The case for Romney
posted at 9:50 am on August 25, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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After Barack Obama fumbled his running mate selection in both choice and process by selecting Joe Biden, John McCain has a wide-open field for his choice of VP candidates. About the only limitation he has is to refrain from choosing another Senator. McCain needs someone who can help address any weaknesses and who can add some serious outsider credentials to the ticket. Plenty of potential picks can help McCain, including governors Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and even perhaps the young Matt Blunt of Missouri.
Mitt Romney, a former Governor, may be best positioned of all, though, on the economy. If Romney gets selected for McCain’s running mate, he will be the only one of the four principals who has actually run a business, and run it successfully. He knows more about economic policy in both academic and practical terms than any of them, and hits Barack Obama in his key strength among voters.
Romney (and Pawlenty and Blunt) also have another quality that Joe Biden lacks: potential to deliver battleground states. Speculation about Michigan appears to have a solid basis in fact. In May, Survey USA tested a McCain/Romney ticket against several different iterations of an Obama ticket. Surprisingly, it beat every single possibility, but was especially strong against an Obama/Biden ticket:
- vs Obama/Biden: +18
- vs Obama/Clinton: +5
- vs Obama/Gore: +5
- vs Obama/(John) Edwards: +3
A McCain/Romney ticket slightly edges Obama/Biden among women and gets a 35-point advantage among men. Interestingly, it gets 28% of the black vote, too.
Pawlenty and Blunt can help deliver battleground states, too, and Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman can strengthen McCain on economic policy. Mitt Romney can do both and has background in both public and private sector leadership that none of the other potential candidates have. Moreover, Romney has proven himself an excellent debater in the kind of format used over the past year and will have little problem matching up against Biden next month in the one televised debate.
The other candidates have their strengths as well, and the choice of Biden leaves McCain with the happy burden of many options. Romney appears to have the strongest credentials.
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what about Sue Myrick as VP choice?
jp on August 25, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Pretty easy way to diffuse any Dem “McCain v Romney” ad is a counter-ad with McCain announcing proudly that he looks forward to four years of spirited but respectful arguments with Vice President Romney.
locke on August 25, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Check out Governors Jodi Rell of Connecticut and Linda Lingle of Hawaii. Either would be an electrifying pick and a strong one. They have both done fantastic work as Governors and are much more experienced than Sarah Palin. Rell is especially strong as a clean-government type; Lingle is also Jewish. Both are from traditionally Democratic states, which could change the map.
rockmom on August 25, 2008 at 10:28 AM
re: the debate debate
A Romney/Biden debate would be good for Romney. He probably would be well prepared for Foreign Affairs discussions and he can hit Biden on his lobbying ties. Romney’s pro-life change of heart wouldn’t be an issue.
Mr_Magoo on August 25, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Romney would make no difference in any southern red state. They are so in the tank for McCain that the Huckabigots could stay home and McCain would still carry the south.
I think the richest target in this election are the angry PUMA’s. If McCain nominates a qualified chick for VP, he’ll make a serious play for a chunk of dissed Hillary supporters.
Hillary clobbered the Anointed One in the key battleground states. If McCain can sway any portion of her supporters, he’ll do to Obama what Hillary did.
GulfCoastBamaFan on August 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Aw come on. . . you know that since Jim Crow there are NO unfair stereotypes of Southerners. We are all just ignant hicks who are whatever people who have never been here claim we are. If they says weeze bigoted, well weeze bigoted, they’d know more than us. They need to come down here and teach us some manners and all that culture that peoples likes Romney’s haz.
And as for Romney, he put the most socialized medical program in the country in his state (that pays for abortions). He may be conservative, but I don’t remember the last time that socialized medicine was a conservative issue. No, he hasn’t flip flopped on that issue, but he has bankrupted his state because of it.
But no, I’m only against Romney because he’s a Mormon. That has to be it. His political policies can’t be questioned. . . 1st gay marriage state, socialized medicine, support for abortion (pro choice) to get elected in 2002.
I must be a bigot seein as how I’m from the South. Thank all ya’ll for letting me know that I’m against Romney because he’s a Mormon.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I’m going to speculate that it’s more of anti-Christian backlash than anything. As an evangelical, I’m accused of being bigoted against Romney because he’s a Mormon. But really, I just question his individual flip-flopping on issues, going from a liberal position to conservative in just a few years… seems fishy, especially when no explanation has been given.
I don’t know of anyone who is against him just because he’s a Mormon, but I do know lots of people who don’t trust him because of rapid change in views.
I personally like him, especially because of his business experience, but I’d like some answers. I’m done being deceived by faux conservatives…
dominigan on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I’M WITH MITT!!!
MITT 2012!!!
madmonkphotog on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
How soon can canidates name cabinet posts? Could they take the sting out of a VP pick by comforting with a rapid announcement of a reassuring cabinet position, both to the politician and the voters?
AnotherOpinion on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
*shudder* don’t remind me….
sulla on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Bottom line? This election is about the economy. Romney is the strongest VP pick.
He is (politically) clean; he is articulate; he personifies American optimism and can-do spirit.
onlineanalyst on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Being the lying hypocrites they are, the Dems are going to play their favorite game, class warfare, no matter what. As someone who voted for Mitt in the Florida primary, I’d be thrilled to see him on the ticket. And while there may be a small percentage of voters in the south who will either vote against him or stay home due to religious bigotry (so distastfully stoked by Mike Huckabee), it’s hardly fair to paint all southern evangelicals with the anti-Mormon brush.
That said, I also think Eric Cantor, Sarah Palin, John Kasich or Tim Pawlenty would solidify the ticket. Still scrathing my head over Bill Kristol’s constant praise/endorsement for Joe Lieberman. Yes, Joe was great on the Iraq war, but that’s about it. Give him a cabinet post once the election is won.
Dariaanne on August 25, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Romney is not a good choice. Everyone likes Joe-he can be an attack dog and still be liked. None of the other Republican candidates liked Romney. Romney as the attack dog comes across as condescending and smug. The democrats will have a field day with Romney’s primary videoclips attacking McCain. Romney is the opposite of the straight talk express-he panders and flipflops according the the changing political winds. Romnye’s true economic record in MA will be exposed and will show that he is not that great at economics. Romney only appeals to families making over $300,000 a year, he cannot relate to the blue collar workers, and cannot talk kitchen table issues like Joe.
texasconserv on August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Am I going crazy? Does everyone who doesn’t follow the tech industry not know how much of joke Carly Fiorina was?
The GOP is going mad! Stop pandering to Hillary supporters with one of the worst CEOs of all time who doesn’t understand anything about the tech industry.
Poptech on August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Re: Mitt’s wealth:
Hey, I like a guy who is successful!
Quit hiding from it….use it! This is America, not France.
ex-Democrat on August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Irony knows no end. I don’t recall a slur name made up by Huckabee or any of his supporters. But here you go making up a slur to slander him or any of the millions of Republicans who voted for or supported Huckabee.
Ah yes, Huckabee is a bigot. . . but not you who coined the phrase ‘Huckabigot’.
Logic on this board knows no end.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM
But Romney and McCain hate each other.
Emeka on August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I’ve spent 30 years in the south, and I’ve never noticed any particular animus towards Mormans.
Serious theological differences, but the same goes for Catholics and other brands of Christian.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 10:33 AM
what are you talking about? OF COURSE it’s fair. It takes a bigot to know one.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I like Romney much better than McCain bacause McCain is hell bent on rewarding 20 million illegal chaters with amnesty.
The stupidity in that is phenominal. It would corrupt the electorate even worse that the ACORN shmucks.
saiga on August 25, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Since Obama has chosen not to pick a woman for his VP running mate, McCain would do well to chose Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO. Maybe pick up some of those disgruntled Hillary supporters.
kyslugbug on August 25, 2008 at 10:34 AM
screw it, Ann Coulter for VP – this way she has to vote for McCain
jp on August 25, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I should have also answered the question of Mormonism vs… Well, to put it simply, Mormonism adds on top of Christianity. However, many believe that this makes it a cult instead of true Christianity since it also changes many of the core beliefs. In the New Testament, it specifically warns against any who would add, remove or change the message of the Gospel. So…
I personally believe that Mormonism is not Christianity. However, I also don’t see a problem with voting for a Mormon as President or VP.
dominigan on August 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Not gonna be Palin, unfortunately. Her husband’s ties (blue collar though they may be)to BP hurt her politically and son Trig needs her at home more than a VP slot would allow her to be. As it should be.
My money’s on Mitt.
rotorhead on August 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Except his own.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Agreed, this would emphasize Mccain’s decision-making ability. I think Obama blew it with his choice and flubbed up implementation. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that he made his decision late Friday night…
Mr_Magoo on August 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I can forgive Romney for changing his position on abortions. More so then accepting someone who doesn’t want to stop abortions.
trs on August 25, 2008 at 10:36 AM
The problem I have with Romney is that all of the anti-McCain material he put out during the primaries will immediately be recycled by the Dems. Why not choose someone who didn’t just spend the better part of last year criticizing you? I’d really rather not see the Dems roll out the counterpart to McCain’s “Biden” ad on the day he makes his announcement.
sublime on August 25, 2008 at 10:36 AM
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Thank you Mark. For that matter, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists too live very comfortably down here and do what they want. Less than a half mile from here we have a Muslim slaughter house where they do ritualistic slaughtering for their holiday festivals, KSM went to school in this town. . . but we are all religious bigots down here.
It’s almost as though posters on this board have never heard the phrase ’southern hospitality’.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Whatever it take to keep that radical prick OUT of the White/House…………..do it!
try again later on August 25, 2008 at 10:37 AM
FWIW from Erick Erickson at Redtate:
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 10:37 AM
that’s the main problem I have with him too. He had the most money and spent most of it slamming his opponents during the primaries. He might be a ‘nice guy’, but he didn’t campaign like it. He slammed EVERY Republican running with his massive wealth.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:38 AM
LOL!!
Of course he had a more liberal agenda – he had to – as governor of Massachusetts.
I still think he’s the best choice for VP as this point, warts and all. And, he can kick some ass in a debate with Biden. I’m not so sure about the others…
pullingmyhairout on August 25, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Romney seems to be taking on an air of inevitability in the veepstakes. I noticed that Fox News commentators kept slipping this weekend and referring to Romney as if he were already McCain’s choice. One person said something like, “Romney will do well against Biden,” or something like that. I was surprised and dismayed, wondering if they know something we don’t know.
I really hope McCain is keeping his choice’s electability in 2012 or 2016 in mind for our sakes. As I’ve said before, we’re going to be stuck running his veep when McCain is done, and I really hope he’s not going to stick us with a dud. IMO, Romney’s a dud who is not electable as POTUS in a general election. I think McCain can win with Romney in the VP spot, but I don’t think Romney can win alone unless McCain dies in office and he has a chance to be President for awhile and then run as an incumbent.
aero on August 25, 2008 at 10:38 AM
It can’t be Romney.
http://thirdbasepolitics.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-now.html
EduardoOTI on August 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Prediction,
It’ll be someone, no one even thought of.
And, afterwards,
all the pundits will say, “Well, OF COURSE…I knew it, all the time.”
franksalterego on August 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Thanks, so if I am not mistaken it has to do with theological dispute. But aren’t there serious theological disputes between other branches of Christianity, for example between Protestants and Catholics (and a contentious history to boot), then why was there no opposition to Guiliani from the religion angle. Again thanks for the information.
Gaurav on August 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
America won’t vote for a mormon
tomas on August 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
My father-in-law loves Biden – but then my father-in-law is also an emabarrasing buffon…
Mr_Magoo on August 25, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Didn’t Michigan just have their voter ID law upheld by the supreme court?
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM
10 Reasons People Hate Carly Fiorina
McCain needs to get a clue and since he is clueless about technology it is no wonder he is looking at Fiorina.
Poptech on August 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Why I like Mitt: He isn’t afraid to mention the RoP when discussing the War on Terror. Remember this?
Disturb the Universe on August 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM
.
