Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Two things McCain should do today (vanity, but substantial [?])
9/11/08 | Daniel J. Phillips

Posted on 09/11/2008 4:45:34 AM PDT by BibChr

This has become the first (mirabile dictu) well-run GOP Presidential campaign in recent memory. But I do hope they're preparing for two major eventualities which could become derailing distractions.

Not long ago, I would have said "well-run GOP Presidential campaign" had become an oxymoron. And I'd never have guessed that I'd be applying the phrase to anything related in any way to John McCain, who was about my 479th pick out of the GOP field. But give the man his due: this has become a well-oiled, disciplined, focused machine. The selection of Palin was a daring act of sheer brilliance.

But now two threats loom, and I dearly hope Team McCain is ready to counter both.

First, I'm increasingly worried that Obama is going to throw Biden under the bus, and beg Hillary! to save him. His ego craves the offices, so he'd have something to write about in his next memoir. Her ego craves power, so she'd do it. The only question is whether Biden's ego would allow it.

So Team McCain must be pro-active. Here's one way:

The key was laid down by another non-favorite of mine, Rudy Giuliani. We all admit he gave a terrific speech at the Convention. In that speech, Giuliani traced out a number of Obama reverse-courses and fliop-flops.

Then he said: "Well, I’ll tell you, if I were Joe Biden, I’d want to get that V.P. thing in writing."

That's it. That's the key. We need to frame this that, if Biden is off the ticket for any reason, it's yet another disastrous Obama flip-flop.

Because never forget: we all love the Biden choice. He's the gift that keeps on giving.

So they have to get signs, slogans, and spokesmen all over the place saying, "Obama's in big trouble. Who is he going to sacrifice now to save himself? Is he going to throw Biden under the bus, and beg Hillary to save him? Is he that desperate, and that aware of his unfitness to serve?"

We need to make that a meme.

Thanks, Rudy.

Second, Team McCain needs to ready further for attacks on Palin's religious faith.

I can be briefer here, because I've written on it elsewhere. First, I laid out the premise, and gave a number of questions that she is almost sure to be asked by bloodthirsty LSM sharks.

Then I added to that list.

Then I gave a two-part detailed suggestion as to how she should think about and approach the situation: Part One; Part Two.

Of course, those are my suggestions, and wiser minds can improve on them.

My point is they need to be ready. Don't do the Huckabee, oh-my-gosh-I-had-no-idea-I'd-get-questions-like-this thing. That'd be a disaster.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: biden; mccain; mccainpalin; obama; palin
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-63 next last
To: greeter70
Somewhere, not sure where, I read where Biden said that Hillary was the better candidate. Wow!

You have to take it in context. Biden was responding to a statement from someone who had ripped Clinton and said that Biden was the much better choice for Veep. Biden was just being loyal but, no surprisingly for him, it came out wrong. Nobody can butcher a response quite like Joe.

21 posted on 09/11/2008 5:45:08 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: greeter70

You’re absolutely right. I’m worrying that this is Biden prepping the way. Or a trial-balloon.

Either way, we’ll gain nothing by assuming.


22 posted on 09/11/2008 5:46:06 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: BibChr

Yeah, hope all is well with you and yours! Quite a phenomenon we have here, eh? In the end, the left hates Sarah because she chases the myth that those who are into guns and God are bitter. Instead, she shows them how much fun and joy you can have with those choices - and they can’t stand it, because they are so bitter themselves. More bitter than over-the-hill Arugula.


23 posted on 09/11/2008 5:47:30 AM PDT by dirtboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: ajwharton
I am not sure of the exact procedure (it is pretty unprecedented), but it would -- at the very least -- involve the DNC changing some rule, some how. That, in and of itself, would be a spectacle.

The rules are the same as when Eagleton dropped out in 1972. The DNC picked a replacement. But the Eagleton situation and replacement was a disaster, and the Democrats know it. Biden is in it till the end, and nobody is even thinking of replacing him. Both candidates have their running mates and both are stuck with them.

24 posted on 09/11/2008 5:48:51 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: BibChr
Obama is going to throw Biden under the bus, and beg Hillary! to save him.

But Biden really isn't the problem. To date, he has only made 2 significant blunders: 1) Suggesting Gov. Palin's nomination will set women back 20 years. and 2) Asking the guy in the wheelchair to stand up and take a bow.

I just don't see Biden as the problem. Obama could have put out the Lipstick firestorm by apologizing profusely. He was to proud to do that, so I expect to see his numbers continue to fall.

25 posted on 09/11/2008 5:54:44 AM PDT by Iowa Granny (Hi Sweetie!!!!! Are you Bitter???)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Iowa Granny

Good point about Obama, but don’t underestimate Slow Joe. There was also his “Life begins at conception, but I got no problem with butchering the little tykes if Mommy wants” — ticking off every pro-life RC Dem in the country. And I think you and I are forgetting more. He’s a huge anchor around O’s neck, and I want to see him stay there.


26 posted on 09/11/2008 5:58:48 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: BibChr
To hear a Hillary supporter talking yesterday at the rally, Obama laughed at them when they suggested putting Hillary on the ticket as VP. Hillary has been treated with disrespect throughout this entire campaign by the Obama people and the news media. Even if they came back to beg Hillary to run it really wouldn't be in her interest. For one she would be VP and wouldn't have an active role in an Obama administration-no matter what was promised. If you were Hillary would you trust him? I believe she has her sights set on 2012. After all, she suppose to be campaigning for Obama but does anyone really knows where she's at or what she's saying?

