Conservatives played it coy
A while back I was seriously concerned about the possibility of a VP Lindsey Graham or a VP Joe Lieberman.
I’m still quite concerned about a Secretary of Labor Linda Chavez or a SecState Richard Armitage. But we dodged a big bullet there on the VP nomination, and I’m grateful.
I think that’s because conservatives knew instinctively that we were locked into a game of chicken with McCain, and the best strategy was to play it cool. Don’t rush to endorse, don’t slather him with money, and yet don’t shun him absolutely to the point that he gives up on us and tries to poach liberal votes instead.
As DoublePlusUndead memorably phrased it:
I haven’t decided what to do, but for those who are willing to eat the turd sandwich, why not try and at least score some condiments?
We played hard to get. And it worked. We got the condiments. Back in February I cautioned that “Have very low expectations about what is feasible here: if we can nudge him slightly right it will be quite an achievement.”
We did. Mmm, good sandwich. Well, better.
So, does this choice make me more likely to vote for McCain? Much.
But if he wants a sign in my yard, he’d better jettison Armitage and the counterproductive Juan Hernandez. (Hey, lefties…why aren’t you guys hitting McCain harder for having the prime Plamegate leaker leading his foreign policy team?)
And maybe that sign ought to look a little more like this:
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DISCLAIMER: This post does not constitute tooting my own horn; in no way do I think my post on the subject influenced this outcome in any measurable fashion. I think conservatives are just naturally savvy about these things. It’s why they do well in the private sector.
Oh, and this is purely my own opinion, written on my own time and on my own computer. So there.
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{Post by See-Dubya.}
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Categories: 2008 campaign, GOP, John McCain
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Has it ever occured to you and the rest of the “purists” here that John McCain is a lot smarter and a lot more conservative than you give him credit for?
Sheesh.
Sarah Palin excites me because she is a conservative, not just because she is a woman. Although her parental credentials and personal decision on abortion are strong factors.
Thank you John McCain for picking the correct main course!
Sarah Palin More Like Elizabeth Dole Than Hillary Clinton!
Had an interesting conversation yesterday with a relative that has always claimed to be a conservative, a teacher, active in her church & community, and claims to be for women being able to be all they can be. The first words out of her mouth was that Palin has 5 children, the last having Down’s Syndrome, oh horrors! As I’m prone to shoot from the hip, my response was that “you must not have cable - that sounds just like Ms. Couric”…mumble/mumble.
Sarah Palin has given such a boost to McCain’s campaign for all the right reasons. The ball is back in his court and the election is still his to lose.
I do think Sarah Palin is in for a rough time! I will be praying for her, that she can brush off the hateful rhetoric that is sure to come her way. I know she is tough, but when the barbs start targeting her family, she may want to protect them, as any mother would. I hope she sat down with them and explained what is in store. The whole family needs to understand that their lives will never be the same again. In one way, I feel bad for them because they have such a nice, sweet, almost innocent family and that is about to change. But selfishly, I want Sarah Palin to serve her country. So far, she seems willing to do so with gusto! We all need to keep that family in our prayers as things heat up.
Like most of the rest of you, I still don’t trust McCain any further than I can throw him, but perhaps Gov. Palin can talk some sense to him and in cabinet meetings, and we definitely need that conservative firewall in Congress in case McCain goes “across the aisle” to work his “maverick magic” on immigration amnesty and global warming. Maybe she’s the Good Apple that can stop the whole barrel from going bad?
Saw a huge sign for McCain (printed type on 2×4’s)…someone spray painted at the bottom of it VP - PALIN in HUGE white letters.
People are pumped up about this pick (I live in Vancouver, WA - across the Columbia from Portland, OR)
I think Palin may be a good pick overall, but I am going to wait a while before totally committing. I still do not trust McCain on everything, especially immigration. I am not sure Palin has enough strength to convince McCain to give up on this horrible amnesty proposal of his. He may pick up some votes from women on his selection, but he could pick up many more if he would just come out and say he is 100% against amnesty and that he will immediately secure the border. But I won’t hold my breath.
Bachbone–that’s right, she’ll have a tiebreaking vote in the Senate. Cool.
On August 30th, 2008 at 9:22 am, tiredofit08 said:
Wow, unbelievable.
The ultra-conservative purist martyrs here whine endlessly about how McCain “doesn’t listen to us!!!!”.
McCain actually listens to you, and chooses the closest thing to a dream candidate that you’re going to get this election cycle for his VP.
And you’re still going to beat up on him in the final NINE WEEKS of the election cycle?
