CR Nation

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?

A recent story by the Politico quoted youth leaders from both parties on their views regarding voter ID laws.

For the Democrats, quoted was Alexandra Acker who is executive director of the Young Democrats –

The Indiana case has far-reaching consequences for students and other young people who move frequently, making current ID hard to come by, or who do not possess a driver’s license

For the Republicans, quoted was Ethan Eilon who, as we all know, is the executive director of the College Republicans –

While nonpartisan youth mobilization groups and college Democrats oppose the Indiana law, the College Republicans support it, on the grounds that it will prevent voter fraud. “Voters in Indiana, and across the United States, should not be disenfranchised by people attempting to vote illegally, and that’s exactly what ID laws aim to achieve,” wrote Ethan Eilon, executive director of the College Republican National Committee, in an email.

Eilon does not think that eligible students will be disenfranchised as a consequence. “Any Indiana student can get an Indiana ID by showing a photo id, or a birth certificate and some evidence of residency like a utility bill,” he noted

Ethan’s quote exposes Democratic resistance for what it is, a fallacy.

The Voter ID law does not require a driver’s license to vote. The law defines a driver’s license as a sufficient form of ID for voting purposes, but does not require it. In other words, to vote a driver’s license is a sufficient condition, but not a necessary one.

Most voter ID laws allow other forms of ID, such as non-driver’s licenses and utility bills.

So, if the bill doesn’t require a driver’s license to vote then why to the Democrats oppose the bill on the grounds that the millions of people who don’t have driver’s licenses will be disenfranchised?

I wish I could understand their thinking, but I am no Democrat.

20% say they would do it for an ipod. 66% say they would do it for a year’s tuition. What would you want in exchange for your right to vote?