Mark Sanford... 
Don Carcieri... 
Haley Barbour... 
And for those who want Sarah Palin...
Now, look where Kay Bailey Hutchinson stands... 
Posted on 08/25/2008 11:36:30 AM PDT by Entrepreneur
The selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s running mate changes the whole dynamic of the Veep choice now facing John McCain.
Sure, Biden brings credibility and experience and reassuring familiarity to the Democratic ticket, but he hardly adds sizzle or novelty. The Democrats feel that they’ve got enough pizzaz with their standard bearer, so it doesn’t hurt that they take a Vice Presidential contender with all the excitement of boiled Brussels sprouts.
I hope that this choice now gives John McCain reason to reconsider the safe, reassuring possibilities of Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty—apparently, the two leading contenders for the running mate slot for the GOP. Both Romney and Pawlenty are fine men, with special appeal in swing states (Michigan and Minnesota, respectively), but neither candidate would contribute an explosive infusion of energy or electricity.
In the same way that the Dems assumed they got enough novelty and excitement from the top of the ticket so they could go with experience and gravitas for the second spot, so the Republicans should recognize that they’ve got plenty of experience and gravitas with McCain so with his running mate they can go with a “breath of fresh air” candidate—someone new, unexpected, thrilling in some way, in order to shake up the electoral dynamic and undermine the big bounce Obama expects from Denver.
I would suggest – strongly – that the campaign reconsider the Senior Senator from Texas, the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Okay, she’s not a dynamo of fiery charisma; in fact, as I’ve noted before, she’s a bland and sometimes boring speaker, and a pleasant if unprepossessing television presence. Nevertheless, she is a she--- and that fact in itself would allow McCain’s choice to upstage Obama’s.
Current polls show that only half of Hillary’s voters currently back The One; a full 20% already support McCain. The remaining 30% of one-time Clinton true believers are undecided or thinking of staying home, and the idea of a first female in national office would, no doubt, appeal to some of them—perhaps even many of them.
Most importantly, in contrast to Obama’s choice – which looks safe, cautious, timid and boring –the selection of a female candidate as Vice President would seem bold, daring, audacious….at the very time that “Hope” looks less audacious than tired. If Johnny Mac took a woman as his running mate, the lesson would be that the Old Guy still possessed his maverick instincts and the ability to shock the world and defy expectations. The press and the commentariat would love the story, and coming out of the dueling conventions of the next two weeks that’s no small matter.
Meanwhile, Senator Hutchison herself – despite her limitations as an orator – is a formidable public servant with the elements of a great tale to tell.
Most importantly, her conservative credentials are solid – and far more consistent than either Romney’s or Pawlenty’s. The American Conservative Union gives her a lifetime rating of 90.27, and a 2007 rating of 88—placing her among the more conservative Republicans in the Senate.
On abortion, she’s always called herself “Pro Life” and NARAL Pro-Choice America—the leading pro-abortion lobbying group – has given her ratings of mostly 0% (like McCain) and never higher than 20%.
She’s a former cheerleader for the University of Texas Longhorns (no mean distinction in a state famous for its beautiful cheerleaders) and went on to get her law degree from U of T. She worked for a while as a legal correspondent for a top Houston TV station before winning election to the legislature in 1972. During a break from politics, she became a bank executive and won conspicuous success as a business woman – the kind of private sector experience that Obama, Biden and McCain all lack. Her executive and administrative expertise includes an acclaimed term as Texas State Treasurer before her election to the Senate.
Her margins of victory in all her Senate races testify to her enormous vote-getting ability in her home state --- she won with 67% in the special election of 1993, then drew 61%, 65%, and even 62% in the notorious Democratic year of 2006. She’s an effective campaigner with a proven gift for connecting with every voting bloc in Texas. Unlike Geraldine Ferraro, there’s no problem here of a thin resume’: in addition to her private sector experience, Ms. Hutchison served three terms in the state legislature, a term as state Treasurer, worked two years as Vice Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, and won landslide victories in four different U.S. Senate elections. She’s moved up steadily in the Senate leadership – currently ranked number three among GOP members of the “World’s Greatest Deliberative Body.”
Her drawbacks and weaknesses? It’s true that she suffered a 1993 indictment for allegedly illegal use of state resources in one of her campaigns, but the charges came from the infamous partisan prosecutor Ronnie Earle and were subsequently dropped with no conviction or admission of guilt or wrong-doing.
More recently, her adoption of two small children in 2001 makes a great (and unusual) human interest story – and would help call attention to John and Cindy McCain’s own adoption of a physically challenged baby girl at the direct behest of Mother Theresa. (now the McCains’ beloved teenaged daughter Bridget). In any event, following a youthful divorce, Senator Hutchison has been happily married for thirty years to a former Republican legislator and gubernatorial candidate.
Senator Hutchison has also written a couple of books – about women in the Senate, and largely unknown but deeply influential heroines of history. These aren’t literary masterpieces by any means (I tried to read one of ‘em to interview the Senator about it on my radio show) but they’re capably put together, and highlight her ability to inspire young women and girls to great achievements.
When it comes to debating Joe Biden, she should do very well – and draw big ratings for only the second candidate’s debate in national history (after Geraldine Ferraro vs. George H.W. Bush in 1984) featuring a female contender. Senator Hutchison’s friendly understated style will provide a winning alternative to Biden’s logorrhea.
In any event, the ho-hum Democratic choice gives McCain the chance to steal some excitement away from the Obama ticket, and the easiest way to accomplish that purpose would be the unexpected selection of a ground-breaking candidate --- either a woman (Senator Hutchison is the one viable female choice) or a person of color (Bobby Jindal of Louisiana is by far the best choice there).
