This is the republican agenda and if I'm right you all owe me a drink

[LynneSin]

In a nutshell, everything the republicans expected has not happened.

For years the republicans have been planning that Hillary would win the 2008 convention. I love Hillary, would have supported her 110% but let's face it, she does carry a bit of baggage that I'm sure the republicans were all ready to exploit, but instead Obama won.

And then the Republicans figured Obama will have to pick Hillary as his VP - they could use the baggage then but Obama picked Joe Biden, which again did not fit into their plan. Biden doesn't carry much baggage and is probably one of the most skilled debaters you'll find in any party.

So then the republicans decided to make the DNC convention out to be divided and disorganized. So-called 'Hillary Supporters' were unhappy at their exclusion and were ready to bring down the nomination in order to get Hillary on the ticket. But instead we saw not one, but TWO Clintons enthusiastically endorse Barack Obama. When Hillary said "Were you in this just for me" she put right out there on the table that this election was more than just getting a woman in the White House - Hillary really pulled the party together and for that I will always be grateful to her.

And to make matters worse, Obama hit a homerun out of Mile High Stadium. The Republicans tried to mock the switch in venue - Obama was trying to be a celebrity, Obama was tried to be some sort of Greek God surrounded by columns. But instead Obama gave a speech heard loud & clear from a stadium mile high up in the air. Not only was our party unified but we were electrified and our convention was a homerun.

I honest think that Tim Pawlenty was the VP choice up until that final speech by Obama. The republicans realized that everything they expected to happen in the democratic party did NOT happen and knew they had to find away to appease the fundies AND perhaps a few stupid women who thinks ovaries are more important than the right to choose what is best for our own bodies. So at the last minute they pulled in Sarah Palin.

So here is my prediction - Sarah Palin will stay as the VP nominee until AFTER the VP debates. At that time one of the many scandals (and that includes a pro-abstience education mom having a pregnant 17 year old daughter) will force Palin to step down and then the real VP choice will come in. If anything, I think it WILL be either the daughter or Sarah's newborn child that will be the catalyst that has Palin step down. That way the republicans can scream "Look, she's just trying to be a good mother so lets not hold her decision to leave against us republicans. We were happy to have her on the ticket". McCain will either bring in Pawlenty OR will figured he did appease the anti-choice fundies and bring in Romney, Ridge or Lieberman.

That's my guess.

[soleft]

1. Why let her debate?

If she goes I don't think she'll last that long.

[LynneSin]

2. Because no one wants to go up against Biden

There is not one republican out there that could win a debate against Joe Biden. At least with Sarah they can play the 'sex card' saying that Biden was bullying her. And consider this, if McCain had picked Kay Bailey Hutchison they could never get away with playing that card since KBH is an experienced US Senator who would be able to compete against the likes of Joe Biden.

[soleft]

3. well that was always my concern

that they'd spin Biden to make him appear sexist or bullying in a debate. But now I'm thinking she'd just self implode.

[katandmoon]

4. That scenario makes a lot of sense to me.

[seabeyond]

5. you and i are right on sinc with all up to. predicting what will happen i dont do

but i totally agree with you view of what has happened

[Cosmocat]

6. A couple thoughts ...

I mostly agree with your thoughts - they HAVE been spoiling for a fight with Hill for a LONG time.

I still think this is how it broke down.

1) I still think Romney was BY FAR his best choice, qualified, and the guy who could help him electorally - specifically the midwest states BO is trying to poach and Michigan.

2) I think McCain hates him like he hate a lot of people. I think McCain's ego is so big he couldn't stomache having someone on the ticket who was his equal or better.

3) Romney also was the Bushco pick, which put the nail in the coffin for that pick for McCain.

4) McCain wanted Lieberman in the worst way, and IMO this IS where Rove got involved, cause he knew it would just blow the convention up, and he did all the wheeling and dealing he could to line up enough people to turn McCain from picking Lieberman.

5) Palwenty seemed to be the compromise pick. Not threatening to McCain, the fundies approved.

6) It was burning McCain's butt that he got blocked on Lieberman, and in a moment of petulence he reached for Palin - and I repeat, there IS a horndog element to the pick, too.

If Palin makes it through the next three days, she is on the ticket for good. They WILL give McCain a doover if he does it now, "he got it right in the end" and all the other BS the media will do to mitigate it. NO WAY the pull her after the VP debate, it will be FAR to close to the end to do it then, and it would 100 percent, no ifs ands or butts turn the election over to BO.

I don't buy that people are scared to debate Biden - they are what they are, talking points machines, and arrogant SOBs. They don't fear Biden, AND they know even if they get bloodied they will get cover from the media.

[JBoy]

7. That scenario would allow them to milk max donations from the fundy base

[blondeatlast]

8. What're you having, LynneSin? I think you nailed it. nt

[LynneSin]

10. Hopefully at the Hawk & Dove in DC during the inauguration weekend

:woohoo:

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. I agree with everything you wrote except them dropping Palin

Great analysis on the Hillary factor BTW.

They kept Heck of a job Brownie, its just not their way to admit they make a mistake.

Anyway you look at it they're screwed if they do and screwed if they don't.

[LynneSin]

11. Well technically they won't 'drop Palin'

Palin will use one of the many excuses to bow out making it look like "This was my choice, don't hold this against John McCain" story.

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. Still a disaster for McCain no matter how they spin her departure

if it happens. Anyway, I'm still grinning at their "Schadenfreude"








REMEMBER WE HAVE 60 DAYS TO TAKE THESE ASSHOLES DOWN.

just wanted to add that for some reason.

[mnhtnbb]

12. And screwed without protection, too.

[CatBO]

13. I totally believe the Republicans planned on Hillary '08

They did everything in their power to get Hillary nominated, right up until the day of the actual nomination. Hillary is good, quality, meaty grist for the Right Wing Hate Mill. If Hillary were the nomination, or the VP, they would have turned out in droves against her.

They are disarmed with an Obama/Biden ticket. They don't know what to do.

And might I say kudos to Hillary for helping disarm them. I had my doubts, but she's a truly class act.

[jberryhill]

15. Damned if they do, Damned if they don't

The fact of this choice can't be un-made.

Dropping her from the ticket looks bad.

Keeping her on the ticket looks bad.

I really can't figure out which would be worse for them.

[renie408]

16. I have already asked...How is the second choice for second in command supposed

to keep that base fired up? And won't switching horses in mid-stream make them look ridiculous? Honestly, nobody is going to buy that Palin is dropping out for personal reasons. Her leaving the ticket is already being talked about on CNN and being vehemently denied by McCain talking heads.

This thing is just embarrassing for McCain and the GOP all the way around.