comment #1

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Huckabee or Pawlenty, right? Won't be Leiberman. But he could use the northeast muscle from someone.

comment #2

Howlingman says ...

I was wondering what that exploding sound was.

Rush Limbaugh's brain.

comment #3

thegreatmags says ...

Honestly, I always see that Pawlenty hype and I have no idea where it comes from. Maybe because the GOP convention is in Minnesota? He has always struck me as a lightweight who barely won reelection.

The problem with Huckabee is that he is widely viewed as economically to the left of the Republican Party. McCain's reputation as a deficit hawk(well he was ORIGINALLY against President Bush's tax cuts, he would consider raising taxes like any normal politician would if he had no choice) and Huckabee's spending while governor of Arkansas gives a lot of the "club for growth" Republicans pause. I'm not sure if McCain would want to rock the boat for Huck (but it might not be a bad idea as Huckabee is damned popular with the evangelicals-damned if you do, damned if you dont)

I guess that would dictate that McCain should find someone that is a straight conservative and further to the right on a lot of the issues then he is. A younger person, I reckon. Hmm...I'm not sure. I think some out of the box thinking is needed for this one. Someone outside of elected govt maybe? What do you all think?

comment #4

Josh Massey says ...

McCain needs an old school conservative as a running mate, as well as a recognizable face. Get'cha self ready for Vice President Thompson.

comment #5

BurmaShave says ...

I think McCain is the northeast muscle, as Super Tuesday showed. He's going to have to shore up his conservative Southern/Western flank, especially with Obama almost certainly being part of this ticket. I don't get Pawlenty either, but obviously he's on the list for sticking with McCain through it all.

comment #6

joncro says ...

The problem with Huckabee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-BFEhkIujA

The problem with Huckabee is that he believes in fairies and flying Spagetti monsters

comment #7

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

I think Romney's withdrawal frees McCain of any need to give a crap about Huckabee. Considering that Huckabee is coming from the cracker socialist wing of the GOP, it's hard to see how he would have helped McCain with pouting Reaganites anyway. I would have said Thompson a while back, and it could still happen, though it doesn't exactly bring down the average age of the ticket by much. Frankly, I see McCain picking some Southern governor who didn't run for president-- a Huckabee without the Huck, basically. Under other circumstances, Florida's last one might work fine....

comment #8

Rich S. says ...

Mgmax, oh no you didn't.....

comment #9

Howlingman says ...

But remember: if McCain wins the presidency, whoever his VP is will be president before Clinton or Obama will.

comment #10

thegreatmags says ...

Hell Florida's current one might not be bad. Crist did endorse McCain. I think he holds Florida over to the Republicans. Lindsey Graham always gets a lot of buzz. Sort of a "McCain in waiting".

comment #11

Hickenlooper says ...

I predicted the Giants would win over the Patriots by three points so hear goes... I'll buy you all a round of beer if I'm wrong but here goes.

McCain choses Huckabee as VP at the RNC in August.

Clinton wins the nomination in a brokered convention. Invites Obama to be her VP but he declines. Clinton tags Richardson as her VP candidate.

McCain defeats Clinton in a 55 to 45 popular vote. The election is close but not as close as the Gore/Kerry dramas. The Republicans once again seize control of the White House. The Democrats take the House and Senate. More gridlock.

My own personal choice: Obama. I have given up on white or elephants.

comment #12

BurmaShave says ...

Oh man McCain/Bush. The posters would literally just say Fuck You. Crist would be good if he could find a lady and knock her up.

comment #13

T. S. Idiot says ...

A president named Barack is one thing. But a vp named Tim? No way.

comment #14

thegreatmags says ...

Gee that's a WONDERFUL implication, Howlingman. I guess it's a valid criticism of McCain's age but still...yipes.

comment #15

ksmith says ...

The vice presidential pick does little in the way of attracting voters to a candidate. In McCain's case, he needs to reinforce the idea that he is a conservative to help turn out the base for him. So he needs someone from that wing of the party rather than someone from a state he doesn't expect to win.

Watch him pick a woman or African-American (yes, there are black Republicans) to counter whoever the Democratic nominee is.

comment #16

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

But remember: if McCain wins the presidency, whoever his VP is will be president before Clinton or Obama will.

Oh honestly, the guy's old but his mom's still alive and there's no reason to think he couldn't easily live out two terms and then some. Reagan was close to the same age and he managed to live nearly to the end of the fourth term after he left office. You'd have more of a case in talking about whether McCain's age suits the job, not the likelihood that he'll drop dead in office.

comment #17

christian says ...

Like I posted before, it's clear the rubes out there don't trust the neo-con elites like Limbaugh Hewitt Hannity TNR etc.

comment #18

joe says ...

Romney's leaving the field could prove a strong boost to Obama, since independents will have more reason to enter the Democratic contest and vote for him.

comment #19

Howlingman says ...

Maybe Mgmax, but this job is a killer. Look at Clinton, look at Bush Jr before taking office, and look at them now. Look at how the job ages you. McCain's had cancer, had health problems, and if elected would be older than Reagan was when he took office. I'll give you a "likely" between my "will" and "be" but that's about it.

comment #20

Dirty Harry says ...

McCain has to find a conservative who the left can't demonize. He needs to find a conservative to shore up his base but won't turn off independents -- Huckabee would be a terrible choice.

I'm thinking this guy -- conservatives love him and he's not toxic to the left -- though they'll try to Clarence-Thomas him:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Steele

comment #21

Howlingman says ...

"I predicted the Giants would win over the Patriots by three points so hear goes... I'll buy you all a round of beer if I'm wrong but here goes."

Well I hope you're wrong, George, but I'll take that offer if you're right. If wrong, the drinks will be on me, okay?

comment #22

BurmaShave says ...

If McCain wins he serves one term and steps aside for Petraeus.

comment #23

Wrecktum says ...

"Oh honestly, the guy's old but his mom's still alive and there's no reason to think he couldn't easily live out two terms and then some."

Yeah, and his dad died at the age of 70. What's your point?

Huckabee is *unacceptable* to the banking wing of the GOP (the money men, in other words), and, consequently, will not make the ticket. How about Condie Rice? Just a suggestion, not a prediction. Whoever it is, it has to be someone who the conservative base (social and fiscal and military) feels comfortable with. Otherwise, the right will demonize him all the more.

comment #24

Rich S. says ...

I think Condi has too much of the stench of the Bush Administration about her, though she would probably be the ideal choice. Is Colin Powell seen as being enough of his own man yet?

comment #25

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

"Yeah, and his dad died at the age of 70. What's your point?"

And Paul Tsongas died at 56, in what would have been his second term. My point is, there's less difference in likely mortality between any of these guys or gals than that blanket statement of McCain's impending demise suggests.

W., on the other hand, you can just tell is going to be one of those Herbert Hoover-Gerald Ford types playing golf and making nasty cracks about his successors at 90.

comment #26

Wrecktum says ...

My point about his dad is that there's no way to spin his age beyond what it really is: he'll be 72 in August and 73 the first year of his presidency. The man has had known health problems (cancer) in the past. He's an elderly man with questionable health who could potentially be thrist into the most high profile, stressful position in the world. This is something that should be discussed, not shooed aside with a "his mom's still alive" blow-off.

comment #27

Dirty Harry says ...

Rich S: You're right, Condi is toxic now. She's been demonized and marginalized.

Tommy Thompson of WI would be another solid choice.

The good news for us is that we got our guy and can start coming together. The Dems are headed to a brokered convention, meaning their nominee will only have 8-weeks before November.

The Democrats are bursting apart along race, gender, and economic lines... The liberal media's not telling that story, but those are deep and divisive lines. We're coming together. While Obama and Hillary and fracturing their party further a month from now in Pennsylvania -- we'll be gearing up fundraising, opposition research, and a war room. Our ads will hit the ground running. And this years Swift Boaters will be loading their gunboats.

Today's a good day for us. And watch McCain knock it out of the park today at C-PAC to start the healing. As the Democrats tear each other apart, we're but a mere speech away from coming together.

comment #28

Howlingman says ...

Well asmany have said, it's the Democrats' election to lose, and if anyone can find a way, to do precisely that, it's them.

comment #29

christian says ...

"The Democrats are bursting apart along race, gender, and economic lines... The liberal media's not telling that story, but those are deep and divisive lines. We're coming together."

Nice spin, DH. Here's Rush on Hillary/Obama:

"They are not going to surrender the country to Islamic radicalism or the war in Iraq...They are not going to do that to themselves, despite what their base says."

"The idea that we've only got one person in this whole roster of candidates, either party, who is willing to take on the war on terror is frankly, absurd."

That's how much Limbaugh hates McCain. And there's a lot of conservatives who feel the same way. Bring it.

But Republicans do tend to fall in line like...well...like good soldiers or something.

comment #30

Dirty Harry says ...

McCain just knocked it out of the park at CPAC. A grand slam. Humble, inspiring, and a ton of standing ovations. He also stood his ground on where he differs with many of us.

We're coming together. You guys go squabble between blacks, whites, hispanics, men, women, rich, poor, over who will will lose the war and abandon the Iraqi people the fastest.

comment #31

JHRussell says ...

Huckabee speaks at the conservative conference tomorrow - he needs to pull out. Either way, he is of no real use to McCain, so no veep for Huck. McCain now has several months to figure out the veep strategy, but my gut tells me Thompson is a good possibility. No way Romney...unlikely Huck...who else is there?

comment #32

Alan Cerny says ...

Republicans coming together? How many bathroom stalls would that take to happen?

comment #33

Dirty Harry says ...

Have you seen the liberal media focussing on the one boo of McCain out for fifty standing ovations...?

Hmm...? Does McCain getting boo'd at a very conservative action committee help or hurt him with Independents...?

As Fierce Audacity and The Cackle aim their guns at eachother, our guy's training them on you.

