Far-right base balks at a possible McCain running mate
By Steve Benen Wednesday May 28, 2008 7:30amOver the weekend, John McCain hosted an event at his home, ostensibly as a social occasion, but what actually appeared to be something of an audition opportunity for three possible Republican running mates — Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. By some estimations, Crist was the most likely choice of the trio.
And why not? Crist is a very effective campaigner, and a popular governor of one of the nation’s most important electoral states. With Crist on the ticket, Dems probably wouldn’t even try as hard to win Florida. Crist is inexperienced — he was elected governor just 18 months ago — but that probably isn’t a deal-breaker.
The problem, though, is that Crist may not be perceived as rabidly conservative enough. Jonathan Martin noted that plenty in the GOP are “wary” of Crist: “Conservatives in Florida prefer his predecessor, Jeb Bush, and don’t view Crist as one of them. One problem is that Crist embraces what he calls a ‘live and let live’ approach to cultural matters. He was once pro-choice and is now pro-life, though he displays little enthusiasm for the issue. He’s also single, something that makes him unique among a crop of vice-presidential prospects who are all married with children.”
The disquiet is not limited to conservatives in Florida. TV preacher Pat Robertson’s network reported this week that many “pro-family leaders and activists … all agree that if John McCain picks Florida Governor Charlie Crist as his running mate, there will be MAJOR dissatisfaction among social conservatives.”
Robertson’s national correspondent, David Brody, reported:
So why is Crist a problem for social conservatives? Well, first of all they don’t believe he’s pro-life. He says he’s pro-life but in the past he’s said he was pro-choice…. He has also supported civil unions. In addition, when the whole Terri Schiavo controversy exploded in Florida, Crist DID NOT side with pro-family groups who wanted him to take a more active role. He stayed on the sidelines.
Would McCain really pick Crist? It would be seen as a slap in the face to the Evangelical base yet McCain could look at it another way.
Just how seriously does the party’s base take this issue? Depending on who you talk to, pretty seriously.
Brody, for example, talked to the Family Research Council’s Connie Mackay, who said:
“We have concerns about Governor Crist. While he claims to be pro-life he has not been an advocate…We would not be supportive of his candidacy for Vice-President…I think it would not help him. McCain needs to continue to try and energize the base. I think that would certainly not energize the base and I think I could go one step further and say it would de-energize the base.”
Kelly Shackelford, a prominent religious-right activist, added:
“I don’t think there is any way that would happen. That would certainly put the last nail in the coffin for social and Christian conservatives, but it won’t happen. Sen. McCain has been fairly clear that he will pick a solid conservative.
Another leader from the religious-right movement who did not want to be named said there would be “an open revolt” against the McCain ticket, were he to pick Crist as his running mate.
It’s possible, if not likely, that the McCain campaign won’t care about these preemptive complaints. The religious right played a very minor, inconsequential role in the GOP primaries, and McCain may very well assume he can do just fine, whether the Dobson crowd likes his running mate or not.
One factor to keep in mind, however, is that the far right is probably responding negatively to Crist in part because he’s been less than enthusiastic about their culture-war issues, and in part because of rumors about his personal life.
The Huffington Post noted a report today that suggests the Republicans are already working to diffuse those rumors.
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Maybe Crist should add an H to his name to make himself more fundamentally appealing.
Well, since McSame has been compared to Jesus, they could be selling this as the Christ/Crist ticket.
Liberal AND Proud @ 1:
Cr-sHit ?
Funny how they can be pro-life and support blowing people to bits with bombs and shooting holes in them with bullets. Something tells me this "pro-life" agenda needs a new name. How about "Pro-forced pregnancy?" Cuz these peeps don't like the mother or the baby, they want control that is fascist.
The other issue not mentioned here, is that Charlie is gay. His homosexuality has been an open secret in Tallahassee for years, but it is widely known in Florida. He has had (or has) a beard marriage for some time, but he is still pursues sex with men. For some reason this has not yet become national news, but it will out, if you will.
What's really telling about this response from the evangelical conservatives is that their whole campaign to paint this picture of themselves as more "enlightened" and "caring" about social issues such as poverty, the environment, and health care is just a load of yak excrement.
