These are the kinds of candidates McCain ought to be looking at. They're young and dynamic leaders who would give his ticket a burst of energy, which tired old Joe Biden certainly can't match. Is McCain brave enough to consider them? His campaign has been very good at muddying the waters around their VP choice, so it might actually be a possibility. McCain's reputation as a 'maverick' would certainly be reinforced by such a creative choice, just as it would suffer from a pedestrian choice like Romney. It's time for McCain and the GOP to have some balls and do something unexpected. That's the only way they're going to win this election. This choice is a make or break test for McCain to see if he can do something clever and gutsy, or if he's just another hack who plays it safe. A lot of Republicans are waiting to be inspired. Let's hope he doesn't let us down.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Silas Kain
Dave,
Ironically I wrote a piece today and after reading your opinion, I'll share it with you because it pretty much sums up what I hope John McCain will do...
After watching the first night of the Democrat Convention I'm still trying to figure out what it is that makes the Fourth Estate such willing participants in ramming Barack Obama down our throats as the last best hope of America. I don't buy it. But I do have a dream. There are a few days left before McCain announces his pick for Vice President. And that got me to thinking. What could John McCain say or do that would convince me he is the man we want in the White House? Well, here's the text of my fantasy announcement:
"My friends I'm standing before you a very humble man. I know that during this campaign many of you have been asking where is the John McCain I knew and loved? Some of you wonder if that maverick spirit in me is all but dead. My fellow Americans, don't always judge a book by its cover. As you all know, I've fought many good fights in my career. Eight years ago I ran for this office and lost to the current President. Many of my supporters were left angry, disillusioned by the treatment we received from the fringes of our party. My friends, if I spent all my time dwelling on the days of the past I would not be standing here today. Those days are behind us, the best days for America are ahead. I believe that and I ask you to share my vision for America.
Last week the Democrats nominated a great man to carry their banner. History was made. To ignore Senator Obama's nomination and all that it represents would be immoral and, frankly, un-American. His nomination proves how far America has come in healing the racial divide. As important as healing the racial divide there are other matters which divide our nation that are of equal importance. As the Democrat Party proved, there remains the issue of gender. Don't let them tell you that because John McCain is Republican, he's against women. Don't let them tell you that because John McCain supports the President in his war on terror that he's a carbon copy of the current Administration. I'm not running on President Bush's record. There have been mistakes - I've pointed out many along the way. And, finally, there's the issue of my age. The other party would have you think that being my age is a disadvantage. My friends, it's your advantage.
Today I am announcing my choice to serve as Vice President. And before I share my decision I want you to consider the possibilities. I'm a realist. All throughout my political life I've been known as the maverick, challenging the powers in Washington to serve with honor and not self interest. I know that many of you wonder what happened to the John McCain we know and love. You wonder if I've lost that spirit. I'm here. My fellow Americans, I haven't changed. We've changed. We're insecure about the world around us. We're insecure about how we're going to keep a roof over our families. Yes, they will tell you I am out of touch with mainstream America because of my personal circumstances.
Earlier I asked you not to judge me by what you see on the surface. I am inspired by the nomination of Senator Obama. All Americans should be proud of how far we have advanced. But now is not the time to be blinded by the dramatic light generated from Denver last week. Senator Biden has often talked about the divisiveness that paralyzes Washington. As a Senator I have worked hard to try and change the face of politics in Washington and it's an uphill battle which requires climbing a steep hill riddled with boulders of self interest. Therein lies one fundamental problem. If we are to serve the people who have entrusted us with their lives we must make every American our special interest. We have to take the power away from the lobbyists on K Street and replace them with the ultimate lobbyists - the American people. I know that my decision will not be welcome by many in my own party. I ask that you look not toward Republican interest but to the best interest of the United States.
Democrats keep talking about passing the torch to a new generation. I ask how can we pass a torch that is all but extinguished? We're all Americans and it is in that commonality that I ask you to consider something more revolutionary than the events in Denver last week. We can look at the mistakes of the past to learn from them but to spend every waking moment reliving the mistakes blinds us from the inspiration to chart a new course. Like no other time in our history, America demands a President who can reach out across party lines and encourage a new spirit of bipartisanship unknown since the days of Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neil. I am here to make a pact with you, my friends. As I said, I'm a realist. I am running to be your President for one term and one term alone. I am asking you to give me four years with your agenda. I am asking you to let me take that torch and make it shine bright again. A President without a re-election agenda is a President who can effect change. We can't allow America to continue to be divided by gender, race, economic circumstance or political party. America can't continue its addiction to energy supplied outside our land. And America cannot continue to be party to contributing to the destruction of our environment. We're an innovative people and when we're called upon to rely on our own ingenuity and resources, we succeed.
