to normal for you soon.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Kavon, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I don’t really get the Lieberman talk. Sounds like McCain is torn between one of two avenues with his VP. He can go down safe street or he can shake things up.
From this article and others, it appears that Romney and Pawlenty lead the safe category and Ridge, Lieberman and a few others are in the shake things up list.
Finally polls show McCain doing well amongst Republicans, consolidating the base, etc… He trails Obama by an avg of around 3 pts in nat’l polls, and has made up ground in various swing states.
Now is not the time to conduct an experiment as to how a pro choice liberal will fare on a GOP ticket. If he was down by 15 and just decided to throw caution to the wind, maybe. But this is still a very winnable election and Lieberman is just too much of a risk.
Wait a bit. See who Obama picks and how that affects things, As we head into the convention, we’ll have a much better idea, the media will be salivating and it will be the perfect time to spring the VP, vault into the lead with his convention bounce, and ride down the stretch to victory
July 30th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I support McCain/Lieberman.
Economics and defense are my two issues and I’m as far right as you can get on both.
Lieberman is just as far away from me on economics as he is from you SoCons on social issues. (Actually, he is closer to you on those things than to economics on me.)
The difference between him and, say Huckabee or a pro-choice Republican, each of whom may drive away a good chunk of conservatives — is that Lieberman will NOT EVER be in a position to redefine the GOP by running for President under its banner. There simply is no threat.
If it helps McCain win, fantastic. With no long-term impact on the GOP.
Isn’t that what a running mate is about?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Good luck with everything, Kavon!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
“picked somebody like Rudy (or Bloomburg) as a VP chice?”
I don’t know…really, I would have a very hard time supporting that ticket too…Rudy would be acceptable if he agreed to delegate judge appointments to the Republicans in congress, and to sign pro-life legislation.
—
But the thing with Joe is that, as the article mentions, it would be done to “change the Republican party” – now, Bush’s unpopularity aside, I like the GOP, and I certainly like it better than anything a McCain/Lieberman ticket would turn it into.
Its about the future, its about the direction the ticket would take the GOP, its about what happens four years from now, or eight years from now.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Metro,
Regardless of where YOU are, I am telling you, and you can take it to the bank and lock it up. A McCain-Lieberman ticket will be destroyed in Georgia…and Mississippi and North Carolina and Virginia and probably, with Lieberman especially, in South Carolina. You are talking about 50 -75 EV loss with no compensating pick up. If John believes this , he is smoking some controlled substance that Obama would remember from his younger days.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
This bothers me less than Bloomberg would. Lieberman is sixty-six years old. In 2016 he’ll be even older than McCain is now. Not worried about him becoming the GOP standard-bearer.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
“With no long-term impact on the GOP.”
Metro, read the article, it talks about the pick being one selected to “change the Republican party” – it would give a strong indication of the direction that McCain would take the GOP during his term.
It would also, to me, suggest a one term gaurentee – one that would make McCain unaccountable, and allow him to try and change the GOP into one that is softer on illegal immigration, more supportive of business regulation, less concerned with social issues, etc.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Lieberman would not be picked to change the GOP party, but to change the PERCEPTION of GOP team trying to win the White House.
The theme would be, real bipartisans (as opposed to Obama) with a track record of doing the right thing as opposed to serving the interests of their careers (as opposed to Obama).
July 30th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
McCain would show his age if he made the silly move of picking Lieberman. Besides ticking off the base, it wouldn’t mean any advantage with moderates or swing voters. Lieberman’s numbers are very low after his erratic behavior during his party change (call it what it is…).
http://www.political-buzz.com/
July 30th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
“There is significant support among top McCain advisers that he make a “transformative” pick who would change the Republican Party — someone who would appeal to moderate Republicans and Democrats.”
It says right there – CHANGE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Sampo, Intrade doesn’t have to add up to 100, it’s not the % chance of being picked.
It’s how much you have to bet to win 100 back. For example, to win 100 on Romney, you have to put up 38.5 so he’s about 2.5:1.
For example, if I recall, Obama’s #s dipped in pretty much every state out of VA when Kaine was added to the ticket in those SUSA polls. Lets see what happens. If Kaine is announced and Obama drops a couple pts nationally and all of a sudden the race is close, is that really the time to experiment with Joe?
I still think there are plenty of experienced, respected picks out there who could really help McCain and I think he’s waiting to see what deal is before he plays his hand.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
#17: YOU’RE smoking something. McCain/Lieberman would have no problem winning the South.
