The News of Tomorrow: McCain Replaces Palin with Romney
Will this week bring a surprise announcement from the McCain campaign?
September 29, 2008
Due to a desire to spend more time with her family, Sarah Palin sent a brief letter to Republican presidential candidate John McCain:
"Senator McCain, it is with extreme regret that I am writing to inform you that my desire to spend more time with my family is forcing me to abandon my campaign to serve as your vice president.
"However, with a special needs son and a grandchild on the way, I have no other choice. As I know you will appreciate and understand, I am first and foremost a mother.
"There is a time for politics, but unfortunately that time for me is not now. As dedicated public servants, you and I put our "Country First," but we can do so only to the extent that our highest priority, our family life, does not interfere with that service.
"It is for that reason that I am withdrawing my candidacy to be Vice President of the Untied States."
A few hours after receiving this initially strictly confidential letter, which leaked soon enough, Senator John McCain is going to hold a press conference to announce his replacement for Sarah Palin.
Here is an excerpt from McCain's remarks:
"I have two messages for the American people today. First, our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. With her vivaciousness, personal charm and down-to-earth nature, she has inspired us all.
"She has also set a great example for the women of America. Soon enough, a woman will serve in the highest office in this land.
"As saddened as I am about Governor Palin having to return to Alaska, I am extremely pleased to announce that another great American, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, in a phone call this morning has graciously accepted my request to serve this nation at this moment of great peril as the Republican Party's candidate for vice president.
"The requisite party committees will convene in Washington, D.C. tomorrow afternoon to ratify my choice.
"In adding Mitt Romney to the ticket, the Republican Party is underscoring its unique ability to look after the economic and financial interests of all Americans across this vast land. Mitt Romney is a highly experienced financial manager, a very successful former chief executive — and the former Governor of Massachusetts."
"With him joining the ticket, we Republicans are bringing a great deal of experience to the table on the two most critical issues of our time — national security and financial security.
"Like myself in the U.S. Senate, Governor Romney has also established a very successful record of working across party lines. That he succeeding so brilliantly in Massachusetts, one of our nation's most liberal states, attests to his ability to get things done.
"In addition to being a most competent manager, he is a rock-solid conservative. On top of all that, he most certainly is ready to lead our nation on day one.
"In contrast, the Democratic Party ticket offers politics as usual. Two gifted orators who have literally never run anything — other than their own political campaigns.
"In this time of great economic trouble for our nation, we cannot afford on-the-job training. The two Republicans in this race need no such training. We are battle-hardened, having dealt with sworn enemies of the United States in military combat and with captains of industry 'mano a mano,' and always with a firm footing.
"Finally, given the extraordinary circumstances of this election year, I am challenging the Obama-Biden ticket to a series of ten town hall meetings over the next three weeks, so that we enable the American people to develop a real sense of our qualities close up.
Asked about this latest turn of events, the Obama campaign had no immediate reaction.
Editor’s Note: This feature is intended to be read as speculation.
Takeaways
In this time of great economic trouble for our nation, we cannot afford on-the-job training.
My desire to spend more time with my family is forcing me to abandon my campaign to serve as your vice president.
In adding Mitt Romney to the ticket, the Republican Party is underscoring its ability to look after the economic and financial interests of all Americans.