If we are to have an America that is no longer divided by red and blue, we need an Administration that is red, white and blue. A McCain Administration without a re-election agenda is an administration made up of Americans from all walks of life, all genders, all races, and yes, even every political party. A McCain Administration would reflect the soul of America - as diverse and talented as our people. Black, white, Latino. Man, woman, transgendered. Straight, gay, Christian, Jew and Muslim. An administration of inclusion and not exclusion. Yes there are differences. But it is in finding our common bonds that we can work to find better answers and solutions. An Administration that delivers all points of view to the Oval Office will find alternatives which will allow us to grow out of the quagmire that grips our nation. I love my country. I have fought for my country both in the theater of war and in the theater that is Washington. In order for me to demonstrate how committed I am to make this change happen, I have decided to nominate a person that is known to all but not well known to my party. And I ask my party to stand with me as agents for change. The other side of the aisle can sing "yes we can" and today I am here to prove to America that "yes we can" has been replaced by "yes we did." If the bright light of bipartisanship is once again going to shine over Washington it must begin in my Oval Office. I have shared my vision for an administration which is not driven by a re-election agenda and he has committed himself to work with me and the members of our Administration to work on behalf of all Americans. For me the choice is clear. My friends, I have asked Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut to join me in this cause. And, I am proud to announce, that Senator Lieberman has accepted the challenge and is ready to stand with me as my Vice President..."
So much for dreams.
2 - RJ Elliott
I think it's gonna be 47-year old Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. And I think it's a mistake.
He's not all that conservative, he's not well-known nationally, he has limited experience, he's not guaranteed to carry his home state of Minnesota, he really doesn't appeal to any particular constituency in the Republican Party other than John McCain (if he's going that road, why not just pick his "assistant" Lindsey Graham?), and he strikes me as gaffe-prone and a poor debater.
But he does have executive experience, he is moderate and could presumably appeal to independent voters, he is relatively young and fairly telegenic, and McCain likes him.
So. He's about the worst possible pick, IMO, but I'm guessing McCain picks him. I hope I'm wrong.
3 - Dave Nalle
I don't think your scenario is all that unrealistic, Silas. I'm sure McCain considered it seriously. I think it would be a disastrous mistake, since Lieberman is hated by moderates, democrats AND republicans more than anyone but Hillary Clinton. But the bipartisan ticket idea is appealing - it just requires someone less despicable than Lieberman to make it work.
Hell, if you want to fantasize about McCain picking a Democrat, why not Barney Frank? I like and respect him way more than Lieberman.
Actually, to be entirely serious, I'd bet that if McCain asked Bill Richardson there's a chance Richardson would say yes. Now THAT would be a combination and McCain/Richardson would beat the snot out of Obama/Biden.
Dave
4 - Dr Dreadful
Hope you're right, RJ, but I have a nasty feeling it's going to be Rombles. This whole selection process, as secretive as both candidates have been, has a sense of inevitability about it.
5 - El Bicho
Television changed the presidency. Using an example of any President pre-1960 is comparing apples to oranges.
Silas, is your fantasy is for McCain to lose? The convention hall will empty out like a building on fire if Lieberman is his choice.
6 - RJ Elliott
"Hell, if you want to fantasize about McCain picking a Democrat, why not Barney Frank?"
You're insane, Dave. Barney Frank is a radical leftist. He's also an openly-homosexual, highly-partisan Democrat with a corrupt past.
McCain would get about 25% if he picked Frank. Bob Barr would out-poll McCain. The GOP would implode.
Oh, and Frank wouldn't accept anyway.
"Actually, to be entirely serious, I'd bet that if McCain asked Bill Richardson there's a chance Richardson would say yes."
I doubt it. He strongly endorsed Obama and has been shilling for him for months. Richardson also strongly supports an immediate retreat from Iraq. Frankly, Ron Paul is a more likely choice (and that's nil).
7 - RJ Elliott
"Television changed the presidency. Using an example of any President pre-1960 is comparing apples to oranges."
Pretty much. No way a fat-ass like William Taft gets elected in the television age. Or a cripple like FDR, for that matter. Even Eisenhower would have trouble today, given his lack of hair and poor speaking ability.
We've gotten to the point where shallow non-entities like John Edwards are considered "Presidential timber" simply because they are attractive and can give a good prepared speech. Meanwhile, thinkers like Ron Paul and long-serving, experienced statesmen like Tommy Thompson aren't viewed as credible Presidential candidates simply because they look goofy on camera.
8 - Dave Nalle
The Frank suggestion was meant more or less as humor. I do think Richardson would be smart to move more towards the GOP. He just doesn't fit that well with the democrats.
As for TV, good looking, shallow non-entities aren't just a creation of the TV age. Look at William Jennings Bryan. Absolutely vapid, but good looking and made great speeches.
Dave
9 - Arch Conservative
Not that I give a damn about Mcamnesty but here's my two cents........
It will probably be Romney because Romney has a lot of support in the GOP, strong economic credentials, and he could help McCrazy a lot in places like NH, MI, CO, and NV.
If I were advising McCain I would definitely tell him to go for Palin. She is conservative so that would not piss off the GOP base. ALso he would pick up a large chunk of the weak minded, vaccuos Hillary supporters that are pissed off at Barry and want ot to vote for a woman for no other reason than that she's a woman. Lastly...I don't believe that there would be anything wrong with Joe Biden aggressively going after PAlin in the VP because she's a woman but there are some people that would find that very unappealing and be turned off by the Barry/Joe ticket. This is a presidential election. There are no rules, just ambition...so you do what you have to. McCain picking Palin and then taking advantage of her sex in every possible way is not something I agree with but may very well be the best course of action.
10 - Arch Conservative
If McCain is going to pick a Dem he should pick someone he has something in common with like John edwards.
But if he does picks a dem he loses the election. It is just that simple.
11 - Clavos
I'm with Arch insofar as I think McCain's best possible option is a woman -- almost any woman, but Palin is a good choice. So is Kay Bailey Hutchison. Elizabeth Dole has good credentials, but the same age problem as McCain.
12 - Lee Richards
Re #1:
A candidate who announces he's planning to be a lame duck--who in the party would that inspire?
And Joe "I'm taking my ball and going home if you don't play my way" Lieberman--forget the south. And forget most of the christian right if it's Romney.
Now who would an old white maverick pick?
Condi Rice. (But he won't. He'll play it as safe as Obama.)
13 - Silas Kain
Regardless of who he picks at this stage, to me the bottom line is that we cannot continue this divisiveness. There are points on both sides of the aisle -- Democrat/Republican, Conservative/Liberal, red/blue which merit debate and compromise. We've had an impotent Congress for more than a generation. The powers on K Street are administering this government with Supreme Court backing. For all this debate about legislating from the bench, no court has been as effective as this Supreme Court at that.
If I were the next President I'd issue an executive order forcing Congress to remain in session until many of the real issues affecting us are addressed. Throw a chain link fence around the Capitol, set these idiots up in dormitories and force them to do their jobs once and for all. If they need help on how to do it, bring in the Vatican Secretary of State. Time to put Congress into Conclave.
14 - Andy Marsh
How can this country possibly stop the divisiveness when they can't even seem to agree within their own parties? Half the dems hate Barry and half the reps hate McCain!
We actually have a at least a four party system in this country and we don't even know it!
15 - Jordan Richardson
No, you actually have a one party system with subtle differences and a bunch of cronies that act up for the cameras. Behind closed doors, though, we're talking about the Get Along Gang.
16 - Andy Marsh
Jordan that may actually be closer to the truth than what I stated...there really doesn't seem to be all that much difference between any of them. They all wanna take money out of my pocket...each with a different plan for it, but still, they all want my money!
17 - Jordan Richardson
Sad but true, Andy. That's one thing we all have in common, I'm afraid.
18 - Arch Conservative
My right hand is giving Jordan a high five and my left is giving Andy a high five.
Both parties are content to keep taking and wasting our money, while all the Dems and Repubs hang out at the same country clubs and dinner parties then put on a show in the media portraying themselves as something different. they're all globalist NWO order freaks.
19 - Baronius
"McCain picking Palin and then taking advantage of her sex in every possible way"
Hee hee hee!
20 - Clavos
they're all globalist NWO order freaks.
Oh, Christ, Arch.
Pablo is enough; please don't turn into a tin foil hat wearing conspiracy monger...
21 - Jed
McCain/Romney '08!!!
22 - El Bicho
"Actually, to be entirely serious, I'd bet that if McCain asked Bill Richardson there's a chance Richardson would say yes."
The same Bill Richardson who became a "Judas" to the Clinton Wing when he threw his support to Obama? There's no chance of his now running with McCain.
23 - Dave Nalle
I think McCain would have needed to get to him before Obama told him he could be Secretary of State, which is almost certainly how he got on the Obama bandwagon. And I think he'll do a good job as SS.
If McCain is going to pick a Dem he should pick someone he has something in common with like John edwards.
Arch, do you ever get tired of spouting ridiculous twaddle like this? Hate McCain if you want, but don't try to say things like this and expect to be taken at all seriously.
Dave
24 - Arch Conservative
Dave...that was what some people refer to as a joke.
Sorry if it wasn't that obvious.
25 - Arch Conservative
But seriously......both sides like to bash the other when it comes to scandalous behavior while excusing their own. That's not right. If a guy with a D after his name is a lecherous cad for having cheated on his wife or having been involved in some type of financial scandal...well then so isn't a guy with an R after his name and vice versa.
Clavos....no tin foil hats. Do you mean to imply that there are not those in the world currently seeking to disolve national borders and identities in an attempt to accumulate more centralized, far reaching power for themselves? And if you can't admit that you must that all the evidence points to both major parties in this nation seeking to exponentially grow the federal government's power and ability to intrude in our lives.