Voters are smart enough to know he’s there to emphasize McCain’s selling points, because of the war, and because he’s a trusted friend — and that he’s NOT there to be the heir apparent to the GOP.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I don’t care those words were in the article. That’s the author’s fault.
Do you really think Joe Lieberman would run for, and have any chance of winning the GOP nomination?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Metro
It is a recipe for disaster, not the least of which would begin in Minneapolis at the convention. The social conservatives in this party could well split like 1948 over a left perceived choice. I want to emphasize to all…….John McCain is not that well liked in the south. Unless you guys believe you can walk away from the Republican base in the south and pick up the lost votes in New York and New Jersey and California and Connecticut, that you can take these states from Obama, Mccain better have what we call a ” Go to Jesus ” meeting with his dim- witted advisors who are blowing this crap in his ear.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
jim, Intrade contracts will always move toward 100. If they are far away from 100, there is easy money to be made by a market-maker in simply selling or buying all contracts in the market. Which is why that will happen shortly.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Democrats? According to Zogby, Colin Powell is more popular with democrats than any current dem politician. Same with Independents.
Adding Powell is checkmate for Obama.
Now, I know Powell is a longshot but the ticket wins with him on it. It’s that simple.
I would love to see a live cam on Pat Buchanan if it’s Lieberman as the news breaks. That would be worth it.
But it won’t be Lieberman.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Why is it some of us who are farthest to the right on economics have no problem with a Lieberman VP, even though he is on the opposite side on those issues from us — but most SoCons here don’t see it the same way on their issues?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
“and that he’s NOT there to be the heir apparent to the GOP.”
Of course he isn’t there to be the heir apparent – but what does it say about the direction McCain is willing to move the GOP? If he is going to select a pro-abortion, pro-amnesty liberal as his running mate, and if he is willing to do it to break with the Conservative base, and to change the Republican part – AS THE ARTICLE SAYS – then I cannot support McCain, and I will do everything I can to work against him getting into office.
If McCain picks Lieberman, we need to figure out how to get a new nominee.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
First off Kavon,
I am glad to hear that your wife is alright. Secondly, I think that Lieberman would be a marvelous choice. He reinforces McCain’s maverick brand and plays very well with a number of important demographics – would probably woo a lot of Democrats and disaffected Hillary voters. Saying that, if they are even floating Joe’s name, that leads me to believe, as I assumed already that Romney is totally not in consideration at this point. If they are going in the direction of the “maverick, independent” path then Romney does not fit into that type of campaign. But Romney will have a bright future in 2012 and/or 2016.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
“but most SoCons here don’t see it the same way on their issues?”
…because we believe that a Lieberman pick would say a lot about McCain’s intentions.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
“If they are going in the direction of the “maverick, independent” path then Romney does not fit into that type of campaign.”
Actually, it says they are considering two directions – and that McCain has not made up his mind about which one to follow. If he does follow the Maverick path, you are right, then Romney has no chance. IF, however, he goes the other way, and looks for a VP who fills for his flaws, then Romney is very much in the running.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
#32: I could say exactly the same about economics.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
“But Romney will have a bright future in 2012 and/or 2016.”
…provided McCain doesn’t completely destroy the GOP by moving it so far to the left on the economy, immigration social issues – lets face it, those are McCain’s weak areas, and selecting a liberal VP on all of those does nothing.
If McCain is willing to pick Lieberman, I have no trust in him to maintain the GOP as the party of Reagan.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
And I don’t believe for one minute that McCain selecting Lieberman indicates he is moving leftward. All signs point to McCain moving rightward, like dumping Cap and Trade. And it’s on economics that McCain has been flaky, not so much on social issues.
It’s obvious to me Lieberman is there because of the war, because his personal story reinforces McCain’s, because he is a trusted friend, and because he could help us win.
I do not feel it threatens my EconCon agenda — so I don’t see how it threatens your SoCon agenda.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
“#32: I could say exactly the same about economics.”
…and I still don’t understand why you don’t. It says right in the article that McCain would be picking Lieberman to CHANGE THE GOP.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
#35: You don’t get it. The party of Reagan is in the toilet. It can’t win in 2008. But McCain can, being McCain. Selecting Joe helps him be McCain. While preserving the Reagan party afterward. (And much of it during McCain’s Presidency.)
Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
act-blog, (1) Jan Crawford Greenburg is not John McCain or Steve Schmidt. (2) The quote referred to one of two options, GENERALLY SPEAKING, not to Lieberman specifically.
