Blog Buzz: The Never-Ending Clark-McCain Squabble and McCain-Romney?
Our daily look at stories and topics lighting up the Internets today:
Today's Train to Clarksville
L'Affaire Clark rolls into its third day (in case you've been too busy cleaning out your Swift Boat to follow the news, The Fix sums up where we've been so far) and the McCain campaign sets up another conference call defending their candidate McMilitary McRecord. And McCain supporters continue to make the case that Clark was not a political lone gunman. Was Wes Clark Swift Boating McCain? "No!" say McCain supporters because the Swift Boaters were right (whereas Clark supporters say no because the Swift Boaters were wrong). Speaking of military records, Clark's is now under fire. Clark, meanwhile, refuses to retreat and keeps charging forward (generally into the path of oncoming television cameras). Is it helpful? Certainly he's started conversations about what exactly McCain's military record qualifies him for. But does it jibe thematically with the Obama campaign?
Veepstakes: McCain-Romney?
McCain-Romney? TNR says yes! No! No! Could Romney provide a meaningful financial boost to McCain's publicly funded campaign? Only if the cash is raised and spent before the GOP convention in September. Buzz colleague Jim Pethokoukis sees Romney as a Wendell Willkie-like figure (er, Jim, Willkie lost). Tell us your thoughts on Romney as a McCain veep pick.
—Robert Schlesinger and Johannah Cornblatt
Reader Comments
General Clark is Spot On!
Experiencing the horrors of combat in war or living as a POW by no means speak to the ability to make reasoned judgements in the context of being President. If acting heroically is a singular experience that lifts one above others when evaluating the ability to make reasoned leadership and political judgements then why are the thousands of former POWs and combat veterans who acted heroically not filling the a significant portion of elected positions? Add to that all the Firemen and Police who also perform heroically! General Clark has it exactly right. To denounce his comments as out of bounds demonstrates a profound inability to view information in its proper context. Therefore, those who are critical of what he said are actually proving his point. Lastly, if Mccain only been one more pow and the son of the CINCPAC he would not have achieved the notoriety he did. Let us not kid ourselves that family connection opened the doors for his political career. If you downplay the importance of that fact, then ask yourself where are the other pow’s now who he was captive with?
McCAIN & ROMNEY
McCAIN & ROMNEY: This is the team - and the only one on either side of the aisle -with the expertise and experience to hit on all cylinders: National Security, Economy, Health Care, Governance, and Family Values. Together, they present to America leadership we can trust. Both are fully vetted, Romney's age is just right -not too young or too old to match McCain, he is seriously smart -- the only candidate recognized with global economy credentials in the entire race, and he is a believable candidate for the position a heartbeat away from the Presidency. They are alike, yet different ; they both convey competence and leadership; and, yes, they look good together. Finally, Romney delivers Michigan and strengthens McCain in other key western states. As for the Anti-Mormon Evangelicals, surveys showed that by the end of the primary season, Romney was carrying as many Evangelical votes as Huckabee. Evangelicals will be there - if only to ensure that the next two Supreme Court Justices are not rabid pro-abortionists. There's a lot at stake that speaks to their core values and will matter long after the next President is gone.
Further, the Dems will dare not go after Romney on religion (nor should they or anyone ever have) because Obama is so vulnerable in this area. In fact, McCain could use the occasion of selecting Romney as his running mate to take an aggressive stand against religious bigotry of any kind.
Any criticim of Romney or McCain on "flip-flopping" after Obama's long list of position shifts would be dangerous. Besides, Newsweek has now decided, since Obama started doing it, that flip-flopping is good. (see latest issue)
Obama's lack of economic experience may be the scariest thing about him, and adding Clinton to the ticket won't help. McCain with Romney, particularly if the latter's economic success and turn-around reputation is adequately marketed, will help Americans feel more secure about the future.
Yep, I like it a lot - and I think they can do it. McCain/Romney - just may be the Democrats worst nightmare.
Mitt Romney for Vice President!!!
Unfortunately, the Presidential campaing to date has been about race, gender, religion, rumors, empty slogans, and negativism. Americans will wake up before November and start to look at the real issues. If we don't we will be very sorry!
Mitt Romney is the most qualified candidate we have had in the United States in a very long time (yes, I was pleasently surprised by Ronald Regan). He brings great experience to the White House. We would all be proud and well served to have American hero John McCain and economic hero Mitt Romney as President and Vice President. Neither is perfect but both are qualified to serve.
America is fighting a war against people who dislike others because of their religious beliefs. We can't fall into that same trap! I have been sadened but those who dislike Mitt Romney because of his declaired faith. How is that different than the terrorists dislike for Americans?
Let's look at those running for President (and Vice President) based on their ability to lead this great nation into the future and vote accordingly! Let's NOT base our votes on race, gender, religion, rumors, empty slogans, and negativism. These next four years are too important not to vote wisely!
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