A lot of us on this board are southerners, so get off of your high horse. Most of us can see the connection between criticism of Romney and support for Huckabee, and don’t fall for the strawman.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Yeah, like Bush the First and Dan Quayle…
pullingmyhairout on August 25, 2008 at 10:41 AM
if no female VP, maybe Mitt’s ken doll looks will win over some hillary supporters?
problem with Mitt is as hard as he campaigned and as much money as he spent he failed to win any primary and only did well in Caucus states. thats not a good sign
jp on August 25, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Good female choices for Veep: Sarah Palin, Marsha Blackburn, Marilyn Musgrave, Michele Bachmann, Mary Fallin
Excluding Palin, the other 4 are denoted as being “Standouts” by the ACU. Palin has 80% approval rating (Hays Research, 7-28-08) in Alaska.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 25, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I’d agree but I suspect that McCain is holding too much of a grudge to come to this conclusion without a bit of prodding.
highhopes on August 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Meg Whittman would be better CEO choice than the HP lady.
surely there is someone else though.
jp on August 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Bolton.
McCain/’Stache ‘08!
RushBaby on August 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Carly for veep – need a woman to pull in women voters that supported Hillary
greydude on August 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM
jp,
According to Hillary’s PUMAs, Obama only did well in caucus states.
Disturb the Universe on August 25, 2008 at 10:43 AM
OOOOH I missed that one. But she would be AWESOME! She’s sharp. . . I don’t know if McCain could handle such a strong woman with convictions. She’s probably the most anti-illegal alien member of the House. McCain wouldn’t pick her, but she needs to be more of a leader in the R party if the R party wants to be strong and conservative again.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Really, Marsha Blackburn is my first choice, but lacks name recognition outside of my native Tennessee
greydude on August 25, 2008 at 10:44 AM
To many especially older folks Mormonism is a cult and not Christian. Today we have Scientology and Moonies, in their day they had Mormons. Would you let Cruise’s Scientology religion influence your judgement of him? I would.
Personally I don’t have a problem with Mormons. Utah is 80% Mormon, by that standard it’s not really a cult.
Paul-Cincy on August 25, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I have always been a Mitt supporter — I voted for him in the primary and would happily pull the lever for him again.
Romney versus Biden: The media will go overboard on Biden’s foreign policy credentials and forget Romney’s economic credentials and business success. Who is moderating the veep debate — Gwen Ifill? She’ll let Biden bloviate on and on and Mitt will barely get a word in edgewise.
BigD on August 25, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Can Fiorina trump competition for ‘worst tech CEO’ title? (USA Today)
Someone wake me up and tell me I am dreaming that McCain is this dumb.
Poptech on August 25, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Mitt, please !
pambi on August 25, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Whoever it is, I thnk the decision has already been made and we will see a very impressive rollout this week, in sharp contrast to the 3 a.m. Friday chaos of the Biden announcement.
Right now, if you had to make me place a bet, I would bet on Gov. Jodi Rell. You heard it here first.
rockmom on August 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Romney DOES personify American optmism (I’ve heard him interviewed on Talk Radio and he is always upbeat) and that’s a great point and is a great contrast to Obama. Even Biden appears to be a negative guy. McCain/Romney ‘08 would definately be the “can do” team.
But don’t forget the superficial: He has a great looking family which makes for some great photo ops! Of course, Biden does have those plugs going for him (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Mr_Magoo on August 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I like Romney but I’m afraid that the wealth distribution party would convince too many mind-numbed robots that wealth and success are bad.
Sarah Palin would be an inspired choice. Her executive experience is real and impressive and the Obama mantra that judgment can trump experience works just as well for her.
But the best thing is that McCain can talk about different kinds of experience having great value, such as raising 5 children while having an active political life, being an iconoclastic mother holding high executive positions, stating beautifully how she feels especially privileged to be the mother of a Downs baby, and by being a tough and effective fighter of corruption in both parties.
I think she can open new doors and meet any challenge in the campaign as VP. Talk about hope and change, Republican style–the best of the old and the new.
A side benefit is that she would totally expose Biden for the shameless hack he is.
horatio on August 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Get off my high horse? Would you say that to a black person who was taking offense at someone hollering racist stereotypes at him?
It’s OK to slam Southerners because Southerners shouldn’t say anything. I just wish people not from here wouldn’t keep moving here. It’s TERRIBLE here. STAY AWAY. We burn crosses on all new comers’ yards. I’m sick of the growth here. But I’m more sick of the stereotypes. And I’m sick of being called racist for mentioning the 8 ball on a pool table.
But OK, I should just accept any slur that comes my way. . . and all Southerners should or else we are ‘on our high horse’.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I hope it is Mitt Romney.
McCain will show Obama to be the bumbling idiot he is.
And Mitt will show Biden to be the jackass that he is.
I can’t wait for the debates….this campaign season has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tooooooo looooooong.
bridgetown on August 25, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I don’t know if Huckabee is a bigot, and I don’t really care. I just know he hates Mitt Romney. For Huck, it’s deeply and corrosively personal with Romney.
Why that is, only he knows. But he cannot shut up about Romney, cannot stop with the subtle and not-so-subtle digs, long after Mitt left the race and became a team player for McCain.
sulla on August 25, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Mormons can be as annoying as Seventh Day Adventists when it comes to knocking on your door and wanting to talk.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Imagine Biden in a debate against any woman. He will tie himself in knots trying not to be a bully. That will be comedy gold.
rockmom on August 25, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Sort of. The disputes between other
branchesdenominations of Christianity revolve around interpretation and application of scripture, rather than the adding/removing/changing it.Catholicism is kind of special in that they also have the Apocrypha books… but those were never officially included as reliable testimonies by the early Christian councils.
Some churches have escalated the disputes by choosing to ignore specific sections (homosexuality, abortion, etc), because they cause conflict with their worldly desires. I would consider these churches apostate.
If you’d like to learn more, I highly recommend browsing through CARM. He has a lot of material to back up his arguments.
dominigan on August 25, 2008 at 10:51 AM
After the Biden pick, what was McCain’s first ad he ran? It was Biden talking ill of Obama. There are at least 10-15 videos on Youtube with Romney and McCain going at each other and they are far worse than anything Biden said about Obama.
What was the last ad Obama ran against McCain? McCain has 7 houses and is out of touch with middle America. So conventional wisdom says to add someone to the ticket with an additional 4 or 5 houses? Right or wrong, it makes a difference.
Romney supports the Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban which is seen as being against the 2nd Amendment. Middle America is some of your strongest supporters of the NRA and the 2nd Amendment.
Romney was able to do 3 things the Liberals have failed to do for decades: Socialized Healthcare, taxpayer funded Abortion on demand for $50 copay, and Gay Marriage.
Romney’s ability to exaggerate the truth and spin lies into half-truths will hamper McCain’s straight talk express philosophy.
Romney raising fees by about $500 million will be seen for what it really was, a gimmick to hide revenue generation from being called a tax.
Romney will help garner support from African-Americans? How, by singing “who let the dogs out” again?
jparks1972 on August 25, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I’m a strong Mitt! supporter. Maybe his weakness is he makes categorical statements many take to be insensitive. Like, when Bob Dole wrote a letter supporting McCain’s conservative credentials, Romney said “Dole’s the last person I’d want to write me a letter”. The LAST person? Seems a little strong. Another time in a town hall, when asked about immigration, Romney said to deport all illegal immigrants. A young woman working at the hotel there whose parents were illegal aliens felt sick at his statement and had to leave the room. I can just see Romney speaking warmly of Dole some other time, in just as strong terms. It’s odd because Romney is far from a duplicitous or two-faced guy, as far as I can tell. Sometimes he seems tone deaf to how his words make people feel.
I don’t mind his flip flops. I can see supporting the abortion crowd when in Mass. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. He also said he’ll run to the left of Ted Kennedy on gay rights. It depends on what he means by that. Everyone is for individual rights. I don’t know that he supported gay marriage though.
Paul-Cincy on August 25, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I also heard Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s name thrown around. I think she wants to run for governor of Texas, however.
pullingmyhairout on August 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Thanks to the Democrats, 2008 is the time for a Republican WOMAN as VP. This will give Republicans the most traction possible with Women Voters & counter the 90% Dem Media slobbering about the uniqueness of Obama as a “minority.” Alaska R Governor Sarah Palin has a success story more in tune to normal US values than Obama which makes her my choice. Romney will be hammered as RICH, a Morman segregationist cultist, another R guy & has no real military experience.
Max47 on August 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Where the heck are you guys getting all this blustering confidence about Mitt Romney? He’ll wipe the floor with Biden, he’ll clean his clock, he’ll win everyone over, yada yada yada. Like he cleaned everybody’s clocks in the primary debates? Like he won the voters over after spending millions and millions and millions of dollars more than everyone else and campaigned harder and longer than anyone else? Uh-huh. He had every advantage during the primaries and couldn’t pull it off. He’s not a closer, guys.
aero on August 25, 2008 at 10:53 AM
.
No, the folks who are saying that the south would not vote for Romney because he is Mormon are just ignorant. And they come from all over – some are yankees, some are Huck supporters, trying to sneak in under the radar. Let all those who are ignorant of the south remain that way – it’s already getting too crowded…..
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Palin FTW
pseudonominus on August 25, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Romney is OK.
AdrianS on August 25, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I’d give the edge to Romney too, but more on the basis of name recognition. Any VP candidate has a very short time to introduce themselves to the nation, and you should be using that time to make the policy sale–not tell people who you are. In one area, Tim Pawlenty can help McCain more than Romney, where McCain really does need some help–with farmers and farm states. I think it’s a closer call than most do, but I’d give it to Romney too.
RBMN on August 25, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Romney’s an admirable, competent person. I would have no problem voting for him.
Palin is energizing. People would work FOR Palin, not just AGAINST Obama.
People underestimate her intelligence, overestimate the negatives (She tried to defend her family against an abusive man? Her not-rich family’s so-called ties to “Big Oil”). Her schedule as VP probably would be less tiring than that as governor, and she has a large family to back her up with Trig. By the way, if Trig has no major medical problems other than the trisomy, there may be more joy than sorrow.
Finally, don’t forget she learned to fight against the big boys in Alaska. Facing Joe Biden in a debate? My old mother could kick his a**.
texette on August 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Biden loses it in debate:
“Listen sweetheart, I was a Senator before you were even a sparkle in your daddy’s eye… uh, I mean… damn it…”
Mr_Magoo on August 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM
+1
I think you’re right. Unless the woman has an attack-dog persona herself, like Hillary. But we don’t have anyone like that, so Biden would have to be at least a little gentlemanly in dealing with someone even remotely lady-like, or he would be seen as a tremendous jackass. Not fair to him, I’ll grant, but true nonetheless. Appearances matter in politics.
aero on August 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM
John Kasick would be a great fit and could stand up to Biden or even Palin would work
KBird on August 25, 2008 at 10:57 AM
This makes sense to me. I was curious because I had the impression that Mormons are in general conservative (pro family, pro life, hard working), hence I was surprised at the opposition.
Reg. Scientology, I think it is a bit wacky, but as long as someone is not doing something objectionable, for example blending cute puppies, or strapping explosive to kill people, or telling me that I am going to hell, or that I worship demons, I am OK with his or her beliefs :-)
Gaurav on August 25, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Palin may be a player in a few years, but right now she doesn’t have the experience necessary to add a whole lot to the ticket.
If McCain really wants a female on the ticket, he should look to Representative Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee. She is very bright, articulate, conservative, southern, attractive, etc. Nothing like the dimwit KB Hutchinson. I don’t understand why she doesn’t get any consideration.
uncalheels on August 25, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 10:54 AM
it’s all good. I’m in a strange mood this morning anyway. I do feel like Romney is getting a pass for lots of stuff he’s done that’s ‘not so conservative’ because people pass off anti-Romney as ‘bigotry’.
It’s almost like people saying anything against Obama is racist without regard to his policy positions.
Romney is a nice guy with a great family. Nothing against him personally.
Policy positions that bother me. . . socialized medicine, gay marriage, abortion paid for under socialized medicine, antipathy toward guns (more to do with the state he ran than his current stated ‘positions’). . . and I don’t care what religion he is.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I disagree. I’m Southern and had Fred not got in the race, would have voted for Romney in the primary. That’s just a dumb generalization on your part.
Dale Murphy was a HUGEly popular baseball player in the south and he was a Mormon.
McCain/Romney gets my vote.
McCain/pro-choicer does not.
MechEng5by5 on August 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM
According to Glenn Reynolds, the cute ones taste better. :)
sulla on August 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Age has nothing to do with it. Mormonism, by Christian standards, is a cult because of all the extra stuff they’ve added to what is written in the Holy Word.
That being said, all I want from a politician is some evidence that he/she is grounded in traditional values and Romney passes that test far more easily than McCain who, as far as I can tell, is only a C&E Christian with virtually no moral grounding in any faith whatsoever.
highhopes on August 25, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Mitt for VP! He’s the only choice that would be able to eat Biden for breakfast!
davenp35 on August 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Guarav,
If you will notice, for the most part it’s not the relgious folk who have a problem with Romney, it’s other people claiming that it’s the religious folk will have a problem with Romney.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Obama’s pick of Biden probably makes a Romney pick more effective. Biden is considered a reasonably good debater, but Romney could probably outshine him, and poke holes in Biden’s frequent gaffes. If the Mormon issue came up, Romney could ask Biden why, as a Catholic, he supports abortion when his Church is adamantly opposed. Besides, a recent Fox poll showed that more Evangelicals would be more likely to vote for McCain if Romney were picked, than those who would be less likely, so there doesn’t seem to be an anti-Mormon backlash among Evangelicals. Romney also is strong in CO and NV (high Mormon populations) and also in Michigan, due to his father’s legacy, while he probably wouldn’t lose any Southern states.
Still, Sarah Palin seems like an excellent choice–she is solidly conservative, could appeal to some young women disgruntled about Hillary, and is strong on the energy issue. While she is relatively young compared to Biden, she is a fairly good debater, and also complements McCain’s reputation as a crusader against corruption, even within her own party. The only problem is–how well does she play in the swing states, where she might be a relative unknown?
Steve Z on August 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I like Romney alot, but I wonder how bad Biden would embarress himself when he tried to attack Palin in a debate. I could see that swinging a good portion of Hillary voters our way. I mean just two days ago he complained his wife had a PHD but at least she was HOT! The possibilities are almost endless!
tottoritodd on August 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
10:32
And Hillary and Obama don’t? Not to mention
Biden said Obama is not ready to be president.
Winebabe on August 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Rell would have no chance with the gay-marriage support. The staunch Conservatives would go nuts and revolt, especially on a ticket with McCain.
Lingle looks more interesting. The question is would she be able become known enough in mainland USA to make an impact.
IMHO- McCain needs some some significant, against-the-grain, exciting buzz. It also has to come from a reasonably known commodity so he can reinforce the Obama unknowns/ inexperience. He also needs a pit bull to deal with Biden and someone with economic strength.
Romney fits the bill and reputedly can carry some states (though I think that’s exaggerated). He also come with the heavy baggage of RomneyCare, Gay Marriage, abortion ambiguity, Mormon issues and the primary nonsense. None of these things should be a big problem, since there is no substance, but we are talking about running against Obama- who if he had any less substance, he’d be invisible. This election is about media buzz, Bush-hating and popularity contests; as unfortunate as that is. Hell, people are STILL donating money to Ron Paul for no apparent reason.
Palin also fit’s the bill, minus the experience and the tested pit bull. At least the media like her so far, but it’s too bad she couldn’t have at least done a few tours on the Sunday news shows to have the heat turned up on her.
Pawlenty… yawn. Deer in headlights. Also, Someone else listed his list of negatives earlier better than I can.
The only reason anyone talks about these other CEO women is because they are women. Fiorina is useless and both her and the eBay bimbo would get eaten alive in debates and Washington.
I’d love to see Palin, but I think it has to be Romney; for better or worse.
Damiano on August 25, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Could someone explain to me what the opposite of “pro-choice” means? Is it banning abortion entirely? Leaving it up to the states? Only when the health of a woman is in danger? Overturning Roe v. Wade and leaving it up to the states?
ParisParamus on August 25, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Mormonism is viewed by many as a pagan cult. However, I have yet to see any major societal deviancy from Mormons. I don’t think it will matter if Mitt becomes President eventually. What are they afraid of, that he’ll sign a polygamy-legalization bill?
