Politico: Congressional Republicans told to expect a “traditional” VP pick; Update: Romney’s out?
posted at 8:05 pm on August 28, 2008 by Allahpundit
In a strong sign that John McCain has not selected Joe Lieberman to be his running mate, Republican members of Congress were told today by McCain’s campaign that the Arizona senator would tap a traditional number two, according to a GOP source.
The source said that would indicate that McCain has tapped either Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty.
“Traditional” has a lovely connotation vis-a-vis Joementum and a not so lovely one vis-a-vis Gingrich’s warning to McCain last month about boring white guys. Drudge, conspicuously, is teasing a link to a weeks-old Journal profile of Pawlenty as I write this, and a reader e-mails to say that David Gregory was dropping heavy hints on MSNBC a little while ago about McCain’s VP possibly appearing on talk shows this Sunday (Pawlenty’s booked for “Meet the Press”). I can’t believe they’d be holding back if the pick had leaked, but clearly everything they’re hearing is pointing them towards Pawlenty. I’ll back McCain regardless, obviously, but in all candor it makes me nervous to think that a guy I’d never heard of three months ago could be next in line behind one of the oldest presidents in history come January. And if I’m having that reaction, what are independents going to think?
Update: For what it’s worth, and probably not much, a source tells James Poulos at the Confabulum that Romney “no longer understands himself to be in consideration” and that he’ll be home in Massachusetts tomorrow. I wonder if this is why.
Blowback
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*sigh*……
I would’ve preferred Liebs over Huckadoodle……
plz no huckster.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM
John McCain would be a fool to select Tim Pawlenty instead of Mitt Romney. Tim Pawlenty would be the “nobody gives a crap” running mate.
chip91 on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM
That a guy they never heard of three months ago is better than an empty suit that pals around with terrorists?
VolMagic on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Palin.
Benjamin9 on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM
I still think it’s Mitt.
backwoods conservative on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Traditional doesn’t seem the safest choice this election. I don’t think Romney or Pawlenty can capture people’s attention and/or imaginations the way that Obama can. Here’s hoping it’s non-traditional and this is all a head-fake.
zmrzlina on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Does anyone remember way back when people were talking about “rebranding” the Republican party? The only thing done on that end thus far is that McCain has started to sell green merchandise on his website. This is a horrible because Team McCain haven’t really broken away from Bush. He should have picked a woman IMO…
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Ugh…HouseGate!
Disturb the Universe on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Traditional VP pick?
Bucket of warm spit, in other words.
Just what we need.
LegendHasIt on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
I’m still not ruling out Rudy Giuliani, but I think it will be Pawlenty. And I am very happy with that.
Pawlenty is not just a “safe” choice for McCain, he is well nigh unassailable by the media or the Obama campaign. They haven’t really laid a glove on McCain yet and McCain can’t afford to give them the chance.
As I said on the other Pawlenty thread, I think his “Minnesota Nice” persona will play very well in Middle America, in contrast to the snarling Joe Biden and the sneering Barack Obama.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
If this country really hates rich people, why does everyone wanna get rich?
VolMagic on August 28, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Traditional? I agree that it’s unlikely to be Lieberman, but: which tradition?
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 PM
I meant that as a joke… It came out better in an early revision but…
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Palin.
Sir Andrew on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Well…..it beats Joe for sure…..given McCain’s tendancys, Pawlenty is not a mistake of the likes that some of the folks he floated would have been…basically it does not detract from the ticket but is probably doesn’t add to it either….
Having said that, given his holiness the Gaffemeister, that is probably a good ploy as standing by and handing him rope is a good bet to get to the White House….
SDarchitect on August 28, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Pawlenty or Cantor.
Wethal on August 28, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Anyone who thinks Pawlenty is boring or not-ready should get the tape of today’s RNC press conference. He was wonderful. I was not expecting to be impressed but I was.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:13 PM
I’M WITH MITT!
MITT 2012!
madmonkphotog on August 28, 2008 at 8:14 PM
If not Mitt than Sarah Palin, a state Gov., executive experience, pro-drilling, will take a lot of PUMAs and females who might otherwise vote Demo.
Tony737 on August 28, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Pawlenty was born in PA, right? Give “working class” Joe Biden a run for his money in PA?
Wethal on August 28, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Traditional?
