It ain’t over
The Simple “Wisdom” of Yogi Berra
I’m a National League fan. I grew up in the Bay Area and after a childhood of loving the Oakland A’s, learned the superiority of the National League game as I matured, and “flipped” to the San Francisco Giants. No flip-flop, just flip.
I’ve never liked the Yankees much. As Mitt once said, it’s an American tradition to hate them. But they once had a catcher who was known for his unique way of expressing himself. He didn’t always say things the way he meant them, but one thing he said is relevant tonight, and it’s deceptively simple: “it ain’t over till it’s over.” And it won’t be over until Mitt says it is.
Of Battles and Wars
John McCain won a big battle Tuesday. He’s stolen victory in a manner that I understand is “politics,” but that I find distasteful. His maneuvers included breaching the trust of his donors to get a loan (pledging their confidential information to secure it) to keep a nearly dead campaign alive after most of the American public rejected his immigration policies. They included tag-teaming with a candidate who was so glad to have a part of the spotlight that he was willing to do McCain’s bidding for a bit of after-glow. They included mis-representing Mitt’s record to take a narrow 36-31% victory in Florida that made people somehow call him “front runner.” And most recently they included handing victory to Huckabee in West Virginia, sending the clear message that McCain sees Huckabee as irrelevant and his supporters as pawns. Yes, this is politics, and to my knowledge none of this is illegal (except maybe the pledging of the donor list), but I do find it distasteful. So McCain wins, mostly with a plurality of the votes and no clear mandate from anyone.
What it Means
So where does this leave us? Do we throw in the towel? Not for me. I agree with the Ross Perot quote on another blogger’s post, that many people give up right as they are about to achieve success. I feel that’s the case here. Say I’m crazy, but it’s just a feeling in my bones–we can win this thing!
I’m reminded of a time I went on a bike ride with my father in law. The first half was nearly all uphill. After what seemed like forever trudging up yet another incline, I stopped and got off my bike. That hill had finally conquered me. I was discouraged. I took a moment to rest, then walked my bike up the hill about 50 yards, turned the corner, and found when I stopped I was about 30 seconds from the summit. Had I continued, I’d have conquered the hill and been able to ride downhill for about 30 minutes straight as victor, not victim. I learned a lesson that day. Sometimes you don’t see the finish line or the full path ahead, but you DON’T GIVE UP.
FREEDOM!
Mel Gibson’s William Wallace may have said it best. If you don’t remember, have another listen. “Free men you are. And what will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?” I will. I will not say die and will not back down while Mitt is in this race.
What we’re fighting for here is more than just the GOP candidate or one president. This is about the principles that guide our country, and whether we will turn back to failed systems and failed morals. In Mitt’s words:
This isn’t just about the heart and soul of our party. It isn’t just about which party is going to win in November. This is the about the future course of our country. This is about whether or not Washington will finally deal with the challenges we face, whether Washington is up to the task of helping solve these problems, taking advantage of opportunities, making sure that our kids and their kids live in an America that’s the greatest nation on Earth. It must be. It has always been.
The world depends upon our sacrifice, our commitment and dedication to peace and prosperity and to liberty. This is the greatest nation in the history of the Earth. We will keep it the hope of the Earth. With your help, we’ll do it together.
CPAC
If you think that quote was good, something else tells me that Mitt spent a lot of time today working on the speech he’s giving tomorrow at CPAC. I’m going to do what I can to try and tune that one in. Mitt’s earlier speech about his religion was called by many “THE Speech.” It defined how Mitt viewed religion in America. I expect tomorrow’s speech to be very similar, and will define how Mitt views conservatism in America. I expect it may be the definining moment of conservatism in this country for this race and a long time to come. If you were stirred by the first “Speech,” I’d be ready to be stirred by the second.
Paths Forward
Notwithstanding McCain’s good night, Mitt’s in a strong 2d place, and 1st isn’t locked up. The two conservative candidates, if they united, would still be stronger than the liberal candidate that’s benefitting from this fluke idealogical split. Mitt can win if he wins more delegates between now and the end. McCain could drop the ball (he does have a temper). More people may continue to wake up as conservatives get more and more vocal about their dissatisfaction with McCain. Something also tells me the days of tag-teaming are nearly over, and that Mike Huckabee will soon begin to turn on McCain. Stranger things have happened, even in this race.
Finally, if we hold our ground in the upcoming states, as I understand McCain won’t be able to win the nomination outright. Mitt’s official website said McCain would need to take an extraordinary percentage of the delegates between now and the convention to be able to take the nomination on the first ballot. And if we hold firm, we may well get to a brokered convention where anything’s possible. There could be more political maneuvering there, it’s true, but something tells me that McCain made some promises along the way to Charlie Crist, Rudy Giuliani and others, and that Huckabee may not always be willing to play McCain’s spoiler.
Miracles Happen
When my mother emailed me today asking about Mitt’s chances, I told her in my assessment he was still in it, but it could be tough. Her response? “I believe in miracles.” And you know what? I do, too.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I believe….. I have seen Mitt marshall many mighty miracles in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Montana & more…..like….Moses….to….McCain & Mucabee at CPAC….”LET MY DELEGATES GO !!!”. And Mitt stretched out his address over the sea of people, and this great conservative wind caused that the sea of people should be divided on the right and the left, and as the monstrous pillar of Angst was withdrawn, Mucabee and McCain mustered motivation to meet in the middle, but were drowned in the massive wave of conservative backlash.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I certainly don’t believe it’s over either. But one thing is certain: I will NOT be voting for McCain. The media is already pouring out this “Don’t sit at home and pout you conservatives just because McCain is going to win” garbage. Does it make sense to vote for a Democrat just because he calls himself a Republican. That which we call a rose, but smells like vomit, is certainly not a rose! My wife and I are actually considering (if McCain wins the nomination) voting for the Democrat so that Romney can make his run in 2012. Bush has let us all down and we may just have to give up the White House for a few years to help the country come around to the realization that the GOP dropped the ball in ‘08 and that Mitt Romney is our man. A man for all seasons.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Here we go again. You don’t help your cause by supporting the enemy. Decide who you are FOR, and vote FOR them, even if you have to write it in. Don’t waste your vote voting AGAINST someone else. That never works.
There was a Gingrich supporter at our caucus the other night. A lone voice in the wilderness. Everyone appreciated his bravery, and elected him as a delegate to move on. That’s the kind of fight we want.
Unrelated rumination: Anybody else notice that McCain, the straight talker, is not fairing so well across most of the west, the home of straight talk? I grew up out there, and I assure you, ranchers and cowboys don’t drink Koolaid. They speak their minds, say what they mean, and they have rejected the straight talk expresso. Very telling.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Mitt is looking towards a convention.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/us/politics/07romney.html?ref=politics
February 7th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Can you please explain what article the NY Times is holding? Did McCain get to them and tell them to sit on this news? Are Rush, Hannity, Beck and the other conservative voices aware of this? How do we get this out to everyone so that they will run the article? I guess this would be another reason for Romney to stay in. If this brings McCain down, Romney would be there to save the party.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:33 am
It upsets me greatly that Senator John McCain skipped an important vote yesterday because he did not want to make a tough choice on the economic stimulus package. It would seem to me that a leader should demonstrate his leadership ability by taking stand and making the tough decisions, not standing on the sidelines hoping not to have to speak up. It was a tough vote, but Senator McCain is paid by my tax dollars and elected by the people of Arizona to make the tough decisions and vote in the Senate.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:38 am
??????????????? HOW PATHETIC! McCain not wanting to go on the record. WHY?? ha
McCain Misses Vote on Economic Stimulus
Feb 6, 9:03 PM (ET)
By LAURIE KELLMAN
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain skipped a difficult Senate vote Wednesday on whether to make 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans eligible for rebate checks as part of a proposed economic stimulus package.
The Arizona senator’s decision to miss the vote appeared to come at the last minute, after his plane had landed at Dulles International Airport outside Washington just before the proceedings opened on the Senate floor.
Asked Wednesday morning to comment on the pending vote, McCain talked about the need to pass a stimulus measure quickly. Later, on his plane, he said he was not sure he would make the vote.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk about it at all, have not had the opportunity to, even,” McCain said. “We’ve just been too busy, focused on other stuff. I don’t know if I’m doing that. We’ve got a couple of meetings scheduled.”
Whichever way McCain may have voted, it would have been a difficult choice given his status as the Republican presidential front-runner.
Senate Democrats cleverly bundled the rebates for seniors and veterans, key voting blocs, with expanded unemployment benefits and home heating subsidies for the jobless and poor.
President Bush and Republican leaders, as well as conservatives McCain was scheduled to woo on Thursday, vehemently oppose the expanded benefits and subsidies.
That put McCain in a bad political spot.
Voting “no” with Republican leaders would have offended millions of Social Security recipients and the disabled veterans not scheduled to receive rebates. Voting “yes,” on the other hand, risked alienating Bush, GOP leaders and conservatives already suspicious of McCain’s political leanings. McCain was speaking Thursday before a meeting of the Conservative Political Action Conference, a group that booed him last year in absentia.
For McCain, not voting meant not going on the record either way. He has missed all eight Senate roll call votes this year.
Republicans prevailed in blocking the Democratic proposal, saying they will try again later to include seniors and veterans. GOP leaders would not say how McCain would have voted. Asked whether there was any reason to believe he would have broken with the party and voted for the Democrats’ package, Republican Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona said: “I have no reason to believe that.”
McCain’s absence, he added, would not have changed the outcome of the vote.
There was confusion among McCain’s his staff about whether he would make the vote. Campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said when he landed that she believed he was headed to the Capitol to vote, but a second spokeswoman, Brooke Buchanan, said later that he would not make it.
Democrats, including a spokesman for the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, jumped on McCain’s absence. Clinton voted for the measure, which failed on a 58-41 vote. Supporters needed 60 votes to prevail. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid had voted in favor, but switched it at the last moment in a parliamentary move that allows him to bring up the measure for another vote at a later date.
“By failing to stand up as the deciding vote, John McCain let our families down,” said Clinton aide Phil Singer. “Tonight’s events prove once again that we need a president who will be ready from Day One to act in the interests of middle-class families and turn our ailing economy around.”
February 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Here’s a good one we need to get out:
McCain skips vote on economic stimulus
Republican presidential candidate John McCain skipped a difficult Senate vote Wednesday on whether to make 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans eligible for rebate checks as part of a proposed economic stimulus package.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk about it at all, have not had the opportunity to, even,” McCain said. “We’ve just been too busy, focused on other stuff. I don’t know if I’m doing that. We’ve got a couple of meetings scheduled.”
source: myway.com
February 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
You wrote: “The two conservative candidates, if they united, would still be stronger than the liberal candidate that’s benefitting from this fluke idealogical split.” By “two conservative candidates,” I assume that you mean Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. I don’t think Paul has enough support to be of any help if they united. (Obviously, Mike Huckabee isn’t a conservative, but I’m assuming the liberal you mention is John McCain.)
February 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
This statement by Phil Gramm just pissed me off more.
“I want to make the point that a lot of conservatives are coming home to McCain,” says former senator Phil Gramm (Tex.), a McCain supporter. “But some aren’t. Some just don’t seem to understand that if they don’t do this, it’s going to hurt the party for a long time. They say they have principles, but some of it is their ego and power, too. They’re well-known, and they’re used to having power.”
February 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am
re-sequencing??? Is that what it is called, if it is Mccain?
Politically, McCain-Kennedy was a near-death experience for McCain, who observed to an aide that he had never seen an issue of such intensity.
“He saw that his approach on immigration was out of alignment with what voters wanted,” recalled Mark McKinnon, an unpaid adviser to the campaign. “He realized that there was no way to get that reform he wanted without first addressing questions about the border, that the voters were insisting on that. He learned. He’s tuned in. He got gunpowder blasts from the last time, and that isn’t going to happen again.
“What he is doing now isn’t abandoning any position.
It’s just a re-sequencing of things. You have to take care of the border first, he is saying.”
February 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am
There still a chance to stop this guy from hijacking our party. McCain still needs some 400s delegates. He can still be stopped. I think Mitt has a good chance with the cacus on Kansas and in Washington state. Then it really is up to the people of Virginia if they want to ressurect this campaign or not. I think Mitt needs to win Virginia or Maryland next tuesday if he is to have a chance at turning this around. I am not optimistic. Republicans just seem to have a desire to self destruct this election. Are we the only ones that can see that a McCain Obama race is going to lead to an Obama landslide. What is McCain going to attack Obama on other than Iraq? The other major issues they agree on, McCain will sound like a hypocrit if he defends the Bush tax cuts too strongly? What else can he criticize Obama on? Experience, sure but in the debates Obama is such a good debater and McCain so poor, Obama will look the most thoughtful one.
An Obama McCain race will come down to personality, and Obama wins hands down. Then with the depressed voter turnout for a McCain candidacy by conservatives Obama actually has a chance of carrying red states. And depressed turnout is inevitable with McCain. Any other republican candidate could add a VP that would help him in a region, McCain alienates so much of our base he has no chance of doing this. If he picks Huckabee, he will definetely improve his chances, specially since Huckabee through Chuck Norris already sent the message to his followers that McCain is very old and likely to be a one term president. But with Huckabee in the ticket, McCain further alienates the midwest and western conservatives and states like colorado are swing states and might very well go democratic with this kind of ticket. If McCain were to pick Romney (it wont happen), he will still be weak in the south and might loose some of those states without which we can not win.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Let’s all come to the realization that it is not the republican’s year. Voter turn-out is not anywhere near as big on the Republican side, and Mitt isn’t really even a household name. Many people voted for McCain because it was the only name they recognized. There is certainly no enthusiasm out there for him. He’s the next-in-line candidate. I still believe Mitt should fight it out to the convention because the more national press he gets, the more he fights for conservatism, the more name recognition he’ll have going into 2012. But it just ain’t the republican’s year, guys. On to 2012!!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I just turned to cpac on cspan. Does anyone know when Mitt is scheduled today?
February 7th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Can someone please explain what article the NY Times is holding? Did McCain get to them and tell them to sit on this news? Are Rush, Hannity, Beck and the other conservative voices aware of this? How do we get this out to everyone so that they will run the article? I guess this would be another reason for Romney to stay in. If this brings McCain down, Romney would be there to save the party.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Mitt is scheduled to speak at 12:30
February 7th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I have no idea what this is about, but this may be what the NY Times has, John (#5)
http://drudgereport.com/flashnyt.htm
February 7th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Maybe Jim Rutenberg at the Times, who is mentioned in this article, has some answers.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Mitt is scheduled at 11:30 Central, 12:30 Eastern today. It should be on Cspan.
February 7th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I just got one of those push polls from Huch, talk about putting out garbage about mitt! It said1) mitt supported having gays adopting children, 2) he raised taxes in Mass
3) Mitt would take away our guns 4) he would side on Clinton initiatives at the end. What load of crap!!! Stay in it Mitt, something are had only by prayer, even if the math is all uphill, we are with you, in money and action
February 7th, 2008 at 11:49 am
BTW, i am in Louisiana
February 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am
cspan says that cpac today can be seen on cspan.org, McCain will be shown on cspan-3(yuck!)
February 7th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I just went on Mitt’s official site, and they say the speech will begin at 12:15.
On Thursday, February 7, 2008, Governor Mitt Romney will address the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C.
12:15 p.m. Governor Romney Addresses CPAC
The Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20008
NOTE: A mult-box will be available
Press Info:
This is an open press event. With questions please contact Romney for President, Inc Press Shop at 857-288-6390.
*All Times Are Eastern Standard Time
Start Time: 12:15 PM
End Time: 1:00 PM
Maybe that includes the introduction time? Laura Ingraham is supposed to introduce him. Her show ends at noon? She’ll have to hustle!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for that info. It’s supposed to be on C-span. Also, I just heard FOX News say they’re broadcasting Mitt’s speech LIVE and in its entirety!
They must be reading all our emails telling them they’re not being “fair and balanced” by showing McCain all the time and no Mitt. Keep it up! It does work. Go, Mitt! C-PAC and beyond!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Ok. Let’s see the numbers and the strategy. Where can I find out: how many delegates are up for grabs, which states have yet to vote and when? What will Mitt say in his CPAC speech tomorrow night?
This just in: NPR has reported Romney has suspended his campaign- What does that mean?
February 7th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Ah gee……Mitt is implying that the democrats are terrorist sympathizers? Surrender?
Doesn’t he know that no matter who gets in that these wars against phoney enemies must continue in order to keep the economy rolling? Yes millions more innocent people around the world must die so America can maintain its standard of living for future genrations and when the food runs out here and people start eating Soylent Green you can be sure it won’t be made from American flesh.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Oh don’t get me wrong, I would never vote for any of the clowns in this election no matter what party they belong to but even though I disagree with Ron Paul on a lot of issues he has the right idea about America closing its bases around the world and minding its own business. I’m afraid its now too late for the USD as a reserve currency as this status is sure to eventually go to the Renminbi or Euro instead. This means that America is finished as the number one financial power in the world and this can only get worse the more you waste money killing imaginary enemies overseas as it is expensive to try to dominate the world. Hitler tried and bankrupted the country in the process.
So my fellow Repugnicans make sure you own gold bullion as the USD sinks into the abyss as its your only protection now. Unless of course you believe that gold is a terrorist metal LOLOL
February 7th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
DEAR GOVERNOR ROMNEY,
I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY SADNESS WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLED ME FROM SAN FRANCISCO ABOUT YOUR DECISION, AND I WANT TO USE THIS BOARD TO SPEAK TO OUR FELLOW REPUBLICANS THE FOLLOWING:
1) I WISH GOVERNOR ROMNEY TO KEEP THE “ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT DONATION FUNDS” OPEN, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DONATE OUR MONEY WITHIN THE LIMITATION OF CAMPAIGN LAW REQUIRED (WAS $1,000/PERSON/YEAR?) FOR 2012 ELECTION.
2) I WILL NOT VOTE FOR MCCAIN AND WHOEVER WOULD BE HIS VP, BUT WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA, TO CHALLENGE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ON THESE REASONS:
A) THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER, BECAUSE THEY CAN’T STAND ON IT’S PRINCIPLES ON SMALL GOVERNMENT, LOWER TAX, AND ZERO TOLERANCE OF CORRUPTION. AMONG THESE 2008 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, HALF OF THEM ARE EITHER HAVE A CONNECTIONS WITH THE CORRUPTIONS SUCH AS GIULIANI AND HUCHABEE, OR DIRECT INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPTION IN PAST. I FEEL THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO A WRONG DIRECTION, AND DON’T WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.
B). THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS VERY LOW TOLERANCE TO RACE, GENDER AND RELIGION, AND IS EXTREMELY EXCLUSIVE, WHICH HAS BEEN AND WILL BE THE MAJOR FACTOR THAT WOULD HURT THE PARTY BADLY. I RECALL THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ELECTION, MCCAIN AND HUCHABEE SPENT A GOOD CHUCK OF TIME, RESOURCES AND THEIR ENERGY TO ATTACK GOVERNOR ROMNEY’S RELIGION, AND TRIED TO DISQUALIFY HIS ELECABILITY ONLY BASE ON HIS PERSONAL FAITH. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOESN’T HAVE THEIR CORE VALUE ANY MORE, BUT FILL UP WITH THOSE RACISTS LIKE NEWT GINGRICH, RELIGION BIGOT LIKE HUCHABEE, AND CORRUPTIONS LIKE MCCAIN AND HIS BUDDIES.
3) JOHN MCCAIN WILL CHANGE HIS POSITION ON THE IRAQ WAR IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AND BECOME A FLIP-FLOP AGAIN. THERE ARE MORE THAN 70% OF THE GENERAL POPULATIONS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO WANT THE WAR IN IRAQ TO BE ENDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN ORDER TO BE APPEALING TO THOSE PEOPLE IN GENERAL ELECTION, JOHN MCCAIN HAS TO CHANGE HIS POSITION AND MAKE PROMISE THAT HE WILL END THE WAR IN IRAQ, OTHERWISE, HE WOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEAT THE DEMOCRATS IN GENERAL ELECTION, AND GOVERNOR ROMNEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PLACE HIMSELF IN SUCH POSITION AS HE WILL NOT CONTINUE HIS CAMPAIGN.
4) I WILL NEVER MAKE ANY DONATION TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY UNTIL 2012 IF ROMNEY COMES OUT FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN CORRUPTED, EXCLUSIVE AND FILL UP WITH POLITICAL JUNKERS, CORRUPTIONS AND RELIGION BIGOTS.
5) I WILL ELIMINATE ALL THE CABLE NEWS CHANNELS FROM MY TV CHANNEL PACKAGE JUST FOR SAVING AN EXTRA $20.00 TO PAY FOR MY GAS AND OR UTILITY BILLS
6) I WILL FOLLOW ALL MY DEMOCRAT FRIENDS TO VOTE FOR OBAMA, AND MAKE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FEEL ASHAMED FOR THEIR RELIGION BIGOT AND CORRUPTIONS. I WANT TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN WASHINGTON BY VOTING FOR OBAMA AS THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES, AND TO MAKE MY POINT: DEMOCRAT PARTY CAN TOLERANT A BLACK MAN TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES, BUT REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN’T TOLERANT A GREAT MAN LIKE ROMNEY TO HAVE A DIFFERENT FAITH OR RELIGION. IT HAS BEEN ASHAMED FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND IT IS ASHAMED FOR FOX NEWS AS WELL.
VOTE FOR OBAMA, AND TEACH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THE LESSON ON WHY THEY WILL LOSS FOR THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.