HOw many times shall I have to restate this?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
The thing is, act-blog cares ONLY about installing Romney in the White House some day.
So it’s pointless to argue with him because he’s not really arguing the point he’s making. He’s arguing against anything that wouldn’t install his precious Romney as heir apparent.
Anyone else? I’ll respond to others.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
You know, a lot of people here in Dixie are not persuaded that McCain is that great a choice. You all know he got 30 % of the vote in the primary here in Georgia and that or less in the other states. If Obama were to put Sam Nunn on the ticket, or Evan Bayh or Mark Warner, he would sweep the south, unless he had the very strongest conservative VP holding him up. If that doesn’t happen , it’s going to be a crap shoot. So, before you all see whether Michigan can be picked up or Colorado held or Nevada , you better stop and consider what 50 -75 missing electoral votes could be compensated for with. Try that exercise. Start with 2004 and take 75 EV away from the GOP and transfer to the Democrats . Then, tell me how you win. And, don’t laugh and think this is far fetched. I’m here every day and I hear what traditional GOP voters are saying. His votes on immigration are anathema, his views on ANWR bewildering. Obama’s choice of VP, perhaps moving toward the center, might be a ” killer” and certainly would be with Lieberman or Ridge or some of the other unknown innocents.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
So seem to think that McCain can select a Liberal, run as a moderate ticket, govern as a very moderate administration, and then, four years from now, Conservative would be just fine, the three-legged stool theory will magically heal itself, and a strong Conservative could run, win, govern, and implement his policies no problem…
—
Anyway, I’ve got a radio show in fifteen minutes – feel free to tune in.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/act-cast
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Ironically, it was Reagan himself who took this same tack when he thought Richard Schweiker would win him the nomination back in 76. I wonder what ACT would think of the party of Reagan back then?
But seriously, if John McCain thinks picking a VP with an F rating from the NRA is a good move, he’s truly one of the dumbest politicians around today.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
craig, you could say the same thing about Republicans in most states. When the alternative is Obama vs McCain, the South isn’t going to pick Obama, no matter who the running mates are. Voters vote for the TOP of the ticket. The bottom simply helps to define the top.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
“The thing is, act-blog cares ONLY about installing Romney in the White House some day.”
…but I have time to cover that last remark.
Yes, I like Romney, yes, I want him to be President, but I could support a ticket with Pawlenty on it, I could support a ticket with Thune on it, I could support a ticket with some kind of strong, conservative VP on it…but not Lieberman.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I could never vote for Lieberman. (I would never vote for anyone pro-choice.)
But, I could see how McCain might think Lieberman is the maverick pick. Perhaps Lieberman could reassure Republicans that he will not run for President as a Republican?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Does anyone actually knows who owns Romney, for example, intrade stock because it could be a collective group of pro-Romney supports inflating the prive in attept to gain favor. Don’t play the intrade stocks in China because they would learn about everything flowing from and to your computers.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
…but it would raise serious questions about how McCain would govern.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
It won’t happen. If McCain goes with Joe, lots of conservatives will flock to Bob Barr, a pro-life libertarian. Of course, Barr won’t win a state, but he makes a good protest vote for so-cons who can’t take the alienation anymore.
A McCain/Joe ticket would get Barr up to 7% or more in some Southern states, and that could cost them the aforementioned electoral pie they’re banking on.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Oh goodness no, please not Lieberman. *sigh*
To Kavon,
So sorry to hear about that accident today. I’m so glad to hear everything is ok. you and your wife will be in my prayers. God bless.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
#35, Reagan brought over more Democrats than any other Republican leader.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
In this increasingly media-driven campaign, a Lieberman pick would be a boon to media coverage and the duo would be hailed as a “unity ticket.” I believe that Lieberman would forever move Jewish Americans into the Republican column not unlike Southern Whites migrated to the GOP in the late 60s. Besides locking down Florida and making Connecticut competitive, Lieberman would enhance McCain’s meta narrative and would be a fierce attack dog on Obama. Lieberman has been one of the most prescient on the Iraq war and he would be an important asset in the increasingly likely option of an Iran invasion. Lieberman could be a paradigm shifting political figure who could forever change the Republican party sort of like an American Benjamin Disraeli.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Kavon- most importantly, I am thankful to hear your wife is OK. God is gracious to us.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
#52: Now THAT kind of change to the GOP we could all be happy with! Except the Buchananite isolationists.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Benjamin Disraeli was a Conservative.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Well, since this is a thread about intrade for the evening, why don’t you people that love Lieberman so much jump over their and buy up a bunch of it. The last trade was at .5, not 5, but .5, so you can really rake in the big bucks
ACT, just quit arguing with them. Lieberman doesn’t have a snow balls chance on a hot sunny day of being named the VP. Just relax. It’s more than likely going to be Romney, possibly Pawlenty or Palin. I think he knows better than put a pro-choice candidate on the ticket. That would be a disaster. You all keep talking about losing some of the southern states. We would also lose some of the western states that we should be able to win.
Lots of people on here just like to hear themselves whistle Dixie to see what response they can elicit.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
SECURE THE CENTER,” LIEBERMAN AS V.P., 27-STATE BATTLEGROUND STRATEGY
FITSNews – March 26, 2008 – Even though former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman has already ruled out running on a ticket with GOP presidential nominee John McCain, the Connecticut Senator remains the Maverick Republican’s top pick for the No. 2 slot, according to confidential campaign strategy memo showed to FITSNews last weekend by a McCain strategist.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
METRO,
Yes voters usually vote for the top of the ticket. But McCain has sensitized the voters to his particular age issues. He is no Reagan and doesn’t remotely look as healthy as Reagan. His delivery with prepared remarks is stumbling. His memory with facts
” inefficient”. He looks tired. He has health problems. I could go on and on. The debates will make him look 80, even with makeup. So…
the voters this year are looking at a VP as a possible, potential, perhaps likely replacement in the Oval Office. Hope it doesn’t happen, of course, but there is a LOT more sensitivity to this position. For goodness sakes, I think Obama is even handling his VP
search better,; i.e., making it look more professional, more analysts involved, more detailed. McCain is playing this like he’s making up his mind in a phone booth with periodic leaks to see who is interested.
Last, let me tell you you are wrong. If McCain picks the wrong VP, who fails to motivate the base, they will stay home or vote for Bob Barr. And, a 95 % black turn out in Georgia will carry the state for Obama. McCain is dumber than dumb if he doesn’t get
this,
July 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
jim,
I think Reagan is a relevant parallel here. Not only his Schweiker pick, but also the man himself. Like Reagan, Lieberman is a disaffected Democrat who if elected VP and then eventually President could follow in Reagan’s footsteps, bringing the GOP into a new era and defeating jihadism and democratizing the Middle East in the same way that Reagan conquered Communism.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I’m listening to the ACT CAST!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/act-cast
I’m gonna debate Mr. ACT, hopefully on ol’ Joe Lieberman.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
#58, craig, most Americans vote based on civic duty, they do not “stay home”.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I would vote for the ticket….what’s the other option?letting Obama win…that’s justdumb.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
ACT sounds very nice and calm??? wth?
July 30th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
#59: Indeed!
July 30th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
This is more smoke. Yesterday some mystery person whose never run… today Joe… tomorrow Spike Lee??? McCain’s run a lousy campaign in so far as positioning Obama… but they are doing a good job of distracting attention on this issue…
July 30th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
JA
To hell with Jihadism and the middle east. This country is headed for some terrible economics and we can’t continue to borrow more money from the Chinese to pay the military to defend out international borders, while we beg for oil from Caesar Chavez in
Venezuela for our tanks. Yes, international issues are critical but ” Joe Beer Can ” at the pump doesn’t really give a damn and is never going to buy off on two aging international specialists who don’t know spit about fixing the economy.
Now I’m going to hit the sack. McCain is beginning to tire me. I can reminisce about Republicans like Reagan and Nixon who really knew how to campaign, not run ads with Paris Hilton and some rap music player. I think tomorrow may be better, but McCain is
beginning to wear out the limited welcome mat we rolled out here in the south. He is old and tired and, well, just cranky. I’m not sure he really has another gear.
One last thought before I go.
Remember the ad when McCain and Lieberman were traveling in Jordan earlier this year and Lieberman was prompting and correcting McCain, so the old guy could get his facts right? Want to see that every evening with a McCain-Lieberman ticket ?
July 30th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Kavon, best wishes to you and your bride…
July 30th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Mitt Romney just wants John McCain to love him
The man the McCain camp used to compare to the antichrist is working hard to win the vice-presidential nod.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
best wishes to your family; hope she wasn’t hit by someone with an Obama sticker.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Hoping for the best for you and your wife, Kavon
July 30th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Craig in 66. that is an illiterate post.
The federal government is not borrowing money to pay for its constitutionally mandated responsibility to defend the nation… it is borrowing money to pay for its unconstitutional social welfare system otherwise known as “entitlement” spending. The President of Venezuela is not Caeser Chavez, and we are not begging them for oil in any event.
