Posted on 08/07/2008 11:58:46 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
I would like either, but here are the practicalities:
1. Jindal said “no.” Saw it on TV myself. Wait to 2012 for Cantor/Jindal . . .
2. Palin -— and this is unfair -— is bound to have a bazillion photos, joint statements, and joint fundraising with the Senator from Alaska who is going to jail for being a crook. She will get slimed with that association, hard. Not fair at all, but that’s the way it is.
Nah, it’s a hard right district.
I don’t know about that. I live in Eric’s district and I don’t think that would happen.
Corin, do you agree?
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/usjewpop.html
Look at the largest Jewish population states: PA, CA, IL, NY, and MD.
Imagine some of these in play if half the voting Jewish population in these states swing towards McCain/Cantor, Especially PA.
Putting IL in play would be delicious from political standpoint.
No, I don’t think there is a downside.
The most important thing is he and McCain actually like each other.
And there isn't any "dirty tricks" miasma lingering from the primary race.
The 7th District is arguably the most Republican in the state.
No Democrat has gotten more than 34% of the vote in that district for ~at least~ the last six elections. And with Tom Bliley probably a good decade or so beyond that.
Cantor certainly isn't going to turn contributors from the left to the right, but he has a reputation as an excellent fund raiser, so could be an asset. Whether he's the VP pick or not, since he will have a future in the GOP. I agree about the need for non-official advertising, but I fear the left has been more effective in adapting to McCain-Feingold, there just aren't as many well organized right wing groups. 4
“Cantor’s Congressional seat could seriously go to a Democrat.”
Forget Illinois. There are enough dead people in Chicago alone to ensure it will not be in play.
That's a good site, but for reasons I won't belabor, for most practical uses the population numbers are overstated by 30% to 50%. Even were they accurate, a couple percent of the voting population isn't going to change Illinois. Or CA, PA, or MD, unless McCain pulls essentially even. The job in those states is to erase Obama's double digit or near double digit leads. Yes, then a small shift could matter.
Cantor appears to be an aggressive campaigner. The press will make him known, so he could be the ticket to narrow a lot of states, but not because he's Jewish.
Barack Obama could seriously “fall apart politically” prior to November 4, and this would truly change the entire Presidential race. The bad side to this is that John McCain could also seriously “fall apart politically” prior to November 4. I seriously still wish that there was a “do over” in the GOP Presidential race. Sigh.
Israeli Jews are more Orthodox. American Jews are very, very, very liberal and ungodly.
I had breakfast with Congressman Cantor this morning. You won’t find a more solid conservative in Congress.
Wrong. Cantor's Congressional district (Virginia's 7th) is rock solid conservative and Republicans enjoy a double digit margin over Democrats in voter registration there. It has continually been in Republican hands since J. Kenneth Robinson was elected in 1971.
That's actually one of the disadvantages of running Cantor, there is NO guarantee he will "keep Virginia in Republican hands". He's never been tested statewide and his district is much safer Republican than the state as a whole. Virginia's 7th will easily go to McCain whether Cantor is on the ticket or not.
It would be like suggesting McCain pick Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA, 25th District) as his running mate because Doolittle's proven record of "winning" in California, nevermind the fact he's "winning" a ultra safe district where Republicans have an 18% higher margin in voter regislation. A Congressman only represents 600,000 voters in a state, most of them certainly don't reflect the overall political lean of their state.
I don't get the obsession over Cantor lately. Aside from the fact he's Jewish, what does he bring to the ticket? Virgil Goode and Randy Forbes are more experienced, better-known conservatives, and in more competitive districts to boot. If McCain were to consider a Virginia Congressman, I'd prefer either of them. I hope this isn't the GOP playing affirmative action with religion now, the the idea of "picking Condi" on the basis that she's black and female was bad enough.
Hey, Cantor's a good guy and a rising conservative in the party, but is not ready for prime time and wouldn't be helpful on the ticket, IMO.
You tell ‘em what we’re up to here?
Well, Gabz, what’s your take on this guy?
Forbes is a great guy, but probably less well known than Cantor. And his district is not safe GOP.
Virgil is a Goode guy, but we'd definitely lose his district. And he brings his own set of controversies.
The reason for putting Cantor on the ticket is not to help McCain win. The reason for Cantor is that he's a young, rock-solid conservative.
The only way Obama takes Virginia is ~if~ Tim Kaine is on the ticket, which I don't think he will be, and likely not even then.
Yep. We sat at the same table. He’s aware that he has friends on FR. Still a non-committal on the VP question though. I didn’t ask, someone else did.
Personally, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. However, you have to remember that my involvement in VA politics, most especially on the Congressional level, is VERY limited. I moved here from a state with only ONE congresscritter.
I will defer to those with far more knowlege.
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