Posted on 07/31/2008 9:34:21 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Sen. John McCain's growing popularity among women is fueling speculation that he will selecta female running mate, ripening talk about conservative favorite Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, and former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina, one of his top economic advisers.
Political pundits, election strategists and even some Democrats say putting a dynamic woman on the Republican ballot would tip independents, especially the "security moms" who helped President Bush win re-election in 2004.
"If McCain picked a woman, it would certainly get the attention and perhaps votes of some Democrats and a number of independents who supported Hillary Clinton," said Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh.
With Mr. McCain not a favorite of social and fiscal conservatives, prominent leaders of the party's right flank say choosing a bona fide member of their class could re-energize the Republican base.
"Sarah Palin is a great choice," said Grover Norquist, a Republican activist best known for his economic conservatism.
"She's got it all, and is a remarkable leader who brings a number of good qualities to the table," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.
Gov. Sarah Palin speaks to reporters regarding the indictment of U.S. Sen Ted Stevens in her Capitol office in Juneau, Alaska Tuesday July 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Juneau Empire, Brian Wallace)
Although Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are still considered the front-runners for the vice-presidential slot (with a growing hum about former Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio), there is a new buzz that Mr. McCain will make a "transformative" pick outside the mainstream, perhaps even cross party lines to choose Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Democrat turned independent.
While most insiders find that option unlikely, Newt Gingrich warns Mr. McCain not to pick "one more relatively boring normal mainstream Republican white guy."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
If he picks that miserable Carly, I’ll be more determined that ever not to cast a ballot for Juan McGore!!!
Why would he consider a failed HP CEO that was dismissed? Palin would be a good choice.
thanks freepers. you guys demanding he pick a conservative, is going to ruin a future conservative candidate.
You said it. Why is she even being considered? Might as well tie a mutilated Barbie around McCain’s neck for all she’d be worth.
... You think Fiorina is a good idea????
Seems to me the charges are just trumped up, but McCain probably can't afford to take on anyone with ethical baggage. Too bad because I really like her.
To be totally honest, I doubt he or his staff read FR. So I wouldn’t blame anyone here for his choice or for them accepting.
Yep. Carly would be a disaster....
Fiorina is a horrible idea.
Carly would be a big mistake. She is no more than a token appt. No political experience at all.
Don’t forget that not only did she all but destroy HP, she pretty much knocked Lucent out of competitiveness in EVERYTHING.
If he selects Fiorina, I vote third party. Period.
McCain needs a safe and experienced pick. He’s got this thing in the bag if he doesn’t screw it up, because Obama is a lightweight candidate with a lot of baggage. Palin and especially Fiorina are not worth the risk, as far as I am concerned. Palin was the Mayor of a town with 5,000 residents and only became governor in 2006. She is not ready.
oh no, she’d be fine for him, I didnt read the whole think I seen 2 conservative women...then I seen Palin. Failed HP executive , Failed VP lol
Patricia Heaton.
She's probably the most active conservative in Hollywood. And McCain could announce her by saying. "Well, the Democrats have decided that all you need to be is a celebrity who can draw big audiences and recite a well written line or two to be President of the United States, so we think Miss Heaton is perfectly qualified to be Vice President."
Not. Carly.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/07/24/wilson-waxes-wexler-matthews-double-team
This woman could beat Hussein like a drum!
You have to do that or else you end up with nothin but a "suckegg dog!" Nobody wants a "suckegg dog!" Not even a "maverick suckegg dog!"
She also has/had an approval rating over 90%. Not many can touch that.
Don't give me pie-in-the-sky. Win **NOW**, and Governor Palin is certainly THE most helpful VP candidate for McQueeg. Problem is, she probably (I hope I'm wrong) doesn't want the job; she has a very young child with Down's Syndrome.
I do believe Gov. Palin can survive and prosper quite well without your 'solicitude'.
At bottom, this election, VPs or no, boils down to the question: 'Is the American electorate smart enough to vote against a self-defined Fascist, and for a corrupt insider?''
Far as I can tell, it's a dead flip of the coin. Both Osamabama and McQueeg are detestable candidates.
I suppose that the election will boil down to whether Americans can hold their collective noses long enough.
Best wishes, and FReegards!
