Time mag rumor: McCain’s top three VP choices all deemed unacceptable
posted at 2:59 pm on June 23, 2008 by Allahpundit
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1. Former Governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania–McCain loves the guy, I’m told, and Ridge might bring Pa. into the Republican fold…but he’s pro-choice. Fuggedaboutit.
2. Former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida–Ahhh, Florida. But, oy, that last name.
3. Senator Mel Martinez of Florida—Ahh, Florida….and brings Latinos, too! But born in Cuba, so ineligible for the office.
Why not throw Zombie Reagan in there, since he’s roughly as likely as any of these three (well, the last two at least) to have ever been considered for the ticket? Jeb is almost literally the last guy in the Republican Party Maverick would want as VP when the Dems are already painting him as Dubya’s third term, and Martinez … do I really need to explain to the Hot Air readership how an all-amnesty ticket would be received by the base?
By “top three,” I assume what Joe Klein means is that these are the guys McCain personally prefers, all political considerations aside, but that’s obviously not true either given his fondness for Lindsey Graham and, as Klein himself notes in his update, Joe Lieberman. A wishlist of cronies surely starts with those two, not Jeb Bush. So what’s the point of this, unless its simply dirt being circulated by one of McCain’s enemies in the party to alarm conservatives (as if they needed any more alarming) that Maverick’s political instincts are not to be trusted?
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In what alternate universe are Tom Ridge, Jeb Bush, and Mel Martinez in McCain’s top 3?
amerpundit on June 23, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Um, yeah. You have this scoped out right, AP. I’m pretty sure that McCain knows that Martinez is ineligible, which wouldn’t make him a member of the top 1000, let alone the top 3. No way he’s dumb enough to put a Bush at the top of the list either, unless he wants to win Florida and lose the other 49 states.
Ed Morrissey on June 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Well, being that we have heard all kinds of people for the Veep of Mccain… I am not holding my breath on what the Left has Cooking concerning what they think.
because they don’t think!
upinak on June 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Ours, unfortunately.
Makes you wonder what the real universe is like…
Darksean on June 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
I find this hard to believe. Jeb would not be considered at this juncture. No way. All three are too convenient to the “McSame” narrative… even McCain isn’t that out of touch.
DaveS on June 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Amerpundit, look where this is coming from. Time – they live in their own universe.
Torch on June 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
makes you wonder where the Space/Time cont. was lost? But I don’t think I want it found.
upinak on June 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Doubtful. No Lindsey Graham, his arguably top friend in the Senate? No Joe Lieberman?
amerpundit on June 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Priceless.
Vizzini on June 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
There’s no question that Lieberman and Graham would be the top two.
And I still need convincing that Lieberman would actually be a bad idea.
Nessuno on June 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
If you want to know how a McCain led administration would govern the country, look no further than how he is choosing his VP.
rockhauler on June 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Someone is trying to get a “McCain is senile and his staff dangerously clueless” meme started.
albo on June 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Why not throw Zombie Reagan in there
Why not indeed? I wrote in Zombie Reagan for the PA primary, and if McCain doesn’t get his act together and make some concessions to conservatives for once in his life, I’ll do it again in November.
Zombie Reagan ‘08!
doubleplusundead on June 23, 2008 at 3:12 PM
I think these three might have been choices, but I have heard a lot of others mentioned too. Such as Palin, Jindal, Romney, Huckabee, Pawlenty…just to mention a few.
Terrye on June 23, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Has Rudy Giuliani taken over as McCain campaign strategist?
Zetterson on June 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
I’d vote for Zombie Reagan! LOL.
simon on June 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Could Fred end up there by default ? Cheney was in the selection process and ended up as VP selection that way.
William Amos on June 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
double:
It seems to me that McCain has made some concessions to conservatives, but then nothing is ever going to be enough anyway. I think there are some people on the right who kind of like the idea of Obama winning. Think of all the wonderful bitching and moaning they can do. Especially the talk radio guys. I bet they are salivating at the thought of all that material.
Terrye on June 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
They left of Arnie…..how could they overlook Arnie!
Limerick on June 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
upinak on June 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I agree, let it be lost forever!
Torch on June 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
So, what is the earliest you think McCain would/should announce his veep pick?
pseudonominus on June 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
If it is a woman….Yesterday.
If it isn’t, doesn’t matter.
Limerick on June 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Most VP selections happen at the convention to keep suspence going during it.
William Amos on June 23, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Let the convention delegates nominate the VP at the convention.
Akzed on June 23, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Tom Ridge stated clearly on Fox Sunday Morning News yesterday that McCain’s VP, whomever that will be, is obligated within McCain’s presidency to support McCain’s platform. Geez, if we could get McCain to stand on the platform that Fred Thompson took the considerable time/effort/beating to hammer out for the GOP, and get Ridge on board as VP, THAT WOULD WORK!
maverick muse on June 23, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Come on….this was a piece by and for lefties.
Ridge: Bushitler Appointee
Bush: Bushitler Jr.
Martinez: Slap at the immigration crowd.
It is all about taking pot shots.
Limerick on June 23, 2008 at 3:23 PM
He might as well have thrown in Barbara Streisand or Rosie O’ for “likely” picks.
Klein is a joke.
hillbillyjim on June 23, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Stop daydreaming about Palin!
upinak on June 23, 2008 at 3:25 PM
This is garbage.
stenwin77 on June 23, 2008 at 3:26 PM
What about Feingold? Or Kennedy?
misterpeasea on June 23, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Klein is an idiot.
Jeb Bush and Mel Martinez, he MUST be on crack or inhaling Chris Matthews vapours.
omnipotent on June 23, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Nessuno on June 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
The ass tax:
everytime you sit down
every second you spend seated or reclined
everything in your wallet
the skin on your backside
pay up front for services denied
No thanks.
maverick muse on June 23, 2008 at 3:27 PM
why can a Senator be born in Cuba but a President can not?
does this mean Arnold could try for Senator down the road?
jp on June 23, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Ha. =)
Seriously though… worst. list. ever.
Dash on June 23, 2008 at 3:30 PM
In 4 years maybe Jeb Bush can run for Senator from Florida also, win the seat that we should’ve won in 2006 had we run something decent.
jp on June 23, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Ridge is a little stodgy, but he’s a possibility.
And he does not hold office right now. The way things are going, I don’t want McCain to pick a sitting incumbent Governor or Senator. Don’t want to lose any more special elections for a vacated seat.
forest on June 23, 2008 at 3:33 PM
One thing the left is quite good at is creating reality–or at least their view of it–by writing pieces like this. We allow them to define who we are this way at our peril.
Bob's Kid on June 23, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Please list these elusive concessions, and the actions that prove he is serious.
dominigan on June 23, 2008 at 3:36 PM
McCainobubblemania!
spmat on June 23, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I do not consider Time magazine a credible news source.
Nahanni on June 23, 2008 at 3:40 PM
drilling for Oil domestically.
naming Fred Thompson as his Judge vetter
picking up Economic certain econ advisors….
politics is a strategy game
jp on June 23, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Those promoting Romney VP for his management and economic accomplishments should give Ridge a second look as his credentials also include management, international economics, high tech, national security, internet-open government experience. Also, he doesn’t pussy foot during interviews. I liked watching the way he shook up bobama’s boy yesterday and didn’t let Chris Wallace off the hook for appeasing the ubertard brownnosing. He’s nobody’s fool it would appear.
maverick muse on June 23, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Thank the Lord for little favors.
Entelechy on June 23, 2008 at 3:45 PM
1. Harriet Miers
2. Paulie Shore
3. PeeWee Herman
whitetop on June 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Give me Zombie Reagan. Or maybe just undercover photographer zombie over any of them.
I wouldn’t trust that ferret-faced freak Joe Klein anyway.
JammieWearingFool on June 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM
It’s going to be a lady. Lim, smile. Yer lady will still let you live :)
Entelechy on June 23, 2008 at 3:48 PM
I think his short list is going to have names like Ridge (might have gotten that one right), Guiliani, Thompson, Palin, Pawlenty, and very remotely Jindal.
Sekhmet on June 23, 2008 at 3:48 PM
McCain is smart enough to know that Martinez isn’t eligible, but Time magazine isn’t. Tells you all you need to know about the source of this “intelligence”.
drunyan8315 on June 23, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Sekhmet, no way Thompson. Old and old…
Entelechy on June 23, 2008 at 3:50 PM
“Ridge might bring Pa. into the Republican fold”
Don’t expect Ridge to pull Pa to McCain’s side. He’s not that popular here.
matthewbit07 on June 23, 2008 at 3:50 PM
When Ridge resigned from Homeland Security, it seemed to show his choice to not get petrified in one place, particularly in THAT place. Smart move probably, though of course we’ll never know all the rationale. Nonetheless, some people, when given power, NEVER relinquish but grasp to it through their dying breath.
maverick muse on June 23, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Good posse for the presidency having cabinet positions to fill.
maverick muse on June 23, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Hey John! How about this. Throw all potential names into a hat and let the convention choose!!!!!!!! Now THAT WOULD BE FUN TO WATCH!!!!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 23, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Sarah Palin’s looking hotter by the minute.
CurtZHP on June 23, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Tom Ridge is okay, as McCain is pro-life.
Another good choice is, has been and always will be Pamela Geller of AtlasShrugs.com.
HotAirJosef on June 23, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Who gives a spit what a VP thinks on abortion? By the way after having Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II – I still notice that abortion is legal in America.
