Top McCain Surrogate Romney: Obama Win Likely
In another sign that more and more GOPers are presuming an Obama victory, top McCain surrogate Mitt Romney confesses as much in a fundraising email he blasted out on behalf of GOP Senator Mitch McConnell.
In his email, Romney warns against electing McConnell's Dem challenger, Bruce Lunsford, as follows:
His opponent was handpicked by Chuck Schumer and will be a reliable vote for the Democrats. And as we face the very real possibility of an Obama presidency, that's the last thing we need.It's more critical than ever that we have a strong Republican leader to act as a "firewall" against bad legislation, tax increases, and increased spending.
You're seeing more and more of this. Today the NRSC released an ad for embattled GOP Senator Gordon Smith that presumes an Obama victory by warning against "one party rule" in Washington.
McCain, too, has been arguing that he should be elected President in order to counter-balance the Dem Congress, which presumes Dems will win in the Congressional races, or at least that the GOP is doomed to remain in the minority. As one Dem joked to us recently: "Republicans launch new campaign theme: All the rest of us are gonna lose, so elect me."
Watching GOP disintegrate into makes our win that much more special. I just hope we bury them so deep, it will take a decade or two to find their feet.
Anyway, we never know. One week to go.
October 28, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Think bigger, like in scores and more.
October 28, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Four score and seven?
October 28, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
There ya go, man!
October 28, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
... Keep as cool as ya can!
October 28, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Face piles of trials with smiles
It riles them to believe
That you perceive
The web they weave
And Keep On Thinking Free
October 28, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course Romney has a vested interest in seeing McCain lose.
October 28, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
You said it. Meanwhile, I so hope that he gets his way. Watching Romney run against Obama would be even more satisfyingly entertaining than watching McCain run against Obama. I would pay good money for the privilege of watching that race.
October 28, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. He was the GOP candidate I most wanted to win, though it was a close contest with Rudy.
October 28, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any of the bigwig-backed GOP candidates -- Mitt, Huck, Rudy, Fred -- would have been chopped to mincemeat by now by either BigO or Hillary.
McSlime was easily the most viable candidate they had. The GOP rank-and-file knew it even though the DC leadership and the punditocracy were all in dogmatic denial.
October 28, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much fun as any of these races might be in 2012, an Obama vs. Palin race would be the most amusing possibility of all.
October 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second.
I think Mitt is uber-bitter from the GOP primary race. Every time I see ol' Mitt stumping for McCain, it seems like he's only half-hearted about it.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
October 28, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Last summer, a local station here in CT went around asking voters to name the branches of government. None of them could name all three. None. The majority of people didn't recognize John Roberts' name.
The argument against "one party rule" is going to influence that seemingly rapidly diminishing segment of the population that even understands that there are three branches of government.
October 28, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
How will it influence them, exactly?
October 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It will be meaningful to them, and thus, may have some resonance.
October 28, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
We can cure that - it's not that hard.
All it takes is a commitment to teach the constitution in public schools. Start in grade school and then add to it in complexity like you do math or languages - in middle school, start covering the SCOTUS decisions interpreting it. Then in high school round out the whole thing.
October 28, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Need to include members of Congress. For the last 8 years they were completely clueless and let Bu$h walk all over them.
October 28, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, is that a good point. Maybe we need to make all candidates for federal office pass a constitution exam, or something like that.
October 28, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Won't it be refreshing to have a President who is actually a constitutional scholar ( and I'm not talking McCain here) ?!
By the way, its been illuminating to be able to read smart, passionate, and often funny comments from the likes of TenaX,
Skymodem, Ct Voter, and all the rest of you here at TPM. Thanks for helping me get thru these times!
Well, time to get back to the only bank worth bothering with these days, the phonebank...
October 28, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Won't it be refreshing to have a President who is actually a constitutional scholar..."
You mean the guy that thinks the Constitution has a ""fundamental flaw that continues to this day." That scholar?
October 28, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, exactly that scholar. And let's not talk about those socialist bastards who thought we should actually - horrors! - make amendments to the holy writ. You literalist, constructionist, fundamentalist types... lol. Crack me up.
October 28, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's why there's an amendment process built in...I'm not a Constitutional scolar or anything but I believe a few amendments have actually been made. I even think one was made, everyone decided it sucked and they all changed it back. I fail to see where the "fundamental flaw" is that prevents anything from being fixed...maybe you could enlighten me.
October 28, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
*wink* ;) Thanks for your hard work, friend.
