Ridge: PA Race would be different if I were VP pick

[ChrisFromNJ]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_595030.html

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Thoughts?

Would McCain have a much better chance of winning Pennsylvania (a must win state for him at this point) if Ridge were his VP?

[J. J.]

First, I disagree that it is must win.

Second, I feel that had Ridge been the VP candidate in 2000 or 2008, PA would have likely been Republican.  I think I've posted this before, including Mark Shields' comment after 2000.

[ChrisFromNJ]

First, I disagree that it is must win.

The McCain camp feels they have lost Iowa and New Mexico. They feel like they don't have much of a chance to win Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.

How is Pennsylvania not a must win?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14891_Page2.html

[HardRCafé]

Yeah, Tom.  Shut up.

[Wall St. Wiz]

Picking pro-choice Ridge would have destroyed the party and the convention and McCain would be in a much worse position then he is now.  Lieberman or Ridge would have been complete and utter disasters for McCain.

[ChrisFromNJ]

Picking pro-choice Ridge would have destroyed the party

Fear mongering by the far right of the Republican Party.

I don't buy it.

In the end, McCain would have gotten 85-90% of the Republican vote regardless of who he would have chosen.

[Wall St. Wiz]

Picking pro-choice Ridge would have destroyed the party

Fear mongering by the far right of the Republican Party.

I don't buy it.

In the end, McCain would have gotten 85-90% of the Republican vote regardless of who he would have chosen.

Yes, he would have gotten 85-90% of the Republican vote, I agree with that.  But all the evangelicals that came out in droves for Bush would stay home.  Turnout would have been brutal.    These voters still don't like McCain but they will come out for him because of Palin.

To millions of these people the #1 issue is abortion, and they simply will not pull the lever for a pro-choice candiate.

[J. J.]

First, I disagree that it is must win.

The McCain camp feels they have lost Iowa and New Mexico. They feel like they don't have much of a chance to win Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.

How is Pennsylvania not a must win?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14891_Page2.html

They might; I don't agree.

[ChrisFromNJ]

First, I disagree that it is must win.

The McCain camp feels they have lost Iowa and New Mexico. They feel like they don't have much of a chance to win Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.

How is Pennsylvania not a must win?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14891_Page2.html

They might; I don't agree.

So you know more than actual insiders within the McCain campaign?

I envy you!

Are you really Steve Schmidt?

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah, I saw this nonsense earlier today. Stop whining, Tom, especially when you're totally wrong.

[J. J.]

First, I disagree that it is must win.

The McCain camp feels they have lost Iowa and New Mexico. They feel like they don't have much of a chance to win Nevada, Virginia and Colorado.

How is Pennsylvania not a must win?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14891_Page2.html

They might; I don't agree.

So you know more than actual insiders within the McCain campaign?

I envy you!

Are you really Steve Schmidt?

No, but the last two times, the Republicans won the Presidency while losing PA.