Colin Powell in McCain mix By MIKE ALLEN Retired Gen. Colin Powell is among the potential running mates who have been considered by John McCain, campaign advisers told Politico. Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule out a supporter of abortion rights, a key adviser said. Campaign officials say McCain has told them not to discuss the process. Powell, who was President Bush's first secretary of state, would add celebrity to the ticket, as well as reinforce McCain's strength as a potential commander in chief, which his campaign considers to be one of his chief assets. But outside advisers say they believe former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival for the Republican nomination, is the leading candidate. McCain plans to announce his choice Friday in Dayton, Ohio. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12753.html
"Would both Colin Powell and McCain be alive in 4 years?" The age thing is exaggerated. It's not to be overlooked by McCain's team, though, because perceptions count for so much in the election. If McCain wants to win this thing, he should get "rock stars" around him that are at least 20-30 years younger than him. (not to be taken literally, of course). Just as Obama is doing with hiring a guy who can cover his "perceived" weaknesses, so should McCain.
On Fox News Sunday, Bill Kristol actually suggested Hillary for McCain's VP. That's an idea I floated here months ago, and it still is a killer idea. Hillary brings a good chunk of her 18M voters, the bi-partisan ticket appeals to independents and moderates, Hillary is in the running as sitting VP to replace McCain if he doesn't run again, etc.
JFK didn't have the patience to deal with LBJ. The administration basically froze him out until JFK was shot.
It just strikes me as odd that the two could pair up in such a way. I know Hillary wants to climb that ladder, and she hates Obama, but sheesh. Imagine if they win, and McCain starts to freeze out Hillary. She will go on TV and start bagging on McCain for not letting her play president. It would be subtle, yet noticeable enough for it to become a big deal. I see a lot of conflict in their future, and it would cement her legacy as a bitch with a control trip, burning all bridges that she made in the Democratic party along the way. I think that the only good thing to come out of this move for McCain would be to get him into the Oval Office. After that, he would have to put the duct tape on her mouth.
There'd be 3 presidents in the White House if they won: McCain, Bill, and Hillary. It'd be a nightmare to manage. The strategy is one of "do what it takes to win, then sort it out" vs. "pick a person who's going to help govern"
I don't see how that would help either McCain or Hillary. McCain would alienate the Republican base that he needs to get elected this year and Hillary would alienate the Democrat base she needs to get elected in the future.
Who are Republicans going to vote for, Obama? Stay home? Hold their nose and vote McCain since he's most aligned with them? Probably a little of all three. She brings 18M voters with her, or at least a good chunk. Bush won with about 50M votes in 2004. Suppose she brings 18M and McCain loses 10M from the conservative base. Net gain of 8M. Given Bush's 50M votes, figure McCain/Clinton would be good for 58M votes and basically a blowout victory. That's not counting the independents who might break in a big way for the bipartisan ticket.
Never thought of it like that. It's very tempting. But is it really necessary for McCain to roll the dice like that? It might help McCain, but in the end, Hillary is going to do what's best for Hillary. Say Hillary is elected VP on a Republican ticket. McCain steps down in four years. Hillary wants to run for President. On what party line is she going to run on? Won't the Democrats withdraw any support she might get because she was elected on a Republican ticket and served in a Republican administration? And could you really see Republicans throw their support behind Hillary? Hell, everyone has seen how the conservatives in the party have been upset at McCain for not being conservative enough on key issues like immigration and global warming. We've seen how the conservatives cringe when Tom Ridge, pretty much a conservative on all issues with the exception of abortion rights as far as I know, is mentioned as a VP candidate for McCain. IMO Hillary is going to play it cool, wait it out, see who's elected President, and assess her future then, which would be whether she's going to run for President in 2012 or not.
I also think Denny is losing sight of how horribly fake it would look to put Hillary on the ticket (yes, even in the Democratic base). It would drive her negatives up even more, no one can be sure if it is an upgrade for Mac or not.
It really reeks of not being confident. To turn to the one whom you despise in order to get what you want.
Hahahaha McCain is the king of panderers these days, turning to the televangelists he flamed in 2000 to get their support - to get what he wants (elected). At least he's transparent about it.
I think Hillary would say no to McCain but I wonder if even asking her would get a large chunk of her supporters behind McCain. Imagine the adds. We asked her and Obama didn't. It'd be a tough sell in my opinion but not impossible. Truth be told though if somehow this did happen, McCain would be a one term president. Unless he was an amazing president, I think a conservative would challenge him and beat him in the 2012 primaries. Someone like Romney or I'm sure Huckabee will run again. I kind of think McCain is going Romney with his pick though. It's who I thought all along and he helps in Michigan and helps him out west in my opinion. I don't think McCain wants Romney but I think he's going to be pushed into making Romney his pick. I think McCain rather have Joe Liberman to be honest.
Imagine if it ever got out that McCain asked a Democrat, much less Hillary to be the VP. Remember how pissed McCain got when the NYT bought up back around February that Kerry asked McCain to be his VP in 2004?
If I were McCain, my choices would be: 1) Powell 2) Christine Todd-Whitman 3) Condoleeza Rice Rice would be #1, but if the Democrats intend to make a McCain presidency into another GW Bush term, then Rice would only reinforce that notion.
