An Important Endorsement
Governor Schwarzenegger has endorsed Senator McCain.
Okay, so why does this matter? For several reasons.
First and foremost, Governor Schwarzenegger is considered a moderate Republican. He's married to a Kennedy, he's not a by-the-book conservative. The views of many of the country's moderates mirror those of the Governator. This election isn't going to be won by the conservative base alone, or by the liberal base alone - it's going to be won by convincing moderates that one candidate or the other is the best choice to help improve their lives. Some had circulated rumors that Schwarzenegger might even endorse Senator Obama, and that there might be a place for him in an Obama White House. That Schwarzenegger would speak so candidly in his endorsement speech about having personally spoken with Obama, and about how Obama's proposals reminded him of Eastern Europe under communism, is a jaw-dropper.
Second, and probably less important (though related), it theoretically demonstrates that all of the factions of the Republican party have solidified around Senator McCain's candidacy. There was a lot of bad blood during the primary season, moreso than in 2000, over Senator McCain's nomination. With the choice of Governor Palin, the conservative base solidified. In theory, Governor Schwarzenegger's endorsement should demonstrate that the "libertarian" (small "L") faction of the party has solidified as well. That's a good sign.
One more note, and it's tangental but important. In the Republican primaries, the candidate who spent the most money was Governor Romney, and he basically tanked. If I remember correctly, the candidate who spent the second-largest amount of money was Congressman Paul, and he went nowhere. The media had counted Senator McCain out last July - I specifically remember hearing a report on public radio during the final hours of my week-long drive from Zoo Station to Old Dominion, before I'd even established Van Diemen's Station, in which they said that McCain's candidacy was essentially over. Senator McCain stripped his campaign down to a shoestring budget, he "lived off of the land", basing his candidacy almost entirely on town hall meetings in major primary states. The merits of his platform and record won people over. That was good for the Republican party, because it demonstrated that the Republican candidate with the most money doesn't necessarily win.
I believe that Senator McCain is going to win the general election. I've discussed it previously on the blog, so I don't feel the need to reiterate my reasoning; suffice to say, I base that opinion on facts and analysis, not on wishful thinking. Assuming that I'm right, beyond what I feel to be Senator McCain's superior platform, it will be good for another reason. Senator Obama is a more charismatic speaker than Senator McCain (as long as he has a teleprompter or can rely on rehearsed talking points), and he's out-spending Senator McCain by as much as eight-to-one in some areas. If Senator McCain wins, it will demonstrate that an American election, from primary until completion, can be won on substance and background, rather than charisma and superior spending power. For a country that's sick of what it feels to be "bought" elections, and a country that's been begging for years for candidates with more substance, this is an exceptionally good thing.
Okay, back to enjoying my Saturday.
Okay, so why does this matter? For several reasons.
First and foremost, Governor Schwarzenegger is considered a moderate Republican. He's married to a Kennedy, he's not a by-the-book conservative. The views of many of the country's moderates mirror those of the Governator. This election isn't going to be won by the conservative base alone, or by the liberal base alone - it's going to be won by convincing moderates that one candidate or the other is the best choice to help improve their lives. Some had circulated rumors that Schwarzenegger might even endorse Senator Obama, and that there might be a place for him in an Obama White House. That Schwarzenegger would speak so candidly in his endorsement speech about having personally spoken with Obama, and about how Obama's proposals reminded him of Eastern Europe under communism, is a jaw-dropper.
Second, and probably less important (though related), it theoretically demonstrates that all of the factions of the Republican party have solidified around Senator McCain's candidacy. There was a lot of bad blood during the primary season, moreso than in 2000, over Senator McCain's nomination. With the choice of Governor Palin, the conservative base solidified. In theory, Governor Schwarzenegger's endorsement should demonstrate that the "libertarian" (small "L") faction of the party has solidified as well. That's a good sign.
One more note, and it's tangental but important. In the Republican primaries, the candidate who spent the most money was Governor Romney, and he basically tanked. If I remember correctly, the candidate who spent the second-largest amount of money was Congressman Paul, and he went nowhere. The media had counted Senator McCain out last July - I specifically remember hearing a report on public radio during the final hours of my week-long drive from Zoo Station to Old Dominion, before I'd even established Van Diemen's Station, in which they said that McCain's candidacy was essentially over. Senator McCain stripped his campaign down to a shoestring budget, he "lived off of the land", basing his candidacy almost entirely on town hall meetings in major primary states. The merits of his platform and record won people over. That was good for the Republican party, because it demonstrated that the Republican candidate with the most money doesn't necessarily win.
I believe that Senator McCain is going to win the general election. I've discussed it previously on the blog, so I don't feel the need to reiterate my reasoning; suffice to say, I base that opinion on facts and analysis, not on wishful thinking. Assuming that I'm right, beyond what I feel to be Senator McCain's superior platform, it will be good for another reason. Senator Obama is a more charismatic speaker than Senator McCain (as long as he has a teleprompter or can rely on rehearsed talking points), and he's out-spending Senator McCain by as much as eight-to-one in some areas. If Senator McCain wins, it will demonstrate that an American election, from primary until completion, can be won on substance and background, rather than charisma and superior spending power. For a country that's sick of what it feels to be "bought" elections, and a country that's been begging for years for candidates with more substance, this is an exceptionally good thing.
Okay, back to enjoying my Saturday.
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