While John McCain considers the effects of adding one of three politicians to his ticket – he has meetings scheduled with Mitt Romney, Bobby Jindal, or Charlie Crist – we ought to take the chance to consider what this says about McCain’s true colors. And it’s not anything good.
Here’s the problem. McCain has built himself up an image as the “maverick,” the moderate, willing to work across party lines. While this is good rhetoric – and heartening, if it’s true – try to remember that we’ve heard it all before. Bush was a “compassionate conservative” in 2000, and look what we got. No, candidates show their true colors by deeds more than words, and the three people McCain’s considering are indicators that he’s not a maverick: rather, he’s just another far-right conservative. Let’s consider two of the three.
First, Mitt Romney should need no introduction. This is a man who would sooner double Guantanamo’s size than close it, who supported gay rights and choice before he opposed them, and who campaigned as one of several “true conservative” picks in the Republican nomination contest. Even chatting with Romney about the possibility of selecting him as VP sends a strong message, that McCain is willing to do what it takes to get his right-wing credentials, even if it means selling out his principles in the process.
Bobby Jindal is no better. While young, charismatic, and – to harp on this election’s theme – different (he’s Indian), he’s also a member of the religious right, through-and-through. He opposes stem cell research and abortion in any case. And he favors teaching intelligent design. This is a man who can’t bring Louisiana into the twentieth century; why should we hope he’ll do better for America?
These choices for potential vice presidents reveal a common trend in the McCain candidacy: McCain likes to talk moderate, but counts on his appointments and political allies to do his dirty work for him. We can expect conservative judges from McCain, and we can expect a conservative administration to grow up around this “moderate” straight-shooter, who for some reason, keeps aiming back for the right.
I doubt these are his final three choices. Romney is an empty suit, so I think he could be counted on to do what mcCain says. Don’t know much about Jindal, but I notice you omit Crist, who has fairly Centrist record in Florida.
Also, the difference between McCain and Bush is that Bush was still relatively unknown when he reached the Whitehouse. McCain has been in the public eye for a long time. I doubt he’s going to change overnight into some hardcore Right-winger.
Posted by Progressive Conservative | May 22, 2008, 11:31 pmI was very happy to see McCain finally reject John Hagee’s endorsement, although it took him far too long. I miss the John McCain who decried the “agents of intolerance.”
From the support of science perspective, a pro-ID VP would be a terrible blow, although not as bad as a full-blown creationist theocon like Huckabee.
Posted by James F | May 23, 2008, 4:21 pmDid you think how bad it would look if McCain didn’t at least grant Romney an interview? Romney’s solid-conservative fans (whom McCain desperately wants to please) would go bat-shit.
Re: Crist – if you can’t think of anything bad to say, don’t say anything at all. What’s the matter with being OK with a Republican?
If you’re criticizing McCain for not being bipartisan, you should walk the walk and say it if Crist is OK in your book. Oddly, the “he talks about bi-partisanship but doesn’t do it” argument is exactly what conservatives say about Obama.
Posted by James Brown | May 23, 2008, 4:51 pm“Go get your own blog” is a perfectly fine answer to this, but there’s an article on McCain’s VP choice on National Review (I know, I know. Just ignore the us-versus-them tone) that I’d be interested to hear your opinion on.
It recognizes, like your post, that McCain’s VP pick sends a message about whether he’s interested in rallying the base (which I don’t think he needs to do) or reaching across the aisle.
(Also, with his age, it needs to be somebody truly ready to step in if needed. Bobby Jindal, this is the door; you may use it.)
Anyway, it’s a conservative writer lobbying hard for McCain to reach across the aisle and select a Democrat as his running-mate. Also, to address the age issue, he suggests McCain state up front that he won’t seek a second term. (I sort of think of him as a built-in one-termer for that very reason.)
Anyway, I think it’s an intriguing – not to mention bold – bit of strategy. There were rumors that Kerry wanted McCain on his ticket in 04 but I can’t remember how founded they were. Other than that, I know nothing about US history (were you in my Gannon class?) and wonder what sort of precedent there is for that kind of thing.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTAzNzk3ODVkNmM3ZTE4ZjYzOTM3Y2I3NWUwOWFmOTg=&w=MA==
Posted by Collin | May 29, 2008, 4:52 pmSomehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Subspecies!!!!
Posted by Subspecies | June 20, 2008, 10:45 am