McCain’s running mate
|
|
Politico says that one name is currently heads and shoulders above the rest of the pack to be John McCain’s running mate.
Mitt Romney!
McCain sources tell Politico that they believe Romney could raise $50 million in 60 days. One close Romney adviser said it could even be $60 million.
Romney’s other advantages, according to people involved in McCain’s screening process:
— Squeaky-clean and fully vetted by the national media.
— Has presidential looks and bearing and immediately would be a strong campaigner who could be trusted to stay on message.
— Family’s Michigan roots would help in a swing state that went Democratic in 2004.
Problem? Apparently, McCain and Romney aren’t exactly fishing buddies.
Others in the pack include:
Rob Portman of Ohio and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
Possibly former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia.
Reportedly Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is out - too young, sez they.
But Obama has been a fundraising phenom, and Romney’s rolodex and checkbook might just trump all.
Learn more about the dynamic Congressman Cantor at a conservative grassroots site:
http://www.ericcantorforvp.com
It appears that it’s all down to Alaska Gov Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney, and team Romney fears Palin now has the best shot, so Romney camp is mounting a blogosphere-wide assault via Politico.
The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).
Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
AOL, a main on-line pro-Obama/pro-Dem player, is now carrying the Politico piece promoting Romney buzz.
Clearly AOL wants McCain and the GOP to lose the general elction — hence they gladly promote Romney (no mention of Palin).
Also, CNN had Romney — kind of out of the blue — attacking Obama. Again, CNN, wanting McCain and the GOP to lose, gladly promotes Romney (to attempt to avert the Palin threat).
All the media frenzy which will surround the remarkable Palin “story” — essentially free to McCain — will be worth millions and millions of dollars of coverage and PR (more money than Romney would provide anyway).
Does McCain really need Palin to get the three electoral votes from Alaska? Not likely. All Palin brings to the ticket is a much thinner resume than Obama and of course her chief qualification, XX chromosomes.
Romney brings a nationwide following and great private sector/business experience.
Let the Democrats play the tokenism game. They can nominate a mulatto out of sympathy for his race and they can nominate a woman as VP to show how “diverse” they are. Let the Republicans nominate a ticket, based on MERIT, that can really lead this nation.
Romney is and will continue to be the best choice for McCain’s VP. Not only does he bring business experience from the private sector, but he also brings public service from his reorganization of the Olympics and that as Governor of MA.
Romney will also bring a strong presence to the campaign out West…especially states like CO. When thinking about this, you have to take into account the down ticket. Say for example in a state like CO, with McCain-Romney at the top of the ticket, the GOP nominee for Senate, Bob Schaffer, has an easier time getting elected because more GOPers will actually get out and vote.
As much as I would like to see diversity in a GOP ticket, as opposed to putting 2 white men up there, I still believe it should be the 2 best qualified individuals. Since we now have Sen. McCain as our nominee, the 2nd most qualified individual to serve is in fact Gov. Romney.
If you do not believe me, listen to what Karl Rove has had to say about him recently.
I think either Romney or Palin would be effective choices.
Romney’s money would fill a critical need given the great disappointment with McCain as a nominee that many feel. Yes, I said that. It is hard to argue against Romney as a VP choice. As far as relations between McCain and Romney, VP choices are often political rivals that don’t care for eachother. Choices are made to unite the party’s activists or for a strategic purpose. Ya don’t have to be “fishing buddies”.
Palin, despite her state’s paltry electoral votes would be a fine addition as well. The road McCain has taken is meant to appeal to swing voters, mild lefties, and *cough* *cough* disenchanted man-hating Shrillary supporters. Yes, I said that. McCain does have a bit of a chance to steal Dem. voters which would be enhanced by a VP choice of Palin. The fact that Palin is attractive doesn’t hurt either.
VP choice usually isn’t what wins things for you. As far a VP selection goes, either one of those two has merit.
I think that Romney would be the best choice. His economic experience would fill the other void McCain has on the Economy which is topping the charts as the main issue. Not to mention them money he would raise. I also agree with the point about down ballot races like Schafer in CO. Also Steve Pearce in NM. Might also help Gordon Smith in Oregon since Romney was doing well there in the primary
I find it hard to believe the media is pushing Romney to hurt McCain. Romney was the first Presidential candidate they went after because the fear him.
This is the first time anyone has suggested Sarah Palin. I have heard more about Bobby Jindal being pushed. My opinion is that we should not do what the dems did with Obama, which is push up a rising star to the top job too soon. Lets let Jindal and Palin get a few more years of experience before we turn them into our version of Obama. Both are quite young. Palin is in her mid 40’s and Jindal is 37 they will be around in 2012 even 2016 and 2020. Maybe Romney could pick one of them for V.P. if he runs for President again.
