Is McCain-Romney the Reagan-Bush of 2008?
There certainly are parallels and precedents. Let’s face it, Bush 41 was pretty tough on Reagan with the whole Voodoo Economics thing and everything else. That race was just as contentious if not more so than this campaign, yet Bush still wound up as Reagan’s No. 2 (after the plan to put Gerald Ford on the ticket thankfully fell through.)
For all of Romney’s flaws (such as his opposition to the flat tax), he could serve a useful role on the ticket. He has a youthful appearance and is energetic. It would help solidify the party base and further ease conservatives while at the same time not repulsing moderates and Democrats who are considering voting for McCain in Nov. Romney’s Mormon faith wouldn’t be quite as big a deal in the No. 2 spot as it would have been in the top spot — after all, Sen. Maj. Leader Harry Reid is Mormon, too.
I’m not saying that I endorse this as the ticket, but what I am saying is that I can see it happening.
Filed under: 2008 Elections, History, John McCain, Republicans, Ronald Reagan
[...] Jim Riley notes, a McCain-Romney ticket would make a certain amount of sense: For all of Romney’s flaws (such as his opposition to the flat tax), he could serve a useful role [...]
Romney will cost the Republican votes where they are needed in the base – in the South. What state in the North or Coast will he swing to the GOP? Do the math.
Romney carries Utah. McCain would have won it anyway.