There’s an old story about two guys who are out hiking in the woods. Long into their hike, in the deepest part of the woods, they stumble upon a bear. The startled bear turns and begins to growl at the two men giving every indication that it is about to charge. Immediately, the first of the two men sits down, takes a new pair of high quality running shoes out of his backpack and starts putting them on. The second man looked incredulously at the first man says, "What are you doing? You can’t out run that bear!" The second man replies matter of factly, "I don’t have to, I just have to out run you!"
OK this is an old joke but it seems to sum up John McCain’s approach to winning the Republican nomination. McCain’s shenanigan’s in WV show that if he can’t win outright he’ll do whatever he needs to make sure that Romney gets eaten by the bear!
Some of you folks may find McCain’s tactic in WV surprising although I can’t imagine why. McCain has shown on numerous occasions that his need to be in the MSM spotlight far outweighs any sense of team or camaraderie, at least with anyone that would be considered conservative. Off the top of your head, can you name any legislation that McCain sponsored that didn’t include one of the most liberal of liberals as a cosponsor? McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Lieberman, McCain/Feingold?
Anyone who thinks that a "President" McCain will reach across the aisle (to the right!) or move towards the right are living with greater H.O.P.E. than the staunchest Obama supporter.
What does West Virginia mean?…
Interesting. Commenter “Mr. Clark” (inspiration for the Tom Clancy character?) sends me to this Boston.com analysis of why a Huckabee victory in WV is good for McCain. Michael Bates, on the other hand, is advocating a “stop McCain on Super……
If Romney and his strategists can defeat this McCain/Huckabee strategy, then Romney will have earned the right to vie for the Oval Office.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery, for surely this isn’t the last we’ll see of this tactic today.
Shoebox – I knew my instincts were right; you are a natural at this.
mrclark – It probably is the last of this specific tactic (I don’t recall any other state with a 50% requirement and multiple ballots), but I wouldn’t doubt that we will see more of similar tactics from Mike McCain (or is it John Huckabee?).
true steveegg…
I’m slightly disheartened that Romney’s boots on the ground in WV didn’t see this possibility, but what could they have done about it anyway?
Team up with the Paulistinians for their delegates? HA! I don’t think the Paul people would’ve listened to reason..they’re too busy following the blimp..