McCain to Announce Running Mate on Friday
We are almost down to the wire on the Veep Sweepstakes. The McCain campaign has certainly milked this for all it’s worth. Like the rest of us on this site, I am hoping McCain does the common sense thing and picks Mitt Romney. Not just so we can have bragging rights, I truly do not care about that. I do care about the country. I worry about what this country will be like after four years of an Obama presidency.
IMHO, we are on our way toward national bankruptcy if we don’t stop the profligate spending. Both parties are guilty of this and I leave it up to our readers to make the judgment about where the bulk of the blame lies. One thing I do know is the mood of the voters in this election. You hear it from people from all walks of life, from both sides of the political spectrum. The mood of the voters can be summed up in one word. Anger.
I won’t attempt to publish a laundry list of grievances, you know them as well as I do. But the anger that ordinary voters feel towards the political class is higher than at any time in my memory.
Obama has proven to be an old line machine politician from the southside of Chicago, just like we were told months ago, when his idolization was in full bloom among an electorate that yearned for a new style of leadership from a new style of politician. His choice of Joe Biden, who is by all accounts an affable and likable man, but a unimaginative and “safe” pick who has done nothing to boost the political fortunes of the man who would be President, speaks volumes about the governing style of a future President Obama. It doesn’t say new, it says business as usual.
I don’t see any of the positive “change” that as been talked about so much in this election cycle. I see the same dreary old tactics that the Dems have been slavishly following since the days of FDR. The politics of envy, of class warfare, of “the little guy” pitted against the “privileged few.”
The Dems look like they will limp out of Denver fractured and frustrated. Frustrated with the internal battle for the nomination, that has left them bruised and battered as a party. I just hope against hope that McCain & Co. don’t shoot themselves in the foot by naming some obscure Governor as Veep because he is so “well liked” by McCain personally. Or by naming an obscure woman, because she is a woman. How condescending and patronizing is that? I have in mind Sarah Palin, a woman who probably will be a force in the Party eight years from now, but not in this election. Or Kay Bailey Hutchison, whom I like, but she will not fare well in a debate with Joe Biden. Or Meg Whitman, a very successful and accomplished businesswoman, but if you asked 100 American voters at random who she is, how many could tell you? Three, two, bupkis?
That is why I view the end of the Veep Sweepstakes with some dread. If McCain fumbles the ball this early in the first quarter, what will our prospects look like as the seconds on the scoreboard count down to zero?
Obama has played it safe. To me, he appears more like a man who is trying not to lose than one who is trying to win. If McCain picks Romney and lets Romney be Romney, playing it safe ain’t gonna work.
Governor Romney will elevate the rhetorical level and will bring the right balance of intellectual and emotional appeal that a winning ticket must have. The McCain campaign must make specific, nuts and bolts recommendation for it’s view of where the country should go over the course of the next four years and Romney will be unsurpassed at that, but it also must connect with the voters on the emotional side as well. When Romney waxes Reaganesque, when he defends the sanctity of life, talks about the preeminence of the American family, that America’s best days are not behind us, but ahead of us and that this country can achieve astounding things when the creative power of Americans is freed from the heavy hand of government, that is when he resonates with the majority of voters.
We will know, in about thirty six hours, if we will play offense or defense for the next two months.
~~John Cronin~~
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/28/america/28repubs.php
WASHINGTON: Senator John McCain has decided on his running mate, two Republican strategists in contact with McCain’s campaign said Wednesday. He is expected to reveal his choice at a rally at a basketball arena in Dayton, Ohio, at 11 a.m. Friday.
McCain’s decision is known only to his small inner circle of advisers, no more than three or four people, who have refused all public discussion on the matter. Republicans close to the campaign said that the top contenders remained the same three men who have been the source of speculation for weeks: former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and, possibly, Senator Joseph Lieberman, independent of Connecticut.
Romney remained the most talked-about possibility on Wednesday among Republican Party officials and on cable television, not least because of the theory that he would help McCain win Michigan, a crucial state in this election and where Romney’s father served as governor.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Romney makes the most sense. We will know in about 24 hours if McCain has any.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Mitt Romney is the strongest person in the GOP. No past history. Great business leader, fresh face.
McCain its your call. like Mit 10 said we will know in 24 hours.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Interesting article and of course, I don’t quite understand it all but to me, it still sounds like Huckabee did something pretty “shady” in WV. *sigh*
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/graham/080828
August 28th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Take a deep breath, it’s going to be Romney!
August 28th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Good morning! I’m up early to check for VP clues. How about this one?
Romney Followed by Men with Ear Pieces
blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/as-veep-rumors.html
August 28th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Go back and remember the media coverage. It was definatly was reported that Romney had 47% needed 50%, and that McCain’s people said, throw the votes to Huckabee. How hard would that be to go back and verify. For that matter, ask Mitt his take on this new assessment. I don’t believe Huck for a minute. Why did he wait so long to clear his reputation on this matter?????? More weaseling????? He makes me cringe!
August 28th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Well written. I agree. Here’s a bit of good news too. Romney, not Crist, helps McCain in Florida. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/660701.html
August 28th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Muckabee trying to wash his hands about WV and softening his tone about Mitt tells me he thinks Mitt will get VP nod and he wants to be able to grovel afterwards for some crubs later.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:30 am
If McCain isn’t completely tone deaf, he’ll pick Mitt!
But again, this is McCain we’re talking about . . .
JA, good find on the VP rumors this fine morning.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I was just listening to Bill Bennett’s radio show while I drove my kids to school, and the three callers I heard all said they are hoping it’s Mitt. Expectations are running so high - don’t mess this one up, McCain!
August 28th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Here’s the story on WV.- Huckableep is trying to re-write history. Sorry slimeball, were on to you!!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328549,00.html
August 28th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Interesting, isn’t it, Ron, that the High Reverned Huckster tries to mop up now after his slimy West VA shell game. We all know what he did; it was so obvious that day.
What a worm.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Thankfully he’s not MY preacher. I’d have now question everything this man every said from the pulpit and beyond.
August 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Wow, I like the ear piece story. Keep the clues coming.
do you notice a propensity to try to change history among the weak and the liberal thinker? He is really just a liberal and people are so messed up over him…
August 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Here’s a video of Tim Pawlenty trying to play attack dog on Good Morning America. This guy is such a lightweight compared to Mitt. I thought he seemed nervous - watch the blinking eyes! He doesn’t seem capable of effectively doing battle with Obama/Biden. I’m going to be very nervous about McCain’s chances if Pawlenty is his VP.
thepage.time.com/gov-pawlenty-on-gma/
August 28th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Wonder why Mitt is at home today, instead of out on the stump?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Fox (internet) is reporting that Mc will notify VP candidate today. Keep an eye on everybody.. This suspense is undoing!
August 28th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Drudge Polling for McCain VP
Drudgereport is polling “Who will be McCain’s VP” today.
Be sure to cast your vote! Romney should be over 50% but he’s only at 49 so far.
Send one more loud and clear signal that this is who the party needs if we’re going to have the strongest ticket, and show Democrats what real party unity looks like.
http://www.drudgereport.com/
August 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I just voted! Go Mitt!
His stock is soaring on Intrade. He’s at 64 right now - up 18-19.
Pawlenty is down 2.2 to 22
August 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I was just getting ready to send us all there D&D and you beat me to it! It is quite funny that on race42008 someone said something about MR being out of the race… doesn’t look like it to me! K
August 28th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Kay Bailey Hutchison is way down . . .
And Romney is up to 75
August 28th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Is this fun, excruciating, nerve racking, tiring etc., or is it just me????
August 28th, 2008 at 8:22 am
What is going on at Intrade? Hmmmm . . .
I know, it’s not a perfect predictor, but darn it, things are looking good for Mitt there.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:23 am
did you know that intrade has only be wrong once???? K
August 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Mitt is at 70.1 on intrade right now and climbing
August 28th, 2008 at 8:29 am
http://www.townhall.com
poll
August 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Yesterday Glenn Beck said he’s heard Intrade has only been wrong once - about a governor’s race. I don’t know how long a time period he was speaking of, though.
Although I’m not a gambler, it IS interesting to see where people put their money in these races.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Sounds like someone else is sick of Huck and his army…
http://townhall.com/blog/g/e2d9767a-b9ce-42a7-9468-6639acf16430
August 28th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Thanks, everyone, for all the links. Here’s another one: “McCain says no vice presidential decision yet”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080828/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_veepstakes
Do you believe it? Was he waiting to see how well Pawlenty did on GMA this morning?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:09 am
My gosh, if he doesn’t know how well Paw or anyone else is doing by now….
August 28th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Pawlenty was on Fox this morning, too. He is waaaay too jumpy to be VP. I couldn’t even focus on what he was saying because I was distracted by his rapid head swiveling.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am
JA, Is the rapid head swiveling normal for Pawlenty? If not, is it a nervous reaction to knowing he is the pick?
August 28th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I noticed yesterday that Romney on the Joe Scarborow (spelling?) show was also moving more. I thought that the pressure might be building inside him.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Good question, David. Hmmmmm. If so, Huck’s Army will be doing the goose-step tomorrow!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I don’t know if it’s normal for him or not. I think I recall someone else commenting a few weeks ago about his jumpiness. His demeanor in general left me feeling worried about how this election will go if he’s the pick. He seemed like he had memorized his talking points and was was just blurting them out. Not at all a commanding presence.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Who Will Be McCain’s VP?
http://soundpolitics.com/archives/011368.html
August 28th, 2008 at 10:09 am
DRUDGE REPORT
McCain ad to rebut Obama’s DNC speech
By MIKE ALLEN | 8/28/08 11:15 AM EST
Tonight, John McCain will talk directly to his opponent in a television ad his campaign is airing in battleground states, around the time Barack Obama accepts the presidential nomination, McCain’s campaign said.
Aides would give few details beyond the fact that McCain will speak directly to the camera, addressing Obama.
The strip-tease on the ad is one of several moves by the McCain campaign that could distract attention from Obama’s big night.
The campaign was fueling speculation about his running mate, who is to be named at a McCain rally in Ohio tomorrow. A top campaign official says McCain has settled on his vice presidential choice and will notify the person today.
Matt Drudge of The Drudge Report, who has high-level McCain contacts, posted a tease this morning saying: “SOURCE: NAME MAY LEAK AT 6 PM ET… WITH SOME SORT OF CONFIRMATION AT 8 PM.”
Obama is scheduled to speak between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern before a crowd of about 75,000 at a Denver stadium where the final session of the Democratic National Convention is being staged.
The leak of the McCain ticket mate would cause a news frenzy at at time when the Obama campaign wanted viewers to be focused on Obama’s economic and change messages.
McCain campaign communications director Jill Hazelbaker said in an MSNBC appearance that the battleground spot is “an historic ad — I think this is the first of its kind.”
See Also
* Obama: The journey of a confident man
* Voices speak about Obama’s nomination
* Red meat from a blue-collar messenger
* Politico’s guide to the conventions
“Sen. McCain is going to have an ad that’s going to air in battleground states around the time that Sen. Obama is speaking tonight,” Hazelbaker said. “He’s going to be talking directly to his opponent. So, I’m going to leave it there. But it’s going be very exciting. I think that a lot of people are going to focus on it.”
Asked about his veep choice by KDKA radio in Pittsburgh this morning, McCain said coyly: “I haven’t decided yet so I can’t tell you.”
Friends say he has told his inner circle of his pick, but won’t call the decision official until he has discussed it with his wife, Cindy, who has been in the country of Georgia.
Possibilities include Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.
AP’s Liz Sidoti reported: “Inside GOP circles Thursday, speculation swirled around Lieberman. It was fueled by reports that McCain’s advisers had asked for additional detailed information from him, by McCain’s close friendship with the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, and by word that Republican operatives had been told to prepare for the possibility of an ‘unconventional’ choice.”
Read more stories in Politics ‘08.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I can’t stand speculating, I already had all my hopes dashed in the primaries. But at the same time I really want to know. I hope something will leak and soon. McCain can’t be so dumb as to not pick Mitt
August 28th, 2008 at 11:53 am
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/28/gustav-threatens-gop-convention-plans/
DENVER — Mindful of the pitfalls of hosting cocktail parties while Gulf Coast residents are being evacuated, John McCain’s campaign suggested Thursday that Republicans could postpone their upcoming national convention in St. Paul if Tropical Storm Gustav makes landfall over the weekend.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Yes, Eric, he is that dumb.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
He hasn’t said who it is yet though, he might not be that dumb.
August 28th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I am listening to the radio and they are talking about it too on my country music station. Apparently its Larry the Cable guy lol. I have to tell you I needed the laugh. The nervousness is just building up. I am so jumpy today. I think its great though that even a country music station is talking about it and trying to get people to calm down. I needed that laugh.
August 28th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Just think, if Mccain takes sick Paw. will be our Pres. Oh my. According to Britt Hume’s panel, they all say it’s Paw. Not at all impressed. He won’t overshadow Mccain, that’s for sure.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I have to tell you I am going to go splurge on Chocolate right now and listen to Enya and read a book. I suggest all of you to go relax as well.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Newsmax.com Romney won that poll. Next was Huck, not even close. Paw, who? The rest named not even close. Please, let us be blessed with Mitt, pretty please.