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Prediction on McCain's VP
It will be Lieberman based on McCain's recognition that he's becoming a big underdog and none of the conventional choices will impact the leaners. He's got to take the risk that the base crying out for Romney, Pawlenty, and Jindal will hold their nose in an effort to prevent a Democratic president.
Lieberman obviously recognizes his fate is tied to McCain. His political future is extremely cloudy unless he gets the VP or a cabinet position. So, forget the denials made in January and follow his trail since then. At a certain point you will find only one set of footprints and you'll find him riding on McCains back. He knows John is probably not strong enough to carry him past November, but what choice does he have?
Comments (8)
Has anyone ever run as VP for two major parties before?
July 25, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think he'll change his affiliation, as the (D) might be more effective in garnering votes. Not that I think they will win, just that McCain is desperate to increase his odds.
I also think an Obama/Hagel ticket is extremely unlikely, but either mixed ticked could lead to a huge shift in our major parties similar to what occured in the 1850s when the Republican party came into existence. The in-party divisions may not be as clear as those leading up to the Civil War, but they are growing as are the chances for an economic depression.
July 25, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
But he's an I, not a D. And, I'm not so sure many D's or I's identify with him. Could be a knuckleheaded move by McCain--which is fine with me.
July 25, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the correction. McCain is a knucklehead, so I'm still feeling good about my prediction :o)
July 25, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like your logic!
July 25, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
And lost both times?
July 25, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, as much as the D.C. press would have you believe, many rank and file Ann Coulter conservatives out in middle America feel like Lieberman is a Dem in sheeps clothing - they would laugh their ases off and promise each other not to vote for the Repulibcans, hoping that the evil Obama wins and that they can nakedly channel their hatred on to him in the coming years
So I think Pawlenty is the pick, based on McCains "you're really gonna like him" comments in N.H.
July 25, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pawlenty also recently cut off his mullet - he's getting ready for prime time. However I could see Pawlenty given a big speech at the GOP convention in Minnesota. However with the GOP seemingly desperate to have their "own" Obama, I expect Bobby Jindal will have the keynote address.
I think it's Mitt Romney because he'll put Michigan in play, and probably help out in Colorado as well. It was an odd time to retire his $45M loan as well unless he had certain reason. Also McCain has been poking fun at Mitt lately in his pressers, and I don't think he'd do that unless he was going to choose him for VP otherwise it would just piss Romney off and he's been a pretty good surrogate lately. Finally Romney has certain economic gravitas (real or imagined).
Big strikes against Romney was that McCain ran a brutal primary campaign and still beat him and the two didn't get along at all during the primary season often sniping at each other. The GOP already used Sen. Clinton against Obama and she isn't even his VP choice. The Dems could use Romney and McCains primary interactions against them with pretty good effect.
July 25, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
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