Crist and the veepstakes derby

[wrobert]

From tampabay.com

The name of Gov. Charlie Crist surfaces regularly in the punditry over who John McCain will choose as a running mate, and it's noteworthy who the pundits think Crist's main competitors are.
In a Washington Whispers column in U.S. News & World Report, Newt Gingrich says McCain will choose Crist or Mike Huckabee. "My hunch is that he will probably choose Charlie Crist," Gingrich said.
The Los Angeles Times lists Crist Saturday in a group of eight possible choices, calling him "popular in a crucial swing state (and) a rookie on the national scene." Some others on that list: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Mitt Romney.
Alfred Regnery of the American Spectator, writing an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, said McCain's selection of Crist "would send many conservatives over the edge."
On MSNBC, David Keating from the Club for Growth dissed Crist as "a really bad idea. He's come up with an awful solution for the insurance problems down there and he has really demagogued a lot of issues. So a lot of people would not be too happy to see Charlie Crist as a pick."

[beachmouse]

My guess is that the VP spot on the ticket goes to neither of those men. The last year, Crist has been more liberal than a lot of Democrats, and if the rumors surrounding his personal life gain traction, they could spook the evangelicals away from the polls.

Hucakbee is very unattractive to moderate swing voters, especially women. Remember his minister days when he signed the statement about the wife submitting to her husband? Now imagine him running against Hillary and that coming up again. Say what you will about the Clintons' marriage, it's always been an even partnership of equals.

At the ends of the day, voters vote on emotional criteria, and with Huckabee, the DNC could spin it so that there's always a subtext with him that women aren't equal to men, and when you have him going up against a female superstar, and the voting along gender lines skews even more Democratic.

McCain's very good at keeping his true intentions close to his vest while everyone else around him thinks what's going on in his mind. He did it in Vietnam; he's spent the past eight years doing it as well.

I suspect that the his VP spot goes to someone not on anyone's short list right now, and that it will be someone who is both more palatable to the conservative base and will be appealing to female voters.

Too bad Elizabeth Dole's probably too old.

[hnooe]

My guess is that the VP spot on the ticket goes to neither of those men. The last year, Crist has been more liberal than a lot of Democrats, and if the rumors surrounding his personal life gain traction, they could spook the evangelicals away from the polls.

Hucakbee is very unattractive to moderate swing voters, especially women. Remember his minister days when he signed the statement about the wife submitting to her husband? Now imagine him running against Hillary and that coming up again. Say what you will about the Clintons' marriage, it's always been an even partnership of equals.

At the ends of the day, voters vote on emotional criteria, and with Huckabee, the DNC could spin it so that there's always a subtext with him that women aren't equal to men, and when you have him going up against a female superstar, and the voting along gender lines skews even more Democratic.

McCain's very good at keeping his true intentions close to his vest while everyone else around him thinks what's going on in his mind. He did it in Vietnam; he's spent the past eight years doing it as well.

I suspect that the his VP spot goes to someone not on anyone's short list right now, and that it will be someone who is both more palatable to the conservative base and will be appealing to female voters.

Too bad Elizabeth Dole's probably too old.

You are absolutely correct--I think you need to be a political advisor if you are not one now!

[beachmouse]

If anyone's interested in hiring me, drop me a PM. (and yes, I'm halfway serious about that. My current job is a very pleasant environment where several dozen brain cells go to die every work day for lack of use.)

[SHELLY]

The Democrats are praying hard that the Reps select Crist for VP.....but it's not gonna happen.



.

[wrobert]

Just remember you heard it here first.

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/17/State/Vice_President_Crist_.shtml


http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/CAPITOLNEWS/802170327/1010/NEWS01

[TooFarTampa]

Don't worry ... if Crist is indeed our next VP :yikes: you will have achieved rock star status on par with SHELLY. :wave:

[rapunzel]

I doubt it will be Crist, there's too much gossip floating around out there about personal life. Plus, he's not very conservative and I don't see how the GOP can risk someone on the ticket who doesn't really motivate their base. I think they were counting on a HRC nomination to do that for them, but if she doesn't end up the Democratic nominee then they will be in a bit of a pickle.

I've heard two names come up that I found interesting -- first, Kay Bailey Hutchison. I think that would be a shrewd pick -- particularly if Obama ends up the D nominee. Of course, she has voted totally pro-life, but since she doesn't shun pro-choice women she might not be popular with the conservatives, either. The other mention -- Mel Martinez -- followed by a comment about him needing to find his birth certificate proving he really was born in Miami. Huh? I mean, he'd be a great pick but...can the place of birth really be in dispute?

