Posted on 07/01/2008 4:56:30 PM PDT by Plutarch
Sen. John McCain will choose businessman and former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney as Vice President, in his bid for the White House this November, a source closely connected with the McCain campaign, who asked to remain anonymous, told us earlier this afternoon.
Though others were close in the running, the choice ultimately came down to the money–not the man. According to our source, the campaign narrowed their Vice Presidential options to Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, the two most successful opponents of McCain in the bid for the Republican nomination. But despite Huckabee’s sway with far Right conservatives and evangelical voters, Romney packs the deepest fund-raising pockets.
As a successful businessman and prominent member of the staggeringly wealthy Mormon community, Romney brings with him the potential to raise “upwards of $60 million in 30 to 60 days, whereas Huckabee could only raise $10 to $15 million,” says our source.
McCain needs those types of numbers to be competitive with the money-sponge that is the Obama campaign, which has 1.7 million individual donors–as well as the Hollywood machine–and is ringing-out advertising dollars across the country, saturating voters in his ‘50 State Strategy‘ to win the White House.
“How the hell did the publisher of the ‘Top 20 Side-Boobs of All Time‘ get this scoop,” you must be asking yourself, right now. (We were asking ourselves the same question.) And here’s the answer: It’s all part of the McCain campaign’s plan to directly target college-age voters, in an attempt to sway them away from Sen. Obama, says our source.
Additionally, the campaign wants to solidify their ticket far in advance of the Obama campaign making their VP choice, in order to get a “head start” on the surge in fund-raising they expect to receive with the announcement of Romney as the Republican VP pick.
So next time two dudes in suits knock on your door, they might want more than to proselytize about the Book of Mormon…
UPDATE: We understand better than anyone how crazy it seems that we got this story first, so a healthy level of skepticism is expected. But we stand by the accuracy of our reporting on this, and will give you as many new details as possible in the coming days–including the name of our source, if we can.
I like it.
We have been dealt what we have been dealt. I would prefer someone more conservative than Romney, but when I look at the prospect of Obama and a democrat congress filling all of the federal judgeships, Romney is one bitter pill that I will gladly swallow. If McCain goes more liberal than Romney, we have a different situation. If he goes more conservative, then I would be happy. But Romney will work considering the straights the Republican party is in. Frankly, I wish it were Newt on the ticket. He’s the only one of stature that makes a lick of sense.
I adore Mitt. He is a good man, very smart, and most on the right don’t view him through the same lens you do.
He is the best.
I strongly dislike McCain and I did not like either Romney or Huckabee either but would vote for any of them in November. Giuliani is the only one who, as the nominee, would have induced me to leave the top line blank or third party. Of the possible VPs, Romney would probably be the best choice, considering that thje VP has a good shot at being P.
I want a Conservative to win. We aren't going to get one.
"I could give a f what Romney did in Massachusetts...."
And that, sir, is exactly what is wrong with you people. You don't give a damn.
"Well not really. I know he was a much better governor than any Democrat"
No, you were being honest the first time. This revisionist history you people engage in regarding that liberal fraud is appalling and shameful. He actually WASN'T better than any Democrat. He was worse. Not even Mike Dukakis could kill the MA GOP. *omney did.
I called him a liberal fraud and a willing agent to advance the Democrat cause. Why don’t you go study his record and come back when you can have a grown up discussion.
Damn straight !
Mitt would be great. He will make mccain look like an urchin, but then anyone would.
Besides, Jay Severin says he will not vote for John McCain under any circumstances...unless...he picks Mitt for a running mate.
McCain is a pain but Mitt is It and Mitt will ease our pain when we go to the voting booths in November.
Moron... You are a de facto Obama voter
This is war, honey. I'll be damned if I see the liberal rodent trojan horses hijack complete control of the Presidential ticket.
"No but your are."
All our base are belong to us. :-)
I really don’t think Romney will be the VP for the Straight Talk Express.
It will bury the ticket, just like *omney buried the MA GOP.
Understand. He was a representative in the Cincinnati area for many years and has been nationally known in Bush’s administration. He and Boehner were some of South-west Ohio’s finest. Portman was a good strong conservative.
I hadn’t heard of Romney but in passing prior to the primaries. We can get to know someone quickly.
Needless to say, if McCain’s choice is Romney or someone more conservative, I’ll vote for him. Of the two, I like Romney much better than McCain.
How 'bout Howard Dean ?
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