His VP better have some economic smarts 'cause poor old John just doesn't have that.... But then again, neither does Barack. I personally like Romney...he graduated #1 in his class from the JD Law/MBA program at Harvard. How the rest of the nation reacts remains to be seen. They make at lot of comments about the "Mormon" factor, but in reality, who are the evangelicals going to vote for? Pro-choice Barack and Joe? They would be hard pressed to cast that vote. But I'm not sure it's in Romney's best interest if he plans on running in 2012.......

not to derail this topic, but does it bother anyone else that the evangelical block exists? doesn't that seem a little too brainwashed and too much power given to the leaders of such a movement to be considered American? I can't stand it, and find it a more than a little disturbing. Sure they usually vote like I do, but I don't know if the followers are sure of what they are doing, especially after hearing the ridiculous statements by the members of said movement.

I do not think Obama is embarrased by his name, but I suspect he would like to be called by his name, which is Barack. If there is embarrasment to be had, I think referring to him as "Barry" or "Hussein" is embarassing. It cheapens and diminishes any opportunity to discuss. I hope my friends on CougarBlue can avoid name calling. As to Biden, I am not ecstatic, but I also undestand the pick. Obama is not trying to win over any of you conservatives. There was some fairly significant research done and where Obama is weak in the eyes of the independents and "centrist" voters, the people he is trying to woo, is his lack of government experience and foreign policy expertise. Biden, of all the possible VP candidates, brings that to the table more so than any other person. In the end, the Washington inside negative is less than the positive he brings from his Washington and foreign policy experience. Enough to convince the independents and the "centrists"? I am not sure. To be honest, I am less excited about voting for him now, but I will wait and see how things unfold. Is McCain here to fix what is broken in Washington or is he going to be merely a Bush redux?

Mars wrote:

valleus wrote:

CougarPeasant: Why on Earth would you use "B. Hussein Obama" instead of "Barack Obama." Such a crude innuendo reveals quite a bit into your motivation for creating such a post.

I wonder if I referred to you as "valleus" if you would call me crude? Obama's embarrassment over his own name and background is the thing that is truly revealing. Though if I were him, I would be more embarrassed about my admitted history of drug use than my legal middle name.

I don't think he's embarrassed about his name. Fox news just seems to think that his name is some sort of issue. And at least he owns up to his mistakes with drugs when he was a teenager instead of saying something lame like "I didn't inhale."

declocoug wrote:

not to derail this topic, but does it bother anyone else that the evangelical block exists? doesn't that seem a little too brainwashed and too much power given to the leaders of such a movement to be considered American? I can't stand it, and find it a more than a little disturbing. Sure they usually vote like I do, but I don't know if the followers are sure of what they are doing, especially after hearing the ridiculous statements by the members of said movement.

Yes, it bothers me (probably not surprising to most of you though . I am a big believer in a firm separation between church and state, and that movement keeps trying to blur that line, IMO.

Powell is pro-choice which the conservatives do not like. It will be someone tilted towards religious conservatives.

snoscythe wrote:

domanater wrote:

There's a rumor that McCain may select Colin Powell for his VP. Personally I think that's genius; I can't believe I hadn't considered it before.

Put Romney in the cabinet, or have him run for senate somewhere but he's going to get killed for his supposed flip flopping.

Powell would be a pretty amazing wild card.

While it would be a great choice, it won't happen. Powell is done with the political spotlight and has been very clear that he doesn't want any part of a presidential ticket.

The next best choice for McCain, if he is seeking to negate Obama directly, would be the Alaskan governor Sarah Palin.

Obama talks change and rips McCain for being an insider, then picks an insider for veep. McCain talks change, picks a veep who has done nothing but scale back govt and enact sweeping reform. Doesn't hurt that she is female to negate the Obama novelty/celebrity factor and win over Hillary supporters who are already somewhat disappointed with the Dems.