McCain has won the nomination and the Republican Party has started campaigning for the general election; which means moving toward the middle to woo Independents and Democrats. With his “maverick” record, McCain has the ability to win some by himself. He has foreign policy experience, spending restraint, and a strong military backing. He needs to decide which potential VP candidate can help him seal the deal. He needs someone with chief executive experience working across party lines accomplishing things on the GOP platform, restoring and improving things funded by the government as fiscally responsible as possible. He especially needs help with rural areas, small towns, the religious right, and the south.
Since the Democrats have been extremely successful at fund raising; he needs help there. Romney has been doing a pretty good job; but will it be enough once the nomination is clenched? The Democrat candidates have been spending massive amounts on campaigning. They have plenty of wealthy backers and 527s.
McCain may need a VP that can help with campaigning on a tight budget with lots of grassroots support. If Obama wins the Democrat nomination; McCain will need a VP with good communication skills that can help promote the GOP platform message, appeals to conservative black voters, the youth voters, disgruntled union workers, and small town “bitter” religious gun toting voters. If Hillary wins the Democrat nomination; McCain will need someone that can appeal to the disgruntled black voters, the more conservative union and small town voters, and has experience fighting against the “Clinton machine.” Gov. Mike Huckabee’s record fills all of the most needed qualities plus one that isn’t mentioned often. Let me explain.
I was a Reagan Democrat and agree with Reagan, I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, they left me. What happened to “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”? Reaganomics works. Republicans help take care of our wallets by keeping taxes low enough that employers can afford to pay employees and both are willing to work harder to gain more. Many of our party are looking for the next Reagan. There will never be another Ronald Reagan. But, I believe Gov. Huckabee has many similarities and I’d like to point out some of them.
- Strong on the pro-life issue
- Supports a pro-life amendment
- Strong on gun rights
- Attacked by Republican elites
- Democrats think he’d be easy to beat
- Promotes helping small business owners
- Promotes changing our tax system to encourage productivity
- Promotes personal responsibility
- Reaching out to the blue collar workers (the middle class majority)
- Communicates well explaining why he believes what he believes
- Believes the state is responsible for its parks, schools, roads, etc.
- Willing to raise state taxes for fiscally responsible state funded responsibilities
- Wants to leave the place better than it was before he came
- Promotes stronger military
- Promotes border security
- Promotes US sovereignty
- Against LOST, the Law of the Sea Treaty
- Supports Israel
- Believes Judges appointed are a major decision
- Has a good sense of humor
- Worked as radio sportscasters
- Former Governor
- Listens to “we the people”
- Willing to serve the people rather than rule the people
- Got things done even if they didn’t do it like everyone else
- Strong leader
- Wants to run a clean campaign concentrating on the issues
- Willing to seek God’s help
McCain’s and Huckabee’s strengths overcome the weaknesses of the other. A McCain/ Huckabee ticket can help bring Reagan Democrats and Independents back to the Republican Party. McCain/Huckabee and their grassroots support could make a Reagan like GOP victory possible.
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Gov. Huckabee does have alot going for him but I don’t think he’d make a good running mate. I think that some of his “strengths” are also weaknesses with independents and “Reagan Democrats”. I am a conservative and I feel he’s good on most issues (no one is where I want them on everything) but fiscal conservatives don’t trust him enough. Regardless of whether the accusations are true or not the Democrats will wrap the corruption accusations around his neck. There will also be “subtle” jabs at his religiosity. And lastly whether we believe he did it or not,most Mormons believe Gov. Huckabee has attacked their religion and they will have to be sold on a McCain/Huckabee ticket.
Gov. Romney is an awesome fund raiser but he too has his problems. His change (I believe is sincere) on several social issues appears to be politically motivated and many will percieve him as a flip-flopper or worse. And let’s be honest many evangelicals as well as others just plain will not vote for a Mormon. I know many will say it’s not religion but I don’t see the harshness directed toward Mayor Giuliani (I support partial-birth abortion), Sec. Rice (I’m midly pro-choice), or Gov. Ridge (definetly pro-choice). I wish this weren’t true but it is and until things change I believe that Romney is a non-starter.
Sady I think both men would be good VP’s (probably even better presidents than Sen. McCain) but I don’t think either will be the choice of Sen. McCain.
I would like to hear who other out there would suggest as potential VPs.
I so enjoy the VP speculation. The only problem with that exercise is the VP is the VP. At best he is a tie breaker. So, no matter who is picked and no matter how strong their bona fides, you still have McCain at the top of the ticket.
McCain’s strong points:
Amnesty- he’ll push it through or die trying.
C, average NRA rating- not to be trusted on the 2nd.
Loathes Conservatives
Proven back-stabber to the Republican Party at every opportunity.
Negotiated to switch party his affiliation in 2001 for the sole purpose of handing the dems a majority in the Senate.
Practically begged Kerry to pick him for the dem no. 2 spot in ‘04.
He is known to be mean spirited and very vindictive.
And…He will use the Constitution to destroy his enemies if elected. (btw. dems need not worry about that, McCain only has it in for the much loathed Conservative)
Be very careful what you wish for.
Pete,
No matter how much we might not like it; McCain won the 1191 pledged delegates for the GOP. I’m still waiting to make sure he chooses a consistent moral value conservative as his VP before I make my decision on how to vote in Nov. McCain is still better than the Dems. The only way I can see a 3rd party being successful will be if McCain chooses someone that is not a consistent moral values conservative or if the Paul supporters are successful in their attempt to hijack the convention by getting appointed as delegates and voting for Paul even if they said they’d vote for McCain. So far, I’m not happy with any of the 3rd party candidates. At least I have several months to make up my mind.