Sweet he’s tapping Darth Cheney.
Spirit of 1776 on August 28, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Maybe Pawlenty is the antidote to the perceived reanimation of the uber-ruling VP. Cheney was seen as the head of the snake, while Bush was lackey.
I think Obama/Biden follows the same formula. Pawlenty being a novice…highlights the Obama as a novice.
Pawlenty is unknown but that may be an asset.
The Race Card on August 28, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Where can I get a Bob Barr bumper sticker, to replace the Mitt Romney sticker that’s on my car now?
VastRightWingConspirator on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Mac / Mitt ’08
Mitt / Palin ’12
Tony737 on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Engrish is my second ranguage.
The Race Card on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
I’m starting to get excited. I hope I’m not let down, I want MITT. I love Palin too, but I think that’s just a crush. Mitt is the most prepared candidate to lead the nation should the worst happen. MITT 2012
El_Terrible on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Blatantly false. Romney plans to be on the stage for all three events prior to the convention (Dayton, PA, and Missouri) regardless of whether or not he’s the VP.
JustinHiggins on August 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
im an independent who voted for clinton and is now voting for mccain. im not a conservative by any means.
but…
why the hell are conservatives to in love with romney?
he’s way out of touch, he’s mormon, he attacked mccain constantly during the primaries, saying “he knows nothing about the economy, i do”
he also is a karl rove protege which gives obama ammo. rove pushed hard to putt romney on the ticket and this will only make mccain look like he’s taking orders from rove. by not choosing romney it shows mccains independent streak and distance from rove and co.
venicesurfer on August 28, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Only 523,459 ‘Mcain’s VP’ threads to go before the announcement tomorrow…can it be done?
As for the quote “no longer understands himself to be in consideration”; jeebus, what a tortured sentence.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:18 PM
So basically Obama just won the election. Great. Thanks Mac.
D0WNT0WN on August 28, 2008 at 8:18 PM
im an independent who voted for clinton and is now voting for mccain. im not a conservative by any means.
but…why do conservatives love romney?
he’s way out of touch, he’s mormon, he attacked mccain constantly during the primaries, saying “he knows nothing about the economy, i do”
he also is a karl rove protege which gives obama ammo. rove pushed hard to putt romney on the ticket and this will only make mccain look like he’s taking orders from rove. by not choosing romney it shows mccains independent streak and distance from rove and co.
venicesurfer on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
I think if McCain plays it safe he’s lost it already.
Zaggs on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
I wondered why Drudge had up the headline that some of the VP “finalists” will be with McCain in Ohio, not just his choice.
“What is this, some cheesy “Dating Game” setup, and he makes his pick on TV?” Then I thought, “No, Wethal, silly girl. It’s an inspired dig at the Dems’ ‘Unity’ theme.”
The GOP has real unity. All the candidates up there promising to work together. (Paulnuts off somewhere muttering to themselves.)
Wethal on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
T-Paw will do fine. We have nasty liberals galore here in Minnesota and his batting average is pretty good. His only problem is that he’s had a few sips of the Green Kool-Aid, but I don’t see that ball rolling any time soon.
Mr. D on August 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Picking Pawlenty would be a mistake. Fred! would be the right way to go in order to counter Biden properly and to give a little hope to the staunch conservatives who are still wary about CIR and McCain/Feingold shenanigans.
But my sneaking suspicion is that McCain will not be picking a traditional GOP VP candidate. He’ll likely be picking Lieberman.
HebrewToYou on August 28, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Romney’s successful, has plenty of business savvy, but he’s slick. Why the heck would we want a president that doesn’t know crap about business (economics)? This makes no sense to me at all. So far, we have:
McCain – married rich. Okay, he had something she wanted.
Obama – couldn’t afford his whole property, so Rezko had to buy half for him, then give it to him.
Biden – a bazillion years in the senate – lives like a pauper. Either he’s not a very good senator, or he’s much better than Jefferson at hiding it. Neither one is comforting.
And maybe Romney. He’s good with a buck. Why is this wrong? Isn’t he really who we all want to be (in some form or other)?
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Why has McCain lost the election? I don’t think Pawlenty hurts him at all. He’s safe. Do no harm.
terryannonline on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 PM
he’s mormon
And you know us conservatives, always ready to hang the nearest guy who isn’t an evangelical.
You may have missed the ongoing battles here at HA concerning the quality and viability of a certain person named “Huckabee” who is about as far from Mormon as you can get.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 PM
This election was lost months ago. McCain is just trying to make a game of it.
lorien1973 on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 PM
I want Romney. I never heard of Pawlenty and it is no consolation that others have.
Blake on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 PM
BTW, if it is Meg Whitman or somebody else not in politics then they need to have their own well thought out views(which may be mavericky) and not act like Mr/s Republican like Mitt did in the primaries.
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 8:21 PM
This country hates success. Look at the tax bill that is getting a vote in CA.
lorien1973 on August 28, 2008 at 8:22 PM
When I heard that both Rove and the Bushes (41 and 43) wanted Romney, that put me off him even more.
Wethal on August 28, 2008 at 8:22 PM
There was a time once, when becoming wealthy, and being wealthy was something everybody admired. In fact, I still do. Odd how the democrats have turned a good thing into a class warfare. And the interesting thing is, it shouldn’t matter. Middle class voters still admire it, because many still think that they can achieve wealth, with hard work and some luck. Poor people are (generally) on the dole, and they would never vote republican anyway.
lionheart on August 28, 2008 at 8:22 PM
OT – but is the site’s CSS jacked up? All other sites I vist are fine.
All I am getting is links and text, no pics…reminds me of the net circa 1990ish
lsutiger on August 28, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Because he flatters them. The average conservative in these online forums thinks that an overwhelming majority of the electorate shares their worldview, and would vote for a very conservative candidate of one came along. Romney converted himself from a centrist New England governor to a down-the-line conservative during the primaries, and attacked the other candidates for their transgressions against conservative ideology.
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Palin.
christene on August 28, 2008 at 8:23 PM
AP, come on. Because he owns four homes (already out there) and interest in many other properties through an investment group? I owned shares in a REIT fund, can that possibly mean I own hundreds of commercial properties? How stupid is this election going to get?
Don’t no one answer that.
trailboss on August 28, 2008 at 8:24 PM
McCain is slaughtering Barry if you factor in the press Barry is getting he should be 15-17 points ahead and the press has finally reached the point where their oral gratification of Barry hurts him and doesn’t help…..
I want MAVERICK! to make a good pick but Pawlenty is absolutely not the burden Biden is.
sven10077 on August 28, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Why does anyone care? I know lots of people with funny beliefes, most work in public education (thanks Bill Ayers!) but so what? If he thinks he can be God after he’s dead, vs someone who doesn’t, uh, so?
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Ruck Fomney.
Sir Andrew on August 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Beliefs. Man…
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM
You’ve hit the problem. Republicans want to be the party of aspirant voters – people who want to be more than they are now. Too bad we are in a society these days where people prefer to wallow.
lorien1973 on August 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Nothing wrong with Tim, he would hold his own against Biden just fine because he’s intelligent and has a thorough knowledge of the issues.
Biden would rant and rave in that oddball bloviating manner of his, only to have his arguments picked apart by a calm and rational Tpaw. Give the guy a chance.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:26 PM
If this country really hates rich people, why does everyone wanna get rich?
Speedwagon82 on August 28, 2008 at 8:26 PM
One of the main reasons for picking Mitt Romney is his great success as a business man – his understanding of economic. His homes – and investments – are something we all strive for! Why should his homes, and their values, eliminate Romney? It was McCain who said he wanted everyone to be rich. Why would he run from it?
Hell, McCain and Romney can be the Tony Robbins of the country.
http://www.conservativepolitics.today.com
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I recommend that everyone read Pawlenty’s Wikipedia bio. You will not be disappointed.
What I think McCain likes most – Pawlenty took on the GOP establishment in Minnesota when he ran for Governor. They thought he was too conservative to win statewide, but he ran anyway and won. So he has some Maverickiness to him, in a way that conservatives will actually like.
I don’t know why it’s so hard for people to accept that this guy really is a rising star in the Party, just because he isn’t a household name like Mitt Romney. He doesn’t have 1/10 the baggage that Romney has either, and he doesn’t have 20% of the Party hating his guts and vowing to stay home if he is on the ticket.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Whats with all the hate for Pawlenty? He has done a decent job in the vast leftwing jungle that is a lot of MN. Took the state budget from being in the red, and put it in the black, by cutting government spending. Signed the conceal and carry bill. Signed into law a few pro-life bills. While I understand the lack of national recognition, the guy is a hockey player….not some wallflower.
coyoterex on August 28, 2008 at 8:29 PM
If that’s true, then this isn’t the country I thought I knew.
