Open thread: Bright, clean, articulate nominee introduces VP in Springfield; Update: Video added; Update: 20% less likely to vote McCain if he picked woman VP, says poll
posted at 2:25 pm on August 23, 2008 by Allahpundit
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John Miller wanted to see that headline, so there you go. 3 p.m. ET around the dial; if you’re tuned in, comment below. We’ll be taping so look for video here later in case Biden cracks a fried chicken joke or pats Obama on the head or does something else refreshingly politically incorrect for the left to coo over. Your exit question while you wait: Where does this leave McCain with his own VP pick? Stephen Hayes and Tom Bevan offer unconvincing answers (Lieberman and, er, John Kasich, respectively), but Bevan’s analysis is otherwise spot on. If Obama had named Hillary, Maverick might have been forced to throw a Hail Mary with Joementum or Palin or Carly Fiorina. As it is, one safe pick permits another, which means Mitt or Pawlenty. The latter’s safer than the former among the base, but I can’t see undecideds handing the keys to the country to a guy no one outside of Minnesota has ever heard of. I have to think it’s Mitt.
Special bonus exit question: Why exactly is Palin a worse choice than Pawlenty? I swear I remember seeing a poll somewhere that McCain would actually lose points from picking a woman VP, but after 20 minutes of googling I can’t find it. Can anyone help?
Update: Hotline’s on the same page.
Update: You know who this helps, asks Hugh Hewitt? Mitt Romney.
Update: Commenters have dubbed this the “Clean and Jerk” ticket.
Update: Obama-NBC has video of both speeches uncut.
Update: Bill Amos found the poll I was looking for. Why Pawlenty is better than Palin:
For all the chatter about the pros and cons of picking a female vice president, a new poll commissioned by Lifetime finds that women are not particularly likely to be influenced by the selection of a lady VP. In the poll, 55% of women say that Obama’s selection of a female running mate would make no difference to their voting choice, and 62% said the same of McCain. (A Republican woman VP could actually hurt McCain. A full 20% responded that they would be LESS likely to support the GOP nominee if he selected a female on the ticket.)
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Almost forgot . . .
Congratulations, Allah.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
aero on August 23, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Oh now i get it, they picked Biden so he can introduce the race card for Obama, by making “gaffes” then saying well hey thats the American people they are all racists.. WTF..
Chakra Hammer on August 23, 2008 at 2:32 PM
The current problem with Palin is that she is amidst a scandal that is ongoing.
Enoxo on August 23, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Obfuscation/Plagarism ‘08, also known as the Clean and Jerk platform.
Think_b4_speaking on August 23, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Yawn..I won’t be watching. Just hearing the guy talk makes me want to throw up. And now adding Biden to the mix? Yikes.
therightwinger on August 23, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I also cannot see McCain going with Romney for Veep, since McCain is hitting Biden for saying nasty things about Obama in the primary. Romney said some equally nasty things about McCain, and vice versa.
Enoxo on August 23, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Got this quote from another site:
“As a tribute to our Olympic weightlifters, I suggest we dub this the Clean and Jerk ticket”.
Bishop on August 23, 2008 at 2:36 PM
I wonder if Biden is willing to take his Iraq partition plan and apply it to the United States. Break off New England, and California, and just keep the sane middle part. Just brainstorming, like Joe Biden so frequently does for no good reason.
RBMN on August 23, 2008 at 2:36 PM
.
I think it smells of pandering. Most mature voters want a safe VP, who is ready to step in if God forbid anything happened to the President. With Obama picking Biden, I think McCain is freer in his choices, but I agree that it will likely be Romney, who will add executive and economic experience to that ticket.
Think_b4_speaking on August 23, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Well if you’re comparing Palin and Pawlenty on experience, Pawlenty obviously wins. He has 5 years as Governor and 10 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives (which personally doesn’t mean a lot to me, but if Obama is playing his Illinois record as experience, then so can he).
DanStark on August 23, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Wouldn’t the Biden ad keep McCain from picking Romney, lest Team Obama turn around and pull out the same ad on him?
It's Vintage, Duh on August 23, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Got this from The Campaign Spot early this morning. Excuse me if you have read it already.
.
.
One last thought before bed: Imagine McCain picking Gov. Bobby Jindal. First line at the debate, “Senator, before we begin our debate, let me clarify for you that I don’t work at a 7-11.”
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Palin! Now more than ever.
(It’s the oil drilling stupid!)