Second Hillary supporters are not that dumb to see they were being used. As much as they love Hillary, Hillary would look diminished to go to Obama after such rejection. Everything the feminists stand for will be lost as Hillary will be seen by the nation playing second fiddle to a man-a man who public humiliated her. McCain will look that much more honorable. Those Hillary supporters who have switched for Palin will stay with Palin.

Finally, the country would see this as an indecisive ploy; one that would question the very decision making capabilities of Obama. If he can't pick the right running mate, how can he run the country? No matter how they try to spin this (Biden needs to drop out for his health???) it will launch a 1,000 TV commercials.

Just a king and pawns are left on the Obama's chessboard and McCain's queen is picking them off and closing in for the checkmate.

27 posted on 09/11/2008 5:59:17 AM PDT by HarleyD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BibChr

Actually I am really getting tired of hearing Sarah say the same thing over and over.

If McCain and Palin don’t start laying out the details for the Economy, energy and tax reform they will become the Empty suit candidates.

I am starved to hear more from them. She has the personality, the charm and gives a great speech give her something new to say. What are their views on education, tax reform, energy issues and the economy?


28 posted on 09/11/2008 5:59:56 AM PDT by ODDITHER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HarleyD

Boy, I hope you’re right; and you make a good case.

Having said that, I say again we’ll never be sorry for being prepared.

Let’s add another coat to the paint that has 0 in a corner. That’s my point.


29 posted on 09/11/2008 6:03:35 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: BibChr

Palin’ll be getting more and more of the anti-Christian attacks, that’s happening now and will only get worse. The idea that Obama dumps Biden for Hillary is, to be blunt, absurd.

Many, many on the left (and some on the right regrettably) have this notion that the Clintons are infallible, never-losing demonic entities. They just can’t come to terms with the fact that she LOST, and isn’t going to make an 11th our spectacular comeback this year.


30 posted on 09/11/2008 6:04:11 AM PDT by mquinn (Obama's supporters: a deliberate drowning of consciousness by means of rhythmic noise)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
Here is a blog that is looking at the DNS rules:

http://www.nashvilleistalking.com/node/67916

I am not sure of the Eagleton situation, but was he already officially nominated when they tossed him overboard?

31 posted on 09/11/2008 6:24:14 AM PDT by ajwharton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: ajwharton
I am not sure of the Eagleton situation, but was he already officially nominated when they tossed him overboard?

Yes.

32 posted on 09/11/2008 6:43:58 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: All
I have to say: I think FR is the only place where so many people are so sure that this can't happen.

All these people aren't so sure.

These people aren't so sure.

These people aren't so sure.

These people aren't so sure.

In-trade isn't so sure.

The Hillary Clinton Forum isn't so sure.

Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) isn't so sure.

I'm not so sure.

33 posted on 09/11/2008 6:50:14 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BibChr
so he'd have something to write about in his next memoir.

Yes. The Hussein memoir is like a Dickens serial.

Except for the quality of the writing.

34 posted on 09/11/2008 6:56:44 AM PDT by HIDEK6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ajwharton
The VP is its own elected office. He's not the presidential candidate's partner.

In the old days, politicians would work the convention delegates to be selected as the VP nominee.

This idea of there being a partnership between the presidential candidate and the VP candidate is a relatively recent phenomenon. It came about because the primaries now nominate the presidential candidate, allowing his delegates to dominate the convention. So unless the VP had the endorsement of the presidential candidate, he wouldn't get picked.

But the fact remains that the VP nominee is running for his own office, and that means that Joe Biden is the only guy who can really decide if he is to step aside.

35 posted on 09/11/2008 7:06:28 AM PDT by HIDEK6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: LS

ping, fwiw


36 posted on 09/11/2008 7:10:05 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BibChr

Christian response team ping...


37 posted on 09/11/2008 7:32:40 AM PDT by nikos1121 (Mr. Smith is coming back to Washington in the name of Sarah Palin.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BibChr

It’s not that I think your comments are wrong, although there are arguable points. However, do you really think Steve Schmidt, “Magnificent Bastard of Arts graduate of the Karl Rove School of Weather Control Sciences” (as a brilliant FReeper observed), and his campaign team haven’t thought of this stuff?


38 posted on 09/11/2008 7:41:06 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("McCain and Palin: The Normal People Revolution" ~ rrrod)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: library user
Agreed. Hillary does not want VP, no way, no how.

It's a lose- lose situation for her if she did that.

She's laying low, getting brownie points for helping the down tickets and getting ready to step in when the DNC collapses after Obama self-destructs.

She's angling for 2012, and next time, leaving nothing to chance.
39 posted on 09/11/2008 7:44:50 AM PDT by beagleone (McCain: He had me at "Hanoi.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

As I explained, they’ve won a lot of respect from me. Surprised respect.

But nobody thinks of everything. Plus, I haven’t yet seen any proactive maneuvering about Biden.

And particularly, a lot of otherwise good folks don’t “get” the religion-angle, and might get blind-sided.

And finally, I worry. It’s what I do. So I’m trying to turn it to positive effect.

No such thing as being too prepared.


40 posted on 09/11/2008 7:45:56 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-63 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson