That’s the case if columnist and political pundit Kathleen Parker is to be believed. Thanks to the wonderful world of time shifting, I was able to catch last Sunday’s edition of The Chris Matthews Show today and caught the tidbit about Crist during the “scoops and predictions” segment of the show. During this segment, Andrew Sullivan reported that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty still tops the McCain list, and Sullivan believes that the choice has probably already been made. Parker refuted this claim by putting forth her own intel which held that Crist is inching his way back up the shortlist due to one consideration: Florida. Team McCain believes that Crist could help take Florida out of play once and for all, thus raising McCain’s electoral floor and narrowing the battleground.
Politically, it does make a great deal of sense for McCain to keep his Electoral College floor as high as possible. Because of the way electoral votes are allocated, Obama could win the popular vote easily and lose the Electoral College to McCain should the senator from Illinois repeat his dismal primary performance among working class whites in the Upper South and Great Lakes States. By taking Florida out of play, McCain limits possible red state defections to seven states: Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. The geographical concentration of these states into two distinct regions would make multi-state campaigning easier on the part of a cash-strapped Team McCain, and would force Obama to make inroads into the very sorts of voters who are most suspicious of him in order to win. In this scenario, McCain could simply spend the entirely of the fall campaign jumping back and forth between Missouri, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, knowing that whoever wins the majority of those five states probably wins the election. And we all saw how far Obama’s millions went in places like Ohio and Pennsylvania during primary season.
Crist is a generally center-right Republican who annoys conservatives for not being strictly doctrinaire on either fiscal or social issues but who is generally hard-right on law and order and who has moved right recently on key issues like energy exploration. His heterodoxies aren’t deal-breakers for most base conservatives and may actually reinforce the notion of a maverick GOP ticket.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Forget Crist,
As of today, I am officially in the Sarah Palin camp.
Bill Kristol predicted today that she will be selected for VP (and McCain will use that to flop on ANWR), and Larry Kudlow and Rush Limbaugh just stopped short of endorsing her, although they clearly communicated their approval of her. This, in combination with the fact that she is all over the airwaves and newspapers the last week, leads me to believe that the story last month about Culvahouse being in Juneau is true.
BTW, what do Kudlow and Kristol have in common? They are both close ties to McCain insiders.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/580784.html
Crist is no longer the golden (unless you mean suntanned) boy in Florida. 52% think he’s doing a fair/poor job, while only 43% think he’s doing a good/excellent job? I’d be very surprised indeed if Team McCain chose Crist on the basis of his alleged ability to strengthen McCain in what ought to be one of his 10 or 15 strongest states.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
MTP was talking about the benefits of Romney as VP – notably his ability to help win in the Western states of CO, NV, etc. – critical states that the GOP must hold on to.
As for Palin, I have three main concerns about her:
1) Her lack of economic experience. McCain is weak on the economy, and the Democrats know it. He has to add someone to the ticket with experience in that area – Portman or Romney are probably good picks there.
2) Does she really seem like she could take over for McCain in the middle of a term? Less than one term as governor, and a mayoral job – particularly in AK, doesn’t exactly send the message that she is unquestionably presidential.
3) I question her ability to be a strong candidate in four years.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
#3, For those of us on this site who are over 30 and remember when Reagan became the nominee, many people said the same thing. They made fun of this B-movie actor, who did not have the smarts, and who had premature reddish hair. Although he was Governor of California, it was not the powerhouse state it is today. For those of us outside of the political world, all people will see is the word, “Governor” before her name. In many respects that is a stronger selling job than 22 years in the Senate.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Crist is the worst Governor Florida has ahd since Bob Graham. He has made it so that if one hurrican hits Florida, we will go bankrupt. Why? Because Crist has expanded “Citizens”, which is the state-owned insurance agency. Up to 30% of FL are on Citizens. He pushed for Amendement 1 in Jan, which has crippled city and county governments. Crist also just bough several thousands of acres from Big Sugar for the Everglades, making sugar-based ethanol no longer an idea, and it devastated many different towns that based their economy on sugar. Crist is TERRIBLE, please Sen. McCain DON’T PICK CRIST.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
who annoys conservatives for not being strictly doctrinaire on either fiscal or social issues
I think his biggest problems with conservatives will be the front page headlines on Drudge that will appear talking about rumors of him having gay sex with John’s.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Didn’t you read Jason? Forget all the gay rumors (and there are tons down here), Crist is a miserable, uber-liberal governor who is flushing FL down the toilet. That ought to be enough to keep him from being VP.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
well, there isn’t a single thing McCain can do that is more important than picking his running mate.
IF McCain serves one term, that is probably all he will serve, and his VP pick has probably a 70% chance or higher of being our nomine in 2012.
This pick is vital – and I’m not sure Palin is the best person.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
First off, does anyone believe that Andrew Sullivan of all people knows who McCain’s choice is?
Second, ugh. The last thing we need is for the entire campaign to be dogged by whispers of whether Crist is gay or not, much less revalations that he actually is gay (I have no idea if he is, and don’t much care, but still). No scandals in ’08.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
#9, I am sure that Andrew S. has ZERO relationship with the McCain camp, especially since he defected to the Liberal side. Sullivan is guessing. Pundits who have a relationship with Charlie Black or Rick Davis are Bill Kristol, Larry Kudlow, Karl Rove, and Bill Bennett.
Crist is not gay, and the rumors that he may be gay is not the problem. It is 25 years of being an active bachelor that will be a problem. Why do you think he is hinting at getting married.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
LGC,
I qouls juat think if a candidate ia hoping to unite his base, the first thing on his list would be to not pick a guy who is rumored to hire gay prostitutes. It’s just good political practice.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Crist rising? Hmmmm! If so, I guess we’ll assume his supporters aren’t willing to put their money where their mouths are. His high on intrade has been 19.9 some time ago, but is now 11.1, with an all time low of 10.
If he keeps rising like that, he should be out of it soon!
June 29th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I have not ruled out Sarah Palin for VP as she is an attractive well-proportioned lady who is easy on the eyes and could prove to be an amazing asset for McCain in the General Election.
However, in talking to some people, I have heard concerns expressed with a McCain/Palin ticket:
1. Many Republican strategists that I talk to are critical of McCain’s “delusional” outreach to “Hillary voters” lately at the expense of strengthening his National Security and Foreign Policy brand and not reaching out enough to his base. A McCain/Palin ticket might be seen as a transparent attempt to court more ex Hillary voters.
2. Some Party insiders I talk to are concerned that Ms. Palin has not been vetted enough and that damaging or embarrassing information from her past might surface.
3. Some Evangelical Values Voters have admitted to me that they are still a little uneasy or uncomfortable with the idea of a woman in a key leadership position due to scriptural and doctrinal mandates.
4. Personally, from a lyrical or aesthetic perspective I don’t like the sound of “McCain/Palin” – both names have two syllables and way too much long ‘A’ sound.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
It would be unfair to dump Crist over rumors. I would say let the accuser step forward with evidence, but we know that is not how it works. Crist must be proactive and squash the rumors with contrary evidence, namely the woman he is apparently soon to marry (unless that is just a rumor too).
June 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
14. It’s not one accuser, it’s “everyone” talking. There is difference.
BEsides when are you going to apologize for the Race baiting on Gamecocks last post?
June 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Crist should not be chosen b/c he could become Foley 2. I used to love Andrew. However, he’s become such an Obama shill it’s just painful to read his blog. He posts everything that is negative about McCain and glosses over everything that’s detrimental to Obama. I just can’t see how he can consider himself to be a conservative anymore.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
#13, JA Pruce, interesting feedback on Palin, some of which I have not heard. But….
1) How do these “Republican strategists” expect to win without Reagan Democrats? The GOP base is too small.
2) I believe that is what A.E. is for. Pawlenty, Sanford, Jindal, etc…they all are in the same boat as Palin.
3) That may be true for some, but I believe she has made a strong case for herself with her pro-life views and actions. In fact, all the pro-life media have been extremely supportive of her.
4) What names sound good together then JA? I certainly do not like is McCain/Clinton
June 29th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
test
June 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
All good concerns Kristofer,
I actually believe that Palin would make a better Presidential candidate sometime down the road then she does a VP candidate. But as far as names that sound good together:
McCain/Sanford, McCain/Thompson, McCain/Romney, McCain/Franks, McCain/Forbes, McCain/Danforth…
June 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
While it is true that Crist, as Dave wrote, moved right recently on energy exploration, he might have missed Crist’s nuanced flip-flop back to the left on Wednesday…
David Adams of the St. Pete Times reported from Crist’s Global Climate Change Eco-Summit:
Clarifying his apparent reversal last week over offshore drilling, he called for an “open discussion” of the issue “without compromising Florida’s sensitive eco-systems and her natural beauty. Only when we are able to do so far enough from Florida’s coast, safe enough for our people, and clean enough for our beaches, should we even consider increasing our oil supply by drilling off Florida’s shore. Let me repeat: far enough, safe enough and clean enough. As long as I’m Governor, no Floridian will ever be able to see an oil rig off the coast.”
Someone sitting next to Adams said: “That’s a lot of qualifications!”
The most common conclusion down here is that Crist was informed it’s not going to be him, and thus the governor no longer felt it necessary to be untrue to himself.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Plain has no lost.
Crist has very little chance.
Romney probably won’t be picked.
Pawlenty is the fav.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
First DaveG trashes Jidal (calls him Huckabeean, as if that is really an insult to much of the base) for being too socially conservative, now he is promoting Crist… I’m even more suspicious of my Governor now.
I don’t think Crist helps McCain enough for the Democrats not to challenge in Florida. If anything, they might go for it even harder as a psychological component of their “50 state” campaign.
And, even if the Democrats do effectively concede Florida, they will still force McCain/Crist to “pay” attention to the state, least those numbers flip…
Remember that Crist is only two years into his first term (Jidal and Palin level of inexperience), in which he got elected as Jeb’s third term (think GHWB).
Crist is too inexperienced, has real scandal in his background, has scandal rumoring, and is not all that conservative.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
JA Pruce,
Take a look at these McCain for President t-shirts.
Scroll to the very bottom (perhaps they know something we don’t).
June 29th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
#19, JA Pruce,
I like the sound of McCain/Sanford as well.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Aron,
Beautiful!
June 29th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hah Aron,
Sorry buddy (see below).
http://www.speakupdesigns.com/buy/aaronscase/5680381
June 29th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
This one is worse.
http://www.speakupdesigns.com/search.php?query=mccain+huckabee&page=1&portal=
June 29th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
My opinion is that Palin is absolutely THE best choice. Certainly not because she is “an attractive well-proportioned lady who is easy on the eyes” (Sounds like one of the qualifications a guy looks for on Match.com), but because she is obviously an effective governor with sound conservative principles, top notch credentials based on prior experience and demonstrated leadership ability. Further, she exemplifies the best of “feminist” ideals – managing both a family and a career, neither of which appears to have suffered. Her domestic policy credentials combined with McCain’s strength on foreign policy would offer a beautifully balanced team.
The “concerns” JA Pruce lists are rather flimsy.
1. Any candidate chosen is going to be characterized by the opposition as “a transparent attempt to court” something or someone.
2. Rest assured, those who opposed her candidacy for Gov. of Alaska and those whose corruption was revealed under her direction, have no doubt already looked under every rock and come up with nothing. But of course, when there is no “damaging or embarrassing information” to be found about a politician, someone will make something up.
3. When “scriptural and doctrinal mandates” truly play a significant role in who is to be in a key leadership position, this will no longer be America. The Evangelical Values Voters will be more than “uncomfortable” if we allow Obama to win.
4. I do hope that one was strictly tongue in cheek – not a serious objection. How do the lyrical aesthetics of Obama/Yo-mama strike you?
June 29th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Well, well, well, look at what Newt’s own American Solutions just released today.
http://www.americansolutions.com/solutionslab/SolutionPrint.aspx?Guid=871bdba5-26b7-4bc9-ac4d-a7c355decf50
June 29th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Good points Kathleen, but I wouldn’t dismiss number 4 as irrelevant.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I believe you mean his EV floor, not ceiling. Ceiling is a possibility, where someone can get to. The floor is the minimum. He’s raising the floor, what he is guaranteed to get. To raise the ceiling would be to put more states in play.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
“How do the lyrical aesthetics of Obama/Yo-mama strike you?”
not good. They rhyme, and both have the “a” at the end.
Good rules:
1) don’t have the same end sound
2) avoid having names that stress the same vowel.
3) Look to have the second name have fewer syllables than the first name. (yes, I know Bush/Cheney doesn’t follow that rule).
June 29th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
back to a serious topic – exactly what are Palin’s econ. credentials?
McCain needs a voice of experience on the economy.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Great post act-blog. I couldn’t have said it better myself. There is a definite gestalt while considering the pairing of names on a ticket. Reagan/Bush and Clinton/Gore are like object lessons: artful, understated and poetic. They also have the advantage of the quintessential “un” sound at the end of the name on the top of the ticket – virtually unbeatable in American presidential politics.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
In defense of Sarah Palin, she was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska – a very underrated and demanding executive position which she presided over, by all accounts, during a robust period of economic growth.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
http://www.act-blog.co.nr,
Although you are correct on how it should be, I think you are giving voters too much credit. Conservatives win on wedge issues, like Newt did in 1994. That is why McCain got a bump in Gallup polling after he endorsed off-shore drilling. He attempted with the gas-tax holiday, but it was not “real” enough. McCain is finally realizing this, and is why he borrowed Newt’s “Lexington Project” idea.
Funny enough, for governing the US, Romney is probably the best fit for McCain, but at the end of the day, it is all about being elected. That may still be Romney, or it may not.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Palin’s economic credentials:
Chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commmission (2002-2003).
Current Chairwoman of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, America’s largerst interstate organization, a position to which she was elected by her fellow Governors.
Currently working on a deal to liscense the building of a natural gas pipeline by the TransCanada corporation under her brainchild program, the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA). This will be the biggest thing in AK since the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in the 1970s, and the legal framework is totally a product of the Palin administration (It is a radiacal departure from previous policy on a gasline).
She also completed a recalibration of the state’s oil-tax system last year under her A.C.E.S. (Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share) program.
So, Palin is the nation’s leading voice on Oil and Gas (which will be THE economic issue this fall), has already completed two landmark economic goals by introducing and passing A.G.I.A. and A.C.E.S., and will likely score another victory in a few weeks when TransCanada is liscensed to buid the gasline (bringing AGIA to frution and breaking a years-long long logjam on natural gas production).
Not only is Palin an economic powerhouse, her experience is all in the exact area that will be on voters’ minds in November…Oil.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Palin for VP,
What is Gov. Palin’s view of “global warming” and does her position jibe with Senator McCain’s?
June 29th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
And a quick quip on the poetics of saying “McCain-Palin”, while this is totally irrelevant to begin with, it could become even more irrelevant…as the Democrats are considering mouthfulls such as “Obama-Sebelius”.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Good point PfVP #39,
A couple of other questions: What is Palin’s religion and are her or her husband freemasons?
June 29th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
McCain wins Florida regardless of Crist who isnt as popular now anyway here. He should take Romney to go after Michigan and Colorado better.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
http://www.act-blog.co.nr
Other than Ridge, not one of the VP candidates have Romney’s economic credentials.
Historian’s generally agree that the following Presidents were worthy of the “greatest” tag. Reagan, Eisenhower, FDR, Teddy R., Lincoln, and Jefferson. How many had business experience or any understand of the economy?
June 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
#38,
I haven’t seen a total postion on the entire global warming issue, but Palin did form a Climate Change Subcabinet to examine such issues and qustioned the validity of using “suspect” climate modeling to list AK’s healthy polar bear population as “threatened”. So, she is happily taking on the radical fringe of the environmentalist movement while taking steps to examine climate change in a more realistic way.
As a sidenote, I might also point out that the Climate Change Subcabinet might not say anything about her views on the causes of global warming. Even the biggest skeptic in the world would see the need for such an organization in Alaska…There’s lots of ice up there, and it can melt regardless of whether the warming is manmade or not, so the effects need to be studied and planned for in case the trend continues.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
40,
haha, no masonic connections that I know of, and the Palin’s are churchgoing Non-Denominational Protestants.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Thanks PfVP,
The non-denominational thing could be encouraging. If McCain were to select her, he could use this to communicate a sense of ecumenical outreach and unity. A Baptist and a non-denominational could be an interesting combo that could draw unanimous support across many strands of Protestantism.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Is there any way of filtering out comments by folks I no longer want to read?
Call it “censorship” of people I’ve heard enough of. And I doubt this possibility exists, but decided it would be better to KNOW than to ASSUME.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
“Chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commmission (2002-2003).”
She was an ethics commissioner – who resigned because of supposed ethics violations.
—-
#42, of the people you mentioned, only FDR can lay claim to being an economic President. Reagan saw the growth of the economy, and it was a primary reason for putting him in, but he was still more of a foreign policy President.
…and FDR was running against the party in power, not as a part of it.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
act, wikipedia is wrong.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Times have changed. If there was ever a time we need business/economic expertise, it certainly is now.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
#49, for getting elected or Governing?
So to tie this back in to Crist. Is their actually anyone on this thread that either has Crist as one of their choices, or have a serious issue if he ware VP nominee?
June 29th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
“She was an ethics commissioner – who resigned because of supposed ethics violations.”
I knew nothing about this, but don’t we all want to know the truth about this matter, and not sweep it under the rug. If true, we sure as heck don’t need this!! Can anyone add anything to the truth of the matter?
June 29th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
A candidate that could combine both economic expertise and a higher plane of spirituality would be quite formidable. That is why I believe Gov. Mit Romney had so much promise.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I have no problem with Crist on a ticket, my only reluctance would be that it would mean that he leapfrogged over Jeb and I think that this has to be a consideration that he should wait his turn.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Illinoisguy,
She resigned because the Governor would not investigate and prosecute the violations she uncovered, so she ran against the Governor and defeated him.. She is considered a hero in Alaska for this.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
JA Pruce,
Interesting argument you make, and in fact, isn’t the GOP all about “waiting your turn”, or “next in line”? Is certainly apply’s to Presidential candidates.
June 29th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
#29. Thanks for posting that link, LogCabinGOP — it sure is a glowing endorsement for Sarah Palin.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
“isn’t the GOP all about “waiting your turn”, or “next in line”? Is certainly apply’s to Presidential candidates.”
Yes.
I can’t remember the exact pattern, but going back to Ford, something like every second-place finisher in the GOP primary goes on to win the next open primary contest. That is one of the reasons that I like Romney’s chances of being VP – and one of the reasons that I believe McCain’s picking of someone other than Romney could lead to a messy primary in four years.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
“Chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commmission (2002-2003).”
She was an ethics commissioner – who resigned because of supposed ethics violations”
If memory serves, she both chaired the boeard and served as it’s ethics commissioner. She resigned becasue of the ethics violations of Randy Reudrich, a fellow commissioner, which she reported and and for which Reudrich was not punished by the administration of then-Gov Murkowski. (Reudrich is now chair of the state GOP and id not on speaking terms with Palin, whose revelation cost him some hefty fines).
So, yes, she resigned over ethic violations, but she was the whistleblower, not the violator. Wikipedia SHOULD make it clear that she resigned in PROTEST over the fact that her commissioners were flaunting ehtics rules and the administration refused to take action.
After being elected, she passed a sweeping ethics reform package to ensure that such things do not happen again.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
np #56. #55 really has me thinking.
Reagan lost in 76 – Nominee in 80
Bush lost in 80 – Nominee in 88
Dole lost in 88 – Nominee in 92
Powell backed out in 92
McCain lost in 2000 – Nominee in 2008
So I guess it is 100% for sure it will either be Huckabee or Romney is 2012 or 2016? WTH!
June 29th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
No wonder Huckabee would not drop out, he was trying to gain as many votes as possible. (light comes on in my head)
June 29th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
On “waiting your turn”, I have noticed that a lot of people are fed up with that trend. And even if Romney is picked, there could still be a very messy primary in 4 years (especially if the McCain-Romney ticket lost, which it probably would)
June 29th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
#59 (“SSo I guess it is 100% for sure it will either be Huckabee or Romney is 2012 or 2016? WTH!”)
Well, yes. Unless Jeb runs.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Palin for VP!,
Was the scandal not bigger than that? I thought some guys connected to Reudrich just went to jail (lobbying?)?
June 29th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
#61, uhm, McCain/Romney will not be defeated, either would McCain/Palin – Pawlenty – Sanford – Hunstman – Jindal – Ridge.
I think the risky picks are Huckabee and anyone from the Senate.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Reagan lost in 76 – Nominee in 80
Bush lost in 80 – Nominee in 88
Dole lost in 88 – Nominee in 92
Powell backed out in 92
McCain lost in 2000 – Nominee in 2008
Your trend is interesting, and if you will remember 2000 was actually Quayle’s year but he could not stay viable against the son of the President he served so after a brief attempt, he saw the writing on the wall and was forced to the sidelines.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
62,
If we lose this time, I think there is a good shot that the “whose turn is it?” dynmamic will colapse in 2012. Romney would probably run, as would Huckabee, but the first-tier canddiates would likely include several more exciting candidates such as Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal, plus Crist and/or Pawlenty might decidee to take their chots as well. I think that Mitt and Huck could both get quickly subsumed in such a field.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
#62, yes, sorry Quayle, not Powell.