Lets say McCain picks Sarah Palin (ok with me), does this then lead to Obama being forced to pick Hillary???
I was impressed with Gov. Steelman of MO the other day when I say her on TV. Really smart gal with masters in finance I think and she just bought her 13 yr. old son a rifle for his birthday.(boy, the libs oughta blow a gasket over that)
Don’t know a whole lot about her but I was impressed and she ain’t bad on the eyes either.
why should the vp make a difference to you?
1) he wont listen to his conservative vp
2) the vp will carry water for him “sure mr president I will go on Rush’s show and discuss your new citizenship program””sure I will go on Rush’s show and tell them your new global warming tax plan””sure, I will go on rush’s show and tell them that (liberal judge) will make a great SCOTUS judge, after we are dening them a win...oh wait...”
3) after carrying water for Mccain for 4 or 8 years who would vote for them.
Hey, Palin is as ready as Obama...does not need more.
Carly Fiorina would be a horrible choice....worse than Harriet.
geez....she got a quota promotion and failed.
now she should be POTUS....?
we should pick the best conservative...and not based on race or gender
i would pick Blackburn but then again...I’m partial
it’s pretty slim picking out there real deal wise
he almost has to pick someone interesting to counter the arrorant Magic Preto Hombre (media preto)
Obama Girl. She could diss Barry and call John her Mac Daddy.
Palin’s the good one, Fiorina is the massive failure.
actually I would like the real conservative picks to turn him down, Palin, Hunter,Jindal ect. they would rise several steps above IMHO
I still think Mitt Roney would be a solid choice.
McCain has no intrest in what we demand, if anything he would do the opposite out of spite. I've spent enough time around him to be well aware of that.
He's not female or conservative.
Steelman is ONE cycle too early. She should let that DC-infected clown Hulshof get the 'Pubblie nomination, and get his skinny ass SMOKED (which, btw, will occur).
See you I hope in 4 years, Sarah. Your dough doesn't rise, this year.
Please, not Carly.
I can't think of a woman I know that would consider her a "positive." Talk about train wrecks!
No Hillary supporter (feminist) is going to support a pro-life, conservative ticket. Any choice McCain makes had better be for the best VP he can choose, not for some dream of attacting disgruntled Hillary supporters.
IMO Palin, though she seems like a fine person, lacks the experience to fill the shoes of President should something happen to McCain early in his term. We live in serious times. There isn’t any time for on-the-job training.
ROFL!
Have to support the semi-senile clown, I suppose. Doesn't mean I have to LIKE it for a nanosecond.
Fiorina is a colorful personality, but is a lightning rod. The rats will harp on her dismissal from HP, I'd guess.
Fiorina would be terrific as VP.
Go Carly.
Now *that* is a technique for ya!
Could we tie Pelosi around McCain's neck for a month-- maybe he would *get it* then. (Sigh... probably not.)
Speaking of “gettin it” did you see the reply just north of yours? Egad!!!
Palin just had an independent counsel appointed to her in AK
What is wrong with Carly? She can lower the dollar to the level of Lucent stock
Well, you have to put it in context. By Alaska standards, Wasilla is quite populous.
Did you leave off the sarcasm tag?
Whatever your opinion of Fiorina might be, she would be a disastrous choice b/c (1) she has exactly zero relevant political experience, and (2) her corporate experience is highly controversial and widely derided, without regard to political viewpoints.
I didn’t follow much of her travails at HP, but like millions of other voters I simply know that she was considered weak and ineffectual, was booted, has done nothing since of any consequence, and would never get over that HP fiasco in the context of a heated national political campaign. No matter how much you may happen to like her (I still don’t know why), she would get crushed in the upcoming campaign and that would be very harmful to the ticket. Don’t know how McCain could win with her baggage.
All but destroyed? I admit its been a few years since I payed attention but the fact that HP is now the number one computer manufacturer can probably be tied to the merger with Compaq in 2004. Sure it caused HP financial troubles for awhile as it assumed Compaq’s debt but now HP is seeing record profits and growth and has surpassed Dell as the number one pc manufacturer in the world.
I didn't know Roney was female. Needs a shave...
It's all about identity politics!
What ever happened to picking someone because he/she is the most qualified for the job?!
And please, please, McCain, don't pick that company wrecker Carly Fiorina.
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