Oh, it's a good day. There will be many, many bad days, but I'm taking them as they come.

comment #34

Josh Massey says ...

One thing for sure - it will absolutely not be a black man or a woman. Not because those mean ol' Repubs are racist, but that it makes no political sense when you've already lost those votes to the Democrats depending on their nominee. It will most assuredly be someone with, as I said before, a history of strong conservative credentials. And somebody from east of the Mississippi.

comment #35

Wrecktum says ...

Are you a GOP operative Dirty Harry? I've never seen talking points like this except on political blogs from professional party officials.

comment #36

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

My point about his dad is that there's no way to spin his age beyond what it really is: he'll be 72 in August and 73 the first year of his presidency. The man has had known health problems (cancer) in the past. He's an elderly man with questionable health who could potentially be thrist into the most high profile, stressful position in the world. This is something that should be discussed, not shooed aside with a "his mom's still alive" blow-off.

Fine, we're discussing it, and I think you're overstating the degree to which 73 is too old in his case. Now let's discuss what happens when you elect an American president whose husband is running around the world collecting money right and left from dictators and oligarchs.

comment #37

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

One thing for sure - it will absolutely not be a black man or a woman. Not because those mean ol' Repubs are racist, but that it makes no political sense when you've already lost those votes to the Democrats depending on their nominee. It will most assuredly be someone with, as I said before, a history of strong conservative credentials. And somebody from east of the Mississippi.

Bobby Jindal.

comment #38

BurmaShave says ...

The more I think about it the more I realize that Romney just killed Huckabee too. Beautiful.

comment #39

Dirty Harry says ...

Bobby Jindal. Excellent choice. Excellent conservative. The Dems tried to Uncle Tom him but he rebounded spectacularly.

Wrecktum: "Are you a GOP operative Dirty Harry? I've never seen talking points like this except on political blogs from professional party officials."

You flatterer you.

Hey, I just saw Hillary promise to abandon the Iraqi peopke in 60 days. Can I hear a 59 days from Fierce Audacity...? In 3... 2...

comment #40

christian says ...

"You guys go squabble between blacks, whites, hispanics, men, women, rich, poor, over who will will lose the war and abandon the Iraqi people the fastest. "

You're right. We'll just leave it up to you big PNAC brains in charge. Bang up job so far:

BAGHDAD — American forces said Sunday that they had accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and wounded three in a strike aimed at militants of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia south of Baghdad, acknowledging what appeared to be one of the deadliest cases of mistaken identity in recent weeks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html

I know DH, they would have been killed anyway by Saddam or old age. I'm sure the families will be grateful for your concern.

comment #41

Chicago48 says ...

He would be smart to ask SOS Candy Rice to be his VP, now that would really put him in the white house. It would trump Obama should he win the nom, and it would trump Hillary should she win the nom. It would be a brilliant move, but I don't think it will happen. For some reason McCain just doesn't seem like someone who gets along with women in power.

comment #42

christian says ...

You Repubs don't get it. Bush is toxic to your campaign. That's why McCain is ahead. But please, invoke him.

comment #43

Dirty Harry says ...

Yeah, Christian, lets move all our forces out. That will save Iraqi families. You focus on the tragedies, I'll focus on the big picture.

59 days to an Iraqi holocaust promised by Empty Suit in 3... 2...

Christian, seriously, hope all's well with you.

comment #44

christian says ...

I'm fine DH. Just sad for the world.

And McCain was boo'd by more than one person. You can actually watch it. But CPAC put out the word to unite:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0208/CPAC_to_all_CPACers_Dont_boo_McCain.html

comment #45

christian says ...

Don't go into Starbucks in Saudi Arabia if you're not married. Our allies in the struggle against Islamofascismnaziterror will take you down:

The men were from Saudi Arabia's Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, a police force of several thousand men charged with enforcing dress codes, sex segregation and the observance of prayers.

Yara, whose parents are Jordanian and grew up in Salt Lake City, once believed that life in Saudi Arabia was becoming more liberal. But on Monday the religious police took her mobile phone, pushed her into a cab and drove her to Malaz prison in Riyadh. She was interrogated, strip-searched and forced to sign and fingerprint a series of confessions pleading guilty to her "crime".

"They took me into a filthy bathroom, full of water and dirt. They made me take off my clothes and squat and they threw my clothes in this slush and made me put them back on," she said. Eventually she was taken before a judge.

comment #46

SmilingPolitely says ...

Muhahahah!!!

John McCain being booed at C-PAC!

Watch the video here:

McCain is booed

comment #47

SmilingPolitely says ...

The C-PAC people had to tell their audience not to boo McCain, and they did so anyway.

United my ass!

comment #48

Dirty Harry says ...

No one told CPAC to give standing ovations. And National Review is happy, so....

comment #49

York "Budd" Durden says ...

Rah, rah, DH. McCain cannot win the general, and if he did, he'd be a disgrace and a traitor to people like you once in office. Why aren't you a Ron Paul supporter?

comment #50

christian says ...

National Review threw their support to Romney.

Flip flop!