And about that idea about former presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for VP:
The Times said that the group of evangelical leaders meeting to talk about coalescing around McCain also agreed to sign a letter urging him to consider Huckabee as his vice presidential choice. Huckabee is a favorite of Christian conservatives, but not of all evangelicals; some dislike his populist message, emphasis on the environment and economic positions, it said.
One participant characterized the Huckabee overture as a ''suggestion, not a demand.''
(Whispered aside: Suuuuure. Wink wink.)
McCain-Huckabee?
Two words: BAD IDEA.
By picking a running mate who is basically is diametric opposite when it comes to social issues, McCain will lose credibility among all those independents and right-leaning Democrats who look at him as someone who stands up for his own beliefs. They’ll say he’s pandering to those conservative evangelicals -– and they'll be right.
But the combo would have even more dire ramifications for Huckabee. As I’ve said here before, for many conservatives weary of the dogma that Republicans have droned on about for so long, Huckabee represents a welcome change – and it’s because of his populist message, emphasis on the environment and economic positions. I put it this way back on May 13:
Huckabee represented a new kind of Republicanism to many people who believed that the GOP’s claims of “compassionate conservatism” rang hollow. (The Dallas Morning News gave voice to the argument in its editorial endorsement of Huckabee on the eve of the Texas primary in March. Give it a read if you have time.) For his supporters, Huckabee throwing in with McCain would be akin to Obama throwing in as Hillary Clinton’s No. 2 after all his talk about a “new kind of politics.”
There's a new book out about this new kind of Republicanism: “Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream.” As Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty put it, if the GOP wants to remain relevant to the American people. it needs to be more Sam's Club, less country club.
Huck. A. Bee.
What would a presidential campaign built around that idea look like?
Huckabee will likely have a chance to show us, whether in four or eight years -- but not if he serves as a crewman on the Good Ship McCain.
Bottom line: McCain-Huckabee is a suggestion both men are better off politely declining.
Speaking of Pawlenty ... VP, anyone?
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