Face it, Pat and co., when it comes down to actually pressing politicians on the issues, your real priorities are exposed. And guess what? They're the same that they always have been. Guns. Gays. Abortion.
Bigots, all.
Jesus Crist!
Rumers, (and pictures), here in Florida have long been that Crist is just one more Republican hypocrite hiding in the velvet closet and afraid to come out.
If McCain picks him, he will be outed.
General_Rennenkampf @ 4:
The Republican party: "Pro-life from the time you are conceived until you are born, and from the time your brain ceases to function until you are buried. The rest of the time, you're SOL!"
We joke about Crist being a dem in a repub suit. He's a hell of a lot better gov than Jeb was. He is involved in conservation measures and the environment. I would hate to see him leave because god only knows what kind of gov we would get next. Sadly it would most likely be a repub.
Hey Florida Man, I'm on the Treasure Coast of Fla. Where are you?
If McCain picks Crist then he might as well pack his bags and go home. As this post indicates, he is already feeling the heat from the far right Evangelical wing himself and if he picks Crist things will only get hotter. If Crist is as they say he is, in addition to being possibly Gay then McCain should just give it up. This will not fly with the radical right wing Christian Fundamentalists at all.
You know, we should start a "draft Jeb Bush for VP" movement. I'm sure that would help McCain distance himself from the current administration...
BigTallMatt @ 9:
It displays a keen lack of intellectual stones and honesty.
Particularly when you talk of spreading democracy and prop up the House of Saud.
What's the matter? Can't McCain find one lobbyist who will run with him?
BigTallMatt @ 9:
Actually your very apporpriate portrayal of these jackels, begs the label of "child molester" and "care-giver abuser."
The problem with Crist is that he's gay and everyone knows it.
I'm putting my money on Crist as well. Here's why I don't think he'll pick the other two candidates:
-- Jindhal. He's way too young. If McCain wanted to make himself look younger by actually recruiting him as a VP, then it's a sure sign of senility. The real motive of inviting Jindhal out to this meeting is to give him face time. Think of Jindhal as "insurance" for the GOP if Obama wins. At this point, it's obvious Obama will win the DNC race, and he pretty much got into the race to begin with by his face time at the 2004 DNC convention. By throwing Jindhal in the limelight, McCain/GOP is saying "look, we can have a non-white young guy too running for a high executive position". I wouldn't be surprised if Jindhal winds up in the 2012 GOP race.
-- Romney. The top candidate picking the 2nd top candidate is quite rare... not that it often turns out unsuccessfully (ie: Reagan/Bush). While Romney is obviously an upstanding Christian, there's still that lingering Mormon issue that might make some of the theocons not vote for McCain as opposed to someone who's a generic Protestant. The other problem with Romney is he's a used car salesman, who persistently will do anything to make you buy his product (ie: his political career). Because of this, he's flip-flopped on a large number of issues, namely allowing gay marriage and a form of social healthcare as governor of Mass.
One question to ask Crist:
Will you make a pledge to the citizens of Florida that if you became VP of US that you will oppose any drilling for oil off of the Florida coastline?
pissed off patricia @ 14:
They're all associated with terrorists, whether political (ie: Hezbollah) or financial (ie: top executive of sub-prime lender).
If I were you, I wouldn't be so certain that social conservatives will turn away from McCain should he select Crist as his running mate. They might be dissatisfied with his choice even to the point of metaphorically holding their noses as they pull the lever, but they'd far rather have McCain than Obama -- and they have to know that staying away from the election makes a victory for Obama more likely. Pat Robertson's word on the matter is hardly anything to go on anyway. Has everyone already forgotten whom Pat Robertson endorsed as a presidential candidate last year? That's right -- Rudy Giuliani, who currently is pro-choice and who is known for being a serial adulterer as well as (comparatively) LGBT-friendly. Robertson was roundly criticized for endorsing Giuliani -- as he should have been, given the magnitude of its hypocrisy -- but that should prompt anyone to take Robertson's claims about Crist with at least several grains of salt, if not the whole damn shaker. Since Robertson was willing to endorse Giuliani for the Republican nomination, his reservations regarding Crist seem nonsensical as well as hypocritical.
BigTallMatt @ 9:
That needs to be a T-shirt.
Crist will never get his homosexuality through the vetting process. It's part of the reason why Condi is no longer mentioned either. As soon as the story about Condi buying a house with a lesbian was discovered her name fell out of the running.
These "rumors of teh gay"...is that why McCain is staying away from Norm Coleman also?
just wondering...
The fact that Crist may well be a flip-flopper, should be a bonus. Republicans love politicians that sell out to the highest bidder.
If it becomes national news that he is gay. Then no way will he be McCain's running mate.
I think McCain needs to make it look like a number of folks have a chance before selecting the VP picked out for him.
I still have money on Joe Lieberman as VP. No one else is working harder to get McCain elected.
Excuse me, but why is McCain worried about offending the evangelical base? How hard can it be to pander to a bunch of gullible sheep who happily send their money to help tele-hucksters buy private jets, who don't care how much damage a President does to the nation as long as he makes a few vague promises about gays and abortions, and who have already been told by their pastors that they'll go straight to hell unless they vote for whatever crook the GOP happens to be pushing at the time?
pissed off patricia @ 14:
Maybe Cheney will join his campaign to help me find the right running mate.....
Dr. Wu @ 25:
Because a story like that will run in the 'National Enquirer'.
Does it seem strange to the rest of you here that the Republicans see it as a problem that the far-right whack-jobs aren't with them.
Wasn't it the Far right whacko's that destroyed the original republican party?
rooth hussein @ 26:
Cheney is probably looking forward to working back at Halliburton in Dubai. With legalized slavery and harems, he can set himself up as a king.
Out of the three possible choices listed, I still think that Gov. Mitt Romney is the likely choice for McCain. Constantly, McCain is being reminded that in the past he has stated that he has little to no knowledge of economics. Then we learn that his current economic advisor Phil Gramm is coming under fire for his involvment in the forclosure situation. Romney could make up for that with his business and economic knowledge in addition to his corporate associations. Then with the elections just around the corner McCain wouldn't have to run with someone that is not known. Everyone already knows Romney due to his Presidential run and therefore he can handle the increased media attention where the others may not. He is also some what of a favorite with the social Conservatives and Christian Evangelicals. True, the Evangelicals do not like his Mormon beliefs but I'd bet they would over look that just as they did before Huckabee came on the scene. In my opinion, Jindal and Crist just aren't the high caliber running mate that McCain needs. He is going to need a high caliber running mate of some sort to offset the very popular Obama that is for sure.
Radically Moderate @ 18:
I think he would do it.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ @ 28:
Yes, but when the lunatics are running the asylum...
Seems he owes the spot to Lieberman or Lindsey Graham. They have been his minders since his campaign came back to life.
after the debacle the republican party with the bush crime syndicate at its head has put the country into, why are we even discussing who the running mate for mcsame will be. the election should just and will in my estimation steam roll over all candidates from the other party simply on the basis that they were supporters of the Bush policies that enriched the heads of the party and took down the rest of nation. Remember the only mantra that will count to middle america at the voting booth. $4 a gallon gas heading quickly for $5. Nuff said.
no longer a proud american @ 34:
You would think and in a sane world you would be correct. But this world isn't as sane as it used to be.
McCain's VP is the least of their problems.
They prefer Jeb? Well why not. Go ahead and nominate Jeb.
See if Democrats care (snicker ...)
*
The fact that McCain has to pander to these people is laughable. These right-wing zealots are fast running out of political capital. The fact that Dunkin Donuts caved to the right-wing fringe like Michelle Malken is insane. I, myself e-mailed Dunkin Donuts and told them because of their cowardice, I will never go there again. I think a reverse boycott is necessary. We can't allow these right-wingers scare us anymore.
Just how far to the right do these wingnuts want to go? On some levels these wingnuts have ideas that could be called fascism...
For a while I thought he might pick Carly Fiorina. She has been out on the campaign trail for him.
In the end, mcbush's running mate will be whomever pnac have selected as his successor (assuming they can pull off stealing this election) because it's a good bet that gramps won't live long enough to run for a 2nd term. The rethug VP candidate will be another pliable idiot like bush and quayle.
You can't spell Christ without ChRIST
BigTallMatt @ 9:
This is way too much verbiage. They are not "pro-life", they are "anti-choice." They do not use that phrase because it too accurately depicts what they are; it makes it sound like they are only interested in forcing others to do what they want them to do whether they like it or not, and that is precisely what they are interested in. But that doesn't sound good, so they changed their "brand name".
Why doesn't he ask Hagee or any of the other fringe-wingers? He can secure the religious right-wing nut balls, while alienating everyone else.
So they are trying to chose between a closeted gay, an Indian, and a member of that sinister cult of Mormon? This is hysterical!
I find it incredible with our country in shambles that these freaks main concern is gay marriage and abortion. Un-friggin-believable.
Yeah Laure, all that talk about illegal immigration and xenophobia is taking a back seat this time. Could they alienate their 'Base' anymore?
McCain will ask for Dick Cheney's help to find a running mate the same as Bush did in 2000, and Cheney will nominate -- guess who -- himself of course...
Geraldo @ 42:
We need to fix the verbiage on a lot of things, not just abortion.
Was Holy joe there? Please... pick Joe.
Wonder how freaked out they will be when they find out Crist is gay.
rooth hussein @ 26:
that would not surprise me at all. the VP for mcAssJacket will have to be a carlyle group operative, maybe bill clinton.
Why not Cheney? He's still going to pull the strings of the puppets long after 1-20-2009.
Ot
Dem congressman calls on McClellan to testify about book's revelations
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Dem_congressman_calls_on_McClellan_to_0528...
I don't see McSame picking Romney...he absolutely hates him.
pissed off patricia @ 33:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c
Crist's relationship with Florida realtor Gerard A. Growney may also pose a problem, if the press cares to dig that deep.
pissed off patricia @ 39:
Not her?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO4caNnGq6c
I covered the three weekend Veep candidates on my blog, but here's the synopsis:
1. Crist - too gay (pay no attention to the trophy chick on his arm).
2. Jindal - too brown (sorry, but the Base will never go for him no matter how much of a fire-breathing conservative he is).
3. Romney - too close a rival, and I hear they only recently switched his OS to Vista, so there are some bugs to work out.
It'll be Leiberman. The murkins will be convinced it's a unity ticket.
Litabell @ 45:
Could I just for once be given an explanation of how gays getting married would affect me and my family. This miserable War and the price of gas - the fact that my home is worth so much less than it was last year, should I want to move, is much more important than two people who love each other marrying.
Sorry, Steve, but I am astounded by this comment: >>With Crist on the ticket, Dems probably wouldn’t even try as hard to win Florida. Crist is inexperienced — he was elected governor just 18 months ago — but that probably isn’t a deal-breaker.<<
OK, I'm no Crist fan, but seriously---first of all, Crist is 5 years older than Obama.
Next, he has just as much, if not MORE experience than Obama.
Lastly, to say that the Dems wouldn't try as hard to win Florida, simply because the gov is on the ticket is just, well, poppycock! That's crazy talk, man.
John T Roberts @ 62:
I'm sure that Diebold is taking him seriously. Their votes count.
Brody is cool. I especially like the idea of supporting outsiders over the husband (as in the Schiavo case) as an example of being "pro-family."
I guess it takes a village after all.
Florida Man @ 5:
True dat. I was going to post a similar comment. FL is so backasswards I was shocked when he got elected here -- with all the stories of his being gay and all.
Aside from being not conservative enough, there's no way McCain would name a gay dude like Crist as his running mate.
Here in Floorduh...everybody knows Chaz the clothes pony is Teh Ghey. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Furthermore he just became our Goob, so hands off, cancerous warpig scum candidate.
Why should it matter that Charlie's gay? It means 'happy' and 'carefree,' after all. I think McCain should choose him for his happy disposition, if nothing else.
All three of these are red herrings. As noted by most above, they all have fatal flaws and the most fatal flaw of all is they're not BushCo insiders.
For those mentioning Jeb B*sh - please, not even as a joke!!! He's the PNAC dream president and ol' Grampa wouldn't last a year before a "heart attack" would incapacitate him. Then we'd be stuck with a gen-u-wine Bush III term.
Happily, Cheney is McCain's equal in the just about to be worm food way (meant in the least hostile, non-threatening, no reason for the Secret Service to put me on another list way) so, even if he wanted it, it's unlikely he'll be around to "work".
pissed off patricia @ 33:
I god.... PLEASE pick Liberman, John!! Pretty please?
Jindahl (swarthy), Crist (gay), and Romney (Mormon)? It's almost like McCain is trying to lose.
If Jesus were to come back today, he would be branded as an ultra-left hippie. All that "turn the other cheek" crap sounds like appeasing terrorists. To say nothing of driving the money changers out of the temple. That shows a striking hostility to our beautiful system of free enterprise.
I'm not from Florida, but I did wonder about Crist when I saw him on "Shaq's Big Challenge."
Yeah, "live and let live" is not exactly a Republicant value....more like "torture it, kill it, take its oil, and burn the carcass."
What exactly is social about social conservatives?
Charlie is gay.
It's the worst-kept secret in Tallahassee.
ched @ 66:
If he picks Crist would that make him John the Baptist?
Come to think of it, he is Baptist.
Gollum @ 76:
That, and their best-kept secret, how many alligators do you have to squeeze to get Gatorade?
McCain's best bet is to pick Huckabee. It's the only choice that makes any sense given his other options.
ysbaddaden @ 78:
Huh?
Gollum @ 80:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvIFRNbqOs
Although I prefer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBm4P9GIJk
Come on, McCain can't really try and run on Vietnam2k+ with someone named Charlie can he? I could almost see the Daily Show bits now.
Charlie Crist doesn't want any part of the VP job, the scruntiny he would undergo would reveal too much about his personal life, the same goat will get Lindsey Graham.
Gollum @ 79:
My money's on the Huckster too. It'll mobilize the Southerners and god-botherers who don't trust the non-Southern and negligibly religious McCain.
Yeah, right... It is Crist's pro-choice stance that would keep him off the ticket.
Being gay would have nothing to do with it.
be more worried about Lindsey Graham becoming AG
Want to know who the VP pick will be?
Look for the guy with the brownest nose on the whitest face.
Well, if its not Crist and McCain picks Jindal - when do the "Jindal is a Buddist" emails begin?
Not only are GOPers all corrupt and crooked, they're all psychotic.
Charlie Crist "sex tape" magically surfaces just as he is being considered for VP, and there is no sex involved - http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/05/27/charlie-crist-sex-tape-surfaces-...
"The video was seemingly staged to kill the rumors that Crist is gay. Stone claims the tape — which he discussed recently with Politics1, but didn’t show to us (”I’m saving it for the national shows”) — “shows Charlie fooling around in a hotel elevator with his girlfriend…They’re making out.” Adds Stone: “It was captured on a security camera in the elevator” last month. And Stone just conveniently happens to have a copy of the hotel’s elevator surveillance tape, just when Crist’s name is in play for the VP spot. Hmm. As for Crist’s purported girlfriend — presuming it is the same one he took as his date to the White House Correspondents Dinner in DC a few weeks ago — she’s still married (and not to Crist) Disclaimer: Always be skeptical of anything from Stone.
Why does thinking about Charlie and Carole make me flash on a picture of Karen and Jack from Will and Grace?"
Charlie just wrapped up a weekend with John McCain and his other vice presidential contestants at Cindy’s ranch in Arizona.
I can picture the conversation: McCain: I’d really like to pick you, Charlie, since you’ve raised a buttload of dinero for me, and there’s a teeny, tiny chance you could deliver me Florida, but I’m worried because you’re so gay.
Charlie: I’ve stayed in the closet this long, John. I sure ain’t coming out now. McCain: But people talk… Charlie: Hmmmm. Let me call Roger Stone and my current beard, Carole Rome. McCain: O.K., get back to me on it.
Any running mate of mccain would have to be willing to take a lot of rest stops.
Florida Man @ 5:
I'm a former NW & South Floridian... Crist is NOT someone who conservatives want too close to the top of the ticket. Besides the 'rumors' about his sexuality, there's one of his more recent moves to RE-enfranchise convicted felons in Florida. That is such a liberal thing to do that I have to applaud him for it despite his chosen political party. But given that he's shown the live-and-let-live outlook to color his political endeavors, the cons & neo-cons will certainly do all they can to keep him out of the running.
Liberal AND Proud @ 1:
Charlie H. Crist?
:D
I'd love for Crist to be the running mate. Then we'd sit back and let the men he's slept with come forward one by one.
lgs @ 54:
God I hope that's true.
*
"The problem, though, is that Crist may not be perceived as rabidly conservative enough."
I've got it:make Ted Nugent the running mate.
Yeah, but the party's base, the extreme righties, are about the craziest people on the planet. They act like they are Puritans, only with a really fuck-headed twist to it. (Not to offend decent Puritans.)
If he does pick empty-suited Mitt Romney, I'll enjoy ripping him to shreds till Novemeber. Let's face it, we all will. I can't see that ticket going far, unless there is "some kind of intervention" in USA before November. (Think Blackwater.)
And if/when McCain chooses Crist, and it comes out that Crist is actually gay, think how those social conservatives will like it then!
BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't wait.
pinkobait @ 95:
Despite his love of high-powered penis substitutes, I don't think
the Motor City MadmanMr. Poopy Pants would be a good choice.I love how the article subtly hints that Crist is single, which is code for GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY!
I think McCain should pick any one of the Bush brothers - George, Jeb, or even Neil. Why the hell not? The repub base would drool over them.
Whoever thinks that Crist is doing a wonderful job as governor in Florida needs an eye test. Education is in the crapper, we are cutting funding from everywhere to make up for poor financial decisions on the part of Amendment 1.
What happened with Amendment 1. Basically since Florida doesn't have an income tax, the funds for programs (like education, etc.) come from sales tax and property taxes. Amendment 1 cut the property taxes. Yaaay, everyone gets to keep and extra 600 hundred dollars a year, uh-oh you mean you might have to fire a bunch of teachers cause you can't afford to have less than 40 kids in a class. OOPS.
And Crist is an expert at blowing sunshine (don't ask who sunshine is). Not big on substance though. Nice window coverings, but if you look inside the store you'll find that the shelves are emtpy.
Check out the articles in the Broward Palm Beach "New Times" on Charlie Crist and two guys who claimed to have been with him: www.browardpalmbeach.com and just type in Charlie Crist into the archives search bar. Interesting reading, about four articles, with the most recent from February 2008.
Joe O. @ 11:
---
ahh... but what everyone here seems to be ignoring (or missing because the topic is focused on the fundies), is that Crist will bring moderates and centrists into the mix. people who don't like either Dem candidate, and think mcsame is too conservative.
that could balance out the fundie support... IF mcsame has a way to preach to those moderates/centrists.
.
Florida Man @ 5:
'Beard marriage?' He's not married, and he sure dates a lot of women considering what you say here.
Evidently it's enough to be a bachelor governor to prove you're gay?
I'm just trying to square what I'm seeing on the blogs with Charlie in person.. and for me it doesn't add up.
rooth hussein @ 8:
I would have thought so when he ran for Gov. of FL, since the rumors had been around since before then. The rumors didn't stop him from winning in such a conservative state as FL, so either there's not much truth to them (not that I believe THAT) or they managed to keep it quiet enough to keep the mainstream media off his back. If that's what they did to get him elected in FL, I don't see why they can't do it again. As was noted in a comment above, they're already trotting-out his new "girlfriend" and this so-called (sexless) "sex-tape". That ought to be plenty to keep the right-wingers happy that he's "normal" after all, since they only believe what they're told by their leaders, anyway (and if THAT weren't true, we'd not be in the mess we're in now with Iraq and Katrina and $4/gal. gas, and all the other stuff that BushCo has allowed to happen, because people would have been thinking for themselves and not continuing to blindly support such a loser!)
Charlie's not gay, he's bi.
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