[wrobert]

I've heard two names come up that I found interesting -- first, Kay Bailey Hutchison. I think that would be a shrewd pick -- particularly if Obama ends up the D nominee. Of course, she has voted totally pro-life, but since she doesn't shun pro-choice women she might not be popular with the conservatives, either. The other mention -- Mel Martinez -- followed by a comment about him needing to find his birth certificate proving he really was born in Miami. Huh? I mean, he'd be a great pick but...can the place of birth really be in dispute?

Mel Martinez was born in Cuba. So if he were VP then he would not be able to run in four years without an amendment, if I understand correctly.


CC enjoys tremendous support according to the polls. My thoughts a bit more in line with Jeb Bush than CC, but it seems that I may be the one that is out of touch with the Republican majority. I just hope he picks a highly qualified candidate. CC has never owned a home, never had children, never had to deal with the issues that a majority of families go through. And then there is always the questions about his personal life hanging on. Personally, not much of an issue with me, but it would further alienate the conservative base across the nation.

What I am hearing though is that McCain is also looking at someone like Condi Rice. It is pretty sad to me, that after all of these years it takes the success of Clinton and Obama for the Republicans to just now start considering a gender/racial balanced ticket.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Mel Martinez was born in Cuba. So if he were VP then he would not be able to run in four years without an amendment, if I understand correctly.




It isn't just the issue of Martinez running in four years, but there is also the possibility that as VP he would have to take over if McCain kicked the bucket. In that case, he would not be eligible so what is the point of him being VP?

It won't be Crist. McCain has got to choose somebody who is unquestionably a conservative and free of possible controversy. It would be a big plus for his VP to be a woman and/or a minority. It also HAS to be a woman and/or minority.

[wrobert]

It isn't just the issue of Martinez running in four years, but there is also the possibility that as VP he would have to take over if McCain kicked the bucket. In that case, he would not be eligible so what is the point of him being VP?
.

Maybe I got it wrong but the Constitution says 'elected'. So he could take over, but never run for office.

[Camp Creek Kid]

U.S. Constitution - Article 2 Section 1

Article 2 - The Executive Branch
Section 1 - The President
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Notes for this section:

[wrobert]

Yep I got it wrong. Confused with the argument over what if Bill Clinton was VP and the President resigned.

[idlewind]

Yep I got it wrong. Confused with the argument over what if Bill Clinton was VP and the President resigned.
What's the difference, they all stink. Anybody have a third party they support that we can vote for?:floor:

[rapunzel]

Well, is there some doubt about where Martinez was born? The birth certificate comment wasn't made in a flippant way. They seemed serious.

As for Condi -- I hope they don't choose to go that route. I mean, that would just be pandering in the extreme. I believe history will remember her as the worst National Security Advisor of all time, and one of the least effective Secretaries of State. She was totally unprepared to analyze the Middle East, as she focused largely on her area of expertise -- Russia. Then, we she decided to concentrate on the Middle East, she totally took her eye off the ball with Russia, and now they are again a source of insecurity. Putting her on a ticket with a 72 year old would be a disaster.

[30A Skunkape]

Well, is there some doubt about where Martinez was born? The birth certificate comment wasn't made in a flippant way. They seemed serious.

As for Condi -- I hope they don't choose to go that route. I mean, that would just be pandering in the extreme. I believe history will remember her as the worst National Security Advisor of all time, and one of the least effective Secretaries of State. She was totally unprepared to analyze the Middle East, as she focused largely on her area of expertise -- Russia. Then, we she decided to concentrate on the Middle East, she totally took her eye off the ball with Russia, and now they are again a source of insecurity. Putting her on a ticket with a 72 year old would be a disaster.

Quit being jealous of her boots.

[rapunzel]

Quit being jealous of her boots.

Oh, it was the boots/skirt/coat together that earned my respect. It was the ultimate post-feminism assertion of female power, in a symbolic way. It looked like Camille Paglia dressed her. :clap:
http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/photos/other/riceboots.jpg

[hnooe]

Well, is there some doubt about where Martinez was born? The birth certificate comment wasn't made in a flippant way. They seemed serious.

As for Condi -- I hope they don't choose to go that route. I mean, that would just be pandering in the extreme. I believe history will remember her as the worst National Security Advisor of all time, and one of the least effective Secretaries of State. She was totally unprepared to analyze the Middle East, as she focused largely on her area of expertise -- Russia. Then, we she decided to concentrate on the Middle East, she totally took her eye off the ball with Russia, and now they are again a source of insecurity. Putting her on a ticket with a 72 year old would be a disaster.

