The star of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seemed to be rising this summer in tandem with voters increasing anxiety about the economy. But a McCain gaffe over how many homes he owns he told Politico he didn't know the exact number would take on new life if multimillionaire Romney became his running mate.
Democrats already have calculated that the two men own a dozen homes between them, valued at a total of about $35 million.
That message could hurt McCain in two ways: It undercuts his argument that Obama is an out-of-touch elitist and would make Romney a poor match to Biden's middle-class upbringing and common-man appeal on the stump.
Although you've yet to hear it from the chattering class of the MSM, Obama's choice of Joe Biden has put the McCain camp into Defcon 1 mode with Friday quickly approaching and no good options from which to choose.
McCain's own vapidness (wouldn't one expect such an answer from Paris or Brittney?) in not dealing with the simple question of homes has left him standing naked in his gilded robe in one of his many mansions. How can McCain pick the economy whiz Romney, who's estimated worth exceeds $200 million? How can he pick Tim Pawlenty or any other novice or rookie politician after making Obama's short experience and lack of readiness (in McCain's eyes) the foundation of his campaign?
McCain has cut all the ground from beneath him, and if the tea leaves are reading correctly, he can kiss the prospect of Colin Powell goodbye because Powell stands vehemently against the neo-con cabal McCain now surrounds himself with. Colin took the bullet once, and that was more than enough. Its obvious that Powell supports Obama and will likely announce just that post conventions.
McCain and the GOP are between a rock and a hard place. Too bad they didn't realize their own attacks against Obama would come back to haunt them in choosing the most suitable partner for McCain. Can't wait to hear "Well this obviously means McCain feels he lacks -blank- in this area because he chose whoever."
Sauce for the goose....