McCain to Pledge 1 Term?

[JeffreyWilliamson]

I had been thinking about this since watching a clip of Rick Davis on (gag) Fox News this morning. Well, I didn't actually watch Fox News, I caught the clip online, (but still gagged).

Local Houston NBC affiliate just floated the idea that McLame plans on pledging 1 term at the GOP convention. Was curious what effect this may have on any undecideds that are concerned about his age. I've noticed that McSame can't seem to break 44 in any polls, and wondered if he has reached a ceiling. Would an announcement like this allow him to break through at all, and what should be the Obama team response?

Sorry if this has already been posted.

Jeffy

[jwirr]

1. They are hoping to override the "old man" problem.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

9. Yep...

I wonder if a move like this can be addressed by arguing that in economic/global issue times like these that giving McCain 1 term just to show his service was appreciated won't lend to long-term economic and national security.

I think a move like this may help McCain a little with voters worried about the age issue, but I can't help but think the contrast between old/young and energy/tiredness will damage McCain seriously during the debates. I have thought for a while that just seeing both on stage next to each other will be a sharp contrast in voters minds after the first debate, and that this contrast will cut McCain off at the knees.

[gateley]

2. I think I've heard him (McCain) reference that in passing before --

Something like "for the next eight years, or possibly four." I don't remember it exactly, but I do remember wondering if he was going to only run for one term - it gave me the feeling that would be a possibility.

It might make it easier for those who don't feel comfortable with either Obama or McCain vote for him, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel a bit closer. :shrug:

[rurallib]

3. I had heard that idea thrown around a couplke months ago

and I still can't quite understand why they floated the idea. Seems to me it is an admission that Gramps is pert-near too old for the job. Is he just holding the seat for his trainee? President Bobby (exocism) Jindahl or Tim (bridges) Pawlenty?
Puts a whole lot of weight on that VP choice. I hope they wake Gramps up when they pick one for him.

[NanceGreggs]

10. My thoughts, too.

It IS an admission that he's too old to be thinking about eight years. Doesn't that just validate the concerns of those who are already thinking that his age is an issue?

[JeffreyWilliamson]

11. Good point n/t

[opihimoimoi]

4. It would kill his chances/odds...people want stability, sustainabiltiy and security

McVains brings uncertainty to the table...

He likes to brag EXPERIENCE...but in reality...he is using a BUZZ word...he has no experience in the Oval Realm.

Instead...he brings many Negative charactoristics.....

One term. 2 terms...don matter....he would be a LOUSY PREZ

[femmocrat]

5. The Obama team should ignore his "intentions." Too unpredictable, IMO.

If he intends to term-limit himself, this places a huge spotlight on his VP choice. Whomever he chooses will be the heir-apparent for 2012.

[BlooInBloo]

6. I pledge 0 terms for McBombBomb.

[Kutjara]

7. I would hope that would make people even less willing to vote for him.

The first two years of a President's term are spent learning the job, and the second two years are spent running for reelection. Only in the second term can a President really push their political agenda and focus exclusively on the job. McCain would still spend two years learning and two years campaigning to get his successor elected. Why would anyone vote to leave America leaderless, particularly at this point in history?

Also, by saying he only wants one term, McCain is admitting all he really wants is to put "I was President" on his tombstone. Again, who the hell wants to vote for someone who's just padding their résumé?

[smoogatz]

8. Maybe if he pledged not to win

he could overcome the age issue once and for all.

But seriously--he just has to keep acting like a grouchy, negative jackass and people will hardly notice how old he is. They'll just think of him as that grouchy, negative jackass they're not going to vote for.

[Alexander]

12. Notice how McCain keeps referencing what he'll do in FOUR years.

I think he has quietly made this pledge to the Republican party insiders and doesn't want the public to know about it. Sam Brownback hinted at something similar.

[Lasher]

13. "I am a uniter, not a divider."

