Even though I can't stand Obama -- I am not that jazzed about McCain. Don't get me wrong - war hero - paid his dues - certainly he has been an unpredictable wild card in the RNC these years. But his lack of rock solid conservatism really bothers me! Nevertheless, we need to make sure he gets elected and not the other choice. So to help the cause let me give you my arm chair advise John....
1) "It's the economy stupid!" - Please racket it down John -- Iraq is a problem but when I go to the pump and pay $60 to fill up, the only thing I want to do with Iraq is to tap into the oil supply! The economy is the major concern in people's minds. You have got to present an aggressive, specific and practical plan on how to grow the economy and throw off the high costs of everything from food, gas, building supplies, etc....
2) Drill here and Drill Now - Nice slogan and it is excellent rhetoric. The rise of oil and gas and all petro costs is affecting everything. You have got to make a promise to reduce oil prices by 20% in your first year even if it means lifting the taxes on it. Ability to GO everywhere is effecting every industry in America -- also now we can see that oil dependency is a NATIONAL SECURITY issue. If we are beholding to anyone because of oil -- we are threatened!
3) Keep the Bush Tax Cuts - No matter what the competition says - Americans would be really hurting if we did not have the Bush Cuts and the rebate check! Make that point a reality and people will buy it -- also clearly point out how much more tax we will pay if the Big O gets in!
4) Forget about trying to "WIN" the war in Iraq - John you have a problem that you must overcome. When a Navy war hero talks about winning a war, people think that you basically want to hunt down each person who had anything to do with your Vietnam imprisonment and seek revenge. You have to clearly define what "winning" is to you -- spell it out -- not timetables -- but a genuine, fair and reasonable conclusion to the war. Keeping peace is good -- but not forever. The American people connect economic struggles with the war involvement -- you must separate the two!
5) Remember the BASE - The base of the RNC is the conservative, Christian Right....sorry John the facts are the facts. You have avoided the fact to a fault. I know you don't like to seem beholding to anyone -- that is so non-military hero -- but the fact is if you keep us out in the cold -- you will be leaving 4.4 million voters to consider staying home in November. I should know. My wife has said that she cannot, in a clear conscience, vote for you unless you start "kissing up to the conservative evangelical vote." John, do yourself a favor -- get on the "Straight Talk express" and head straight for Colorado Springs and make nice with James Dobson....then Franklin Graham....then Newt Gingrich...and another thoroughly conservative. Shallow your pride -- you need us and we will not (like your mother suggested) "hold our nose and vote!"
6) Pick Mitt as your running mate - The fact is John Mitt could easily beat Obama, where you will have a hard time. He is good looking - you are old and weather beaten. He has real experience in governing, managing and leading an organization - not just putting forth useless legislation that no one understands or cares about. He is appreciated by the moral majority. He is smart, articulate and at times can be cutting with his facts and wit -- where you feel very uncomfortable doing that. Mitt is your ticket to the White House and again John only your pride will get in the way. The fact is he might show you up....but the fact is he will give you what you want: the title of PREZ!