I know that this sounds like a ludicrous proposition, but given McCain’s on-going pattern of mis-statements, foreign policy gaffes, lobbyist problems, advancing age, short temper, luke-warm support from the religious right, limited public speaking skills, and lack of charisma, could some within the GOP be having buyers remorse? Could it be that despite the protracted Democratic primary process and the divisive struggle between the Obama and Clinton camps, that at the end of the day, the Democrats will actually produce a better result than the GOP?
As repulsive as it may seem, try to put yourself in Republican shoes for the moment. You know, like those "wing-tips" that Nixon used to wear when he walked on the beach at San Clemente. If you were a GOoPer, wouldn’t you be a little nervous right about now, especially after seeing Obama draw close to 75,000 in Portland? It seems like every time that McCain opens his mouth these days, he sticks his foot in it. Allright, George W. Bush didn’t know the difference between Slovenia and Slovakia, although the latter has superior beer and hockey players. But the pathetic John McCain doesn’t know the difference between Shia and Sunni, thinks al Qaeda is in Iran, and has the gall to accuse Obama of poor judgement and naiveté when it comes to foreign policy.
At a unique moment in time when the Republican brand has been compared to a poorly-selling dogfood (by a Republican no less), its dreams of a permanent majority are morphing into nightmares of enduring irrelevance, and it stands on the threshold of a electoral bloodbath in November, the party has turned to John McCain as its standard bearer. Do they really want a repeat of Custer at the Little Big Horn?
So this brings us to the notion that, before it’s too late, in an act of desperation, the GOP could actually give McCain the boot and do a last-minute substitution. It would be unprecedented as far as I know, but not impossible. The question is, who would the GOP nominate in his place? The bench is pretty thin as evidenced by the motley crew that paraded through the early GOP primaries. Let’s have a look nevertheless. What about Mitt Romney? Nah – the FLDS scandal in Texas would be an undeserved cloud over his head. Fred Thompson – will someone wake him up and ask? Mike Huckabee? Not likely – Grover Norquist would never permit it. What about Rudy Giuliani? Haven’t heard his name in a while.
So put on your wing-tips, your blue suit, your conservative tie, and your tortoise-shell glasses – oh, and don’t forget your flag pin, and help the GOP select a replacement nominee. Your suggestions are welcome......