FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog

Vice President contenders? Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

The “purely social”get together of Senator and presumptive GOP Presidential nominee John McCain at his Sedona, Arizona ranch Saturday with GOP leaders has “nothing whatsoever to do with the vice presidential selection process” according to Charlie Black, a key McCain campaign strategist.

Right.

But, what is interesting is the emphasis (leak) now on Fox News that “other” perspective Vice President candidates have either ALREADY visited with McCain at the Hidden Valley Ranch, like Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty OR were invited this weekend and had other committments, like Mike Huckabee. Looks like the campaign was caught flat-footed on this “purely social” event.

Others mentioned to attend the Memorial Day weekend BBQ include:

• Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

• Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas

• Former e-Bay Chief Executive Meg Whitman

• FedEx Corp. Chief Executive Frederick W. Smith

Ok, so maybe this is a “meet and greet’ and not a serious series of interviews. But, what better way to create some “BUZZ” over the Vice Presidential sweepstakes and at the same time begin the pundit vetting of potential candidates - all on the cheap of an Arizona BBQ grill.

So, Flap will go one step further and rip off this poll idea from Marc Ambinder except Flap will name names.

Vote for John McCain’s Vice President:

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John McCain Watch: VP Sweepstakes - Crist, Jindal and Romney?

Fred Thompson yesterday afternoon endorsed John McCain for President. A little late since Rudy Giuliani endorsed McCain immediately after he withdrew but slow and safe Fred has never been that quick on the draw.

Fred will have to be on the short list for the Vice Presidency. Thompson would be a safe mainstream choice which would appease the conservative and southern base of the GOP.

Flap bets Thompson may very well be the next Vice President.

Cartoon Courtesy of Michael Ramirez

No fire in his belly was an UNDERSTATEMENT for Fred Thompson.

Flap has enjoyed Fred on his radio show and on Law and Order. Flap wishes him well.

After barely four months of what could be called lackluster campaigning, Fred Thompson departs.

Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, puts his hands to his ear to hear a question as he talks to the press on his charter plane while flying from Orlando to Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008.

The Huckaboom is over and Fred Thompson has gone home to Tennessee to tend to his ailing mother. Will they withdraw before the Florida primary in a week?

Flap bets Thompson may but Huckabee won’t (as a slight to Romney). Also, Flap doubts Thompson will endorse until February 1, if then.

Huck will stay in through Super Tuesday with a suspended campaign - hoping for deliverance.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) greets fellow candidate former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani before the Fox News Presidential Forum at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire January 6, 2008.

The GOP debate at St Anselm College tonight was the most intimate and the best GOP debate so far. No audience and no spinning the voter was able to hear the candidates answer questions about issues. There was little positioning and sparring was on a civil tone.

So, who won?

Nobody.

Not one candidate made a difference in this debate in this continuing story of a race for President in 2008.

However, there were some notable exchanges, contrasts and some observations to make.

• John McCain: McCain will NOT win the nomination. He is OLD and tired. He lied about his positions on illegal immigration and even his winks and quips fell flat. He may beat Mitt Romney in New Hampshire on Tuesday but GOP donors will not be opening their wallets to fund his campaign.

• Mitt Romney: Slick didn’t hurt himself and looked better than McCain. However, nobody really challenged him on his flip-flops. He looked at Huckabee like Huckabee was a rube or a hick. None of the candidates like Romney and it shows. He will never be able to unite the party after the primary season.

• Mike Huckabee: Huck has been flat the past two days after winning big in Iowa. His rural folksy charm is not playing well in the northeast as it won’t outside the Bible Belt and plain states. He lied about taxes and illegal immigration and didn’t mention his state Arkansas once. His record is not a conservative one but southern populist - like William Jennings Bryan.

• Fred Thompson: Fred might as well slept in tonight. Another non-performance. To think that some at NRO think that he was good. What Kool-Aid were they drinking. Eckkkkkkkk

• Ron Paul: Wasn’t there and thank goodness. Two nights in a row of this old nutty crank would be too much for anyone.

• Rudy Giuliani: Rudy is always good in these debates was again good on terror and his role in cleaning up New York City. He made the argument as to how conservative ideals are best for low and middle income folks - to remove themselves from dependence on government sponsored - especially the ones the Democrats love so much. Rudy talked about how he cleared the welfare rolls in New York City and discussed a sensible border security program to combat illegal immigration. But, most importantly, he had an opportunity to “clear the air” about the Politico bogus story that accused his NYC administration secretly spending funds to pay for security for his girlfriend with whom he committed adultery. He also denied there would be any further involvement with the indicted Bernard Kerick - ending a whisper campaign that Rudy is really involved and supported by organized crime. Having such an opportunity to nationally debunk the “whisper campaigns” that have precipitated his decline in the national polls will begin his reconciliation process with the GOP base and perhaps regain their trust.

Rudy tells Sean Hannity after the FOX Debate Sunday night how Americans need to make sure they vote for the right kind of change in Washington.

Day By Day by Chris Muir

Fred Thompson’s wife, Jeri, has been a liability to Fred’s campaign. The early staffing FLAPS with campaign staff quitting was a bad start to his campaign.

The age differential between them also does NOT endear Fred to women voters. Men ask why Fred would run when he has very young children at home at his age and with his previous health problems.

Thompson’s main liability, however, has been his lack of energy in the campaign. One of the biggest ODDITIES in race for 2008 has been Fred Thompson’s unenthusiastic non-candidacy for the Presidency.