Are you a liberal trying to squat here?
July 30th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I think that a very attractive and enticing proposition that a McCain/Lieberman ticket could ask of America would be, “give us eight years to totally reshape the Middle East with a Marshal plan like laser intensity and commitment, we will not rest until the Middle East is democratized, stabilized and the threat of terrorism eliminated.”
July 30th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Lieberman is only one of many picks I’d support.
The thing is, if we are to win this year, we need a BOLD pick. Conventional Republican white guy isn’t the way to go.
The first bipartisan ticket would be huge, and would dovetail with McCain’s selling points. Also huge would be pick such as Petraeus. A CEO. A woman.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
“someone who would appeal to moderate Republicans”
Uhhh isn’t that what McCain does? I mean that is pretty much the group of Republicans who gave McCain the nomination.So tell me again why we need someone else who appeals to this group?
Because you won’t vote for Barack Obama.
They will.
That’s why.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
This is another headfake folks. McCain has chosen Romney. His team are floating all these names out, to lead to the ultimate decision to choose Romney.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
#73, sorry to correct you, but it would be the first modern bipartisan ticket.
Metro is 100% correct, a majority of voters expect a BOLD pick from McCain. As well, McCain has hyped his VP so much (historical), that he better come through.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Change We Can Believe In
An Open Letter to Barack Obama
by The Nation
July 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Honestly, it’s just hard to see a boring pick being anything other than a drag on the ticket at this point.
I no longer think that Pawlenty or anyone else of that nature will help McCain. McCain’s problem right now is that he’s seen as Bob Dole Part Deux, and a boring pick will just emphasize that perception. His problem six months ago was with the base, which is why a Romney or Pawlenty could be talked about. But now, he’s got as many Republicans as he’s gonna get, and it’s the indies and suburban women that will decide this election.
McCain almost has to pick Lieberman, Colin Powell, or a truly heterodox Republican like Rudy or Ridge from deep blue country. The “I’m a conservative but I care about poor people and the environment” Tim Pawlenty pick will no longer cut it. This is not the year to make nuanced arguments about the future of conservatism. That we can save for 2012. This is the year when the only GOP ticket that can win is one comprised of two guys who aren’t really Republican politicians (a businessperson who has never run for office will do as well).
July 30th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
#77, Phil Donahue signed that letter! ha!
July 30th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Kavon,
My best to you and your wife. Thank God she’s alright.
77
Aron,
I read that article today and I almost fell off my chair. please, please, PLEASE Oprahma. Please make even 5 of those bullets part of your agenda and watch yourself get 40% of the vote.
The thing is, Obama agrees with almost every bullet with the right nuances in language so he can get even more pleased with himself as he tries to ram that agenda down America’s throat… if he gets in.
We all have to find ways (without being snarky or petty) to show before November 4th that Obama believes what’s in The Nation’s letter so he gets 40% of the vote and no chance to ram that agenda down our throats.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
#78 – Agree. McCain’s #1 job with the VP pick is to create excitement. I’d prefer that he not do that by selecting Lieberman, but given the choice between Obama/Anyone and McCain/Anyone, I’ll take McCain any day of the week. Not a problem for me.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
check this! http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/08/mccain_should_pick_romney_and.html
July 30th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Thanks so much for your best wished everyone. I really appreciate them.
Someone must have just dumped a bunch of Romney contracts. He’s dropped to 29.0 as of this writing.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
“ACT sounds very nice and calm??? wth?”
What were you expecting?? Sorry to disappoint.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
#84, I expected Bill O’Reilly, but….. btw, great show. I will listen next week. I was surprised. You tamed Alex.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:20 am
“Because you won’t vote for Barack Obama”
No but I may not vote for McCain either.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:52 am
49- Brian
“but he makes a good protest vote for so-cons who can’t take the alienation anymore.”
(breaks pencil)
SOCONS HAVE MADE THIS PARTY FOR LIKE THE LAST THIRTY YEARS HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU EVEN POSSIBLY SAY THEY’VE EVER BEEN ALIENATED OH MY GOD MY F*$%@! HEAD IS EXPLODING.
Seriously. How did no one find that statement as unbelievably egregious as I did? If so-cons are whining about alienation, I quit. I really give up on this party if so-cons are really going to be like this.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:40 am
Rudy Giuliani would be the logical attack dog as alternative to Lieberman, because he is a
moderate Republican, and will have an appeal to the independents, that Lieberman”s core of
voters. He was very effective on his attacks against Obama, especially so now that the public
is increasingly aware that Obama is all glib talk and no substance to his motto of “Change “.
