After the previous two night’s DNC speeches, this morning I heard Soledad O’Brien ask a couple republican strategists who they thought will be McCain’s “big endorser” at the RNC, and the question was answered (or not) both times by an awkward pause, stumbling, and no real answer (I think maybe Mitt Romney’s name was suggested by one of them).
Who’s McCain’s Clinton-level-royalty endorser going to be?
Traditionally it would be Bush…
I wouldn’t be shocked if they trotted out G. H. W. Bush. Maybe Condi Rice or Schwarzenegger.
Lieberman?
I thought I read that Arnold was giving the convention a pass. Something about California having better things to do with the money.
eta: Ah, here it is.
I heard he had a great connection with this certain Christian camp guard. Him, maybe?
I don’t think there is a GOP parallel to Clinton. I think the big “endorsement” speeches will come from guys like Guiliani in his keynote, from Bush/Cheney (for whatever they might still be worth), possibly from HW, from the VP losers and probably from whatever women they can line up.
The only big “surprise” endorsement I think might help him would be Colin Powell. Another possibility would be if they could wheel out Nancy Reagan for a big, sentimental, Teddy-type moment.
Arnold not being there will be a big loss for McCain. I really think he was a tipping point for many people who voted for Bush in '04. If they could get Nancy Reagan on the stage, that might be a “biggie”, although the age thing is probably not something McCain wants to emphasize.
Powell has not endorsed either candidate, right? Is there a reason, other than staying out of it? Maybe he’s the RNC’s hidden ace?
Christopher Nolan. After all, The Dark Knight is no more than an apology for the Bush administration’s excesses of the War on Terror.
I’d be very surprised if Nancy Reagan made any sort of pitch for McCain. I read an article recently (sorry, I can’t remember where offhand) that he barely managed to get a cursory endorsement from her. Apparently, the Reagans were furious with him for divorcing his first wife and they did a lot to help and support her afterwards.
He’s said good things about Obama and even hinted that he might vote for him. A little while ago, Bill Kristol said he had sources telling him that Powell was going to endorse Obama, but Powell denied it. Reading the tea leaves, I think Powell is privately supporting Obama, but not making any public endorsement out of respect for McCain.
Powell would be huge, but I’d be surprised if he showed up. I don’t think he has anything against McCain, but I think he soured on the world of politics while in the Bush administration. He let his reputation get severely tarnished by Bush.
Dick Cheney?
How bout Paul Wolfowitz, or maybe Donald Rumsfeld?
No Republican facing election or re-election in ANY position or state this year wants Bush or Cheney to endorse them.
McCain is having a hard time filling a 10,000 person arena according to cnn. Finding a BIG endoresment is the least of his worries. How the hell can McCain compete with a packed stadium, 200k in Berlin, 50k here 40k there etc…etc…
he can’t…
Sure he can. He’s got Karl Rove & Diebold on his side.
Oh hell, I’ll play along…
Jerry Falwell, from the grave.
Nancy Reagan in a teddy?
DO NOT WANT!!!