Try this one on for size:
In the next day or two some revelations come out that McCain not only had this extramarital relationship (as compared to the ones we already knew about) but the story about the legislation filed on her behalf becomes stronger. In a stunning announcement McCain announces he’s dropping out of the race.
Romney, who pushed the NYTimes story to begin with (conjecture here, absolutely nothing to suggest this), having only “suspended” his campaign now comes back into the race. Holding his superior moral values above him like a flag in the wind he calls for moral republicans and (immoral right wing pundit listening) conservatives to support him alike.
McCain, no longer having any moral ground to stand on, does not tell his delegates who to turn to. Huckabee and Romney both lay claim to McCain’s reformer mantle but with Huck’s closet problems himself (theft from the state, etc.) GOP’ers turn to the man, the legend, Myth Romney.
…and the movie was good because it illustrates an important truth – that every nutty theory has an element of reality in it that makes it live (not meant in a personal way, Inaction).
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p>Your theory hinges on Mitt having only ‘suspended’ his campaign. Unlike Hillbilly Kingmaker John Edwards, Romney suspened his campaign for about a week. Then out of nowhere, he went whole hog and endorsed McCain and released his delegates – right here in Boston. You may have noticed Sen. MCain’s look of disbelief at the time, but it was for real. He’s been calling delegates since and urging them to vote for McCain.
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p>I very much doubt Mitt would reenter the race unless McCain explicitly dropped out, or had a stroke from fury at the NYT, or some other catastrophic event. Then OUR convention would make YOURS look like a day care center!
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p>I supported Mitt all along, and the NYT story shows why. MONTHS ago, I said that Keating Five would resurface and I was scoffed at. He is a great war hero, but truly, his chance was 8 years ago, and he risks becoming the Bob Dole of the 21st century.
back to romney? i good conspiracy theory is a terrible thing to waste.
Imagine the planning though for a conspiracy like this – Romney feeds the story to the NYTimes in November of last year, hoping it kills McCain long long ago and allowing Romney to take the lead.
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p>Recognizing the impossibility of winning and thinking the NYTimes story will never appear Romney does what he can to salvage his image by not only bowing out “in the interest of the nation” but quickly endorses McCain as the nominee-in-waiting. Great work to build himself up.
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p>But now the scenery changes, McCain falls victim to his dalliances and/or his voting contra his stated positions….
I’m wondering whether there’s an FEC reason or a legal reason for both Romney and Edwards to have suspended their campaigns.
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p>It may have nothing to do with a desire to jump back in later.
From an FEC perspective “suspending” the campaign allows them to continue raising money.
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p>From a delegate holding candidate position it allows them to hold their delegates.
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p>From a campaign perspective it allows them to stay in the game should all the other candidates spontaneously combust.
If Romney or Huckabee were having an affair, it would be pretty devastating for them, but McCain, though he’s pro-life, is not a holier-than-thou type and regularly makes jokes about being a former drunken sailor and things like that. The affair rumors will help him in the vitality department, and his learning from and repenting for the Keating scandal has been a winning issue for him.
Jeez, I was just hoping to go through rest of my life without ever having to think about Willard Mitt Romney, again.