You are right about that. Obama's downside is boundless.

 

I believe that for whatever downside one sees in Obama, there is even more up a upside with him as well.

I believe that for whatever downside one sees in Obama, there is even more up a upside with him as well.

 

So your pretty much saying he's risky...

So your pretty much saying he's risky...

 

I don't think he is risky at all..I think whatever perceived bad there is about him is far outweighed by the good.

Seriously though, McCain needs to name someone impressive, and soon. His campaign needs a shot in the arm. But I'm not sure at this point who the right person is.

I agree that McCain needs to make a good pick but McCain has been closing the gap in the polls lately by taking advantage of Obama's inexperience and thin skin. If McCain can keep the margin close, then making his announcement within a couple of days of the end of the Democratic convention would be ideal,

Due to the current political mood in this country, conservatives will have a hard time until they restructure themselves. Obviously, their party is associated with an extremely unpopular president, and it’s an opinion filled with a great amount of passion. More deeply than that, the rhetoric has become tired and worn out over the last few years. With a war, gas prices, and a crawling economy (which has been showing signs of life lately), hearing a lot of the same solutions Bush has been pushing will immediately turn off voters. Only those most beholden to their party are not considering a different option this election (but they may not be sold on a traditional liberal), which is why the moderate vote is more important than the conservative vote for Republicans and why McCain is the only chance Republicans have this election.

 

If McCain were to go with a conservative running mate, which would only serve to build support among conservatives, his only option would have been Jindal. Jindal is a thoroughbred, but more importantly he is a young, fresh face that would have eased voter concerns. However, with it being this late in the game, introducing an exciting, yet rather unknown candidate would be risky – McCain would reap more of the potential negatives than the positives. Jindal could have been a blockbuster announcement earlier this summer and driven news to McCain during the doldrums (or when Obama was racking up poll numbers overseas). Waiting so long to pick means McCain would lose that advantage Jindal would bring, but would still have to quell voter concerns over his hard-lined conservatism as issues and policies come into greater focus. Since it appears McCain will wait until later, the more traditional timeframe for choosing a running mate, he will go with a “second-fiddle” type who won’t steal the show but will provide solid support. Tim Pawlenty satisfies that. Pawlenty, a governor, can claim not only experience but a host of moderate or bipartisan style successes such as his fiscal restraint and alternative energy initiatives. He’s also someone who understands where the Republican Party needs to head going forward (see his infamous “Sam’s Club” comment). Pawlenty isn’t going to steal the show, but he’s a solid pick who will attract middle of the road voters and Republicans alike and he won’t be much cause for concern as November nears. I will be extremely surprised if McCain fails to choose Pawlenty.

I will be surprised if McCain does pick Pawlenty. Choosing a new face such as Palin or Jendal will not alienate moderates and independents and it would also jump start conservative support.

 

Sarah Palin is an attractive, articulate, conservative governor who has consistently enjoyed job approval ratings over 80 percent and defeated a corrupt Republican governor along the way. Palin's inspirational life story would have broad appeal among moderates and independents, and it is very likely that she would pick off some of Hillary's supporters who are still none too happy with the presumptuous Democratic nominee.

I will be surprised if McCain does pick Pawlenty. Choosing a new face such as Palin or Jendal will not alienate moderates and independents and it would also jump start conservative support.

 

Sarah Palin is an attractive, articulate, conservative governor who has consistently enjoyed job approval ratings over 80 percent and defeated a corrupt Republican governor along the way. Palin's inspirational life story would have broad appeal among moderates and independents, and it is very likely that she would pick off some of Hillary's supporters who are still none too happy with the presumptuous Democratic nominee.

 

The time window for a novelty pick has passed. Much of the upside will be lost as the campaign season shifts into high gear. Voters will have less time to be introduced to the candidates and their stories and a much greater focus will be placed on their conservative stances, which is going to be a turn off this year. This is in addition to the hasty re-sculpting of the campaign to gel the message of both candidates. Being that the McCain campaign has waited until convention time, he will go with a safe, like-minded choice.

The time window for a novelty pick has passed. Much of the upside will be lost as the campaign season shifts into high gear. Voters will have less time to be introduced to the candidates and their stories and a much greater focus will be placed on their conservative stances, which is going to be a turn off this year. This is in addition to the hasty re-sculpting of the campaign to gel the message of both candidates. Being that the McCain campaign has waited until convention time, he will go with a safe, like-minded choice.

It is never too late to introduce an beautiful female candidate who is a lifetime NRA member, former point guard on her state championship basketball team, popular governor, and a bona fide avid hunter and fisherman. Pawlenty is also an unknown to most potential voters and his life story will not garner anywhere near the attention that a Palin candidacy would.

 

Selecting Palin, or to a lesser extent, Jendal, would draw the spotlight away from Obama and his vanilla VP pick and also away from McCain. The question is whether camera hog McCain will be okay of playing second fiddle for a few days for the good of the team.

 

It is never too late to introduce an beautiful female candidate who is a lifetime NRA member, former point guard on her state championship basketball team, popular governor, and a bona fide avid hunter and fisherman. Pawlenty is also an unknown to most potential voters and his life story will not garner anywhere near the attention that a Palin candidacy would.

 

Pawlenty's story is not part of his appeal. The novelty of Jindal or Palin (who, I would hazard a guess, is not being considered at this point) would have driven news coverage during the summer. At this point, they would be given a hasty introduction to the public and be susceptible to being overshadowed by other campaign news. After the convention, policies and issues begin to take a much firmer hold on the election and Jindal or Palin would weaken McCain's appeal in that regard, especially since they would have to nearly about-face on some positions to stay on message.

 

Selecting Palin, or to a lesser extent, Jendal, would draw the spotlight away from Obama and his vanilla VP pick and also away from McCain. The question is whether camera hog McCain will be okay of playing second fiddle for a few days for the good of the team.

 

Once the candidate chooses their running mate they will draw all the spotlight, no matter who it is. Jindal could have commanded media attention for a few weeks over the summer and voters would have had time to develop an appreciation for him. Again, his window has passed.

Pawlenty's story is not part of his appeal. The novelty of Jindal or Palin (who, I would hazard a guess, is not being considered at this point) would have driven news coverage during the summer. At this point, they would be given a hasty introduction to the public and be susceptible to being overshadowed by other campaign news. After the convention, policies and issues begin to take a much firmer hold on the election and Jindal or Palin would weaken McCain's appeal in that regard, especially since they would have to nearly about-face on some positions to stay on message.

 

 

 

Once the candidate chooses their running mate they will draw all the spotlight, no matter who it is. Jindal could have commanded media attention for a few weeks over the summer and voters would have had time to develop an appreciation for him. Again, his window has passed.

Pawlenty will add nothing to the McCain campaign. He won with less than 50% of the popular vote in both of his gubernatorial wins and although his approval rating is slightly above 50%, it is unlikely that he would even be able to deliver Minnesota.

 

Beyond Minnesota, Pawlenty is pretty much an unknown entity who will not excite either conservatives or undecided voters. The only reason for McCain to consider him is if Obama keeps shooting himself in his feet and McCain believes that the presidency is his if he only avoids a major mistake. If Obama emerges from the Democratic convention with a substantial lead, McCain will be a fool if he does not roll the dice and avoid picking an unknown moderate as his running mate.

 

Palin could be used to cement McCain's leadership on the energy issue and he could use her for political cover when he reverses his position on ANWR drilling. Palin also has a record as a reformer and upset a corrupt sitting governor to get where she is today.

Pawlenty is a young, charismatic Republican who understands what Republicans must do to win and can handle himself with speeches the debates with ease. Most voters - especially those in the middle - will look favorably on him. I do suppose that if McCain feels the election slipping out of reach he may toss a hail Mary with Jindal, but I think if McCain were going with him he would have already announced it.

Pawlenty is a young, charismatic Republican who understands what Republicans must do to win and can handle himself with speeches the debates with ease. Most voters - especially those in the middle - will look favorably on him. I do suppose that if McCain feels the election slipping out of reach he may toss a hail Mary with Jindal, but I think if McCain were going with him he would have already announced it.

We will just have to agree to disagree. McCain needs somebody who will excite conservatives and moderates alike and Pawlenty just does not fill the bill. The longer McCain waits to name his running mate, the more likely he will pick somebody with good name recognition like Romeny, IMO. If he is going to pick a relative unknown, then I just cannot see him going with a ho-hum moderate.

It is never too late to introduce an beautiful female candidate who is a lifetime NRA member, former point guard on her state championship basketball team, popular governor, and a bona fide avid hunter and fisherman. Pawlenty is also an unknown to most potential voters and his life story will not garner anywhere near the attention that a Palin candidacy would.

 

Selecting Palin, or to a lesser extent, Jendal, would draw the spotlight away from Obama and his vanilla VP pick and also away from McCain. The question is whether camera hog McCain will be okay of playing second fiddle for a few days for the good of the team.

 

 

She's got a bigger Adam's Apple than I do. That, or she needs to go have her gout levels checked.

She's got a bigger Adam's Apple than I do. That, or she needs to go have her gout levels checked.

I think you are seeing things, perhaps because Palin is a conservative. If I am mistaken, it may explain why Sarah Barracuda was only Miss Congeniality in the Miss Alaska pageant.

 

It is never too late to introduce an beautiful female candidate who is a lifetime NRA member, former point guard on her state championship basketball team, popular governor, and a bona fide avid hunter and fisherman. Pawlenty is also an unknown to most potential voters and his life story will not garner anywhere near the attention that a Palin candidacy would.

 

Selecting Palin, or to a lesser extent, Jendal, would draw the spotlight away from Obama and his vanilla VP pick and also away from McCain. The question is whether camera hog McCain will be okay of playing second fiddle for a few days for the good of the team.

 

 

 

She seems to lead all VP candidates in procreation. Procreates unite!