He is profoundly trusted by his bosom friend , John McCain and they have the same makeup as
far as character . work to accomplish what is urgent, regardless of which toes one steps on
for the common good. Rudy has been tested and did what is a gargantuan task in NYC, and
proven himself that he could lead, qualified to take the Presidency at a moments notice.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:01 am
I’ll take Giuliani over Lieberman any day, while it may still piss a few people off it pisses off far less then Lieberman. Seriously doubt we’ll see either named. Oh and the Lieberman = lose GA comments are pretty much on target due to depressed turnout and Barr alternative. John and his team really couldn’t be that stupid … could he?
July 31st, 2008 at 7:00 am
Rudy is still a chance he’s been awfully quiet since he dropped out.
Lieberman are you serious 1 in 10000 chance!
July 31st, 2008 at 8:04 am
Oklahoma Cougar,
Excuse me. It is obvious when you run a multi trillion dollar national debt and a $400 Billion annual deficit( just signed by GW ) and when your biggest trading partner, China, has a tremendous trade imbalance with you and when you sell billions
of dollars of T- Bonds to China and Saudi Arabia…that you are borrowing money from your enemies to fund your needs. Now, whether you use the money for tax rebates, or to pay for entitlements or to pay for military costs, you are using a lot of money
borrowed from China.
And, ten percent of our imported oil comes from Caesar Chavez, the President of Venezuela. All of the CITGO stations are owned by Venezuela. If the trends continue, of course we will be buying even more. Certainly much of the Strategic Petroleum
Reserve has Venezuelan crude oil in it. It was bought on the world market. Of course, part of this crude is refined into diesel and used for military needs. On the other hand , in Iraq, most of our tank fuel comes from the Iraqis and Saudi Arabia.
Hardly a liberal hiding. Just an observant person who decries a focus on the military while our economy rots away. Without a strong economy, there is no way we can have a strong military.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:19 am
You are correct Craig that the economy is important because we cannot fund our military without it. It may be easy for a Middle Class guy like me to say this, but give the choice between a good military and a good economy, I chooce a good Military. Fortunately, I believe the economy is in good shape. Like you, I do not like the fact that we are in part dependent on Venezula for oil. Unless, I am running on fumes, I will not go to CITGO.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Ohio Joe,
What is really crazy, and what Mccain or Romney ( better Romney ) should just hammer the Dems on is the following:
Because petroleum is a commodity and there is a global market for oil, the petroleum that we extract from the North Slope in Alaska is sold into the global pool. Therefore, because it is in the pool, the oil is actually delivered to Japan and China and oil
that China and Japan would usually buy from Saudi Arabia and the Emirates is ” swapped ‘ with us for the oil we send to Japan and China. So, we don’t even use our own oil. The oil companies will argue, maybe correctly, that transportation costs make
it cheaper to do this . Seems kind of crazy because……..
China is preparing to drill in international waters 60 miles west of Tampa in the Gulf. Of course American companies are prohibited from doing this. Also, the Chinese are preparing to invest in a pipeline from the Alberta oil field in Canada to the Pacific
coast of British Columbia so they can buy crude and ship it directly to China. Of course , we are not allowed to build a connecting pipeline in Montana by Congress. And the ACLU and Green peace have several law suits to block the construction of a new
refinery in North Dakota to refine shale oil crude from the newly discovered Bakken Oil Fields.
Sounds like Alice in Wonderland. Romney would absolutely kill Obama on this issue.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:23 am
You are ultimately correct on two counts.
1. Oil is Oil and if we do not drill for it other countries will.
2. Mr. Romney would krush Mr. Obama on that issue, the Dems have no clue.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:13 am
After a day of this stupid speculation on Lieberman, intrade still has his butt sitting on .5, not 5, but .5.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:26 am
With respect, I guess Intrade is good for something, I would bet on Mr. Lieberman either, even if I were a betting man.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
Right now it doesn’t matter who he picks, because his constant negative attacks on Obama are
starting to backfire.
Memo to the Senator: quit telling me why Obama is so bad and start telling me what you are going
to do for me and this country. Most people would like to vote *for* someone and not *against* someone.
This has been a terrible week for McCain.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
This has been a great week for McCain! He is tied in the polls with registerd voters and winning with likely voters. Obama’s 9 point lead is gone….If that’s bad then he should have a few more bad week’s