A VP for McCain
Over the years, John McCain has cultivated an image for himself as a maverick. He has found himself at times holding positions that are out of sync with many in our Republican Party. McCain-Feingold (campaign finance), McCain-Kennedy (immigration) and ANWR are some notable examples.
Despite this maverick image (or perhaps because of it) McCain has won our party's nomination. Anecdotaly, I see conservatives warming up to McCain as we get closer to the convention and November. It seems to me however that in this year more than any other in recent memory, there is a high level of interest in the candidate's VP choice.
There are probably several reasons for this. One reason is McCain's age, there is a greater possibility that McCain might choose not to run for a second term than were he a younger man. Such a scenario would immediately put his VP in a position as one of the party's front runners for the nomination in 2012. Second in a general election that is likely to be won by a razor thin margin, choosing a VP that could carry a state, region or group could be the difference between winning and losing the presidency.
It is on this basis, that I want to add my voice to a chorus of conservatives and suggest that John McCain should pick a VP that is acceptable to our Republican base. McCain has not floated trail balloons suggesting a VP who is: anti-gun, anti-war, tax-and-spend, pro-judicial-activism or in favor of increasing taxes. He has however hinted at a VP who is pro-abortion.
Given the dynamics of this election year, such a choice would be a huge mistake. Some of you are probably thinking:
Perhaps, but I am a small business guy, I have two sons in on active duty, I pay taxes, oppose judicial activism and am a member of the NRA. I would be just as concerned if McCain chose a VP who was out of sync in those areas.
This Pro-Choice candidate stuff is not something McCain has "hinted at" it has been created by the media when they asked him if a pro-choice candidate is off limits. He has not floated any single issues around to be singled out. Just like the number of house he owns was not something he brought up. Just want to clarify that for those who are not only single issue voters but gullible single issue voters to-boot - who consistantly fall for these tricks.
Posted by: Liberals=Gullible | Aug 22, 2008 10:27:05 AM