I'm voting for not-Obama and his VP choice is irrelevant.

Well, that just sucks.

Religious bigotry is alive and well...
Sad.

Thats like saying that Jessie Jackson will vote for McCain because he dislikes Obama

re: #1 Crusader Rabbit

I go with your first choice.

62 million? Really? I don't buy it.

Are they pushing for the Huckabee?

I find this very upsetting.

I think I shall go back to my little numbers. There's something soothing about only having one right answer.

re: #7 Eowyn2

There's a word for evangelical conservatives who support Huckabee: "Suckers"

This isn't right. I like Romney and think he would be the best choice because he'll bring in the majority of the Mormon vote IMO. I say call the evangelical's bluff, who the hell else are they going to vote for anyway?

Jesus, talk about cutting off your dick to spite your wife...

::plugs ears and runs in a circle:: YA YA YA YA YA YA YA

Thing is that Romney is damned quick on his feet and can lay down insults with a big smile on his face without getting flustered with the blowback.

Romney would be a real asset. Too bad that bigoted ass holes can't see that.

Nice broad brush strokes against evangelicals.

I'm evangelical and I don't mind Romney as a VP pick. Hummm...I guess all Muslims aren't terrorists either. Damn!

I'm an evangelical and adding Romney to the ticket will only HELP McCain to get my vote.

re: #11 turn

This isn't right. I like Romney and think he would be the best choice because he'll bring in the majority of the Mormon vote IMO. I say call the evangelical's bluff, who the hell else are they going to vote for anyway?

They might stay home. This could be bad.

Would telling them to go to hell be considered a pun?

"...our people won't understand that." It seems there are many things they don't understand. I, for one, am tired of their warnings that the GOP must do as they say or they will lose their 'base.'

re: #6 karmic_inquisitor

Why not? Wiki says they comprise 26+% of the population... That's a larger number than he's touting.

They're going to have to grow up.

re: #15 mandolin

Then write to the campaign and tell them so.

If Suckerbee supporters are against it, then I'm for it, as a rule.

re: #14 johnny_t

Nice broad brush strokes against evangelicals.

I'm evangelical and I don't mind Romney as a VP pick. Hummm...I guess all Muslims aren't terrorists either. Damn!

I for one am not swiping at evangelicals. This guy in Thousand Oaks is an asshole.

What do you think of this guy claiming that 62 million agree with him?

The Rev. Rob McCoy, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif., who speaks at evangelical events across the country, told The Washington Times, “I will vote for McCain unless he does one thing. You know what that is? If he puts Romney on the ticket as veep.

Ah, yes, because having Mitt as a VP would be so much worse than Obama as President for the Evangelical's core issues.

Do these people ever fucking think?

Speaks fur yourselves, sez this evangelical.

You'd let a narcissitic commie hater of evangelicals (remember the clinging to Bibles bit) into the White House because of Mormonophibia?

Get a grip, for pete's sake.

You think abortion is an issue, look at BHO's record.

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

re: #19 Cap'n DOC

Why not? Wiki says they comprise 26+% of the population... That's a larger number than he's touting.

I must not understand what constitutes "evangelical."

Cut off nose, spite face. Obama... welcome to the White House.

“We aren’t against Mormonism, but Romney is not a thoroughgoing evangelical and his flip-flopping on issues is understandable in a liberal state like Massachusetts, but our people won’t understand that.”

Your "people" would understabd that if

A) they don't blindly follow you
or
B) if you decided to explain for politcal expediency sometimes some things are necessary

re: #11 turn

This isn't right. I like Romney and think he would be the best choice because he'll bring in the majority of the Mormon vote IMO. I say call the evangelical's bluff, who the hell else are they going to vote for anyway?

You have nailed it. Do they really think that they will like President Obama?

If this is true, the polarization is now complete -- significant blocs on left and right perfectly willing to piss on the nation as a whole to maintain their irrational hatreds.

/I pray it's not

re: #23 karmic_inquisitor

Do not misunderstand - and I don't consider myself an evangelical - but I seriously doubt that 60+million anybodies are going to agree on anything that destructive.

re: #21 Dianna
Because I'm not responsible for his poorly run campaign.

re: #28 sattv4u2

“We aren’t against Mormonism, but Romney is not a thoroughgoing evangelical and his flip-flopping on issues is understandable in a liberal state like Massachusetts, but our people won’t understand that.”

Your "people" would understabd that if

A) they don't blindly follow you
or
B) if you decided to explain for politcal expediency sometimes some things are necessary

Excellent points. It seems that the evangelical leader in question has a low opinion of evangelicals.

What the heck? I'm an evangelical conservative and think that Mitt would be a GREAT pick for VP. I have tonnes of friends who are also evangelical conservatives and also like Mitt. In fact, I don't think I know any evangelicals who dislike Mitt except liberal ones!

Pawlenty? No offense to someone who may be a fine person with a bright future but this will come across as the return of Dan Quayle in the press reports. We need a known national figure who has already had their negatives aired out. Romney will do. The press could only try to promote stealth bigotry and that would backfire with luck. Heck even Giuliani will do. Rudy's huge scandals would suck up media attention which might be a good thing. Huckabee is just wrong on many levels and the "Evangelicals" have to get over it. Both Conservatives and Liberals don't want him. Thompson is to old probably to go on a McCain ticket. Jindal is to young.

Let's face it, folks, Romney doesn't bring a whole lot to the ticket. He's not going to bring Massachusetts into play, nor will he bring any other Northeastern States.

The Mormon vote? How many divisions have the Mormons?

Pawlenty brings Michigan (or at least the hope of Michigan), while Romney brings controversy with the base. McCain already has enough controversy with the base.

What a bunch of nuts. It is past time to throw them under the tank.

(Obama has a bus, we have a tank).

re: #34 ceallaighgirl

What the heck? I'm an evangelical conservative and think that Mitt would be a GREAT pick for VP. I have tonnes of friends who are also evangelical conservatives and also like Mitt. In fact, I don't think I know any evangelicals who dislike Mitt except liberal ones!

Welcome to LGF ceallaighgirl. First post eh?

re: #25 jcm

*grin*
I think LegendXXX outdid you in #12

I'm rooting for Romney, and I'm gonna hope these Evangelicals are wrong, bluffing, or can change their minds between now and November.

just like a lot of crap that passes for news, this is - pathetic. I thought the religious litmus test died about 40+ years ago.

I hope it is Mitt Romney.
I know there are plenty of ''evangelicals'' who will come around.
They don't want the SCOTUS compromised by Obama.

McCain has all but said over the last few years that he will not appoint an originalist Justice to the court and most Evangelicals are apparently o.k. with that, but let him choose Romney as his Veep and all hell breaks loose.

re: #28 sattv4u2

VERY regretfully ... only ONE up-ding!

These people are running for President and Vp, not Sunday school teachers. Get a clue Tim LaHaye. Of course, he's not concerned, he's not going to get left behind.

re: #25 jcm

Speaks fur yourselves, sez this evangelical.

You'd let a narcissitic commie hater of evangelicals (remember the clinging to Bibles bit) into the White House because of Mormonophibia?

Get a grip, for pete's sake.

You think abortion is an issue, look at BHO's record.

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I think you nailed it. Most evangelicals see it your way. A few vocal evangelicals are always going for headlines...

It probably does not matter who McCain picks as VP. His name might as well be John Republican running against Joe Democrat because a Republican has held the White House for two terms, the economy is perceived negatively, and the president's approval rating is in the basement.

