Posted on 08/24/2008 10:03:59 AM PDT by pissant
Another day, and no white smoke yet from Sen. John McCain’s Sedona, Ariz., residence. The search for a vice president continues as the Democratic clans gather in Denver.
In an interview with CBS’s Katie Couric, McCain offered no new information about his vice presidential thinking. But he did have some kind words for Sen. Barack Obama’s newly announced running mate, Delaware Sen. Joseph R. Biden:
“I think he’s a good selection…Joe and I have been friends for many, many years, and we know each other very well, and so I think [Obama’s] made a very wise selection.”
Just because McCain’s not sharing his own thinking doesn’t mean there haven’t been developments: in the biggest McCain veep story of the weekend, Politico’s Mike Allen reports that Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, may be on Sen. McCain’s list of possible running mates.
Allen: “Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule out a supporter of abortion rights, a key adviser said…
“But outside advisers say they believe former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival for the Republican nomination, is the leading candidate.”
If Powell’s name stays afloat, how long do you think before this photograph starts popping up again?
For Republicans hoping for Romney, it can only be encouraging that the Michigan Republican Party is gearing itself up for the fall campaign.
AP: “A Republican hasn’t won Michigan’s presidential vote since 1988, but GOP leaders said Saturday at their state convention that the time is right to change that trend this November…
“Republicans…said they’ll try to blame Democrats for the state’s struggling economy. And they’ll try to convince a large chunk of independent voters that McCain is a better choice for the state.”
Romney, whose father served as governor of Michigan during the 1960s, won Michigan’s primary during the Republican nominating contest. Adding him to the ticket could boost McCain’s chances there in November.
Meanwhile, as Obama was rolling out his running mate, one of McCain’s potential picks had some sharp words for the newly anointed Democratic ticket.
Campaigning in Pennsylvania, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told AP: “It seems that [Obama’s rhetoric] has been around change, there needs to be change in Washington and he has used for his political advantage this concept of the need for Washington outsiders…Then when he has one of his first big decisions, he chooses the consummate Washington insider, which I think is noteworthy.”
Oddly, Pawlenty added that Gen. David Petraeus would have been a better choice.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who was once mentioned in the top tier of Republican veep contenders but has attracted less attention lately, has had a hard week, handling both Tropical Storm Fay’s multiple landfalls and some tough times in his state government.
The St. Petersburg Times reports that Crist’s widely publicized plans to expand Florida’s use of alternative energy have faltered after the state’s Public Service Commission unveiled far less sweeping proposals of its own.
Still, the governor has received some good press for his leadership during the week’s storms.
From the Pensacola News-Journal: “It was last Saturday that Gov. Charlie Crist first declared a state of emergency for Fay as it approached the Florida Keys. Yesterday he warned residents against ‘Fay fatigue’ and remaining vigilant in the storm’s path.”
Elsewhere in the Gulf, the Alexandria (La.) Town Talk reports on mixed responses to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s decision not to renew a state executive order barring discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation.
“Jules Tate, academic advisor for Identity, a Louisiana State University at Alexandria gay and lesbian advocacy group, said [the order’s] disappearance removes an important safety net against discrimination…
“Others, like Trevor Fry, an Alexandria lawyer with experience in labor cases, agree with Jindal’s view that the law was unnecessary.”
If Jindal somehow ends up on the Republican ticket, expect this issue to get some play in the fall campaign.
PLUS: CBS’s Bob Schieffer, about to attend his twentieth nominating convention, handicaps the veepstakes.
Schieffer: “I think if John McCain had his druthers – if he could do what he wanted to – he’d put Joe Lieberman on the ticket in a minute…If he feels that it’s really necessary for him to carry Michigan and that’s going to be crucial, I think he’ll put Romney on the campaign.”
He should ponder Tommy FRanks before Powell.
BS. Powell would bring NOTHING to the ticket and, in fact, make it highly unlikely McCain could win the general. Waaaay to liberal.
I am not the biggest fan of Powell politically, but he is a hell of a man, and that would be a powerful ticket. We certainly would be in good hands in terms of military management and foreign policy credibility.
Powell would drag the ticket to the left. It’s a no-go.
No.
Powell has given money to McCain ($2,300) and they are agree on most foreign policy issues.
Two former career military guys on the ticket would be fine with me, but politically it’s probably not a good balance. I would be happy just seeing Powell endorse him.
Nope to both. Powell is overrated as a military leader and decision maker.
The media has reported that Powell may be endorsing Obama...???
1)Powell endorsed Obama.
2)Powell said he is ashamed of making the case for the war in Iraq.
3)Powell trashed the USA before an Arab audience and said that the war in Iraq is lost and a disaster.
Powell thus is in opposition to McCain's foreign policy, has a miserable character and would sink McCain's chances. NO Powell turncoat for me.
I just felt my colin tighten up.
Read my post above. Powell has switched sides years ago.
With much glee, if I recall. It was Bill Kristol flapping his gums though, so you have to take it with a grain of salt.
BS. Powell would bring NOTHING to the ticket and, in fact, make it highly unlikely McCain could win the general. Waaaay to liberal.
:::::::::
True, and McCain, very unlike Hussein, does not need any more military prowess than he already has...a very long lineage of it. Powell is liberal and that was always one of the problems with him.
SO GOOD HAD TO POST AGAIN! (Powell could be the only man that would make me stay home)
What a load of Bullcr*p. Powell is a traitor and weasel of the highest order.
1)Powell endorsed Obama.
2)Powell said he is ashamed of making the case for the war in Iraq.
3)Powell trashed the USA before an Arab audience and said that the war in Iraq is lost and a disaster.
Powell thus is in opposition to McCain's foreign policy, has a miserable character and would sink McCain's chances. NO Powell turncoat for me.
This is misinformation put out by the MSM/Democrats. Didn’t Powell already say he was voting Obama? This makes zero sense.
Powell is way too liberal and something of a race baiter....not like a Dem but more than I care for.
Powell has not endorsed Obama publicly. Bill Kristol said Powell was going to endorse Obama
Ping.
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