I hope he picks Palin, this year its not about going for the base. Us and the Dems both are doing open campaigning which is good for Republicans in the long run. Running to your Base only works when you have 8 years of the Clintons building your base for you. Rommey is a smart guy but I would be concerned how his being a Mormon would play in the South. McCain has the advantage in alot of the blue collar states and I think Palin would fit in better with that constituency being from Alaska and having such strong conservative credentials and a strong and personal record on Right to Life. Personality wise she’s a better fit with McCain. Yes it would take some voter education for the general public to get to know her but better that than trying to erase peoples irrational thoughts on Romney being a Mormon.
Romney has the name recognition, an almost priceless commodity. Palin, Jindall, et al do not have the same name recognition outside of the GOP cognoscenti. In addition Romney will bring Michigan … and MONEY!
Like I said Romney hurts McCain with the “Religous Right”. Palin helps him there tremendously. Romney should just bide his time till the Mass. Senate Seat comes open and he’s the best candidate for the position.
My God, Romney as McCain’s VP?
That flip flopping individual? Just give him a choice and he will choose the one that will get him elected. He’s done it before and I guess he would be willing to do it again.
Yeah, a choice of Romney would be a wise choice, sure it would.
The only reason to pick Palin over another individual like Romney, Thune, Kasich, Cantor, Portman, Pawlenty, etc is that she is a woman. That’s it. She is from the Alaska, which I am sure its 3 votes are already going GOP since only once has Alaska supported a Democratic nominee, when it supported Lyndon B. Johnson.
If you want to bring diversity to the ticket…fine. I am completely fine with Gov. Palin being Sen. McCain’s running mate.
If not, there are better qualified individuals who can better help the campaign and a future McCain Administration. Of which I’ve named a few above.
Romney is a good choice for McCain…too bad he could not have been the nominee.
I really feel that Eric Cantor would be a good pick, but I think that it may be a bit too early for him. Eric has such a huge future, and VP might be it, but perhaps it’s a bit too soon.
Don’t get me wrong about this. I am very high on Eric Cantor. I know him quite well and I think he is a great guy and a fantastic public servant.
There is something to be said about getting your name in this pool (mentioned as a potential VP), which means in the next go-round you are in the top tier. There is no doubt that in his leadership position in the GOP Caucus that he has been a fantastic leader, particularly in his ability to raise money for candidates all over the place. The fact is, Eric Cantor is a damned magnet for Republican campaign contributions.
I find Eric Cantor to be a most impressive man, both personally and professionally. He would be a great candidate as Vice President, regardless of what he would bring to the ticket as a Jewish Republican (don’t underestimate the importance of that, as the only one in Congress), but I do think that he would bear the burden of being under-experienced (as in, being number 2 to the throne after only a few terms in the House).
Conventional wisdom says that now is not the time for Eric. But the time is coming soon, I have no doubt. I believe he’s only 45, but I may be off by a year or two.
He does, however, bring what people tend to think McCain needs - youth, money-raising ability, conservatism.
Okay.
I just talked myself into it.
Eric Cantor for Vice President.
Remember that politics is the art of the possible. Much as we’d like a new face like Eric Cantor we have to be practical or B. Hussein Obama will be elected. It still needs to be Romney for VP flips and all for reasons of name recognition and $s.
Remember McCain doesnt need as much money because he can work with the Republican infrastructure where Obama has to build his own.
Palin has one thing that would make her the uber choice right now. She’s a former oil pipeline commish for Alaska. She knows OIL!!!! This would be too perfect.
I’ll grant that without the support of the Republican base, the Republican candidate (that would be John McCain) has little chance of being elected.
However in the present atmosphere, a failure to appeal to moderates will also result in failure for McCain. John McCain’s selection of a running mate is more important then ever before, due to his age, in his appeal to the electorate for their votes.
I suggest Lindsey Graham as being particularly suitable. I’d suggest a few Democrats, but I guess John needs to limit himself to Republicans (ever heard of Joe Lieberman?).
I like Eric Cantor but its likely he will be the minority leader next year since the GOP will loose seats and Boehner will take the blame, and No one wants Blunt as Leader so that leaves Cantor. I would very much like the House to be under a young reformer like Cantor who would be better able to lead a return to power in 2010 or 2012 then Blunt.
McCain can’t pick a moderate V.P. cause the base will revolt. Virtually every conservative group has an axe to grind with McCain. So no Lieberman and no Grahamnesty. It also means no Pawlenty who keeps pushing this Cap and trade crap which McCain also supports. We are in a War and the Economy is bad so no inexperienced people like Palin or Jindal. There are three choices Romney,Portman, and Thune. Portman is to close to Bush. That leaves either Romney or Thune. I prefer Romney but I will take Thune if needed.