[Clintonfatigued]

I’m increasingly confident that Romney won’t be nominated. He’ll probably serve on McCain’s cabinet should McCain become President, perhaps Secretary of the Treasury. And don’t worry, it’s increasingly clear that the Tom Ridge speculation was a publicity stunt.

Don Carcieri has a lot of good qualities- conservative, Catholic, ethnic (not sure what ethnicity, I think he’s part Italian), record of winning cross-over votes. I wish McCain had considered him more seriously. You’ve spoken of him highly, as well. There’s still time and hope, IMHO.

I am currently fixated on a much-overlooked part of the electorate. They are moderate independents who voted for Gore and Kerry reluctantly, but cringe at Obama. I’m surprised no one has spoken of this group. Many, though far from all, are Jewish. And I think this group could be swung into the Republican column without McCain or the party moving to the left. McCain’s independent image attracts them, but they’re not sold on him yet, as many of them don’t usually vote Republican. But in addition to being conservative, the running mate should be urban and northern. At least that’s my take. Nothing against Mark Sanford, he’s a great governor, but I believe this small voting bloc will decide the election.

Always a pleasure,

Mike

[yongin]

I know many Jews over 40 that are wary of Obama. They feel he is a light weight and unfit to lead in a unpredictable world. These same people admire McCain's live story. They like his individual streak. However they are wary that if McCain becomes President, he will bow down to the Religious Right. Having Lieberman on the ticket would swing them to support McCain. But for every Jewish indie, we gain we lose a conservative. Many Jews don't normally vote Republican because Evangelicals freak them out. When Evangelicals talk of stopping gay marriage and partial-birth abortion, Jews feel that these are small steps in using the Govt to force them to be Christians. If doesn't help when Kansas conservatives push to have Creationism to be taught in govt schools or Roy Moore defying a court ruling to post the Ten Commandments. Such actions reinforce negative stereotypes Jews have of Republicans.