McCain-Romney This Week

The Prince of Darkness usually isn't wrong about stuff like this.

I'm of two minds about this.  If McCain is looking to name his veep simply to steal headlines from Barack Obama, its poor strategy.  Slow and steady always wins the race, we afterall we are still in the silly-season, the summer before the conventions.  Obama's visit might be important to those really paying close attention, but most Americans still aren't completely tuned in.  For McCain to make such an important decision based on oneupsmanship is not good.  However, if McCain has decided on who the running-mate will be, 100%, then I think he should do it.  What's the point in waiting?  This is completely predicated on the idea that McCain has decided.   If its for political headline-jockeying, its a bad idea.  If the decision has been made, its a good idea.

On to Romney.  I never really bought into Romney like many others on the right did when it came down to McCain-Romney in Florida.  But he is an exceptional choice in many respects, including bringing in a national figure to the ticket, someone who was endorsed by the National Review, Rev. Lou Shelton, and Sen. Jim DeMint.  He has also made all the right moves since leaving the race, articulated by John Gizzi of Human Events - becoming a vocal surrogate for McCain among conservatives (most notably, on talk radio, where Romney is all over for McCain).  They differ, yes, but Romney seems to the embodiment of the compromise many Republicans have made with McCain.  He's not perfect, but what will happen should Obama become president is too high a price to pay for mere political infighting.  Though I was skeptical of Romney before, he's said all the right things in the last year and a half.  Romney is telegentic and articulate, and could really help McCain get his message out.     

The other thing that Romney brings is money, and not just money, but a deep fundraising apparatus; and though it didn't translate into votes, it was a rich text to work from.  McCain and the RNC have done a good job recently in raising money; and Romney can really ad to that.  It might be somewhat callous to talk about this, almost cynical, but it must come into play.  

Romney is the safe choice, and sometimes that isn't bad.  I'm still holding out hope that it will be a Sarah Palin or an Eric Cantor . . . but I'm becoming more and more convinced that it will be Mitt Romney; whether its next week or next month.

Comments

Romney's biggest problem is with the social conservatives who as a large group never trusted him from Day 1. These all when to Fred and Huckabee. McCain desperately needs these people and Mitt Romney will give them another reason to stay home. Romney seems like a huge phoney to me who just says whatever people want him to say in order to get elected. That is why he did not win the nomination.

On a positive note Romney could put Michigan in play, help in the mountain west and he does have plenty of cash and a solid economic background.

[Ted]

I don't think it will be Romney at all. McCain knows that Romney brings more negatives to the table than positives in terms of McCain's attracting new voters. Like it or not, that's just the way it is.

Now Palin's positives are off the charts, with absoultely no negatives which the Dems could use to attack. And for those who bring up the "lack of experience" red herring regarding Palin, she's got more actual experience, qualification and accomplishment than Obama times 10!

If the Dems want to make an issue of Palin's experience, that would be rich indeed. I say, bring it on!!!

[George Templeton]

Romney is a political opportunist, the Republican John Kerry. You can hand the election to Obama now if McCain make Romney his ticket mate.

[200 Grande]

I think Romney is a good choice. He is certainly not perfect, but no one is.

He can be a real asset to the McCain campaign because he brings a national organization, recognition, fund-raising acumen, and most importantly: an exceptional ability to deliver a message.

[Ted]

Here’s the theme song when Sarah Palin makes her Veep center stage appearance at the Republican National Convention later this summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWNtLt-pJik

Oh, and yes it IS gonna be Palin. McCain’s already got this new ad up which essentially announces Palin as his pick (without ever having to mention her name).

It’s even got the McCain/Palin campaign slogan vs. Obama: “Don’t hope for new energy, vote for it.” –-

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=135403

[Dan]

Palin is too young. That is, she is too young to run with McCain.

McCain obviously needs to pick someone younger than himself, but Palin is only 44. The contrast is way too great.

Standing side by side she would make him appear very old. That doesn't help him.

[Mike]

If Romney is not on the ticket as VP I will vote for Obama in protest. There are millions of conservatives just like me. Without Romney many members of the conservative base will stay home or vote in protest like myself. We cannot destroy the Republican party by supporting a RINO as our nominee. The long term effects would be devastating. Romney prevents that from happening and is highly qualified to serve.

Mike you are a moron

[Isophorone]

Here's something you'll like -- Powerline Blog takes up the cause of Eric Cantor:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/07/021063.php

[Massachusetts Republican]

Well... Romney got elected in my home state (commonwealth) and that's a tough place to be a Republican. I've got to agree with 200 Grande here.

Frankly, I see problems with just about anyone you name - on either ticket. Have I grown bitter? I don't know. I'm going to make the best choice I'm faced with in November.

To me, I see little contest between McCain and Obama. Obama frankly scares the heck out of me. I'm not a socialist, so I can't get with him. Or Big Hill, whom I doubt he'd be fool enough to hand the VP slot to. I don't agree with McCain on many things, though. Still, I've got to choose one. I don't think the VP slot will sway me much. My mind is made up already.