You're right. She has been mostly a photo op for 8 years--I can't blame her totally, she represented Bush's America abroad at the time, plus I wouldnt expect the Repub.'s to select someome not so closely connected to Bush into 2008. Kay Bailey Hutchison would be another no---there is no national recognition, and not enough testosterone. Crist would be great V.P., but the neocons and the family values folks might not like his being single with no children, and the rumors of his being gay.

Personally, I hope Huckabee is the VP choice, then the Repub's would represent a both a long continuation of the Iraq war that everyone is against, along with a Bible thumper for icing on the cake. Romney would actually be the best choice for the Repub.'s if they want to win.

[Camp Creek Kid]

You're right. She has been mostly a photo op for 8 years--I can't blame her totally, she represented Bush's America abroad at the time, plus I wouldnt expect the Repub.'s to select someome not so closely connected to Bush into 2008. Kay Bailey Hutchison would be another no---there is no national recognition, and not enough testosterone. Crist would be great V.P., but the neocons and the family values folks might not like his being single with no children, and the rumors of his being gay.

Personally, I hope Huckabee is the VP choice, then the Repub's would represent a both a long continuation of the Iraq war that everyone is against, along with a Bible thumper for icing on the cake. Romney would actually be the best choice for the Repub.'s if they want to win.

I agree about Condie. I think she is a great example as a strong woman, but too much bagagge.

Huckabee had a shot until the last few weeks when he would not bow out of the race and be a team player. He and his supporters are starting to get a little over the top about Huckabee being God's choice to lead America. Umm, obviously not. He also is doing horrible at fundraising. He has a lot of support by a certain demographic, but they are not willing to support him financially. He has tried for 2 weeks to raise 1.5 mill and so far has only gotten $400,000.

Romney would be great to balance out McCain's financial inexperience. He also does great with fundraising. I think many of his supporters have already come to terms with the reality of the presidential race and will follow his example and support McCain for the good of the party. Romney will definitely bring his supporters with him (they are more open minded than Huckabee's), but most of his supporters probably will vote for McCain regardless. Romney's endorsement has solidified his supporters' backing for McCain. The question is whether Romney will turn away independents/Reagan democrats who would support McCain. There is a significant chunk of Huckabee supporters who feel that Hell will freeze over before they vote for a Mormon. I believe that this is the main reason why Huckabee is still in the race. He has ruined his chances at being VP, but will keep on going to prove a point and emerge as the leader of the Christian Right. With Jerry Falwell gone, there is opportunity there.

[rapunzel]

I believe that this is the main reason why Huckabee is still in the race. He has ruined his chances at being VP, but will keep on going to prove a point and emerge as the leader of the Christian Right. With Jerry Falwell gone, there is opportunity there.

Very interesting post, this had not occurred to me but makes perfect sense.

[hnooe]

Very interesting post, this had not occurred to me but makes perfect sense.

I will second that! Even Pat Roberston (who supported Juliani) has taken a left turn and is senile.....that is a fascinating idea CCK!!

[scooterbug44]

Huckabee seriously scares the sheet out of me. :eek:

His brand of religion and his views on its level of involvement in the government make me fear I'd be living in a Christian police state if he was in charge!

[wrobert]

Crist Veep-O-Meter moves
The Crist Veep-O-Meter nudges a tad closer to vice president, though it has less to do with Crist than some of other often mentioned prospects for McCain’s running mate. Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson pretty much took herself out (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/021908dnpolhutchison.5b98765.html) of the running. Meanwhile Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an early McCain supporter who has at least as much vice presidential Buzz as Crist, took a bashing in an op-ed (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/15780762.html) by a Minnesota anti-tax activist.
Minnesota Citizens for Tax Justice director Wayne Cox wrote that the 47-year-old Pawlenty can’t deliver the state for McCain, that Minnesota has become more Democratic-leaning under Pawlenty and he has done little to help Minnesota’s economy.
"He should follow the lead of successful Republican governors like Crist and build a record of results,’’ Cox wrote in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The Washington Post’s influential political blog, The Fix, on Friday listed Crist as one of the five likeliest picks for McCain, along with Pawlenty, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and South Dakota Sen. Jon Thune.

Tampabay.com
</SPAN>

[wrobert]

http://clipsyndicate.com/publish/video/537298?wpid=0


It would appear that the Florida press is more enamored with the Governor than the next President of the United States.

[hnooe]

Why doesn't he just choose Condi McBush Rice? She done so much for us on the international scene in the last 8 years ..NOT!

I think a Log Cabin (Republican) gay guy makes much more sense for McCain--imagine how much fun First Lady Cindi McCain will have trying to fix him up with different female "dates" at all the White House state dinners!