Helping John McCain
You would think that George W. Bush's base, mostly made up of rich people and warmongers, would take a shinning to John McCain: a guy who owns (owned) multiple houses, is married to a rich wife and wants to bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran. You would think.
But for the most part, they seem to be a finicky lot:
Can't say I'm surprised that Big Money Republicans are waiting on seeing who McCain chooses as a VP candidate before they open up their wallet. But it makes one wonder whether Bush's "base" (at least the rich people) really care about the traditionally conservative issues as much as what a President Obama or a President McCain could do for them financially. Clearly McCain's stance on foreign affairs isn't swaying this crowd.
But that's not to say that McCain is getting any praise on that front.
The person who praised McCain in a rousing speech on patriotism? Barack Obama.
But for the most part, they seem to be a finicky lot:
In heavily Democratic Massachusetts, some Bush fund-raisers remain loyal to one of McCain's chief GOP rivals, Mitt Romney, the favorite son and former governor who suspended his candidacy in February.
"I would probably support John McCain if he chooses Mitt Romney as his running mate; other than that, I will not support John McCain," said venture capital fund manager and Staples founder Thomas G. Stemberg, a Bush pioneer who raised large amounts for Romney but also contributed the individual maximum, $2,300, to Senator Barack Obama in March 2007.
Can't say I'm surprised that Big Money Republicans are waiting on seeing who McCain chooses as a VP candidate before they open up their wallet. But it makes one wonder whether Bush's "base" (at least the rich people) really care about the traditionally conservative issues as much as what a President Obama or a President McCain could do for them financially. Clearly McCain's stance on foreign affairs isn't swaying this crowd.
But that's not to say that McCain is getting any praise on that front.
Beyond a loyalty to America's ideals, beyond a willingness to dissent on behalf of those ideals, I also believe that patriotism must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice, to give up something we value on behalf of a larger cause.
Now, for those who've fought under the flag of this nation, for the young veterans like Vince, the young veterans I meet when I visit Walter Reed, for those like John McCain, who have endured physical torment in service to our country, no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary.
And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters of both sides.
The person who praised McCain in a rousing speech on patriotism? Barack Obama.
Comments
The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).
Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
AOL, a main on-line pro-Obama/pro-Dem player, is now carrying the Politico piece promoting Romney buzz.
Clearly AOL wants McCain and the GOP to lose the general elction — hence they gladly promote Romney (no mention of Palin).
Also, CNN had Romney — kind of out of the blue — attacking Obama. Again, CNN, wanting McCain and the GOP to lose, gladly promotes Romney (to attempt to avert the Palin threat).
All the media frenzy which will surround the remarkable Palin “story” — essentially free to McCain — will be worth millions and millions of dollars of coverage and PR (more money than Romney would provide anyway).