Posted on 02/10/2008 9:46:55 AM PST by Perdogg
This is such a mess I have a hrad time forming coherent thoughts:)
I’m lucky in one sense- my primary is over (Florida) and I voted for Fred.
I guess you have to decide if you want to cast a strategic vote (write-in or Huckster, Paul etc). Unless something dramatic happens- it’s likely we’re stuck with McCain as the GOP nominee. Voting for someone else- you are sending McCain a message, to me it’s an important message- but not one I’m sure he’ll heed.
Voting (or not) for McCain in November is a different matter than voting for him in our primary. This is the last chance to remind him...we EXIST. His hostility toward the base of his party is apparent- and IF I end up voting for him in November- it will be for only one reason- our military. I’m grateful I don’t have to make that decision today.
Well, the chances of finding a good alternative to McCain at a brokered convention are very slim. And yet, there’s an old story:
A man was about to be put to death by the emperor. He says “Wait. If you give me one year, I can teach your horse to talk.” The emperor thinks about it and decides, why not, what’s one year? The man’s friend says, “What, are you crazy?” The man replies, “A year’s a long time—a lot can happen. The emperor might change his mind, the emperor might die, I might die, or maybe the horse will learn to talk.”
In other words, even a slim chance is better than no chance at all. MAYBE we can come up with at least a better alternative, if not a true conservative alternative. Or maybe we can at least force the S.O.B. to appoint a decent V.P., and not the Huckster.
Don’t blame us we gave you Ronald Reagan.
This is extremely unlikely to occur.
Let's say an asteroid strikes the convention. Or Aliens kidnap McCain.
About as likely.
I hate to be a broken record here, but people need to stop living their political lives in an abject fantasyland. You'll never accomplish anything.
I'm not going to telegraph any punches, try reverse psychology or do anything else to be sneaky (the GOP leadership seems to be doing enough of that for everyone), so when I say that I can't vote for John McCain, I mean it. He can fake right, he can run further left, or he can try and run the ball up the middle; since he has been very public in saying that he does not need my vote, I will be equally public about saying that he won't get my vote, no matter what strategy he and his coterie finally settle upon.
Mr. niteowl77 (an ex-Republican since February 2008, and neither proud nor ashamed of it)
>>Let’s say we get a brokered convention. Other than John McCain, who would we put on the ticket?<<
While that is a valid discussion to have - its not something I would put a lot of effort into making come about. Brokered conventions had a very short window, about 40 years and were eliminated by the modern primary system.
Most are legally bound for one or two ballots. Never heard of anybody going to jail for 'breaking faith'.
Most are legally bound for one or two ballots. Never heard of anybody going to jail for 'breaking faith'.
Ronald Reagan had a 13th Commandment. Look it up.
Rule No. 40
b) Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a majority of the delegates from each of five (5) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.
I think that means only McCain, Romney and Huckabee will even be eligible.
I think that elimination of the 2/3 requirement for nomination had more to do with it than primaries.
My question to FReepers: What would you do it you were an average red-blooded American male who for reasons unbeknownst to me, still voted Democrat (you know there are some out there--union workers for one), and your choice was between two socialists? Would you vote for the Republican candidate? In the first place, how could any self-respecting man vote for Hillary? In the second place, how could that same person vote for an empty suited moron like Obama? Normal Americans who believe in the war against terrorism and who happen to vote Democrat are in a real bind. They'd almost have to go with McCain.
The problem with this is I believe that if the delegates are released they are not bound, but are free to vote for whom ever they choose despite who the candidate pledges them too.
We need to all start our decision process as to whether we will actively support him against Hillary or Obama, or not. Simple as that.If McCain is elected in November in spite of his total rejection in the primaries by Conservatives then Conservatives will be through as a force in the Republican party for a generation. Republican candidate's will see the formula for success as a broad appeal to the RINOs and moderate Democrats.
On the other hand a loss by McCain will be proof that ignoring Conservatives dooms a Republican candidate.
A third party Conservative candidate would be a more powerful way to make this statement than just staying home or voting for a Democrat. Staying home would only be reflected in the exit polls that people are already suspicious of. Voting for a Democrat will be seen as proof that the country is moving to the left.
A third party Conservative run would leave undeniable proof that Conservatives are a necessary part of a Republican win.
Which candidate should make a third party run is a good question. General Petraeus would take away some of McCain's military support. Just a thought. I'm not sure how his current active duty status would work out though. I'm sure there are other good candidates.
Yes of course and we all know he will keep his word after making such promises... Sigh!
I don’t even know why I said that. I’m having trouble coping with this election cycle.
The delegates are bound on the first ballot.
Fred Thompson, the one-time Republican presidential candidate, endorsed Sen. John McCain Friday, calling on the party to “close ranks” behind the presumed nominee.
“This is no longer about past preferences or differences. It is about what is best for our country and for me that means that Republican should close ranks behind John McCain,” Thompson said in a statement reported by the Associated Press.
“perhaps by Democrats. I think a lot of conservatives like him.” (Newt)
true, but not as POTUS
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