The case for Shelley Capito as Vice-President September 2, 2008
A few people wanted me to reissue this post about Shelley as VP.
I thought it was interesting to read back over… Of course, I thought Shelley was a long shot, but it didn’t hurt to try, right?
My guess is that IF McCain was going to go with a “pro-choice” Republican and completely piss off the conservative base of the party, then he was going to go with Lieberman or Ridge of someone of that MEGA stature versus a woman and Congressperson as in Shelley.
But, Lisa Peana nailed it in the comments down below….
Enjoy.
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OK, maybe it’s slightly far-fetched, but just how far-fetched is a 100% pro-life, gun-toting, tax-cuttting (albeit peanuts) Governor from West Virginia being considered for VP on the Democratic side?
And, in fact, Shelley Capito is immensely more qualified to be on a national ticket than Mojo, especially when the rigorous national media and vetting process takes place.
While John McCain (and in the unlikely event that Huckabee pulls off a miracle, you could make the case for him as well) looks around for potential V.P. candidates, there is no question that Shelley Capito will be getting consideration.
McCain may be looking for a conservative to shore up a base within the Republican party that distrusts some of his views on immigration (even though his views are BETTER than either Democrat), campaign finance (yawn), tax cuts (even though his views are BETTER than either Democrat), and on and on where conservatives are distrustful of McCain.
The McCain camp, to rally the conservative base that drove Bush to victory in 2000 and 2004, may go with a Huckabee or a Santorum.
He won’t go with Thompson, too old to be on the ticket with McCain and as was evidenced, clearly not a strong campaigner.
He won’t go with Giuliani, too liberal for the Republican base to accept with another moderate on the top of the ticket.
He won’t go with Romney, too… well, if you are picking a formerly pro-choice northeastern to shore up your base, and no offense to Romney supporters, but then you don’t have many strong, electable conservatives in your party. The other obvious fact is they simply didn’t seem to like each other.
My guess and from his comments it seems apparent McCain wants the support of the Republican base and my guess is he will get it because he is immensely more qualified than either Clinton or Obama. He figures the base is going to be there. But, he also realizes they probably are never going to fully embrace him as they did Bush, so he is not going to expect a push to drive out the Republican base on Election Day to win.
McCain’s strategy will be to “hold” the Republican base, while reaching out to moderate and Independent voters and building a wide coalition that competes in 40 or 45 states.
With this strategy, it isn’t AS critical for McCain to land a hardcore conservative VP and he can start looking more freely at moderates.
Of course, McCain will look around at potential Republican women to be the first on a Republican National Ticket. (Especially with a woman or African-American being the Democratic nominee)
He will want someone young. He will want someone articulate. He will want someone who has been around long enough to do the job, but not someone who has been around SO long that they can be labeled an “insider.”
If I’m John McCain and I want a woman VP, here’s the breakdown.
US Senators?
Elizabeth Dole or Kay Bailey Hutchinson? No (it’s fairly obvious why without me saying it).
Olympia Snowe, R-MA, Susan Collins, R-MA or Lisa Murkowski, R-AL? First, Maine and Alaska? No way. Geez, I think a choice of either of the two from Maine would throw the conservatives in the party off edge and into the abyss, myself included.
Republican woman Governors? Pheewww, slim pickings… Jodi Rell in CT? No.
Do we want to reach all the way down to Lieutenant Governors? You have a rising star in Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman in Indiana who is fairly conservative, successful, and attractive. But, it’s hard to imagine a Lt. Governor ever being on a national ticket. Lt. Gov/VP Earl Ray Tomblin? Ummm, no.
Current administration? Well, there’s Condy Rice, smart, articulate, and conservative. But, she may be considered damaged by the war and let’s face it, even as an African-American, she won’t be accepted by her own race because she dares not tout the liberal Jesse Jackson party line.
OK, let’s look at the US House.
Anne Northrup? Gone. Melissa Hart? Gone. There are some other House members, but you have to figure she would need to have served in Congress for at least eight years to even be considered. I’ll quickly go through them.
Heather Wilson, R-NM, Sue Myrick, R-NC, Candace Miller, R-MI? No, I’m only saying this, but you have to have a certain “look” to be considered President, and they simply don’t have it.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL? Being from Florida helps, but President Ros-Lehtinen?
Marilyn Musgrave, R-CO? Strong on cutting spending, attractive, from a key swing state that Republicans have not been able to win. But, she gives no geographic balance to the ticket.
Kay Granger, R-TX, Barbara Cubin, R-WY? Good, but do we really need someone from Texas or Wyoming when you know you are going to win those states handily? Again, no geographic balance.
Jo Ann Emerson , R-MO? She’s strong on the economic issues, attractive, provides slight geographic balance and comes from a critically key state. She’s definitely high on the list as well.
Deborah Pryce, R-OH? She is a strong candidate. 14 years in Congress. Ohio. Strong on health care. Probably one of the top potential women candidates.
That leaves – IF McCain wants a woman on the ticket - with only three (or four, if you include Musgrave) serious potential female VP candidates.
Deborah Price from Ohio, Jo Ann Emerson from Missouri, and Shelley Capito from West Virginia.
Shelley is intelligent, attractive, and most importantly, she has shown the ability to attract both Democrat and independent voters as she was won consistently in a two-to-one Democratic district. Both Price and Emerson come from more Republican-leaning districts. Shelley is certainly in the toughest and most geographically diverse district of the three and has won convincingly.
Shelley has been overseas numerous times, has been on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, and can obviously hold her own in Congress.
While Shelley is “pro-choice,” she has been supported by West Virginians for Life, she doesn’t support partial-birth abortion, takes a very moderate stance on abortion and is generally supported by hardcore conservatives in West Virginia.
On domestic issues, she is strong and has served on the right committees in Congress to shore up her economic credentials. She also would help the Republicans carry West Virginia, which while small, has become a bellwether state and a key swing state.
Of course on the negative side, she is young (for a VP). She is from a small state (I know I just said that was a positive, but it cuts both ways). Because she has served in Congress only since 1998, she might be considered not quite ‘ready for primetime’ (although it will be pretty difficult for either Barack or Hillary to make that case since Shelley has more experience than either).
She has been clean as a whistle without a hint of marital or any other potential ethical negatives. She hasn’t been embroiled in any potential pitfall issues or internal squabbles that could derail her. She has been loyal to Bush and the Republican Party, but also not afraid to break away and vote differently when she felt it was the right thing to do.
And, obviously, one of the most important factors is personal compatibility. McCain knows Shelley and has come to West Virginia to campaign for her. It was obvious at the time of the campaign that McCain recognized Shelley as a rising star and they genuinely seemed to like each other and work well together.
Maybe it’s a stretch, but if you do the research (as I’m sure McCain’s people have already started), AND if you want a woman, it’s between Pryce, Emerson, Musgrave, and Capito. And, I can’t imagine Shelley not shining above the others when interviewed and when you draw into the mix their standing friendship and mutual admiration for each other.
Maybe West Virginia WILL have a VP candidate.
Maybe just not the one the Democrats were thinking.
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39 Responses to “The case for Shelley Capito as Vice-President”
Overall, this is a pretty well researched article Vic.
However, you supported Rudy until several weeks ago but he is now too liberal?
Also, Fred Thompson is 6 years younger than McCain is but he is “too old?”
Capito would be a pretty good choice. Stay tuned.
What a wonderful idea. Forget the age thing. Shelley is 10 years older than Obama and much more experienced. She ALWAYS votes “yes” or “no’, never “present”. In fact , she has voted against the President several times . She has a real brain and is a real leader and a super campaigner. She would be fun to watch. The only downer is that she would no longer be our congresswoman.
It is such a shame that it seems like to elect a president you have to have a woman or black on the ticket to pull in votes. I would rather have the two best people for the job. Anyone who is so stupid to vote for a person just because of sex or race shouldn’t be allowed to vote. I only look at the issues and how that person stands on that.
I really like Shelley Moore Capito and believe she represents West Virginia extremely well. Conservatives in West Virginia love her. However I see a problem nationally. She will be seen as a “liberal” running mate to a “liberal” Republican nominee. I definitely agree that we need a balanced and diverse ticket.
Why not Elizabeth Dole? I have not been paying attention I guess, but what is so bad about her that she ought not be considered?
I agree completely that the GOP need not run a two white guy ticket in this election. What about Senator Mel Martinez? You also left out a major female Republican player (although she will be much more attractive in future elections) Condoleeza Rice. To me, Rice is a more attractive presidential candidate at some point than most of what we have available.
McCain also needs to announce before the election which Cabinet position his old friend Rudy will have. I have been thinking Secretary of State, but someone at the convention mentioned Attorney General. This could help McCain achieve a three sided geographical balance going into November. (I also agree with you that McCain needs a southerner.)
The Republican Party, most Democrats will agree, is much more blessed with men and women who can lead. That’s why we can have this debate, because the party of ideas contains so many capable and experienced personalities.
A thoughtful discussion which has the possibility of gaining some traction.
