All posts in the topic McCain VP choice down to Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney (Short link)
Summary
- There are 9 posts — by 9 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Wizard Marks at Jul 31 22:30 UTC
A conservative blog reported that John McCain had decided to pick our governor,
Tim Pawlenty, as his running mate. Then the report was amended to say that
choice was between Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Which will it be?
For Pawlenty: He was an early and consistent supporter of John McCain in the
Republican primaries. He won reelection as governor in a state with a
Democratic majority, bucking the anti-Bush tide of 2006. As a tax cutter, he
has good conservative credentials; yet he is flexible on other issues such as
the environment and alternative energy. The GOP convention will be held here,
and Minnesota is regarded as a swing state.
For Romney: Other than McCain, he was the strongest candidate in the
Republican primaries. While he and McCain were bitter rivals, Romney has since
been quite helpful to the McCain campaign. He was elected governor in an even
more heavily Democratic state. He, too, is acceptable to conservatives. A
self-made millionaire, Mitt Romney has a record of success in the business
world. His turnaround of the Salt Lake City Olympics was exemplary. Pawlenty
was unable to influence the Republican caucuses in his own state: They went
for Romney rather than McCain.
This is a political year which ought to trend Democratic. The Bush-Cheney
administration has been one of the worst in U.S. history and the Republican
candidates feel obliged to stick with the Bush policies. On the other hand, we
are living in the entertainment age. Political campaigns are big dance
contests; the best dancer before the TV camera usually wins.
Barack Obama is clearly the best performer in that environment. His cool,
cerebral manner of speech is enormously appealing, and he has a good message.
His departure from the Bush policies is also a powerful reason to vote
Democratic this year.
That’s the main reason why I think McCain should pick Mitt Romney for VP.
Romney is the second-best dance contestant. However, since the Obama routine
has been in the public view for more than a year, it has become a bit stale.
After a half year’s absence, Mitt Romney will come roaring back. When the
voters see this shiny “new” candidate giving Obama a run for his money in the
“superstar” category, they may be more inclined to vote for McCain.
The other reason, of course, is Romney’s business experience. McCain has
admitted that he knows little about economics and economics will be the main
challenge of the new administration. I would point out, however, that Mitt
Romney’s experience is in finance rather than in managing a productive
enterprise. His father, George Romney, showed managerial prowess on an
enormous scale - successfully competing against the Big Three automakers, being
one of the chief architects of America’s “Arsenal of Democracy” during World
War II - while Mitt’s accomplishment consists chiefly of deciding to invest in
Staples.
It is debatable, however, which set of managerial skills best suits a top-level
U.S. political leader as our nation sinks into economic decline.
(I am the Independence Party candidate for Congress in the 5th District.)
Bill McGaughey wrote:
> A conservative blog reported that John McCain had decided to pick our
governor, Tim Pawlenty, as his running mate. Then the report was amended to say
that choice was between Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Which will it be?
Mr. McCain has an interesting choice, choosing between a man who made a
fortune outsourcing American jobs and a man who has build his political
future divesting (not investing) in our state's physical and educational
infrastructure. Both his choices are true Republicans, working against
the well being of the American people and degrading the quality of lives
we lead.
If McCain chooses Slick Timmy then he can fully write off any hope of winning
Minnesota (not that he should have much hope anyway). In Minnesota a vote for
McCain/Slick Timmy would be a vote for Carol Molnau as Governor. I just don't
see the McCain/Slick Timmy/Molnau trio making for an attractive ticket in
Minnesota (or elsewhere) this Fall. I'm still hoping that the Pat
Buchanan/Rexella Van Impe ticket joins the race.
Matty Lang,
Midtown Phillips, Minneapolis
On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:15:03 +1200 (NZST), Bill McGaughey wrote:
>A conservative blog reported that John McCain had decided to pick our
governor, Tim Pawlenty, as his running mate. Then the report was amended to say
that choice was between Pawlenty and Mitt Romney.
While I'd love to see Gov. Tim move on to the dustbin of history, that
would leave us with Gov. "I can be Lieutenant Governor AND take charge
of providing safe roads and bridges too" Molnau.
