# Who will be McCain's "big endorser" at the RNC? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 29, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622 "2008-08-29T00:18:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/21 "2008-08-29T02:41:46Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] How the hell can McCain compete with a packed stadium, 200k in Berlin, 50k here 40k there etc..etc… [/QUOTE] Last I checked, Berliners don’t get a vote in US presidential elections. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/22 "2008-08-29T02:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] Oh hell, I’ll play along… Jerry Falwell, from the grave. [/QUOTE] Foolish mortal. Falwell is NOT DEAD. They want you to THINK that he’s dead. Why, just last week I was at the super-villain’s co-op, and I saw :: sees Solomon Grundy in the distance, picking his teeth with a bloody ulna :: Uh, never mind. Forget I said anything. :: skips away nervously :: ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/23 "2008-08-29T02:46:28Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] Last I checked, Berliners don’t get a vote in US presidential elections. [/QUOTE] Then the idea that they actually do not hate America just Bush does not matter to you.To actually have allies and friends would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/24 "2008-08-29T02:50:57Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] Then the idea that they actually do not hate America just Bush does not matter to you.To actually have allies and friends would be nice. [/QUOTE] Actually, I’m very much in favor of renormalizing US relations with the rest of the world. But my point is that the enthusiasm of crowds in Berlin for Senator Obama really doesn’t give him any advantage over Senator McCain. It’s not something the latter has to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/25 "2008-08-29T03:20:35Z")
[QUOTE=ultrafilter] Actually, I’m very much in favor of renormalizing US relations with the rest of the world. But my point is that the enthusiasm of crowds in Berlin for Senator Obama really doesn’t give him any advantage over Senator McCain. It’s not something the latter has to worry about. [/QUOTE] I understand that, I mentioned it because it matters…europe, south america, africa…people really like what this guy stands for…not just in the USA, and yes that matters. Will it win him the election? No, but it will solidify that we have a chance [the usa] to elect someone that’s not Bush…who listens and is willing to talk. I like that. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/26 "2008-08-29T04:00:37Z")
The [scheduled speakers](http://www.gopconvention2008.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=580) for Wednesday, Sept. 3 (the night before McCain’s acceptance speech): U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.) Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co. Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) Mrs. Cindy McCain Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.) Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee For Thursday, Sept. 4: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.) Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.) U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.) John McCain Could be changes, but I really don’t think it will be anybody from the Bush administration. The theme for the night is _ **PEACE** _ . ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/27 "2008-08-29T04:09:14Z")
Wow, Day 1’s line up: U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) Vice President Richard B. Cheney First Lady Laura Bush President George W. Bush Also, contrast the difference between the Dems’ official website and the Pubs’ ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/28 "2008-08-29T04:15:00Z")
A wild shot in the dark…I wonder if it could be Talabani. He could give a kiss up speech thanking the Pubs for “liberating” Iraq and he recently had surgery at the Mayo clinic in Rochester (a little more than an hour’s drive away from the Twin Cities). He was discharged from the Mayo a couple of weeks ago, and I don’t know where he is now, but if he’s still in Minnesota, I could see the Pubs bringing him out to kiss their asses and tell them how wonderful they are. It’s exactly the kind of thing they would do. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/29 "2008-08-29T04:16:12Z")
[QUOTE=USCDiver] Also, contrast the difference between the Dems’ official website and the Pubs’ [/QUOTE] I noticed that; what’s with the sepia toned poster, circe 1933? Who is their art director, Thomas Hart Benton? ---
**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:** [August 29, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/30 "2008-08-29T04:18:46Z")
[QUOTE=USCDiver] Wow, Day 1’s line up: U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) Vice President Richard B. Cheney First Lady Laura Bush President George W. Bush Also, contrast the difference between the Dems’ official website and the Pubs’ [/QUOTE] That Schwarzenegger slot may depend on how the California budget impasse plays out. He’s said he’d stay in Sacramento if he had to continue to work on getting the budget passed rather than going to Minnesota. He may speak by video if he does stay home. Bush and Cheney’s speeches may very well depend on a big guy named Gustav. I’ve heard buzz that if the big G hits Monday, both of them are staying in Washington, I suppose so they don’t look like they’re partying (again) while the Gulf Coast drowns. I’ve also heard that McCain may postpone the convention if Gustav lands on Monday/Tuesday. I have no idea how you can possibly postpone something that big with that little notice, but it’s his party, right? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/31 "2008-08-29T04:22:49Z")
[QUOTE=USCDiver] Wow, Day 1’s line up: U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.) Vice President Richard B. Cheney First Lady Laura Bush President George W. Bush [/QUOTE] Seems weird to front-load the convention like that. I guess I understand putting the rather unpopular Bush’s and Cheney up on the holiday, but together with Lieberman and the Governator, that’s most of the “big names” out on the first day. I doubt many people are going to tune in for the former CEO of Ebay. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/32 "2008-08-29T04:35:42Z")
[QUOTE=SanibelMan] 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. [/QUOTE] [Is this the article you were thinking of?](http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-divorce11-2008jul11,0,7979459.story) Nope, can’t see Nancy Reagan crossing the street to help him, much less giving a laudatory speech. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/33 "2008-08-29T05:17:57Z")
What about Barbara Bush? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/34 "2008-08-29T05:27:14Z")
Who gives a shit about Barbara Bush? ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/35 "2008-08-29T05:36:21Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] [Is this the article you were thinking of?](http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-divorce11-2008jul11,0,7979459.story) Nope, can’t see Nancy Reagan crossing the street to help him, much less giving a laudatory speech. [/QUOTE] That’s the one: > [@](#): > > Outside her Bel-Air home, Nancy Reagan stood arm in arm with John McCain and offered a significant – but less than exuberant – endorsement. > > “Ronnie and I always waited until everything was decided, and then we endorsed,” the Republican matriarch said in March. “Well, obviously this is the nominee of the party.” They were the only words she would speak during the five-minute photo op. > > In a written statement, she described McCain as “a good friend for over 30 years.” But that friendship was strained in the late 1970s by McCain’s decision to divorce his first wife, Carol, who was particularly close to the Reagans, and within weeks marry Cindy Hensley, the young heiress to a lucrative Arizona beer distributorship. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/36 "2008-08-29T06:07:43Z")
[QUOTE=USCDiver] Also, contrast the difference between the Dems’ official website and the Pubs’ [/QUOTE] Yes, the Pubbies have a hard time with web design, apparently teh intartoobz have a well known liberal bias… You want to see funny? I’m not sure how to do this in IE because I don’t use it, but if you’re running Firefox, install the NoScript add on that blocks all Java on the page. Enable it, then go to [www.johnmccain.com](http://www.johnmccain.com) and check it out, then disable it again. Do this a few times and see how crippled the page is with no Java allowed to run. Then go do the same at [www.barackobama.com](http://www.barackobama.com). See what I mean? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/37 "2008-08-29T06:10:04Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Who gives a shit about Barbara Bush? [/QUOTE] Well, in light of some discussion in this thread about Nancy Reagen, surely if _she’s_ considered to have endorsement value, a more recent Republican first lady who was popular in her husband’s term and happens to be mother of the current President and is not tainted by goofy astrology/horoscope nonsense (or controversy generally) and who (as far as I know) doesn’t have any negative history with McCain couldn’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/38 "2008-08-29T06:11:56Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Well, in light of some discussion in this thread about Nancy Reagen, surely if _she’s_ considered to have endorsement value, a more recent Republican first lady who was popular in her husband’s term and happens to be mother of the current President and is not tainted by goofy astrology/horoscope nonsense (or controversy generally) and who (as far as I know) doesn’t have any negative history with McCain couldn’t hurt. [/QUOTE] I don’t think she hurts, I just don’t think she’s any kind of a blockbuster. Plus, it doesn’t help McCain distance himself from Bush. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/39 "2008-08-29T06:34:11Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I don’t think she hurts, I just don’t think she’s any kind of a blockbuster. Plus, it doesn’t help McCain distance himself from Bush. [/QUOTE] I’m pretty sure no-one will link Barbara with anything negative her husband or son did (or at least no-one ever has, to my knowledge). She’s just gotta get up there and say the spirit of Millie is barking “Go McCain!” or some such thing. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622/40 "2008-08-29T11:57:47Z")
Hey, great idea, **Bryan**! In fact, with Gustav bearing down on New Orleans, she could reprise one of her greatest hits and tell the soon-to-be refugees [how much better off they’ll be](http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2005/09/08/barbara-bush-on-hurricane-katrina-refugees.htm) if the hurricane drives destroys their lives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-mccains-big-endorser-at-the-rnc/461622.md?page=3)