I have a suggestion, how about trying something different?
Try, if you can, to stuff your arrogant purist elitism and your pet issues into the drawer for the next couple of months and start working towards a victory for the Republican party. Do it because we have two pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military Republican candidates with a very high conservative rating poised to take the White House.
And the staffers of a Marxist thug who are watching every single word that is printed on this blog and will use it to undermine the McCain/Palin ticket.
If you still can’t find a reason to think more progressively, then do it to keep that same flaming Marxist thug from assuming the most powerful seat in the world.
I mean really, is that so hard for you to do?
You can start up with the pings and emails again after the election. McCain is going to be our president for four years and you will have four whole years to influence his decisions. You can be as persistant as you like with it.
This continuous criticism is not going to shape him into the “perfect candidate” in just nine short weeks, and you’re going to have to accept that.
For now, just take what we have and call it good. Because it IS.
For those of you who are not yet decided who to vote for…come on! Get real here. What are your alternatives? I am not a big fan of McCain either. I was absolutely sick when he got the nomination. But seriously…OBAMA??? He could do so much damage to this country…Supreme Court, immigration (he is much more pro illegal than McCain!) etc. In fact, I think he plans to appoint Hillary to the SC. God help us. If you waste your vote, either by staying home, or voting for a third party, you are essentially voting for Barako. Just think about that! Please, don’t go there!
I live in Washington as well and use to live in Oregon. Tough places for us conservatives. Either state going for McCain Palin will be a miracle.
Let’s jut hope Rossi can pul it off!
Sarah Palin More Like Elizabeth Dole than Hillary Clinton!
On August 30th, 2008 at 1:20 am, WarEagle82 said:
On August 30th, 2008 at 12:52 am, uhangtight said:
jimmy carter was the most incompetant president in my life time. he was lousy as a president and he is even more lousy as a ‘retired’ president.
Carter may go down in history as the worst president ever, unless Obama wins. Obamaessiah could give Carter a run for that title.
And Carter has turned out to be a truly despicable person in his retirement. When he left office I thought he was a decent human, if utterly misguided and incompetent. Now, I don’t see how I could hold him in any lower regard. But, I am sure he will demonstrate how with his next book or speech.
When I hear the sickening Jimmah these days, I always remember the incredulity with which Katie Couric, Matt Lauer and their ilk responded with to the overwhelming turnout for Ronald Reagan’s funeral procession.
They were absolutely dumbfounded that “the amiable dunce” could draw so many people, packed so many deep. I had to turn the channel because I was afraid all my tears would upset my young children.
I know Jimmah won’t have this kind of traffic when his day comes. He’ll be lucky if his family shows up.
McCain/Palin wouldn’t be a HOOT if in 2012 John steps down and it becomes Palin/McCain (that is Cindy McCain). Two bright young women with each having 4 years experience in the White House. What would Hillary do?
sandyb…I totally agree with you! That man has behaved in a way completely against everything a past-president should be. It had always been an unspoken rule of courtesy that you don’t bad-mouth a sitting president. So, what does that senile old fool do? He not only criticises President Bush, but does it overseas in the company of our ENEMIES! I am a woman, but if I ever saw him in person I would not be able to control my words! When I saw Joe Biden give him a big hug at the convention, I realized once again how liberal Joe Biden is. He was so “sweet and cuddly” at the convention. That man is a first class jerk. Sorry…I got carried away, but the mention of Jimmy Carter gets me going!
On August 30th, 2008 at 9:11 am, beenthere said:
I like Sarah. I really, really do. But it appears to me that too many people are treating her like the anti-Obama, the person who will lead conservatives out of the wilderness and back to the true faith. People, she’s a human being and a politician. Let’s get real. Last time I looked McCain is still in charge, more than even in fact, and I have serious doubts he will change a single one of his unappetizing positions. The man is a formidable campaigner (it looks like everyone left and right underestimated him in that regard), but I don’t trust him.
Sometime very soon (if it hasn’t happened already), the following will take place:
“My friend Sarah,” a beaming John McCain said as he walked into the room accompanied by a person she had never met before, “I want you to meet my little friend Juan Hernandez. He will explain why this country needs millions and millions of his buddies with dubious driving skills and lusting for welfare bennies to, ahem, keep the price of lettuce down and maybe — you’re going to love this — a tiny percentage will vote Republican and then we will be the majority party forever. Isn’t that just swell?!”
And then Sarah will know how it’s done in the beltway and yes, she will sit down and take notes.
NO BLOOD FOR LETTUCE!
I have a feeling that McCain is going to be a one-term President, and I say this based strictly on his age. If Palin holds up to her reputation during the next 4 years, she could be our Margaret Thatcher in 2012 with, dare I say it?, Bobby Jindal. This would mean a resurgence for conservative thought.
I have been thinking about the “experience” canard with respect to foreign policy. Obama spent 143 days at work before he “left” to become president. This is all the foreign policy experience he can claim. There are about 120 days until inauguration. Does that 23 days make a difference??? She can be prepped daily on foreign affairs. The best prep you can get is in the meetings in the Oval Office. McCain would only have to live until February to put Obama and Palin on an even footing!
Kind of funny, the majority of the people I see all excited about this VP pick are the same people trying to convince everyone that McCain is conservative and that we HAVE to vote McCain. If we HAVE to rely on a good VP pick to throw our candidate over the top, then we have lost site of what we are trying and need to do.
This may be a good VP pick, but by the time I figure out who she is, the VP pick will be as meaningless as it always is.
I’m still waiting for McCain to do something NOW in Congress.
No need to wait until after the election Senator, you have the power to change things NOW! Put up or shut up.
this is how i see it: mccain knows he cannot run for two years. he is forward thinking, besides my disagreement with him on a few issues, he does understand strategic planning. he has now set up the conservatives for the most likely choice for President in 2012. A woman, reformer and staunch conservative will be completely trained and ready for the POTUS position more so than Hillary or Obama in 2012.
He in one full swoop, has dashed the potential of firsts for the Democrat Party if he wins in November. Seeing this I am going to do all I can, even though I disagree with McCain on some very important issues, to get him elected. I dare to say that Palin will become the first woman POTUS, if McCain wins. I also dare to say, that by that time Jindal will be ready for the VPOTUS training to be POTUS.
*two terms.. sorry..
I need to repeat this until some of you actually listen. While I understand your concern about his immigration stance, and I totally agree with you, you must not allow Obama to win!! Don’t you get it? Obama would be WORSE ON IMMIGRATION, plus he would be worse on every other issue that McCain is conservative on. McCain is pro-life, Obama is pro-murder, McCain is pro gun, Obama wants to destroy all our weapons, including nukes, etc., McCain is 60% conservative, Obama is 100% marxist. The immigration issue is HUGE, but it would be even worse with Obama. That is the reason we vote for McCain. It’s not like we have a choice, folks. I am getting wearing of the fence sitters. It is time to rally and get the republicans in office.
Happyscrapper, when you quit hanging out with liberals, you’ll find that there are actually some intelligent people on this planet.
.
you guys loving this VP pick really need to get your heads out of your behinds.
McVain is full-speed 100% for giving Amnesty to illegal aliens. he wants to allow invaders of our country to stay. his picking someone good for his VP candidate doesn’t change anything about his awful and incredibly dangerous (and stupid) insistence on amnesty for illegal aliens.
she is really just lipstick on McVain’s amnesty pig.
so screw McAmnesty and his pretty VP too. he’s a traitor. I’ll never vote for anyone who wants to give Amnesty to the invaders of my city, state and nation.
jtex…please explain what you are talking about. I am trying to rally the republicans to get out and vote for John McCain, and you are calling me a liberal? What are you smoking?
I am starting to believe that those of you on this blog who are berating McCain and insist you won’t vote for him because of one issue, are really trolls trying to rile up the base. Get lost.
I’m sure you’re right about them being trolls, Happyscrapper.
The fact is, there are 60 days to the election and a Marxist is leading in the polls. He has more money, he has more people on the ground, and like Rush and Mark Levin, whose bonafides I will take above any of the purists on this board have said, Palin is an excellent pick, and Obama must not be elected. They are on board with the ticket and so am I.
Contrary to what someone suggested above, John McCain is not going to be introducing any legislation between now and November. Please get real.
McCain has given us conservatives a major nod with his VP pick. He needs to focus on winning now, and if we continue to bicker with him over this adviser and that statement all the way to the election, he will lose and we will have a Marxist in the Oval Office with a radical, rubber stamp congress.
Sarah Palin is a great “get”, a major victory for us, and now is the time to cooperate and get McCain/Palin elected. We can fight him when necessary after the election. And fight him I will. But I promise you, fighting John McCain is going to be a far preferable scenario to fighting Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.
