THE PLANK JANUARY 23, 2009
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There are few things in contemporary politics more entertaining than watching John McCain tap dance when asked if he intends to support his vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, for the presidency in 2012. Politico's Andy Barr has the latest example:
Asked on CNN’s “Larry King Live” if he plans to support Alaska Gov.
Sarah Palin in the Republican presidential primaries, McCain said it
would be “improper” to commit now because “I don’t know who’s running,
for one thing, because, for example, my friend Jon Kyl, my colleague
from Arizona.”McCain then trailed off, appearing as if he had accidentally floated Kyl’s name.
When King followed up to ask if Kyl, the Senate’s minority whip, plans
to run, McCain responded: “Now, wait a minute. Jon would be astonished
to hear that I said that.”“He’s a great leader for the Republicans in the Senate,” he said. “But
let me just say, I don’t know who’s running and all that, but I will
always be grateful to Sarah Palin for her friendship and her strong
principles and leadership.”
And what about Cindy? You never know, she might run, and McCain could hardly be expected to support Palin over his own wife, could he?
--Christopher Orr
10 comments
Sure, McCain is most likely bitter at Palin for in his mind, and perhaps actually, costing him the presidency. But to be fair, ex-candidates don't always endorse their former running mates. Did Gore come out for Lieberman in '04? Did Kerry for Edwards this time around?
- satyendra
January 23, 2009 at 3:21pm
Meghan '12!
- stgla
January 23, 2009 at 3:33pm
And a McCain child or two might want to run in '12. So Mac does not want to play his hand too early. Good point, saty.
- liberal reformer
January 23, 2009 at 3:40pm
John, just say no!
- ironyroad
January 23, 2009 at 3:55pm
Lib ref, you're the 1st one to get the short version of my handle (husband's name) right.
- satyendra
January 23, 2009 at 4:23pm
While we're on the subject, does Secretary of State Clinton plan to support 2008 candidate Barack Obama in the 2012 Democratic primaries?
- rhubarbs
January 23, 2009 at 4:36pm
Rhubarbs, I guess 2004 was a long time ago, but traditionally doesn't the party in power not run any primary candidates against the incumbent? In other words, I don't remember if Bush ran in any Republican primary in '04.
- satyendra
January 23, 2009 at 4:51pm
Thanks for cluing me in on that, saty. As for Rhubarbs, you are generally right but Ronald Reagan ran a fierce challenge against Gerald Ford in '76 and four years later, Ted Kennedy seemed poised to do the same thing to Jimmy Carter but he imploded in the primaries.
- liberal reformer
January 23, 2009 at 5:39pm
satyendra, if any candidates file the necessary paperwork to run in any state's Democratic primary against Obama, then that state will hold a Democratic primary. If Obama is the only candidate who files for the Democratic nomination in that state, then there will be no Democratic primary in that state. Bill Clinton is the only recent Democratic incumbent not to face a serious primary challenge when he ran for reelection.
Anyway, the implication of my joke was that Hillary might herself oppose Obama in 2012. Which I don't expect, but neither do I trust her not to do so if Obama looks even the tiniest bit vulnerable.
- rhubarbs
January 23, 2009 at 5:42pm
Thanks for the explanations Rhubarbs and Lib Ref. Rhubarbs, I see what you're saying but in that hypothetical Hillary would risk losing her Sec'y of State position.
- satyendra
January 23, 2009 at 6:00pm