[cribbed from Clinton not directed at anyone here.]
mad saint jack on August 23, 2008 at 2:39 PM
That’s a nice picture. Don’t they look good together? So handsome.
rockhauler on August 23, 2008 at 2:39 PM
The only downside to Romney is his money and the fact that his father had it too. Lots of people want to see a leaders that overcame a hard start.
pedestrian on August 23, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Would Mitt Romney be in the position to use his management/economical prowess in the position of VP? He might be better at another cabinet position. I really like him, just curious.
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 2:40 PM
And, as a relatively unknown rookie, I’m afraid Biden might trash her pretty well in debates. He’s been doing this a long time.
a capella on August 23, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I find it funny that if Obama happens to win with Biden, Biden will be 74 years old if it’s an 8 year run for Obama.
That would make Biden 2 years older than McCain’s current 72. Does that mean that McCain is not old any more or that Biden would be too old to run in 2016 according to the Left’s current standards? Hillary would like to know the answer…
Nelsa on August 23, 2008 at 2:40 PM
In Minnesota, the Republican politicians get lots of practice fighting top-of-the-line far-left Democrat moonbats. It builds up your debate muscles.
RBMN on August 23, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Pssst, here’s the real news folks:
http://obamacrimes.com
A lawsuit has been filed, whereas, Fauxbama has to prove he’s qualified, under the Constitution to legally run for the presidency. Among other allegations, the suit claims, Obama was really born in Kenya, and have a birth certificate to prove it! Stay tuned.
byteshredder on August 23, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Your 2008 liberal
familyticket:Vacuous sonny – Lenin
Pompous daddy – Pinocchio
Conniving mommy – Machiavelli’s daughter
Anarchyst wife – Witch on a broom
The country is indignant.
Sanity awaits.
Entelechy on August 23, 2008 at 2:42 PM
.
Historically speaking, no. Reagan chose Bush in 1980 after a heated primary. Republicans tend to accept hard fought campaigns better than Democrats. Dems tend to choose older folks to compensate for their visionaries – Kennedy/Johnson, Dukakis/Bentsen, Obama/Biden, etc. Besides, running ads against ads, especially when negative, tend to lose alot in translation to voters.
Think_b4_speaking on August 23, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Way beyond debunked.
Enoxo on August 23, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I’d personally be fine with Mitt. Let all the currently serving governors finish out their terms and get set up for 2012.
Vatican Watcher on August 23, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I’m still in a bit of disbelief, is it confirmed that Biden is the VP pick?
Weebork on August 23, 2008 at 2:43 PM
OMG…I nearly spit my water.
SouthernGent on August 23, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Forgot one member of the
familyticket:Machiavelli daughter’s ‘husband’ – Dr. Strangelove on speed
Entelechy on August 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I remember listening to Rush on Friday, where he said something to the point (paraphrase) “… I sure hope Barry picks Biden…… I have a treasure trove of tape on that guy.”
………….. can’t wait ’till Monday.
Seven Percent Solution on August 23, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I wonder how McCain and Fred! get along. Thinking about it, that or something like it would be a good VP choice. Though I’ve been for Mitt! all along.
Paul-Cincy on August 23, 2008 at 2:50 PM
I shared this in another thread, but thought I’d post is here as well.
Some republican strategist on Fox just said “The selection of Joe Biden is a tacit admission that an Obama White House would need adult supervision”.
I LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep’em coming!!!!!!!!
IrishGirl17 on August 23, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Good question, AP. I have no idea. Maybe because he’s Governor of a larger Midwestern state?
terryannonline on August 23, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Assuming that a safe pick doesn’t lead to a safe loss. That said, the VP selection is unlikely to be the determining factor unless it’s disastrous. Still, in the abstract, the safe pick might have been a better response to the greater gambles of a Kaine or a Hillary. It’s far from clear that safe (enough) vs. safe equates with a Republican victory.
CK MacLeod on August 23, 2008 at 2:52 PM
McCain/Palin, baby!
Here’s something else from her background.
2006 Gubernatorial election
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Mitt seals the deal…
Bring on Mitt Johnny boy; let the seasoned journeymen show the apprentices how to get things done…
Keemo on August 23, 2008 at 2:54 PM
As much as I wanted Romney for President, I don’t see him as Veep. And none of the other shortlisted people excite me. Hopefully there is a dark horse choice that no one has mentioned.