That’s why I sent in my first check to the GOP and McCain and why I will be calling about becoming a much needed volunteer today. There are a million or more mindless Obamazombies out there helping to get out the vote for Obamarx, I hope other conservatives will join me in fighting them, and keeping their little Marxist mitts off my country by donating and getting out to volunteer for McCain/Palin!
The importance of the VP slot is the 2012 elections.
The rapid positive response to MacNastys sudden Conservatism will be effective to congressmen, not the next POTUS who has an amazingly deaf ear for American beliefs.
American Elephant…Well said! Thank you!
What’s that you said?
On August 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pm, American Elephant said:
100% dead on.
Me to; finally felt energized and donated the money I have been holding onto for this moment. Signed up to volunteer as well.
How many others have responded with $$$$
I hear today is the last day to donate to McCain.
Sarah Palin Is More Like Elizabeth Dole Than Hillary Clinton
IrishRose said..
I consider myself an ultra-conservative purist minus the martyr tag. No way in hell would I ever cast a vote to throw an election so that someone as far left as Obama would win.
What excites me is that McCain has listened to at least one thing the ‘martyrs’ wanted. Maybe it took them to convince him and his strategists to make her the pick. I think we all won because of it.
Now on the other hand, for the completely anti-McCain people. Does his stance on illegals suck? YES! Is Obama’s better? NO! Do you think that by giving Libs (who will not listen to our dissent at ALL) the reins that things will improve? NO!
So you not only give them the power to grant amnesty, they get SC picks that breeze through. That is the big issue. Can you imagine Justices more radical than Ginsberg?
This is more a vote for the future than anything else. That is why this VP pick was so significant. For the first time ever I believe McCain is listening to the base and not the MSM.
happyscrapper said: “I am starting to believe that those of you on this blog who are berating McCain and insist you won’t vote for him because of one issue, are really trolls trying to rile up the base. Get lost.”
___________________________________
hs, I know you are referring to me with your peurile “troll” accusation. Yet you are going to support the most back-stabbing non-conservative jerk ever put up by the Gross Obese Party, a candidate who invites wholesale invasion our nation by illegal aliens. And they get to keep the proceeds of their crime with McAmnesty. That’s your plan huh? You support that?
I’m a staunchly anti-illegal-immigration proponent living in Los Angeles, the Mexican-occupied city, so if you detect extreme bitterness in my posts, you are 100% accurate in that. I read Michelle’s column/site every single day, and post occasionally when I’m particularly incensed about a given development.
Am I a one-issue voter, you bet your ass. Because this one issue is the most destructive and fatal to our country and society of any other situation I’ve ever seen. It affects EVERY aspect of our lives, almost all in a negative manner. But I guess that’s OK with you.
I cannot stand McVain because he’s a fraud and a jerk and an open-borders scumbag and I’ll post that here until the cows come home or until the illegals are ALL made to leave.
And of course I’m not voting for the Obama-nation, but I’ll tell you this: McVain is the only candidate that has so far betrayed me as a voter and a citizen. And he did that in spectacular fashion, in the worst way possible - helping invaders in their quest to take over our country. Obama is terrible, a liar, a weasel and a complete zero, as are all his moronic followers, but McVain’s knife is still sticking out of my back.
So you can take your self-righteous and self-serving McVain bloviating and stick it right where the sun don’t shine. I won’t be voting for the rat who invited the invasion of our country and who actively smeared and insulted those who said NO. But I guess you will be. Thanks a lot.
On August 31st, 2008 at 3:21 pm, stoptheinvasion said:
OK…. I’ve done a full Google search for evidence that the savages who hijacked planes full of innocent American men, women and children and flew them into the WTC and the Pentagon were Mexicans.
Sorry, I’m just not seeing it… link?
Or at least deport the illegal boarders.
Just kidding, thanks for everything you do SF Marine.
IR, girl you are a riot. a total laugh factory. a font of unnecessary sarcasm directed at another conservative. Thanks, but keep your day job, ok?
if you had any sense you’d realize that an active takeover of our country and society and public services and local govts by mexicans, most of whom are directly sympathetic to illegals and help them invade us on a daily basis (with help from traitors like McVain who give aid and comfort to the invaders and their helpers), is much more likely to end our nation and society as we know it, than the 9/11 attacks by the islamofacists.
it’s a creeping death. you apparently choose to be blind to it. probably because you don’t live in an area yet blighted by their 3rd world squalor. problem is, when they get to your area, it’s already too late.
my initial post advised people like you to remove your heads from your behinds. I can see you didn’t heed the advice. you’ll vote for McVain and get more of the same abuse and lies. well, not me.