The Respectfully Republican Conversation

ADK

Don't mean to intrude, but Paulette, I think you have it correct - in no way shape or form do I want Romney in the position of possibly being president of the US.  Take it from some one who had him as absentee governor for 4 years - he will say what ever it takes to get elected and then he will do whatever he pleases.  Check out his positions over the years - he has done 180 degree turns on his positions.  I can understand changing your position on one or two related topics, but this man has changed his position on every topic just about.  I would be so fearful that something would happen to McCain and we would have him as president.  JMHO

FEB

Anne  I had the same concerns about Romney. I never trusted good looking guys, except the one I married! I still think Condi would be a great choice. She probably will feel that she needs a break. Maybe she won't be able to resist. VP is probably easier that sec. of state anyway. After all, she will have time to go hunting!

I think the monks in Tibet ought to encourage everyone to wear "We support Our Monks" orange ribbons during the Olympics. Just think how much money they could make. Pretty soon, we would be drinking OJ with orange ribbons and the proceeds going towards a free Tibet. George Clooney could even lead a 3 day walk for the monks. Just think how many screaming women would follow him. Why haven't they thought about this?

Shokk-you do not sound like a liberal. IF you were, you would be blaming the US for sending accidental parts to Taiwan, instead of applauding it. I am just surprised they admitted it. Or do you think that this was leaked intentionally so that China would be warned.

Has anyone heard about the idea of a new G8, eliminating Russia and bringing in India? It makes sense, since Russia is not really an economic power right now. I read that maybe this could be a first step towards a new UN. I do not understand how we can continue to let the idiots in the UN control what we do. Until they stop allowing the likes of Chevez to make scathing speeches while they act like dictators at home, they have no credibility to me. At least the French seem to be coming around. But they are always cynical of their government, so I doubt if much will change for a long time in France.

Paulette531

sHOKK...I totally agree with you about China. My brother travels back and forth between China and the U.S. frequently (his wife is Chinese). It has been Hell for him and the family in getting her over here to the U.S.(it's not a bogus marriage). And it is all because of the damn Chinese embassy and their take on things. Hopefully she will be here this year. And yes, China has their hands in a lot of dirty pots. I am very leary of things manufactured in China. My DGS got a cup at Chuck E Cheese and it was "made in China" and the paint started peeling off the top of the cup, scared the crap out of me that he may have ingested some of the paint. I called Check E. Cheese and they were very UNCONCERNED with my call but admitted they no longer use those cups...I wonder wht? I am sure they knew immediately the cups were no good with the peeling paint.

Paulette531

Anne...I admit I don't know much about Romney, there is just something about him that I can't put my finger on, but do not like him...maybe I will do some Romney studying since I am between classes for a week!

ADK

Paulette.. I think the "something" is slickness.

saluki

Another thanks Linda for starting this thread---Long overdue.

I call myself a McCainocrat but that probably isn't true.  Truthfully, my party has probably left me long ago.---I consider myself a moderate and my the Democratic party seems to have moved far to the left of me.

So I guess in truth I'm an Independent.

I beat most of you in the mistake category--McGovern-heck Eugene McCarthy was my guy. LOL

First time I voted Republican --Ronald Reagan and I actually remember

crying during the inauguration.---Voted Republican since with the exception of Gore.---So I guess the reality is---Independent.

As to the VP I think McCain would do well to balance the ticket with someone who has economics as a strong suite.  That may mean looking

at some Governors.

I think Condi is too closely linked to the Bush administration--and Colin Powell--well if age is an issue-Powell is the same age as McCain I think.

Although he gets along with Lieberman I too think Lieberman would be more appropriate for a cabinet position.

Anyone have any Republican names that are strong on the economy?

Rosemary--How bout telling us a little about Kay Baily Hutchinson-I've heard her name mentioned.

Can anyone tell us about Gov Charlie Crist?

Can anyone comment on Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty?

Politic have made stranger bedfellows than McCain and Romney and I'm sure McCain is beholden to Romney bowing out so gracefully--but whether he could live with Romney is another matter; plus in truth Romney did not bring that many Conservatives to the ticket.

As McCain's trustability is his strong suite; having a VP with negatives on that issue would be problematic I would think.

Anyone know anything about SC Gov. Mark Sanford?

Anonymous

I'm glad I'm not the only one that couldn't put a "finger" on why I didn't like Romney.  He definitely is slick!

I like Crist because he has such a nice suntan. LOL

I wish China would fall off the face of the earth...or at least their leaders.  I think they're trying to poison us.  Cynical perhaps?

I suppose it's time to do our homework when it comes to the VP choice so that we can send McCain our suggestion.  Think he'll listen?

Shirley

Rosemary44

I vote for Kay Bailey Hutchinson, she's a true republican, follows the party line.  But you need someone with a little more chutzspa.  That leaves her out.  I'll be writing her shortly about wanting health care now for everyone, not waiting for an election.  Wouldn't that take the steam out of the dems engine if our Republican Senators and House members took on the task...NOW.   

Paulette531

Rosemary...good idea...maybe a letter we could all sign, God knows we would all benefit from affordable healthcare...I would also like something that stops insurance companies from killing us with the pre-existing clause when determining prices!

Paulette531

This is from a HS newspaper...food for thought...

John McCain is 71 years old, and has had cancer. He is also one of the least accepted Republican nominees since Gerald Ford. He'll also be running against one of two juggernaut candidates who will be tough to plan against as they will be the first minorities to be nominated. Because of all this, McCain has a need for a truly exceptional VP, which the GOP is not known for producing.

Here are some thoughts about potential vice presidents for McCain:

Jodi Rell - The governor of Connecticut, she has a Republican Lieutenant governor so the Republicans won't lose their governorship of a traditionally blue state. With executive experience on the ticket, McCain forces his Democratic opponent to reciprocate. Also, having a female on the ticket could be a great help against Clinton. On the other hand, it could backfire, with Republicans thinking "First we nominate the moderate McCain, now this?" and abstaining from the vote.

Charlie Crist - The governor of Florida, Crist virtually ensures McCain an ever-important swing state, and again adds executive experience to the ticket. The only question is how people will handle seeing two old white-haired men against something like an Obama-Edwards ticket.

Condoleeza Rice - This is one of McCain's best options. She's perhaps the third most powerful person in the United States right now, and is popular among Republicans and "strong on security." She also is both black and a woman, so whoever the Democrats nominate they won't have the "making history" angle, since she'll be able to point out she's the most powerful african american and woman in U.S. government history.

Linda Lingle - Mostly for the same reasons as Rell, she'd help out the McCain ticket, as a Republican governor in a blue state who would be replaced with another Republican, and her being a female could help against Clinton.

Tim Pawlenty - Yet another blue state governor, Pawlenty is an enthusiastic 47 year old who is co-chair of the McCain campaign. He has a John Edwards like vibe to him (except of course that he has polar opposite views to Edwards) and could help counterbalance some of Obama's rock-star status if Obama is the nominee. And again, his lieutenant governor who would replace him is a Republican. Pawlenty claims he wouldn't run, though.

Jim Douglas - The fact that McCain is campaigning in Vermont and is within striking distance in Pennsylvania has led to speculation that he might think he can compete for states in the northeast, so having a northeastern governor on his ticket could help that attempt.

Joseph Lieberman - Lieberman has consistently said that he won't run with McCain, but he would be a good choice. He's a Democratic senator who would be replaced by a Republican, helping the Republicans gain one of the few seats they have a chance to gain, and is the furthest right wing Democrat. Between him and McCain, who is reputed to be a liberal (even though he isn't), they could take many moderate Obama supporters' votes if Clinton is the nominee.

Kit Bond - This would decimate a Clinton campaign based on experience, McCain's 30 years in office added to a guy who's been governor, senator, and chairman of the Republican party would be tough experience to match. Bond is the senator of Missouri, and is so right wing he could get the conservatives back on McCain's side.

Norm Coleman - A senator from Minnesota, he would be replaced with a Republican by the Republican governor. Coleman is pretty right wing and would bring the far right faction of the party back to McCain.

Mel Martinez - Currently a popular Floridian senator, Martinez would likely ensure McCain a Florida win, add a minority to his ticket, and put cabinet experience on the ticket.

Mike Huckabee - His only opponent left in the race, the Arkansas governor will salvage him the southern vote against Obama, who would otherwise probably take several typically red states. Huckabee is also a youthful man, and a far right wingnut who would get the Coulters, Limbaughs, and Dobsons of the world back behind McCain.

Mitt Romney - He's been a governor of a blue state, and could help McCain in New England. Also, a huge percentage of Republicans prefer him, and would like to see him as their 2012 president, and would likely see this as his path to doing so.

Rudy Giuliani - A relative moderate that could help McCain compete for New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, any of which could take McCain to the presidency. He's got name recognition, but if I recall correctly he was trailing McCain in New York prior to dropping out of the race, so I don't think he'd be of much help.

Michael Bloomberg - A real moderate who would really help get votes from angry Democrats and independants and, just like Giuliani but more effectively, could help McCain compete for some northeastern states, since he's the mayor of New York.

David Petraeus - The general in Iraq, he's gotten so much positive press, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Republicans fall in love with him, just like they did with Eisenhower. It probably won't happen against such strong Democratic campaigns, though.

FEB

Susie-I wasn't going to admit it, but since you brought it up, I cried at Reagan's inauguration too. I'm such a sap! I guess I just felt that everything was so doom and gloom for so long, it was great to hear a leader actually say good things about our country and be optimistic about the future. And he did lead us through a properous decade.

I hope some of you can give us all some more infor on some of those VP candidates. All the republicans in IL have either been put out to pasture or are in jail. Which may sound like we have a really bad republican party here, which we do, but the dems will soon be joining them. When more info comes out in the Rezco trial about our dear current Gov. he will probably be joining our dear former Gov eating mashed potatoes with the other crooks.

Don't even get me started on DaMayor!

Did you hear that Obama's minister is building  a million dollar home in the suburbs. This is the same guy who says rich people have no right to spend their own money, but should give it away. I guess he meant, give it to him.

saluki

Interesting Paulette, but the HS may have to amend that list as Mel Martinez was born in Cuba.

From what I read with Charlie Crist --you may see allot of muckrakers

coming out of the woodwork with innuendos.---Apparently it happened before.

FEB

Wow, Paulette. Thanks for all the great info. You really know how to cover the bases.

I was thinking that it seemed crazy, two years ago when Dick Morris was predicting and Condi vs. Hillary election. Wouldn't it be ironic if they were both running, as vp candidates?

Did anyone see Obama on the View? I forgot to tape it.

Paulette531

I honestly don't think Hillary would run as the VP. After the last State of the Union Address, when the dems and repubs speak, the speaker for the Dems was the current governor of Kansas (can't remember her name) but before she came on to speak it was intimated that she was a possible running mate for Obama.

saluki

Many of the news stations are mentioning Bloomberg not as a running mate not for McCain but for Obama.  How likely do you think is that scenario or a Bloomberg endorsement of Obama?

Rosemary44

Wright is building a 10,000 sq ft. mansion, with only 4 bedrooms, I guess he doesn't want too much company staying over.  We're talking quite a few mil for that extravaganza.

Bloomberg coming out for Obama would be the height of disloyalty to Clinton.  Trump and I have that one thing in common, we both dislike disloyal people, it tells us a lot about the inner person, a la Richardson.  I wish I had something else in common with Trump.

Anne was talking about a couple of female Senators from Maine, that sound good.  Snowe and another one.  Maybe someone from Maine?

Paulette531

Some political humor:

Suggestions for John McCain's VP Shortlist  

WARREN BUFFET. World's richest man can't hurt, in case the campaign needs a loan. Or the country.

JAMES EARL JONES. The most trusted voice in show business.

DAN QUAYLE. Knows the drill.

ED MCMAHON. Knows the drill AND he knows the intro: "Here's Joohhhnyyyyyy."

RONALD REAGAN. Quit pussyfooting around. It's what the base wants. Who cares if he's dead? How much less animated is that from second term?

JEB BUSH. Ups the Bush streak to seven of last eight GOP tickets.

JOE LIEBERMAN. Invests campaign with bipartisan spin. Also returns "Joementum to national lexicon.

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON. Takes "woman" thing out of play.

CINDY MCCAIN. Takes "woman" thing out of play, and keeps it in the family.

COLIN POWELL. Takes "black" thing out of play.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE. Takes "woman and black" things out of play.

GEORGE CLOONEY. Takes "woman" thing out of play.

JOAN RIVERS. Takes "old" thing out of play. "Woman" thing still in play.

LARRY KING. Takes "old" and "woman" things out of play.

ANDY ROONEY. Really takes "old" thing out of play. No, really.

ALAN GREENSPAN. Wasn't everything a whole lot better when he was in charge? And takes "old" thing out of play.

MARY CHENEY. Takes "lesbian" and "unwed mother" things out of play.

DICK CHENEY. What the hell. Something to be said for continuity.

FRED THOMPSON. Throws a bone to the conservative wing and makes candidate appear vibrant.

REGIS PHILBIN. A touch of Hollywood. Old Hollywood but Hollywood nonetheless.

MIKE HUCKABEE. Plays popular former Governor of Arkansas card.

RUDI GIULIANI. Sop to huge pro- choice, pro- gay rights, pro- gun control wing of the GOP. Not to mention NEW YORK.

HILLARY CLINTON. Wants it so bad, she'd cross the aisle for death- watch slot.

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG. Independents? You want independents? We got your independents right here.

MIA HAMM. Soccer Moms? You want soccer moms. We got your soccer moms right here.

DALE EARNHARDT JR. NASCAR dads? You want NASCAR dads? We got your NASCAR dads right here.

RON PAUL. Two words. Texas Dammit.

TOM CRUISE. Scientologists are to Republicans what vegans are to hippies.

ADMIRAL STOCKDALE. Because America loves second chances.

CHUCK NORRIS. Locks down Huckabee contingent and firms up "Total Kick Ass" Presidential ticket.

ELLIOTT SPITZER. Because America loves second chances.

THE VERIZON "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW" GUY. Brings huge network with him.

PAT ROBERTSON. You want to suck up to the Christian Right. Then suck up to the Christian Right.

MITT ROMNEY. Just to exploit the incredible chemistry between the two.

CHER. Campaign will never suffer from lack of wigs.

BRETT FAVRE. Terrific name recognition. Needs a job. Sews up Wisconsin and Mississippi.

JOHN MADDEN. Who doesn't love John Madden? Brings total telestrator dominance to ticket.

KEIFER SUTHERLAND. What right winger doesn't love Jack Bauer? Torture question becomes moot.

TED WILLIAMS' HEAD. Future focused. Travel costs slashed. Low maintenance.

RUSH LIMBAUGH. If you can't beat them, conjoin them.

WILLIE NELSON. You have any idea of what percentage of this country smokes pot?

SNOOP DOG. Puts the shasizzle back in the campaignizzle.

STEPHEN HAWKING. Not American born. But who would quibble with smartest man in the world?

DONALD TRUMP. Makes everyone look humanoid in comparison.

SONNY VAN BULOW. Like Terry Shiavo, only alive. And rich.

KARL ROVE. Assassination insurance.

DONALD RUMSFELD. See Karl Rove.

NEWT GINGRICH. See Karl Rove.

JACK KEVORKIAN. Looking to enter politics and makes top of the ticket lovable and youthful and animated. Also, see Karl Rove.

G. GORDON LIDDY. Because there comes a time when every president needs a human firewall.

Comic, author, former oyster shucker and radio talk show host, Will Durst, is betting on some anonymous Midwestern Governor with little if any track record.

Bugs

Paulette,

That was hilarious!

Bugs

Anonymous

Paulette531

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mccains+shortlist

A bunch of articles on McCains shortlist...

FEB

Paulette

That was HILARIOUS!! Where do you find this stuff?

I will check out the real list for McCain.

I'm not sure how teaming up with Bloomberg will help Obama. He may be popular in NY, but us midwesterners do have the same opinion. He won't help to win any Red states and I don't think Independents will care for the fact that he switched parties-again.

Paulette531

Linda...use the link above...I should be doing my text problems for my psychology statistics course but I am really stuck on McCains shortlist! At this rate I will end up with a lousy grade for my course but who can resist politics?!

I just realized that link takes you to Google, anyway type in mccains shortlist and it will take you to a bunch of articles! 

shokk

HA..............Ronald Reagan.........second term...........and who says that conservatives don't have a sense of humor............what's so cute is that so much of it is true.............HA............Paulette great way to start a weekend morning..............Shokk

saluki

Thanks Paulette--

First time I've started my day on a political thread ROTFWL!

Rosemary44

ADMIRAL STOCKDALE. Because America loves second chances.

How I remember this guy.  Just seeing his name makes me laugh.

Admiral? What, you asking me, I don't know what I'm doing here.

Oh that was rich. 

Thanks Paulette.

Rosemary44

Kay Bailey Hutchison has announced her retirement after this term in the Senate.  She wants to be our Governor instead.  So she's out for consideration as Veep.

Anyway, I sent my note to her asking why the Republicans are waiting for a Dem to be elected to start legislation for universal health care?  Why can't it be a Republican initiative this year instead?  Even the Drs. are open to it:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than half of U.S. doctors now favor switching to a national health care plan and fewer than a third oppose the idea, according to a survey published on Monday.

The survey suggests that opinions have changed substantially since the last survey in 2002 and as the country debates serious changes to the health care system.

Of more than 2,000 doctors surveyed, 59 percent said they support legislation to establish a national health insurance program, while 32 percent said they opposed it, researchers reported in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

The 2002 survey found that 49 percent of physicians supported national health insurance and 40 percent opposed it.

"Many claim to speak for physicians and represent their views. We asked doctors directly and found that, contrary to conventional wisdom, most doctors support national health insurance," said Dr. Aaron Carroll of the Indiana University School of Medicine, who led the study.

"As doctors, we find that our patients suffer because of increasing deductibles, co-payments, and restrictions on patient care," said Dr. Ronald Ackermann, who worked on the study with Carroll. "More and more, physicians are turning to national health insurance as a solution to this problem."

BMD

I may not have a lot to contribute here but I sure do enjoy reading all you comments.

LindaMemm-You asked me why I was not to keen on McCain. I have to tell you that there is just something about him and his wife that just doesn't click for me. I just don't see them as the Mr and Mrs of this country. His "war is great" mentality bothers me. He may never had said that in so many words but it seems he feels that way. I suppose having a leader who has actually been in the military may help us in the Iraq situation but I can't be sure of that. I have 2 boys in elementary school and call me selfish but I don't want them to be in a war. Heck, I don't want any of our sons or daughters to be in war.

Since the other options for president are not exactly stellar choices either I am still struggling to make a decision.

Paulette531

Rosemary...very interesting about Kay Bailey...and the article about doctor's favoring a national healthcare plan. I think we are definetely leaning in the direction and hopefully someone will jump on the bandwagon.

Rosemary44

Paulette, as I was reading Kay's site, she did offer legislation for some kind of health care for children and it was squashed.  Will someone please explain this to me.  It's a democratic senate.  Are they squashing because they want a Dem to run on that platform of Universal health care?  Or, because it wasn't for everyone, just kids?

I guess we'll never know.  We do need to know McCain's stand on this issue though because the time has come for this to happen.

FEB

Brenda

I can understand your concern about McCain and his support of the war, but remember the majority supported it at first, including Clinton. McCain, from the beginning, felt it was mismanaged, and it was. I had no complaint about the idea of getting rid of sadam, he needed to go, but the planning for it all was too fast and not thought out, and we are where we are because of it. I think McCain, more than any candidate, since he as actually been to war, will think long and hard before putting our guys in harm's way. I also respect the fact that he has 2 sons who are serving, so he is not a hypocrite about it. The dems just seem to be offering pie in the sky, which translates to higher taxes. My husband and I both grew up with very little, put ourselves through college, with no help from the government. He works way to hard to give more to the government.

As far as health care, this is an issue that is long overdue. I worry about the government running things because they do such a bad job with our vets already, and they certainly do not know how to run our schools.  I think what really needs to be addressed is the ridiculous costs. Why did the MMR that my sons had in the 80's that cost $25, go up to over $200 now? It all goes to litigation. If doctors were not so afraid of getting sued, they would not have to be so insured, and our costs would go down. And why is there no emphasis on preventative medicine. My insurance company will partly pay for a drug, but will not cover the supplements, that have really made me feel better, and I believe, will keep my BC from returning. Why won't they cover any holistic approaches to medicine? I know why. Because there is no money to made this way. We need to stop letting our health care being controlled by drug companies and lawyers and require national price controls on drugs and treatments. We need to get rid of all the crap in our food system that is making us all sick and start being fanatical about educating our children about exercise and nutition. Remember JFK's fitness tests? Bring them back! Get our kids off the couch and into the gym. People who are overweight need to stop eating junk. I can say this because I was one of them. It is amazing how easy it is to lose weight if you just eat good stuff and get moving. We need to preach to women the importance of weight and diet control to deter BC.

So, I truly hope MCCain steps up and offers real solutions, not just throwing money at a bad plan that the dems seem to want to do. Maybe we need a doctor for VP?