Enoxo on August 23, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Latest Rasmussen poll.
She’s not done. Operation Tonya Harding has subtly been set into motion.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 2:57 PM
It’s increasingly clear that Obama needs a shakeup. McCain is thrashing him right now. And Obama is flailing. Obama can’t get it together (and there’s no proof he can–ever since February, he’s been dropping. Hillary creamed him, and once that was over by virtue of running out of states she could beat him in, McCain started in on him). Unless that changes, I don’t know that McCain has anything to worry about with respect to the VP pick. Obama is self destructing that McCain could almost pick Allahpundit and let him stay in his house, unknown, and it would work.
Of course, I love me some Allah, so that’s in love. :D
Vanceone on August 23, 2008 at 2:57 PM
The democrat party has once again resolved itself to its mantra that the black person NEEDS a liberal white to make it.
SouthernGent on August 23, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Also from Rasmussen:
JMac even has a slight lead in Indiana which is so surprising being close to Barack’s home state.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 2:59 PM
If Mitt is the VP it’s a sign that the GOP treats gun owners the same way that the Dems treat black voters.
mad saint jack on August 23, 2008 at 2:59 PM
I would love to see a debate between Mitt and Biden…………. especially if Biden tries to pull that “this job is above your pay grade” crap. HA!
Seven Percent Solution on August 23, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I don’t remember ever seeing a poll that showed choosing a woman would hurt McCain, but I don’t follow or study polls as a general rule. My instinct tells me a woman would help McCain, Surely he could pick off more than a few disgruntled Hillarites by choosing a strong woman, and it doesn’t seem like he’d lose any of his current supporters.
It doesn’t matter, though, since it appears he has it narrowed down to two varieties of male plain vanilla.
aero on August 23, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Ha Ha!
Asher on August 23, 2008 at 3:01 PM
I am waiting to watch the Smug/Plug Show, my cat is sleeping. Which of the two of us is smarter??
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I don’t know that Palin is a worse pick than Pawlenty, but Alaska is a safe state with very few electoral votes and fewer people have heard of her than Pawlenty.
She has only been Governor for a short time and is caught up in some drama in Alaska. I think the investigation of her firing the state trooper is probably bogus, but it will become an issue in the race if it is not resolved right away.
Plus she supported that wind fall profit tax of oil companies in Alaska that sounds a lot like the tax Obama is talking about.
I don’t know that any of that matters, but it might be that both Palin and Jindal will be in a better position to run in a few years than they are now.
Terrye on August 23, 2008 at 3:03 PM
LOL!!!!!
If Jindal did that he would win by default.
Chakra Hammer on August 23, 2008 at 3:04 PM
By my calculation, Best McCain Running Mates, in order:
1. Bolton
2. Romney
3. Pawlenty
4. Jindal
5. Palin
RBMN on August 23, 2008 at 3:04 PM
I know that people often do what Obama just did by picking Biden. But for the opposition to use a line of attack like this, and then leave themselves open to the exact same line of attack is just stupid.
It's Vintage, Duh on August 23, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Turbin Durbin! Shout out!
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Obama sounds like a Disc Jockey.
Wolfman Jack ‘08
EJDolbow on August 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
I see the teleprompters are in working order.
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
ABC is interrupting little league baseball to show The One. It’s funny to see the media over-do it again.
SouthernGent on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I detest his stacatto style of speaking – sound bites, just sound bites. Who the heck thinks this guy is an orator?
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Frightening to think he could make it to the Oval Office.
bridgetown on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Yes we can!
Typhonsentra on August 23, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Why would someone pick a person who participated in a hi-tech lynching on a presidential ticket?
B.O. is as stupid as I thought.
Branch Rickey on August 23, 2008 at 3:08 PM
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I agree. ugh
bridgetown on August 23, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Excellent Allah! The one time that Hewitt may be right about that. I’m glad that Obama has decided to bring a fresh face to Washington. When Joe Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972, Obama was 11 years old; and John McCain was still in a prison camp in North Vietnam! That’s the kind of Change I’m looking for.
melchitt on August 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
It grates on me as well. Mainly because I know how he speaks when not telepromped.
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Rooted in decency, Biden?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Dr. Cwac:
Not so surprising about Indiana, Indiana almost always goes GOP. In 2004, Bush beat Kerry by 60 to 39.
Terrye on August 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Joe Biden BROUGHT CHANGE????? Where? in his pant’s pocket?
