NYT: McCain to meet with Jindal, Crist, Romney about VP this weekend? Update: Purely social, says McCain camp; Update: Lieberman, Graham also attending
posted at 5:46 pm on May 21, 2008 by Allahpundit
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What, no Huck? I thought he topped the shortlist. Or is this the new, post-joke reality, after the classless people on the Internet raised such a ruckus?
Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on Friday is scheduled to meet with two Republican governors who have been prominently mentioned as potential running mates, according to Republicans familiar with Mr. McCain’s plan.
Charlie Crist, the governor of Florida, and Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, have both accepted invitations to meet with Mr. McCain at his home in Arizona, according to Republican familiars with the decision. One Republican said that Mitt Romney, a former rival of Mr. McCain for the presidential nomination — is also expected to visit him this weekend. Mr. Romney’s advisers declined to comment.
Tim Pawlenty’s evidently attending a wedding this weekend; it’s not clear if he was invited. We’ve had endless threads about the VP prospects of Jindal (more than one) and Romney (many, many, many more than one) and a few piecemeal takes on Crist. Follow those links for the arguments; if this is the full shortlist then Romney clearly has the advantage. Skim through this new Survey USA poll of California too as you mull, as they decided to test various McCain vs. Obama tickets — including McCain/Lieberman — against each other. Surprisingly, it’s McCain/Huckabee that does the best, with McCain/Romney a close second. Exit question: Does any of it matter? The juggernaut’s a-comin’!
Update: False alarm. Turns out Maverick just wants to spend Memorial Day weekend hanging out with friends, three of whom happen to be top VP contenders and one of whom is literally half his age and hails from an entirely different part of the country.
Update: Liebs and Grahamnesty will also be there, although they’re basically part of McCain’s entourage.
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I dont think Jindal has a chance because he’s conservative. I look for Maverick to pick a “moderate” Democrat. But I’m not good at political predictions.
abcurtis on May 22, 2008 at 8:15 AM
Mitt needs to convince people like me he’s really a conservative.
abcurtis on May 22, 2008 at 8:34 AM
I think you are closer than you think to that..
considering Maverick’s history.. ‘Getting things done’, ‘reaches across the isle’,.. He’s not going to stop now after how far his reputation has gotten him for being a moderate.. the VP slot will go to a moderate/middle of the road type person..
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Please, not Jindal - yet. Let the man finish cleaning up Louisiana first and he’ll make a helluva contender in 2012 or 2016! So with Crist or Graham, does this mean we’d have the first *cough!* er, happy Veep?
JohnAGJ on May 22, 2008 at 9:13 AM
You use your definition, I’ll use mine (for your edification)…flip flop, in the political arena, means; changing your stance, depending upon whom you are talking to, or to changing just get votes.
So, here is the list for Romney:
gun control
abortion
taxes
being a conservative
Need more?
right2bright on May 22, 2008 at 9:17 AM
McCain likes to take his political advice from media sharks. Given that, he’s doing like Simon Cowell with the final Idol contestants. Say harsh criticisms of the to-be winner while laying on the heavy compliments to the would-be loser, sort of giving the loser a gentle let down so far as not being totally rejected, saving face in defeat. Meanwhile, the to-be winner is first humbled with straight talk of what to expect to overcome on the long journey called a career before being declared the winner.
With that, Huck’s out and Mitt’s in. But this Memorial holiday is not picking the VP nearly so much as getting the posse together. Good for McCain–good for the GOP and all, Lieberman in tow.
In previous generations, the POTUS would often appoint the most capable man to his Cabinet, and sometimes that included a member from the other party.
maverick muse on May 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM
SouthernGent on May 21, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Barbeque (v.) at the barbeque (n.).
maverick muse on May 22, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Jindal is having problems at home with a last minute clause inserted into the ethics reform bill. It will be difficult at best to enforce. He is stonewalling the local (Baton Rouge & New Orleans media) when he was easily accessible in the past.
He has to get through this first to be credible on the national stage.
Kermit on May 22, 2008 at 9:39 AM
If that is true, then Romney has the lead. He is the one who also crossed over (how would he have survived in Mass?). He doesn’t have any real conservative credentials, and he is a negotiator by trade.
It gets down to one simple theory: What person can bring in the most “net” votes, from voters that McCain can’t reach.
right2bright on May 22, 2008 at 9:59 AM
I know, I worked with him when he was AG as an intern, I also know his sister, casually.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I think that if McCain chooses anyone that is there this weekend it would be Romney, that would be the most obvious choice if he wants to keep the base. On the other hand, it may be sort of as he says that he is just meeting with friends and that someone else would be the Veep. I think it may be someone that no one expects, but I do think it will be a governor. Marc Racicot, is that you phone ringing?
ConservativePartyNow on May 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I think McCain will have to visit here first before choosing a VP..
but that may be my extremist upbringing.. *grins*
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Graham would be the worst choice….he managed the Clinton impeachment. McCain will need angry Hillary supporters to vote for him, and Graham will drive them away.
funky chicken on May 22, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Mitt would win that.
This is where the Huckster would shine
Grahmnesty, definately.
Lieberman
A tie between Charlies “Girlfriend” and Jindals Wife.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 10:26 AM
That would Fred! then.
ConservativePartyNow on May 22, 2008 at 10:30 AM
There were alot of rumors about James Buchannan too
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Jerri is hella hot. During the primaries I secretly wanted him and Kucinich to win so Jeri could have a catfight with Elizabeth and I could watch.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
“Mr. Thompson’s time is now up”
(been dying to do a quote from that book :)
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM
You have solved nothing…we need solutions, answers, we need a VP.
I know, as a gesture of compassion, offer it to Ted Kennedy. McCain and him are friends, it would be like a “make a wish” campaign.
right2bright on May 22, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I think we need a unity VP too. Jindal would be nice but too young. Despite my differenced with Mittens, his class in defeat has won me over to him being on the ticket.
BTW, I think Liebs and Grahm are just there because they are attached to McCain’s hip.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Yes he has:
Indiana May 6th
Kentucky May 20th
I contend that if Romney hadn’t prematurely quit the race on February 7th, and “released” his delegates to McCain on February 14th, then Huckabee would have won Texas.
We all would have benefited from the competition of four candidates (Huckabee, McCain, Paul, and Romney) instead of just two (McCain and Paul).
People have already figured out that Fred was McCain’s stalking horse. Fred’s role was to be attractive to “True Conservatives”, but unattractive to anyone else (because he lacked “fire in his belly”). Fred got in late and left early. He wasn’t in it to win it, he was in it to isolate and neutralize the “Ultra-Right”, the “Agents of Intolerance”, so that they couldn’t prevent McCain from winning the nomination like they did in 2000. Fred failed to keep Huckabee from winning Iowa, but he succeeded in keeping Huckabee from winning South Carolina. Mission accomplished on January 19th, Fred withdrew three days later.
Giuliani was McCain’s stalking horse in Florida. Giuliani (and the Democrats participating in their own version of “Operation Chaos” on us) succeeded in keeping Romney from winning Florida. However, Thompson, Giuliani and the Democrats’ version of “Operation Chaos” all combined failed in their mission to keep Romney from winning Michigan.
I don’t believe that Romney was a stalking horse for McCain, but as soon as Romney thought he couldn’t win the nomination, he very intentionally tried to hand the nomination to McCain on a silver platter and pressure Huckabee to quit. After all, if Huckabee stayed in the race he would
And, therefore, if Huckabee stayed in the race in this time of war, he would
…At least according to Mitt Romney’s CPAC speech and his explanation for why he himself left the race.
Hillary’s 2008 game plan was for her to ensure John McCain won the Republican nomination and then defeat him soundly in November with the “dream ticket” of first woman President and first dark-skinned Vice-President.
Hillary expected Obama to obediently play the role that dark-skinned Americans have played for years…helping their light-skinned Democrat plantation owners win elections. Hillary didn’t expect the “slaves” to revolt and want to run the plantation.
Hillary may appear to be losing on the Democrat side (it ain’t over until she says it’s over), but she appears to be winning on the Republican side.
McCain’s two biggest obstacles to the Presidency were Huckabee and Romney. With the help of his stalking horses and Democrats in Florida, he appears to have neutralized those threats. But it ain’t over until we have an official (not “presumptive”) nominee. The Ron Paul supporters promise to make this a very interesting convention.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 12:08 PM
OMG I read that and spit coffee on my monitor! Do you know how hard it is to get cream off a LCD monitor?
Good Lord man, do I need to send you a autographed picture of Sarah? LOL j/k
Hey why do we need a “good looking wife”? Why not a good looking guy married to a good looking Woman, who could probably do better then the stuffy guys vying for the VP?
upinak on May 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM
WOULD YOU STOP! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY!
Huckabee is a wash out, and you my bible grasping bigoted friend, sound just like the nutroots who worship Ron Paul!
Good LORD, PLEASE get OVER IT!
upinak on May 22, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Ensure how?
JiangxiDad on May 22, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I should have also noted that for Giuliani, mission accomplished on January 29th, withdrew the next day.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Read my take on Hillary’s 2008 Presidential Game Plan.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
My main point is an analysis of McCain’s tactics in the Republican primary.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I think McCain likes Hillary so much that he wouldn’t really feel bad losing to her in November. I think he would feel good about helping the first woman to become President.
I don’t know how chummy McCain is with Obama. My guess is that since Hillary is McCain’s friend, McCain probably dislikes Obama for challenging Hillary for the Dem nomination.
Strange times indeed.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I think that was great. I hadn’t seen that thread. I have no idea why no one responded to those comments. Aside from a possible quibble here or there, I find it fascinating and entirely plausible. Great job–especially the stuff about the Dem crossovers getting two votes, thus requiring the Republicans to vote again. Holy cow!
Very very good job Red Pill.
I think you should submit that to Thomas Lifson at Americanthinker. com. I’ve sent stuff to him, sometimes it’s printed. It’s very timely and provocative. Please do. If he likes it, it will get much attention.
(btw, electoral politics is not my specialty, so my opinion may not be as valid as some others here.)
JiangxiDad on May 22, 2008 at 12:47 PM
No it is not. You are so damned inert when it comes to your “God” Huckalishious, that you chop off your nose to spite your face.
Huck is a tragic cause and a low blow to all that you raise him up to be. As most of the candidates who have dropped out, have usually been quiet and watch in the background, Huck chooses to make himself look like the jerk man of us see. He does it continuously!
Please just STOP! You are driving us, who don’t give to moose nuggets concerning him or his minions, to the point that we are all starting to agree… you are worse then the Paulians.
upinak on May 22, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I think Red Pill has it right about the republicans seeking the nod.. Romney won Michigan because he was about the only one who campaigned there, favorite son, and crossover vote (to some degree) and all in all, Mich is a conservative state if not counting that blue hell hole called Detroit.. and everyone else was going for Hillery or Undecided..(which got 30 some odd percent of the vote)
The only debate where Fred came alive and showed that he had a few hot embers in the belly, went after everyone BUT McCain ( ‘John McCain is my dear friend). In an election battle, why would you praise your enemy?
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 1:03 PM
I never imagined this stuff was so Machiavellian. I better wake up.
JiangxiDad on May 22, 2008 at 1:06 PM
3:2. I win $37.50 if McCain comes through.
connertown on May 22, 2008 at 1:11 PM
JiangxiDad, thank you very, very much for your kind words.
upinak, this is just for you…
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Ahh Red, you forget one thing. Most don’t care for Huck on HA. He is not very popular with the Union nor is he with a common voter, especially those whom are not of the religous sect… left or right.
Also this is the Land of the Free. Where I don’t have to have religon shoved down my throat. I had to as a child going to private Catholic school…. and I won’t have it done as an adult.
Maybe you don’t understand, or refuse to aknowledge it.
upinak on May 22, 2008 at 1:26 PM
it’s politics, it’s war.. but I repeat myself.. :)
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Now, that said, I don’t really trust McCain to pick Huckabee (an “Agent of Intolerance” in McCain’s eyes), unless he feels that he has to to win the election.
I don’t know the details of how it will come to pass (I’ve asked God for details, and He has only told me this so far) I just know that Mike Huckabee will be inaugurated on this day. I smile thinking about what that will do to people who suffer from BDS.
:-)
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 1:30 PM
upinak,
So? The voters of this country like him.
