Jindalians, Giulianistas, Hutchinsonians, Pawlentians, and – - uh – - Charlie Crist fans, get in here, too. We need to talk about this vice-presidential matter.
From many sources, including articles in the news and on the blogs, and hits on my own blog, it is obvious that there is a tremendous amount of interest among McCain supporters in vice-presidential choices. I also see that there is a strong movement in favor of Mitt Romney, and this seems to be irksome to some. A lot of what I am reading has a rather drastic tenor, along the lines of, “McCain is doomed unless he picks [insert name of vice-presidential choice].” At times it seems as if the only way John can win is to pick them all, or none at all, neither of which is an option.
McCain is going to be elected president by a coalition of supporters – - Republican, Democrat, Independent; conservative, moderate, and liberal. It is going to be impossible to get everyone in this coalition to agree on the VP choice, and the choice may make some unhappy. But, folks, consider the alternative! President Obama??? For many, many reasons, it is better that we make common cause for the McCain-whoever ticket.
So I propose that we shake on two things: that we will discuss this matter like ladies and gentlemen, and that we pull together to support the ticket, whoever John chooses. There is a lot riding on the outcome of this election; I have set aside my longstanding differences with the Republican Party and I am trying to bring other moderate Democrats into the fold for that reason.
So let’s talk.
Like many from the South, I was a Mike Huckabee supporter early on. He is a great campaigner, a Southern gentleman in the best sense of the term, and IMHO has the best understanding of Barack Obama’s personality of all of those on the Republican side. He would be an asset in the South but, realistically, if McCain needs that much help in the South, then we are in trouble. So my question is, can he help in the upper Midwest – - Ohio, Indiana, Michigan?
I pondered this issue for a long time before coming to the conclusion that a candidate I didn’t support in the primaries would be the better choice: Mitt Romney. If you want to examine my reasoning, see I Like Mike, But McCain Should Pick Mitt.
Now, if McCain were a shoo-in, and he were to grant me the choice of any of the contenders for the VP slot, it would be Sarah Palin. She is a very attractive candidate in every sense of the word – - she’s a governor, and Americans like to see governors in or, in the case of the VP, near the White House; she has impeccable credentials; she is articulate; and – - forgive me, ladies, but there’s no other word for it: Sarah Palin is a babe. Who better to best Barack’s rock-star image?
Finally – - as much as I admire Joe Lieberman, and as much as I might enjoy watching Rush’s head explode, I don’t get a good feeling about that potential ticket.
Okay, so that’s a start – - anyone who cares to, join in.
If you like this article, please vote for it at RealClearPolitics.com!
Links of interest:
CBS News VP Hot Sheet: Republicans (consider the source; but there are useful bio links)
Sarah Palin “Vogue” Fantasy Cover
Mitt Romney – The Obvious Choice
Sarah Palin Ad For Vice President
Mike Huckabee Facebook Page – great photo, and Mike posts diary entries
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July 16, 2008 at 10:15 am
I think he needs some guy with a summer home in PA and a winter home in OH. Weather-wise, that might not make much sense, but there’s got to be someone who meets those requirements.
by the way, you spell Obama CHRIST. You spell Crist without the H. Are there really Crist fans out there?
July 16, 2008 at 11:22 am
Paul – - I stand corrected – - it’s Crist, and, not many
July 16, 2008 at 11:29 am
You’ve got it EXACTLY BACKWARDS.
The REALITY is that if McCain were a shoo-in, than perhaps his selecting Romney would not derail his chances of winning.
However, clearly, the safest, best, most widely attractive (garnernering both Bobb Barr and Hillary voters) Veep choice for McCain is Alaska Gov Sarah Palin — by a country mile.
Unlike Romney, whose negatives are equal to or greater than his positives, in helping to elect McCain, Palin’s positives are literally off the chart — numerous and subatantial positives with NO (that’s NO!) appreciable negatives whatsoever.
Palin is the clear choice. Hopefully Team McCain is on to this. I do think it is.
July 16, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Finally, somebody (other than the professionals)gets it.
You are exactly correct.
McCain does not need Huckabee to win the South. First, Huckabee didn’t get many more votes than Romney in the South (for example, Huckabee won GA by 2% over McCain and 4% over Romney and finished a distant 4th in Florida). Second, in the 5 southern primary states won by Huckabee(that excluding his home state of Arkansas Huckabee won by an average of 2% of the vote), McCain is already ahead by 16% in LA, 20% in AL, 16% in Tenn and 7% in GA.
Romney did reasonably well throughout the country and is very popular in Michigan and the midwest as well as the battlegound states in the west. In the 29 states he competed in, Romney got less than 15% of the vote only once (SC where he got 14%). In contrast, Huckabee got 15% or less in 14 states before withdrawing!! Huckabee fans need to realyze that Huckabee is not popular AT ALL in most other regions of the country that just happen to be battleground states. Romney also has demonstrated in VP abilities on TV and in debates.
While I am a huge Palin fan, the question is 1) whether she would really make a difference in the election and 2) she has not been vetted and is a complete unknown as to how she would do in debates and on TV. When she is debating Sen Biden on foreign and domestic policy is she going to come off as someone ready for the presidency or as someone untested, ixexperienced, and picked simply becuase she is a woman in an attempt to appeal to the women vote?
Romney now, Palin in 2012. Lets actually try and win this thing.
July 16, 2008 at 12:23 pm
[...] Comments Huckaboomers, Romneyites, Palinistas: Let’s Talk About McCain’s VP « A McCain Demo… on Sarah Palin ad for Vice PresidentHuckaboomers, Romneyites, Palinistas: [...]
July 16, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Having been on the trail with McCain from N.H.-Fla. I can tell you Mitt is despised by McCain and the feelings between their staffs’ is even worse. Never once did I here a positive word(in private)regading Bush and his operatives that infested McCain’s early efforts are suspected of sabotage in the early going. Poof $25mil gone and not even ONE commercial? Mitt was the horse that the Bushies were pushing, just look at the donor list it is a who’s who of Bush loyalists. The Romulan/Plasticman is persona non grata, trust me.
It took me awhile to accept(Freakin Hottie) Palin, while everything you stated about her is true, she lacks the security creds. But it is absolutely imperitive that Barak is denied the Oval, and Palin(Snowe or Harmon would be my 1st choice , but the base would FREAK) would go along way to reaching out to the PUMAs which are the key to countering the AA and youth vote.
July 16, 2008 at 5:45 pm
He should pick Mitt.
Why? Because that will keep NV and CO and maybe even NM in the GOP fold. If you noticed in the primaries – Romney has a TON of support there because of his Mormon connections.
Of course, he’ll also help with MI.
And among people like me (moderate Dems./old-style liberal Republicans like Romney’s dad), I am TOTALLY OK with supporting Mitt because of the fact that he managed to get elected as the Governor of MA!
I know this does not soothe the social conservatives – but for economic conservatives he is great pick!
And McCain has got to shore up his economic credentials – and no one can help him with this more than MITT!!
July 16, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Archimedes: I understand the hard feelings between the McCain and Romney camps, BUT if there is a consensus that Romney is the best for the job, both sides should be able to rise above the feelings, for the greater good. When I run the electoral college scenarios in my head – - which, granted, can be rather unkempt – - I foresee the best result coming with Romney on the ticket.
And so Palin is weak on national security creds – - no real problem, since that is not an area where Mac needs help.
Ted, Brian – - thanks for the input, and your juxtaposed comments make for a good contrast. Good reasoning both.
and L Brown – - we seem to be in the same place; so, of course, I think your comment is wonderful {;>) – - but seriously, when you say “TOTALLY OK,” that implies a lot – - we don’t have to be head-over-heels enthusiastic about the VP slot as long as the choice presents a path to victory.
July 16, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I’m with L Brown. Who knows if McCain would have won New Hampshire w/o the Democrats voting, same thing in Florida. The economy and national security are the top issues in this election. The social issues take a back seat in times like these.
July 16, 2008 at 7:46 pm
[...] Huckaboomers, Romneyites, Palinistas: Let’s Talk About McCain’s VP [...]
July 16, 2008 at 8:45 pm
It’ll be Giuliani
McCain and Rudy go way back- Rudy helped McCain get on the ballot in NY in 2000 when Bush was trying to kick him out. Rudy did everything he could to stay out of McCain’s way throughout the primaries and it cost him the nomination. Notice he immediately threw his support behind McCain when it would have been natural for him to wait at least for NY and California to vote. Rudy and McCain never went after each other, and each considers the other a national hero. McCain’s staff is now full of Giuliani people and Giuliani donors.
I actually think this is the best pick- a big war between obama and clinton sucked the air out of McCain’s press coverage all spring. Doesn’t seem to have hurt Obama much. Now that Obama is old news, a dust up between McCain and the religious right would be great- the lunatic abortion 24/7 nutters who would boycott Pro-choice Rudy are among the most despicable people out there and if Mccain took them on it would save the Republicans. Many people are libertarian Republicans at heart and can’t stand the intrusive wing-nut theocracy pushers.
Rudy is also popular with Jewish and Catholic voters and with white middle class voters -constituencies Obama can’t budge. He may even bring New Jersey into play for McCain (you do the electoral math)
So go McCain – Giuliani o8! If we also get Obama – Clinton it will be a war to the death.
July 16, 2008 at 9:37 pm
A second comment.
While I think Romney would help electorally the most, I think McCain is going to do his usual “maverick” thing and select Carly Fiorina (sp?). She is now one of the main surrogates, female, business(economy) background, and loyalist supporter. While I truly believe McCain and Romney have buried the hatchet, he has stated he really isn’t into to trying to select the VP based upon electoral help. I think it will be CF
July 17, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Thank you for a great article. I agree completely, let’s elect McCain-whoever. I will support whoever he choses as his running mate. I do like Mitt Romney, he’s easy on the eyes and was a strong candidate in his own right. Personally, I don’t think McCain should choose a woman as his running mate, but certainly should appoint several in his administration. As progressive as it would be, I don’t think the ticket would be as strong unless he chooses a man.
July 21, 2008 at 9:45 pm
[...] bloggers are going crazy over the Veepstakes it seems, and jay1949 over at A McCain Democrat’s Journal recently posted an article inviting readers to put in their 2 cents about who McCain’s [...]
July 21, 2008 at 9:56 pm
[...] bloggers are going crazy over the Veepstakes it seems, and jay1949 over at A McCain Democrat’s Journal recently posted an article inviting readers to put in their 2 cents about who McCain’s [...]
July 28, 2008 at 3:51 am
I voted for Hillary in the primary and I am hoping McCain picks Governor Palin. I’m leaning McCain, but that would certainly seal the deal!!
August 29, 2008 at 11:14 am
Wow! You totally called it on his VP pick!