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Choice or Destiny?
One comment about Palin we keep hearing is that this is proof McCain can't make informed choices.
Well, as I pointed out yesterday, McCain has lots of market research and it would be foolhardy to assume that this wasn't a major strategic choice.
Still: filling the VP slot isn't just about getting tapped -- it's about accepting it as well.
I wonder if there were any feelers out for other candidates that gave McCain the thumbs down? This race is going to the ropes and you'd think people wouldn't want the danger of wrecking a career with it.
Joe Kennedy, Sr., for example was horrified that JFK was pushing to get on the 1956 ticket -- fearing it would destroy his chances at the Presidency.
On the other hand, we keep talking about McCain not finishing his 1st term -- in which case the VP slot may have presented a real opportunity.
So.. in the interests of <strong>full speculation</strong>:
Does anyone thing that Palin was <em>not</em> McCain's first choice?
If so, who do you think occupied that spot and why do you think they respectfully declined?
Well, as I pointed out yesterday, McCain has lots of market research and it would be foolhardy to assume that this wasn't a major strategic choice.
Still: filling the VP slot isn't just about getting tapped -- it's about accepting it as well.
I wonder if there were any feelers out for other candidates that gave McCain the thumbs down? This race is going to the ropes and you'd think people wouldn't want the danger of wrecking a career with it.
Joe Kennedy, Sr., for example was horrified that JFK was pushing to get on the 1956 ticket -- fearing it would destroy his chances at the Presidency.
On the other hand, we keep talking about McCain not finishing his 1st term -- in which case the VP slot may have presented a real opportunity.
So.. in the interests of <strong>full speculation</strong>:
Does anyone thing that Palin was <em>not</em> McCain's first choice?
If so, who do you think occupied that spot and why do you think they respectfully declined?
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That was exactly my first thought following the announcement.
I have heard since that Romney and Paulenty were miffed about the Palin pick because they felt McCain was stringing them along just to create drama.
So that doesn't sound like they said "No thanks", but it definitely makes you wonder.
August 30, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Romney and Pawlenty were high on his list originally. After all, Romney had to eat a crow the size of a condor to endorse McCain. I think he did so fully understanding he was going to be on the ticket.
I read that Karl Rove threatened McCain that he (Rove) would go directly to Lieberman and tell him no effing way. I think Palin is Rove's choice. After all, he brought us George W. Harriet Miers, Brownie, Alberto Gonzalez, Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court, and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on...
August 30, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she was the second choice. I think Lieberman was the first choice, but McCain couldn't sell it to the base.
He needs someone who can excite the party, offer the message of party rejuvenation and appeal to independents and Reagan democrats.
I think Sarah Palin is the Angelina Jolie/Lara Croft kind of answer to Obama.
The reason I say this is because McCain seems to have ignored the advice of the professional "Republican strategists" including Karl Rove, just like he did in the beginning of the primary season when he fired his advisors and went on the Straight Talk express.
He felt that without a shot in the arm and a game-changing gamble, he a much smaller chance of winning against Obama.
August 30, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink