Politico: McCain to name VP on August 29; Update: McCain leaning pro-choice?
posted at 8:50 pm on August 18, 2008 by Allahpundit
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In Ohio, on his birthday, as expected. Sounds like Ridge and Liebs are out and Mitt and Pawlenty are in:
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans to celebrate his 72nd birthday on Aug. 29 by naming his running mate at a huge rally in the battleground state of Ohio, Republican sources said…
The campaign has begun building a crowd of 10,000 for Dayton, Ohio, according to an organizer. McCain is scheduled to appear with his running mate at a large-scale event in Pennsylvania shortly thereafter.
Senior Republicans are in the dark about who he’ll name, although they say former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty are prime contenders after a trial balloon by McCain gave him very negative feedback about the idea of picking an abortion-rights running mate such as Tom Ridge, the former governor of Pennsylvania and the first secretary of homeland security…
McCain friends emphasized that he talks about the decision with almost no one, and could even change the announcement plans and go sooner.
As noted earlier, the timing is designed to knock Obama’s acceptance speech the night before off the front page, just like this leak to Politico is designed to at least dilute the buzz the NYT piece on Barry O’s VP pick is getting. Time to show your cards again. I say it’s Pawlenty. Predictions?
Update: For what it’s worth, a little birdie tells me Pawlenty might be otherwise engaged that day. Although schedules can, of course, can be changed last-minute to accommodate being named to a national ticket.
Update: Uh oh.
NR has learned that the McCain campaign has been calling key state GOP officials around the country the last couple of days and sounding them out about the consequences of a pro-choice VP pick. The campaign is asking about the reaction of conservative grass-roots activists to such a pick and whether a pro-choicer can be sold to them. This is an indication that the McCain campaign is serious about the possibility of a pro-choice VP nominee and that McCain leaving the door open to Tom Ridge last week may not have been merely a friendly nod to a longtime supporter.
If it’s Ridge, though, why not have the big announcement rally in Pennsylvania and then go to Ohio?
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After Saturday night’s performance, I’m less concerned about him needing to pick a VP that will be a gamechanger. I’ll go out on a limb and say Mark Sanford
Dudley Smith on August 18, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Freddie Dalton Thompson!
alphie on August 18, 2008 at 8:54 PM
In my backyard even. I have worked at the nutter center and should get a front row seat
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Mark Sanford would be excellent. And Sanford would energize conservatives, too.
Right_of_Attila on August 18, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Pawlenty seems the most logical, but it’s entirely possible Ohio is just a backdrop for the idea that McCain will do well in swing States.
But dammit, I really, really want Palin.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 8:55 PM
Richard Krunk. Hands down.
mylegsareswollen on August 18, 2008 at 8:56 PM
TPAW
Ali-Bubba on August 18, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Bolton!
infidel on August 18, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Mitt Romney
NaCly dog on August 18, 2008 at 8:57 PM
If it is between Romney and Pawlenty, I think Pawlenty. He is a personal friend and someone McCain is comfortable with.
Pawlenty also represents the working-class vote, which is helpful in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
jencab on August 18, 2008 at 8:57 PM
But dammit, I really, really want Palin. – Damian
That’s who I was predicting. She would scrape off enough of the PUMAs to bring it home.
Tony737 on August 18, 2008 at 8:58 PM
It’s got to be Pawlenty, as disappointing as that might be. It is better than Ridge, Romney, or Liebs though. Guess we’re pretty confident it isn’t Palin at this point?
TheNolan on August 18, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Michael Steele just for the race thing.
mred on August 18, 2008 at 8:58 PM
McCain still has to convince the electorate that whomever is VP is fully capable of the job should something befall a 72-year-old man in a highly stressful job. For that reason alone, I think many of the names out there are insufficent. I still think McCain will have to overcome his huge grudge and name Romney because Pawlenty is an unknown with no national experience. Romney is at least known, has the possibility of picking off both MI and MA from the blue column, can raise money, and was generally the conservatives pick after the dust settled.
highhopes on August 18, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Thank God it is not in Arkansas.
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Pawlenty did handle himself well in this debate with Bayh
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Welcome to the Republican Party.
We do not believe in affirmative action.
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Optimus Prime. Or maybe Pawlenty.
brak on August 18, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Chris Cox and Rob Portman are still in the running
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Isn’t it past your bedtime?
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:01 PM
I don’t think this says anything about Romney, Pawlenty, Ridge, or anyone else. Don’t read too much into the geography, either – he’s doing it in Ohio because it’s a battleground and he wants the local media covering him, not because the choice is from that state. It seems to me that McCain’s going to pick his favorite, and that there are a number of “advisers” trying to influence his choice through the media. I think Allah’s right, and that the safe bet is Pawlenty, mostly since I’d be surprised if Mitt “Negative Bounce” Romney is it.