"He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am!" said evangelical novelist Tim LaHaye.

re: #24 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Ah, yes, because having Mitt as a VP would be so much worse than Obama as President for the Evangelical's core issues.

Do these people ever fucking think?

Do these people even exist or is it just the MSM finding idiots to issue an opinion they want to hear. You ever hear of Rob McCoy? Where did they dig him up?

”It will alienate the entire evangelical community - 62 million self-professing evangelicals in this country, half of them registered to vote, are going to be deeply saddened,“ Mr. McCoy added." .....What an arrogant jackass....I suspect Mr. McCoy speaks for Mr. McCoy only.

re: #39 pre-Boomer Marine brat

*grin*
I think LegendXXX outdid you in #12

So he did, so he did.....

re: #16 Dianna

They might stay home. This could be bad.

Yes there is a possibility some would stay home, but judging from some of the evangelicals comments up-threat I would be willing to chance it. Romney brings the economic experience, youth and good looks, straight tough talk, and so many other things McCain needs in his campaign right now right now it is worth the gamble.

eowyn2's #2 is a good analogy, the evangelicals will vote for McCain.

re: #25 jcm

Speaks fur yourselves, sez this evangelical.

You'd let a narcissitic commie hater of evangelicals (remember the clinging to Bibles bit) into the White House because of Mormonophibia?

Get a grip, for pete's sake.

You think abortion is an issue, look at BHO's record.

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

If abortion is their issue, they need to get a grip.
Obama bottled up a bill in comitteee in the Illinois Senate to outlaw FULL term abortion!

I read the article, I don't even know WHO these so-called prominent evangelical leaders are, and I'm been an evangelical my entire life. That article is total BS.

I'm sick of the media telling everybody that Evangelicals don't like Romney. Pisses me off.

A jawbone of an ass is as deadly today as it was more than 2000 years ago. Would having Obama as president really be better than having Mitt as VP?

The notion that "evangelicals" are a group that vote in lockstep, much less in kneejerk response to their "leaders," is ridiculous.

A chunk of "evangelicals," BTW, are yellow dog Democrats.

re: #31 Cap'n DOC

Do not misunderstand - and I don't consider myself an evangelical - but I seriously doubt that 60+million anybodies are going to agree on anything that destructive.

Wasn't drawing any conclusions. I get suspicious whenever a church leader of any sort claims large numbers and implies those numbers support his view. I cannot imagine 62 million people being the brand of "evangelical" that this guy claims to speak for, underscoring the point you just made.

We've already seen plenty of evangelicals post there that they don't agree.

I am sure that there are some out there that agree with him. Perhaps his congregation which is in a blue state - if they sit this out, it won't make a difference.

re: #47 Lawrence Schmerel

It probably does not matter who McCain picks as VP. His name might as well be John Republican running against Joe Democrat because a Republican has held the White House for two terms, the economy is perceived negatively, and the president's approval rating is in the basement.

C'mon, Lar. It ain't over yet. Don't believe polls, don't fall for the MSM's spin on things. It still could go either way.

I'm a Roman Catholic conservative, and I could give a rats ass weather the candidate is Mormon, as long as he's not a MORON

experiencedtraveller - I've been reading LGF for quite awhile now, but never really comment, so yeah, this is probably my first comment. :-)

re: #50 MrArchieBunker

”It will alienate the entire evangelical community - 62 million self-professing evangelicals in this country, half of them registered to vote, are going to be deeply saddened,“ Mr. McCoy added." .....What an arrogant jackass....I suspect Mr. McCoy speaks for Mr. McCoy only.

He may not even be the Real McCoy...

Fred Barnes wrote an article last week in the Weekly Standard, 'First, Lose Three Elections' regarding the British Conservatives path back to power, and what the American right can learn from it. Barnes commented that it was primary for conservatism to be hungry to win, they have to need to win.

These folks (Evangelicals) aren't going to help Repubs this year. Not only are they telling us loudly that they're not desperate to win, they're telling us that they don't give a d@mn about winning.

I see that most of the younger Evangelicals are going liberal/Green anyway. I wish Republicans in this country could be strong and far-seeing enough to find a great leader, re-build a principled coalition, and throw the fanatic fringe religious right under the bus.

There are always political voices out there who profess to speak for "all evangelicals" and in some cases they come close. What is this guy's real buttweight factor for influence in the evangelical community?

Spitt On-mey

Not my first option for VP, but Mitt would be quite competent. He's got executive experience and would do well.

I'm not sure about Pawlenty, and if this is who McCain's people thinks should be his running mate, they really ought to look again. Surely they can do better.

Still, it's better than anything Obama could put together. Because it's the guy at the top of the ticket that worries me most - and Obama has done nothing (no experience, and his background among socialists, Marxists, and unrepentant terrorists) to discourage me from voting against him.

The Republican nominee will be running for Vice President of the United States -- not Vice-Defender of the Faith.

re: #44 pre-Boomer Marine brat

VERY regretfully ... only ONE up-ding!

thanks Boomer ,,, I'll take what I can get !

re: #34 ceallaighgirl

What the heck? I'm an evangelical conservative and think that Mitt would be a GREAT pick for VP. I have tonnes of friends who are also evangelical conservatives and also like Mitt. In fact, I don't think I know any evangelicals who dislike Mitt except liberal ones!

Welcome to LGF!

re: #59 sattv4u2

If it is McCain/Romney, we will have a Moron and a Mormon.
I'm ok with the Mormon.

re: #53 opnion

If abortion is their issue, they need to get a grip.
Obama bottled up a bill in comitteee in the Illinois Senate to outlaw FULL term abortion!

And the vote against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.

I am very disappointed when I hear evangelicals bashing Romney because of his Mormonism. So glad to read comments here from evangelicals that would support him as VP. On the abortion issue, WTH? Because he has not taken the most extreme anti-abortion stance, they'd prefer a liberal "abortion on demand" candidate?

They are just throwing their weight around, or trying to, anyway. They just want to see if they can have some last ditch influence on the VP pick. I hope they wouldn't be SO STUPID as to sit home on election day pouting because McCain didn't choose someone in line with their religious views.

re: #48 Ford_Prefect

"He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am! He's not as Christian as I am!" said evangelical novelist Tim LaHaye.

The American temple does seem awfully crowded with Pharisees -- on both left and right.

Seems also one or two elections ago poolsters were allowing dems and republicans to ''self-identify'' their religious affiliation.
Almost 20% of dems self identified as ''evangelical Christians.''
So, which ''evangelical Christians' are the media finding.
I've made a few calls and the answers match up with evangelicals posting here:
They Will Vote McCain/Romney.
Happily.

re: #29 opnion

You have nailed it. Do they really think that they will like President Obama?

Hell no, so much so that I don't think they would stay home come election day either, despite how pissed they might be. Judging from the evangelical's comments up-thread I call bullshit on this threat.

I thought Bobby Jindhal was an option.
I wouldn't vote for a flip-flopper.
Needless to say, as a non-American, it's not up to me. As long as Obama doesn't win and screw things up for North America.

re: #51 jcm

So he did, so he did.....

That was un-nerving, wasn't it!?!
*shiver*

Tell those yahoos to pipe down. They lost and they should shut up, and fall in line.

re: #3 RightOnTheLeftCoast

Religious bigotry is alive and well...
Sad.

And they actually have the audacity to call themselves Christians.
/spit

I've seen the angry, arrogant hubris from the "true conservative", anti-McCain purists on the evangelical far right displayed in dazzling technicolor over the last few months... and it's really getting old. They aren't going to give McCain a break no matter what he says or does. He could walk on water, and it still wouldn't be enough for them.

I'm thinking that McCain would do very well at this juncture to just tell the evangelical right to go * themselves.

re: #71 American Jewess In Jerusalem

I suspect they have lost a lot of 'weight' recently, if you will.

re: #60 ceallaighgirl

experiencedtraveller - I've been reading LGF for quite awhile now, but never really comment, so yeah, this is probably my first comment. :-)

Welcome! Jump in the water's fine.!

re: #66 aunursa

The Republican nominee will be running for Vice President of the United States -- not Vice-Defender of the Faith.

Prince Charles of the UK abdicated that role...

The Rev. Rob McCoy, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif., who speaks at evangelical events across the country, told The Washington Times, "I will vote for McCain unless he does one thing. You know what that is? If he puts Romney on the ticket as veep."

You, Sir, are a fool.

re: #77 Robert Schwartz,

Yes, that will bring them out to vote in droves.

re: #36 Iron Fist

Actually, because of Romneys background, he could also bring Michigan into play. He still has good name recognition there due to his father and his own ties

I could probably be called an evangelical, and putting Romeny on the ticket would sway me from considering abstaining from voting to voting for McCain.

re: #85 sattv4u2

Actually, because of Romneys background, he could also bring Michigan into play. He still has good name recognition there due to his father and his own ties

He has good name recognition nationally cause of his presidential bid.

Tim LaHaye was the author of those awful "Left Behind" books. The Rapture is a complete crock. The Book of Revelations was written to describe Christian persecution under the Roman Empire and to offer hope of a brighter future for Christ's beleaugered believers. Nothing more.

re: #86 geata

ditto

I am certain that these so-called evangelicals do not have the kind of influence/base that they try to convince us they have.

If that were even remotely true, we would be discussing about the next POTUS choice being between Huckabee or Obama.

My wife is a Mormon and she and her family are some of the best people I have ever met. Being a Mormon is a good reason to vote for someone if you are looking for honesty, integrity and family values.

If evangelicals want to see all the progress made in stopping late term abortions reversed then they will sit out. Someone needs to tell them that there will never be a complete ban on abortions in America. Well, unless Sha'aria law gets adopted.

Romney would get people excited that that someone who really understands turning around poor fiscal situations is in charge of it.

re: #45 Walter L. Newton

These people are running for President and Vp, not Sunday school teachers. Get a clue Tim LaHaye. Of course, he's not concerned, he's not going to get left behind.

Tim LaHaye is an idiot.

In fact, I don't know any evangelicals whose sentiments match those in the article.

re: #86 geata

I could probably be called an evangelical, and putting Romeny on the ticket would sway me from considering abstaining from voting to voting for McCain.

I'm dissappointed you'd consider abstaining!

re: #87 rlevitin

He has good name recognition nationally cause of his presidential bid.

and his 2002 Olympic work

Oh my God next they will let Catholics and Jews into the revival tent. Who is this, Babbit? Just quote Jack Kennedy and ask Obama point blank if he would fire any campaign worker who raises the issue. Then ignore any sniping from the fringe. Can you see the trogladyte evangelical nativists looking for a new Scopes Trial teaming up with Buchananite paleo-Catholic conservatives to sabotage a McCain Romney ticket to the benefit of Obama?

re: #10 Crusader Rabbit

There's a word for evangelical conservatives who support Huckabee: "Suckers"

Suckers? Succubus?
cue creepy music

They have a right to support Huckabee but to attempt a blackmail is pathetic.

Backreading, and I'm glad to see that there are still some evangelicals out there who haven't lost their common sense of their sense of perspective.

You're a rare breed these days.

re: #67 sattv4u2

thanks Boomer ,,, I'll take what I can get !

Your last point was the important one, IMHO. Those self-centered bastards don't want to spend political capital among their followers for the good of the nation.

re: #94 geata

Beware of self appointed leaders.

re: #75 Joan Not of Arc

I thought Bobby Jindhal was an option.
I wouldn't vote for a flip-flopper.

I'd have no problem with a flip-flopping VP. I would vote for a professional waffle cook, if he was on McCain's ticket. In fact, I would vote for the waffle.

re: #70 jcm

And the vote against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.

I really think that their ojection to Mitt is that he is a Mormon.

re: #91 filetandrelease

My wife is a Mormon and she and her family are some of the best people I have ever met. Being a Mormon is a good reason to vote for someone if you are looking for honesty, integrity and family values.

I agree. I'd support Mitt over somebody like the Huckaduck.

Whoever talked about voting for the not-Obama was DEAD on.

That's my view.

re: #88 Dirk Diggler

Tim LaHaye was the author of those awful "Left Behind" books. The Rapture is a complete crock. The Book of Revelations was written to describe Christian persecution under the Roman Empire and to offer hope of a brighter future for Christ's beleaugered believers. Nothing more.

1. You're wrong about revelations
2. That's an ad hominem.

re: #86 geata

I could probably be called an evangelical, and putting Romeny on the ticket would sway me from considering abstaining from voting to voting for McCain.

Don't abstain. We can't afford Obama.

re: #102 Last Mohican

I'd have no problem with a flip-flopping VP. I would vote for a professional waffle cook, if he was on McCain's ticket. In fact, I would vote for the waffle.

Mmmmm.... waffles.

/homer simpson

re: #75 Joan Not of Arc

I thought Bobby Jindhal was an option.
I wouldn't vote for a flip-flopper.
Needless to say, as a non-American, it's not up to me. As long as Obama doesn't win and screw things up for North America.

If Obama wins are you moving to South America?

I am greatly surprised to learn that there are 65 million bigots in the U.S. who would base their vote in an important election on which superstition the candidate believes in. If these cultists do influence a large number of votes then they will surely rejoice when the anointed one takes over and starts naming judges and sending out the 'reparations' checks . Maybe some of these expenses can be covered by taxing evangelical cult property.

re: #85 sattv4u2,

Maybe, but he still isn't worth the fight. To win the Presidency you have to hold your base and appeal to enough of the Middle. McCain is already having real problems holding the base. Telling them to go fuck themselves, as some here are suggesting, is a great plan for losing to Obama.

McCain appeals to the Middle, so his VP needs to appeal to the base. One big chunck of the base doesn't like Romney. They've already voted against him.

Time to bring in some new blood.

re: #106 geata

1. You're wrong about revelations
2. That's an ad hominem.

The rapture was invented by a couple of traveling revival preachers in the 1850s.

re: #94 geata

In fact, I don't know any evangelicals whose sentiments match those in the article.

You haven't been over to Michelle Malkins' site lately, have you?

I have a solution to the VP problem:

Charles Johnson for Vice President.

Idiotarians Better Watch Their Asses. (new campaign slogan)

re: #75 Joan Not of Arc

I thought Bobby Jindhal was an option.
I wouldn't vote for a flip-flopper.
Needless to say, as a non-American, it's not up to me. As long as Obama doesn't win and screw things up for North America.

Bobby Jindal claims that he attended an exorcism.
Not the movie, an actual exorcism. The press wpould have a field day.

re: #53 opnion

If abortion is their issue, they need to get a grip.
Obama bottled up a bill in comitteee in the Illinois Senate to outlaw FULL term abortion!

No. Actually it was to outlaw infanticide......i.e., the killing of infants who survive full or late term abortions. This bill was identical to the federal Born Alive Baby Act that even NARAL, Hillary, et al. supported.

I suspect the media fear a McCain-Romney ticket.

re: #36 Iron Fist

Let's face it, folks, Romney doesn't bring a whole lot to the ticket. He's not going to bring Massachusetts into play, nor will he bring any other Northeastern States.

The Mormon vote? How many divisions have the Mormons?

Pawlenty brings Michigan (or at least the hope of Michigan), while Romney brings controversy with the base. McCain already has enough controversy with the base.

Try again. Pawlenty is from Minnesota, not Michigan, and Michigan is exactly what Romney brings to the table.

Drawing parallels between Mormons and Polygamy is the same as drawing parallels between the Catholic Church and Child Molestation. It is beyond absurd and downright offensive to even hint that if a Catholic were to become President, or Vice President, that Child Molestation would become legalized and official state policy.

I think you get my point... It drives me nuts. You'll never find a group that is more pro-family values than the Mormon Church and its active members.

Read the following and tell me if you find anything objectionable:
The Family: A Proclamation to the World

What I find so curious is the outright bigotry shown towards Mitt Romney by the Evangelical crowds... I find it hard to believe that they really think that Obama as President would be a closer representation of their values than Mitt Romney would be as VP.

re: #111 Iron Fist

who appointed this one self rightous Reverand "the base" ?

As stated upthread, many who consider themselves or know "evangelical Christians" have no problem with Romney!

McCain needs some star power to beat Obama. Maybe McCain should pick Angelina Jolie. She was one of the top 10 stars of 2007. As nutty as it sounds, this is the kind of extreme shakeup McCain would need to make to win in 2008.

re: #36 Iron Fist

Let's face it, folks, Romney doesn't bring a whole lot to the ticket. He's not going to bring Massachusetts into play, nor will he bring any other Northeastern States.

The Mormon vote? How many divisions have the Mormons?

Pawlenty brings Michigan (or at least the hope of Michigan), while Romney brings controversy with the base. McCain already has enough controversy with the base.

Actually, Pawlenty Brings Minnesota into play. Romney can bring Michigan into play because he is originally from Michigan and has positive name recognition.

re: #34 ceallaighgirl

They presume to speak for you (and your friends). Don't allow it.

re: #117 GATORBAIT

I suspect the media fear a McCain-Romney ticket.

I was trying to figure out how to word it... but thats exactly what I think is going on here.

re: #121 Lawrence Schmerel

McCain needs some star power to beat Obama. Maybe McCain should pick Angelina Jolie. She was one of the top 10 stars of 2007. As nutty as it sounds, this is the kind of extreme shakeup McCain would need to make to win in 2008.

I'd rather have her father.

re: #86 geata

I could probably be called an evangelical, and putting Romeny on the ticket would sway me from considering abstaining from voting to voting for McCain.

Two things and only two things matter, the rest is worked out at a legislative level.

The War.
The Courts.

One candidate will do what it takes of win.
One candidate will do what it takes to surrender.

One candidate has promised strict constructionist, but will probably to right of center.
The other candidate will put the likes of Ruth Ginsberg and Lynne Stewart on the court.

Any questions?

The election will be close. BHO is tight as thieves with ACORN. ACORN fraudulent registrations may have been enough to turn the WA gov. election in '04 with a 129 vote margin.

Every vote will count. If this turns out to be a Florida, it will only take 500 people deciding not to vote for McCain.

re: #30 pre-Boomer Marine brat

If this is true, the polarization is now complete -- significant blocs on left and right perfectly willing to piss on the nation as a whole to maintain their irrational hatreds.

/I pray it's not

That's why people in the middle must vote. Otherwise, it's two inimical blocks, and the country is paralyzed.

re: #113 Irish Rose

You haven't been over to Michelle Malkins' site lately, have you?

Nope, I don't read Malkin.

re: #91 filetandrelease

My wife is a Mormon and she and her family are some of the best people I have ever met. Being a Mormon is a good reason to vote for someone if you are looking for honesty, integrity and family values.

I'm not Mormon nor am I married to one, but I work with quite a few and I absolutely agree with you. Plus I might add that I sense they are very loyal to their religion and for that reason will overwhelmingly vote for Romney's side. I did a rough guess at 2 to 4 MILLION votes a day or two in a post here at LGF.

BBIAB

re: #88 Dirk Diggler

Tim LaHaye was the author of those awful "Left Behind" books. The Rapture is a complete crock. The Book of Revelations was written to describe Christian persecution under the Roman Empire and to offer hope of a brighter future for Christ's beleaugered believers. Nothing more.

I read everyone of those books. They were pathetic.
Which of course raises the question, why did I read them?

re: #113 Irish Rose

You haven't been over to Michelle Malkins' site lately, have you?

Oooh boy. Some of them are gonna need some heavy-duty convincing, aren't they?

re: #127 Dianna

That's why people in the middle must vote. Otherwise, it's two inimical blocks, and the country is paralyzed.

Precisely!
Rats! Only one up-ding!

anti-Mormon bigotry from the MSM and elsewhere?

Just don't say Hussein!

Mormonism is better than Scientology, which I find threatening. There is something very American about cobbling together a religion and making it work in the marketplace. Goofy as it is it hasn't been a threat to the larger society in over a century, if it ever was. It certainly isn't in the same league as the major real invented religion that threatens today, Islamism.

Waaah! I'm a one issue voter. Waaaah, pay attention to us, we're more important than the future of the country. Fucking goddamn asshats!

re: #18 scottishbuzzsaw

"...our people won't understand that." It seems there are many things they don't understand. I, for one, am tired of their warnings that the GOP must do as they say or they will lose their 'base.'

You and me both.

re: #117 GATORBAIT

re: #126 jcm

McCain will not pick anything close to a strict constructionist. I have heard him say in an interview that O'Connor was his favorite Justice. He also routinely displays his ignorance of Originalist Judicial philosophy. We will be lucky to get a Souter out of him.

re: #71 American Jewess In Jerusalem

they wouldn't be SO STUPID as to sit home on election day

You get a ding-up for that alone.

re: #63 Thanos

There are always political voices out there who profess to speak for "all evangelicals" and in some cases they come close. What is this guy's real buttweight factor for influence in the evangelical community?

For example?
No one I can think of.
We're talking about a huge group and a broad range of opinion.

It's almost as silly as saying X "speaks for" Hispanics.

re: #111 Iron Fist

The Huckster has some _serious_ issues with flexible morality when it comes to personal finance. MoveOn will shred him. That's one reason he's not on anyone's short list. Pawlenty is an unknown and thanks to Ted Stevens the governor of Alaska is out. Jindal is done, he'll never make it outside of LA.

Who else is out there?

I think the media is getting a little scared that a McCain/Romney ticket would do well, so what do you do when that happens? Go out and find the first evangelical that says what you want to hear and try to convince everybody it's true. This McCoy doesn't speak for any evangelicals except maybe his own church (and probably not even that).

re: #116 wolfie

No. Actually it was to outlaw infanticide......i.e., the killing of infants who survive full or late term abortions. This bill was identical to the federal Born Alive Baby Act that even NARAL, Hillary, et al. supported.

Correct. We are saying the same thing. In Illinois it was referred to as Full term abortion.
Prior. the doctor could not only deny care but affirmatively terminate a fully born baby. Obama did not want this practice outlawed.

re: #104 Ward Cleaver

I agree. I'd support Mitt over somebody like the Huckaduck

McCain has never been my first choice. If he puts Huck on the ticket, it will make pulling that lever painful. I might have to slam some tequila the morning of 11/4 to muster some artificial courage just to do it.

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

re: #114 karmic_inquisitor

I have a solution to the VP problem:

Charles Johnson for Vice President.

Idiotarians Better Watch Their Asses. (new campaign slogan)

I was about to suggest that myself. Charles is constitutionally eligible, presentable enough, and rides a bicycle much better than Obama.
Being a jazz musician and an evolution proponent would cause LaHaye's head to explode.

re: #103 opnion

I really think that their ojection to Mitt is that he is a Mormon.

I agree with that.

Back in the primary I posted my churche's Statement of Faith and the Mormon Statement of Faith. On basic theology we are in almost complete agreement. We diverge theologically at Joesph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but that is a theologically difference and realm of argument.

I would say for judging them in the world and politically, "by their works you will know them." And frankly in that respect Mormons put most evangelicals to shame.

Hugh Hewitt is an evangelical and he was (still is) Romney's biggest cheerleader.

Some Christians are simply shallow bigots -- and they are not helping.
/ Memo to bigoted "Christians" - Get out of the big tent and start some freak-ass bigot party with the left-wingers. Thanks.

Any logical person would vote ABO (Anything But Obamination). It does not matter whether McCain's running mate is Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. I like both of them anyway.

It is strange that some people would allow a total disaster to occur rather than choose the alternative, simply because the alternative is not completely acceptable.

Logic anybody?

re: #147 buzzsawmonkey

He can make a "Fact Checkers Speech."

*barf*

Doesn't matter what they think. Sane people will have to back McCain and his VP choice at the end of the day.

re: #148 Shiplord Kirel

If the Evangelicals "detest" Mitt Romney....what exactly are they going to think about Charles Johnson?

Are there any here on LGF to poll?

re: #84 Iron Fist

No but the thought of President Barack Hussein Obama should.

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

While I have a lot of respect for Leiberman, picking a dem/independent for the Republican ticket would be making a concession. That is, it would be like Republicans saying "We know conservatism isn't good enough to win, so we're going to make our ticket as liberal as we dare without alienating too much of our base."

Hey rev, how are you and your 62 million doing getting
Huck to the top of the heap? Oh, sorry about that.

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

Besides the support of the war and Israel, tell me one issue where Lieberman agrees with you. Don't get me wrong, I admire him for sticking to his guns (pun intended) against the Dems on the war issue

re: #122 Semper Gumbi

re: #118 Honorary Yooper

My bad. Still, Pawlenty brings his state without controversy with the base. Romney brings controversy. Could McCian win with Romney? Sure, it is possible. But McCain isn't doing anything right now to excite the base. "I'm not Obama" won't be enough to bring him home. If it were, we wouldn't be having an election.

And I'm saying this as someone who would have rather had Romney than McCain. Romney already had his shot with Republican voters, and he lost. Bringing him on as VP won't bring any more votes to McCain.

Sarah Palin.

Pick her!

re: #156 geata

Sort of like being John McCain. :D

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

Don't want to lose his vote in the Senate. Otherwise I'd be OK with him. Yes he is much more liberal on most domestic issues than McCain even. Lieberman is a Scoop Jackson Democrat.

re: #156 geata
"We know conservatism isn't good enough to win, so we're going to make our ticket as liberal as we dare without alienating too much of our base."
Didn't we already do that when we picked McCain?

re: #143 ceallaighgirl

I think the media is getting a little scared that a McCain/Romney ticket would do well, so what do you do when that happens? Go out and find the first evangelical that says what you want to hear and try to convince everybody it's true. This McCoy doesn't speak for any evangelicals except maybe his own church (and probably not even that).

Agreed. I find it interesting how many here denounce the Media meme of the US as a racist country along "colour" lines and call it on the BS that it is, and then as soon as there is a cry of racism along "religious" lines, they fall for it. (Actually, there has been a lot of commenter's noting that it is BS)

I think this is typical MSM pulling the whole "the US is racist! Just look, those crazy Evangelicals don't like this guy cause he's a Mormon! Vote Obama, and the racist guilt of this miserable nation will be washed clean!"

re: #160 FrogMarch
Too close to Ted Stevens.

re: #163 mandolin
No shit.

re: #145 filetandrelease

McCain has never been my first choice. If he puts Huck on the ticket, it will make pulling that lever painful. I might have to slam some tequila the morning of 11/4 to muster some artificial courage just to do it.

I thought that McCain & Huckabee ganged up on Romney like school yard brats.
I would like Romney at the top of the ticket , but he stll helps as Veep

re: #36 Iron Fist

Let's face it, folks, Romney doesn't bring a whole lot to the ticket. He's not going to bring Massachusetts into play, nor will he bring any other Northeastern States.

The Mormon vote? How many divisions have the Mormons?

Pawlenty brings Michigan (or at least the hope of Michigan), while Romney brings controversy with the base. McCain already has enough controversy with the base.

* * *
BZZZZZt. Romney WON Michigan. Perhaps you mean Pawlenty might bring Minnesota.

Romney's a rock star, on the national scene for years; Pawlenty's still a local so far.

re: #151 XMarine

It is strange that some people would allow a total disaster to occur rather than choose the alternative, simply because the alternative is not completely acceptable.

Logic anybody?

I think that there is a significant contingent that thinks that it is OK to lose the election and to let all hell break loose so that they can be vindicated and then asked to be in power by a contrite electorate.

It never works out that way.

re: #158 sattv4u2

Well I'm sort of Liberal (as far as Conservatives go) so I imagine he and I would agree on a lot.

But I like Joe because he shows "cross isle ability", is a good balance for McCain (to shore up Libs) and is a Jew. (thus getting more libs)

Jewish libs are trying to flex their "PC power" by voting for the African American....this way they can flex their own muscle by getting their own guy in.

Lastly, its VP, what does it matter his politics really?

re: #148 Shiplord Kirel

I was about to suggest that myself. Charles is constitutionally eligible, presentable enough, and rides a bicycle much better than Obama.
Being a jazz musician and an evolution proponent would cause LaHaye's head to explode.

But he'd have to spin all the payola from the Zio-Nazis

re: #163 mandolin

"We know conservatism isn't good enough to win, so we're going to make our ticket as liberal as we dare without alienating too much of our base."
Didn't we already do that when we picked McCain?

Sadly enough, we did to an extent. Lieberman would take it a step further.

Rev. Rob McCoy, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif...STFU and keep your nose out of the election...you speak for the far-far right and they're fewer than you think!

Personally, I think Mormon doctrine is a little weird but nobody needs my permission to make a choice about their own religious beliefs.

The Mormons I have known are very fine people and good citizens. All indications are that this true of the Mormon community in general, with the exception of a few creepy offshoots like the polygamous cults and Harry Reid.

re: #159 Iron Fist

I agree with you. I was never impressed with Romney.

I believe a Goldwater quote is in order:

On religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both.

I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in "A," "B," "C" and "D." Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me?

And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of "conservatism."

I'm with ya Barry!

re: #160 FrogMarch

Sarah Palin.

Pick her!

She certainly seems more do-able than Pawlenty. We can wait until Obama announces his choice.

Tim LaHaye is calling the shots now?

oy vey!

obama will have a "private" run with ludicris while they discuss america's needs, just heard on Hannity.

re: #172 geata

I think Lieberman might actually move the ticket to the right.

re: #176 Slumbering Behemoth

I believe a Goldwater quote is in order:

I'm with ya Barry!

Thank you!

re: #176 Slumbering Behemoth

Yes! Thank you! I was trying to remember where that quote was! Have now hearted it.

re: #178 NoSubmission

Tim LaHaye is calling the shots now?

oy vey!

No, the media is giving him airtime. Huge difference.

re: #181 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Wait, did you just "out" yourself? You are Barry Goldwater?

re: #159 Iron Fist

I'll tell you something else Romney would bring to the ticket, CASH, and LOTS OF IT, As the VP candidate, he's able to spend as much as his own money with no restrictions as he wants too

re: #184 WrathofG-d

Wait, did you just "out" yourself? You are Barry Goldwater?

That thought flew through my head for half a second too... I was like "huh?"

re: #167 opnion

I would like Romney at the top of the ticket , but he stll helps as Veep

Agreed, he would be a real asset. A smart businessman, something rare in Washington, and needed. Also, nothing in the closet. He is a good honest man, IMO. (Also rare in Washington.)

Something pointed out in this thread which hadn't occurred to me is the possibility that MSM is scared of a McCain/Romney ticket. Plausible and encouraging.

re: #176 Slumbering Behemoth

I believe a Goldwater quote is in order:

I'm with ya Barry!

Thank you, that gets an up ding.

re: #142 Quilly Mammoth,

The Huckster would be enough to make me stay home. As for who else, well, that is why McCain is supposed to have a search team. I'd be looking at the CEOs of really big corperations who were also Republicans. Find the right person, and then sell them to the electorate.

Romney doesn't fit that bill.

re: #1 Crusader Rabbit

The weird formulation of that line made me accidentally down-ding it. . .sorry about that.

But I agree, I can't imagine McCain's choice of VP affecting my decision to vote for him, any more than I can imagine any choice of VP by Obama causing me TO vote for Obama.

While its true that the evangelicals hate Romney, its also true that last cycle the evangelicals hated McCain, in part causing his primary defeat in SC eventually leading to the Bush nomination.

re: #126 jcm

Thats why the McCain campaign must get every single voter out - and old-fashioned town-hall meetings are probably better at that that swarms of uptown students brightly canvassing for The Symbol.

I hope ...

re: #160 FrogMarch

Sarah Palin.

Pick her!

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree!

re: #54 ceallaighgirl

I read the article, I don't even know WHO these so-called prominent evangelical leaders are, and I'm been an evangelical my entire life. That article is total BS.

I'm sick of the media telling everybody that Evangelicals don't like Romney. Pisses me off.

These are the same news people who declared Pat Buchanan The Leader of the conservator movement. Puleeze!

They'll keep looking till they find someone to push there "trash the conservatives" position and then declare that person a prominent leader. It's how John McCain got to where he is, but now they don't need him anymore and he's no longer their darling.

They say Mr. Romney lacks trust on issues such as outlawing abortion and opposing same-sex marriage and because he is a Mormon. Opposition is particularly powerful among those who supported former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the Republican presidential primaries earlier this year.

There is only one part of this paragraph that anyone could at least lend credibility to.

I am always suspect of anyone who changes for what appears to be political expediency.

IIRC, Romney ran a very liberal campaign in Mass, thus getting him elected.

Once he decided to run for President, he changed his mind about things like abortion, and gay marriage?

Now I would be a hypocrite if I allowed this to slide, but saw the contradiction in a Democrat doing it.

In fact, I often point, my disdain for Obama when invokes the name of Reagan for points.

I'm not saying I won't vote for McCain if Romney is picked, but I have much more respect for anyone who is willing to stick by their ideals despite which way the political winds may be blowing.

re: #164 rlevitin

I think you're right. I know some evangelicals, and yes, some dislike the Mormon religion, but the big picture is that the media would love to exploit a fracture in the conservative base. They win on both counts by making evangelists look bad and salivate over the so-called oddities of the Mormon religion.

re: #174 Shiplord Kirel

I think Mormon doctrine is a little weird

True, but then, what Religion isn't?

#194 Phsstpok - Pat Buchanan is one big joke on all accounts.

JOHN BOLTON FOR V.P.

re: #85 sattv4u2

Actually, because of Romneys background, he could also bring Michigan into play. He still has good name recognition there due to his father and his own ties

* * *
I repeat, Mitt Romney won Michigan during the primaries.

re: #188 filetandrelease

Agreed, he would be a real asset. A smart businessman, something rare in Washington, and needed. Also, nothing in the closet. He is a good honest man, IMO. (Also rare in Washington.)

Something pointed out in this thread which hadn't occurred to me is the possibility that MSM is scared of a McCain/Romney ticket. Plausible and encouraging.

I also really respect Romney for backing down in the primaries when he did, even though he had the popular vote (I think) without nearly as many delegates, for the sake of not dragging the whole mess.

He was immensely popular, and I think would definitely add to McCain's clout with the people.

re: #185 taxfreekiller

Democratic crossovers and RINO'S put McLame on the ticket,

he is not the pick of Republicans.

But, he is all we have, Obama is a freak show, commie la la land loon,
so much a danger my guess is billions and billions of money will flee him prior to his taking office, or other things worse will take place after Nov. if he wins.

LOL...check all the freezers in New Orleans and Chicago.

re: #168 alegrias

* * *
BZZZZZt. Romney WON Michigan. Perhaps you mean Pawlenty might bring Minnesota.

Romney's a rock star, on the national scene for years; Pawlenty's still a local so far.

How did he not beat McCain?

re: #185 taxfreekiller

let's face it. John McCain is the only person with a R after his name that has a hope in hell of defeating the Democrats this Fall. Right now, "Republican" is a dirty word. Mr. McCain's appeal to Independents and Blue Dog Democrats is the only hope the party has of retaining the White House - and retaining the White House is of upmost importance in this election.

JC Watts for VP, a good conservative African American

re: #186 sattv4u2,

I don't think you are right, there. McCain has already trapped himself into taking public financing. I don't think his VP pick will get him out of that. Certainly the MSM would have a field day with it if he tried, whether or not it is legal.

McCain/Petraeus 08

re: #131 opnion

I read everyone of those books. They were pathetic.
Which of course raises the question, why did I read them?

I read the first, then skipped forward three, and that one was just as badly written as the first.

Funny how nobody in the MSM has a problem with the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid being a Mormon

re: #204 Semper Gumbi
The "R" is just that, a letter behind his name and nothing more. I'm sick of having to vote for letters rather than conservative candidates.

re: #131 opnion

I read everyone of those books. They were pathetic.
Which of course raises the question, why did I read them?

The cliffhanger endings ("Who shot Carpathia?"). I read them all too. There were some great moments, but the writing was awful - especially the last two. BTW, the 'who shot Carpathia' mystery wasn't difficult to figure out.

re: #200 alegrias

* * *
I repeat, Mitt Romney won Michigan during the primaries.

And in polls *they* have run with the hypothetical McCain-Romney ticket McCain beats The Lord Messiah in Michigan.

re: #185 taxfreekiller

Democratic crossovers and RINO'S put McLame on the ticket,

he is not the pick of Republicans.

But, he is all we have, Obama is a freak show, commie la la land loon,
so much a danger my guess is billions and billions of money will flee him prior to his taking office, or other things worse will take place after Nov. if he wins.

You are correct about how McCain got nominated. I would add to that the duplicitous media cheerleading. They wanted a weak Republican candidate.
But, it is what it is & Obama would be a disaster.

If that article is true then the evangelicals think they will get another Reagan by screwing over the country. At least that's all I can come up with.

re: #13 karmic_inquisitor

Thing is that Romney is damned quick on his feet and can lay down insults with a big smile on his face without getting flustered with the blowback.

Romney would be a real asset. Too bad that bigoted ass holes can't see that.

One of my favorite Romney responses was to some little twerp socialist newsjock who told Romney in a presser that he (the reporter) was 'the representative of the people'.

Romney immediately smiled graciously but responded quicker-than-this - "No, you're the representative of your paper. I'M the representative of the people".

These Evangelical fringers need to confront their own bigotry by asking themselves "what would Jesus do"?

re: #168 alegrias

BZZZZZt. Romney WON Michigan. Perhaps you mean Pawlenty might bring Minnesota.

Romney's a rock star, on the national scene for years; Pawlenty's still a local so far.

And, quite frankly, Michigan is very much up for grabs this year with its 17 electoral votes. Those 17 votes may make the entire difference this election cycle.

Michigan is up for grabs because...

1. Kwame Kilpatrick (D), Mayor of Detroit, a major supporter of Obama, is about to get his ass booted from his mayoral office, and may wind up in jail. Without him, marshalling the troops (so to speak) for Obama is tough.

2. The Democratic Party is imploding over Jennifer Granholm's ineffectiveness as governor, and the current state-wide recession that she seems powerless to end. Usually when the economy sours, folks will vote Democrat over Republican. However, in this case, it is the Democrats in power when the recession started, thus they are getting the blame.

3. If McCain chooses Romney as VP, this puts the Democrats in Michigan in bind. He is the son of a very popular governor (George Romney), and that governor presided over some good times for the state, as well as having the guts to send in the National Guard during the 1967 riot. There are a lot of Democrats who will vote for Romney due to who he is, and who his father was.

McCain could go a whole lot worse than choosing Mitt Romney for his VP candidate. And since this election may come down to single digit electoral votes, the 17 votes Michigan brings to the table matter a whole hell of a lot.

I simply don't understand these people. It truly seems as if they vote entirely on the abortion stance of a candidate. It's beyond idiotic. This 62 million number is bunk. These radical evangelicals are to the Republicans what the Daily Kos kooks are to the Democrats. Both parties have to pander to them for votes. I'm sick of it. The Libertarian approach which says if you want an abortion, go ahead, but don't expect anyone else to pay for it, seems so logical to me but apparently it doesn't play well with the extremists on both sides and for much of the middle it seems as well. I just don't get what the big deal was/is about Kennedy being a Catholic, Leiberman a Jew, and Romney a Mormon. Who gives a crap? Their opinions and plans about protecting this nation, our liberty, and our prosperity is all that should matter.

re: #91 filetandrelease

My wife is a Mormon and she and her family are some of the best people I have ever met. Being a Mormon is a good reason to vote for someone if you are looking for honesty, integrity and family values.

I've always been fond of Mormons myself. :-)

re: #200 alegrias

* * *
I repeat, Mitt Romney won Michigan during the primaries.

I repeat ,, I KNOW that. It wasn't me that said Pawlenty would carry Michigan. It WAS me that said romney (due to his father and his business acumen) has stront ties to michigan

re: #129 turn

I'm not Mormon nor am I married to one, but I work with quite a few and I absolutely agree with you. Plus I might add that I sense they are very loyal to their religion and for that reason will overwhelmingly vote for Romney's side. I did a rough guess at 2 to 4 MILLION votes a day or two in a post here at LGF.

The problem with this logic is that the states with high Mormon numbers (eg Utah and AZ) are already about as given McCain states as he's likely to get.

The question is whether or not increased numbers of Mormons voting (because of Romney) would outweigh the number of disaffected Evangelicals staying home on election day because of him.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to one metric (assuming the presumptive VP is otherwise qualified): Is the VP choice likely to swing any swing states towards the candidate (or against him).

I doubt Romney would cause swing states to go AGAINST McCain.

re: #193 cblesz

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree!

[Link: askpang.typepad.com...]

If this election were about looks she'd get my vote and probably win the election in a landslide running against Shillary. Alas it's not, and Romney is still the best choice despite what the evangelicals threaten.

re: #209 sattv4u2

You misspelled that, Reid's a moron.

re: #197 filetandrelease

True, but then, what Religion isn't?

Druidism.

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

Lieberman is only with the Conseravtives on protecting America. He's a lib on every other issue.

re: #209 sattv4u2

Funny how nobody in the MSM has a problem with the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid being a Mormon

How do the Mormons feel about it?

I think this is a bluff. I think they are hoping he won't pick Romney, but they will absolutely vote against Obama in the fall.

Romney is a financial genius who understands markets, capital and job creation. Being a Mormon he loathes unnecessary debt. Imagine a guy like that in Washington.

re: #208 Dianna

I read the first, then skipped forward three, and that one was just as badly written as the first.

In all fairness, Jerry B. Jenkins was the one who actually wrote the books (as I recall from seeing an interview). I think LaHay only supplied the theology and whatnot.

“McCain and Romney would be like oil and water,” said evangelical novelist Tim LaHaye, who supported Mr. Huckabee. “We aren’t against Mormonism, but Romney is not a thoroughgoing evangelical and his flip-flopping on issues is understandable in a liberal state like Massachusetts, but our people won’t understand that.”

Our people? Who does this guy thinks he speaks for--a bunch of stupid mindless robots that he can program at will to think/vote along his extremely narrow world view?

I agree with Crusader Rabbit (#1 ) I'm voting for not-Obama and his VP choice is irrelevant.

re: #195 formercorpsman

IIRC, Romney ran a very liberal campaign in Mass, thus getting him elected.

/Romney on Abortion - 2002

re: #203 cblesz

How did he not beat McCain?

Because Huckabee acted as a spoiler and split up the votes.

That's how we got Mac.

I avoided the Tim LaHaye books entirely. I read a bit about them and the ideas presented in them, and I think they were really misleading, and people read those to get their Bible "facts" instead of reading the Bible. The movies are REALLY funny to watch though. And LaHaye is old news anyway. I'm not sure that many people pay any attention to him anymore.

I have no problem with Romney; the Mormon bit doesn't bother me, and I think these "spokesmen for evangelicals" are largely self-appointed (and self-righteous). That said, Mitt will not enhance the ticket, because, while you and I might not have a problem with Mormonism, many Americans, evangelical and not, DO have a problem with it. I think Pawlenty is the right man for the job: Relatively young, Midwestern, has executive experience, not likely to go Quayle on us. Plus he's fit to step into McCain's shoes in 2012 (yes, I think McCain will self-limit to one term).

re: #207 NoSubmission

McCain/Petraeus 08

I'd prefer not.
We need Petraeus in Iraq, not playing partisan politics.
How about Romney/Petraeus in 2012?

If Romney gets the nod, certain elements of the media-industrial complex will not be able to resist attacking his religion. Think "Bill Maher" here.
Obama can admonish them and make pious denials all he wants, but this speaks to the most basic of their depraved principles, the worship of self-indulgence and contempt for restraint, and they will just not be able to restrain themselves.
The backlash could be severe enough to make Romney and his faith a real asset.

re: #224 Hard Right

Lieberman is only with the Conseravtives on protecting America. He's a lib on every other issue.

You could say the same thing about John McCain

re: #222 Mike in Georgia

You misspelled that, Reid's a moron.

a Mormon AND a Moron,,,, he's multi-tasking

re: #122 Semper Gumbi

Actually, Pawlenty Brings Minnesota into play. Romney can bring Michigan into play because he is originally from Michigan and has positive name recognition.

Minnesota has gone blue every year since '72 and I don't see that changing this year. Remember '84?

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

Lieberman is too far left on everything except foreign policy.
Foreign policy is the one area where McCain doesn't need to shore up conservative credibility.

Now, Secretray of State,.............Heh. THAt I'd love to see.

re: #85 sattv4u2

Actually, because of Romneys background, he could also bring Michigan into play. He still has good name recognition there due to his father and his own ties

In Michigan the Romney name is the gold standard. People up there love the guy. I live in MA and had very high regard for him as Governor Romney. In the debates leading up to his election he stated very clearly what he'd do or not do and, surprise surprise, he governed exactly as he'd said he would. Now we have Obama-light Deval Patrick and things are just going to hell here. Mitt would be an ideal choice for VP on the Republican ticket. Makes a good bumper sticker too.

Mac and Mitt in 2008. America moving forward!

They can detest him all they want. To some, that is a reason to vote for Mitt. Not saying that is me, but it's out there.

Mitt could potentially bring McCain:

Michigan
Utah
Colorado
Nevada
New Hampshire

Pawlenty brings him Minnesota and no excitement whatsoever.

We'll see if he's in it to win it with his decision.

By the way, FWIW the National Review originally endorsed Romney as the best "Conservative" candidate.

McCain needn't worry about the religious right. It has never been a force anyway. Besides, according to the above article, have the evangelical members arn't registered to vote.

re: #139 mandolin

re: #126 jcm

McCain will not pick anything close to a strict constructionist. I have heard him say in an interview that O'Connor was his favorite Justice. He also routinely displays his ignorance of Originalist Judicial philosophy. We will be lucky to get a Souter out of him.

* * *
McCain probably said nice things about O'Connor because she was from Arizona, and appointed by Reagan, and the first female on the court (yeah, pandering). It's O'Connor who went wobbly/too inside Washington!

re: #199 mandolin

JOHN BOLTON FOR V.P.

No way - he must be Sec of State!

re: #241 Dave_Da_Kid

Hello from Boston's North Shore!

re: #196 tackle

I think you're right. I know some evangelicals, and yes, some dislike the Mormon religion, but the big picture is that the media would love to exploit a fracture in the conservative base. They win on both counts by making evangelists look bad and salivate over the so-called oddities of the Mormon religion.

Reading more and more Lizards bringing up the media conspiracy theory makes me think they are really on to something here. Your point about the MSM fracturing the base is an excellent one.

re: #244 littleO

Dreamworld

re: #217 mfarmer1

I think that you are correct about the inflated number of Evangelicals.
Muslims also mke outlandish claims.
Of the approximately 300 million Americans, 400 million are Muslims if you listen to them.

re: #223 opnion

LOL, yes, that and Scientology.

re: #236 Shiplord Kirel

If Romney gets the nod, certain elements of the media-industrial complex will not be able to resist attacking his religion. Think "Bill Maher" here.
Obama can admonish them and make pious denials all he wants, but this speaks to the most basic of their depraved principles, the worship of self-indulgence and contempt for restraint, and they will just not be able to restrain themselves.
The backlash could be severe enough to make Romney and his faith a real asset.

So?
Bill Maher is only preaching to his choir.
And isn't attacking one's religion going to easily be put on a par with attacking their color or sex or orientation?

If McCain picks Romney, there will be a second motive (besides philosophy, or religion) for the far-fringe-Evangelicals to sit it out. Obama in the WH will give them lots of things to gripe about. That prospect will have pay value for anyone who already has an us-against-them world-view.

Most of the time, most of us (present company included) make choices based upon pay value. People who are emotion-driven tend to do it ALL the time.

Oh and the media loves to play this up because they are very afraid of what Romney would bring to the ticket.

re: #224 Hard Right

Which is why he might bring independent votes to McCain.

All I know is that the VP selection has to be spot-on...If Obama pulls this off we're screwed.

re: #146 WrathofG-d

what is wrong with McCain Leiberman?

Well . . . Lieberman is a good man, and I assume McCain is too -- but they both seem weak to me. They both have very annoying voices. Kind of whiney. I think it would be a disaster. And that's not even including the very obvious fact taht Lieberman is a Democrat.

Either Romney or Guiliani would give McCain the testosterone he so desperately needs.

re: #184 WrathofG-d

Wait, did you just "out" yourself? You are Barry Goldwater?

I'm not THAT old!
SHEESH!

Related -

Look at this Youtube that McCain just released.

If you look at the page, it has poor ratings.

And 1,294 people rated it. But only 211 views.

Talk about bigotry in this country.

re: #230 Killian Bundy

KB, I can't hear it.

Summarize if you would.

re: #257 American Jewess In Jerusalem

Fine, fine, fine....i see where this is all going:

McCain / Wrath '08 - Country First!

re: #247 loppyd

Hello from Boston's North Shore!

Greetings from the forgotten South Coast!

re: #194 Phsstpok

These are the same news people who declared Pat Buchanan The Leader of the conservator movement. Puleeze!

They'll keep looking till they find someone to push there "trash the conservatives" position and then declare that person a prominent leader. It's how John McCain got to where he is, but now they don't need him anymore and he's no longer their darling.

Um, hello?

If you're an evangelical Christian and a conservative and you dont' know who James Dobson and Tim LaHaye are, I have to ask... where the heck have you been for the last 30 years?

These two men ARE prominent leaders, and they have been for decades. So much so, that James Dobson is frequently compared to the Pope. Along with Jerry Falwell and his "moral majority" they changed the face of politics in this country, and not all for the better. Thankfully, the pendulum is now swinging back in the other direction.

Believe me, these men are so loaded with hubris that they give evangelical Christianity a bad name all by themselves.

re: #209 sattv4u2

Funny how nobody in the MSM has a problem with the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid being a Mormon

Hey, another excellent point. It looks to me that the MSM is giving these evangelical nuts a huge microphone in an attempt to fracture the base.

re: #245 alegrias

It was from a cspan interview back in 2006 when all of the candidates were in the "testing the waters" phase. Romney said he liked Roberts, Huckabee said he like Scalia and McCain said he liked O'Connor because of her ability to reach out to both sides of the court. That sounds like more than hometown admiration to me.

re: #259 karmic_inquisitor

Related -

Look at this Youtube that McCain just released.

If you look at the page, it has poor ratings.

And 1,294 people rated it. But only 211 views.

Talk about bigotry in this country.

How is that possible?

Does it only count a view at the very end of the video? I always assumed it was as soon as someone opened the page.

re: #263 Dave_Da_Kid

Greetings from the forgotten South Coast!

LOL

I just sent a letter to New Bedford....does that count?

re: #139 mandolin

re: #126 jcm

McCain will not pick anything close to a strict constructionist. I have heard him say in an interview that O'Connor was his favorite Justice. He also routinely displays his ignorance of Originalist Judicial philosophy. We will be lucky to get a Souter out of him.

So... you'd rather have 2 or 3 Ginsbergs?
Personally, I'll take my chances with McCain's judgment.