John McCain Shows Presidential Leadership and Unifies GOP!!!
Please note that this is the hope of what will happen August 31 on the part of the writer, and not an account of what happened today. -- Editor
Ronald Reagan would be Proud of John McCain:
Conservatives United - Social, Economic, & Military
John McCain Shows Presidential Leadership and Unifies GOP!!!
August 31, 2008
St. Louis, MO
Today marked the beginning of John McCain's demonstration of his Presidential Executive judgment and leadership. At a rally held at a minor league baseball stadium in O'Fallon, Missouri to an overflow crowd of GOP supporters, John McCain entered the stage flanked by former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee. The three men approached the podium, as John McCain stepped forward to the microphone:
"My fellow Americans, we come here today to make unprecedented presidential history.
I am joined onstage this afternoon by two great fellow Americans. These two men have
shown great executive experience as governors of their states. During this presidential
campaign, all three of us have been able to get to know each other, debate the important
issues facing our country, and share with the American people our distinct backgrounds,
life experiences, and political differences.
Today, I announce that all of those said differences have been laid to rest. As I prepare
to accept, this upcoming week, the Republican nomination for President of the United States,
I have been forced to evaluate and make some fundamental decisions regarding my
administration. In looking at these two gentlemen, I feel honored to be able to consider
both of them for key roles in this administration.
Former Governor Mitt Romney, in my review of his experiences, leads me to believe
that he has keen business acumen, as well as proven leadership skills in economics,
business, understanding of capital markets, world trade agreements and job creation.
Due to the fact that the majority of challenges that currently face our nation, are
economically related, I have asked, and he has graciously accepted, my request for
him to be my U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Additionally, I have requested Governor
Romney to work with the U.S. Congress-House of Representatives to pass a legislative
bill to repeal our Constitution's 16th Amendment, to shut down and permanently close
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Agency, and replace it with the FairTax system.
(John McCain then turns to Governor Romney, reaching out in acknowledgement and
agreement, they shake hands.)
(John McCain then returns to the podium and looks at Governor Huckabee)
My review of Governor Huckabee and his lifetime accomplishments, include those
things he was able to achieve in his home state of Arkansas, and his length of executive
experience has compelled me to ask Gov. Huckabee to be my Vice President.
As my Vice President, Governor Huckabee will also preside as President of the U.S. Senate.
I have conveyed to Governor Huckabee that I would like him to create similar legislation
to that which will be passed in the House of Representatives. I have conveyed to
both of these men that I want these joint bills pushed through the legislative process
and brought to my desk for my signature on April 15, 2009. As someone on this stage has
said in the past, "We will make April 15 just another beautiful spring day in America!"
I have conveyed to Governor Huckabee my great concern for our country's future
and direction in the event that I am unable to fulfill my term as President.
I shared with Governor Huckabee my observation during the Presidential campaign,
that Governor Huckabee and his supporters did not always see eye-to-eye with
Governor Romney and his supporters.
Going into office as President is a heavy burden of responsibility that is placed on
just one individual. Knowing this, I am prepared to fully accept this responsibility.
However, I do so knowing that our Country would be in good hands in my absence.
I have asked Governor Huckabee, and he has honorably agreed that if he assumes
the office of President of the United States during my administration, to ask then
Secretary Romney to step up and be his Vice President. To this, he has given me
his solemn vow. I have asked Governor Huckabee to accept the role of my Vice President,
knowing full well, that whatever differences they may have had in the past, they will forgive
and forget them, providing healing to our nation and its people.
(Governor Huckabee steps forward in acceptance of this commitment and obligation,
reaches out and shakes John McCain's hand. Governor Huckabee then walks over and
shakes the hand of Governor Romney.)
(McCain returns to the podium and closes with these statements)
By announcing these appointments here today, I know that the American people will
clearly see the direction to which I intend to lead our country. I am confident and
optimistic that through these decisions, the American people will bless us with the opportunity
to serve them well.
In closing, I would like us to pray. (John McCain reaches back and grabs the hands of
Governor Romney and Governor Huckabee, pulling them to his side)
Lord, as we go forward into our Convention this week, we ask that you would continue
to bless and protect our Country, our military, and all of the great people of this
country. Amen."
(All three men raise their heads and hands amongst a thunder of rousing cheers and
applause from the audience)
January 21, 2008 by Jill Stanek
The simple truth is that the conservative coalition - a three-legged stool - stands when social, economic and defense conservatives work together on an interlocking agenda. The coalition collapses when any of the legs is missing. [Dick] Armey and others, especially the early enthusiasts for Rudy Giuliani, suggested the social conservative leg of the stool is dispensable, or at least that it can be appreciably shortened without impact on the greater stability of the coalition. This thesis is not only false in theory, it now has been decisively shown not to represent what the conservative coalition actually believes...
... Mike Huckabee: Social leg
... John McCain: Defense leg
... Mitt Romney: Economic leg
In the key battleground state of Michigan, these three individuals, McCain, Romney, and Huckabee, won more than 85% of the vote.... the conservative coalition is to re-form, these three legs need their favorites to unite around the strongest themes of each, to wit: 1) the surge worked, and it is no longer business-as-usual against radical Islamic terrorism - we will take the fight to them and win for our values (McCain); 2) the government is run with all the efficiency of a bar room brawl where the sailors are bad enough but it's actually the drunken captains doing the damage, and someone with business acumen has to clean it up (Romney); and 3) moral values are indispensable to a free nation that hopes to have and keep small government, and we can't get there without some Old-Time Religion, and those old-timers, our nation's almost uniformly Christian founders, knew it (Huckabee).
Obviously, each of the three leading Republicans can lay some claim to the other two themes that are not their primary ones....
There is probably nothing they could do that would be more unifying than to rally now around a platform that embodies the coalition in full.
A unified agenda beckons the GOP to a surge of its own.
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FASCINATING !!!
I am in awe. You've made Joe Biden's day.
illegal
There's a difference between selecting someone as a running mate, and promising them a job in your administration. It is illegal (up to a year in prison plus a big ol' fine) to promise someone a job before you are elected to any political office in the US. The reasons for this are pretty obvious if you think about them. You don't want people trading jobs/power/influence for votes or money. That kind of thing lead to corrupt (well, more corrupt) government if you just let it happen. It's been talked about on both sides, people wanting both McCain and Obama to "lay out their cabinet" to increase their appeal or whatever. Not gonna happen.
I could support this! If he
I could support this! If he can't "promise" him a cabinet position he could still make him his chief financial advisor to the campaign. I could live with Romney in that position. I think a McCain/Huckabee ticket wins in November because McCain needs some passionate supporters, which are somewhat lacking at the moment. It isn't enough for the other guy to be a disaster, and believe me he is. But I am still of the mind that isn't enough. To many voters are too passive about the process. McCain needs to give people a reason to support him with more than just a vote on a day in Nov.
Not after Huckabee's continued attacks.
Hardly a day goes by that the Huckabee campaign hasn't posted an anti-Romney article on RCP or someplace else. These continued attacks are mean spirited and petty. The Huckster himself has continued to ONLY comment on Romney's negatives -- never so much as a kind word! And now, you want to make up -- if Huckabee is VP??
First, you're dreaming. Huck is not going to be VP. Second, you are such a hypocrite. All I read on Huck's Army is how most of you will not vote for McCain if Romney is selected. Your deceit and dishonesty is shocking.
to Bags
Look, Obama is a distaster. The GOP better wake up. We love to look at the polls that show McCain is tied, but want to ignore the same polls that say Romney does nothing for McCain. I am sorry that there is a a part of the GOP that will not vote for Romney, but that isn't my fault. John Kerry failed for the same reason Romney's negatives are so high, being on both sides of too many issues. That is the reality. You can call us all kinds of names, but it doesn't change the facts. It doesn't mean that Romney isn't sincere when he made his decisions, but when we have choices, why would we make the mistake of angering a core base of our party?
You mean your reality.
The reality is that most of the professionals, from Rove to the MSM to the pundits to the politicians, almost all say that Romney is probably the best pick for McCain. And while you can cherry pick whatever poll numbers you want, the facts are that the polls show Romney is at or near the top of the VP picks for McCain.
On the other side, we have Huckabee supporters who say Romney hurts the ticket. Yeah, you are the unbiased experts. LOL. (and no, this doesn't mean the pollsters or MSM are always right)
And don't pretend to represent the evangelical wing of the party. Romney did fine with the evangelical vote (you can check the exit polls yourself at the CNN website) and will continue to do so if selected. Romney could possibly help in some of the battleground states and would not cost McCain a single state he would otherwise win. But the reason he might pick Romney is that he knows Romney would make a good President. Huckabee, on the other hand, has many wondering if he really has the seriousness and judgement to be president. Would Huckabee continue his campaign to be our "Christian Leader". Would he continue his campaign to amend the Constitution to God's law? McCain recognizes that Huckabee makes too many people uneasy.