Big S on August 18, 2008 at 9:02 PM
PUMAs? I was thinking Cougar, but since she’s younger than McCain and I’m her age the term wouldn’t apply in my universe.
peski on August 18, 2008 at 9:03 PM
My guesses?
Pawlenty for McCain and Biden for Obama.
Slublog on August 18, 2008 at 9:03 PM
you mean the same republican party that opposed the michigan civil rights initiative of ward connerly?
right4life on August 18, 2008 at 9:04 PM
McCain/Fred! would be the oldest ticket in the history of tickets.
peski on August 18, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Big S on August 18, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Agreed.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:04 PM
………….. Romney.
Seven Percent Solution on August 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Who knows? I think that Palin is a possibility, but both she and Jindal are kind of short on experience.
Terrye on August 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Heh. McCain/Dole
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Steele then entered the Georgetown University Law Center and in 1991, he received his Juris Doctor degree. He worked as a corporate securities associate attorney at the Washington, D.C. office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. From 1991 to 1997, Steele specialized in financial investments for Wall Street underwriters, working at Cleary’s Tokyo, Japan office focusing on major product liability litigation and at its London office on corporate matters. Steele left the law firm and founded the Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm.
After joining the Republican Party, Steele became chairman of the Prince George’s County Republican Central Committee. In 1995, the Maryland Republican Party selected him as Maryland State Republican Man of the Year. He worked on several political campaigns, was an Alternate Delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego and a Delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia that ultimately chose the George W. Bush ticket.
In December 2000, Steele was elected chairman of the Maryland Republican Party,[3] becoming the first African American ever to be elected chairman of any state Republican Party.
Affirmative Action my ass. Steele has experience unlike O!
mred on August 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Anyone think McCains strong performance at Saddleback makes him feel confident to pick Romney?
ThePrez on August 18, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Yup.
That was not the idealogy of the members of the Party as a whole. Just one of the stupid things that happened in the misguided attempt to be a Compassionate Conservative. You should remember the dissatisfaction among the ranks with that move.
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Evangelical leaders have told McCain they dont want Romney
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Terrye on August 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
I still have some hope. If McCain has already made up his mind, we should try to change it.
Sorry, I had to.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Palin, please. Not two white guys.
Dingbat63 on August 18, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Wow! A crowd of 10,000!!
crr6 on August 18, 2008 at 9:09 PM
ThePrez on August 18, 2008 at 9:07 PM
No, just the opposite. Romney didn’t suddenly get more acceptable Saturday night; McCain got a lot less unacceptable. For McCain to pick Romney now would be seen as a bigger let-down than ever.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:10 PM
He has far more executive experience than Obama. Steele would be an awesome pick.
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
There are thousands of people with such a resume and that does not make them good VP material either.
Michael Steele is part of a movement to liberalize the Republican party and I am against this party moving any further leftward.
But picking Steele over the more qualified people in the running would indeed be an act of bigotry and racial preference.
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
I agree with Alphie, I’m gonna go hang myself now…………
J/K, I wish McCain would pick ol’ cornpone.
I guess Jindal.
omnipotent on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Though I’d prefer Mitt, I think Pawlenty is the more likely choice. But don’t rule out Saakashvili, I think that guy will be out of a job soon. Also, he won’t need to go on a fact finding mission to Georgia, thus stealing Obama’s thunder with Biden.
Weight of Glory on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Do you know what he stands for?
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
It’s Romney or Ridge with Lindsey Graham as the doubtful longshot.
roninacreage on August 18, 2008 at 9:13 PM
I don`t ever remember any stories of Steele being vetted. Too bad though.
ThePrez on August 18, 2008 at 9:13 PM
I want him to pick Romney because I want to win this contest.
terryannonline on August 18, 2008 at 9:14 PM
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Dude, what are you smoking? Steele compared embryonic stem-cell research to Nazi experimentation (and we happen to agree). Ironically, the only issue I know of on which he is liberal is affirmative action.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Just for the awesome ticket name. McCain/Steele!
ThePrez on August 18, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Why would a hero like McCain pick a moonshiner chasin’, terrorist enablin’, campaign cash funnelin’, Spencer Abraham open boarders agenda supportin’, Nixon molein’, pro-choice federalist like Fred? To make him look like the more vital one on the ticket? Just tell him to go back to riding around in his golf cart and wearing Gucci loafers. He can run for public office when he is willing to be seen wearing funny hats!
tommylotto on August 18, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Bobby Jindal is out as a VP candidate
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:16 PM
I see Bayh has no shame in slinging bs. He and Barack would make a good match.
aikidoka on August 18, 2008 at 9:16 PM
For all you people pushing Steele, check out his venture with the Conservative Giants (NOT), Christie Todd-Whitman, John Danforth, Tom Ridge and good ole John McCain.
http://www.republican-leadership.com/aboutus
Gay marriage and abortion on deman is a-ok with these folks as they try to expand the party by neutralizing the Conservative Base.
EJDolbow on August 18, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Yes it is called discrimination. We do it all the time. It has nothing to do with “an act of bigotry and racial preference.” It has to do with winning in the time and political atmosphere we live in. You got a Black Messiah we got a Black Entrepreneur. Marketing dude.
mred on August 18, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Fantasy land
McCain – Pres
Palin – VP
FRED – AG
Bolton – Sec State
Petraeus – Sec Def
Romney – Sec of Commerce
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Harry Reid, so McCain can lock him up in Cheneys un-disclosed location.
ThePrez on August 18, 2008 at 9:19 PM
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:16 PM
THANK YOU. Maybe now the ‘tard media will stop mentioning him seriously.
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Love you.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:21 PM
“Fiscal responsibility and personal freedom” I be neutralized.
mred on August 18, 2008 at 9:22 PM
It has simply been too long.
Weight of Glory on August 18, 2008 at 9:23 PM
God I wish that would be!
jencab on August 18, 2008 at 9:24 PM
When you get outside the world of political junkies, how many people know who Palin is?
And isn’t she going through some kind of investigation for firing someone or something? I doubt it will come to anything, but investigations during campaigns are not usually a good idea. It might make her riskier.
I dunno.
Terrye on August 18, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Terrye on August 18, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Yeah. She’s being very open about the whole thing, and anyone with any knowledge of the matter knows it’s completely unfair and politically-driven.
But since when have facts mattered to the MSM?
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I think Romney has been great in his last appearances on TV in favor of McCain. On the other hand, my girlfriend’s keen sense of observation says Romney is the worst possible choice when considering November.
Baphomet on August 18, 2008 at 9:29 PM
She would be riskier, since about 95% of Americans would come to know her for the first time as “that Governor who’s under investigation for abuse of power.” If people here think the Obama campaign wouldn’t try (successfully, I think) to link this in voters’ minds to Bush administration scandals like the Plame affair and the US Attorney scandal, they’re dreaming.
Big S on August 18, 2008 at 9:30 PM
MB4 on August 18, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Mitt. Gives him Michigan and some econ cred. Plus Mitt is an attack-dog who will spend two months chewing BO like a particularly tasty bone, leaving Mac to take the high road. And none of Barry’s prospects are up to Mitt’s level. Barry got stuck with the JV team for VP choices: a pompous windbag (Biden), a charisma-free also-ran (Bayh) a nobody governor with low ratings (Kaine).
McCain/Romney 2008!
Vote Sauron 08 on August 18, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Big S on August 18, 2008 at 9:30 PM
I never thought of it in those terms. Sadly, an excellent point.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Are his stances dramatically different than they were in 2000? Because otherwise he’d be a lot better than many of the RINOs McCain has been floating.
If he’s been teaching “Truth to Power” at Evergreen State University and wearing Che T-shirts, give me a call.
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I like Pawlenty. Youngish, energetic, a good speaker and advocate of convervatism and from a battlegroundish state.
BadgerHawk on August 18, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Let’s have some red meat: Cheney or Gingrich!
cool breeze on August 18, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Sounds like a formula for John Kasich. Or has he been ruled out already?
forest on August 18, 2008 at 9:42 PM
That would be so very nice. But I don’t think she’s been vetted. Even if a McCain attempt fails, I’d love to see her get more national exposure. A VP run and debate performance might be good? I’m hoping. In any event, if she is as bright as some say she is, then it would be good to see her participate in the primaries some time soon.
wise_man on August 18, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Eric Cantor.
He’s young, conservative, southern, and experienced.
He also happens to be Jewish(as am I).
annoyinglittletwerp on August 18, 2008 at 9:46 PM
wise_man on August 18, 2008 at 9:43 PM
She’s said she hasn’t been vetted – something none of the other VP contenders will admit.
But she has submitting papers to the national Party…
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Eric Cantor!
It's Vintage, Duh on August 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
I think its contingent upon Obama’s pick.
If Obama doesn’t pick a woman, then Pallin shoots up the list.
If Obama does pick a woman, I think you’ll see a surprise pick by McCain. Possibly the re-emergence of Jindal’s name, Haley Barbour, John Thune, or Michael Steele.
Personally, I’d ask Clarence Thomas to ditch the Supreme Court and run after Obama trashed him on experience the other day.
eski502 on August 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:46 PM
submitted*
annoyinglittletwerp on August 18, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Mazel tov!
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:48 PM
eski502 on August 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
You should read this: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZDg5NjI0NzE1OTc2ZDllMDU5NDg5OTdmNjQ3ODQ2NDE=
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Quite possibly. Another good consideration.
wise_man on August 18, 2008 at 9:50 PM
You want red meat – here’s the reddest red meat. Two words: Antonin Scalia!
Vote Sauron 08 on August 18, 2008 at 9:50 PM
I hope it’s not Pawlenty- his speaking style is underwhelming and I doubt he puts Minnesota in play.
Romney is nails on economics and can put Michigan in play.
Evangelicals will not vote for Obama because of his extreme leftist social beliefs- they will warm to Romney enough to keep the South republican.
jjshaka on August 18, 2008 at 9:51 PM
MITT to capture MITT-CHIGAN (and Nevada, and Colorado, and New Hampshire!)
ParisParamus on August 18, 2008 at 9:53 PM
I don’t give any creedence to the slew of speculation-mania…something new every other day.
McCain will announce Crist as his veep choice at the convention…:-P
JetBoy on August 18, 2008 at 9:53 PM
jjshaka on August 18, 2008 at 9:51 PM
We can’t risk that for a State like Virginia, where there are lots of evangelicals in the south but lots of blacks and northern urban liberals.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Very good suggestion. And I am glad that Obama will be first. I think that your idea has a lot of merit.
AND – I love the idea of Thomas. I really, like that. I’m not sure it’s a very good idea, him not having much/any politics in his background, but a boat load of judicial qualifications, obviously. And, it would so piss off the democrats. I remember listening to the confirmation hearings on the radio as they were happening. I loved it when he was confirmed. Something like this would only have plusses – BUT – he and McCain would HAVE TO win. Otherwise, you’ve got Obama and the democrats filling his chair with someone like William Ayers. Just kidding.
Not really.
wise_man on August 18, 2008 at 9:54 PM
JetBoy on August 18, 2008 at 9:53 PM
McCain doesn’t care about orange people.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:54 PM
At this point, I am so burned-out over the Veepstakes that I just want it to be over already.
GO MITT!
ParisParamus on August 18, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Ok, fine………..Pawlenty then.
But only if he brings the mullet back!!
omnipotent on August 18, 2008 at 9:56 PM
HAH
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:56 PM
William Amos on August 18, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Yep, and pro-abortion Tom Ridge breaks even in his home State.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 9:58 PM
please please please ROMNEY
eucher on August 18, 2008 at 10:02 PM
no no no no Romney.
The Scalia mention is nice. Talk about an attack dog.
eski502 on August 18, 2008 at 10:03 PM
ROMNEY for the gold!
hanzblinx on August 18, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Obama is not going to win Virginia. Period. End of story. The Commonwealth may have elected Doug Wilder governor but doesn’t vote for Donks for President. Fact is, there are still large numbers of conservative Dems in VA who don’t mind voting for their party in a statewide race but mistrust lefty Presidential candidates. They are not going to vote for Obama. Virginia will not go blue, no matter what my fellow Moran-lovin’ Northern Virginians have to say about it.
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 10:06 PM
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I’m inclined to agree. But I’m a Yank. My opinion has no standing.
Damian G. on August 18, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Obama is not going to win Virginia. Period. End of story. The Commonwealth may have elected Doug Wilder governor but doesn’t vote for Donks for President. Fact is, there are still large numbers of conservative Dems in VA who don’t mind voting for their party in a statewide race but mistrust lefty Presidential candidates. They are not going to vote for Obama. Virginia will not go blue, no matter what my fellow Moran-lovin’ Northern Virginians have to say about it.
eski502 on August 18, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Now that I have my serious posts out of the way, McCain is totally picking Arnold f*****g Schwarzenegger as his running mate. RINOmania baby!
And if this actually happens, you heard it here first. Or at least in the single digits.
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Fortunately cleaning out the beers in the fridge has given me a dubious interpretation of the Consitution. I’ll take that Supreme Court nomination now, Barack.
fiatboomer on August 18, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Hillary Clinton.
nottakingsides on August 18, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Arnold isn’t qualified to be Pres (naturalized citizen). I am hoping for Palin, but suspect it will be Romney.
Kevin71 on August 18, 2008 at 10:24 PM
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