
John McCain has made several unexpected moves during his campaign. For instance, he picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice president. After an initial surge of support, her charming personality has given way to revelations about her lack of familiarity with the issues and Troopergate -- which led a bipartisan committee to conclude that she violated an Alaskan law prohibiting abuse of power. Now McCain may be questioning whether this maverick move hurt him more than it helped.
McCain also decided to suspend his campaign last month to deal with the financial crisis. Coincidentally, this decision came just a few days before McCain was to debate his opponent during a week when he was down in the polls. As it turns out, McCain resumed his campaign in time for the debate but without fixing the crisis. Did this maverick move strengthen McCain's image as a strong, effective leader?
At the end of a week in which the S&P 500 fell over 18%, more than it ever has in any previous week in history, some in the Republican party are questioning whether McCain's campaign is functioning as well as it could. Former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, has suggested that what McCain needs is a "broad vision of how he would lead the country through the economic crisis," according to the New York Times. This comment suggests a maverick move that McCain could take to revive his chances: replace Palin with Romney.
Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-12-2008 @ 10:43AM
Doug said...
We voted Romney out in his presidential bid. Lets don't revisit this.
10-12-2008 @ 10:43AM
william lindblad said...
Peter, you should stick to economics. Go back in time and evaluate Jackson and Biddle. You can't go by any of the political nonsense that you read as one of our undeniable greats has his face carved into Mt. Rushmore. The plan for T.R. was to make him V.P. for 8 years and than fade into oblivion. He was controversy walking but built the Panama Canal, gave us the National Park System and cleaned up business. Some political "loser".
10-12-2008 @ 12:19PM
David said...
I think McCain should call a news conference and announce at least a few of the people he would appoint to his cabinet ; then start proposing the plans and policies he would do in his first 100 days.
Quit talking and start acting.
Let the people decide between his actions , and Obama's actions.
That would give the people a clear choice.
Palin was a good choice - do not throw her overboard.
Give the people a clear choice of what the new president and his cabinet will do. All know the president is part of a team. Lets see the McCain team against the Obama team.
10-12-2008 @ 12:19PM
Synd said...
What I'm hearing from a lot of Americans is that....they are "afraid" to have a man of color running this country. Well, I look at this way..if you retrace "YOUR" family roots you will see that your ancestors were of "color". I've traced my family tree and learned that I'm 50% black, 25% white and 25% cherokee indian but my skin color is a reddish brown but my race is listed as "black". So, this country needs to get over playing the "race" card. I believe that Obama will help get this country back on track. I've reviewed both Obama and McCain web sites and noticed one thing...Obama explains what he intends to do to help this country by spelling it out; McCain has really nothing spelling out his plan. Why would Americans put someone in office that only looks to continue helping the wealthy from paying taxes; when in fact the "middle" class Amercians are the ones footing the bill. Tell me one thing...."do you make over $250K a year?" If not, you'll be the ones paying off this $700 million loan ($812+billion in reality). Wake up America and put your "race" issues aside. Face it....this country's in one BIG mess.
10-12-2008 @ 12:52PM
Shelby said...
I'm with you, Mr. Cohan. McCain and Palin are clueless and thus will lose this election by a landslide.
Losing Palin and bringing in the competent Romney is his only hope as the election nears.
10-12-2008 @ 12:45PM
Chad said...
Synd,
Let me get this straight... if I don't bow down and vote democrat this year, then I am a racist? Have you ever stopped to think that maybe a great number of people will vote against Obama due to the fact he supports things that they do not?
It is people like you that do not allow us to get past the so-called race issues.
As to switching to Romney at this point...
I can't imagine Mitt Romney wanting any part of that briar patch.
Romney-Jindal 2012
10-12-2008 @ 2:36PM
Charles Clark said...
We reject any attempt to replace Sarah Palin as the Republicans VP choice. Harvard researchers have just this week documented a link between Sarah Palin and Albert Einstein and noted that Palin is the smartest Republican in American History. Watch Palin's video on You Tube and judge for yourself. Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrzXLYA_e6E
10-12-2008 @ 3:21PM
ajarizona said...
All you Hucksters and McCainiacs are getting what you deserve. You tag teamed the most qualified man to be President in a generation, and now you're stuck with the man from the bottom of his class. You all treated the primaries like an eighth grade poularity contest and now you're swimming in your own puke, Now live with it!
As for Romney, you idiots had your chance for him this go around, he should now stay as far away from you pretenders as he can.
It's Jimmy Carter time now folks, suck it up and endure the mess you created and in 4 years Romney, ala Reagan, will save the day.
Maybe next time all you Republican clowns will take this process a little more seriuosly and go for quality instead of goofyness.
Just compare Romney's resume to anyone else and they are not worthy to shine his shoes.
Our President's should be the best and the brightest, and this year we have neither.
Romney Jindel 2012!
ajarizona
10-12-2008 @ 11:44PM
Sheldon L said...
Its too late. Palin was a bad choice. If being a mom is any qualification for us to put someone in the White House, then by that standard, 25% of the population is qualified. Of course the top of the ticket would not be since he has not been a mom.
10-12-2008 @ 11:48PM
Sheldon L said...
Mr. Clark,
Great link -- although the closest connection between Palin and Einstein might be that they both put their pants on one leg at a time.
10-14-2008 @ 11:13AM
John S. said...
The liberal media promoted McCain during the primaries because they knew he would be the easiest to beat.
Romney is the smartest guy out there. He predicted exactly what would happen. McCain is just too old to have any fight in him. He is too unpredictable. I like Palin, but she is just too inexperienced. She doesn't understand the economy like Romney does.
I am looking forward to 2012. Go Romney.