A nightmare scenario for gun owners - McCain considers MIKE BLOOMBERG for VP?!

[Green Lantern]

http://nymag.com/news/politics/powergrid/47200/


"With speculation swirling about presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCains choice for running mate, a surprising name has popped into the discussion  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

When McCain had breakfast with Bloomberg recently in Manhattan, a McCain spokesman told the New York Post that discussing a vice-presidential slot for Bloomberg was not on the agenda.

But a source close to the mayor told John Heilemann of New York magazine that the topic was definitely part of the conversation.

One of the participants, in fact, came away from the conversation under the distinct impression that Bloomberg is on McCains short list, Heilemann wrote."

I REALLY hope this is just speculation and innuendo, but I could see it happening..

[sumpnz]

If McCain's that stupid I'll be voting for Bob Barr for sure.

Now, someone like Palin or Jindal, etc might stop me from voting Libertarian. 

[Green Lantern]

If it IS true, then I'm writing in Ron Paul...

But if it is true, then gun owners are in SERIOUS trouble.  Unless we can pick ONE "third party" candidate to rally behind - and that LOTS of other people can rally behind as well.  And even then, it'd likely be a nigh-miracle...

[Manedwolf]

If it IS true, then I'm writing in Ron Paul...

But if it is true, then gun owners are in SERIOUS trouble.  Unless we can pick ONE "third party" candidate to rally behind - and that LOTS of other people can rally behind as well.  And even then, it'd likely be a nigh-miracle...

And then you'd see President Obama because you'd have wasted your vote. 

[Ezekiel]

Bloomberg would enhance McCain's odds of getting elected, I would presume.

Let's not pretend the choice would be about anything beyond that.

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

If it IS true, then I'm writing in Ron Paul...

But if it is true, then gun owners are in SERIOUS trouble.  Unless we can pick ONE "third party" candidate to rally behind - and that LOTS of other people can rally behind as well.  And even then, it'd likely be a nigh-miracle...

And then you'd see President Obama because you'd have wasted your vote. 

And voting for McCain/Bloomsocialist would be a waste as well.

[MicroBalrog]

If it IS true, then I'm writing in Ron Paul...

But if it is true, then gun owners are in SERIOUS trouble.  Unless we can pick ONE "third party" candidate to rally behind - and that LOTS of other people can rally behind as well.  And even then, it'd likely be a nigh-miracle...

And then you'd see President Obama because you'd have wasted your vote. 

McCain is doing all he can to be as bad as Obama.

[taurusowner]

If he picks Bloomberg, it wouldn't be a waste to not vote for him.  The way I see it, as it stands, McCain is only marginally better than HilBama.  Even now I am conflicted aas to whether I want to Vote McCain and hopefully at least get some good judges, or not vote and maybe get Hilbama.  If the Dems win, at least the next 4 years of epic fail can be attributed to the Dems.  If McCain wins, not only will it saddle the Republicans with mistake after mistake, it will solidify McCain and his cronies belief that their "centrist" way is the new way and that Conservatism is dead.  I think a sound defeat would wipe the smirk off his face nicely and maybe pave the way for a real win from a real conservative in 4 years.  But as I said, I am conflicted.

BUT, if McCain chooses Bloomberg, I think I will be decidedly in the camp of "losing is the only way to show this new GOP that the rest of us are not behind their new 'liberalized' vision"

McCain already wish-washy liberal policies with the gun grabbing Bloomy as his second would be just as pure poison as Obama or Hillary.  And if the country has to get poisoned, I want everyone to know it was the Dems doing it.

[wmenorr67]

Right now our best hope is the McCain wins the election and decides not to run in 2012.  By then the Republicans can get their collective craniums out of their collective rear ends and put forth a true conservative nominee.

[sumpnz]

Right now our best hope is the McCain wins the election and decides not to run in 2012.  By then the Republicans can get their collective craniums out of their collective rear ends and put forth a true conservative nominee.

That or have him pick a good conservative VP and stroke out after 731 days.

[Manedwolf]

1934. 1968. 1986.

Be careful what you wish for in wanting to be able to blame the dems. You can't unburn the wood.

[MicroBalrog]

1934. 1968. 1986.

Be careful what you wish for in wanting to be able to blame the dems. You can't unburn the wood.

But you can repeal the GCA if you give DECENT people control of the GOP four years later.

[seeker_two]

The way McCain is going, I'll be surprised if he doesn't give his concession speech before the GOP convention is over.....

I have a feeling that, with the growing Republican "buyer's remorse", that the GOP convention ends up being more conflicted than the Democrat convention....

[MicroBalrog]

I have a feeling that, with the growing Republican "buyer's remorse", that the GOP convention ends up being more conflicted than the Democrat convention....

They need an actual alternative for that to happen.

And since there are no Texans running for President, I don't see anything coming up.

[Green Lantern]

If it IS true, then I'm writing in Ron Paul...

But if it is true, then gun owners are in SERIOUS trouble.  Unless we can pick ONE "third party" candidate to rally behind - and that LOTS of other people can rally behind as well.  And even then, it'd likely be a nigh-miracle...

And then you'd see President Obama because you'd have wasted your vote. 

Who would you prefer - Obama as Prez, or Bloomberg as VP?  It's like the old "arsenic or cyanide" choice...

You can't tell me that the VP does not have the President's ear.  And for the first time, now I'm personally worried about McCains AGE, if you know what I mean!