As an added thought and here Capito would be the most favored choice, have VP Cheney resign and Bush appoint Capito to fill his remaining term. This would give unequaled publicity and support for Capito and the Republican ticket. Is this a possibility?
You’ve got to admit that McCain would look more conservative if the comparison is against Capito. Unfortunately for him, it would move the ticket significantly to the left which is the wrong direction if he wants to win back those who are saying they’d rather sit out than vote for him.
The only thing McCain really had going for him in the general was fear and loathing of Hillary, but that is looking less important as the nomination of Obama appears more likely.
This is one Democrat who WON’T vote Repub, even if Capito is on the ticket. Although it’s a good strategy to pick up a female running mate, I don’t see it happening. The Repub party still has too many old, stuffy conservatives who want to see women kept at home!
Shelley would be an awesome VP.
She would bring a “softness” to McCain that his rough public persona needs, mother of three successful kids, the first “soccer mom” to be on the ticket, etc.
West Virginia goes Republican if she is on the ticket - where there is no assurance that Pryce or Emerson would win their respective states. I can’t think of any negatives.
Wow - that was an awesome post Vic - hopefully some of the national onlookers get a hold of it and at least start getting Shelley’s name into the mouths of the talking heads.
You are right, if McCain wants a woman - and maybe he doesn’t, then, Shelley is in the top two or three potentials.
Wouldn’t it be exciting for West Virginia and especially for younger West Virgina women like myself to have one of our own as a role model at the top of the ticket.
Vic - let me say personally that I absolutely love your blog, I don’t normally comment because I’m more of a casual observer, but I love your writing style and sense of humor you inject into your posts.
I normally find politics rather boring, but very much enjoy your take on the issues. You make it entertaining and informative - keep up the laugh out loud posts!
Even with Shelly on the ticket, WV will vote for the Democrat. Ain’t no threat this election about losing the guns so the WV trait of self destruction will prevail with the straight ticket pullers out in droves.
Kate, your post demonstrates that you haven’t the slightest idea what conservatism is about, as is the case with most Democrats/liberals.
Conservatism is primarily centered around one ideal: individual liberty. We believe that individuals, not government, should determine the course of their lives. We believe that dependency on government is death to one’s self-esteem and the culture as a whole.
We also believe that there is a universal standard of right and wrong, so we believe in certain moral standards. Keeping women “at home” is not one of those standards. We do, however, believe that life is sacred and should not be terminated before or after birth unless one has committed a crime so heinous that it requires his/her life sacrifice as punishment. It’s not a matter of choice, it’s a matter of murder.
I hope you can escape the nonsensical propaganda of the DNC and take a hard look at the philosophies of the candidates AND the ramifications of their solutions. If you want to pay higher taxes, surrender your health care choices to the federal government, watch as our soldiers are humiliated when they’re forced to surrender in Iraq, have judges nominated to the courts who legislate from the bench, and see our economy crippled by environmental regulations designed to combat the myth of global warming, by all means, vote Democratic.
If John McCain wants to win he should throw a bone to the conservative base that he is trying to win by naming someone like John Bolton as his VP.
We conservatives are far from sold on a McCain presidency. If we run two liberals, we will most certainly lose.
No way WV will stay red this November, especially when they think what has happened over the past seven years. Capito, although an attractive choice, would not help McCain. I’m soooo unhappy with McCain’s apparent nomination that I will support Obama if he wins the nomination. Time for younger, new blood at the helm of the nation.
I have a hard time understanding how anyone could switch from supporting someone who’s right about 80% of the time to someone who is a good speaker, but stands for nothing. Surprisingly, many have indicated a willingness to do so. This demonstrates how shallow many voters really are.
I think people fail to look at the fact that they want change, McCain is change.So hes not 100% conservative, isn’t that what people want? Someone different than G. Bush? Republicans need to look at the fact that we have a strong candidate that appeals to Liberals too. He will bring in a balance that will appeal to the conservatives into his cabinet. Also, the age issue is ridiculous, doesn’t experience come with age? I was a big Thompson supporter, I’m very conservative, and unfortunately we cant always have a candidate that pleases everyone.. And WV conservatives must like Shelly Moore or else she still wouldn’t be in office..
What about the Gov. of Alaska - Palin? She’s very bright and has about a 92% approval rating in her state.
Make no mistake about it, Clyde; Obama stands for something, it’s just the WRONG something. He’s the most liberal Senator in the Senate.
Lisa is right. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is smart, conservative and honest. She would be the perfect balance for the 71 year old McCain.
If you want to continue the following then we should continue with the same politician in the Republican party.
