Posted on 02/03/2011 11:29:24 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
2008 Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain from Arizona announced this week he would not be making an endorsement in the 2012 presidential race in the Republican primary.
McCain told Politico, “I think I’m staying out of this for the first time in many years.” In abstaining from presidential politics, McCain may be depriving some of his closest political allies a major campaign boost.
One potential recipient of a McCain endorsement could have been former running mate Sarah Palin whose presidential hopes may depend on polling numbers in early primary states. McCain’s blessing would have given needed credibility to Palin’s campaign, which will need to reach beyond the former governor’s loyal base of pro-life supporters and Tea Party activists.
The endorsement may also have gone to McCain’s Senate colleague, pro-life Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
With much lower national name recognition than Palin, Thune would have benefited from McCain’s endorsement. An early endorsement from McCain may have elevated Thune from merely the talk of political junkies to a real contender for the nomination. Senator Thune, who received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee, has not yet announced his intentions though some reports indicate he would rather continue his work in the US Senate than run for president.
Another likely recipient of Sen. McCain’s endorsement could have been pro-life former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
In 2008, Pawlenty was frequently mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain. Creating national buzz with the release of his book Courage to Stand, Pawlenty’s star is on the rise in the GOP presidential field. Like Thune, the high-profile endorsement from McCain would have given Pawlenty a boost in early primary states. While Pawlenty has not officially announced a presidential bid, he has made numerous visits to early primary states like Iowa. Polling for the early contests has Pawlenty’s stock on the rise. With or without McCain’s endorsement, Pawlenty will still be one to watch.
I would think that McCain would wait until someone announces before he even thinks about endorsing. Although McCain loves being in the news, why should he make an endorsement now. I know he said that he wouldn’t endorse, but he will....just like Hillary swore she would not run for President. McCain is a media whore and will make an endorsement when the timing is right for him. We need some Republicans to announce and get this show on the road.
I think McCain is vulnerable to blackmail for some reason and he has been paying Obama’s price since before the election in 2008. I noticed when McCain was doing well in the polls - Obama started using the phrase “doubling-down” a lot, does McCain have a gambling problem?
You know, an odd thought just struck me. Just a hypothetical, I guess. But here goes:
Suppose Palin runs in 2012 and she gets the GOP nomination. Does McCain end up endorsing her, or does he does do what Lieberman did in 2008 and endorse the other side?
Okay, I admit it’s far-fetched to think even McCain would attend the Democratic convention and publicly endorse Obama. But I gotta think that it *isn’t* so improbable to believe that McCain would stay lukewarm about his former VP while serving up his “bipartisan statesman” shtick to the press so as not to criticize Obama about anything. And when you get down to it, that wouldn’t be a whole lot different than saying “Obama is my guy!”
mac has a gambling DONOR problem, among other things. Also, if he doesn’t endorse anyone and Sarah runs, the “press” won’t call him disloyal, so he can slice away at her with a smile and damn her with faint praise like he has been doing already.
That would surprise me about as much as seeing Moochelle throwin’ lobster down her gullet or Ed Schultz in a straight jacket.
“That would surprise me about as much as seeing Moochelle throwin’ lobster down her gullet”
Hahaaaa...all of sudden all I can think about is the restaurant scene with Darryl Hannah in Splash.
“She’s *really* hungry...”
McCain’s gotten mean. It’s a real shame that he got re-elected to the Senate again after all that phony “conservative” rhetoric (which he’s dropped in record time).
Probably the reason he’s not endorsing any Repub candidate is because he’ll be campaigning for BHO - just like in ‘08.
We’re on the same wavelength - see my post #8.
He will back someone... obama... I am almost certain.
LLS
vote HIM OUT, THEY SHOULD HAVE IN 2010...I believe he may have slipped into dementia, we need to contact Reagan son and see what he thinks...
McStain needs to dry up and blow away.
With RINO farts like him, America has no hope.
The fact that he was ever nominated to begin with tells
me that America may be beyond help.
McCain: 'I'm not a starry-eyed idealist' (McCain: I share "common interest," "values" with Obama)
Specifically, McCain believes the two could cooperate on "enhanced rescission" and "once we get the border secure…immigration reform," along with "several other issues."
if he can make and endorsement I know who NOT to vote for
I wonder if McCain has a clue as to how much he is disliked by Republicans.
If that were his base, he might be worried. A pox on all Ripon Republicans, IMO.
McC will endorse his good friend Obamao.
Until Arizona gets rid of its open primaries, there is no hope as the Dems will make that decision for them.
In abstaining from presidential politics, McCain may be depriving some of his closest political allies a major campaign boost.ROTFLMAO!!!
If that were his base...Back in the 2008 primary somebody here in FR posted a great description of McCain's "base":
The AARP wing of the Global Warming Society for the Importation of Mexicans.
I laughed then when I read it and I laugh now when I think of it.
I wish I would have bookmarked it or at least remembered the posters name. Kudos to you, whoever you are.
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