Brawl in St. Paul (Delegates should not let McCain pick a liberal Vice Presidential candidate)

National Review Online ^ | March 12, 2008 | The Editors

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

John McCain won the Republican primaries by running as a pro-life Reagan Republican, committed to low taxes and a strong defense. We assume that he will therefore pick a running mate who shares his positions on fundamental issues whom conservatives can support with enthusiasm. We assume, as well, that he is more interested in winning the White House than in redefining the Republican party, and will not try to make the party platform reflect each of his views.

Win or lose, in picking a running mate Senator McCain will also be conferring front-runner status on a candidate for his party’s future nomination. A selection that reassures wary conservatives will help to enthuse his supporters for the tough race he faces. We also assume the Senator appreciates that the right pick is good politics.

Should the senator make an error in judgment in these respects, however, conservatives should have an insurance policy. With the names of unacceptable candidates being bandied about as possible picks, conservatives should bear in mind that they are not powerless with respect to McCain’s choice. The delegates to the Republican convention have real clout. Even McCain’s own delegates should be willing to use their power, if necessary, to pursue the party’s (and McCain’s) best interests.

[isrul]

It could happen if vertebrate conservatives still existed.

[isrul]

McCain demands someone who “shares his views”.

[HappyinAZ]

And I agree with that...but it doesn’t get us closer to a real definition of a “conservative” that we will support.

[isrul]

McCain demands omeone who “shares his views”.

[Ancesthntr]

Yeah the argument about who he picks as VP seems kind of pointless at this point. Some presidents it might matter but McCain has made it abundantly clear that he does what he wants to do and no VP is going to change that.

Unless he dies in office. Then the Veep choice matters a LOT.

[cripplecreek]

I’m not going to gamble on his death. Besides, who was the last president to die in office other than assasination?

[ImpBill]

I am beginning to dislike the "R"epublicans almost as much as I dislike the Democrats.

[ImpBill]

Needs repeating:

"No Conservative VP is going to convince many to vote for McCain that do not plan to now."

[Ancesthntr]

Let McCain pick Michael Steele or J.C. Watts. They’re both conservative, but both will disarm the Dems if Obama is the nominee. Even if not, such a choice would break a barrier, and would stand a chance of gaining a LOT of black votes (or getting a lot of blacks to stay home) with the hated white and dirty-fighting Hillary on the ticket.

Of course, guys like DeMint or Sanford would be great.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"But conservatives are not, and should not be, willing to go along with McCain no matter what. Delegates should be prepared to stand for their principles, and the party’s future."

That's a good start. Conservatives need to define what those principles and conditions are to win their support for a ticket and platform that holds any promise of charting a course for this country over the next four years. It should not just stop with the VP pick but also include cabinet positions and specific policies. Tne GOP will need a solid conservative candidate in '12.

[isrul]

McCain denies reality by spending his time attacking is masochistic supporters. There is nothing wrong with making the GOP establishment full aware that if they nominate McCain, conservatives will not elect him. That is a reality of which they should be aware. I know they don't really care. Because this whole exercise is not so much about an election as it is purging conservatives from any position of influence in the GOP.

[isrul]

McCain denies reality by spending his time attacking his masochistic supporters. There is nothing wrong with making the GOP establishment full aware that if they nominate McCain, conservatives will not elect him. That is a reality of which they should be aware. I know they don't really care. Because this whole exercise is not so much about an election as it is purging conservatives from any position of influence in the GOP.

[highball]

I’m not disagreeing with you, but that ship has sailed.

McCain has won the nomination. It’s a done deal.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Lieberman “shares” his views......and Feingold, and Kennedy, and the gang of 14......

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Look, McCain will be the nominee.

Guess you didn't read the editorial, which assumes that McCain will be the candidate. The point they are making is that if McCain doesn't pick a conservative VP, the convention delegates could nominate a different VP. I have a lot of doubt that this would work, but it would be something to try.

[JaneNC]

If he is stupid enough to pick Crist, he will lose the conservatives.

[highball]

I read the article, but I’m still not buying it.

McCain is the nominee. That means he’s the head of the party for the next four years. The thought that his delegates are going to somehow control him, make him choose a different running mate or dictate policy is lunacy at best, and shows a lack of knowledge about McCain himself.

[Abathar]

Look, McCain is not a conservative, we all agree to that. Most people who want to elect a conservative (myself included) won't change their mind on whether they will vote for him no matter who he picks for VP.

Romney, no matter what you think of his political views, does have the background and brains to tutor McCain on business and money. Would I prefer that had different views? Of course, but when it comes to the economy I think he has what it takes to steer us out of the rut the dollar is getting in.

If we are destined to have McCain for 4 years (*sigh*) we might as well put some brains in behind him to at least keep the economy rolling along so that we have a better chance to 2012 to then put someone better in office. Just because Romney is VP doesn't mean he will get the nod in 2012.

I don't want to see either Hillary, or especially Obama, in office though. At this time in our nation's history we can't afford a grand experiment to truly screw us up like either one of them will.

[Antoninus]

The National Review Editors call for a delegate revolt at the GOP National Convention against a non-Conservative Vice Presidential choice by McCain

I agree with them in principle. Unfortunately, the editors of National Review these days think that guys like Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani are staunch conservatives.