From just the gun standpoint, McCain does not seem TOO bad to me - and is naturally a far superior choice to Obama.  I'd prefer a true conservative, but up till I read this news I was happily gonna pull the lever for him to keep Obama OUT.

But now?

The devil's gonna need a snow shovel before I ever cast a vote for Mike Bloomberg!!!

If McCain is REALLY such a friend of the 2A as he claims (heh, as Obama claims HE is...) - then why on earth would he even THINK about Bloomberg as a running mate???

[HankB]

McCain, while far from perfect, is better on RKBA than either Democrat. And there's a chance - a small chance - that we might get a decent SCOTUS appointment out of him. (Hillary or Obama would nominate justices that make Ruth Bader Ginsberg look like Ann Coulter.)

So up to now, I've been inclined to hold my nose, suppress my gag reflex, and reluctantly cast a McCain ballot.

But if McCain were to choose Bloomberg . . . no way, no how, would I vote GOP. I'd "waste" my ballot and vote for Bob Barr.

A race between Obama/Whoever and McCain/Bloomberg would be like being offered a choice between Robert Mugabe and Hugo Chavez . . .

[Manedwolf]

1934. 1968. 1986.

Be careful what you wish for in wanting to be able to blame the dems. You can't unburn the wood.

But you can repeal the GCA if you give DECENT people control of the GOP four years later.

Because any of those were repealed thus far? Oh, that's right, the dems shoved 1986 through during the presidency of one of the LAST real conservatives.

Just keep keeping that powder dry. Keep the powder dry. Keep the powder dry. Oh, wait, they took away the powder.

[MicroBalrog]

Because any of those were repealed thus far? Oh, that's right, the dems shoved 1986 through during the presidency of one of the LAST real conservatives.

For one, 1986 also repealed a lot of seriously abusive GCA-68 provisions.
Second, the reason none of them were repealed is because the conservatives daren't try.
And they had various opportunities to elect real conservatives or nominate them. You keep voting against them again and again.

[Sergeant Bob]

Bloomberg would enhance McCain's odds of getting elected, I would presume.

Let's not pretend the choice would be about anything beyond that.

And prove to the GOP that moving even further to the left is what they need to do to win elections.

Right now our best hope is the McCain wins the election and decides not to run in 2012.  By then the Republicans can get their collective craniums out of their collective rear ends and put forth a true conservative nominee.

What is going to convince them to do that if McCain and Bloomberg are elected? Dubya is more conservative (wow) than McCain and all the Repubs have done is move further left.
If that is our best hope, then we are truly frakked.

I'm starting to think I'd sooner vote for Joe Lieberman than McCain.

[longeyes]

The bottom-line for this Election is the Supreme Court.  That means, to me, going with McCain, no matter how many warts he has.  If a Dem is elected and packs SCOTUS we will have no alternative but to all be outlaws.

I'd prefer not to be facing that grim possibility.

[Manedwolf]

The bottom-line for this Election is the Supreme Court.  That means, to me, going with McCain, no matter how many warts he has.  If a Dem is elected and packs SCOTUS we will have no alternative but to all be outlaws.

That doesn't work very well. How many unregistered MGs are left? What happens to someone when one is discovered?

[Ezekiel]

Bloomberg would enhance McCain's odds of getting elected, I would presume.

Let's not pretend the choice would be about anything beyond that.

And prove to the GOP that moving even further to the left is what they need to do to win elections.

I am pretty certain that such is -- very much -- the case.  Conservativism appears dead.

[seeker_two]

Bloomberg would enhance McCain's odds of getting elected, I would presume.

Let's not pretend the choice would be about anything beyond that.

And prove to the GOP that moving even further to the left is what they need to do to win elections.

I am pretty certain that such is -- very much -- the case.  Conservativism appears dead.

Only if you believe that only Republican voters voted in the primaries.....Operation Chaos wasn't Rush's idea...and Pat Buchannan didn't join the Reform Party to make it stronger, either....

[Sergeant Bob]

Bloomberg would enhance McCain's odds of getting elected, I would presume.

Let's not pretend the choice would be about anything beyond that.

And prove to the GOP that moving even further to the left is what they need to do to win elections.

I am pretty certain that such is -- very much -- the case.  Conservativism appears dead.

I fear you are correct.

McCain on Assault Weapons

Depending on John close the "Gunshow Loophole" McCain to select conservative justices is like hiring a fox to guard the hen house.

[sumpnz]

The bottom-line for this Election is the Supreme Court.  That means, to me, going with McCain, no matter how many warts he has.  If a Dem is elected and packs SCOTUS we will have no alternative but to all be outlaws.

I'd prefer not to be facing that grim possibility.

Well, consider this.  The justices that are most likely to die/retire in the next 4 years are Stevens and Ginsberg (really old and in bad health respectively).  I think I've heard rumors that either Breyer or Souter wants to retire.  The following 4 years would likely see Breyer and Souter go if they hadn't already, plus Scalia and the window would open for the departure of Thomas and Kennedy though it may be a little soon for them at that point yet.  And Thomas at least would probably stick it out to see if a Republican could get elected to choose his replacement.

Bottom line is that 4 years of HopeChange would at worst leave us with the court shifting from 5-4 in our favor to remaining 5-4 in our favor but with 2-3 young justices that can't be replaced with origanlists for 30 years.  Now, another 4 years of HopeChange could possibly shift the balance of the court and leave it impossible to change it again for decades.