McCain-Lieberman ‘08?

Posted by Keanan in US Election 2008.

So there’s this thing that I’ve discussed with a select few. Something I’ve been afraid to formulate in my head; something I’ve been afraid to consider; something I’m more afraid of than a McCain-Palin ticket.

What’s this, you ask?

A McCain-Lieberman ticket.

It scares me because its something I wouldn’t put past the Republican party. Not that I feel it would be a worse ticket, nor do I feel it would be a better ticket, it’s the mere fact that I wouldn’t put it past the Republican GOP to have that planned out that eats at me the most. Shrugging aside the Palin plan for another running mate is just something they’d do.  It’s a “gotcha” point, as McCain would say - it easily could be a real deal.

The McCain-Lieberman ticket is an idea that came to me in a discussion with an annoyed Republican - it wasn’t me annoying her, but the past thirty or so years of her party. She’s a secretary at a local college, and was considering voting across party lines this year; that is, until she switched parties.

Here’s the scenario:

The Republicans use Palin as the vice presidential “running mate,” not because of her experience, gusto, or her similar-to-McCain views, but for what she “stands for.” She’s a strong female character in a predominately male-ruled position. By selecting her as a running mate, the Republicans hoped to pull in lots of votes from the undecided:  the ticked-off Hillary supporters, the democrats not sure where to stand, the Republican women homemakers, the racists. You name it, that was their goal.

The plan?

She’s recently had a baby. No one can argue that fact. Her teenage daughter is pregnant and unmarried (for now). Her husband is a hard-working man who couldn’t possibly leave his job or his “snow machine racing.” He’s also connected to some Independent Party of Alaska calling for the recession of Alaska from the Union. No, I’m not poking fun at any of these nor am I overplaying them - they’re all facts, and have been in the news and they’re easy for anyone to find. There’s more out there, but you get the picture.

I could see Palin dropping out closer to November 4 due to personal issues that she needs to attend to (the list above).

The GOP names a new running mate. And the pick?

Joe Lieberman.

He’s been with McCain since the beginning. He’s been there, in the background of almost every interview McCain has given. He’s been one of the first faces seen and interviewed after rallies, speeches, debates, and even the Republican Convention. He goes everywhere with McCain. Interestingly enough, Palin does not. She is only present at larger-scale events.  And when it came to the question of Palin being ready to serve as vice president should something horrible should happen to McCain, Lieberman was the one reporters asked. His response? “John’s in good health, … but yeah she’ll be ready.” Ready, because she wouldn’t be on the ticket?

It seems that Sarah Palin stays in the background, doing what is necessary for her to be ”ready” to possibly serve as vice president (see: bonding with Joe Six-Pack). When she does give an interview, such as the embarrassing and degrading ones with a harmless news anchor such as Katie Couric (search YouTube or iTunes if you missed them), it seems like she’s on her own. You’d think she could handle it–I mean, come on. She’s the vice presidential candidate for one of the two largest (only?) political parties in the United States of America. I think she can handle it, if she’s going to be in the room making life- and world-changing decisions with the top leaders from around the globe.

But she wasn’t alone. McCain was there–in the room–for the Couric interviews. He stepped in at one point, calling questions loaded and “gotcha” points, taking the time to explain how Palin could handle herself and didn’t need help from such questions. Wait, what?

Fact: Since Biden was named as VP running mate with Barack Obama, he’s given nearly 100 press interviews. Palin, named less than a week later, has given three. (The Week, 10/8/2008)

But, I digress.

With the recent release of the findings on the Palin power abuse scandal, it seems the only viable option for McCain and the Grand Old Party is to pick a new running mate. I wonder who it will be…

US Election 2008 |