October 28, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
jeez, don't they teach that stuff anymore? I had 8th grade civics and 11th grade US Government back in the 70s, and those classes have served me all my life. Hell, you couldn't graduate if you didn't pass those classes.
October 28, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes but - it's just civics and government and everybody sleeps through it. I know I did.
And it's in high school - or least was when I was in public school.
I'm talking a comprehensive course on just the constitution, starting early and keeping it up until graduation.
October 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah I see. Yes, it would be a wonderful enhancement. Hell why not include units that cover state and municipal government as well. Can you imagine what a difference in civic life that would make? Great idea, Tena.
October 28, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not totally my idea, I'm sorry to say.
There's a Democratic activist in Dallas - Harryette Everhardt. She's been a Democratic activist for over 40 years - she's awesome. Anyway, this is basically her idea and she has started working on a program for Dallas schools.
October 28, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the reasons I loved the "West Wing" so much was that they worked discussion about these procedural (as well as substantive) issues into the dialogue.
It would be nice to see a majority of Americans expand their awareness of the Constitution beyond the 1st and 2nd amendments.
October 28, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
agree. I loved that show. more tv like that would be good.
October 28, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
We used to recite the Preamble to the constitution every morning along with the Pledge of ...oh, my bad...I forgot my audience.
October 28, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
"All it takes is a commitment to teach the constitution in public schools."
What...that "charter of negative liberties"...?
October 28, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I was in grade school in the sixties constitution was required. I don't even think they teach history any more.
October 28, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
One party rule...and what a party we'll have!
October 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
WATCHING THE GOP COLLAPSE INTO THE MASSIVE HOLE MCCAIN HAS CREATED IS...
October 28, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT NEWS...
October 28, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR AMERICA!
October 28, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent
October 28, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
October 28, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lunsford (one "d") definitely was hand-picked by Schumer, who kicked far better candidate Andrew Horne to the curb (don't get me started.)
But Bruce as a "reliable vote for the Democrats?"
Stop! I can't breathe!
Bruce Lunsford is going to lose to McConnell, for which Senate dems should be grateful. Lunsford would be a back-stabbing traitor who would make Lieberman look like Russ Feingold.
October 28, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I have to say that if achieving "60" means Lunsford winning, I am not sure that 60 is such a victory. I guess it would worth it simply to see McConnell go down, but I have no positive enthusiasm for Lunsford.
October 28, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's worth it to me to see McConnell go down in flames, but I don't live in Kentucky so how I feel about it is rather immaterial.
;)
October 28, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, that would be upside of it. Not as fantastic as it would be if Martin upsets Chambliss or if (dare we hope) Noriega were to upset Cornyn, but it would be worth it to watch that smirk slide off of McConnell's lips. Still and all, Lunsford has endorsed McCain, so it would not be a great shame if he were to lose to McConnell.
October 28, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously. A DINO can do more damage than a less than 60 seat majority, in my opinion.
O/T: I LOVED your story about the older white Republican women voting for Obama, but not telling anyone.....
October 28, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too. See I secretly have thought all along that we are more likely to see a reverse Bradley Effect -people who won't admit they are voting for him but do.
October 28, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to see that you two and CT Voter enjoyed that story. We all had a good laugh when R told it. As you said, it is really not at all counterintuitive when you think about it. It only makes sense that there would be a certain percentage of white voters (especially down south) who would feel comfortable voting for Obama but uncomfortable about how their (white) peers would react to such a choice. It requires no real stretch of imagination to suppose that there are more than a few lawns in Atlanta sporting a McCain/Palin sign that belong, nonetheless, to an Obama voter.
October 28, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe if he feels any loyalty to Chuck Schumer for picking him, Chuck will be able to keep him in line for cloture votes.
Yeah, I'm reaching for straws.
October 28, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I finally figured out the winning electoral equation for Dems -- Palin = Nixon. The Parallels are Eerie
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=4380
October 28, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"A very real possibility" doesn't mean the same as "likely."
Just saying.
October 28, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's also not exactly what you'd like your surrogates to be saying a week before the election.
October 28, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like Romney is more a "party first" guy than a McCain surrogate on this one.
October 28, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Almost right. Try "Romney first". His people within the McLame campaign have also been among the main Palin-bashing leakers.
October 28, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Romney is out for Romney; his objective is the Republican Party.
October 28, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not surprised by Gov. Romney's comment its in his best interest to see McCain fail. First. A McCain adviser calls Palin a 'Whack Job' another say's he voted for Obama and now Romney.
October 28, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder who these "advisors" are. Or, if they even exist. Don't get me wrong-such comments don't surprise me at all but, still....
October 28, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
His advisors are probably from the same stable of commentators Jon Stewart skewered the other night with his routine, "WHO THE #$@$# IS THAT GUY??"
Sidesplitting.
October 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be me. I posted a comment telling him to STFU.
Just because he didn't take my advice doesn't mean I didn't give it.
October 28, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you have a link to the McCain advisor who said he voted for Obama?
October 28, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think s/he refers to Charles Fried.
October 28, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you believe this crap???
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/phony-flier-says-virginians-vote-different-days
October 28, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes - you can't?
October 28, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I've said before, if you live by the dumbass vote, you die by the dumbass vote!
October 28, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just saw Romney and he looks pretty shaken up. One of his hairs has actually broken free.
October 28, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOL!!!
That one made me laugh so loudly I scared the doves.
October 28, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw him walking through a park here during the RNC. The guy looks every bit as robotic in person as he does on TV.
Please, Willard, run in 2012!
October 28, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
October 28, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's wrong with Palin/Bachmann 2012, you sexist bastard? ;)
October 28, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. Armageddon is sooooo sexy!
October 28, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Huckabee is the only Republican candidate that seemed like a good person. I don't agree with him on most things, well everything, but I don't think he would have run a McSleaze campaign.
Bachmann Batshiat Crazy on Overdrive however cannot be called a good person. In fact, it is probably not safe to say her name three times in a row.
October 28, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The worst joke in all of this is how the GOP and their dupes were so gung-ho over one party control in 00 and 04 but now when faced with that same prospect under the Dems, they're all like, "The Horror."
The punchline won't come until 2012 when they'll argue that in these difficult times we must change horses in mid-stream. Obama had his chance and look at how he screwed everything up (then they'll list everything bad that happened regardless of how Obama was involved). We need someone else to clean up his mess.
October 28, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Romney is pissed that Palin is being handed the keys to the party by some insiders and is pushing back. His supporters were being the "diva" and "whackjob" descriptions for Palin.
If Palin and Huck run in 2012, they could split the evangelical vote, and in the winner take all format that could doom both campaigns.
October 28, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure he is, but it isn't just Romney supporters who are dumping on Palin. Lincoln Chaffee is not a Romney supporter, and he's the one who called her a "cocky wacko."
October 28, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
God bless Lincoln.
I was sorry to see him not re-elected in a way. He really is a moderate Republican, but here in the Northeast, the anti-Republican sentiment was so strong that he couldn't withstand it.
October 28, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
So the McCain campaign finally admits there healthcare plan isn't worth two cents.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Plans_and_credits.html
October 28, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
I love the guy - I wish he'd switch parties. Gordon Smith should have switched - he wouldn't be losing if he'd just gone on and switched parties and I don't understand why he didn't.
October 28, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
that was supposed to be a reply to CT - don't know how it landed down here -
October 28, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mittens. That guy cracks me up.
I'd hug him if he weren't made of plastic.
October 28, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Using the word "firewall" often does not turn out so well for the speaker.
October 28, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Slightly OT. But here's another Republican (newspaper) bailing. The Mpls Star Tribune just endorsed El Tinklenberg in the 6th CD. Pretty good skewering of Bachmann:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/33414049.html?page=2&c=y
October 28, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there a paper of note in St. Cloud? Any endorsement from them?
October 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
With friends like Romeny who needs enemies?
I live in Oregon and the Merkley Smith add wars are quite good. They have called Merkley everything but a .. well you can guess.
October 28, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
With the failing McCain campaign (though not out by any stretch), a high GOP turnout is in serious jeopardy, especially against an expected record turnout by registered Democrats. So this move, which we're seeing in other states and districts, is a smart one for the GOP. By acknowledging the obvious about their candidate, they can use it to leverage the expected loss to re-energize an otherwise lackluster base to stop the congressional hemorrhaging and prevent a Democratic hegemony. And if that works, there could be an added benefit that the turnout for the senators and reps may help up-ticket for McCain/Palin. If it all works, which is a longshot, it'd be the most ironic and counterintuitive political campaign strategy in the history of civilization, or at least in the last few years.
October 28, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
McConnell now throws McCain under the bus HIMSELF in an email-
http://barefootandprogressive.blogspot.com/2008/10/mcconnell-now-personally-gives-up-on.html
October 28, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't you know, he can just smell 2012? What a debate it's going to be with Romney, Palin, and Guliani. I always dug vaudville!
October 28, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink