Delegates were reflected and distorted in a decorative mirror on the floor of the 2008 Republican National Convention. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters)
McCain shapes a maverick GOP convention
He shuffles speaking slots in the shortened event to keep up with fast-moving developments.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer/ September 2, 2008 edition
St. Paul, Minn.
Call it the maverick convention for the nominee who cherishes his maverick image. It now appears the agenda for the rest of the Republican National Convention (RNC) here in St. Paul will be fast-moving and ad hoc – like presumptive nominee John McCain himself.
President Bush? Yes, he was scratched from Monday’s proceedings in deference to the dangers posed by hurricane Gustav. But now he’ll speak to delegates on Tuesday evening – although by video, instead of live, as originally planned.
Rudy Giuliani? He was supposed to be the convention’s Tuesday’s keynote speaker, but that’s been changed, too. RNC officials deemed it likely Mr. Giuliani would still speak in a prime-time slot, but as to which day, and whether he would still be dubbed “keynote,” they could not say.
Joe Lieberman? No, he’s not going to be the vice-presidential nominee, however much affection Senator McCain has for his close friend in the Senate. But suddenly he’s been slotted into a high-profile Tuesday’s speaking slot.
Senator Lieberman’s topic? “The Original Maverick.” Gee, don’t you wonder who that’s about?
But a pivot back to McCain may be just the move the GOP now needs.
“I think they’ve got to get back on track. They’ve got to get their message out,” says Kenneth Collier, an associate professor of political science at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
According to Mr. Collier, that effort might include:
Push-back on Sarah Palin. So far, the new GOP vice-presidential pick has remained silent while news of her pregnant 17-year old daughter has dominated headlines. But her own likely upcoming appearance will be an opportunity to define herself the way the GOP would like voters to see her – as a fresh-faced reformer with a real-life family.
Reintroduction of McCain. For all the years McCain has been visible in public life, there is still much the public may not know about him beyond his war-hero image. The GOP convention’s remaining days will still be the longest stretch of time the nominee may be able to capture the public’s attention and talk about how he’d be different from incumbent George Bush.
A turning of the page on Mr. Bush. Speaking of the president, the Republicans may have benefited from hurricane Gustav in the sense that it gave them a graceful way to limit their association with the poll-challenged Bush.
“The Republicans are just trying to get their breath back and move on,” says Collier.
Comments
2. jbrinkmeyer | 09.02.08
Maverick? More like incompetent. Earlier this year McCain had to back away from his endorsement at the hands of hard core fundamentalist preacher, John Hagee when information about his anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim ravings became known. Apparently McCain hadn’t vetted him properly, thinking “well, here’s a right wing Christian that will get other right wing Christians on board.
Now yet again McCain shoots from the hip, nominating a VP without properly vetting her. Or if he did, not well enough. This woman is a walking disaster with all kinds of skeletons in her political closet, including flirting with an Alaskan secessionist party which immediately throws into question her commitment to “country first.”
Maverick? If by “maverick” we mean impulsive, unthinking, “what-was-he-thinking” decisions, yes, that defines McCain. But that’s hardly an endorsement for the post of president.
Yet more evidence that the Republican party is in deep do-do.
3. JL | 09.02.08
“I’m an Alaskan, not an American. I’ve got no use for America or her damned institutions.”
I guess “Country First” = “Mission Accomplished”
Prediction market contracts that she will withdraw from the ticket are up sharply today. Either way, McCain just lost the election.
4. JHawke | 09.02.08
McCain a maverick? Ha Ha. If he were truly a maverick he would have selected Lieberman or Ridge as his VP. Instead he obediently went along with the choice of the extreme right wing minority of the Republican base as he believes (rightly or wrongly) he needs their votes to get elected.
5. Jim Sweet | 09.02.08
Yes, let’s keep calling him a ‘maverick.’ Maverick, maverick, maverick. How about prisoner of war. POW, POW, POW. One thing he doesn’t seem to be able to live up to is President, President, President.
6. Jay | 09.02.08
The Christian Science Monitor is by far one of the worst news papers on the forefront of misleading American people.
7. edward elliot | 09.02.08
I really hope that Sarah Palin takes a leaf out of Harry Trumans book, when some journalist type scoffed at his daughters talents, Truman said he would
‘knock his block off”. For all of the left wing and democratic bloggers who
have been attacking Palin’s daughter as being the ‘real’ mother of the governor’s daughter, tell everyone that if these bloggers and the ‘in Obama’s
pocket’ media, don’t quit attacking her daughter, she’s going to take a hockey stick and print their intials across each forehead.
Incidentally if plagarism disqualfied Biden from running against Dukakis for
President, how does it not disqualify him from running for President?
