Romney at the Top of the McCain Veep List
This should make many conservatives happy. We know that a fair amount of them have said that if Senator McCain does not choose Mitt Romney that they may not vote for him. He brings a good deal to the ticket, including experience with economic issues -- a field in which Senator McCain has admitted weakness in.
From Mike Allen @ The Politico:
Surprising many Republican insiders, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice presidential prospect list for John McCain. But lack of personal chemistry could derail the pick.
“Romney as favorite” is the hot buzz in Republican circles, and top party advisers said the case is compelling.
Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Barack Obama does, as part of what one campaign planner called a “bounce-mitigation strategy.”
The Democratic convention is in late August, a week ahead of the Republican convention. That means McCain can size up the opposing ticket before locking in his own.
The McCain campaign declined to comment, saying McCain has made it clear they are not to discuss the matter.
One of the chief reasons the Massachusetts governor is looking so attractive is his ability to raise huge amounts of money quickly through his former business partners and from fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons.
McCain sources tell Politico that they believe Romney could raise $50 million in 60 days. One close Romney adviser said it could even be $60 million.
Romney’s other advantages, according to people involved in McCain’s screening process:
— Squeaky-clean and fully vetted by the national media.
— Has presidential looks and bearing and immediately would be a strong campaigner who could be trusted to stay on message.
— Family’s Michigan roots would help in a swing state that went Democratic in 2004.
But there’s one big problem: Despite the buddy-picture choreography of a McCain-Romney campaign swing, McCain remains less than enamored with Romney.
And it’s not just the candidate. Some of McCain’s closest confidants evince little enthusiasm for Romney, feelings that are owed in part to lingering bad blood from the GOP primary, a genuine skepticism that such a conventional pick could bolster the ticket in a grim year for the GOP and concerns about whether his Mormon faith could imperil McCain in Southern states that Obama hopes to put into play.
And who exactly raised the issue of Governor Romney's faith in the primaries? It was not Senator McCain. No, it was Governor Huckabee. That is correct. Good old Mike Huckabee playing the role of the idiot Christian preacher raising questions about faith. That was one of the biggest reasons why we absolutely refused to support that man. He brought religious bigotry into the campaign where it was not needed.
The Mormon question has been dealt with. The press was in a tizzy after Governor Romney's speech on faith that he was not specific. Of course he will not be specific. He cannot be. That is a part of his faith, and it should be respected, not ridiculed. But he brings four things to the table that McCain's campaign people should be looking at.
His message on the economy is bar-none one of the best. He can raise a good deal of money. He is LDS, which plays to states like Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Missouri. And with his ties to Michigan, he will put the state in play.
The McCain camp would be wise to seriously consider Governor Romney. Thomas and I work in circles with many politically savvy Republicans, and many of them are saying that if Governor Romney is not the choice, they simply will not vote. Only a couple are willing to bend if the choice is Governor Pawlenty or Governor Palin. Other than that, there is no give.
If Senator McCain wants even an outside chance of bringing the base back on board, he should seriously consider Governor Romney. And he should make his announcement soon. Do not wait for Senator Obama. He will likely not make his announcement until the convention. Make this announcement as soon as possible, ride the bounce into the convention, and start drawing your base back in. Forget the "bounce-mitigation strategy." That sounds too much like Rudy Giuliani backing himself into Florida, and not competing in the earlier primary states.
Marcie
From Mike Allen @ The Politico:
Surprising many Republican insiders, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice presidential prospect list for John McCain. But lack of personal chemistry could derail the pick.
“Romney as favorite” is the hot buzz in Republican circles, and top party advisers said the case is compelling.
Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Barack Obama does, as part of what one campaign planner called a “bounce-mitigation strategy.”
The Democratic convention is in late August, a week ahead of the Republican convention. That means McCain can size up the opposing ticket before locking in his own.
The McCain campaign declined to comment, saying McCain has made it clear they are not to discuss the matter.
One of the chief reasons the Massachusetts governor is looking so attractive is his ability to raise huge amounts of money quickly through his former business partners and from fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons.
McCain sources tell Politico that they believe Romney could raise $50 million in 60 days. One close Romney adviser said it could even be $60 million.
Romney’s other advantages, according to people involved in McCain’s screening process:
— Squeaky-clean and fully vetted by the national media.
— Has presidential looks and bearing and immediately would be a strong campaigner who could be trusted to stay on message.
— Family’s Michigan roots would help in a swing state that went Democratic in 2004.
But there’s one big problem: Despite the buddy-picture choreography of a McCain-Romney campaign swing, McCain remains less than enamored with Romney.
And it’s not just the candidate. Some of McCain’s closest confidants evince little enthusiasm for Romney, feelings that are owed in part to lingering bad blood from the GOP primary, a genuine skepticism that such a conventional pick could bolster the ticket in a grim year for the GOP and concerns about whether his Mormon faith could imperil McCain in Southern states that Obama hopes to put into play.
And who exactly raised the issue of Governor Romney's faith in the primaries? It was not Senator McCain. No, it was Governor Huckabee. That is correct. Good old Mike Huckabee playing the role of the idiot Christian preacher raising questions about faith. That was one of the biggest reasons why we absolutely refused to support that man. He brought religious bigotry into the campaign where it was not needed.
The Mormon question has been dealt with. The press was in a tizzy after Governor Romney's speech on faith that he was not specific. Of course he will not be specific. He cannot be. That is a part of his faith, and it should be respected, not ridiculed. But he brings four things to the table that McCain's campaign people should be looking at.
His message on the economy is bar-none one of the best. He can raise a good deal of money. He is LDS, which plays to states like Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Missouri. And with his ties to Michigan, he will put the state in play.
The McCain camp would be wise to seriously consider Governor Romney. Thomas and I work in circles with many politically savvy Republicans, and many of them are saying that if Governor Romney is not the choice, they simply will not vote. Only a couple are willing to bend if the choice is Governor Pawlenty or Governor Palin. Other than that, there is no give.
If Senator McCain wants even an outside chance of bringing the base back on board, he should seriously consider Governor Romney. And he should make his announcement soon. Do not wait for Senator Obama. He will likely not make his announcement until the convention. Make this announcement as soon as possible, ride the bounce into the convention, and start drawing your base back in. Forget the "bounce-mitigation strategy." That sounds too much like Rudy Giuliani backing himself into Florida, and not competing in the earlier primary states.
Marcie
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 3:00 PM
3 Comments:
The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).
Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
All the media buzz which will surround Palin -- essentially free to McCain -- will be worth millions and millions of dollars of PR (more money than Romney could provide anyway).
It appears that it’s all down to Palin or Romney, and team Romney fears Palin now has the best shot, so Romney camp is mounting a blogosphere-wide assault via Politico.
The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).
Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
AOL, prime on-line pro-Obama/pro-Dem player, is now carrying the Politico piece promoting Romney buzz.
Clearly AOL wants McCain and the GOP to lose the general elction — hence they gladly promote Romney (no mention of Palin).
Also, CNN had Romney — kind of out of the blue — attacking Obama. Again, CNN, wanting McCain and the GOP to lose, gladly promotes Romney (to attempt to avert the Palin threat).
Ted,
Romney's not as bad as some people say, and could be a boon tothe McCain ticket.
While we (especially Marcie) appreciates the idea of Sarah Palin, she might be better served staying where she is, and offering her services to Bobby Jindal in either 2012 (if Obama wins, or McCain bombs), or 2016 when the presidency is open again.
If McCain chooses Romney, and wins, we have Jindal or Palin as a running mate in 2012 (if McCain steps aside or tragedy befalls him) we have Jindal in 2016, clearing the way for a more experienced Palin.
Of course, the obverse is a possibility too. Romney (should he succeed McCain before 2012, or in 2012) could easily take Palin as a running mate, and she could take Jindal as a running mate.
Ted, simply put, anything is an option, and we are open to the possibilities.
Publius II
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