The conventional wisdom holds that John McCain should lean to his right in making his choice for a vice presidential candidate. This wisdom is completely wrong. Most of the names being bandied about would make terrible choices for McCain. I don't claim to be a political expert in the manner of Dick Morris, but I think the best choice for McCain would be Colin Powell.
Yes, Colin Powell. And here are the reasons why. First, Powell has an independent mind. He is not a captive of the right, and consequently he reinforces the public perception that McCain is not a pawn of Bush. True, Powell served in the Bush administration, but his disagreements with Bush are well known. Obama is trying to portray McCain as a Bush clone. Powell will help McCain convince independent voters--the ones he needs most--that his administration would not constitute a third Bush term.
Second, Powell has experience. The man has served honorably and responsibly in more high positions than Obama and all the other Democratic candidates combined. Moreover, Powell has gravitas while Obama merely has the gift of the gab. So Powell helps to highlight how green and goofy Obama really is. The point is not to contrast one African American with another, or to show how Powell like Obama has immigrant roots. Rather, it is to dissolve the race issue by showing that capability and experience, not race and skin color, are the real issues here.
Finally, who apart from the Obamorons can doubt that Powell would make a capable president? This is especially important given the fact that McCain is over seventy. A Powell choice would also reinforce the big question about the man at the top of the Democratic ticket: Is he ready? I am not going to say that Obama can never be a good president, but I seriously doubt that he is mature enough to climb into the saddle. Who would you trust--Powell or Obama--to better handle a national emergency?
Now all of this could be idle speculation, because Powell may not want to be vice president. I keep hearing about how his wife is so completely against the idea. But this could be one of McCain's first tasks: to persuade Powell to do it. This wouldn't be the first time that this soldier has been asked to put personal considerations second and to take on a great challenge for the future of his country.
Reader Comments ( Page 7 of 13)
91. they're all over the fact that a vote against hussein obamoron is an indication of 'racism' as opposed to intelligence. Well, I suppose then that if you're against McCain, then you must be angry one of his daughters is black. Racist.
xxx
you seem to be 'opposed to intelligence'. However, you've done a great job of substituting paranoia. I hope they don't let you have sharp stuff.
Clif Kuplen at 12:54AM on Jun 17th 2008
92. Is anyone on this board, or anywhere in the loony left of this country, that John McCain and his wife adopted a little girl from Ethopia? If this were the case with a dumbocrap, the liberals would be all over it. I mean, they're all over the fact that a vote against hussein obamoron is an indication of 'racism' as opposed to intelligence. Well, I suppose then that if you're against McCain, then you must be angry one of his daughters is black. Racist.
If McCain was really concerned about poor black kids, there are many here who could have benefitted from his "altruism."
However, his decision to adopt one from Ethopia is pretty telling. He can pander to the fundies, and the racists at the same time - an African child is NOT and African-American child.
And as for your talk radio insults, We've come to realize that you idiots aren't smart enough to come up with your own insults, much less your own opinion.
ex-christian at 1:20AM on Jun 17th 2008
93. Since abortion has been mentioned . . .
Has anyone noticed that despite six straght years controlling every branch of government the republicans managed to get nothing done in terms of outlawing the practice they hate the most. Since Reagan made it a priority in the the early eighties how many abortion laws have changed?
The cynic might point out that without abortion to whip up the 'christian right' they might have to run on their policies in things that actually matter to everyone. The cynic would then point out it is in the Republicans best interest that abortion never become illegal. One could say a vote for a Republican is a vote for murdering babies.
tmo at 2:02AM on Jun 17th 2008
94. Amazing how 90% of all comments always come down to people trashing each other over politics, religion or race. Lets try not to be little bitches and use common sense. To become President you need to win the electorate. The New England states and the west coast are Obama's. The Midwest and South are McCain's. The Great Lake states will likely be split. If all this is true McCain will still need to win Florida and Ohio to beat Obama. McCain's best choice to win is Florida Gov. Crist. He is a popular conservative Republican that would likely deliver Florida and possibly increase conservative voter turnout in the South, where Obama may have a chance to pick off a state or two. Obama is liberal enough to hold on to the traditional Democratic states. Obama needs to convince Ohio Gov. Strickland to be his #2. The bottom line is like it or not the 2008 election will come down to the same states as the last two have. This may be the first election in memory won by the candidate who made the better VP choice.
lakingsguy68 at 6:13AM on Jun 17th 2008
95. How does Powell deal with his having lied to the nations of the world in his infamous WMD speech at the UN? He's either a liar or a dupe. So much for experience; he either couldn't tell he was being manipulated and didn't do his homework which would have easily uncovered the untruths (two intelligence reports at the time contradicted the now debunked WMD theory), BAD or he was in on it, WORSE.
He's discredited. But then again, the American public has long-term memory issues and frequent amnesia.
dearlizzie at 6:33AM on Jun 17th 2008
96. Didn't Powell sell the Iraq war at the Inited Nations in 2002? He was a Bush puppet for a long time. I doubt Powell would accept the offering. He knows deep down that he has done a lot of damage to his country and his image.
Bill at 6:55AM on Jun 17th 2008
97. Maybe we could clone Obama, genetically engineer him to be super-strong, super-fast, and super-smart. We could give him Brad Pitts arms, Angelina's boobs, Tiger woods golf swing, Barry Bonds Build, A cats eyes(to see in the dark), Jacki Chans legs, and Lance Armstrongs testicle.
He could be a super Obama, VP for regular Obama. A man who could shoot laser beams from his nipples to destroy the conservatives.
CaptainCack at 8:33AM on Jun 17th 2008
98. CaptainCack,
http://voteforbreakfast.com/images/super_barack.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/c/z/1/obama_super_obama.jpg
Mokele Mbembe at 8:47AM on Jun 17th 2008
99. Gays & the CA government are living a delusion if they think they are actually "married" This whole gay marriage thing is just a big MTV fad. Wake up. Marriage is between man & woman. Whether the gays know it or not, this is one big sex-abuse scandal.
David at 8:55AM on Jun 17th 2008
100. Interesting article,except that Powell,going by previous statements,won't bite.
Meanwhile,why doesn't Mccain pick good ole mitt.He's the best.
Meanwhile,Barack should pick anyone,but Hillary.There is just too much bad blood between them.
mad african christian. at 9:04AM on Jun 17th 2008
101. It seems like the blog started getting hundreds of posts right around the time I joined.
I walk away for a few days to do some other work, and the blog dies down to a meek 100.
Am I superstitious, self-important or just perceptive?
Mokele Mbembe at 9:56AM on Jun 17th 2008
102. Since everyone wants to jump on the crystal ball, here's what I have to say: it doesn't really matter who McCain picks. If he picks a military guy, that's nice but it might not help in key states as much as a regional figure would. And a regional figure might not play as well nationally as a Powell-type giant.
What will actually happen is that Obama and McCain will each take their states, except that in the battlegrounds, you'll see a black voter turnout like nothing we've ever experienced. Those millions of votes will be hard to counter, hard to even imagine based on prior history. The polls will simply be mobbed with Obama voters. And beyond that, what will really win it for Obama is the internet. He will bleed McCain dry in the battleground states, outspending him 3 to 1, then 5 to 1, 7 to 1, you name it, just as he did with Clinton. And he'll do it with ease. His system will simply demolish the GOP. McCain will go broke and it will be very obvious to all that he's not even in the running. By the time Obama does win, he'll be vastly more popular then than now, even with Republicans. They'll be used to him. He will be a popular, well-loved president, for a change. Big relief after all the losers. That's my prediction.
michael white at 10:03AM on Jun 17th 2008
103. This blog just isnt controversial enough. And people arent arguing about god or atheism yet.
This is not a very good blog article by DD. I think he just needed something to post.
CaptainCack at 9:59AM on Jun 17th 2008
104. Well DD...from your mouth to God's ear.
and that's coming from an agnostic!
Powell would be the perfect choice AND bonus someone who would be a great president in 4 years.
Davidg at 10:05AM on Jun 17th 2008
105. CaptainCack,
What would be more controversial topics?
Morality of incest, bestiality, and necrophilia within married couples? If we can say that homosexuality doesn't hurt anyone, why doesn't he strike back with these topics?
Mokele Mbembe at 10:07AM on Jun 17th 2008