The United States invaded Iraq under false pretenses without a constitutionally-required declaration of war. Our Founders understood that how we go to war is as important as when we go to war, which is why they vested the power to declare war in the Legislative Branch. The resolution passed in Congress authorizing the president to use force in Iraq said nothing about the U.S. Constitution, but it mentioned the United Nations a dozen times. The United States should never go to war to enforce UN resolutions!
B.K.
If you truely mean what you say in post #11 then you beleive in getting rid of the Patriot act which violates individual liberty.
Or are you spouting off things you hear but don’t have the heart to truely support?
Right now this Repulican does not see any candidates Republican or Democrat that are what I am looking for in our next President.
Adding Congresswomen Capito to the John McCain ticket would increase my chances of voting for him.
Seems like a well thought out blog post, Vic!!
I have to agree with Paul - the narrowing down Presi08 choices leave me ‘wanting’. Capito could only help the McCain ticket. BTW - MoJo won’t make it to Washington until the Byrd-man flies the coup!
West Virginia would not go blue with Capito on the ticket, that’s a ridiculous thought. There is no way.
Look people, Bush is not going to be on the ticket and McCain will look much better to West Virginians when being put up alongside Obama (cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2010 - wonder how he is going to do that) and Hillary (cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2012).
Either one is disasterous for West Virginia. I’m not saying MCcain is great on this issue, but if Obama and Clinton are serious, it would be the worst possible outcome for West Virginia.
West Virginia will go red by 4-5 points in the fall without Shelley, by 10 or more with her.
Shelley would make a good VP, however it’s ashame folks want to put her down. As a demorcrat, I would want Shelley as a VP - NO mather what party simply casue Shelley cares.
Are you all out of your mind. Capito is the only Republican WV has in Washington and you are trying to remove her from that position. She would do WV absolutely 0% good as the VP. In addition, we lost the only Republican held seat in either house.
Your idea is screwing the Republicans of WV even more than the WV Republican party already has done for us.
You have the Governor setting himself up to assume Byrd’s seat in the Senate as soon as Byrd retires. (This will happen within the year.) We now have no one who can pork barrel.
Our other Senate voice JDR, IV is a mute. He has done nothing, and I mean nothing for WV. (one exception - they did put up a tombstone for him at the Tech Park at EWV Reg. Airport. He’s 0-2 there)
Our other House member is a blatant known thief. (Like there’s a new title for a politiician and like that is a new direction for the democrats. Good ole Williamson training).
Capito can do WV and WVians more good in her current position. Stop trying to fix what isn’t broken. Fix the broken parts and re-unite the party. The WV executive party has just about destroyed the faith in the party. Me included.
Vic,
I appreciate your research here, but I’ve got to disagree, if the candidate is McCain, the worse thing he can do is alienate social conservatives by choosing a running mate who is Pro Choice. (I didn’t realize she was Pro-Choice so thanks for outing her on that). Let’s not forget at the Convention on Super Tuesday WV went for Huckabee. You can spin it as McCain and Paul folks trying to keep the state out of Romney’s hands, but seriously, WV is a pretty conservative state (despite being largely democratic). I don’t see Capito as helping McCain in West Virginia. I understand your talk about Carbon emissions and Big Coal will have a lot of pull against that, but I also think you underestimate the Energy the democrats have in this coming election.
I think McCain can do better than Capito, and it would be a mistake. Capito wouldn’t convince a conservative like me, that McCain is worth voting for (he could still do that himself.) So I honestly believe, as much fun as this idea might be, I just don’t see it happening.
I’m glad to hear how everyone here is such a conservative, yet no one utters a peep about how Bush signed off on, and Republican congressmen voted for the “stimulus package” that is nothing but a transfer of wealth. Not only that, but Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac now will guarantee home mortgages of over $700,000 (it was $407,000), which will likely necessitate a huge federal bailout of those quasi-governmental organizations. Moves like that undermine our nation, yet none of you “conservatives” seem to care or raise an alarm.
And, if you want to talk about trivialities of national politics–I would highly recommend Shelley as VP. The national media hasn’t latched on to the legendary Arch Moore story. His legend should be known by more than just West Virginians. He could help keep the discussion on issues that aren’t important to our country, as well.
Aaron, the Patriot Act violates the liberty of terrorists only. I’m not concerned with their liberty. I wholeheartedly support the Patriot Act and remain committed to individual liberty. Please stop accepting the nonsensical propaganda of the left and Ron Paul as fact.
Wrong! She won’t be helpful for a National ticket. She should remain in the House. She is definitely a “liberal” Republican. She is a superb politician but she looks first, like Democrats, for a Government solution to problems. We are a party of individual liberty and seek more individual rights and responsibility. She took the ball on the Medicare expansion of prescription drugs and the cost of this expansion of an “entitlement” program on our children is extraordinary. If you want a woman, I like Condi, likeable and a deep thinker.
