McCain Has Jindal, Crist, & Romney Over For The Weekend - VP Vetting?
They say it’s just a social thing….they’ll be hanging out, maybe slaughter a few pigs and cows and have a big old bar-b-que…
…yeah.
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Memorial Day guest list at Sen. John McCain’s Arizona home runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as vice presidential running mates, but a top aide said Wednesday that vetting possible veeps is not on the agenda.
“It’s purely social,” said Mark Salter, a senior adviser to McCain.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney were all invited to a Memorial Day gathering at the senator’s home in Sedona, Ariz. Romney ran for the Republican presidential nomination in last winter’s primaries, but dropped out months ago and has endorsed McCain.
Ten couples in all were invited. McCain often hosts friends and political acquaintances at his compound.
McCain said more than a month ago that he was in the “embryonic stages” of selecting a running mate for the fall campaign, but neither he nor aides have disclosed additional information in the weeks since.
It will be the first visit to Sedona, Ariz., for all three.
Romney dropped out of the race in February after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed the Arizona senator a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.
Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he’d accept a vice presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he’s looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012.
Neither man appeared especially fond of the other during the campaign. Romney cast McCain as outside of the GOP’s conservative mainstream and a Washington insider who contributed to the problems there. McCain, in turn, argued that Romney’s equivocations and reversals on issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.
Crist, 51, provided a major boost to McCain prior to Florida’s Jan. 29 primary with a well-timed endorsement.
Elected governor in 2006, Crist has been seen as a moderate Republican. He has championed efforts to curb climate change, and was praised by former President Clinton for his efforts to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences.
He also pushed for a law that requires a paper trail in state elections, a measure that bans the electronic voting machines his predecessor, Gov. Jeb Bush, sought after the 2000 presidential election. That election ended in a hotly contested recount, which President Bush won by 537 votes.
Jindal, 36, son of Indian immigrants, was elected governor of Louisiana in October 2007. He had served as secretary of the state health department.
Among other guests expected were Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., close confidantes of McCain.
(AP)
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Now why in the world would Mitt Romney go to McCains house just to visit? these 2 were not buddies at all during the primary season. Cant fool me, this is the beginning of the vetting process.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 amYeah, but there are many things Romney could do in a new McCain administration that would not necessarily be a VP. I’m just glad Huckabee isn’t there. That guy needs a TV evangelical show…
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 amJindal is smart, but maybe too inexperienced (in case McCain can’t serve next term) and Louisiana really needs him; Crist is too liberal and inexperienced and Florida is going for McCain anyway, Romney has the right experience and conservatism to assist McCain, he actually won election in People’s Republic of Massachusetts.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 amI wonder what(Dollard)folks think about these 3 guys. I prefer Mitt. Bobby Jindal is impressive but a little too young. Let the voting begin.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 amMitt is strongly anti-gun…
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 amthat sucks for those of us that value our 2nd Amendment rights.
I highly value my 2nd amendment rights. but dont see anyone in the near future coming to get our guns although i do worry about it too, just dont think Romney would push that issue.
Jindal will be a Republican superstar one day. But LA really needs him right now and he needs to put some more years under his belt. and during this political climate right now it would be foolish to jump in right now.
Im going for Romney, who was my first choice before McCain got the nomination.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 amMmmmm, gotta love the anti-Mitt propaganda that’s thrown around here every day. I love it
Keep Bobby where he’s at, he’s of more use as governor than a VP.
Mitt or Ted Nugent as always
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:19 pmcrist is an amnesty loving homo.mitt signed a mandated health care bill.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pmMitt is there for the show and Money, Jindal too, Crist brings fla and is just another Rino.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmShould be very interesting.
Lieberman and that fool from SC are invited.
The question from Mac to Romney will be, If we need $$$ is your account available? If the $$ is available then mitt is the pick. if not Charlie bring fla.
Gov Romney is NOT anti gun. Basically he is a Constitutionalist.
Bobby is better off in LA & LA is better off with him there too.
Gov Romney would be the best choice and after listening to him I think he thinks so too. the problem is MacNasty. Mac is tooooo stupid to do anything like pick a tickett asset like the Gov
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmJindal asked his parents and they told him, “You can go anywhere you want to son, but the grandchildren stay here in Louisiana!”
BTW the same was said when he went to congress. He had to commute weekly from Metairie (New Orleans area) to DC to spend time with the family.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:53 pmMitt is not anti-2nd Amendment. Obami will take away your guns if he can.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:26 pmMcCain has alienated most everybody to the right of Ted Kennedy, they would have to be a tough nut to “work” with McNasty.
That groveling Arkansas Huckster is wearring out kneepads in his “me, me,me” I can doooo it routine.
Barney Fife might work out OK———
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 pmYeah, Ol’e Barn would work out just fine.
Jindal (and Crist) are good Governors, but it’s a no-brainer that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is the best Veep pick for McCain.
May 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am