Hilts on June 23, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Graham!
1. He shares basic world-view of McCain
2. He has appeal to Reagan “moderates”.
3. He has none of Lieberman’s baggage.
Lieberman!
1. (see 1. above)
2. (see 2. above)
3. A viable 3rd Trimester ban on abortion would be enough for Lieberman to win support from the right.
Randy
williars on June 23, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Typical Times Crap
Griz on June 23, 2008 at 4:19 PM
simple answer for this, we are ruled by the SCOTUS more than any other branch and their power was setup by the founders after John Marshall’s power play in Marbury vs. Madison.
a President is not a dictator and has limited power, when choosing judges he has to pick judges that can get through the Senate, Bush was fortunate to have a Repub. Senate. We need a near filibuster proof portion of congress to be strongly Pro-Life to ever get anywhere, that or a dictator to become the law(God help us), and thus trump the courts.
jp on June 23, 2008 at 4:25 PM
MM for veep!
hillbillyjim on June 23, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Michelle Malkin, for God’s sake. Not Mel Martinez.
hillbillyjim on June 23, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Fred Thompson? :-P
ThePrez on June 23, 2008 at 4:27 PM
The article might as well have mentioned that McCain’s top three are the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy. I might have believed it then.
Then again, I’m sure the actual VP choice will come outta left field… ’cause that’s what Mavericks do.
Anna on June 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
It seems pitiful to me that we’re debating whether the Republican nominee has made “concessions” to conservatives.
Wouldn’t “drilling oil domestically” be a concession to common sense?
“Fred as his judge vetter” – it doesn’t matter if he gets Zombie Reagan as his judge vetter, he’s not going to get to replace Ginsberg or Stevens with a conservative in a Dem-dominated Senate.
“picking up Economic certain econ advisors….” Who? When? Before or after he attacked private industry, “obscene profits,” speculators, and Romney for running a business while he was nobly sucking the gummint tit?
These are concessions? I didn’t know he was THAT liberal.
misterpeasea on June 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Birds of a feather, flock together.
McCain-Ridge. That’ll probably win Florida.
Vote for us – we might live out our term!
BigD on June 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
This is pretty much what you deserve for bottom feeding the gossip from a bunch of witless liberals at Time. Why not just ask Soros what he thinks?
Jaibones on June 23, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I think Time reporters just write their articles while sitting on the john. Almost nothing they write lately resembles news or facts. Henry Luce must be turning over in his grave.
rockmom on June 23, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Although, on second thought, this might be a really hilarious setup by the McCain camp – give a “leak” to Time with names you know will make conservatives howl, then embarrass Time and mollify the right by picking a conservative.
Strategery!
rockmom on June 23, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Let me see, in the last week HA has appeared to give credibility to the washington post and new york times, el baradei and now joe klein. Instead of assuming “being circulated by one of McCain’s enemies in the party to alarm conservatives”, how about, another wild lie by a hardcore leftist who calls himself a journalist.
peacenprosperity on June 23, 2008 at 5:19 PM
hillbillyjim on June 23, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Good too!
HotAirJosef on June 23, 2008 at 5:22 PM
I was going to ask the same thing then I saw this pitiful offering:
Pitiful. Pathetic. If that meager list is what counts as McCain’s “concessions” to his own party, then his campaign is well and truly screwed.
Redhead Infidel on June 23, 2008 at 5:23 PM
pfft.. I’m amazed anyone even considers for actual thought what Klein & the Time team writes, this is not the Time Magazine it once was, it’s more like a facebook group for Liberals.
for instance that guy Tony Karon a big shot at time, does the absolute worst analysis of the mideast I have EVER seen, I think my cat who often jumps at the window even when it closed, has a deeper understanding of world events than he does. Everything out of Time is filtered with the light bending lens of Liberal Utopia.
saus on June 23, 2008 at 5:24 PM
They’re not that smart. And McCain wouldn’t want to embarrass Time anyway – he’s all about media pandering, remember?
Besides, who would McCain pick? He is hardly friendly with conservatives – they must cramp his mavericky-ness or something. He’s more likely to be found telling them to f^@k off. So he’s got no one to choose from.
Redhead Infidel on June 23, 2008 at 5:27 PM
J.C. Watts
hashman on June 23, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Is this same Time magazine that accused our soldiers of flushing a stupid Koran down the toilet. Or was it Newsweek? Is there a difference?
SouthernGent on June 23, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Other than Ridge, McCain was probably not even considering the other two. But Time magazine doesn’t want McCain to win, which is why they’re picking losers for him.
Pawlenty or Romney (in order to win Michigan) are more likely choices, although McCain could give a good surprise by picking Sarah Palin or Michael Steele (especially against Obama). What do the commenters here think of John Kasich (fairly young, well-spoken, experienced Congressman, Ohio)?
Still, McCain would probably do better by continuing the vetting procedure and waiting until Obama announces his running mate, in order to better assess the Dem strategy before giving away his own. Besides, people aren’t paying attention yet.
Steve Z on June 23, 2008 at 6:16 PM
That’s pretty darn remote, given that a recall effort against Jindal has started. Louisiana politics are in a major uproar right now with recall efforts for a whole boatload of officials. Jindal is taking some very well deserved heat.
Laura on June 23, 2008 at 6:51 PM
The only bright spot in that list is the illegal one. I would pay somoneone to take Martinez out of Florida. “They” say that most people dislike Congress but think their own folks are okay….please. You would have hunt far and wide for two bigger horse’s potoots then the Florida senators. They have been whining all weekend that we can’t drill off the Florida cost because of tourism. If tourist can’t afford the gas to get here what difference does it make. They are dumber than a box of rocks. Mica is one of the only bright spots. I sent him an “atta boy” because he only asked for $157K in earmarks. Still too much but better than the others. Sorry for venting.
Cindy Munford on June 23, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I worry that Tom Ridge will be the choice. I don’t know what kind of governor he was, but as Secretary of Homeland Security he came across as an ineffective and limp-wristed minor bureaucrat.
Personally, I’d like to see Zell Miller on the ticket, but that’s just fantasizing.
Fred Thompson won’t make it, as (a) he doesn’t want it and (b) he looks old and tired; you don’t want two old guys on the ticket.
The logical choice is Mitt Romney: he would help keep the conservatives in tow, and might even deliver Michigan.
McCain-Romney: Patriotism, Competence, Experience–Bold New Leadership for The American Century!
MrLynn on June 23, 2008 at 7:31 PM
McCain’s real “top three” (Graham, Crist, etc.) are also never getting on the ticket, because they add too little (contrast, region), where he needs it, to help finesse a win.
Romney, Sarah Palin, etc. are the realistic picks.
McCain has a wealth of riches to draw on.
Obama, meanwhile, is unhappily juggling a pair of Hobson’s Choices: choose his Nemesis- the White Michelle, or pander more shamelessly than has been done since the time of LBJ.
(Camp Barry Pimping for a Popular Honkie, et al-.)
Barack H. is a skinny Lyndon B.
With the right tone for the moment.
And utility …for power-sucking cynics behind the scenes.
He wears it with the ease of a new Warren G. Harding.
The World’s Most Charmed Empty Suit.
(Good title for a fairy tale.)
profitsbeard on June 23, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Why do people keep saying that Romney can bring Michigan electoral votes to the race if he is VP? His dad was governor here 40+ years ago. Then they moved away and no one under the age of 50 can remember the Romney family here as “home town boys and girls”. I think Romney is better known for saving the Olympics to people here in MI, than being the son of a governor from the 60’s. I think an exciting VP could put Michigan in play, but it is going to have to be a humdinger of a pick to overcome the Detroit, Wayne County solid Dem voting block. I DO think this state is more in play than the Democrats think, but McCain has to pick his VP wisely to win the state.
karenhasfreedom on June 23, 2008 at 7:36 PM
I’ll be disappointed if McCain doesn’t suck it up and pick Romney. I won’t be worried if he’s the one who is a heartbeat from the Presidency. I’m not impressed enough with the other prospects.
Greenhorn on June 23, 2008 at 8:21 PM
I’m with hashman on June 23, 2008 at 5:47 PM.
JC Watts could be an outstanding VP candidate.
Randy
williars on June 23, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Mitt did well among Republicans in the MIchigan primary. It would be an uphill battle, for sure, but IF the blue-collar Democrats get turned off by the elitist Obambi, which is not unlikely, THEN a McCain-Romney ticket could put that state in the Republican column.
MrLynn on June 23, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I’m not sure how it’s a good thing if McCain picked someone like JC Watts or Sarah Palin. It reminds me of Jack Kemp; when he was in the Senate, I always thought he came across as a fairly solid conservative. I thought he would be a good bulldog Veep when Dole tapped him. But it never materialized; he came across so bland; it’s like Dole muzzled him or something. Now I’d say McCain is a lot more hostile to the Conservative part of the base than Dole was; if Dole wouldn’t let Kemp off the chain, what do you think McCain is going to do with Palin? He’s not going to tolerate a ‘maverick’ in his administration. Are you going to have any respect for Palin if she starts spouting McCain positions on global warming and amnesty? How does it do anything for conservatives for one of our rising stars to fall into McCains shadow? I think Palin is awesome, and I’ve always liked JC Watts, but I think either one of them as McCain’s Veep is a terrible idea. Let him drag Brownoser Gramhnesty down with him, or Huckaphony.
austinnelly on June 24, 2008 at 2:09 AM
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