May 7, 2008
McCain's VP Decision (Stuart Roy)
As the Democratic primary draws to a close, everyone is trying to look around the political corner to see what's next. To get ahead of the game I began writing this post a couple of weeks ago, but procrastination got in the way. Here is the lede I wrote about Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.) as a potential running mate on the Republican ticket:
"A few years ago if you asked the question of which Virginian might be the first to find his way to the White House, you might have said George Allen (R), Mark Warner (D) or maybe even Jim Gilmore (R). The now-obvious answer is Eric Cantor."
I can't write that now as the opening because as I waited theRichmond Times Dispatch ran away with my thesis. Bob Rayner writes that among other attributes, "Cantor would energize economic conservatives in a way that McCain has not, and he possesses the skill and expertise to attack the Democrats' high-tax, anti-trade, big-government platform as precisely the wrong medicine for a struggling economy."
Now I find myself in the position of following others' lead. Welcome to the world of being both a prognosticator and procrastinator. Cantor has been hailed as a conservative hero by movement conservative Hugh Hewitt and from the MSM's Time magazine as "one of the most popular and hard-working members of the leadership."
Despite my being late to the party, there are some obvious reasons — and some not so obvious ones — why Cantor would make a wise choice to be Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) veep.
* There is a here-and-now of politics and a future. McCain, 71, is one. Cantor, 44, is the other.
* Pure demographics. Cantor has a political history etched in the political battleground of the suburbs. The conventional wisdom says cities are overwhelmingly Democratic and rural areas are Republican. While that reading of the situation is a little overgeneralized, it basically holds true. The real battleground is in the suburbs and exurbs. Cantor understands and excels in that political environment.
* While Cantor is a serious politician who has been charged with the largely thankless task of passing the Republican agenda in the House, he maintains an optimism, energy and positive demeanor that can only be attributed to someone who has a vision for what he wants to accomplish.
* You don't have to be Pierce Brosnan, but generally, ugly people are not on the ticket.
* The obvious, and most discussed attribute, is that Cantor is Jewish. The Republicans are not going to win New York anytime soon but given the challenges in Florida, Cantor helps lock down the Sunshine State (and ends any hope by Democrats of capturing Virginia, which has been a little iffy lately for Republicans). His inclusion on the ticket helps sweeten the deal for voters uneasy with Obama's position on Israel.
To predict and answer those who might say Cantor is too young or inexperienced to be VP, I have three initials to offer up: BHO.
To quote one of the quickest minds in the downtown PR world, Jonathan Grella, "The upside of Obama is that you could make a reasonable argument that Cantor as VP is better prepared to be POTUS than Obama. It completely frees McCain up to pick just about any politician with more than four years of experience."
In fact, Cantor has been a congressional leader longer than Obama has even been in Washington.
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After watching that twit on TV, I say bring him on. Over the last few years, Eric Cantor has made some very ridiculous and outrageous statements that will make for a good youtube moment. By all means, if you think that is a good choice, then make it happen. Before you do, I would look at this:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/10/cantor-attacks-pelosi/
and here:
http://wheresericcantor.com/2007/10/04/eric-cantor-hearts-rush-limbaugh/
and here is his answer to Chris Matthews about going to war with Iran:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsuKXO_McNE
So yes, bring this moron on the team with McCain, we democrats will love it.
Comment by Mike Coleman — May 7, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
Great choice! McCain needs someone young, good on the conservative economic issues, and not afraid to give the Democratic leadership all the respect they deserve. The big question: what was Crist promised in return for his endorsement?
Comment by Igor R. — May 7, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
I am a tremendous fan of Eric Cantor. Stuart hits the nail on the head here; Cantor would make a great choice for the ticket. He can help with the base, without losing any suburban/independent appeal.
Comment by Lincoln_For_Prez — May 7, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
Yes, very good choice indeed! Besides, with Barack in the race, George Allen may refer to him or his supporters as Macacas and that would dim McCain's chances.
Comment by Dr. Pupsik — May 8, 2008 @ 1:25 am
I think McBushCain should pick Cheney as his running mate, as that would be sooooo symbolic and appropriate.
Comment by Lester — May 8, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Lester, you really took the Democratic directive of turning McCain into Bush III to heart. Good party follower!
Comment by Igor R. — May 9, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Hillary energized many white female voters who registered for the first time this election year. Some of these women, remembered Bill Clinton from 1990s and wanted to see more of him on their TV screens each evening as they prepare to go to sleep. But after seeing 60-year old, pale, tired, cardiac Bill, they cooled to the idea of a Hillary President and some of them jumped to Obama. McCain could harvest these votes by making these ladies attracted to a fellow in his mid-forties, good looking, serious, family man, who's protective and gentle. That's my women's vote analysis for today.
Comment by Misha F — May 10, 2008 @ 1:46 am
Misha, it is disheartening to believe there are voters who put so little thought into electing the leader of the free world. To quote Sir Joshua Reynolds, "There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." However true that may be, I believe that it is not the effort of thinking that causes us to shirk it, rather it is the consequences of that activity. The clear, unwelcome answers to a well thought out question induce mental unresponsiveness.
Comment by Richard Roy — May 14, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
McCain picks former Reagan official to head VP search,
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-selects-former-reagan-official-to-head-vp-search-2008-05-23.html
Comment by John K — May 29, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
McCain picks former Reagan official to head VP search,
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-selects-former-reagan-official-to-head-vp-search-2008-05-23.html
Comment by John K — May 30, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
Eric Cantor is not the best choice for John McCain's VP. McCain needs to find someone who is a corporate shill, so as not to offend the real power brokers in the country. He also needs someone who is a forced breeding advocate to mollify the Bible-Nazis, whose real agenda is to establish a theocratic dictatorship. McCain needs someone shorter than himself (bye Romney) and someone who, when standing next to him, doesn’t accentuate his corps-like appearance, awkward jerky hand gestures and pasted on after-thought insincere smile at the end of his feigned righteous hyperbolisms. McCain needs to choose Dick Cheney, who would be pulling the strings anyway, in a George Bush “Third Term".
Comment by iknowtruthismine — August 7, 2008 @ 10:54 am