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:09 PM
In other words, he plays to the Lunch Bucket Blue Collar Workers from PA!
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Barry: Joe Biden, a rare mix.
Of what? Grease and plugs?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Ob-b-b-bama b-b-b-ugs me
bridgetown on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Obama campaign will be pushing this Pennsylvania meme until November.
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Yeah. It’s tight, though.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
People don’t vote for VP, they vote for the President. And, he is the President, not the dictator of the U.S. No one gets the keys. That is left to the private citizen. Lastly, nearly every VP pick has been unknown to the general voter prior to the campaign in either party.
JDPerren on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
RBMN:
Bolton would not be a vote getter.
Terrye on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
How does someone who has only worked in the “public” sector afford a “compound” as the media kept calling his house.
BTW, B.O. There is no such thing a as a practicing Pro-Choice Catholic
We all have tragedy. Get off your high horse.
Branch Rickey on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
I’d be overjoyed if it was Mitt. Yes it’s safe but it’s strong too. Campaign experience is extremely important. Note that Biden ran in 1988 as well as 2008. Campaigns understand this. A Pawlenty, Palin, these are big question marks. You have no idea how they’ll hold up over 70 days of intense national campaigning. Some people will crack. Some will implode. Some will show themselves to be thoroughly inadequate. We know what we get with Mitt!, and it’s quite good.
Paul-Cincy on August 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Bringing up the tragedy. Heart-strings pulled.
Gee, I wonder how McCain could possibly counter that?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Okay, McCain was tortured for 5 1\2 years and had his arms broken several times after he crashed his jet. We can out-tragedy you Obama!!!
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:12 PM
OOhhhh……Biden rides a train. That surely qualifies for Veep.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Oh brother, I feel so sorry for Joe that I am switching parties! This is horrible. Scre* the GOP!!!
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Shall we start drinking every time Scranton is mentioned?
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Ooohhhh. Biden was ill. More tragedy.
Easy to way to counter this? Trig Palin! (I’m in the tank. I know.)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
You’re lucky then, because he says he wants no part of it. The quotes would be great tough.
RBMN on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Obama: “Joe lost his baby teeth when he was just two years old. He overcame that. He was strong. He became a Senator.”
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
People familiar with Mitt! like him. If they don’t know him, it doesn’t matter, it’s a wash. He is what he appears to be. What you see is what you get. Squeaky clean white bread, smart, good business sense, honest, personable.
Paul-Cincy on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
He sounds like a Baptist preacher to me. The same cadences, pauses, rising tone for emphasis (cueing “Amens” with vocal signals), etc.
aero on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Rising minimum wage? You just don’t get the economy do you, Barry.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
“A rising minimum wage for all” – most of us aspire for something a little better than that.
CK MacLeod on August 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Wow. He certainly is reading off that teleprompter well, today.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Dr. Cwac:
Tighter than usual, but now that Hoosiers know their favorite son Evan Bayh did not get the nod for VP, that might change. Neighbors or no neighbors.
Terrye on August 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
That’s funny.
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Liberals who have never seen a black guy read. He’s like bigfoot to them. They always thought he might exist, but they weren’t sure. They are the true racists.
SouthernGent on August 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Obama: “Joe fell off his bicycle when he was eleven. He got up. He had skinned his knew caps. He didn’t let that stop him. He went on; he got stronger and he became Senator.”
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Strong voice against Bush-McCain foreign policy? Plugs was on board with action against the Taliban. Idiot.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
The reason he picked Biden: “Character.”
Ah, the same reason he picked Jeremiah Wright to be his pastor…. He can sure pick ‘em.
RBMN on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Not a good Veep, but a great Veep? He’s more qualified than you, Messiah.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
aero on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 PM
So, that’s why he went to Wright’s church….to learn to speak..rally a crowd… I see now.
bridgetown on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
RBMN:
Why would I be lucky? Bolton is not a politician. That’s all.
Terrye on August 23, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Thanks. I’ll stop now. : P
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Entelechy,
Your post was excellent as usual; however I do believe you are being a bit “mean” to Machiavelli.
Cordially,
BR
Branch Rickey on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Biden real “straight talk”? Like how clean your are, Barry?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
The only problem with that is that no one on the other side seems to care about that, which is why we’re sitting here watching Obama in Springfield.
Connie on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Scranton – DRINK
HawaiiLwyr on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
This must be such a let down to most in the Democrat party.
carbon_footprint on August 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
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