May 23 2008
Romney’s Case for VP
Tagged Under : Bobby Jindal, Charlie Crist, McCain's shortlist, McCain's VP, Mitt Romney, Romney, shortlist, the Mormon question
The shortlist for McCain’s VP includes Governors Charlie Crist of Florida, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and Mitt Romney. Romney can make the case that he’ll deliver key swing states such as Michigan and Nevada, while McCain is already doing well in Florida, and Louisiana is a certain Republican state.
Romney will again have to overcome the Mormon question, which becomes more difficult because of events surrounding fundalmentlist polygamists groups in Texas. However, for years Charlie Crist has been accused of being gay, and Bobby Jindal is relatively inexperienced.
Romney then has a good chance of securing the job. His economic experience may be just enough to put him over the edge.
Here’s an important piece of advice: If it looks like it’s going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a “no brainer” for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There’s currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows — even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick — selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin’s own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there’s absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!
There’s no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real ‘change’ (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.
In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain’s age and health, Palin is more than perfect — now.
(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
I ran (almost literally) into Romney in Sky Harbor Airport yesterday. Maybe I should have wished him good luck.