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
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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.
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Yes, but not the one you think – even my lousy polls tell me that he is poison.
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Start with any state colored red, and throw in some greens… Mizzou, anyone?
battleoflepanto1571 on August 28, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Give what up? I just stumbled across it, and thought I’d post it.
McBaine on August 28, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Vashta:
Romney polls at about 30%. On a national basis. Or he did back in the primaries. 30% means there are lots of states where lots of people just are not sure about this guy.
Terrye on August 28, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I’ve heard if it’s Romney, “the entire south is lost”. Read it somewhere online. Oh, well, I’m with the guy who doesn’t care if it’s Mark Foley, I don’t want Commander-In-Chief Obama stepping off that helicopter to saluting Marines.
Marcus on August 28, 2008 at 9:27 PM
No Terrye. It just means there were many choices in the primary.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 9:27 PM
True, but compare that to Pawlenty. I am assuming no headfake, and the VP is one of the two.
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I bet Pawlenty
if it’s a “surprise”, it’s Palin.
fo sho’
battleoflepanto1571 on August 28, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Maybe it’s just me but this entire event – on television- seems very detached so far.
Maybe the dark skies and lights of heaven shining down upon Obama it will make it more personal.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Keep in mind also that this is not a popularity contest; it is McCain’s call to make. He might be more comfortable with Pawlenty, esp with the global warming stuff. But, electorally, his better bet between the two is Romney.
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 PM
During the primaries the 100% was split among a half dozen candidates. 30% in that situation is not that bad. Fred, by comparison, was around 12%.
backwoods conservative on August 28, 2008 at 9:31 PM
It’s Tancredo!
fossten on August 28, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Dude.
Wake up.
Romney is a disaster.
If Mccain picked Romney he would lose the entire south.
Think about what states Huck won…know for certain that Mccain would lose every one of those states with Romney on the ticket.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 9:34 PM
I don’t want Commander-In-Chief Obama stepping off that helicopter to saluting Marines.
Marcus on August 28, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Russian or American Marines?
Bishop on August 28, 2008 at 9:35 PM
If it’s Pawlenty, I can’t wait to see the attack ads in states (FL) heavily populated by senior citizens that focus on Pawlenty putting sex offenders in nursing homes.
SnarkVader on August 28, 2008 at 9:35 PM
No, dude – you wake up. Huckabee is a joke to many, and poison to the rest. The south (of which I am a part) is heavily behind Romney as VP, and in no case would sit out to let Obama win. Huckabee would hand Florida to the dems. BTW, you might have missed my post yesterday, detailing how Huck and Clinton shared many things, including a certain campaign advisor named Dick Morris. Huck was in the race to prevent Romney from being the candidate against Hillary. What better revenge than to have Romney in place when she tries in 2012 or 2016? Or is she your backup?
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Wasn’t there a story here earlier about a law that passed in Illinois regarding tougher penalties for sex offenders and Obama’s “no” vote? Or was it “present”?
Marcus on August 28, 2008 at 9:41 PM
We can’t do anything about McCain. We can do something about Romney. Retire the bastard at 61.
This election will be the last of the old men. Next election, the youth shall take over.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Pawlenty spiked on Intrade
jp on August 28, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Romney is a business man with a large fortune he made. Nothing wrong with real estate holdings
RAH on August 28, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Pawlenty boring,can’t even bring his own state along.When the debate ends between Biden and Pawlenty Pawlenty will look like a crying school child who just had his lunch money stolen at recess.Romney would have been a far better choice and held up well in the debate and made a excellent attack dog.All this said and even though I stated I wouldn’t vote for the open borders McCain I will do so reluctantly because I believe Obama to be a very dangerous person if elected and the democrats having control of both houses of congress would be a scary situation indeed.
Romeny could have helped in Michigan,Colorado,and Nevada.Events of the past few weeks have conspired against him though with the whole house flap.
PTN 39 on August 28, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Apologies if someone has mentioned this in the three pages of posts I did not read, but here is my take.
