In the last two days, two Republican governors who are often mentioned as potential running mates for McCain have come out with high praise for Obama.
First, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin praised Obama’s energy plan, despite the fact that McCain is trying to hammer Obama on this issue. About Obama’s plan to complete the Alaska natural gas pipeline:
I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs.
About Obama’s plan to offer $1,000 rebates to help offset the high cost of energy:
This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board.
Second, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty praised Obama’s positive campaign:
Say what you will about Barack Obama, people gravitate when you have something positive to say. People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders. They don’t want to follow some negative, scornful person.
Pawlenty also talked about Reagan, saying that Reagan “actually had some ideas” but that the Republican idea factory has seemed “a little stagnant in recent years”. Pawlenty even brought up the issue of age, saying that Reagan is ancient history to young people. “If you’re under 40, that was a long time ago, man,” he said to laughter.
Ouch! I doubt if McCain is laughing.
UPDATE: Today US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave even higher praise to Obama. Rice has been often mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain, but when she was asked if she would consider as VP for Obama, she responded:
I don’t need another job in government with anybody. Look, I’m a Republican, all right? Senator McCain is a fine patriot and he would be a great president. But there’s something to be said for fresh blood. And I know that there are a lot of very good people who could be his vice president.
Rice was also asked “Would you feel safe with a President Obama?” to which she responded “Oh, the United States will be fine.”
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What was Palin to do, say that Obama appropriated as his issue, Palin’s own TransCan natural gas pipeline initiative, without Obama ever mentioning or acknowledging Palin; or that the Obama Campaign apropriated Palin’s own slogan, “New Energy for America”.
She responded with finesse!
I don’t get it — why is Obama’s support for a natural gas pipeline “appropriating as his issue”? Lots of people — not just Palin — have been talking about the pipeline for a long time.
Regarding Gov Sarah Palin, Joe over at palinforvp.blogspot.com says:
Now that Palin has successfully maneuvered two tremendously difficult bills through the Alaskan legislature, each having to do with energy, she truly has stature on the entire energy issue, and has stature as a governor who can get things done in a political world where stalemate usually rules the day.
I now agree that McCain should make his move.
Imagine the ads…
1. “She is a young woman who ran against the Republican establishment, and has effectively moved Alaksa in the direction of reform, against all odds.
Don’t just hope for change, VOTE FOR IT. McCain/Palin 2008.”
2. “She is a governor who in 2 years of office passed a law that had been lanquishing for years; a law that will allow for the flow of natural gas resources from the great state of Alaska to the midwest, into energy hungry areas. Against all odds.
Don’t just hope for change, VOTE FOR IT. McCain/Palin, 2008.”
3. “She is a governor who insisted her state legistlature stay in session until a true energy plan could be put into place offering real and immediate relief to Alaska’s citizens during this difficult energy crunch.
Don’t just hope for change, VOTE FOR IT. McCain/Palin, 2008.”
4. “She is a mother of 5. She is an avid hunter, fisher, one who loves and believes in the importance of the environment for us and for future generations. She also understands that energy resources can and should be tapped in ways that do not threaten our land. She believes it and is doing it.
Don’t just hope for change, VOTE FOR IT. McCain/Palin, 2008.”
5. John McCain. The Original Maverick. Sarah Palin. The New Maverick. Together they fought ‘A Bridge to Nowhere’ and knocked the establishment on its heals. Together, they will reform America.
Don’t just hope for change, VOTE FOR IT. McCain/Palin, 2008.”
Congratulations, Governor Palin. Senator McCain, please make your move.
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[…] note that interestingly, there has been a parade of Republicans praising Obama this week, but McCain had to go back years to find Democrats saying nice things about him. Close this […]
[…] few weeks ago, I quoted Alaska Governor Sarah Palin praising Obama’s energy plan. Today, she was named as McCain’s (presumptive) VP choice, and (big surprise) those quotes […]