Reviewing yet another book on the Clintons, Michael Gove (who hilariously still uses a by-line photograph that must be 15 years old) presents most Tory MPs’ choice of Co-Presidents as a force for good.
He does this because they pushed through NAFTA against the opposition of union leaders who had quaintly thought that the jobs, wages and working conditions of the American citizens who were their members should count for something. And he does this because they bombed Yugoslavia to smithereens in the causes of Nazism and Wahhabism.
Well, there is plenty to dislike about John McCain. “Invade the world, invite the world, in hock to the world” seems to be his slogan. But I know of old both dynastic politicians and, for that matter, fast-tracked pretty-boys of no fixed opinion. I do not recommend either. And John McCain is certainly neither.
If the Democrats have to wit to nominate a running mate from their own populist wing in order to get the vote out, then I for one sincerely hope that the American electorate will have the wit to split their votes, sending McCain to the White House with that populist a heartbeat away.
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Er, you can't ticket split your Presidential vote David. It's one vote. You can either vote "McCain and his VP" OR "Dem nominee and their VP". So if the Dems put up a populist, you have to vote for Clinton or Obama as well. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe only way that could happen would be if there was no majority in the electoral college. States then would elect the President, each state delegation voting as a bloc in the House of Representatives, and the Senate would elect the Vice-president. Whilst conceivable in 2004, had 115000 votes or so turned in Ohio, the scenario is doubtful. It would be a ggod thing, though, if American deification of the Constitution were faced with this sort of thing as it mighgt provide a shock out of two-party complacency.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought-provoking blog, David
Well, the jungle drums are absolutely adamant (I don't know how I'm on these mailing lists, but there we are): it's a separate ballot, they are witholding their votes from Giuliani, and they are seriously considering putting up their own candidate for VP. Unless McCain wants to see them in court, then he'll pick Huckabee, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting all day for you to put up the comments on this, because I knew you would get them. 104 years on from the 12th Amendment and we still don't have the separate election of the Vice-President guaranteed in the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteSomone should have gone to court with this in the centenary year. But this year they probably really will. They definitely will if the GOP nominates Giuliani, especially if the Dem candidate is a better conservative (not hard).
Damn right! The Constitution says we get two votes but we never get them. That way conservative Democrats, who are usually economic populists, have been disenfranchized for years.
ReplyDeleteBut conservative Republicans are richer. If the GOP tries that trick on them this year then it will lose in court. Or lose the election, because hundreds of millions won't vote for a ticket with the Italian Hillary on it, and will just stay home instead.
"fast-tracked pretty-boys of no fixed opinion"
ReplyDeleteYou've walked right into that one, Jon.
McCain is going to be difficult for either Democrat to defeat in November. I don't care for McCain's pro-free trade stance at all but he is seen as a strong leader. The only way for Clinton or Obama to win a general election is to pick up Edwards populist message and run with it.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, pick up Edwards and run with him.
ReplyDelete