The Obama-Biden combination gives McCain and opportunity to do what he loves to do most in politics – confound expectations, shake things up, and stun the world. He can do so at the same time that he reassures and rallies his all-important conservative base.
Kay Bailey Hutchison may not count as the most exciting individual in American politics, but her selection in the current campaign context could be electrifying. A McCain-Hutchison team might sore into the lead right after the euphoric surrounding the Republican convention, and could fight effectively to hold that lead (and to maintain the euphoria) all the way to November.
She’s lousy on open borders and illegals. That’s enough for me.
Doesn’t anyone out there realize that the VP has to be ready and capable of assuming the office of President in an instant? VPs are chosen to attract a certain demographic, and the hell with anything else.
McCain is bad enough, I don’t want his replacement to be a pro illegal, also.
Mark Sanford...
Don Carcieri...
Haley Barbour...
And for those who want Sarah Palin...
Now, look where Kay Bailey Hutchinson stands...
A believable woman running mate could easily pull in all of the disaffected Hillary supporters. It would be a winning move.
Check post #11. I admitted my error. Sometimes I get KBH and Christine Todd Whitman confused.
No prob.. this was more of a ‘for the record’ post because I’ve seen this charge at least three times today.
On abortion, she’s always called herself “Pro Life” and NARAL Pro-Choice America—the leading pro-abortion lobbying group – has given her ratings of mostly 0% (like McCain) and never higher than 20%.
Kay Bay Hutchinson's votes on abortion, vote by vote
Her interest group ratings...
2007 In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Senator Hutchison a grade of 0.
2006 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2006.
2006 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 7 percent in 2006.
2005-2006 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 6 percent in 2005-2006.
2005-2006 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 75 percent in 2005-2006.
2005 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2005.
2004 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 20 percent in 2004.
2003-2004 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 90 percent in 2003-2004.
2003 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 7 percent in 2003.
2001-2002 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2001-2002.
2001 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2001.
2001 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2001.
2000 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 20 percent in 2000.
1999-2002 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 0 percent in 1999-2002.
1999-2000 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 1999-2000.
1999 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 1999.
1999 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 1999.
1998 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 1998.
1997-1998 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 1997-1998.
1997 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 1997.
1997 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 1997.
1996-2003 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 11 percent in 1996-2003.
1996 On the votes that the NARAL Pro-Choice America considered to be the most important in 1996 , Senator Hutchison voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.
1996 On the votes that the National Right to Life Committee considered to be the most important in 1996, Senator Hutchison voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.
1995-2004 On the votes that the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association considered to be the most important in 1995-2004, Senator Hutchison voted their preferred position 8 percent of the time.
1995-1998 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 1995-1998.
1993-1996 Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 16 percent in 1993-1996.
How can seriously call her pro-choice?
No matter what the uninformed will tell you, National Right to Life says she has voted with us 44 times, against 3, and not rated 2. I looked and stem cell seems to be where she lets us down, but that's sure not choice.
See my post #11 to you. I had her and Christine Todd Whitman mixed up.
At this point, I could live with Portman. I was hoping for someone with a little more pizzazz but at least he is solidly conservative. Nobody out there seems to be “the one” this election cycle. I can live with Mitt, though. I just pray that he is done evolving.
Soar subject?
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Your post came while I was composing mine. No sweat, though a lot of Texans might get upset if you confuse them with someone from New Jersey. ;-)
I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make any sense. What is the grading scale for that ? Being a squish on borders and on the life issue makes her more to the right of Mark Sanford ? What ?
{KBH's} Omnibus Bill Includes Border Fence-Gutting Amendment
An excerpt:
“The Hutchison amendment gives DHS virtually total discretion over how and where the fence is built,” says Grassfire.org President Steve Elliott. “In fact, DHS would not be required to build fencing in any particular location -- and the double-layer mandate is totally gone.”
For some reason, when I see one of these two women on the air, I can’t remember which one of the two they are. And I usually make the wrong call on it.
Oh, well, it’s just me.
And, remember - between now and November, McCain's assignment is "just win, baby".
If picking a woman locks up the election, and there's a woman who could serve as President in a pinch, then I think he should do it, or at least think seriously about it.
KBH strikes me as a little old and a little underwhelming, but I defer to the Texas FReepers about that. I absolutely, positively agree with the plan to attack the Hillary base vote as hard as possible, though.
Exactly. Border security isn’t important to her, and in a state that has one of the WORST problems ! A rich Establishment RINO out of touch with her constituents. Absolutely unacceptable.
Another reason she is a bad choice is that we can’t have this be the “battle of the Senators.” We’ve got 3 of the 4 Pres/VP candidates with ZERO Executive experience. We need a Governor to be McCain’s running mate. If they want a woman, go with Palin, but she’s a bit too green.
Hardly pro-choice.
But personally, if he is going to pick a Texan, pick Suzanna Gratia Hupp.
And for all the freepers who absolutely hate Lindsey Graham with a passion, here's what On The Issues says about him:
Lindsey Graham is a Hard-Core Conservative.
==================================================
Some other cute ones:
Al Franken is Moderate.
George W. Bush is a Hard-Core Conservative.
Al Gore is a Moderate Liberal Populist
Bob Barr is a Hard-Core Conservative.
(Like some freepers, On The Issues is apprently confusing the Bob Barr of a decade ago with the Bob Barr of today)
Rudy Giuliani is a Libertarian-Leaning Right Conservative.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.