Just trying
I know this is a great country, we get the opportunity to speak our minds, but listening to the political insiders is what got us in this mess in the first place. Why listen to them now? There are so many regular folks that just don't buy it and we aren't being listened too. Just trying to get people to listen to another point of view. Just because you believe in God doesn't disqualify you from running for political office. America was built on that belief. It always comes back to this central issue, can a "Preacher" be president. Yes, and they have been in the past and America survived. And it is pretty much the only argument I hear against Huckabee. I believe that the best presidents we have had in our country started out as Governor's. Huckabee completely turned around AR without amending the Constitution, and he can do the same for America if you would give him the chance. Even after 10 1/2 years in democratic AR he "Preacher Mike" has a 65% approval rating. Name one other politician that can say that today? Bush is in the 30s and Congress is in the 10s. I certainly am not looking to Washington this time around!! McCain has to win this one on his own. I hope that he strenthens the party with his pick though.
I am listening to the voters!
I wish you folks could understand the limited appeal of Huckabee.
The FACTS are that Romney, before withdrawing when McCain had it wrapped up, got a million more votes than Huckabee. It was Romney that finished first or second in 22 of the 29 states he competed in before withdrawing. Romney had national appeal. Romney got less than 15% of the vote only once when he got 14% in Arkansas. Even in the south, Romney (a mormon governor from MASS. with ties to Michigan and the West)could get 31% in Florida, 30% in Georgia, 29% in Missouri, etc.
Conversely, Huckabee, before finally withdrawing, came in 3rd or 4th in 19 states (and when he won his margin of victory was often only 2%)! He got 15% or less of the votes (often in single digits) 16 times! Is it really that hard to understand that Huckabee, for all your talk and belief, is not much more than a regional candidate (if that) in the region that McCain probably needs the least help in??
I can turn that right back
I can turn that right back around. I could tell you the names of at least 20 people I am very close to that just kept telling me, "Huckabee is the best canidate, but he can't win." If I have that many people that I talked to on a regualar basis that would have voted differently if it weren't for the Hanity's and Rush's of the world how many more are out there? It took everything I had to keep my talk radio family on board! NOT because they liked Romney better, because they didn't. But because they were constantly told they would ruin the republican party if they didn't vote the way they were told!!! Again, scaring the masses to get their way. And it backfired royally!!
Wow.
I discuss the primary results and you talk about 20 people you know. I guess you win that one! LOL. You remind me of the well known story of the Manhattan sociallite who, upon hearing that Bush won the 2000 election, cried "that is impossible -- no one I know voted for him!!"
Look, by all accounts, Huckabee didn't make the LONG list (I know, can't comprehend it). Romney, while being a a prominent surrogate for McCain, probably won't be selected. So relax.
But don't expect to make nice (as long as Huck gets VP!) after this author and other Huckabee supporters constantly rip on Romney and tell McCain how unacceptable their fellow republicans are.
I will be the first to admit
I will be the first to admit it is not in Huckabee's best interest to be the VP. He can do so much more outside of that office. But I just can't stomach Romney. I wish I could just back McCain no matter who he chooses, but I can't. We will never agree. What I said was the truth though. It was the most frustrating thing I had ever been involved with in my life! Also why my allegence is no longer with the party as a whole. The GOP and America are the ones that lost out on this one. It is only 4 years and I am very young. Just time to roll up my sleeves and get to work to change things from the inside out, because the party needs an overhaul!!
Good luck
I respect your honest feelings and position (unlike the author) and, in the very unlikely event Romney gets picked, hope you reconsider. While Romney changed his position to pro-life, I think most people looking at his personal life and faith are comfortable that that position reflects his personal feelings as well as, now, the role of government.
In the event either Huckabee or Romney gets picked, their supporters will need to ask themselves if they can really afford the damage (Supreme Court) that 4 or 8 years of Obama could bring. Remember that Romney has been recognized for his efforts by Right to Life and led the fight against gay marriage and stem cell research.
Good Luck.
Incredible vision!
Debra, this is a picture I would love to see! The best part of it is the complete unification of the party and mending of the rifts between the Romney and Huckabee camps. Many things have been said that shouldn't have been said from both sides, and it is time to appreciate the assets of both men and put them to use for the good of the party and McCain's campaign. Here's hoping this scenario will play out on Friday!
How about we all agree to vote for McCain
whoever gets the VP. If the above scenario happens I'll vote for MccCain/Huckabee and if it gets flipped and it is McCain/Romney with Huckabee getting a cabinet position you agree here and now to support McCain/Romney. What about it?? McCain unifies GOP! YES??
Debra?? Everyone??
Doesn't cut it for me and
Doesn't cut it for me and here is why. The only reason why I will support Huckabee as VP is because of McCain's age. If he isn't VP, Huckabee will be much better off not having any ties to McCain. He will be able to be his own man and continue to work and lay out his vision to the country and all of us Huckabee's will be soooooooooooo much better prepared for 2012 than we were this time around. Too many of us came into the process too late to really help this time. That will not be the case next time. I can wait 4 years if need be.
Thanks, you just made me sick.
This line: "Ronald Reagan would be Proud of John McCain"
I'm sorry, I lived under eight glorious years of President Ronald Reagan, and John McCain isn't qualified to polish President Reagan's shoes.
The Democrats are presently
fracturing their party and Obama's chances of winning. I hope the Republicans will not follow suit, but I am concerned about what I see and hear regularly on a number of political sites.In all candor I will concede that I supported Mike Huckabee during the primaries and believe he would be an amazing VP. With that said, I hope to present an objective analysis below.
As evidenced by the Green Papers Report, Romney and Huckabee both have some argument for a second place finish -
McCain, John Sidney, III 9,615,533 46.65% 1,326 72.90% 140 24.96% 1,466 61.60% 1,572 62.48% 1,052 44.20%
Romney, Mitt 4,567,127 22.16% 140 7.70% 35 6.24% 175 7.35% 193 7.67% 146 6.13%
Huckabee, Michael Dale "Mike" 4,147,961 20.12% 244 13.41% 16 2.85% 260 10.92% 263 10.45% 166 6.97%
In popular vote, Romney received about 400,000 more votes than Huckabee; HOWEVER, the hard/pledged delegates demonstrate Huckabee had 166 (6.97%) compared to Romney's 146 (6.13%). In soft delegates, Huckabee at 244 (13.41%) to Romney's 140 (7.70%). All news sources which I have seen (perhaps there are others which I have missed) show Huckabee with the second most number of delegates behind McCain with Romney running a close third. With a second place finish, prominence is usually granted in the Republican party and sometimes, the VP. In this instance, both men have won more than 4,000,000 votes - one more popular votes and one more delegate votes.
I have heard the Romney camp argue that Huckabee stayed in the race longer, and thus was able to garner more delegates than Romney. While it is true that Huckabee did stay in the race longer than Romney by a few days, no one can really know what would have happened if Romney had stayed in an equal number of days. Romney typically took votes from metropolitian areas where McCain was strong, but Huckabee won votes from rural areas and small towns where McCain was weaker. Had the metropolitan vote been split, then Huckabee's chances would have improved. What if's aside, the votes are what they are.
One major difference and campaign asset I will point out is that Huckabee won his votes with hardly any staff and did it on a shoestring budget - a significant accomplishment not to be overlooked. Romney's assets certainly must include fund-raising abilities and personal wealth and influence that could be used in the campaign. In nutshell, Huckabee can win votes, with or without resources, and Romney has resources that could be helpful.
The problem I now see is the substantial dissatisfaction of both the Romney and Huckabee camps with each other. Further, I think the MSM has fed this rift, including Fox and the "conservative media."
Perhaps the Romney supporters do not realize that Huckabee supporters are amazed and hurt that Huckabee has been largely ignored by the MSM and the Republican establishment despite Huckabee's great accomplishments. People, in general, react to unfairness, and the Huckabee supporters are (for the most part)upset about this effort to unfairly marginalize Huckabee. On the other hand, the Romney camp believes that Romney should be the VP heir because of his vote count, resources, and influential supporters, and they resent any challenge to that claim. So, we have the stand-off.
I believe McCain is the only one who can mend this rivalry; he (as the nominee and leader of the party) must find a way to give each candidate recognition and respect. Neither man should be slighted. McCain has led in a bipartisan fashion for years on Capital Hill, and now he needs to lead in the same impartial manner in the party. I fear if he does not, this rift will expand and could cost the Republicans the election.