Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Campaign McCain Didn't Run

I can't wait to read this story this Sunday in the NYTimes Magazine about the inner workings of the McCain campaign. Biggest shocker: McCain was surprisingly close to tapping Mike Bloomberg, New York's highly popular, economically savvy and independent Republican mayor, before suddenly switching to Palin.

Of course, out in Palin country, Bloomberg would be considered a radical socialist, since he cares about gun control, health care reform, education, and the environment. But he's also a successful businessman and millionaire, ready to rewrite the law to seek a third term as Mayor of New York.

Can you imagine the alternative McCain campaign had he selected Bloomberg?

A subdued Republican convention that would have probably not done a lot immediately, but gained high praise from pundits and much talk about McCain's seriousness about the economy.

No distraction from scandals as Bloomberg is already well vetted in the press.

Dissafected Hillary Democrats would jump onto a McCain/Bloomberg ticket that paints itself as the "Independent Ticket."

Avoid the McCain pratfalls as the economy implodes: sends Bloomberg out on all the talk shows to deliver amazing economic policy speeches that put Obama to shame.

Surprising polls showing McCain winning New Jersey and Pennsylvania and tied in New York jumpstart Republican enthusiasm and give subsequent polling boosts in Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire, and Missouri.

McCain starts to gain confidence and argues successfully that Obama offers nothing more than a fresh face. That times are too serious not to elect the most experienced ticket on BOTH foreign policy and the economy. Stays positive and wins the hearts and endorsements across the board of moderate Republicans like Powell, Bernanke, Brooks, and Noonan, as well as some Democrats.

Even gets Andrew Sullivan to reconsider.

By today: polls reversed, McCain/Bloomberg up by six, instead of Obama up by eight.

Oh well. Democrats can be thankful McCain didn't make THAT brilliant play.

No comments: