Do you actually think of things solely in terms of identity politics? ”

Pretty much. Ever hear of a dude named Zaller? You should read his book. Then you would understand why what you call identiy politics is the single most important factor in a Presidential election. Period.
Keep in mind that MOST voters vote AGAINST a candidate.McCain has a good shot at this election mainly because he doesn’t motivate people to vote against him. The only part of the electorate that votes for a candidate are political junkies like you and me.
The rest avoid the election as much as possible until about 10 days to a week before the election. Then they vote against the candidate they dislike the most.
Keep in mind that this cycle has restrictions on running ads right before the election, so there will be no slick Madison ave types trying to jiggle a percentage point loose here and there.
Issues really don’t matter. Political junkies think they do, but there is NO evidence to back them up on that.
Example; Exit polls show that the #1 issue after the ‘06 mid terms was the corruption in Congress. The war and the campaign in Iraq wasn’t really at the front of a normal voters mind. The Left didn’t want to hear that, since the political junkies on the left were focusd on forcing a withdrawal from Iraq and impeaching PRESIDENT Bush. So they ignored it. The right let an excellent opportunity go by because they are stealing millions and didn’t want to stop. So nothing was done about corruption and we now have a Congress with an approval rating in the mid to low teens and sinking.
There is still time for the Republicans to take advantage of those approval ratings by a simple pledge to stop stealing. They won’t because Republican Congress Critters are just as crooked as their Democratic counterparts. The Republicans want back in power so they can steal even more money. The GOP has to choose between staying out of power and stopping the stealing and they have chosen to stay out of power. So be it.
All this has NOTHING to do with PRESIDENT Bush, unless, of course you have BDS, in which everything is Bush’s fault.
YOu need to get over that BDS thingie. The next President will be a 1 term President, regardless of who wins.

Yeah, because secretly, the nations yearns for another 4 years of Bush with an ache that makes Americans simply too inarticulate to say they want more of Bush.

So what better way to get to that hidden yearning than with Bush’s gal Friday and #1 confidante?

Condi should get the VP slot. She will draw from Ohhhh…..BAMA’s core and brings name recognition like no body else can. She is clean as a whistle and looks good in leather.

1. Yes, nothing brings out the Black Masses to vote Republican like a black candidate like Alan Keyes or Michael Steele!

2. She sure has name recognition, even more than Harriet Meiers!

3. As she is clean as a whistle, no doubt she would relish rehashing the last 8 years with voters.

4. Wrong skin color, but if you want a good looking pro choice switch-hitter in leather, wouldn’t Madonna be a better choice for Republican VP?

Mitt; Ohhh…BAMA wins
Palin; Close race, Diebold wins
Condi; McCain wins by +10%

Who said crack users are no longer a problem?

Republicans thinking they can “outwit” Democrats on being more credible on setting up identity politics shills is like Democrats thinking they can “outwit” Republicans on patriotism politics by running a shill like John Kerry.

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My money is on Romney, though I hope Mccain is petty and venal enough not to select him out of a grudge even after Romney ate 40 million of his own wealth to shift all his fundraising only for the Party’s 2008 nominee. Which would position Romney better to be a selfless Party rebuilder and 2012 Candidate. And between 2008 and 2012, the intelligent best critic of Obama’s energy plans, healthcare, fiscal recovery. If Obamessiah fails to heal the planet, cure the sick, and slow the ocean’s rise as he promised – after McNasty suffers a catastrophic defeat.

VP runningmates in Presidential Election disasters do not tend to survive to run again sucessfully another day. Look at the VPs of Goldwater, Mondale, Dukakis, Bush I’s reelection bid, Dole’s, Gore, and Kerry’s. Elected VPs have a leg up. Badly defeated VPs tend to be political toast.

Do you actually think of things solely in terms of identity politics? Condi is tied to Bush, and is not terribly popular. Blacks largely vote democratic. Those who are free enough to potential choose a Republican are not going to go for Condi just because of her race. Palin has experience issues like Jindal. Get someone with experience and lacking a connection to Bush.

Palin would be good. Condi would be better. At least as far as getting elected.
Mitt means the Republicans lose. I know he is the one RINO that has managed to spin his self as a conservative, but that is as real as Ohhh…..BAMA’s claim of being African-American.

2 White guys = President Obama. Now if Mitt was a conservative, I MIGHT see tossin the election for him, but he isn’t so why?
Plus even if Mitt was a conservative, he brings nothing to the table. He won’t add any EV’s.
Another great hair guy with a huge ambition. Mitt will NEVER get elected President, so his path to power is getting the VP nod and hoping the Prez kicks the bucket. If the Prez is a few million years old with a medical history, that isn’t such a bad plan.
Condi should get the VP slot. She will draw from Ohhhh…..BAMA’s core and brings name recognition like no body else can. She is clean as a whistle and looks good in leather.
Palin is more conservative, but that doesn’t matter if you can’t get elected.

Mitt; Ohhh…BAMA wins
Palin; Close race, Diebold wins
Condi; McCain wins by +10%

The choices are between accepting a moderate White House to hold the trenches while using the Gas price and corruption issues to take back Congress, or losing the White House and trying to retake everything in ‘12. The play for ‘12 plan has some major flaws. Such as there being a United States left to play for. Such as a party destroyed by Delay & co. Being reborn in time to make a difference.
No anyone rational (which is a requirement to call yourself a conservative) knows that sometimes you have to cut your loses, regroup and come out swinging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWNtLt-pJik

Oh, and yes it IS gonna be Palin. McCain’s already got this new ad up which essentially announces Palin as his pick (without ever having to mention her name).

It’s even got the McCain/Palin campaign slogan vs. Obama: “Don’t hope for new energy, vote for it.” –-

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=135403