Jesse Ventura called them “Jackals”. Media Jackals. Well, the “jackals” are circling like vultures around both Obama and McCain these past few days trying to scoop who their VP picks might be.
In Minnesota our boy governor, Tim Pawlenty, has been named as someone on the short list to share the ticket with John McCain.
I like Pawlenty. Some don’t. He came into office when the state was broke and made deep cuts in spending that offended some. I don’t think he had a choice. The state cannot print more money and run on a deficit like the federal government.
Pollsters say if Pawlenty was on the ticket with McCain, they would take Minnesota, which is now considered a swing state. A favorite son would give them a 13% lead over Obama who is now ahead here. The governor is socially and fiscally conservative and young and make the ticket more appealing to some. The poll shows he would sell well with independents. He has his detractors but did win election twice.
Here is my question: Why don’t the two major party candidates pick the governors of each state as the VP on their ticket? Different ticket in each state. Run with Pawlenty in Minnesota, Romney in Massachusetts, Schwartzenegger in California etc. That way they could have favorite sons everywhere their party had a man or woman in the governor's mansion.
In Minnesota our boy governor, Tim Pawlenty, has been named as someone on the short list to share the ticket with John McCain.
I like Pawlenty. Some don’t. He came into office when the state was broke and made deep cuts in spending that offended some. I don’t think he had a choice. The state cannot print more money and run on a deficit like the federal government.
Pollsters say if Pawlenty was on the ticket with McCain, they would take Minnesota, which is now considered a swing state. A favorite son would give them a 13% lead over Obama who is now ahead here. The governor is socially and fiscally conservative and young and make the ticket more appealing to some. The poll shows he would sell well with independents. He has his detractors but did win election twice.
Here is my question: Why don’t the two major party candidates pick the governors of each state as the VP on their ticket? Different ticket in each state. Run with Pawlenty in Minnesota, Romney in Massachusetts, Schwartzenegger in California etc. That way they could have favorite sons everywhere their party had a man or woman in the governor's mansion.
You think that wouldn’t be fair because the big states would have more clout? You think that is a bad system? How about the one we have now that still uses an electoral college vote? I can’t see the difference between the electoral college system and the one I am suggesting.
Persons my age or better remember national political conventions and deals made in smoke filled rooms. The smoke filled rooms are gone and candidates are picked months before in primaries and caucuses. Decades ago, politically savy conventioneers withheld support of a candidate on the first ballots by nominating their states "favorite son". This was a senator or governor from their state. It gave them leverage. The front runners made deals to get their votes. Conventions were televised nail-biters back then. We are missing out on some drama when we preselect the ticket.
Face it Democrats and Republicans, this race may be tipped by uncommitted independents. The governors are proven winners on their turf and could add a layer of excitement and chaos that would make us forget Florida’s voting system. Win one for the Gov’ner.
Face it Democrats and Republicans, this race may be tipped by uncommitted independents. The governors are proven winners on their turf and could add a layer of excitement and chaos that would make us forget Florida’s voting system. Win one for the Gov’ner.
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