1. Traditional does not meant expected. What it does mean is that he is not picking someone who will go contrary to the party base on any major issues (abortion, etc, etc,)
2. The fact that Pawlenty and Romney have both been seen and heard from today indicates it is probably not them.
3. McCain is still the maverick who likes to shake things up, and would love to pull one over on all the guessers.
This leads me to my conclusion . . . that McCain’s pick is a traditional conservative, not one of the previously mentioned candidates and nearly a complete shocker to everyone, especially the MSM . . . Drum Roll Please – - – the winner is Eric Cantor (R -VA).
Cantor is liked by the base, Jewish (the same thing that people said was drawing him to Lieberman and a voting block the Rep. could possible steal this year), and from the very important swing state of good old VA. I have a few other reasons for thinking it is Cantor, but I will keep them to myself for now.
Govgirl on August 28, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Eric Cantor takes that side now.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 9:44 PM
He voted against a bill that would prohibit early release of sex offenders.
SnarkVader on August 28, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Why is McCain making this so dang hard to support him? I think I’ll go see what Obama’s saying. Maybe there something to him after all.
petunia on August 28, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Oh and Janet Napolitano said today that McCain may lose AZ. I think she may be right unless Pawlenty does something to prove he is worth it. The West is won by Obama, because McCain is too boneheaded to know who to listen to. Idiot.
petunia on August 28, 2008 at 9:47 PM
You’ve never acutally seen Pawlenty speak or debate, have you?
Hollowpoint on August 28, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Allah, best drop a line to Chakra…
Think_b4_speaking on August 28, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Damn. I really wanted it to be Romney. I guess it still could be. The rumors are flying right and left right now. My gut tells me it’s Pawlenty.
jewells45 on August 28, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Petunia, how much of a gall darn idiot do you have to be to listen to Janet Napolitano?
Go pound sand and go support Obama. You already said you would.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Pretty rude of her after speaking at the DNC. “May?”
Marcus on August 28, 2008 at 9:50 PM
You are exactly right – McCain can’t carry this by himself, nor with a relative unknown.
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Take it easy on the hard drugs man….those things will kill you.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 9:52 PM
I think Vashta is an Obama plant. And I think he needs to be excised.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Look at the lights burning in that stadium.
What a HUGE carbon footprint!
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Gawdy. Just gawdy.
jewells45 on August 28, 2008 at 9:59 PM
“Say what you will about Barack Obama, people gravitate when you have something positive to say. People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders. They don’t want to follow some negative, scornful person.”
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Pawlenty’s Office releases itinerary that states he will be in Minnesota tomorrow
William Amos on August 28, 2008 at 10:00 PM
If that’s true MB4, then what the heck are those people doing in that arena?
I’ve never seen such negative people.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Don’t ask me. I didn’t say it.
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Mb4 is looking for followers! Please push the positive button on your keyboard and see Dennis Kucinich for “flight instructions”.
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:03 PM
How many damn clues do I have to give anyway for some people to observe as well as see?
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Even if it is Pawlenty, he’s better than Romney without a doubt.
Can Pawlenty help deliver ohio and virginia though?
Romney sure can’t.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 10:06 PM
ZzZzz.. huh? It’s Pawlenty?.. Oh. ZzZzz
on the topic brought up here recently, Megyn kelley or whatever she calls herself these days has been a little to RaRaRah!!! reporting from invesco 4 me. You’d think a pretty girl like that would have been to a college football game or something and not be so taken by a stadium with people in it? It’s 5 am here, I got up real early to see the 1st messiah NOT from the holy land and she’s driving me a bit bonko with the in awe look in her eyes.. Clearly a lot of people have never been to an AC/DC concert :)
saus on August 28, 2008 at 10:06 PM
What a great story. They totally skipped over the drug use.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Don’t you dare hate on mix-master MB4. Just cause a man sees genius in madness doesn’t make him a true believer. Careful whose cage you shake Rovin.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:07 PM
People gravitated to Hitler too. In their hearts they also thought they were hearing a positive message.
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:09 PM
If Dick Morris ever goes down, get ready for the call-up to Fox. You are all kinds of astute.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM
You know that’s what you wanted to say.
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM
OMG! It’s the Obamadonis!
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:12 PM
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM
You’d think he’d loosen up around friends. We know who you are St. O. Let it out before it festers.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Indeed Cold Steel, as Tim Pawlenty may be VP, and even President, one day.
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I have the utmost respect for MB4’s opinions CS. I just don’t have to agree with every one of them as gospel.
Rattlin’ cages is what us old cagers do. :)
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:14 PM
So, where are the palm leaves? I don’t see people laying palm leaves for Obummer.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:14 PM
OMG! He accepted the nomination!
I NEVER SAW IT COMING!
Do you hear the angels sing?
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I’m under a self-imposed blackout. One thing I want to know though:
is he wearing a toga? Please tell me he’s wearing a toga. I will vote for him twice if he comes out in a toga.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:15 PM
I got home late from work….what happened to the Greek Pillars?
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:15 PM
It’s a brilliant deep purple! Some will argue it’s violet, but it’s not. It’s true purple.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:16 PM
+1
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Don’t get carried away now. I don’t even respect all of my opinions.
MB4 on August 28, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Where is his racist white grandmother?
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:17 PM
No S*** he did not mention his racist white grandmother.
From Hillary, to Biden, Michelle, and his girls but not his racist white grandmother?
Dayum!
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:18 PM
That gets a huge LOL from me.
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 10:19 PM
His toga, or his unicorn??? Please tell me….what’s violet??
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Why is your unquestioning and uncritical backing of McCain “obvious?” You get squeamish over Pawlenty but that didn’t stop you from attacking some of the other suggested VP picks including Romney and the whole “lets bash Mormon’s” theme you had going on during the primary. McCain may be the last “Republican” standing but he isn’t the best the party had to offer. Pawlenty may be a good guy (as is Cantor, Palin or any of the other nobodies out there on the supposed short lists) but he isn’t ready for prime time.
Simply put I want a conservative bulldog to reign in cranky liberal bastard when he starts down the path of amnesty or punishing corporations for being successful. That isn’t going to happen with political unknowns it needs a VP who has a public presence of his/her own right. Romney or Thompson would be good foils to cranky liberal bastard but there are many others out there as well without this constant stream of not ready for primetime politicians who will be the next generation of Republicans should the party somehow survive McCain’s stewardship.
highhopes on August 28, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Humility. I like it.
+1
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Here come’s the “Im going to fill every pocket book by taxing the rich”.
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:20 PM
For God’s sake, lets not put a guy on the ticket who has lived the American Dream, took advantage of all the opportunities this country provides, did it without cheating, stealing, breaking the law or using his elected position to enrich himself. A guy who raised great kids who don’t rob, rape or get addicted to drugs. I guy who after making millions and reaching a point in his life where he was still young and could go and do anything he wanted decided to give back to the country he loves and serve. No, we don’t want a guy like that on the ticket. Let’s go find another person who hasn’t ever had a real job, has only worked in government. Yeah, those are the guys we can trust.
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Sorry, neither. It’s his tongue.
He wears no toga- though he did just reference the show “8 is enough.” LOL. Remember the show with Willie Ames?
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I knew there had to be at least ONE person out there, who’s as crazy as him.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 10:22 PM
“Eight is enough” and so is two and a half in the Senate to run the free world……????????
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:23 PM
highhopes on August 28, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Agreed. We need the two who were the most focused and vocal against the leftist mentality.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Simple: It’s politics. He’s not the right guy, so he’s off the ballot. Accept it, or go to the Democrats.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:24 PM
If everyone has a problem with McCain and Romney being rich… it’s a simple fix. Just call in some democrats to levitate their houses and shake all the money out. Problem solved!
GoodBoy on August 28, 2008 at 10:27 PM
re: mccain vp…
the announcment & rollout is at a basketball gym, right?
pawlenty was a hockey star, not hoops..
…but guess who was a bball star in her youth?
PALIN
battleoflepanto1571 on August 28, 2008 at 10:27 PM
You can start in Wikipedia on Huckabee, then move to the harder stuff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Huckabee
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Dude. Romney was a billionaire from the moment of conception.
You do know that right?
Anybody with a billionaire, Governor, Dad, could get used by some bright go getters as a fundraising tool for a private equity fund.
SaintOlaf on August 28, 2008 at 10:28 PM
It’s suicide. The republicans don’t know how to play politics.
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:28 PM
You’re just a pathetic little bigot and have nothing of value to add to any conversation.
