The Candidates
…as John McCain likes to say when beginning one of his many treasured stories.
Well, here’s an enlightening little anecdote from radio talk show host Mike Gallagher, in which he shares his experience from yesterday while on his way toward the Democratic Convention in Denver:
Doing a radio show from a political convention’s “radio row” is always an amazing experience. My visit here this week to Denver for the DNC is the 11th political convention I’ve been privileged to attend. And there is always one defining moment that makes the weeklong affair one I’ll always remember.
That moment came for me yesterday when I traveled with Rudy Giuliani into the Pepsi Center.
Mayor Giuliani is in town as part of the “loyal opposition” contingent. The RNC holds a number of off-site press conferences featuring prominent Republicans like Rudy and Mitt Romney who articulate, on a daily basis, the vast differences between the two parties.
As you might imagine, these folks wouldn’t exactly be given the red carpet treatment in a city overrun by passionate Democrats.
In fact, when I landed at Stapleton International Airport Sunday afternoon, I was greeted by a pair of young college kids who were working for Fox News and assigned the task of handing out media credentials to the guests and pundits who would be appearing on the cable TV news giant.
They stood outside the security perimeter with huge “Fox News Channel” signs so those of us who needed to pick up our passes could easily spot them.
Of course, that meant they were also easily spotted by the Democrat delegates and supporters who were also flying into Stapleton.
In five short minutes, I heard more profanity, jeers and angry shouting directed at those two poor kids than is ever heard at a cage match between two professional wrestlers.
As they nervously handed me my badges, one crazy looking man with frizzy hair standing straight up spotted me and started screaming, “That’s that Mike Gallagher jerk — F*****g neo-con! Neo-con! Neo-con!”
It was impossible for me to keep from laughing.
I sort of felt like the humans who got spotted by the zombies in the movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
So when I rode with Rudy yesterday, it was hard to imagine what kind of reception he would receive. In fact, we had to get out of the motorcade and walk the final mile into the security checkpoint because of traffic tie-ups.
Rudy was up to the challenge.
But he needn’t worry. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears, but literally every single Democrat — many of them with badges indicating their delegate status — cheered for him, shook his hand, posed for pictures, and told him how much they loved him.
I was fairly stunned.
It made me think about what a powerful vice-presidential running mate he would make for John McCain.
Besides Rudy’s extraordinary bi-partisian popularity, he would give Hillary supporters a big reason to vote for McCain. I don’t agree with his pro-choice position, but McCain is staunchly pro-life and Rudy’s position would bring a ton of Democrats to the dance.
I know it’s not conventional wisdom these days — but John McCain could do a whole lot worse than picking Rudy.
August 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I think he’s near the top of the shortlist and nobody realizes it.
Not just because he’s my #1 choice, as I’ve thought for months it wasn’t too likely to be him. But now I do.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Metro, I couldn’t agree more and this is a great endorsement. If McCain is the Maverick he claims to be and he intends to pick according to whom can govern best alongside him and, God forbidden, without him…Rudy is the best candidate for VP…hands down!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
1. Metro
It’s only taken me a full year to be in complete agreement with you on something. Rudy’s the best choice for Mac right now. Not only does he have the gravitas, name recognition, favorables, toughness, and executive experience, but he’s also got a substantive record of showing how conservative governance makes people’s lives better. Just not the “top 2%” peole (who are apparently the root of all evil in the Dem universe), but also the average man on the street.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Talk about reaching across the isle and being a uniter, that eye witness report spoke volumes about how Rudy walks the walk and does not give lip service like the “ONE” does.
Rudy was my first choice for our party’s candidate for president but I had given up hoping for him to be veep. But… maybe, we will all know very soon.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Rudy’s been my first choice for a while, but it sounds like being pro-life is now a top priority. So it goes…
August 27th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
That is one area that has really bugged me about the pro-life stance. I am about as fundamental in my Christian beliefs as anyone. However,we live in a democracy not a theocracy and we have a vote, a choice. Rudy has said he would appoint constitutional judges and I took him at his word. Granted his personal life is not perfect, but whose life is? But Rudy cleaned up a cesspool in high crime areas of New York and he held an executive position as mayor and to me that was a bigger job than being a governor of many states, oh like Vermont for example.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I really respect him for going against the base on such an important party issue…he’s kinda like a…what’s the word…Maverick.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am
No!! Rudy
No!! Willard
No!! Lieberman
No!! Hutchinson
If any of the above is picked i will vote 3rd party no way in Hell would I’d vote for a Pro Abortion VP It is bad enough to vote McCain but to vote for any of these Liberals FORGETABOUTIT!!!