Sadie - Looking at the results of the primaries will show that most people vote based on demographics, not issues. That’s the whole point of this discussion about choosing a VP to balance the ticket.
And Mr. Smoot makes a good point. Shelley may be adored in WV because of her father and because she is slightly less socialist than Jim Humphreys. Those attributes may not carry much water in the other 49 states. (Did you find the part about smart, articulate, and conservative Condy Rice?)
Kate - The Repub party may still have too many old, stuffy conservatives, but it will be McCain’s decision to make.
Mikey - On the other hand, Shelley may slow down some of those rooster pullers.
West Virginians seem to pin all their hopes on getting national media attention and having somebody in Washington to bring home the pork. I wish we would focus more inside the state. Perhaps electing a legislature that put more effort into getting us back up to 49th place.
Does Vic know politics or what??
Most of the national pundits and polls have made big mistakes this year.
Senator Sprouse,
I want to thank you for making me aware of your CHANGE WEST VIRGINIA site
- TERRIFIC! And your latest on a possible VP candidate is quite interesting.
Keep up the great work.
Shelley Moore Capito would be an awsome VP. She would bring her qualities of conscientiousness, dedication , candor, and integrity to the job.USA would be a winner.
On the issue of the stimulus package, I’m with ya, John A. Your post is right on target.
It won’t be Shelly. McCain needs someone with some executive/business clout. Shelly simply doesn’t have it. Her pro-abortion stance is a deal breaker as well.
In addition, I think that Shelly’s too savy to accept the vp nod from McCain. He’s going to go down like Mondale come Nov. She knows it (as does Mit, probably why he dropped out) and won’t want to have her political brand associated with the loss.
B.K.
Get a clue. The patriot is a stepping stone to an empowered executive governmnet. This will come back to haunt you one day. Remember I told you so when that day comes and our government has thrown away your liberties and bill of rights. Just like Nafta, sold to us on false pretenses that harmed America later.
I would rather err on liberty than to err on the side of a larger more secretive government.
I would rather err of liberty than support the patriot act.
Thats because I am a conservative. I beleive in smaller government. I believe in open government. Not in talk, but in reality.
The results of the primaries make it clear that the Republican Party really stands for big government, less freedom and an end to national sovereignty.
Dr. Paul woke a sleeping giant in the form of millions of Americans, whose passion, energy and determination is simply too strong to go silent about our Bill of Rights against a growing Big socialits Government in the Republican and Democratic parties, too ignorant to see this.
Sarah Palin is a stunning choice for VP. I was one of the 12,000 in the crowd Saturday in Washington, PA.
During this campaign I’ve gone from: I’ll not vote for President (McCain got my attention in 2000 and I’ve been furious w/ him); to I’ll drag myself kicking and screaming into the booth to vote for McCain, but will not campaign or put up signs for him; to I’ll gladly vote for him (after the Saddleback discussion); TO not only will I vote for McCain/Palin but actually campaign after he named Sarah Palin to the ticket. I ordered bumper stickers on Friday afternoon and went to Washington, PA on Saturday.
Rush has touted Sarah Palin for some time–so I’ve known about her and her stances. Excellent.
Kate (7) shows the contempt she and others have for women such as my late mother, who CHOSE to stay at home and raise the children. By-the-way, Kate, my mother had a BA in Chemistry from WVU. She and my father, who taught chemistry at WVU, raised 3 children–all of whom have their PhD’s and are Republicans.
Why we keep drinking the kool-aid I’ll never understand.
In campaign season, the two parties say the same things that energized the base but they don’t plan on actually following through with it. I’m not even 40 years old and have figured that out.
Don’t get too excited about Palin and all the “nice” things they are saying.
Remember, the republicans had 6 years majority and they didn’t do a darn thing that they promise. They could’ve but they didn’t. All these nice things you hear at the Convention are just to get you to vote, they don’t really want to do them, matter of fact, the governmnet will grow under the Republicans and freedoms will dimenish…same with Dems.
Unbelievable! Reading these posts about individual liberty and other “conservative” ideals makes me laugh at the choice you people made in the primaries.
You ahd your chance for freedom in Dr. Paul and you threw it away.
I have absolutely no sympathy with the choices you now have for President. They are basically the same except for “tax and spend” or “borrow and spend”.
You should try reading the Constitution before voting or otherwise supporting any candidates.
Good luck in choosing which loser for whom to vote for President. Standards are so low these days. LOL