BTW, saw that tax thing. That’s what BO has in store for us, I believe.
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Dude.
It’s Huck.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Mitt was just a ploy to distract the media.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 8:29 PM
So we’re going to become the Dems now and punish success, except taking it one step further and apply it to our pols too?
SuperCool on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Hutchinson
Kat_Mo on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
62% overall tax rate if BO gets this tax bill passed!
Huck will make me stay home. One nanny state party is plenty.
lorien1973 on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Read the Wall St feature of Pawlenty (linked from Drudge).
Pawlenty’s only private sector experience was that of a failed VP at an Internet startup… This meme will play well with McCain’s “The economy is not my strong suit.” Two know-nothings about the economy.
Romney was the perfect pick. But mcCain caved into the class warfare crap.
kevinkristy on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Rockmom hit it, there won’t be any strange skeletons falling out of Tpaw’s closet when the liberal attack rats starting clawing through his past.
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
The vibe from the TV folks has shifted strongly toward Pawlenty. He canceled all his public appearances for today and tomorrow at the last minute.
The best they can say for Romney is that he may or may not have had the Secret Service sniffing around his sister’s place and wherever he is in CA at the moment. I’m calling BS on that. Secret Service is not particularly hard to ID.
I am betting that Palin is out, otherwise we’d likely have heard about a jet leaving Alaska by now- long flight and busy weekend again. I also lost interest in her after I watched her on CNBC saying “I’d be interested if I knew what the Vice President does. I like to be busy and that looks like a boring job.” She may have been joking, but looked like a ditz on that comment.
I am betting Pawlenty, but I hate myself for it. He’s a nice guy, seems smart and all, but too boring for this election. Plus, Obama’s folk are going to have a field day talking about the failing bridges in MN vs. Obama’s infrastructure pitch. He won’t bring MN or anywhere else.
Damiano on August 28, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Pawlenty’s wife is a former judge too. Very accomplished woman. They met in law school.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:32 PM
For what it’s worth, Biden made it abundantly clear in the days before that he was out. Still holding out hope, still think it’ll be that lib Pawlenty.
LibTired on August 28, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Huckabee likes Pawlenty.
-1
Connie on August 28, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Cognitive dissonance
It’s not like the public school system is grand at teaching critical thinking skills. :/
aikidoka on August 28, 2008 at 8:34 PM
teh wins
freevillage on August 28, 2008 at 8:34 PM
He can do it if he guts the military worse than BJ Clinton.
Huck? That would be the ultimate screw you to the party.
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Palin!
To sweep up the discontented Hillariacs.
And continue the “historical” challenge to Obumbles.
profitsbeard on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
Ugh, a global warming alarmist for VP, just what we need.
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
It’s not Mitt. He’s going on the National Review 2008 Post-Election Cruise that I should be going on.
IrishEi on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
The whole question of how many homes McCain owns was just a quick cheap shot. The fact that Republican pundits like AP are stretching it thin and attaching it to Romney indicates that they never wanted him for the job and can’t find a good reason why.
Dr B on August 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
testing
coolrepublica on August 28, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Pawlenty’s only private sector experience was that of a failed VP at an Internet startup
Did you mean to say vice president of a failed internet startup?
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Isn’t that true of nearly all VP picks? Whoever heard of Dan Quayle, George Bush, Sr., Walter Mondale, Al Gore, etc., etc. before the VP selection made them nationally known names?
JDPerren on August 28, 2008 at 8:36 PM
I remember hearing about Pawlenty even before the primaries got underway. I’m not surprised to hear his name.
If it’s him, we’ll work with him.
If not, we’ll work with whoever it turns out to be.
The alternative is O’Biden.
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 PM
I have no problem with Mitt Romney being wealthy. There are many wealthy politicians and all this because for a small moment, John McCain wasn’t sure of the exact # of homes that his wife owned *SIGH*
This is so ridiculous! I’m still hoping it’s Mitt. If Mc chooses Pawlenty over Mitt because of this homes issue, then he is a weaker man than I thought!
It shouldn’t even be an issue in this election. It’s just stupid. What about all those VERY WEALTHY liberal celebrities with multiple homes??!?!!
Snicker_Snort on August 28, 2008 at 8:37 PM
That’s the problem. He cut spending while bridges were falling in the river. Since then, there are TONS of reports of bridges that are still in bad shape all over the state, despite a big inspection initiative.
That versus The One’s infrastructure spending proposals will play very badly. Most people will prefer spending vs. their car falling in a river. Unfair, I know, but it’s a REALLY bad visual that EVERYONE can relate to and saw play out on TV for weeks. That memory is too fresh.
Damiano on August 28, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Pawlenty.
So Obama picks stale old white bread and J.Mac picks a fresh loaf of whole wheat.
Tony Soprano on August 28, 2008 at 8:38 PM
venicesurfer on August 28, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Why the hell are conservatives in love with Romney you ask? Lets us count some ways:
He’s way out of touch… That has the granularity of a damn boulder. What is he out of touch on? Does he have too many houses to be in touch to you?
He’s mormon… Are you effin serious? You think as a conservative I am going to discard someone because they don’t go to the same church as I do? It’s not as if I see mormons bombing airports or something, give me a break.
He attacked McCain constantly during the primaries… So he attacked the most liberal guy in the primaries, woooowww. How dare he? And McCain has a deficiency with the economy and Romney is a millionaire (successful) businessman; which is why we want him as VP.
Cardiganfox on August 28, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Hey, Stolaf is here, isn’t it about time that a 500 post argument begins on the relative merits of a Mormon versus an Evangelical for VP?
Ready…GO!
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 8:39 PM
WTF! You’re citing his religion as a reason conservatives should not like him?!? Do you work for Huckabee?
davenp35 on August 28, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Damiano – Pawlenty was asked about the bridge in the RNC news conference today and he handled it deftly. First he said that the final report is not in, but it appears very likely that the brdige failed due to a design flaw combined with too much weight during construction (yes, you read that right – the bridge was undergoing repair and renovation when it collapsed). Second, he said that Republicans and Democrats agree that we need to spend more on infrastructure, but Republicans do not agree that we need to raise gas taxes to do it. The he went into some wonk stuff about how once we get to using cars that don’t need so much gas we won’t have enouogh revenue anyway, so we need to get on with finding other stable sources of revenue. Then, to top it off, he cited Ed Rendell and Pennsylvania as an example of states using creative bonding mechanisms to fund infrastructure.
I told you I was impressed. I can remember almost every word he said, that’s how impressed I was.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Everything you just said.
TinMan13 on August 28, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Palin.
(is there an echo around here?)
turfmann on August 28, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Pawlenty’s a head fake folks.
Mitt’s our guy.
My kitty says:
Et tu Brute on August 28, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Go on without me.
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 8:41 PM
With Mitt, it’s Jell-O.
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Okay, and here’s where I’m going to call out the dumbasses. Pawlenty did NOT cause the I-35 bridge or other bridges to collapse. The responsibility of the gusset plates is on the last person to deal with the plates, being former MnDOT commission Elwyn Tinklenberg (who is running against Michele Bachmann in MN-6.) Tinklenberg signed off on those plates and they were never brought up again.
Pawlenty cannot be held responsible for something that wasn’t his responsibility.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Wait a minute. Is Leiberman Teller?
Coronagold on August 28, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Funny, when Dick Cheney was head of the VP-choice committee, and then chose himself, I wasn’t thrilled. I just knew I was supporting George W. over the algore.
Ah, good times, good times. Memories, like the corners of my mind…
Marcus on August 28, 2008 at 8:44 PM
New bumper sticker: “Pawlenty…at least he ISN’T Lieberman.”
*sigh*
ManlyRash on August 28, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Damiano – only the most nasty partisans tried to blame Pawlenty for the bridge collapse. And if you think Americans really want to talk about infrastructure for the next 60 days, I want some of what you are smoking. Democrats always want to talk about it, just like they always want to talk abotu socialized medicine.
rockmom on August 28, 2008 at 8:44 PM
As Gore takes the stage to ‘Sun Shine In”
xyzzy on August 28, 2008 at 8:44 PM
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