# Handicap the GOP nomination race **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 21, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463 "2007-10-21T12:40:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/381 "2008-01-30T03:31:59Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] What do you think of the AG idea? It seems like an easy concession from McCain in exchange for the endorsements. [/QUOTE] Yes, that occurred to me as well. If I were a Republican, I would think Rudy would be a bully AG. But I am not sure Rudy wouldn’t think it was a step down from America’s Mayor. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/382 "2008-01-30T11:23:16Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] BTW: Reagan pick Bush & Carter picked Mondale & Kennedy picked Johnson. In fact Clinton picked Gore. I think it is more common than you think. [/QUOTE] Mondale ‘tested the waters,’ so to speak, for a 1976 run for the nomination, but [withdrew in November 1974](http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Walter_Mondale.htm), before the race really began, [saying](http://thinkexist.com/quotes/walter_f._mondale/) “I don’t want to spend the next two years in Holiday Inns.” So he really doesn’t count as an instance of a nominee choosing a primary opponent as running mate. After Carter picked Mondale, btw, Mondale followed up his earlier comment with “I’ve checked and they’ve all been redecorated.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/383 "2008-01-30T11:24:24Z")
So, does McCain pretty much have it wrapped up, or is Romney still alive? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/384 "2008-01-30T11:45:01Z")
Mitt still has a chance. Not a great one, though. And _someone_ owes me a hundred bucks. Felgercarb, wish I could remember who. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=404561&highlight=hundred](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=404561&highlight=hundred) Aha! furt was the man! Woo. You out there, buddy? ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/385 "2008-01-30T13:00:46Z")
Seems like the only obstacle for McCain is money and for a frontrunner, that’s easily arranged. The Giuliani endorsement certainly won’t hurt. I think it’s a done deal. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/386 "2008-01-30T13:15:57Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Mondale ‘tested the waters,’ so to speak, for a 1976 run for the nomination, but [withdrew in November 1974](http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Walter_Mondale.htm), before the race really began, [saying](http://thinkexist.com/quotes/walter_f._mondale/) “I don’t want to spend the next two years in Holiday Inns.” So he really doesn’t count as an instance of a nominee choosing a primary opponent as running mate. After Carter picked Mondale, btw, Mondale followed up his earlier comment with “I’ve checked and they’ve all been redecorated.” [/QUOTE] Damn, that is what I get for going from memory. I cannot even remember Dukakis’ running mate. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/387 "2008-01-30T13:18:53Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Damn, that is what I get for going from memory. I cannot even remember Dukakis’ running mate. [/QUOTE] Lloyd Bentsen of “You’re no Jack Kennedy” fame. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/388 "2008-01-30T13:23:42Z")
I’d put McCain at 95% to win the nom now. About the only thing that can derail him is his health. Not that I expect there is anything particular wrong with his health, but He’s 71, and working very hard in a very stressful environment. Any kind of a “looking pale or old” moment on Camera and he could drop states fast. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/389 "2008-01-30T14:25:04Z")
I suppose we can count Huckabee out at at this point? If/when he does drop out, will he endorse McCain, Romney, or neither? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/390 "2008-01-30T14:45:23Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I suppose we can count Huckabee out at at this point? If/when he does drop out, will he endorse McCain, Romney, or neither? [/QUOTE] I won’t count that frightening man out until he is actually out. He scares me more than Bush/Cheney and that is saying something. I hope Feb 5th puts an end to him. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/391 "2008-01-30T14:45:38Z")
Rudi is off to reminisce about how he saved America on 9/11, Huckabee will soon return to his organ grinder and Mitt will have to decide how much more money he wants to lose on what is now a vanity campaign. The next president will be either McCain, Clinton or Obama. If only I had money on those three. Oh wait, I do! HA HA HA HA! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/392 "2008-01-30T14:54:58Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Lance Murdoch] Rudi is off to reminisce about how he saved America on 9/11, Huckabee will soon return to his organ grinder and Mitt will have to decide how much more money he wants to lose on what is now a vanity campaign. The next president will be either McCain, Clinton or Obama. If only I had money on those three. Oh wait, I do! HA HA HA HA! [/QUOTE] Another possibilty for Rudy. He throws his support to McCain and McCain mentions that “Rudy has tentatively agreed to take over the Dept of Homeland Security if elected. Can you think of anyone you would trust more to straighten out the Department of Homeland Security?” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/393 "2008-01-30T15:00:52Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Can you think of anyone you would trust more to straighten out the Department of Homeland Security? [/QUOTE] Than Rudy? I have a little list… ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/394 "2008-01-30T15:03:01Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I suppose we can count Huckabee out at at this point? If/when he does drop out, will he endorse McCain, Romney, or neither? [/QUOTE] Oh, I think he is firmly in the McCain camp – and probably hoping for a VP slot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/395 "2008-01-30T15:07:41Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] Oh, I think he is firmly in the McCain camp – and probably hoping for a VP slot. [/QUOTE] I sincerely hope not. I don’t think McCain will make that mistake. At least I hope he doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/396 "2008-01-30T15:13:38Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I sincerely hope not. I don’t think McCain will make that mistake. At least I hope he doesn’t. [/QUOTE] McCain’s biggest problem is that [he’s not getting the support of conservatives.](http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=277349) Wouldn’t Huckabee help him balance the ticket in that regard? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/397 "2008-01-30T15:27:20Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] McCain’s biggest problem is that [he’s not getting the support of conservatives.](http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=277349) Wouldn’t Huckabee help him balance the ticket in that regard? [/QUOTE] If McCain gets the nomination and he is running against Obama or HRC, who do you think the Religious Conservatives are going to vote for? Huckabee will add nothing and only detract from the independents that like McCain. Who is not going to go into that booth in November and forget how old McCain actually is? This VP is the likeliest to end up President in the middle of a term since Bush under Reagan. I would be fearful of Huck being the VP. Much like I voted against Bush the Elder in 1988 after he added the idiot Dan (my wife is smarter\*) Quayle. Jim - So put her on the ticket you moron. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/398 "2008-01-30T15:36:45Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] If McCain gets the nomination and he is running against Obama or HRC, who do you think the Religious Conservatives are going to vote for? [/QUOTE] Nobody. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/399 "2008-01-30T15:44:32Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Nobody. [/QUOTE] You don’t think the fears of a “Pro-Choice Liberal” will get them to begrudgingly vote for McCain who is at least anti-abortion? I am surprised by your opinion, I agree they won’t come out in the huge numbers like they did for 2004, but they will vote and they will vote against the Democrat. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463/400 "2008-01-30T15:45:36Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] McCain’s biggest problem is that [he’s not getting the support of conservatives.](http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=277349) Wouldn’t Huckabee help him balance the ticket in that regard? [/QUOTE] Huckabee only has the support of one segment of conservatives - evangelicals. Among non-evangelical Republicans, Huckabee has always finished well behind the pack. If McCain wants to get the conservative vote back, he’d need to pick a ‘movement conservative’ kinda guy. Jack Kemp, Newt Gingrich, maybe even Fred Thompson. Romney might be a good choice - his Mormonism would be far less of an issue as VP, and for some strange reason, conservatives seem to like him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-gop-nomination-race/423463.md?page=21)