On the fence
I’m back!
Hey there folks. Sorry for the long absence, but I take a while to get over disappointment like having the most qualified presidential candidate narrowly lose in the primaries, due in large part to religious bias. Little stuff like that bothers me. Another examplie is that it took me months to get over the defeat of my San Francisco Giants to the Anaheim Angels in the 2001 World Series after leading in the 8th inning of game 6.
But I thought I’d add some quick musings to the site as we seem to be hearing both pluses and minuses about our man Mitt joining up with McCain, should an invite be extended. Here’s my take.
Bottom line: I’m not sure I’m in favor.
On the minus side:
* The GOP’s risk of loss in the election. The democrats seem to be rolling. The media has loved the Barack v. Hillary fight. While it’s messy and bloody, remember that lack of press hurt Giuliani after Iowa and NH. Lack of press could hurt McCain and his veep choice once the dem battle is over. Don’t forget the dems have had superior turnout and superior fundraising to date as well. Signs seem to point to an uphill battle for November. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to win, and I’d prefer McCain to either of the dems (I disagree with Ann Coulter on this one), but it’s going to be tough and my desire is Mitt in the big chair, not Dick Cheney’s old spot.
On the plus side:
* Exposure and the possibility of a win. I’d love to have Mitt get all the attention a VP offer would get. He’d campaign for McCain, have the spotlight, have less pressure and would perform. I think he’d wow the country. He may also end up Vice President.
* I can’t think of someone more qualified to be VP. For all of the things I think McCain falls short in, I think Mitt is a great complement. Mitt brings economic expertise at a time it’s sorely needed. I’d love for him to keep his promise to Michigan as well and send funds there to promote innovation. I also think Mitt would act as a calming influence on McCain. Mitt would be able to use his data gathering and analysis skills to provide McCain the info he needs to make a decision, and provide great input. Mitt would also obviously gain first-hand experience very few in the country have (and that even Hillary doesn’t) at being in the “inner circle” in the White House, involved in key decisions, and would come out uniquely prepared to serve. Given the hand we’re dealt, I’d rather have Mitt as VP than anyone else.
So how do I come out?
So given Mitt’s qualifications and where things are (McCain having won the nomination), I’d love for Mitt to be VP vs. not involved in government at all. But I balance that with wanting him to avoid the possible stigma of having been on a losing presidential ticket, a la John Edwards. Perhaps it’s obvious, but I want him to win in 2012, should he decide he wants to put himself through the process again. Regular readers here agree he’d be a great president, and I want to see it happen, even if I have to wait until 2012 or 2016.
Help me decide, folks.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Attention Mitt-Supporters!
Ann Coulter has a second poll going now off her website regarding who McCain should pick as his VP. Mitt is presently at 26% and Huckabee is at 16%, but has been closing the gap today.
Please go to either of the links below and Vote for Mitt!
http://www.anncoulter.com/
Scroll down to the link on the right side - just above the link where “Huckabee Defends Rev. Wright”
Otherwise you might be able to go directly to the site at:
http://gopnation.com/wordpress/?page_id=357
You need to scroll down through a lot of white-space to see the request for VP-choice.
Thanks!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
My two cents on this is simple. Polls show the economy is the #1 issue on voters minds. McCain has flat out said in the past the economy is not where he’s strong on. Gov. Romney’s experience in business is just too important to pass up, not to mention his energy and organizational skills. Some say his money but I disagree, alot of his campaign money came from donors like us, and he was the top fundraiser of all candidates even before we knew what amount of his own money he put into the campaign.
But I think seeing Gov. Romney square off against the Dem. opponent in a VP debate and hit questions out of the ballpark would show Americans this guy knows what he’s talking about, he’s intelligent, and he certainly does look Presidential so we can rest assured he would be ready to take over should something happen.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I am old enough to say that never in my life since I have been at an age to vote have I been as disappointed in my options for who should occupy the White House. I am having a hard time working up any enthusiasm for McCain, though I definitely don’t want Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton either. So the only thing I have left to hope for, the only thing that will reignite my enthusiasm for this election is if McCain invites Mitt Romney to run for VP.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
One additional minus — an underplayed facet of the “they don’t like each other” argument.
We have to remember that Cheney is an aberration. The VP’s office has no power of its own, aside from very rare senate tie-breaks. Cheney gets power because he is trusted completely by Bush. Now tell me how much of a role McCain would give a Vice President Romney.
Should McCain/Romney win, although the publicity would be nice, Romney may be more useful elsewhere.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Mev,
Great comments! I agree 100%. Since MR and JM are so far apart on several very important issues for conservatives and because there seemed to be such personal animosity from McCain toward MR during the primary campaign, I just don’t see these two having a very successful political partnership.
That being said, I believe the potential downside for MR outweighs any upside and so, in my opinion, MR should steer clear of this ticket.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Paul, I am way more narrow minded on this. The goal is: Mitt as president. So what is the best route to get there? Mitt as McCains running mate! If they lose, it will be Mccain’s loss, not to be held against Mitt. The exposure of a national campaign will keep him in the public eye, and help push the acceptance of his religion even farther, making it easier to be the nominee in 2012. If they win, Mitt will be the “expected” candidate when McCain is through. At 72, he may not choose to, or be able to, run for a second term. His health being as it has been, he may not finish a first term. We certainly do not want someone else in line. All that about Mccain not liking him, I think, is meaningless. I believe he would pick Lassie if it gave him the best chance of winning.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Paul, I thought this would be the best way to reach you since I do not have your email. I’m a fellow blogger here and posted numerous articles and kind of unintentionaly put your post off to the 2nd page - you should post it again so its at the top
April 8th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Coulter’s poll is being flooded by Huckbots. It’s fun to see them all riled up again. Alas, one step behind, as always…
April 8th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
This is the first time I have ever posted on this website. I didn’t even know it existed until a week and a half ago. I am a Romney supporter and I worked on Romney’s campaign in Littleton, CO. We love Mitt Romney in Colorado as you can tell by the final vote count on super Tuesday. I believe that we have a chance of winning the general election as both democrats are majorly flawed candidates. I am all for Mitt Romney being on the ticket with McCain. He has stated that he would be honored to run on the ticket as vp. I trust his judgement in this so I support him and am hoping that he will be on the ticket this year. He is the most qualified to be vp and president. He has a chance to become both over time.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I don’t think that is quite fair Frozone. We don’t know for a fact that they are indeed Huckabee bots. I think when Romney wins in polls (which is the majority of them) then people say the exact same thing. I for one ain’t (lol) a Romnabot!
April 9th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Some commets to some of you:
Mev: ditto absolutely! Talk about a loss. When Mitt graciously bowed out, I was completely depressed for days. I felt I had no hope. Mitt makes it feel hopeful again, but if he does not get the call or something icky happens, I know Mitt will come out on top, but I fear immensely for my nation.
John Cronin: I think Mitt is big enough and good enough that he could have a good relationship with JM. I think he is very capable of putting the past behind and taking up the “mantle” so to speak and doing what is right.
Ron: McCain would be closer to 76 at the end of the first term and who knows what his attitudes, health etc will be by then. Time will tell and God alone knows how this will work and what His will is. It would be cool if we could have a very strong and experienced Mitt in there to get elected!
Frozone: I just checked the Ann Coulter poll and Romney is at 40%, Huckabee at 16%. The last several comments that I saw
were all about the virtues of a Romney VP too. So, people are busy. It is all interesting.
ok, someone said earlier that Huckabee was ahead in a Gallup poll. Don’t know about that and I didn’t see it, but I really don’t put much stock in it.
Life is good. Just all of you praying people, now is probably a good time to do that.