No, Scott. I don't think either Romney or Huckabee will necessarily be McCain's vice presidential selection.
Senator McCain has learned he could win a presidential nomination without seriously pandering to the post-Reagan religious right wing of the Republican Party. I think he probably knew this all along.
Huckabee or Romney would just be warmed over campaign baggage for McCain. I don't think the new mood of this country is anxious for a Baptist preacher waiting for a 73-77 year old president to kick the bucket, and the same religious right represented by Huckabee would be hostile to a Mormon doing the waiting.
Giuliani might be a better choice, and his ideology -- if you would want to term it that -- is much closer to that of McCain than to almost anyone else among the candidates. Rudi's presence on the ticket could help seal McCain's control over what will be a major sea change in the Republican Party, with focus clearly on the center and on do-what-works government management, replacing endless and nonsensical arguments over stuff the wingnuts focus on.
But the key question facing Senator McCain on this otherwise victorious morning is not "whom does he select for vice president", but "which one of the two Democrats will he face in November". Identifying the main opponent is what drives his next campaign steps, now that he has been awared all but a coronation. And only the voters of the Democratic Party can make that decision for him.
...with focus clearly on the center and on do-what-works government management, replacing endless and nonsensical arguments over stuff the wingnuts focus on.
Those wingnuts also have no problem leaving the party and handing victory to Democrats. Those wingnuts vote for who they want in office, not who they think will beat the other guy.
And I hope the Right stops whining like a bunch of liberals.
Perhaps the right is "whining" because there's something seriously wrong with the party only you've moved too far left to see it.
Should the "whining" right of the GOP leave, the GOP ceases to be a functioning political body. It happened with the Whigs. There's no reason it can't happen again.
I'm a registered Republican. I will be voting third party this year. I vote for who I want in office. Not against who I don't want.
Too much blood has been spilled to allow that fundamental right to be twisted like so many in the GOP want to do just to maintain its own consistency. When the GOP becomes the anit-Democrat party it's time to pack it in. That road leads only to reactionary policy. I refuse to live like that. Either lead or get out of the way.
The Republican party, it seems, wants to do neither. Let them get trampled then.
Rudi's presence on the ticket could help seal McCain's control over what will be a major sea change in the Republican Party, with focus clearly on the center and on do-what-works government management, replacing endless and nonsensical arguments over stuff the wingnuts focus on.
Arnold,
I'm curious about your thoughts on a McCain/Guiliani ticket given McCain's somewhat open stance on the immigration issue and Guiliani's stance on gun control. While I'm as ready as anyone to leave the religion out of the Republican party, I'm not so sure I like these men's stances on these and civil liberties issues. Of course, I think Clinton or Obama would be worse; but if this is such a sea change as you state, it sounds like the country's moving left and is ready to continue spending and big government.
Kevin, those conservatives need the Republicans or else they will become a footnote in political history. If they bolt the party because of the McCain nomination they have just proven to everyone that they are not reliable or trustworthy, that they are summer soldiers who can be counted on so long as their demands are met. That is a disasterous suggestion for conservatives do because they will lose their influence in one of the two parties that counts, and they will lose their influence on the political system.
If they make their own private political Idaho compound then they will become what all others are who do that - losers; ignored and impotent.
If your goal is to see America punished, and her people open to attack and/or ruined financially in order to prove a point for any reason, then you do not deserve politial power nor are you likely to achieve it. A party is a compact. It is, essentially, a pleage of mutual support. As a matter of fact, it's nothing more or less than a promise.
If you go Third Party and the Dems win, your side won't get anything - and America will get screwed. If you stick with McCain and he wins, your side will at least get a seat at the table.
I guess you'd rather see Iraq and the war on terror lost, and liberal judges appointed all because McCain doesn't kiss the Religious Right's butt?
I'm conservative - but I am in no way Religious Right. I'm libertarian and McCain is all too willing to use the power of the State to infringe on personal liberties. Come on, the man thinks Congress has the right to interfere in baseball for God's sake. It's the litte bit by bit chipping away of freedom that worries more than any other single issue.
I'd certainly hate to see any ground given in Iraq or the GWOT, but I have to say that I'm also fearful of the continued infringement on personal liberties and unrestricted federal spending. The sad thing is, McCain is the least offensive to my libertarian sensibilities, but he's pretty damned offensive.
I have been a very stalwart supporter of Bush's foreign policy, but I've been sorry to see the continued spending during his administration, with his own party jumping in with both feet. I'm also sorry to see the limp noodle immigration policy of our government and what I fear is a continued erosion of our civil liberties. The electorate just doesn't seem to care, and now we're stuck with a choice between three senators who all seem to be part of the problem. But maybe that's what it will take; we just haven't driven far enough down the road of fiscal irresponsibility for it to hurt yet. I hope I'm wrong.
as for mccain's possible vp choice - i'll say lieberman. mccain doesn't gain anything by tacking right, only by appealing to centrists. lieberman also mollifies the hawks and ensures continuity in the event of mccain's death.
I can see a left-of-center citizen thinking that McCain is a bit too gung-ho, a bit too Conservative to get his vote. That person, rationally, makes sense, and will likely vote for Obama or Clinton.
I cannot fathom a right-of-center citizen whining that McCain is not right-wing enough, and therefore, he/she will sit home or vote third party, and hand the election to Obama or Clinton, who are much more liberal than McCain.
It makes absolutely no sense.
I'm gladly and proudly voting for McCain.
HankB
2.7.2008 5:33pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
He is a very good candidate if not a bit insular.
Now we have to deal with Huckabee. Ugh.
Just kidding, though stranger things have happened.
McCain-Romney. Start printing the bumperstickers.
Senator McCain has learned he could win a presidential nomination without seriously pandering to the post-Reagan religious right wing of the Republican Party. I think he probably knew this all along.
Huckabee or Romney would just be warmed over campaign baggage for McCain. I don't think the new mood of this country is anxious for a Baptist preacher waiting for a 73-77 year old president to kick the bucket, and the same religious right represented by Huckabee would be hostile to a Mormon doing the waiting.
Giuliani might be a better choice, and his ideology -- if you would want to term it that -- is much closer to that of McCain than to almost anyone else among the candidates. Rudi's presence on the ticket could help seal McCain's control over what will be a major sea change in the Republican Party, with focus clearly on the center and on do-what-works government management, replacing endless and nonsensical arguments over stuff the wingnuts focus on.
But the key question facing Senator McCain on this otherwise victorious morning is not "whom does he select for vice president", but "which one of the two Democrats will he face in November". Identifying the main opponent is what drives his next campaign steps, now that he has been awared all but a coronation. And only the voters of the Democratic Party can make that decision for him.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
I hope you are right. And I hope the Right stops whining like a bunch of liberals.
Those wingnuts also have no problem leaving the party and handing victory to Democrats. Those wingnuts vote for who they want in office, not who they think will beat the other guy.
Perhaps the right is "whining" because there's something seriously wrong with the party only you've moved too far left to see it.
Should the "whining" right of the GOP leave, the GOP ceases to be a functioning political body. It happened with the Whigs. There's no reason it can't happen again.
I'm a registered Republican. I will be voting third party this year. I vote for who I want in office. Not against who I don't want.
Too much blood has been spilled to allow that fundamental right to be twisted like so many in the GOP want to do just to maintain its own consistency. When the GOP becomes the anit-Democrat party it's time to pack it in. That road leads only to reactionary policy. I refuse to live like that. Either lead or get out of the way.
The Republican party, it seems, wants to do neither. Let them get trampled then.
Arnold,
I'm curious about your thoughts on a McCain/Guiliani ticket given McCain's somewhat open stance on the immigration issue and Guiliani's stance on gun control. While I'm as ready as anyone to leave the religion out of the Republican party, I'm not so sure I like these men's stances on these and civil liberties issues. Of course, I think Clinton or Obama would be worse; but if this is such a sea change as you state, it sounds like the country's moving left and is ready to continue spending and big government.
If they make their own private political Idaho compound then they will become what all others are who do that - losers; ignored and impotent.
I guess all this talk about Iraq and the GWOT being the #1 issue for Republicans was just talk then?
I guess you'd rather see Iraq and the war on terror lost, and liberal judges appointed all because McCain doesn't kiss the Religious Right's butt?
As John S. commented at Classical Values:
If you go Third Party and the Dems win, your side won't get anything - and America will get screwed. If you stick with McCain and he wins, your side will at least get a seat at the table.
I'm conservative - but I am in no way Religious Right. I'm libertarian and McCain is all too willing to use the power of the State to infringe on personal liberties. Come on, the man thinks Congress has the right to interfere in baseball for God's sake. It's the litte bit by bit chipping away of freedom that worries more than any other single issue.
That's why he will NEVER get my vote.
So I was right, a loss in the GWOT and Iraq is okay then?
Never mind his pro-life, pro-gun stances, military service...
I'd certainly hate to see any ground given in Iraq or the GWOT, but I have to say that I'm also fearful of the continued infringement on personal liberties and unrestricted federal spending. The sad thing is, McCain is the least offensive to my libertarian sensibilities, but he's pretty damned offensive.
I have been a very stalwart supporter of Bush's foreign policy, but I've been sorry to see the continued spending during his administration, with his own party jumping in with both feet. I'm also sorry to see the limp noodle immigration policy of our government and what I fear is a continued erosion of our civil liberties. The electorate just doesn't seem to care, and now we're stuck with a choice between three senators who all seem to be part of the problem. But maybe that's what it will take; we just haven't driven far enough down the road of fiscal irresponsibility for it to hurt yet. I hope I'm wrong.
as for mccain's possible vp choice - i'll say lieberman. mccain doesn't gain anything by tacking right, only by appealing to centrists. lieberman also mollifies the hawks and ensures continuity in the event of mccain's death.
I can see a left-of-center citizen thinking that McCain is a bit too gung-ho, a bit too Conservative to get his vote. That person, rationally, makes sense, and will likely vote for Obama or Clinton.
I cannot fathom a right-of-center citizen whining that McCain is not right-wing enough, and therefore, he/she will sit home or vote third party, and hand the election to Obama or Clinton, who are much more liberal than McCain.
It makes absolutely no sense.
I'm gladly and proudly voting for McCain.
HankB
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.