Archive: Mike Dennehy
Republican strategist Mike Dennehy has the answers to your questions. Dennehy, the “man in charge” of John McCain’s political future, is Executive Director of the “Straight Talk Express” political action committee which McCain will use as a vehicle to campaign for Republican candidates in the 20000 elections. Veteran CBS News White House Correspondent Bill Plante brings a top political expert into the Smoke-Filled Room each week to answer your questions:
Plante: Our first viewer notes: “John McCain really seemed to connect with the public. He energized people of all political persuasions, particularly with his calls for campaign finance reform. What do you think this says about the state of American politics?”
Dennehy: What John McCain was able to accomplish in the year that he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President was truly phenomenal. The way he was able to connect and energize voters all across the country is something that every candidate for office strives for, and it’s even surprising to those who worked for him how successful he was. As a Republican who is independent minded and doesn’t just toe the party line he’s appealing to voters of all persuasions who are tired of partisan politics, where very little gets accomplished. A perfect example of that is campaign finance reform. John McCain’s leadership on the issue has led to much of his popularity because voters understood, and still understand, that John McCain wants to reform government and he is swimming against a tidal wave in congress and against the politicians to pass some type of reform in congress. As for the state of American politics, I think it’s a very encouraging sign of things to come in politics. John McCain changed the way campaigns are run. He has changed the way people view politicians because John McCain campaigned with straight talk rather than simply telling people what they want to hear. It is tremendously refreshing in this age of political spin.
Plante: Since McCain has repeatedly said that he will support the nominee of
his Republican Party, when do you think his endorsement of Bush will have the greatest impact?
Dennehy: Senator McCain’s endorsement of Governor Bush would probably be most meaningful at or near the Republican national convention in August. The eyes of the nation will be on Philadelphia that week, so it would seem to be the best time to maximize such an important endorsement as Senator McCain’s. However, there are still negotiations between Governor Bush and Senator McCain on various issues and what they will agree on is still to be determined.
Plante: Pat Quan asks “Why would General Colin Powell would consider appointed office, but rule out elective offices? Does he have anything to hide or does he worry about lsing?”
Dennehy: That’s a better question for Colin Powell himself. However, it may be as simple as not being interested in the rigors of the campaign trail. While there’s a great deal - in fact too much - digging into personal backgrounds, I’m sure that this is something General Powell could handle. But some people simply don’t like the give and take and the long hard hours on the campaign trail. But there is no doubt that General Powell is one of the most honorable men in public service and would be an incredible asset to an administration or more importantly to a Republican ticket.
Plante: We now know that the 2 candidates for president will be Bush and Gore. What would prevent a candidate from announcing whom his or her VP choice will be before the summer conventions?
Dennehy: There is nothing to prevent the running mate from being chosen before the summer conventions, however having mentioned the importance and timing of the conventions when most people are watching, that is when the running mate is typically is announced to the party and of course, to the country. So, that’s probably the smartest time to announce the running mate – when more people are paying attention across the country.
Plante: Some of the talk lately has McCain positioning himself for a future run by setting up a PAC, in the style of Ronald Reagan's failed 1976 bid. Just how similar is the Reagan effort in '76 to what McCain's doing today? And more importantly, is this something McCain would be seriously interested in? Sadron Lampert is interested.
Dennehy: Some people have compared what Senator McCain is doing in politics to Ronald Reagan’s failed 1976 bid. You can make some similarities to what Ronald Reagan did after having lost the nomination – setting up a political committee to continue taking his message to the people across the country. John McCain is setting up this Straight Talk America PAC to campaign for congressional, senatorial and local candidates all across the country who are like-minded reformers. Senator McCain is most interested in helping Republicans maintain our majorities in congress. Whether Senator McCain would be interested in running for president in the future is something he simply is not thinking about now.
