Could this be the September Surprise to manipulate the election?

[AtLiberty]

When McCain Drops Out

by Steven Rosenbaum, Huffington Post

When the Republicans choose their candidate on September 4th, there is a very real chance that they could throw the election into an unexpected chaos as they pull a genuine September Surprise.

I think there is every reason to believe John McCain won't be the nominee. Ok, let me say that again. McCain will not be the Republican candidate in November.

Here's how it could happen:

At some point in mid August, John McCain will announce that he has decided that he can not accept his party's nomination for president. The reason will be health-related, and that may turn out to be the truth. Anyone who's seen him on stage these days knows he looks like he's about to keel over. And anyone who's been on a presidential campaign knows the physical demands are grueling and can be a challenge for a young man.

But excuses or facts hardly matters. He won't be accepting his party's nomination...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rosenbaum/when-mccain-drops-out_b_107236.html

[babylonsister]

1. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. Everyone's entitled to speculate.

I can't imagine anyone who'd want to become the r/w nominee in September when the election is in November. And this year? Who'd be the sacrificial lamb?

[rainy]

2. Who would they run?

[AtLiberty]

3. Did you read the article?

The author offered at least a dozen suggestions...

From the POV of an election reform activist, this scenario is a real possibility.

[leveymg]

6. Here's the perfect GOP candidate for '08: Tanned, Rested, and Ready

[electropop]

8. And more animated than McLame

well, re-animated anyway.

[leveymg]

10. Cleans up nicely, doesn't he?

[Juche]

4. I don't believe it

I seriously doubt it. Giving a new candidate with even stronger ties to the GOP 2 months to compete until the Nov. elections seems unrealistic.

And doing good with the conservative base is a bad thing this election, not a good thing. One of McCain's appeals is that some people think he isn't a typical republican.

[loveable liberal]

5. Wouldnt be surprising, would only show weakness....

No one is going to step in to be squished like a bug. McCain is too proud for that. He can only look in the mirror for whom to blame. Unfortunately, for right or wrong, he represents corruption.

[Mountainman]

7. Seems even Huffington post is afraid there will be no horse race.

[TlalocW]

9. I don't buy it

There's a certain type of politician - on both sides of the aisle (Hillary on ours) - that when it comes to running for president, they go into it with a, "It's my turn" attitude. Bob Dole did it in 96; it was Hillary's attitude before dropping out, and it's definitely McCain's view of things. There's no way he's letting go of the nomination.

TlalocW

[Wilms]

11. Manipulate?

I appreciate the use of the term, but it seems they can nominate who they like...as long as it is within their party rules.

And would you blame them? McCain is a non-starter.

[AtLiberty]

12. Yes, manipulate...

To create the necessary chaos and throw polling numbers up in the air required to create a fraud-rich environment.

[Wilms]

13. Polling numbers already create a fraud-rich environment.

At least that's the sense I get here.

:shrug:

But a September surprise still gives time for poll numbers to settle in, I think.

It really doesn't matter much to me because no matter what the polls say, there will be books written about it. And both will prove as much as they did for OH 2004.

[Sancho]

14. Who's missing from the list? You know who!

Jeb...a lot smarter than GWB, a lot more likable than GWB, and a lot more devious than GWB.

[L. Coyote]

15. I've been repeating this mantra for a long time now. Darth Invader will be the candidate!!

McCain is just there to make Cheney look young and healthy.
And to delay any negative focus on Cheney until the last possible moment!

My best bet today, Cheney is really pissed off at Tim Russert for keeling over of heart problems!