by Mark Silva
For all the talk about Sen. John McCain's house-guests for the Memorial Day weekend and what this might say about his search for a running mate, one of those guests at the ranch in Sedona, Ariz., says the subject never came up.
"I ate too much, had some great chicken, great barbecue,'' said Charlie Crist, the popular governor of Florida who endorsed McCain near the eve of the Florida's Republican primary. But the question of running mates wasn't broached over the barbecue, he maintains.
"There weren't any questions,'' Crist said in an interview with MSNBC's Morning Joe. "The topic never came up, honestly. It was just a very pleasant, relaxed Memorial Day weekend.
Crist was asked about the Christian Broadcasting Network saying social conservatives will be quite unhappy if McCain picks Crist.
"It's not something I concern myself with,'' said the governor, former attorney general, education commissioner and state legislator. "I concern myself with the almost 20 million people who live in Florida and trying to be the best governor I can.''
Right answer.
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Comments
Here's why there was no VP talk with Crist and here's an important piece of advice: If it looks like it's going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a "no brainer" for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There's currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows -- even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick -- selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin's own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there's absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!
There's no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real 'change' (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.
In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain's age and health, Palin is more than perfect -- now.
(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
Posted by: Ted | May 28, 2008 12:11 PM
Ted,
Slick move. Unfortunately it is a standard GOP trick. Dems have Barack Obama running for Senate, so the desperate GOP runs to Maryland to bring in Alan Keyes, a black man, to run against Obama. Real original. Now you want them to run out and get a woman VP because poll numbers say people are more accepting of women leaders. Classy move.
Posted by: julia | May 28, 2008 12:54 PM
I can assure you that Sunshine Charlie is NOT popular in Florida, and I doubt that he could even deliver his own state to McCain.
Posted by: bruce in orlando | May 28, 2008 1:13 PM
"FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSIONER SPEAKS"
JOHN D!
BUSH "POLICY HAS NOT CHANGED"
BYE, BYE DAVID MASON!
BYE, BYE!
"SEE YA AT THE RANCH"
WITH KARL, HARRIET, BUT NOT SCOTT!
MCCAIN KNEW!
MCCAIN KNEW!
MCCAIN KNEW TOO THAT HE BROKE "FINANCE ELECTION LAWS"
CINDY KNEW!
RICK RENZI KNEW!
"BETTS" KNEW!
FROM THE SAN PEDRO RIVER THROUGH THE YAVAPAI MOUNTAINS EVERYONE KNEW JOHN MCCAIN BROKE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS!
ALIALIBUBU KNEW!
"SUNCOR" KNEW!
JOHN MCCAIN KNEW!
VICKIE ISEMAN KNEW, BUT THE BUSH "POLICY HAS NOT CHANGED"
NO "IMMUNITY, NO PROTECTION LIABILITY"
WE ALL KNEW!
BYE BYE, DAVID
BYE BYE, DAVID! NO "TRUST" FOR YOU!
CHARLIE CHRIST KNEW TOO!
"GOD WANTS WORLD CUP NOT FALSE PROPHETS"
Posted by: Roger Morris | May 28, 2008 1:46 PM