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Posted on 08/28/2008 1:23:23 PM PDT by Red Steel
John McCain is poised to announce his vice-presidential running mate, hoping to steal the thunder of his rival Barack Obama, whom Republicans are mocking as an 'emperor' speaking on Thursday night at an 'Obamopolis'.
The Republican candidate was due to appear with his vice-presidential pick at a rally in Dayton, Ohio on Friday morning, his 72nd birthday.
But Republican officials intimated that a name might even be leaked just before Mr Obama accepts the Democratic nomination before some 80,000 people at Denver's Invesco stadium on Thursday.
Senior aides to Mr McCain said that three people were on his shortlist - Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. But they were not ruling out a "dark horse" choice such as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.
Announcing a vice-presidential selection to coincide with Mr Obama's speech would be a break with the tradition of allowing one's opponent a clear run on the night they accept their party's nomination.
Mr Pawlenty and Mr Romney were the favourites to be Mr McCain's running mate. Nervousness about Mr Romney's personal wealth and his fraught relationship with Mr McCain during the Republican primaries meant that some Republicans believed his star was waning.
But at just 47 and a newcomer to the national stage, some strategists viewed Mr Pawlenty as a risk, particularly because he would be up against the vastly-experienced Senator Joe Biden, Mr Obama's running mate, in the vice-presidential debate.
The pro-Romney faction cited the former governor's expertise on the economy - a weak point for Mr McCain. Karl Rove, former adviser to President George W. Bush, sought to intervene to stop Mr McCain choosing Mr Lieberman, an independent former Democrat who is Jewish and favours abortion rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I think this is just a ploy...I doubt he will announce, it is just buzz...let them speculate...as long as it isn’t actually leaked that is ok, but they are pissed (Obambi camp) and very concerned it will be leaked, just announced on Fox
It was equally telling on Michelle Obama’s face every time they panned to her during Willy’s speech - her facial muscles were extremely taunt in an obviously uncomfortable way. There’s definitely no love between the Obamas and Clintons. The Clintons made good on their obligations, but also made it obvious in a read-between-the-lines way that they think this is all a big mistake.
Don’t forget tonight is the last chance to riot.
They are probably worn out, buzzed out and fed up.
I think many continue to miss that McCain is running an incredibly aggressive campaign. The Britney ad and others popped the Obama celebrity bubble.
They leaked only this: McCain has picked a VP. Now the media is trying to figure it out, so it won’t be a leak if they figure it out themselves. It creates some news and speculation for McCain when all eyes are on Obambi.
I have a feeling that the McCain camp has this all totally figured out, they are probably laughing over it all...while Obambi is worried there will be a leak during his speech. After all McCain had his war room going during the DNC, so I am sure this may be something to stir the fires a bit...lol
Fox just reported that McCain confirmed that he has made the final selection and that they will appear together tomorrow at noon.
I think he is just going to let the speculation loom all night so as to suck a little of the hot air from “O”’s balloon.
He announced his choice this morning.. Brimley.
Wilford Brimley
McCain wanted his diabetes supplies for free and delivered directly to one of his 4, no 6,no 7 houses.
” Romney or Pawlenty would hardly steal any headlines away from Obama’s speech with the MSM. “
Exactly what I was just thinking .
A woman ; Cantor or Leiberman would .
Worse than silly and classless, a bad tactical move to announce tonight.
Announce tonight and you share the next two 12 hour news cycles with talk of Obama’s speech.
Announce tomorrow morning at 8am and you give Obama a single news cycle (8pm to 8am) that most people will miss and give yourself an entire news cycle (8am to 8pm on a Friday) that is the most widely viewed of any given week.
That is so funny. The Giuliani cellphone call is already an old joke. On to text messages. LOL
Someone who would appoint conservative judges if ever president? Pawlenty may seem boring to some, but that doesn’t seem at all boring to me.
Maybe thats why Bill Clinton won’t be there. They don’t want him getting confused and starting a toga party onstage.
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