> For Pawlenty: He was an early and consistent supporter of
> John McCain in the Republican primaries. He won reelection
> as governor in a state with a Democratic majority, bucking
> the anti-Bush tide of 2006. As a tax cutter, he has good
> conservative credentials; yet he is flexible on other issues
> such as the environment and alternative energy. The GOP
> convention will be held here, and Minnesota is regarded as a
> swing state.
A good post.
I'll tell you one thing, though. I haven't been back to
Minnesota except for short visits in ten years so I can't
to Pawlenty's awesomeness or awfulness, as your tastes may
dictate. In fact, I'd hazard that no one out here knows
anything about him, good or bad. I emailed a friend today
who's a local Republican Party poopah, asking her if the
Party faithful knew more about them than I thought. She
replied, "No, in fact people have been asking me what I
know about him, like I am the oracle. I was going to ask
you, since you ARE the oracle. What do you think of him?"
If Pawlenty's picked, I really doubt that it's going to
make any splash at all outside Minnesota.
Another Vice President prediction, this time for the Republican party. Four
years ago, I predicted that John Kerry would pick Harry Reid, just so you know
my track record on these things.
Tim Penny would be a good choice. He has supported, and worked with the
campaign, through thick and thin since the beginning, the same as Tim Pawlenty.
He offers something in short supply in the Republican party, a grasp of
centrist political issues. His debating style meets the VP bulldog benchmark.
And so on...
I have supported both McCain and Hillary since last year. An Independence party
member on the ticket would only help McCain, who I believe will win, with or
without, either Tim.
The only thing Pawlenty brings to the McCain ticket is
some slight pressure to cause Obama to spend a little more
time and money in Minnesota. Remember how badly McCain got
trounced at the Minnesota Republican Caucus? Romney and I
believe Ron Paul both beat him badly. If McCain wants to
shore up the disenfranchised base he would be wise to
chose Romney. I may even vote McCain/Romney.
Lee Surma
Maple Grove
SoPawlentymay bein the lead to be picked to runwithMcCain for
vicepresident.Good!We then willget a chance tosee the rest of Pawlenty's
agenda. It will most likely be one that involves continuingBush's ill-conceived
Iraq war, which costsover $10 billion per month. It will involvecontinuing
Bush's borrowing policies, whichputour countryin ahuge national debt, currently
estimated at over $9 trillion and climbingandcausing ourrecession. Pawlenty's
borrowing policies add to the mix. Besides all of this, Pawlenty and McCain
would continue to allow the wealthy toreceive large tax cuts, while the
middle/working class continue to pay more than their fair share. Thishurts all
of us, including the poor and working poor, in economic security, jobs, health
care, education, etc.
WhenPawlenty returns after getting solidly beat in the fall election, most
Minnesotans will finally realize thathe isjust another pretty face,who
abandoned his working class roots topander to the wealthy andpromotethe
war/occupation in Iraqfor political gain. This will, in the end, be a gain for
Minnesota, as hethen will be voted out of office in the next gubernatorial
election.
Gary Thompson
St Paul
McCain's potential veep, even with two choices, is a frick and frack choice.
Neither one is good. It's really important because, if you've seen McCain in
the last three weeks or so, that man is not well. Whatever the circumstances of
his life, it has taken its toll on him. I seriously doubt he can last through
four years in the big bear's chair.
On the other hand, our fellow Americans are likely to kill Obama rather than
see one of our darker brothers hold the seat. Whether its the Timothy McVay
type terrorist, or KKK-Skin Head type terrorist, or just some random nutter
(like the one who killed John Lennon), Obama is sticking his neck way out.
Therefore, his possible veeps are also important. I doubt he'll pick Hillary
because democrats have made it pretty clear that having Hillary means having
Bill. Been there, done that. His other possible choices are all unknown to me
and probably millions of other Americans.
Personally, I'm not all that thrilled about either candidate. Unfortunately
there is no "none of the above" choice on the ballot. Neither Ralph Nader nor
Ross Perot was my idea of presidential material. Ron Paul won't cut it either,
and the other presidential independent types don't even figure on the radar.
But then, the last candidate for president I liked was Adlai Stevenson.