The paradox here is that while a McCain loss is more likely in South Carolina, Huckabee is the candidate most likely to let McCain off the ropes. Like Rudy, he seems to be running for Mr. Congeniality at times. Huckabee’s path to the nomination lies in convincing conservatives why John McCain was so unacceptable to them to begin with. He has to make a decision about whether he’s running for President or Vice President.
As for Rudy, if he gets to make the case in Florida, his tax argument is a good start, but it’s not enough. Rudy will need to make the case that he has the temperament to be Commander-in-Chief — and be willing to get personal in the way that McCain already has with Bernie Kerik and the 9/11 swiftboats.
FDT is in many ways the most natural person to make the case — with the most conservative movement credentials of any candidate — but it’s hard to tell if he’s still in it or is just a sleeper cell for his Washington buddy McCain, siphoning votes away from Huckabee in South Carolina.
The other candidates personally like McCain. Their staff tend to be more moderate than the GOP primary electorate, so they many have trouble seeing just how dispirited the base would be with McCain as the nominee, particularly if Obama manages to pull it out, but also against Hillary.
It’s time to take the gloves off. If you assume that McCain can still lose this, it’s a matter of driving straight down the fairway to Minneapolis-St. Paul. If you assume he’ll still be the nominee, it’s a matter of testing whether conservatives can set aside some pretty serious objections to a likely nominee.
If conservative distrust of McCain still isn’t as big a deal as I think it is, so be it. But the nomination is too serious to approach this with anything but eyes wide open. We can’t afford to get buyer’s remose — of the kind we’ve already had with McCain for most of the last eight years — particularly as he tacks left against the Democrats and his general election numbers sink back to where they were when he was last under attack in the spring.
Primaries and the sharp jabs that come with them are good for the process. They ensure we have a nominee who is thoroughly vetted. The last thing we need is what happened to the Democrats in 2004, when Kerry emerged at the last minute, wasn’t tested, and turned out to be a horrible candidate in the general.
PING
Well, now that he’s allied with Willard, it gets even easier.
Neither one of them (John and Myth) give a damn about conservatism, they just aspire to ascend to power. It’s a marriage made in heaven.
I’m not sure Thompson needed to strike at McCain directly. People who support McCain have been largely doing so because he is a more conservative response to Huckabee.
Thompson can attack Huck, and outflank McCain at the same time.
In a conservative state, conservatism wins everytime. Thompson didn’t need to call out everyone.
H
Fred can count on losing a substantial amount of support should he win by chance & ask MeCain to be VP.
A position only a liberal would love.
Aw, Checkers! Are you admitting Mitt's running out of money?
One last desperation stand in Michigan fighting a two-front battle with McCain and Huckabee?
Who ever is advising Fred must of been bought off by the Republican Establishment. This is a disastrous mistake. Instead of Huck, Fred should be going after the front runner McCain
McVain will self-destruct. He can’t help it.
Mitt went head to head with Huckabilly in Iowa, and lost.
Mitt went head to head with McCrazy in NH, and lost.
In Mi he is going against them both and....( third?).
It’s not going to get better Hugh.
Notice how McCain and Huckabee are so nice to each other.
I think they will join forces, and it just might work. McCain can pull indies and Huckabee the fundies. And I doubt anyone here is going to sit it out, esp. if Hillary is running. Romney won’t play second but Huckabee will and with McCain’s age and health issues may find himself in the catbird’s seat.
I thought he did a rather good job on his self, he is a committed lier, if he really did want to stop ear marks the senate good time bill just past would still be pending. His amnesty plain, I'll let the governors sign on a paper bag we have a fence then we'll have amnesty. They should have convicted the turd mouth over the Keatin Five scam.
McCain is ahead in the most recent SC polls and he has put a tremendous amount of effort in the state, attending 69 events in the state since Jan 2007.
McCain and Stem Cell Research Round-up
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"
SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II
U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero
John McCain: The Manchurian Candidate
McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists
McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)
John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS
A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)
McCain Seeks to Change California Primary
McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero
Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)
Not Child‘s Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]
McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed Alert)
Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)
McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]
McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats
McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)
John McCain Goes Left for Money
McCain, Obama Make Deal on Financing
Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain
Double Talk Express. McCain in his own words. VIDEO
More YOUTUBE - McCain On Abortion (UH OH! YouTube Has a Video of Him in 1999)
How Cindy McCain was outed for drug addiction(stole drugs from the American Voluntary Medical Team)
John McCain: Hypocrite by Mark R. Levin
McCain and his Chicom Connections: Posts #17 and #18 by Calpernia
TEN REASONS NOT TO SUPPORT MCCAIN (Free Republic thread from 2000)
It depends on the meaning of “never” (McCain's Convenient Memory) **NEW**
McCain Ties to Lobbyists Troublesome - Newsmax Staff
McCain Sides With Leading Dems on Global Warming (NH voter reminder ALERT
The Conservative Case Against John McCain In 2008
McCain Blames Bush For Osama's Escape
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Why don't you shut your political pie hole?
Stifling the www? Online Freedom of Speech Act (H.R. 1606)
"1606 is needed because federal courts have ordered the Federal Election Commission to regulate "electioneering communications" on the Internet because of the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act (McCain-Feingold). If H.R. 1606 fails to become law, your Web site or blog could be shut down for the 30 days prior to a primary election and the 60 days prior to a general election should you express "electioneering communications."
Hugh's just in a twist over the fact that his golden boy is sinking like a brick.
It's not that I don't distrust McCain. It's just that I distrust Mitt far, far more. At least McCain hasn't changed just about all his positions to run for president. And on the most important issue, namely the WOT, McCain has been solid. THAT, IMO, is why McCain is doing well and Mitt is not. With all the other position shifts Mitt has engaged in, can we trust that his stated support of the war is truly his position? Or just another talking point?