Remember that? And how about this one:

Hearing Cheney say “the campaign was over and that our actions in office would not be dictated by what had to be said in the campaign,” Chafee writes, was “the most demoralizing moment of my seven-year tenure in the Senate.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/01/cheney-swore-off-moderate-campaign-promises-a-month-after-2000-election/

[Fleshdancer]

14. Is this to sweeten the deal for his VP pick? are they all turning him down?

Or is it just his way of acknowledging how old he is? Either way, it's weird.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

15. Smells desperate, too.

Or it least it can be presented that way. Not that the media will play it as anything but "bold" and "one more example of John McCain the Maverick (TM)".

Wonder how it will play with the PUMA crowd.

[Fleshdancer]

16. plus it goes against his long term strategies for Iraq and drilling

Seems odd to propose long term solutions from a candidate who wants to retire in 4 yrs.

[wildflower]

17. Or a way to promise conservatives a more desirable Pres. via the VP.

Good point.

[OmahaBlueDog]

26. Your explanation is the only one that makes sense

In essence, he says to the party "Look, I know you're not thrilled with me, but our stronger candidates aren't ready/able/willing to go this time. I'll run hard on being an alternative to Obama, and warm the chair for Jeb, Piyush, or Mitt."

They know the congress and Senate will be hostile, but they figure they win the Republican Revolution for the next two generations if they get the Stevens SCOTUS pick.

[whistle]

18. Sorry, not short enough

[jesus_of_suburbia]

19. I hope this isn't true. It will get him a few more sympathy votes

[Renew Deal]

20. Another unaccountable president?

What's the point?

[book_worm]

21. He'll say he will be beholden to nobody becuz he will only serve one term

it might help him--but it might just make the age issue more relevant.

[JeffreyWilliamson]

22. Uh-huh...

Or that's the way the press will play it. What a Maverick (TM)! One term--how unique! Isn't John McCain a true visionary? I can hear it now.

But I'm wondering if it might hurt him badly--as others have pointed out, if he does this isn't he admitting that his age is a problem?

I called my crazy fundamentalist mom this evening to get her take after I started this thread. She's perfect to bounce conservative ideas off of because she always tows the party line. You know, God chooses our leaders so we must respect President Whatshisname and whatever.

So she says that it actually makes him more appealing in her eyes! It makes him somehow more real. I hit her with everything I could think of on how it is a negative for him:

He's admitting he's too old for the job - "He's being realistic and honest", she replied

He's risking the independents and younger vote (if he ever had them) - "Lot's of seniors like me will respect him for it"

He's promising long-term economic stability and proposing that we stay in Iraq for 100 years if necessary, but he only wants one term - NO ANSWER...

Very telling about where we need to go if he does this...

[JeffreyWilliamson]

23. Just now...

Watching the local NBC affiliate after Olympic coverage just said again on the news that McCain is likely to pledge one term at the convention. This time they said that it is rumoured he promised party leaders that he would only serve one term.

[yellowcanine]

24. That would make him an instant lame duck. I don't see the sense in that.

Sounds like a formula for an ineffective presidency. The truth is being president is a political position and being reelected is part of that.

[OmahaBlueDog]

25. I heard the same thing, and it's really a stupid idea

It makes no sense to run on that. In essence you're saying "I'll enter office as a lame duck." That'll be doubly true, since he'll have a hostile congress to deal with. It also makes his election about his Veep, who now will steal the limelight, given that he/she is essentially running for President-in-waiting. It also, in effect, concedes that he's really too old to be elected.

[Monk06]

27. He doesn't even have enough gas for one term. He's just being realistic.

[alwysdrunk]

28. "In these trying times...."

I think thry are trying to say "With the unstability in the world (fear mongering) John McCain can come in and direct the wars and keep the contry safe" The econmy will still suck but at least we will be safe. McCain's perceived military and foreign policy strengths could move fence sitters if they are worried about war and terrorism. I'm looking out for another big "scare oush" from the White House in September.

[Ken Burch]

29. Perhaps he thinks this would lock in all the PUMA types

They could justify betraying the party, killing Roe V. Wade and thereby ending the feminist movement because "their" candidatewould then have one more shot in 2012.

And the McCainablers in the MSM could argue that it proves the 100 Years Warrior is a "maverick" after all.