Voting is like Catholic Confession-Important thoughts about John McCain and Barack Obama election

(Picture from the AP)

Election day is rapidly approaching and the intensity of the campaigning will continue to escalate until every single vote is counted. The polls right now are generally more favorable to Obama, but besides the Bradley Effect, a more common sense factor will be in play that polls are not taking into account: I will dub it here, the Confession factor.

When you show up to the polling place, and get behind the curtain to cast your ballot, it's just you and your conscience. There is no more CNN or Fox News blaring in the background. You don't have friends at your side, opining incessantly. It's just your conscience and deadly silence.

At the end of the day, I can't help but think that people might change their mind at the last minute. They will think about the grave challenges that face our nation. And for the first time, they will think seriously about which candidate is truly more qualified. The contrast will be so stark that many Obama supporters might flip the switch for McCain. And when they leave the booth, still tell their friends that they voted for Obama.

On election night, they will sit up with their friends until the wee hours of the morning, cheering on Obama. And when McCain wins, they will outwardly show disappointment, but in their hearts, they will be content and their conscience will be at ease.

Latest poll

McCain 46%
Obama 41%

Reuters/Zogby Poll

Inter-Conservative Warfare

(Picture from the AP)


It's almost time for John McCain to pick a Vice Presidential running mate and already, petty conservatives are up-in-arms over the possible selection of Governor Mitt Romney.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/16/us/politics/16veep.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=politics

For the sake of argument, let's call these people the "Baby Conservatives." Their intellectual capacity is not fully developed yet. Their ability to articulate is impaired. Moreover, their ability to practice politics runs at a middle school level.

These "Baby Conservatives" are following the lead of Mike Huckabee and trying to scuttle Romney's addition to the McCain presidential ticket on petty and spurious grounds.

They are raising concerns about "flip flops" that never happened. He has always been against abortion. When he was running against Ted Kennedy, he just said that he would not do anything to change the laws in MA regarding abortion. This was a smart political move. Ted Kennedy was almost unbeatable, and Romney came closer than anyone to beating him. He wanted to neutralize that issue by assuring voters that he would be effectively pro-choice, since it would be too difficult to enact any pro-life legislation in a state as crazy liberal as Massachusetts. He was being realistic and at the same time, trying to de-emphasize distracting moot issues, so that important issues (where he could have an impact) could be emphasized.

These "Baby Conservatives" are also trying to stir up fear among conservative voters over Romney's Mormon faith. This shows a level of intolerance that justify liberals calling us bigots. Mormon theology translates politically to sound conservatism. It would be a huge mistake if the Republicans alienate Mormons (people who are pro-gun, anti-gay marriage, pro-life etc etc). Mormons have proven to be staunch Christian allies and have donated tons of money to the conservative cause.

Let's not lose their support. Let's support a McCain/Romney ticket.

New McCain Ad is a Mistake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHXYsw_ZDXg&eurl

The new ad produced by John McCain's campaign is supposed to portray Obama as a hollywood celebrity, not a Commander and Chief. It shows images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Unfortunately, it was poorly constructed. The images of fans in Europe chanting Obama's name are only going to help his image. When people see others chanting, they often learn to like that person as well.

It shows that Obama is popular in Europe, which to many people means increasing the "world standing" of the United States.

This ad is going to backfire.

This is very disappointing too because for the most part, I have liked John McCain's ads, especially "Man in the Arena."

No Enthusiasm for McCain = More Reason to Pick Romney as VP

In the most recent edition of the Weekly Standard, Stephen Hayes cites a Washington Post/ABC News poll:

Nearly half of the liberals surveyed are enthusiastic about
supporting Barack Obama, while only 13 percent of conservatives are enthusiastic about McCain.

This may go without saying, but if conservatives aren't enthusiastic about a candidate, they are less likely to contribute money or volunteer their time. In some cases, this lack of passion might even result in conservatives NOT voting.

McCain, please pick Romney now!

Mitt Romney for VP

"For the American family right now, the economy is a problem"

-Mitt Romney

As the economy gets worse, the demand for a Vice President who is economically savvy will rise. What better choice than Mitt Romney, founder of Bain Capital and savior of the 2002 Olympic Games?

John McCain would be smart to pick Romney sooner, rather than later. Romney could immediately activate his base. His organization during the primaries was superb and I am sure a lot of it is still in place at a rudimentary level.

Let's not wait until the Dems pick a VP, let's pick Romney and energize this Republican ticket.

McCain lacks three big things.

1) Youth

2) Extensive economic experience

3) Fundraising and organization skills

Mitt Romney would be the perfect choice to compensate for McCain's 3 deficient traits.

Frum wants Giuliani to be McCain's VP

In a recent article published in the June 25, 2008 edition of the New Republic, David Frum comments on John McCain's Vice-Presidential selection process.

He cites the dire political situation of the Republican Party and the importance of McCain's pick--not necessarily to boost McCain's ticket, but to ensure the future of the Party and the country.

Admittedly, Frum is a little biased in his favored pick. He thinks McCain should pick Rudy Giuliani. (Correct me if I am wrong, but Frum was an advisor to Giuliani's Presidential campaign).


He writes,

I have my own personal nomination for vice president for McCain. It's Rudy
Giuliani, precisely because he shares the vision of a practical, reforming, war-winning
Republican Party that inspires John McCain, plus the
stronger-than-usual grounds for hoping that he might be the rare candidate who
can make a difference in an essential state--in this case, New Jersey.

This blog certainly wouldn't mind if Giuliani was the VP pick. We prefer Mitt Romney for his youth, business experience, and organizational assets. But Giuliani would also be another good choice.

If Giuliani isn't the pick, we sincerely hope he runs for Governor of New York. After the Spitzer mess, and now the Paterson fiasco, New York needs a solid Republican governor. No one knows New York like Rudy, and he could certainly lift the state out of the current blindness it faces. No pun intended.

Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll

Obama: 47%

McCain: 41%

Never Count Out Mitt Romney

(Picture from the AP )

While the Democrats are squabbling and tearing each other apart, the Republicans are doing the opposite; they are unifying and putting aside old differences.

Mitt Romney is now helping his former GOP rival, John McCain, campaign. Many think this will be a prelude to the GOP ticket. This combination would be difficult to stop. McCain has the military experience. Romney has the business experience. They have done more in their life than 100 Barack Obamas and 20 Hillary Clintons combined.

What McCain's strategy should be

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/mccain_military/2007/11/02/46217.html

This is what John McCain needs to do in order to salvage his campaign. He needs to emphasize the fact that throughout his adult life, he has served the country. Other candidates such as Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, have been involved only in self-profiting endeavors. Where were Rudy and Mitt when the country needed them in Vietnam? We need a President who puts the country before himself. Running a business or being a lawyer does not make you qualified to be Commander in Chief.

McCain needs to make this distinction every step of the way and challenge the other candidates during the next debate on this. Call them out in person and make them respond.

Misfortune or Opportunity?

In a recent AP article, Philip Elliot describes the current state of John McCain's campaign.

"His staff drastically reduced and his organization nearly broke, McCain flies commercial instead of on private jets, carries his own luggage and relies on supporters to drive him to events, including one that pulled away from a Rotary meeting last week with a flat rear tire."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070802/D8QOO7MG0.html

While some may see this as the continued unraveling of a Presidential campaign, McCain might find opportunity here.

Most Americans do not and will not ever fly on private jets. Most of us know the commercial airline experience too well: long lines, annoying co-passengers, and flight delays. This experience might bring McCain closer to the average American citizen. Everyone likes a good populist and not some "too-good-for-normal-people" politician.

McCain should relish this opportunity to get to know voters first hand. He should make friends on the commercial flights and show Americans that he is truly one of them. That's what we need right now. McCain has never had it easy. He is the only top tier candidate to have ever served in our military. He served in Vietnam and was held as a prisoner of war for over five years. He thrives in difficult environments.

This could be what McCain's campaign needs right now. It could be what turns around his Presidential fortunes.