He is very popular with the common voter in both parties. That is why he went up against the Clinton Democratic machine in Arkansas four times and won each time.
Common voters like his sense of humor.
They like that he came from a very meager upbringing and rose to success as a leader (with the “consent of the people” in his church and in his state).
They like the idea of abolishing the IRS and instituting a Fair Tax.
They like the idea of securing the border by July 1, 2010.
They like the idea of a Human Life Amendment.
They like the idea of conservative, strict-constructionist judges and justices.
They like the idea of energy independence.
They like the idea of a Marriage Amendment.
They like the idea of a strong National Defense.
Etc., etc., etc..
Absolutely agree 100%. Mike Huckabee would honor the first amendment and not “shove religion down your throat”. Sure, he quotes a Bible scripture or two almost every time he gives a speech. You seem to think that he shouldn’t do that. I respectfully ask you to honor his 1st amendment right to do so.
…and therein lies the rub. You had a bad experience in your childhood, and you are projecting that on Mike Huckabee. Thank you for being honest about the source of what Allahpundit would call an “abiding antipathy for Huck”.
I do understand, and I am acknowledging it.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Please no Crist… That guy has made a mess of Florida.
Dems would surely win in Nov..
Fires1 on May 22, 2008 at 1:51 PM
upinak,
Was it “shoving religion down your throat” or “acknowledging the truth” when less than 70 years ago a U.S. President said:
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 1:59 PM
You are acting the troll. Stop!
upinak on May 22, 2008 at 2:05 PM
HAHAHAH, You are always a hoot, Red Pill.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 2:39 PM
If you really want to wake up, realize that theh Machiavellian candidates share this larger game plan. Pay particular attention to section 4.
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 2:58 PM
In fun:
In all seriousness,
Red Pill on May 22, 2008 at 3:10 PM
there you go..
DaveC on May 22, 2008 at 5:38 PM
So… any chance Thompson is interested in the Vice Presidency? And will get it offered to him by McCain? (I know, crazy thinking… two old guys on the ticket??) But at least some tacit understanding about Thompson playing an important role in a McCain administration?
RD on May 22, 2008 at 6:50 PM
We are in a mess because of that a**wipe Rubio using the legislature as his own personal playground. I know all the “real” conservatives cream their jeans over him, but he is the prime mover in this budget crisis.
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Rolls eyes
Squid Shark on May 22, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Uh oh.
Here it is Huck haters..Mike Huckabee declined his invition to Mccain’s party due to his 34th anniversary.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/05/22/politics/horserace/entry4119219.shtml
SaintOlaf on May 22, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Why Huckabee will never be the VP Pick:
- Huckabee immediately upon taking office signed a sales tax hike in 1996
- Huckabee raised taxes on cigarettes, cigars and tobacco in 1997
- Huckabee raised taxes on cigarette and tobacco permits in 1997
- Huckabee raised the sales tax again in 1999
- Huckabee raised taxes on gasoline in 1999
- Huckabee raised taxes on diesel in 1999
- Huckabee supported an internet sales tax in 2001
- Huckabee levied an excise tax on all retail sales of beer in 2001
- Huckabee created a bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001
- Huckabee increased the cost of driver’s licenses in 2001
- Huckabee publicly opposed the repeal of a sales tax on groceries and medicine in 2002
- Huckabee proposed another sales take hike in 2002
- Huckabee raised the sales tax again in 2003
- Huckabee imposed an income tax surcharge on individuals and corporations in 2003
- Huckabee raised taxes on cigarettes and tobacco in 2003
- Huckabee opposed a congressional measure to ban internet taxes in 2003
- Huckabee allowed a 17% sales tax increase to become law in 2004
- Huckabee increased taxes in the state by more than Bill Clinton did
- Huckabee increased state spending 65.3% from 1996 to 2004
- Huckabee increased the number of state government workers 20% during his tenure
- Overall, Huckabee’s substantial tax hikes far surpassed his modest tax cuts, with the average tax burden increasing by a whopping 47% over his tenure.
Poptech on May 22, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Huckabee supports the Fair Tax and so do I.
Red Pill on May 23, 2008 at 1:20 AM
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