Posted on 08/03/2008 12:55:23 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan
Eric Cantor, 45, would be a dramatic choice for Mr McCain, who is running almost level with Barack Obama in national polls but whose aides believe he needs to shake-up the White House race if he is to prevail in November's general election.
Aides to Mr McCain revealed that Mr Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in the House of Representatives, had been asked to submit documents as part of a rigorous vetting process to hunt out any closet skeletons.
He joins a shortlist believed to include Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and Mr McCain's bitter rival during the Republican primaries, Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota governor, and Rob Portman, a former Ohio congressman and budget director in the Bush administration.
Of the four, Mr Cantor would be by far the most exiting - though potentially risky - choice. A prodigious fundraiser with a young, photogenic family, support from evangelical Christians and strong backing from hard-line conservatives, he would shore up many of Mr McCain's weaknesses.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Cantor would be awesome. A young congressman from Va. Very conservative and a well respected leader in the House. Cantor would put Fl. and Va. in play.
What McCain needs is a vice-presidential candidate that is not going to cause weeks of discussion on all the news programs as to whether it was a mistake or not. For all his strong points, picking Romney will cause endless speculation on whether Romney will be a loyal lieutenant, whether Romney will overshadow McCain, if McCain was forced to pick Romney and if so then by who. It will take the focus off the campaign and on to Romney and that’s something that McCain doesn’t need right now. A Cantor or a Rounds or some other solid, experienced, less-than-colorful running mate is what McCain needs most right now.
“Mitt is the only one who has some profile and is absolutely murder on the opposition on the stump.”
And the dems seem to be afraid that McCain may pick him.
There was a white-haired guy on FOX yesterday (Ellis Hennican?), and he was basically saying if John McCain wants to win this election, he should not pick Mitt - said he was boring and would not help McCain at all, etc...
>>Would he satisfy the religious right? I am the religious right and I can say that a Jewish nominee would satisfy me, but I may be atypical.<<
Open question, not specifically directed at you since, as you say, you may be atypical. To what extent do members of the “Religious Right” vote depending on what a candidate’s religion is?
To me it’s irrelevant as long as the candidate shares my political views. I was a little disillusioned to hear that so many conservatives supposedly wouldn’t support Mitt Romney in the primary because he’s a Mormon. Seemingly as a result, the conservative vote was split beteen Romney and Huckabee, thus sticking us with McCain. Thoughts?
Little name recognition, Congressman since 2001 (not very experienced yet). I can see why some would consider this "risky".
Actually, he needs to pick a black woman with a Hispanic surname who is of the Jewish faith and originally from Pennsylvania but whose husband is a retired State Senator from Virginia and they both now live in Michigan.
No. Cantor did blackface also. I believe that it was fairly common in those days. Jolson is probably the one most identified as blackface.
Cantor's real name, Israel Iskowitz.. uh oh, there's an insult to the Palestinians too! The Obama crowd may go ballistic!
Well, he has more governing experience that Obama and his name will be well known a week after he is named. Thanks, however, for the input.
Works for me !
Repeat as necessary.
The Telegraph after all is a foreign news feed.
I appreciate free news when available, however JIMO The Telegraph was a bit self promoting with their chosen title for an article concerning a foreign national election for leader.
Perhaps a bit of sneaky editorializing maybe?
Personally I think Cantor would be an awesome pick, way better than Mitt Romney. Mitt has too much of a liberal record in MA and too many conservatives would refuse to vote for the ticket because you would have TWO RINOS instead of just one. Cantor would insure at least half the ticket is truly conservative because Cantor (as opposed to Romney) does have a conservative record - he’s been all over the place conservative, on just about every major issue! Check out his voting record please! He’s a true conservative the equal of Duncan Hunter. And if you think a VP slot has to have been a governor - please. Makes Romney look like a Kennedy or Kerry. Give me the name of past VP’s who have served as governors....most haven’t. Presidents yes, VP’s no. Was Cheney ever a governor? Gore? Quayle? Bush 41? I can go on here......so please don’t bring up that excuse.
Plus Cantor would almost certainly grap the jewish vote, even the ultra liberal jews who aren’t sure of the obamanation would probably go McCain at that point really putting Florida into play as well as VA. Its a masterstroke. Here’s praying Cantor is the pick.
We also need Cantor as he will be strong on the WOT and won’t cave to Iran. Cantor lost a cousin in Israel to a palestinian bomber and has been a strong supporter of Israel against Hezbollah & Hamas for obvious reasons. That’s the guy I want fighting this war, and since that is the one area McCain isn’t a rino in that’s the team we need facing off Iran. Not the Obamanation.
Mitt would be a disaster of the highest magnitude. Nominating him would tip the election to Odumbo I’m absolutely convinced of it. Anybody still out there shilling for a massachusettes liberal with a massacusettes liberal RECORD over a staunch conservative RECORD by Cantor reveals they are not TRUE conservatives. “By their deeds you will know them.” JMO.
Go ahead flame away.
I’m trying to remember other times that a Presidential nominee picked an obscure member of the House as his running mate.
Let’s see.........Goldwater picked Bill Miller........Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro........
They didn’t exactly work out!
He's an unknown? May as well be Eddie Cantor.
IMO, McCain needs somebody that can do two things....Attract more INDYS and be able to articulate...with gravitas, the stark contrasts between the ideologies.
Plus...both McCain and Lieberman are the two most true Centrists today. Joe Lieberman
Lieberman can say he's not a Democrat.
McCain can say, he's not a Conservative.
That's good for about 51% of the popular vote right there...given a radical black Muslim is the opponent. Even one with nice teeth and a Hollywood smile.
Lieberman should exercise his Independent status and start going after Obama.
We're gonna win this one!!!!
What I want personally is a conservative president with an agenda who can win.
I know that option is gone now. I'll accept John McCain over Obama (or Hitlery, she isn't done until the convention) and I am toting a pragmatic mindset.
To date McCain is actually running within 3 points of Obama in Minnesota and if deemed necessary to be elected, Pawlenty may be a better pick to give him liberal Minnesota to make the difference.
Not the most conservative Governor, but perhaps one who could keep Obama or Hitlery out of the White House.
It's up to McCain and his staff in the long run.
This world already has one Palestinian state, and it is called “Jordan”. Jordan is now 70% Palestinian and it even has a Palestinian Queen Rania. This world does not need two Palestinian states, side by side.
I remember the Goldwater election and it would have made no difference who he picked for VP, The media, etc were against him big time. It was ugly.
Even if Miller was a Gov or Senator he was no prize. His dau. is a left wing radio talk show gal
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