Wednesday, May 21, 2008
VP
How about Petraeus?
15 Comments:
By 
Escort81, at
Wed May 21, 11:04:00 AM:
My first reaction is that he is too valuable in theater!
Interesting idea, though -- it would bring the Iraq issue even more front and center, as it currently stands, forcing the electorate to decide between exiting ASAP or finishing the job as best we can. It would possibly also set up Petraeus for 2012, if McCain had enough after one term, for any reason.
However, it's doubling down on the national security strength of the top of the ticket, without doing anything to add to the economic or domestic policy knowledge or appeal of the overall ticket. I suppose it's a quesiton of whether you like a sector investment or a diversified portfoliio. I also do not know how Petraeus helps in key Electoral College swing states such as Ohio.
A ticket with two guys who both have their "twenty" in (career military with a pension) -- I don't believe that's ever happened.
What is known about Petraeus and his domestic politcal views, and how well might he do in debates? I seem to recall that TH met him at a lecture at PU a few years ago -- what does he think?
By 
, at
Wed May 21, 11:10:00 AM:
Just what I've been hoping for, but now I'm wondering if he's the right guy. With those two, and an argument that two old soldiers know better than anyone the costs of war and will therrefore work faster than anyone to secure a good peace and withdraw the bulk of troops from the war zone, then I think the GOP has the makings of a general election strategy playing to it's strengths and a strategy that gives the base a rallying point strong enough to overlook the continuing discomfortature with McCain.
In the end, though, McCain needs a Veep who will help him in the toss-up states and particularly in Ohio. Sad to say, the GOP is in in worse shape in Ohio than nationally and there really aren't any great native candidates who can help McCain. I wonder, though, if this woman from neighboring West Virginia might help. Of course, a pro-choice moderate from a Democrat state is probably not going to thrill the red meat conservatives very much. Tough decision for McCain. I hope he can get Petraeus, and that Petraeus can help in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Iowa, Michigan and the other toss-up states.
By , at
Wed May 21, 11:22:00 AM:
NO.
Petraeus needs to keep doing what he's doing. When he's successfully completed the mission, then he can turn to politics if he so chooses.
By Ray, at
Wed May 21, 11:39:00 AM:
Petraeus at his current post is far more valuable to the country than any conceivable mix of vice presidents, past present or future.
By Cardinalpark, at
Wed May 21, 11:47:00 AM:
FWIW - his job in theater is complete. He has been promoted to Head of Central Command from Head of MNF Iraq.
By Dawnfire82, at
Wed May 21, 11:55:00 AM:
"In the end, though, McCain needs a Veep who will help him in the toss-up states and particularly in Ohio."
I think that this is the key to Republican success in the Presidential election. It often is, it seems.
By , at
Wed May 21, 01:56:00 PM:
Spectacular choice. Let BO and MO, and the rest of the left engage in debate there. Just for fun allow Francois Kerry or Al Gore as substitutes for MO and their VP choice. Or their real war experts Pelosi/Reid.
By , at
Wed May 21, 02:05:00 PM:
There is no VP candidate that will help McCain in Ohio. Only a lot of issue compaigning in Ohio (where I live) will help McCain mobilize and energize the base (and the undecideds). Obama campaigning in Ohio will help McCain, too. :)
Tim Pawlenty is my guess for his running mate. This may help McCain in Minnesota and Wisconsin, both of which could go "R-" in this election.
-David
By , at
Wed May 21, 06:19:00 PM:
Wisconsin looks possible, but and while Minnesota is probably less likely, it may also be possible. Certainly, these maps are made based on the average of polls as of a week ago, but once the Democrats really start a general election campaign their natural numbers advantage (made huge this year) will start to show in Minnesota. In 2000, Bush was Gored by 3 points in Minnesota, and Kerry also beat Bush by 3 and Bush lost Minnesota's 10 electoral votes in both elections. In the end though, Ohio's 20 electoral votes will be critical. In addition to Ohio, Michigan (17 votes to Kerry last time) and Virginia(13 to Bush) look slightly possible for McCain, as does Colorado (9 to Bush).
By Miss Ladybug, at
Wed May 21, 07:25:00 PM:
I think Petraeus needs to stay where he is (or soon will be, as head of CENTCOM). Didn't I hear that he hasn't voted since achieving a certain rank, so as to avoid any appearance of being political? We need him at CENTCOM to apply to all theaters under his control the same COIN strategies (modified as appropriate) that have been successful in Iraq with "The Surge"...
By , at
Wed May 21, 08:16:00 PM:
As an active Veep, "all theatres under his control" could essentially remain the same and he'd get less heat from the Pentagon than he is currently getting over his attempts to promote like-minded thinkers. He might well become more effective at reforming the military, not less.
By jj mollo, at
Wed May 21, 08:39:00 PM:
Do we know that he's a Republican?
By Miss Ladybug, at
Wed May 21, 08:47:00 PM:
I don't know that we do, JJ. That was part of my point in mentioning that I had heard he hadn't been voting since reaching a certain rank (flag officer??), to avoid any taint of preferring one party over another...
By , at
Wed May 21, 09:40:00 PM:
Personally, I like John Bolton. Talk about shock and awe. He would make mincemeat of all opponents. Forget which states will wing because their guy is chosen. That old,old school. What conservatives need in someone to balance out McCain's need to be liked.
By , at
Wed May 21, 11:49:00 PM:
How about HRC after the dems finish slapping her down? McCain would win in a cakewalk while getting to urinate on conservatives. HRC gets to launch her next presidential campaign from the VP platform. Achilles heel of the plan is if McCain dies in office.
