Lose your job? Sick loved one? Disabled? Tired of Ryan Seacrest? Stop whining, America! So says Phil Gramm, McCain's economic confidante. McCain quickly, and wisely, disavowed the comments. One can imagine that Gramm received a royal ass-chewing behind the scenes on the Straight Talk Express.
While Gramm's comments make McCain look out of touch on economic matters, the you-haven't-heard-from-me-in-a-while Rev. Jesse Jackson's Obama insult makes Obama look good. The more distance Obama puts between the Rev and his campaign, the more he could benefit with those who have always been uneasy about The Rev. Jackson creates an interesting conundrum for Obama: support him or denounce him? The Rev's comments may have taken care of that decision.
Finally, as promised, WVPC takes a hard look at McCain's potential VPs. Will he go fiscally conservative? Will he go socially conservative? Will he go evangelical? Will he go young? Will he go old? Will he go moderate? Dear God, please go moderate. Here's look at some names being tossed around:
Bobby Jindal. He's young and, well, let's face it, doesn't look like a lot of people in the Republican party. He toes the party line on about every issue, but his demeanor is less than captivating. Plus, he might be too young.
Mike Huckabee. Prior to the 2008 campaingn, he was just that one governor who lost a bunch of weight. The Iowa victory changed all of that, but the party base has ambivalent feelings about Huck. He could woo the evangelicals, but he risks alienating the fiscally conservative Republicans who aren't thrilled about JMac anyway.
Mitt Romney. Quite possibly the most inauthentic figure in American politics has slowly crept his way onto the running mate short list. The Dems could pick Romney apart if he gets on the ticket.
Charlie Crist. He's a popular name thrown around GOP circles. Plus, he's really tan.
Olympia Snowe. She's probably too moderate for the far right crowd, but she would help draw votes from independents and the center. However, there's probably little chance for Snowe in this campaign forecast.
Michael Reagan. Hey, the conservatives have an incredible man crush on his dead dad. Why not put his off-putting, vulgar son on the ticket? McCain/Reagan '08. Score.
In quick hits, The CS Monitor profiles Obama's mastermind, David Axelrod. Obama stays on message with tough love + government responsibility approach to problems in the African American community. Alas, how could we forget the most controversial image of the week.
"It's satire," says Angus.