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:24 PM
The Republican party is already meeting the jackasses half way. Excuse some of us for trying to hold our ground. Mealy-mouthed PC and spineless celebrity-envy are what’s wrong with some so-called Republicans in the party. Sorry I expect a little more. Guess that’s why I prefer Conservatism just a little more. What I hate is how half-assed some of these RINO’s do it. Why not go all the way? Why stop at class envy? Why stop at nannyism? Why not go all the way in the spirit of true bi-partisanship?
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Oh yeah, and St. Peter is looking forward to informing you that you will burn in hell for eternity. How do you like your own medicine, bigot?
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Olaf: Allah has a new thread for you, take a look
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I hope the youth who may take over will be those who don’t think it’s an especially good thing that the youth take over.
Kralizec on August 28, 2008 at 10:32 PM
He does have good insight in player hate-ism. He’s a true artiste.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:33 PM
OMG!
He’s touting McCain’s tax cut plan!
ROFLMBO!
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:33 PM
That’s where we are heading, a one party system. Anybody out there have a senator in the gang of 16 know that they are bending over for a compromise that will allow the offshore ban to expire while making it just as nearly impossible to drill offshore. It’s another fake out of us stupid unwashed by the political class.
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Obama…..”I will end our dependence on foriegn oil in ten years”…………Whoo hooo….we’re drillin now baby!
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:35 PM
peacenprosperity on August 28, 2008 at 10:34 PM
The House and Senate have become enmeshed with bureaucracy. We now have a bureaucratic pseudo-democracy which,with Obambi already doing his Ancient God impersonation, is aping the Fall of Rome right down to Nero’s flaming fiddle. Does Beck have enough pitchforks for everyone yet?
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:39 PM
The messiah’s promising every American free health care and free education to every American that is not aborted.
Change we can believe in!
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Gawd, please tell me it’s not Pawlenty! One of the few things I liked about McCain is that he said ethanol was a scam. But heeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Pawlenty:
Buy Danish on August 28, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Thanks for the cover fire AP. St. Olafabama was just getting warmed up.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Obama has a very soft-on-crime record in the Illinois senate. Sex offenders, violent gang members — they’re all just misunderstood, and Obama wanted to give them all a break. Typical liberal loon.
And there’s no way John McCain will lose Arizona. Janet is just wishing out loud.
AZCoyote on August 28, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I admire your statement, but defending conservatism by putting Mitt Romney in is like using a peashooter to take down the Great Wall of China. It doesn’t work and doesn’t make sense.
Pawlenty is the most likely to be the standard bearer. He is the only one who has put his schedule in the hands of the McCain campaign. No other person, not even Mitt Romney, has done that.
Pawlenty is the VP. I will vote for McCain/Pawlenty because I believe they do represent a great shot to defeat “The One”.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:45 PM
We have a lot of small earthquakes around here, and I’m not sure if I just felt one or it may have been Chris Matthew’s leg shakin’
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Mike held John’s jock, walked his dog, laughed at his jokes, and ran interference for him in the school yard. What did that get him? All Pawlenty did was turn over his schedule? Now he’s the standard bearer? Come on.
To your second point….
to shoot down a Marxist, wouldn’t an unashamed and wildly successful and articulate capitalist be more of a threat? Mitt is no wall flower, and as a bonus, he doesn’t need a teleprompter.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Minnesota has a large agricultural base with numerous ethanol plants- you don’t run in Minnesota and not be for ethanol. I agree that it’s a scam, but keep in mind that Mitt was also pro-ethanol subsidy.
Unfortunately he’s also drank the Global Warming Kool-Aid, but then again so has McCain.
Hollowpoint on August 28, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Rovin on August 28, 2008 at 10:47 PM
That’s the pigs Mike shot up in the air in an ill-fated attempt at taking the VP slot.
Cold Steel on August 28, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I’m going to vomit.
Virginia Shanahan on August 28, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Cold Steel, I have to ask. Do you think I like Huckabee? Seriously. Do you think I was a Huckabee fan during the primary or right now?
I keep seeing you put Mike up, and I want to make sure that I’m not reading things correctly. Are you saying I am a Huckabee fan?
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 10:57 PM
So now they’re basing it on how many houses a person owns? That’s fucking retarded.
MBP1982 on August 28, 2008 at 11:01 PM
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