There's been a lot of buzz about Romney as McCain's VP in the last couple days.
Obviously this is all speculation at this point, and "conditions on the ground" could change everything. I don't want to set anyone up for disappointment and I sure don't want to spoil any element of surprise when the VP annoucement is official.
But I will share these two "breadcrumbs" that I've seen buried in the news the past couple days that just might lead to McCain-Romney '08
1) John McCain's vetting operation, the most discrete part of that whole campaign office, is run by a lawyer named Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.
Culvahouse has been involved in vetting people for positions at all levels of government for three decades, roles he's gotten partly because of his reputation for under-the-radar maneuvering.
McCain has turned to him in recent weeks as he sorts through a list of some 20 or more would-be No. 2s - not that you'd know it. The Arizona senator, like every nominee-in-waiting, is demanding privacy and trying to keep the search under wraps, including the involvement of the man who goes by A.B.
Culvahouse's has had a number of very important, behind the scenes missions, you can read more about those in the article. But here's the Romney tie-in.... he worked with the International Olympic Committee during the Salt Lake City Olympics that Mitt Romney helped rescue. No doubt he holds Governor Romney in the highest regard.
2) The new operation at the Republican National Committee, an "independent expenditure arm" that will help the GOP thru the Fall but by law it will not coordinate with John McCain (who has a say in just about everything else at the RNC as the party's nominee)
Who's going to run that show? A guy named Brad Todd.
Brad Todd was one of Mitt Romney's key ad creators in his primary run.
So that's what I'm seeing. Sometimes you see what you want to see. And sometimes what you want to see, also happens to be the way things really are.
6 comments:
Hi all.
I hope I am wrong, but I don't see how these are even "breadcrumbs." Someone who is already pro-Romney is not the person you hire to vet Romney; they are "biased." Please tell me why, at best, the presence of these two people is, neutral...
(the hiring of these people does shift to pro-Romney if the vetting involves vetting more people than just the VP.
I don't think that they were brought in to vet Romney. Just that they would likely in the process of their work, they're going to be naturally inclined to Romney. I really don't think McCain's campaign intentionally stacked the deck in Romney's favor.
I think Jeff is on to something here... especially with Culvahouse and the connection to Mitt's rescue of the Olympics.
Folks, they've already decided a long time ago who the VP would be. It's Romney. They're talking cabinet now people. You don't have to read the tea leaves, you just have to look at the following:
+ McCain's messaging is practically identical to Romney's when he was on the trail.
+ McCain said that Romney speaks for him better than anyone.
+ McCain needs Romney's money and the money he can bring in. Nobody but Romney provides that kind of dough.
+ McCain likes Romney more than people think and the feeling is mutual. Forget all the press garbage about the dislike between them. Not true.
+ McCain campaigned for Romney and recommended him in the highest terms.
+ McCain had a big Soire with Romney and all his most important advisers the day before he laid out his presidential plan.
+ McCain continues to use Romney men in his campaign.
+ McCain needs Romney's states, Massachusetts, Michigan, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and possibly California.
+ McCain wants to bring Romney on just to spite all the cloistered, illogical, and power hungry evangelical illuminati.
+ McCain needs to convince the base that he's conservative. Romney is removing all doubt that he's the most conservative option on the political stage.
+ McCain needs Romney because he brings Ann with him. :)
It is looking good that Romney will be the VP and that there have been plans in the works for some time now... however, McCain is a maverick. We must keep the pressure on McCain to select Romney as VP....
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