Decision ‘08

The WSJ on McCain 2008 - When Pigs Fly

Brendan Miniter, in a piece that makes it clear he will not be joining the Coalition, assesses John McCain’s White House strategy, and finds it lacking, to say the least. Miniter says McCain’s ‘maverick moderatism’ makes him a power in the Senate, but kills his presidential aspirations (a conclusion that I endorse). Worth a look…

6 Responses to “The WSJ on McCain 2008 - When Pigs Fly”

1 Fargus Says:
May 31st, 2005 at 2:10 pm
Whoever said it before in your comments had it right. McCain would be almost a lock as a Republican candidate for president, but his position within his party makes it awfully tough for him to get the nomination.
2 Mark Coffey Says:
May 31st, 2005 at 2:17 pm
Yep, look for the newest post for further confirmation of that view (a new editorial in the San Diego Union-Tribune)…
3 Rachel Says:
May 31st, 2005 at 4:26 pm
I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with McCain. And not because of the filibuster (I’m chillin’ with that) but because of campaign finance reform. That and the thorough ass licking he gets from the media. He’s begun to believe in his press.
4 Mark Coffey Says:
May 31st, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Rachel, you’re exactly right…the judicial fight may be in the spotlight now, but it’s the campaign finance reform that has long been the biggest beef true-blue (true-red?) conservatives have with McCain…
5 Dan Says:
June 1st, 2005 at 7:58 pm
The fact that McCain is not a darling of the religious right is seen as a moderate (even though he’s decidedly pro-life and supports the war in Iraq) is what makes him the ideal candidate to beat Hillary in ‘08.

Many “experts” think McCain is not conservative enough to win the nomination, maybe so, but I don’t think Republicans are stupid enough to nominate someone (like Frist or Allen) who can easily be painted as an extremist by Hillary’s political handelers. Electability should be our number one concern in deciding whom to nominate in ‘08.

The best candidate we could nominate however, is probably Jeb Bush, but we can’t nominate him because of his last name, at least not in 2008. Oh well, just my 2 cents
6 Mark Coffey Says:
June 1st, 2005 at 8:34 pm
I agree with part of your analysis, Dan; only I don’t think McCain can survive the Republican primaries. I think Rudy G. has a better chance, personally, though he faces many of the same obstacles.