9. Mike L | 09.02.08
Talk about an energetic lineup of speakers: Fred Thompson, Joe Lieberman and G. W. Bush - better get a pot of coffee going for that trio.
At least the undercurrent of a poorly vetted VP candidate will keep things interesting at the RNC. Maybe some pictures of Palin scantily dressed in an american flag bikini toting a rifle will come out next:
Can’t wait to see what comes next…
10. noise | 09.02.08
I dont see what is so ‘maverick’ about voting 95% of the time exactly as the president does. And that possibly translates to a ‘maverick’ convention because they messed up the schedule. Do you people even know what maverick means? Look it up.
11. tdub | 09.02.08
The Maverick? The man who proudly confessed (in the new Obama ad) that he voted with George Bush more than 90% of the time? A Maverick, eh? The sound thinker who picked Palin and didn’t even send his operatives out for a thorough background check until the last minute? Everyone at the convention is putting on the big happy face and shrilly whining about “left wing attacks” on character issues…. spin, spin, spin….
Their campaign is a train-wreck waiting to happen.
12. Rumplestiltskin | 09.02.08
Anyone who would pick on a defenseless 17 year old is a bully, and the MSM and Liberals and Democrats are just that: BULLIES. It’s all they know how to do.
14. JayKay | 09.02.08
I see this as a strengthening of the brand image of the GOP or Grand Old Party.
Palin will be a Grand mother and McCain is Old.
15. Peachyyy | 09.02.08
I am not sure where ya all got your info from…but for most of your comments U R WRONG….WRONG….WRONG!!
I am guessing U all R some of the younger generation that doesn’t know much about our real country.
Your listening to the wrong people & if U think Obama won’t make a bigger mess of this country & US if he gets in office….once again, U R WRONG…WRONG….WRONG!!
U best clean out your ears & start reading some backgrounds!!
I truly feel sorry for all of “US” if Obama gets in. the so called CHANGE he is going to be making….U won’t be thrilled with!!!
God Bless USA!!!
16. markc | 09.02.08
boy, am i ever sick of the Palin whiners! were you demanding privacy for her children when we learned of her son’s service in the Army, or the heart-warming story of baby Trig? Palin herself outted her pregnant daughter to the world, just as she mentions her children and family in her speeches and trots them out for effect when it suits her.
the “Left” or the big, bad “MSM” didn’t throw the spotlight on Palin’s children - she herself and John McCain did.
17. elizabeth444 | 09.02.08
McCain is a strong and confident leader who had the courage to choose a woman with the experience level of Obama (both newbies). Meanwhile, Obama was not brave enough to choose a woman, knowing sexism is still buried and festering in the fabric of our country. (Inexperience + woman=risky.) His people, shaping the “great Oz” celebrity persona, felt he needed a white-male, experienced politician to bolster his carefully crafted image.
The difference between the two pairings is that ready-on-day-one McCain is at the top of one ticket, while rookie Obama is at the top of his. McCain will have time to mentor Governor Palin, but will gaffe-prone Biden really be enough to prop Obama up when the challenges come?
18. Curious Orange | 09.03.08
The republicans have a new motto Country first? Is that not blasphemy? Who puts country before God and family? (besides the nazis)
19. Peachyyy | 09.03.08
Curious….COUNTRY FIRST is the political name…trust me….they have put GOD & family first….big time!!
20. DianeM | 09.03.08
Aloha…could we please declare a moratorium on the use of the word “maverick” ?
According to the online dictionary, here are the definitions:
1. Southwestern U.S. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.
2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.
3. (initial capital letter) an electro-optically guided U.S. air-to-ground tactical missile for destroying tanks and other hardened targets at ranges up to 15 mi. (24 km).
Now where does John McCain fit into these categories? Or the Republican convention?
I do appreciate your good humor and fine sense of irony, but enough.
21. Gitfidl_pickr | 09.03.08
I have raised two (incredible) daughters both whiz scholars and successful in their 30’s. But there were incidents all through their growing up time. There were DIU’s, wrecked cars, sports injuries, classroom out bursts, parties with 200 kids, lost orthodontics ($$$). There were good things too — honor society, cheerleading awards, deans list, scholastic honors, jobs well done. You never know what a kid might do, but you are always their parent. You are prepared for anything (but you hope for the best). Short of some horrific accident you can probably get through just about anything and “delliver” them to adulthood with a B.S. and a complete mind and body. Beyond that it is their life (so then you have to bribe them with chicken dinner if you want to see them on Sunday).
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1. Drew | 09.02.08
What is “a real life family”? Does that insinuate that some peoples families are not real? Someone please explain…