Many were scared off by GWB, but if we had a stronger field, Bush may have not won, especially if the Conservative vote was split. Bush was a much different candidate at the start of the primary. He was not ready. McCain was the only politicians crazy enough to challenge the Bush fundraising team.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Palin for VP!,
You may be correct, but Romney will not be defeated in NH again, unless McCain is running in 2012.
Look, it will be Huckabee/Romney and McCain’s VP choice. Cannot argue history. GOP voters are “safe” voters. Palin would be the odd possible exception because (sorry if this is sexist), women clearly made a statement this year that they are going to support another woman with the majority of female voters. It should not be surprising. This has already happened in the rest of the world. Look at Europe, Chile, India, etc….
June 29th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
#59. Hell no! It’s time to bust to smithereens the old boy’s club of the Republican Party! McCain may very well choose another “same old, same old” white guy as his running mate. He may even squeak out a victory (or a landslide if those videos really do exist). But even if a McCain/white male ticket wins, the Republican party ultimately loses because it keeps reinforcing the same old brand — which will be a bigger and bigger negative with upcoming generations.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
bob, I like your point on Chile. It is the most “macho” and socially Conservative country in SA, and no one gave Bachelet a chance, but yes, the woman’s vote came out in big numbers.
This is the start of the feminization of American politics. Let us just hope the first is a GOP woman, as we cannot afford to lose 50% of the white, protestant woman who vote GOP.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Kris 63,
We’re talking about twoo seperate scandals. The one you are talking about involves the VECO corporation and a number of GOP state legislators from thee Murkowski-Reudrich wing of the party. VECO paid off the legislators to get a bill passed that changed oil tax rates (PPT). At my last count, I think six legislators and several VECO executives were indicted and a number are now in jail.
The Reudrich scandal involved Reudrichs leaking of a confidential Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) memo to a lobbyist for the Evergreen Resources company (which deals in coal-bed mathane) and was using drilling-safety information provided by Evergreen in presentations to citizens on methane drilling rather than the AOGCC’s in-house information (which he shouldn’t have been doing as a representative of the AOGCC). She then found out that the AOGCC did not have the required ethics documantation on Reudrich, and that Reudrich waa working a deal to go over Palin’s head and get someone higher up the chain of command to sign off on those reports (which should have gone to Palin as ethics commissioner), regardless of the fact that he was not being ethical at all.
So, both scandals were big deals, but they were unconnected to eachother. Needless to say, pre-Palin AK government was one of the nation’s leading cesspools of graft and corruption. Palin is cleaning it up.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
By the way, if any of my facts aren’t perfect, I’m doing most of them from memory. You should be able to find all of the details in the archives of the Anchorage Daily News at adn.com. (requires registration, but that is totally free).
June 29th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
My point was not that Palin was the ethics problem – but that less than a year as the ethics comish, only to resign because of ethics violations, isn’t exactly the best resume.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Palin for VP!,
Tell me about this group that Palin is a member of? Is Palin a feminist and a social conservative? This is interesting reading.
http://www.feministsforlife.org/
June 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I am not sure if she is the #1 choice, but I tell you, she will sure fill newsprint.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Double checking my facts here by reading Sarah’s biography, wich came out a few months ago (“Sarah”, bu Kaylene Johnson). Page 76 says that as a AOGCC commissioner, she serves as both the Commissions chair and it’s ethics commissioner.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
http://www.act-blog.co.nr,
I admit, she is not the most qualified, but is that what elections are about? Please list your choices in order (best to help McCan get elected). Thanks in advance.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Here it is:
1976: Ford is the nominee, Reagan is #2
1980: Reagan is nominee, Bush is #2
1984: Reagan ran for re-election
1988: Bush is nominee, Dole is #2
1992: Bush ran for re-election
1996: Dole is nominee, Buchanan is #2
2000: Buchanan did not run, Bush is nominee, McCain is #2
2004: Bush ran for re-election
2008: McCain is nominee, Romney is #2
June 29th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
74,
I’m not that well versed on FFL, but they do seem to have quite a reputation in the pro-life movement. They strike me as old-line, suffragete-style “feminists” rather than 1960s radical feminists. Palin is obviously a “feminist” in the sense that she has no problem with both working and maintaining a family, but she is also a committed mother of five, a Christian, and a big-time family values advocate. She doesn’t seem to have an anti-male bone in her body. FFL seems to be committed primarily to rejecting the idea that women don’t have to have abortions and reject family life just because they have careers.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Romney as VP, or as next in line in 2012/16?
June 29th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
#79, I just read that Chief J. Judge Roberts wife is #2 in that organization.
Yeah, now I see why all the Huckabee supporters like Palin, even though she is an economic Conservative.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
81,
One of our big selling points is that Palin get enthusiastic support from almsot all wings of the GOP. The Huckabee people (SoCons) like her pro-life credaentials. The Fiscal Conservtives and Libertarians (Rudy and Mitt people) love her record as a budget warrior. The McCain types like her “throw the bums out” credentials on ethics reform, her devotion to the troops (her son is one), and heer anti-pork stands (cancellation of “Bridge to Nowhere”). She’s not one wing of the party’s favorite candidate, EVERYONE likes her.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
“Romney as VP, or as next in line in 2012/16?”
well, the tradition only dictates that he would be the nominee in the next open race. BUT, I’d like to see both.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Yes, she really does seem to follow Reagan’s docterine.
Interestingly enough, Palin proclaimed February 6, as:. Ronald Reagan Day in Alaska. Ha, I love it!
June 29th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
#83, will you tell us your other choices for VP (I would be fine with Romney)?
June 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
it would have to be someone with either executive experience (at least one full term), or who had economic experience.
Portman, Sanford, even Pawlenty are respectable picks – though I don’t know how they would do in four years.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Palin, Romney, Pawlenty, and Sanford go on my shortlist
June 29th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
82. I think you should also add to your list that disgruntled Hillary supporter, who are most likely pro-choice, won’t hold Sarah’s strong pro-life position against her as much another pro-life white male VP choice, and therefore it will be easier for them to vote a McCain/Palin ticket than the “same old, same old” ticket.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
#88, yes maybe (are you one of them, because I have heard from women who supported Clinton through our web site and web ad?), but I really do believe that it is the voters in PA, MI, OH and the mid-west that she appeals to the most.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I have familial ties to OH and PA and I don’t see Palin appealing to them any more than anyone else. Sure, as a woman she has greater appeal to women, but that is not enough to carry the day. Indeed, her selection poses the danger of voters assuming she’s a token selection, which would kill McCain’s chances.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Telamonian Aias,
NRA, Church, did not support immigration bill, from small-town. Not because she is a woman.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Yes, I supported Hillary. I even sent her money to help retire her debt. But not because I’m a Democrat, but because I want so badly to see a woman in office. As long as that woman has as much or more experience than her competitors and she is neither far right nor far left, I’ll vote for her. Once a woman president is elected, it won’t be that big of deal anymore. But I’m not going to settle for 18 million cracks, I want that glass ceiling to come crashing down forever. And don’t tell me to be patient. And I don’t think I’m the only independent woman voter who feels this way and I’m pretty sure we live in all 50 states.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
#92, deja-vu. That is what my mother said (glass ceiling).
June 29th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I don’t see why a person’s credentials of being mayor of a town less than 10,000 is even mentioned as any citeria whatsoever for making someone eligible. I’m not against Palin, but for goodness sakes, lets quit acting like her mayoral experience is in any way pertinent to be POTUS. Lets face it, she doesn’t have the experience and it will be extremely obvious if McCain chooses her to get women votes. She’s not ready for the most powerful position in the world.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Illinoisguy,
Obama is? Inexperience argument is not enough to defeat Obama.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
95. Exactly. That’s why I’m so glad to see McCain play up Obama’s poor judgment and “you can’t trust his words” ads instead of calling him an inexperienced young whippersnapper.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
HearMeRoar,
May I ask, are you part of the over-40 Clinton base? Are you in a swing state?
June 29th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
#96 As a catholic who does not believe in divorce I don’t think McCain can challenge someone else’s word when he said “I do” and later said “I don’t any longer” when he met someone younger and richer. Its one of McCain’s least attractive qualities, self-righteousness.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Sue-Ellen,
The marriage of McCain and his first was over when he met Cindy.
McCain, like many other POW’s struggled with their relationships when they returned from Vietnam. Especially those who were in prison for more than a couple of years. A lot of them became divorced. In fact, many returned home to find their wives fell in love with others. How do you not know that was the case for McCain, but as a true hero, he did not expose her? My unlce, not a POW, also went through similar issues when he returned from his Vietnam service.
I am sure our beloved Pope would have granted a divorce to all those men, who suffered not just in the POW camps, but because they continued to suffer when they got home.
As a fellow Catholic, can you forgive him for that?
June 29th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
#96. Like I posted once before, McCain’s bio is a double-edged sword. But for every dumpee there is a dumpor, so if McCain is lucky, those votes will cancel each other out.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
#97 Yes, I’m over 40 by over a decade. Class of 74. And I don’t live in a swing state. And I’m not a die-hard Clinton fan, just a die-hard glass ceiling smasher fan.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
To be fair McCain 6 years in a tiger cage will do a number on you.
IllinoisGuy, who said Palin is ready for the most powerful position in the world? We’re supporting her for the VP, one of the least powerful positions in the world. I certainly think she’s experienced enough to cast a 51st vote in a deadlocked Senate and look good
sitting next to Pelosi at McCain’s SOTU, which is all the VP really does.
If, somehow, she ends up President she can always pick a more experienced VP, and if she truly feels she isn’t up to the task can resign and let him take the reins.
It is the sexist backlash that gives her an edge in certain areas. I can almost guarantee that at some point if she’s picked, there will be comments from the Obama campaign, other Dems, and the media that are all sexist. You might even have some of the dems try to make hay off her kids, similar to how Kerry and Edwards tried to cheapshot Cheney in 2004.
The backlash from that among women will revive the anti-Obama feminist fervor that’s cooled a bit, totally discredit the media, benefit McCain, and help him out tremendously.
And for those who ask how come the sexist backlash didn’t help Hillary, it did. But she couldn’t overcome the unfair caucuses and the black vote averaging around 40% throughout the South. Needless to say, in November there won’t be anywhere neat 40% black turnout and there won’t be any caucuses. There will be plenty of white women, though, who made up 41% of the vote in 2004(the largest single demo), and who will probably make up around 42 or 43% this year. Those white women went 65% for Hillary and have no love for Obama. Add in that they went 55% for Bush in 2004 and 49% in 2000, and that’s a pretty good place to start.
If McCain can equal or exceed Bush’s 49% from 2000, he’ll win. Adding Palin helps in that area, although there are other candidates who could help as well.
And don’t underestimate the 18-35 male vote and the VPILF factor. I say that somewhat facetiously, but I do think it could be worth a pt or 2, and help blunt Obama’s strength among the youth vote.
June 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Sue-Ellen, in fact we do not know why the marriage, or how it ended. Unless either one talks we will not know. McCain enemies have spread lies to drive a wedge between him and Catholics/Evangelicals. But if you read his book and piece dates together, you can see his marriage was over years before he met Cindy.
God bless his sacrifice for our nation.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:01 am
HA!
June 30th, 2008 at 5:27 am
#95 – Kris – Absolutely not!!! He’s far from ready either, and even if he were, I’d be just as against him as I am. This is completely about whether or not Palin is ready.
#102 – One thing McCain has said over and over when asked about his VP selection is that he will be choosing someone that could step in and be completely qualified to be the next President of the United States. It seems to me that for him to continually emphasize this means that he is not considering Palin or Jindal, even though in a few years, they should be stalwarts in the Republican party.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:30 am
HearMeRoar,
I am with you 100% on the need to smash the glass ceiling. Although I consider myself a conservative I reregistered as a dem. I was with Clinton (who I actually don’t care for personally) from the beginning.
But now I am kinda back to square one. McCain is not a real socon so I feel no kinship there. And as I said I don’t care for his personal decisions regarding his marriage. Being in war is no excuse for adultery. The love of many men for their wives strengthens when they are apart. And no I am not reading some liberal trash. McCain’s ex-wife has said what happened. I don’t care to go into it, but to try to blame her is shameless.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Whatever McCain’s “sins”, they pale (no pun intended) by comparison to what Obama represents. And I’m not talking about the recently much quoted characterization of those who oppose him as saying: “Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance”
His long, well documented association with extreme leftists, his overtly (until his handlers toned it down) socialist rhetoric and the hysteria of a huge contingent of his supporters are ominous signs of what will become of this country under his “leadership.”
Even in the unlikely event – God forbid – Huckabee were to become McCain’s running mate, I would vote for him. I’ve already resigned myself to putting a clothespin on my nose and casting my ballot…again… for L2E because I am a realist. This is certainly NOT the time to allow the Democratic Socialist Party to take full control of our nation.