Plante: ”Why did McCain come out so strongly against the Christian right?” asks Kathy Robinson. “ He alienated a core part of the republican party which could hurt him if he runs in 2004.”
Dennehy: Senator McCain did not come out against the Christian right. He came out against two professional political people who have taken our Republican Party in the wrong direction. John McCain is a strong conservative with a strong pro-life record. Perhaps the questioner misinterpreted what Senator McCain did in coming out harshly against Pat Robertson and Jerry Fawell. He simply thinks those two individuals were pushing the Republican Party in the wrong direction – into a party of divisiveness and exclusion rather than a party of inclusion, which is what Senator McCain has campaigned on the last few years. As the Republican Party has evolved in the last few years, the Pat Robertson influence in the party has become, unfortunately, powerful enough to be pushing our party in the wrong direction.
Plante: John wants to know” if Senator McCain is a sore loser, or just not a true Republican? Doesn’t he realize that you don't buck your party to gain voter loyalty - you wholeheartedly endorse and support it. You can disagree from issue to issue, but you don’t repudiate and disparage the party.”
Dennehy: I’m not sure I understand the question because John McCain is a loyal Republican. Senator McCain is not a sore loser. However, he will continue to buck his party if it is, he believes, better for the country – most importantly campaign finance reform. He’ll continue to fight for that, while many in the Republican Party won’t agree with him on that issue. Again, he is a loyal Republican and has proved that time and time again. Obviously by creating Straight Talk America he’ll campaign for Republicans all across the country in an effort to maintain the Republican majorities in the fall.
Plante: Ryan Kannasasks “Who do you believe Governor Bush & Vice President Gore will pick as their respective running mates?”
Dennehy: That is a difficult question given the number of talented Republicans we have. I would say there are some great governors like Pataki of New York, Ridge of Pennsylvania in addition to some talented members of congress; Congressman Kasich of Ohio and Senator Thompson of Tennessee. And of course, Governor Whitman of New Jersey. I think those five would have to go on the top of the running mate list.
Vice President Gore would be smart to choose someone like Evan Bayh of Indiana, who is very charismatic and is a strong leader in the Democratic Party. They also have some interesting governors and senators like Senator Graham of Florida. I think you would see these two at the top of Vice President Gore’s list.
Plante: ”Why did John McCain drop out of the race?” wonders Michele Sapien. “Rumors are floating all over the Internet the two most salient being that McCain's family was threatened and/or that his advisors were career GOP operatives and sabotaged him once it looked like he'd lost the GOP nomination but was still viable as an Independent candidate.”
Dennehy: John McCain dropped out of the race because he lost a number of primaries on Super Tuesday making it virtually impossible to continue campaigning and picking up enough delegates to secure the nomination. There is absolutely no truth to any othe rumors floating through the Internet. There’s no truth to the rumors about the family or operatives. It’s quite simply because the Republican establishment beat us in a number of states on Super Tuesday. As I’ve said previously, John McCain is a loyal Republican and not interested in running on an Independent ticket. He believes in the philosophy of the Republican party.
Plante: “Why do many supporters of John McCain think he has a moderate
stance? Doesn’t he really have a very conservative voting record?” Liz C. is curious.
Dennehy: Yes, John McCain does have a very conservative record from taxes to fighting pork barrel spending. Many people may think John McCain is a moderate because of his positions that have put him on the other side of the Republican party on campaign finance reform and taking on the big tobacco lobbyists and corporations. However, John McCain will continue to fight against taxes and pork and will continue to vote pro-life. Probably one of his appeals to moderate Republicans and Independents and conservative Democrats are the facts that he stands up for campaign finance reform and reforming our government institutions.
Plante: And finally, “Why won’t McCain accept the number 2 position on the Republican ticket?”
Dennedy: Senator McCain has said time and time again that he won’t accept a running mate position. He thinks he can get more done in the United States senate. That’s not to disparage the job of Vice President - just that he can be more effective as a senator than Vice President.
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