comMITTed to Romney!

It remains an open question whether McCain’s pick of Gov. Palin is a net benefit for his campaign. But of one thing there is no doubt. She is certainly turning into a cultural icon, inspiring changes in women’s fashions and skits on SNL.

On this site’s chatbox, we have been having fun with a couple of phrases from Thursday’s VP debate: “Doggone it, there you go again” and “You betcha.”

But however much fun Gov. Palin has inspired, there are also some hard political facts we must consider. Namely, McCain is behind in the polls with a month left in the campaign and he has recently pulled the plug on his Michigan campaign. Michigan, with 17 electoral votes and a state that Gov. Romney could have delivered to McCain on a silver platter.

We are getting word from several sources that the move is controversial within the Republican Party. It strikes me as politically tin-eared to make a move that high profile operatives within your own party second guess you on. This stuff all goes back to one of the many reasons Sen. McCain was not my first pick. He just seems to be out of touch with his own party. He is certainly out of touch with the conservative base. His only conservative policies have Mitt Romney’s fingerprints all over them!

For the sake of the country, I hope he gets it right by Nov. 4. Otherwise, Obama gets a chance to complete Jimmy Carter’s second term in office.

~~John Cronin~~

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The road to victory for John McCain has gotten tougher in the past week: He has given up on Michigan, struggled to deal with a financial crisis many voters blame on Republicans and faced skepticism about his vice-presidential pick.

All of that raises pressure on Sen. McCain’s field generals in the battleground states where he is still competing — people like Gentry Collins. The Iowan’s success or failure, and that of his boss, hinges on the rapid-fire decisions Mr. Collins needs to make every day, from appeasing local political leaders to keeping tally sheets on daily phone calls.

Mr. Collins’s territory is rocky terrain. As one of Sen. McCain’s 11 regional campaign managers, he is responsible for Iowa, where Sen. Barack Obama holds a solid lead, and Missouri, a state Sen. McCain has to win but where polls show a close race. At least one of the presidential candidates, and usually both, are in Mr. Collins’s states every week. Voters see those events, though they don’t see the last-minute scrambles by his staff that makes them possible.

Behind the scenes, Mr. Collins’s task is complex. In Iowa, he must contend with a fractured party where most active Republicans wanted someone else for president. In Missouri, a classic swing state that has gone with the winner in 24 of the last 25 elections, Mr. Collins is outgunned by a better-funded Obama campaign that has been on the ground longer.

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http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/palin-biden-walk-fine-lines/story.aspx?guid={004E449C-93E5-4648-98F2-B0575C85EAB9}

Republican seeks to arrest criticism, Democrat can’t look condescending

By Russ Britt, MarketWatch

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) - When Joe Biden and Sarah Palin take the stage in St. Louis tonight, look for the two vice-presidential hopefuls to walk their own tightropes when moderator Gwen Ifill grills them.

What’s clear is that while Republican Palin will seek to bounce back from some recent public gaffes, Democrat Biden is expected to dance around the PR landmines that could make him appear too condescending if he pounces too hard on his opponent. The question is how high above the fray will each candidate be stepping.

Palin, the Alaska governor, will need to further cause of Sen. John McCain while Biden, a U.S. senator from Delaware, tried to boost the fortunes of Sen. Barack Obama when the vice-presidential candidates meet at Washington University in St. Louis.

Experts from throughout the political spectrum agree that Palin’s recent missteps in interviews and elsewhere on the campaign trail all have helped to set the bar low for her. And they all agree that if Biden is the only one truly on the high wire, then he shouldn’t look down.

“I think he’s doing better in this situation if he attacks John McCain vigorously,” said Richard Edwards, author of “Competitive Debate: The Official Guide” and communications professor at Baylor University. “I think she has a great chance, personally, to do well because the expectations are so low.”

Most eyes, though, will be focused on Palin, who commanded the spotlight for some time after McCain named her as his running mate Aug. 29. Since then she committed a series of gaffes during infrequent interviews and on the campaign trail.

A recent poll from Quinnipiac University said McCain has slipped in the critical states of Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, mostly due to the deteriorating economy but somewhat because of Palin’s falling star. Highly favored in all three states just 20 days ago, the poll showed Palin got unfavorable ratings in two states and broke even in a third, Ohio.

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http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/sep/27/romney-america-must-correct-course/

Sat, Sep 27, 2008 (9:57 p.m.)

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says the U.S. must fix its ailing economy and boost its military prowess or risk losing its status as a superpower.

Romney told delegates to the California Republican Party’s meeting Saturday that a secure economy is as essential as a strong military to the country’s safety.

He says it was inconceivable to him just a few months ago that financial powerhouses such as Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch would have collapsed.

Romney also gave the GOP base plenty of red meat, praising John McCain’s performance in the presidential debate Friday.

He stressed McCain’s knowledge of foreign policy knowledge and contrasted the freedoms America enjoys with the repression in other economically prosperous countries, such as China and Russia.

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Drudge reports that McCain has suspended his campaign in order to devote more time to the bailout plan. One headline I just saw ( haven’t read the article ) said only 4 Republicans have signed on to support the bill that Congress is working on.

I hope for the countries’ sake that this is not a publicity stunt and a ruse to look “Presidential.” If any politician plays fast and loose with the public in a time of unprecedented financial danger, he will be swept away in November.

I don’t envy the nominees of either party at this critical juncture. To try to get your arms around a plan as massive as the one proposed by Sec’y Paulson and Fed chief Bernanke has got to be a daunting challenge, even if you had adequate time to consider all the details and make the decision to either rally behind the plan as proposed or do your best to change it.

Keep these men in your prayers, that they may be guided by Divine Providence as they attempt to restore confidence in the nation’s banking system.

~~John Cronin~~

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As a free market conservative, I never thought I would be among the first to raise a hue and cry for re-regulation, but that is exactly what I’m advocating. The monumental failures of former Wall St. titans Merrill Lynch and Lehman Bros., along with mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have demonstrated
beyond any reasonable doubt, that these institutions had virtually no internal controls. That being the case and considering the devastation they leave behind them when they fail, I feel that we must come to the conclusion that external controls are now necessary.

Even for those who don’t accept re-regulation with out stretched arms, considering the massive bailouts that have already been made and keeping in mind the much rumored commercial banks that may need to be rescued by the FDIC, what alternative do we have? As big as the Federal government is, it’s resources aren’t infinite. Unless someone just happens to have an extra trillion dollars just laying around, I don’t know what else we can do, but craft new legislation that will re-institute the kind of risk management that sophisticated money management firms are expected to employ on their own.

I read an article yesterday that came to the conclusion that “moral hazard” ( usually an insurance term ) has been re-introduced to the players of Wall Street. If you take big risks and the trades go south, you are on your own. The days of coming to the U.S. Treasury or lining up the limos outside the New York Fed are over.

~~John Cronin~~

By GLEN JOHNSON
Associated Press
September 15, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Wall Street turmoil underscores the need to overhaul “the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington,” Republican presidential contender John McCain said Monday.

In a statement issued in advance of market openings, the Arizona senator said he agreed there should be no taxpayer-financed bailout of Lehman Brothers even as the investment banking giant faced the specter of liquidation. Meanwhile, Merrill Lynch was selling itself to Bank of America for less than half of the iconic brokerage firm’s recent value.

“It is essential for us to make sure that the U.S. remains the pre-eminent financial market of the world. This will be a highest priority of my administration. In order to do this, major reform must be made in Washington and on Wall Street,” McCain said in his statement.

He added: “The McCain-Palin administration will replace the outdated and ineffective patchwork quilt of regulatory oversight in Washington and bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street. We will rebuild confidence in our markets and restore our leadership in the financial world.”

Over the weekend, advisers both to McCain and Democratic rival Barack Obama said they did not favor a government bailout of Lehman Brothers like that previously provided to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The government also help engineer the recent sale of Bear Stearns Cos. to J.P. Morgan & Co.

“I am glad to see that the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department have said no to using taxpayer money to bailout Lehman Brothers, a position I have spoken about throughout this campaign,” said McCain. “We are carefully monitoring the financial markets, including the duress at Lehman Brothers that is the latest reminder of ineffective regulation and management. Efforts must also be focused on ensuring that the deposits of hardworking Americans are protected.”

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[See: War Injuries Impede Computer Use For Hero McCain, But Obama Attacks Anyway!]

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I have reprinted the email I received from the McCain Campaign below as a FYI.

~~John Cronin~~

O’Fallon Rally Recap

From:
“McCain’s Missouri Team”

Hello Missouri!

This past Sunday a crowd of over 20,000 people gathered in O’Fallon, Missouri, just outside St. Louis to cheer on Senator McCain at a Road to Convention Rally!

At one of the largest rallies yet, Missourians greeted Senator McCain, Governor Huckabee and Governor Romney as they made their way to our National Convention in Minnesota. Though the crowd had been gathering for many hours on a hot Sunday afternoon, their enthusiasm was only magnified as cheers went up when Senator McCain introduced Governor Sarah Palin to Missouri for the first time as his running mate.

Governor Palin addressed the rally and by the look of the crowd, there’s no doubt that we’re going to keep Missouri a red state for Republicans this fall. Thanks to all who came out and made the rally such a huge success!

McCain-Palin is the right ticket for America and we need your help in order to bring real change to our nation. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to sign up today as a supporter of the McCain-Palin campaign.

Also, be sure to watch Gov. Palin as she is featured tonight at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul and Senator McCain tomorrow evening as he accepts our Party’s nomination.

Please consider getting involved today! Call McCain’s Missouri Team at 314-667-4411 or email us at missouri@johnmccain.com.

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Wow! What a week we just lived through. One week ago today Sarah Palin was announced as McCain’s VP pick after weeks of speculation as to who was in, who was out, what strengths, what weaknesses various candidates might bring to the ticket. Since few people outside of Alaska knew much about Sarah, I was curious about how the public would react to her.

I said in a post several days ago that if the crowd responded to Sarah Palin’s introduction with a roar of approval and if there were numerous interruptions for applause, that it looked good for a Republican win this November. Well, we got the above in spades. Now the clock is running for Sarah to get up to speed on a host of issues in preparation for the questions that are coming from the press and for her debate with Joe “Why use 30 words when 10,000 will do” Biden.

She gives the impression of being very bright and a quick study, so I’d expect her to do very well.

This convention was as fun as any I can remember. The delegates looked liked they were having the time of their lives. I know I am biased, but we Pubbies seemed to be enjoying the experience way beyond what the Dems were. They gave the impression of confidence and satisfaction with the way the ticket finally shaped up.

Let’s all weigh in with our impressions of the speeches, the candidates and our prognostications for the outcome of the election.

~~John Cronin~~

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For archiving purposes:

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From The McCain Blogette

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When Sarah Palin walks onto the stage at the Republican National Convention tonight, we conservatives and the rest of the country will get a very good read on whether her selection as McCain’s VP was a stroke of genius or a grasping at straws.

Obama doesn’t seem poised to run the table at this point. So any significant bounce the ticket gets is potentially a game changer.

I can’t wait to see the crowd’s reaction to Gov. Palin. If she gets a thunderous reception and her address is well received, with numerous applause lines, it looks very good ( barring any major gaffes from either McCain or Palin ) for a Republican win in the general election.

I am also predicting a crowd explosion when Mitt walks on stage. Megan Kelly of FOX NEWS said earlier today that when Mitt walked onto the convention floor, the crowd roared it’s approval. Get the kids, brew a fresh pot of coffee and get your favorite snacks and get ready to witness history.

~~John Cronin~~

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Bill O’Reilly is beating the drums for Mitt Romney and Gen. Petreus among others for high profile jobs within a McCain administration, to offset the perceived inexperience of Gov. Sarah Palin.

I am paraphrasing what they said, something to the effect that because of the high level of success and respect that they have achieved, they would lend their status as Party heavy weights to the McCain/Palin ticket.

To switch gears a bit. Kathy has asked to add her perspective on the McCain Rally in Missouri Sunday.

Kathy was on the opposite side of the stadium from me and she got the best view of the work the Secret Service did both before and after the Straight Talk Express pulled into the stadium. She is at a pool party and I assume she’ll be late. ( at the home of my Uncle Joe, who is not known for cutting Cronin get togethers short ) I told Kathy, my son Pat and his girl friend Jamie, to go without me. After being in the heat and the sun for 8 hours yesterday, the last thing I wanted to do was sit around the pool today and soak up some more rays. So hopefully we can get the details of the rally from both of our views tomorrow.

In the meantime, one thing is clear. St. Louis, a predominately Catholic town, LOVES MITT ROMNEY! I was in the VIP section right behind the Governor and to his left and I can assure you he rocked the house when he got off the bus and so did Sarah Palin.

Huckabee? Not so much. Polite, but underwhelming.

~~John Cronin~~

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The last time I was this tired was at the end of the Iowa Caucuses. The McCain Campaign was hoping for a crowd in the 8,000 to 10,000 range for today’s Rally. They got 23,000. Mitt Romney can sure goose the gate with an appearance, can’t he?

OK, OK maybe McCain and Palin had something to do with it as well. It was a blast! More tomorrow after 8 hours of sleep.

~~John Cronin~~

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My thoughts exactly!

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view.bg?articleid=1115954&srvc=rss

Mitt Romney - once a top contender to be John McCain’s running mate - may have suffered a bruised ego when he was passed over for the little known Gov. Sarah Palin, but the ex-Bay State governor emerged as a major player on the national stage, experts said.

Romney, 61, could land a plum Cabinet post, perhaps as treasury or commerce secretary, as a reward for months of campaigning for McCain, including traveling to Denver this past week to attack Sen. Barack Obama during the Democratic National Convention.

“He’s a very viable candidate” for those posts, said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University political scientist. “Wall Street investment types always have a strong role in the Republican Party. And his enormous wealth is a virtue.”

And should McCain falter in November, Romney has gained enough national recognition to launch another bid for the White House in 2012.

“Not getting the VP slot is not going to be a major setback,” said Paul Watanabe, a political scientist at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Another scenario has Romney running for office in Utah, should Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch decide to retire, said Steve Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School at UMass.

Romney, he said, is enormously popular in Utah, the center of his Mormon faith and site of his rescue of the 2000 Salt Lake City Olympics.

But don’t expect Romney to run for anything in Massachusetts.

“I can’t imagine he has a political future here,” Crosby said, “after making Massachusetts a punch line in his campaign.”

Meanwhile, Romney played the good sport yesterday, praising the Arizona senator’s surprise pick.

“Gov. Palin’s story is one that all Americans will find inspiring,” Romney said in a statement.

“She’s a Washington outsider with a commitment to the conservative principles that will make our nation stronger. I look forward to campaigning for Sen. McCain, Gov. Palin and Republicans all across the country,” Romney said.

McCain had the media guessing all day Thursday and all morning yesterday as to who his running mate would be. At various points, Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman all emerged as possible picks.

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It is being reported that Ann Marie Curling and her husband Joel were seen having lunch today at the Kirkwood, Mo. Panera’s with two local Republican operatives. While it is not known what subjects were discussed, the conversation was very animated and lasted some two hours.

Further reports indicate that Ann Marie and Joel Blodgett headed to Wentzville, Mo. after the extended political lunch, were they will spend the night before heading to T.R. Hughes ballpark tomorrow for the big rally with McCain/Palin/Romney and Huckabee……Developing

~~John Cronin~~

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