I don't know that we should blame Robert Novak too much for his story this week about the Veep being named. It could happen, but I doubt it.
Here is what actually happened, according to some pretty good inside information.
The McCain camp has begun vetting their top picks. To initiate the vetting process, Rick Davis called the potential picks to ask if they would consent to the vetting. Some said yes. Some said no.
Anyway, word got out that this was happening. A few people
jumped the gun. Some heard that Person X was handing over phone
records. Another heard that Person Y was in detailed private
conversations with Senator McCain.
Everyone jumped to the conclusion that this was coming and coming soon. And when better to do it than now to distract from Obama's trip.
Well, considering Obama's trip is not getting all the attention he hoped for (and probably a good thing considering his refusal to affirmatively state he'd help stop another holocaust of the Jewish people), there really is no need.
And it more likely than not will not happen.
It takes more than week to vet the potential picks, even Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty.
Not Mitt, please
pwest July 23rd, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. CDT (link)
Mitt is not a good choice for me; which is not to say I won't vote for McCain. I still don't trust Mitt; he's too slick a politician. He needs to prove to me that the changes he's made about abortion among other things are true and not just political expedency. Thank you, but no. McCain, like him or not, has core beliefs and usually sticks with them. His contrast in character, I believe, may be the only thing that enables him to beat Obama in the fall. Mitt, needs to a bit more seasoning.
Pam
Personally I hope it is Mitt
Dave_in_Fla July 23rd, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. CDT (link)
He has the credibility in areas McCain doesn't (running a company, running an executive) and brings strong credentials to states that are important in November (Michigan, Colorado).
The only choice I see for McCain with a bigger upside is Palin. No one else he can pick will actually help him win, they would be at best "bleh".
If we got to select people because they aren't good our personal tastes, then my tastes would have kept McCain off the ballot. :)
"If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country."
I call BS.....
Aaron Gardner July 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. CDT (link)
.....so if McCain picks Romney you won't vote for McCain...are you then going to Vote for Barr, or Nader, or Obama?
I mean really this is just silly. If you believe, as you said, that "McCain, like him or not, has core beliefs and usually sticks with them", then why don't you trust him to exercise those values in HIS pick for VP.
I would rather have Mitt as the VPOTUS than Barrack as the POTUS
"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
"I'll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust" Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah...yes I love it that much.
I think you misread
pwest July 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. CDT (link)
my post! Or maybe, I mis-typed. I didn't say, I wouldn't vote for McCain. I will vote for McCain; I just don't trust Mitt. Personally, I don't thin McCain does either. If he picks Mitt, it will be because he's looking at fund-raising and Mitt's potential to help in some blue states.
Pam
you are correct I misread....
Aaron Gardner July 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. CDT (link)
"which is not to say I won't vote for McCain"
My bad....I missed the not in that sentence on my first read...sorry...;^)
"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
"I'll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust" Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah...yes I love it that much.
It's all good
pwest July 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. CDT (link)
Arron, don't worry about me and McCain. You're other point about Obama, Barr, Nader is right on brother! We have two choices; McCain may have not been our first choice, but he is our last. Heck, maybe the blow hard media is right in that he might be the only Republican who could win this year. I only know that I don't want a President Obama! Obama is beyond a light-weight.
Pam
heh...I still don't buy that McCain was best..
Aaron Gardner July 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. CDT (link)
..I still think we could have smacked Obama down with Fred Thompson even better than we will with McCain...but like you said he is our guy this time around and we gotta support him because anything else would be tragic. One minor issue my name has 2 A's not 2 R's....but after my first comment I guess we will call it even....;^)
"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
"I'll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust" Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah...yes I love it that much.
Enough of a Deplection
Swamp_Yankee July 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. CDT (link)
Even if it was a feint, it served its purpose of deflecting some headlines. Plus, I suspect McCain's people are deft enough to realize that this trip isn't going to the boon to the O Campaign as originally thought. The headlines are exposing his contradictions and European rallies could backfire.
Enough of a Deflection
Swamp_Yankee July 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. CDT (link)
Even if it was a feint, it served its purpose of deflecting some headlines. Plus, I suspect McCain's people are deft enough to realize that this trip isn't going to the boon to the O Campaign as originally thought. The headlines are exposing his contradictions and European rallies could backfire.
McCain got some free media
red_oakster July 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. CDT (link)
this week. Well played.
That said, his ace in the hole is getting to go after Obama. McCain held on to his ace.
My own suspicion is that the ability to be President is McCain's most important criterion. By that measure, I suspect he's thinking about Romney, Ridge, Portman and Giuliani. Pawlenty is also a possibility, but less so because his lack of national security background. Stepping in as C-in-C is uppermost here. That's why pro-choicers like Ridge and Giuliani are getting a closer look than they might get in a peacetime election.
Bobby Jindal has withdrawn his name from VP consideration
Finrod July 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. CDT (link)
This was on Fox & Friends this morning:
Definitely the right call for Gov. Jindal to make. He has plenty of time to be a presidential or VP candidate in 2016 or later.
Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth: A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
Evangelicals, Evangelicals, Evangelicals...
Carl_WI July 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. CDT (link)
McCains best choice for VP is quickly becoming Pawlenty because of the instant crediblility it would bring him with the evangelicals. James Dobson does not speak for me, but if his support for the republican nominee is wishy washy, it's not good news for election day. Speaking as an evangelical myself, I'm amazed at how many of my church friends are voting third party this fall because they're angry at the party. I try to explain to them that while no one will ever be as 'christian' as GWB, that is no reason to turn your back on the party. Too much is at stake. If the church doesn't get out an vote like they did in 2004, I shudder to think what will happen this fall.
You deserve what you tolerate!
I saw somewhere today that John McCain was ...
Red_Wing July 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. CDT (link)
...seriously considering Former Ohio Congressman John Kasich.
"Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich." ~ William F. Buckley, Jr.
I'm hoping for Sarah Palin
rubylens July 24th, 2008 at 3:36 a.m. CDT (link)
I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that McCain chooses Gov. Sarah Palin. She's strongly in favor of increased domestic drilling and all forms of resource development (i.e. job creation and a boost to the GDP), which I perceive to be the key issues of this election because of gas prices, the falling dollar, and inflation concerns. She speaks exceptionally well, comes across as serious but cheerful and optimistic. She's smart, passionate, engaging, eloquent, conservative, and forward-thinking. It certainly doesn't hurt that she's attractive and energetic as well. Though she's relatively inexperienced, she still has more executive experience than Barack Obama and enjoys an 80-90% approval rating in her state. I think she's the absolutely perfect choice for this particular election. McCain can make her the poster girl for domestic drilling and really make that the centerpiece of his domestic agenda. I even like how she performs some official duties with her newborn baby in a sling. I think she could pick up quite a few disaffected moderate Hillary voters for us and bring many conservatives back into the fold.
I do not work for Sarah Palin, by the way. I'm not even an Alaskan. I'm just really, really impressed with her and would like very much to see her on the ticket.
Ruby NutrootsNation.com