Never mind that past Presidents have been Freemasons.
fossten on August 25, 2008 at 11:04 AM
The way to go is Romney if McCain is not too maverick.
mariloubaker on August 25, 2008 at 11:04 AM
He didn’t.. Take a look at his record.
Mitt had a lot of things blamed on him that were foisted upon him by Mass Supreme court (like the retread of a dead argument that ThackerAgency likes to trot out on the $50 co-pay for abortion). Mitt was bound by it already going through challenges TWICE in the Mass system over that co-pay, prior to any RomneyCare plan.
It’s almost as humorous as Microsoft getting the blame for nVidia’s crappy drivers when 40% of all crashes were caused by them (just an analogy folks, don’t be all pullin the M$ stick…)
SkinnerVic on August 25, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I hope he takes Mitt. It seems to be his best option. We need someone who has substantial private sector executive experience and someone who has not been or is not currently in the Senate. Mitt’s our man!
t.ferg on August 25, 2008 at 11:05 AM
.
True, but remember that the state house modified his health plan, which wrecked the financials. I think he has flipped on abortion, but I welcome anyone to move towards protecting life.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Reagan was once a Democrat and also was governor of the Great Liberal State of Kalifornia…so what?
fossten on August 25, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Yes, I have observed that, but being outside I am not aware of the ground reality.
Are Mormons thought of as Pagans ? Isn’t the charge of Heresy/Apostasy* more accurate ?
*I am not saying that they are Heretics or Apostates, just asking about the technical definition.
Gaurav on August 25, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Mike Huckabee is out because economic conservatives object too much.
Sarah Palin is out because she undercuts McCain’s experience advantage over Obama bin Biden. Being Governor of Alaska is about as challenging as being alderman for Scranton.
Rudy Giuliani is out because he’s pro-choice.
Tim Pawlenty had the bridge disaster occur on his watch. Obama would have a field day pinning that on McCain. Pawlenty does not have much experience. Pawlenty converted away from Catholicism so he might turn off Catholics. Pawlenty would be a negative as McCain’s running mate.
Charlie Crist is out because of Florida’s housing recession. Florida leads the nation in declining home values. Obama would have a field day pinning the decline of home values on McCain.
Condoleeza Rice, Meg Whitman, and Carly Fiorina do not have any electoral experience yet. Wouldn’t it be great to see them as the next Governor and Senators of California, though?
Tom Ridge would be terrific with his perfect track record at Homeland Security. OTOH, his pro-choice stand might turn off too many pro-lifers.
Joseph Lieberman is not a Republican. He shares a first name with Biden. He does not have significant policy disagreements with Biden other than on terrorism and abortion. He would be the fourth Senator in the race. He wouldn’t help McCain in any particular state. He might hurt McCain among Catholics.
Romney’s biggest negative is that he might turn off some mainline Christians. I don’t know if Catholics would object too much to a Mormon running mate. Southern evangelicals would seem to prefer a conservative, pro-life Mormon over a liberal, pro-choice Catholic (Biden). In the debates he said McCain flip-flopped, which hurts. Romney has changed positions on abortion, gay marriage, and other issues, but he has been consistent on Islamic terror, the economy, taxes, and spending. Romney’s wealth won’t hurt McCain. This is still America, and the majority still pays respect to successful people. Romney’s close relationship with his wife would help among women. Romney’s strong suit, the economy, is the perfect complement to McCain.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson would make it four Senators, unfortunately, but would help McCain with the gender gap. The only trouble is there is not much of a gender gap this year. Will disaffected Hillary voters choose McCain and a male running mate over Obama bin Biden because they’ll still blame Obama for ruining their chances to elect a woman as President? Maybe. Hutchinson would solidify McCain among religious conservatives. Hutchinson is not as strong on the economy as Romney.
Since 1980, every winning ticket has had a total of three syllables: Reagan/Bush, Bush/Quayle, Clinton/Gore, and Bush/Cheney. This leads to McCain/Crist or McCain/Ridge. Since those won’t work, the next best would be McCain/Romney, which has fewer syllables than Obama/Biden.
indythinker on August 25, 2008 at 11:09 AM
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