[Platapus]

Here is my wacky theory of what the Republican Party is up to in 2008.

As a disclaimer, I am a registered Republican, coming from a long line of Republicans in my family. Politically I am a moderate with leanings toward Conservatism. As a moderate I look with equal disdain toward either extreme.

I believed that the GOP had written off 2008. They realize that public opinion is pretty low for the current administration. The GOP is looking forward to 2012 and beyond.

When the 2008 campaign first started and no one really knew who would be running, I feel that the GOP realized that their chances were pretty low. This has changed with the nomination of the candidates. As the polls suggest this is going to be a very close race.

The GOP choose McCain as the throwaway candidate. This is his last time he can run. The GOP needed to put someone up in 2008 while the GOP was planning on 2012.

It would not be disastrous for the GOP if a Democrat was elected in 2008.

It would be advantageous for the GOP to have either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama elected in 2008. This would give the GOP four years to snipe at the democrats.

With the unpopular war in Iraq; A viet-nam like war in AF; Economy in the gutter; world reputation in tatters; what better time to “allow” the democrats to win. “here you fix the problem.....if you can”

Politically it is very easy to be the rebels chanting change change. But once they are in the office, now they have to produce. Now the reality of the office can overshadow the rebellious cause of change change change. It is the nature of our system that more will remain the same than will change in the Democrats first term.

The Democrats will find it far easier to state the problem than to solve it. Being responsible for solving the problems places them in a politically vulnerable position that can be exploited in 2012.

Since very little will change in the 2009-2013 term (changes take a lot of time), the GOP can build up a lot of disappointment with the new Democratic administration.

Their slogan would be “hey you had a Democrat as President, look at what did not happen, time to go back to the new and improved GOP”.

In 2012, the GOP can then have their “real” candidate all groomed. With President Obama now being on the defensive, the GOP candidate can have the easier job of advocating change. Then President Obama will be in the position of defending reality while the GOP is selling the future.

I feel that the selection of the GOP Vice Presidential candidate supports this. The GOP can now garner the perceived advantage of nominating a woman as VP, at the same time that the DNC choose not to nominate a popular woman candidate. Whether this is truly a political win or not is debate able. But since it is a throw-away position, might as well go for low-hanging fruit.

Since the GOP is writing off the 2008 election to focus on the 2012 election, who better to nominate? A black woman would be even better but Secretary Rice has already stated that she has no interest. Absent of black woman, the GOP choose a woman/wife/mother figure. How better to counter the claim that the GOP is the elitist party? How did they come up with Palin? Probably had no one else willing to risk their future political careers.

McCain has nothing to risk as this is the last time he will be able to run. But any other viable GOP candidate might be a little wary of risking their campaign as a throw-away.

Governor Palin has no political career to risk if she is “branded a loser” in 2008. She served her purpose of being the first woman nominee and afterward she can go back to her local government career none for the worse.

From the get-go of this campaign, it did not seem like my party was really serious about 2008. I truly believe that the GOP realized that their chances in 2008 were pretty slim.

Senator McCain is not exactly a shaker and mover in the Republican Party. He is not even widely liked. His Senatorial career has been average at best. His senatorial leadership has been limited to Indian Affairs and Commerce committees. His position as minority leader on the Armed Services Committee is based on seniority.

So have been shaking my Republican head ruefully trying to figure out what my party is up to. I can come up with two hypotheses.

1. Senator McCain is truly the best of the best of the best that my party can nominate for President. In that case I am very worried about my party’s future.

2. Senator McCain is a throw-away for the 2008 campaign that the GOP predicted they would lose. The GOP is focusing on 2012 and beyond.

Just a wacky idea to spark some conversation here.