Posted on 08/28/2008 2:19:12 PM PDT by STARWISE
I'll start:
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"Could it be Cantor? posted at 1:00 pm on August 28, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
The Fayetteville Observer reads a few tea leaves in the veepstakes and suggests that Eric Cantor may become the dark-horse finalist for John McCain’s running-mate. Cantor has not yet appeared on the convention schedule, which would seem strange for such a dynamic member of the House GOP’s leadership. He also represents a Virginia district, which could prove crucial to holding the state for the Republicans in November:
Rep. Robin Hayes is predicting that Sen. John McCain will pick Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia as his running mate.
“It sure looks like a great possibility to me,” Hayes said Wednesday. “Eric is a tremendous friend, incredibly bright young man. He has wonderful credentials, and I think would be a very good, complementary candidate to John McCain.”
Hayes made his comments during and after a meeting with educators at Jack Britt High School. Rumors about Cantor have been spreading in recent weeks and began to grow stronger on Tuesday, Hayes said. Several media outlets are reporting that Cantor has come under serious consideration.
Cantor is a fourth-term Virginia congressman representing parts of Richmond and several counties to the northwest. He is chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare. Cantor also holds a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has direct jurisdiction over taxes, trade, Social Security, Medicare, prescription drugs for seniors, health care and welfare reform.
Cantor has impeccable conservative credentials, and his selection would go a long way towards energizing the Republican base for the election. He has an engaging speaking style and has no problem with political infighting. As a debater, he could be expected to match up well with Joe Biden, but more importantly, he could fire up crowds on the campaign trail for McCain.
However, a Cantor choice has weaknesses, too. It would make this an all-Congress match, when executive experience could make an impact with voters. His work in the private sector is limited to a decade of law practice and the family real-estate business. More importantly, though, Cantor does not have any proven statewide constituency that suggests he could hold Virginia for McCain, although it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Still, it seems curious that the GOP would not have Cantor already scheduled for a slot in St. Paul. If they’ve held him out for any other reason than a shot at the ticket, I’d be curious to know why they have one of their clean-up hitters sitting on the bench for the big game.
Update: It’s not Crist:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080828/BREAKINGNEWS/80828015
At a morning press conference to announce his selection to fill a vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court, Crist was asked if he planned to be in Ohio tomorrow.
“I plan to be in Florida,” Crist said.
I didn’t think it would be Crist, anyway, but this seems to confirm it."
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/28/could-it-be-cantor/
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McCain Risks Alienating Conservative Base With VP Choice
Conservatives Warn of Backlash if McCain Picks a Pro-Abortion-Rights VP
By JAN CRAWFORD GREENBURG
Aug. 28, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=5677195&page=1
Excerpt:
With Sen. John McCain poised to announce his vice presidential selection Friday at noon in Ohio, a revolt is brewing among anti-abortion activists in his conservative base that could include a walkout at the Republican National Convention next week and a huge battle on the floor — especially if he selects former-Democrat-turned-Independent Joe Lieberman.
I SO hope not! Disaster. There’s no doubt she’s an excellent executive, but she’s also apparently worth $1.4 billion, too ... imagine how that will play.
May be old news, but ...
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Pawlenty cancels numerous public appearances
Excerpt:
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Pawlenty_cancels_numerous_public_appearances_0828.html
Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain stayed mum about his pick of a running mate Thursday and one top prospect, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, abruptly canceled numerous public appearances.
She’s worth 1.4 billion and earned every penny of it. Where’s the problem?
The problem is how the 8 houses, Cindy’s millions and Whitman’s billions will be twisted and skewered by the Rat machine.
He left on his own.
Maybe when Meg becomes President, she can put the country up for auction to the highest bidder on eBay.
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