Posted by
Ed Sherrill on Friday, May 23, 2008 2:45:07 PM
Rush talked about Jonah Goldberg's piece on National Review Online today. In it, Jonah posits that McCain's chances for election may be enhanced if he picks a Democrat as his running mate. It's an interesting idea, but even Jonah acknowledges that if he picks a squishy Republican, the conservative base will stay home in disgust. Wouldn't a Democrat on the ticket make even more stay home? Read the whole thing and see what you think.
But at the same time, conservatives like Ponnuru argue that McCain needs to pick a running mate who will reassure conservatives. Indeed, National Review has editorialized that delegates to the GOP convention should revolt if McCain picks a pro-choice or otherwise squishy veep candidate. “In picking a running mate Sen. McCain will also be conferring front-runner status on a candidate for his party’s future nomination. A selection that reassures wary conservatives will help to enthuse his supporters for the tough race he faces,” opined my colleagues.
This makes consummate sense — if McCain picks a Republican. But by picking a staunch-conservative Republican, McCain would undercut his standing with the independents and swing voters he needs to win. If he picks a squishy Republican, many conservatives will stay home in disgust.