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More veep speculation
By windstone | June 16, 2008
I commented on this a few weeks ago, making some mistakes(Moon Landrieu lives!) and forgetting Mark Sanford. I also was too quick to dismiss Governor Palin. She would be a fantastic addition to the ticket and would help to sway women from the Democratic Party. Here are some thoughts on names being floated
Tom Ridge-There are many things to like about the former PA governor and Homeland Security Secretary. He was a great governor who pushed through good reforms of the economic, education, and health care systems. He is a respected Vietnam veteran who did a better job at DHS than the pundits care to admit. But there is one thing that will keep him off of the ticket-his views on abortion. Senator McCain has made clear no pro-choice candidate will serve on the ticket. It would hurt with efforts to reach out to social conservatives. I like him and I think it would be a great ticket, but unless he pulls a GHWB in 1980, I doubt it. Plus, the close association with the President would hurt,I’m sad to say.
Eric Cantor-He rocks. The only Jewish Republican in the House, he comes from the swing state of Virginia. He consistently pushes through conservative policy ideas in the House and is one of the few people on Capitol Hill who understands the power of the Internet. His youth would also help, and it would be hard to criticize Cantor as inexperienced. But some say he wants to be Speaker and would turn it down. But didn’t Gerald Ford want to be Speaker in 1973?
Lindsey Graham-Along with Joe Lieberman, John McCain’s best friend and longest supporter in the Senate. He is great on national security,judicial philosophy, and economics(save trade).He would help with social conservatives because he opposes the destruction of human embryos, but immmigration hawks would revolt over the choice. But if McCain goes for someone he can trust without a doubt, Graham would be the choice. But just as Ronald Reagan didn’t pick dear friends like Senators Paul Laxalt or Jesse Helms, it is unlikely he would remove his closest Senate ally from his post.
I would say Tim Pawlenty, Paul Ryan, Rob Portman, Sarah Palin, Eric Cantor, Jon Huntsman and Charlie Crist would be the best choices for McCain. But we’ll see, won’t we?
Topics: Campaign 2008, Social Conservatism, abortion, voting |
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I can see it all now, Alaska Gov Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd, introducing Sarah as the next Vice President of the United States at the Republican National Convention later this summer, to the tune of Shania Twain’s “She’s Not Just a Pretty Face”.
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMlcZDorjuE
Just imagine!!! (Dems, eat your heart out)
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
A commenter on another post says it much better than I can:
“They say McCain reads the blogs, so here goes —
Senator McCain- Don’t let the campaign kibbitzers muddle things up.
First and foremost, Sarah Palin shares your values. She killed the bridge to nowhere. Need we say more?
As for the politics, Sarah Palin transcends geography. Her constituency, like yours, goes beyond state lines.
She will get your ticket access to voters all over the country based on who she is and what she stands for. Because she’s young, a woman, a mother with young kids, she will grab media attention more than any other potential candidate.
Gov. Palin also has a son in the active duty military. You have very wisely taken your son’s service in Iraq off the table as a campaign talking point. That is and should be respected. But others can talk about it and reflect on what it means.
A McCain-Palin administration would be the first in memory which has family members in uniform during wartime from both the President and Vice President. That would be a powerful statement as to the importance of national service, especially in uniform.
Most importantly, any Vice President should be ready to step up and serve in the event she is needed. Frankly, who is really ever ready? Gov. Palin is as ready as anybody, she is a quick learner, and in her public career has exhibited the courage and decisiveness needed for a great leader.
Godspeed to you in your campaign and in making this important decision.”