Another GOP senator to skip convo

Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Doug Adams
Sen. Pat Roberts (KS) is now the eighth Republican senator to announce that they will not attend the GOP Convention in St. Paul, Minn., next month.

Roberts spokeswoman told the Topeka Capital Journal today that Roberts will be campaigning that week, finishing up his 105 county statewide tour during the convention week.

Four others who've announced they won't be attending are -- Ted Stevens (AK), Elizabeth Dole (NC), Gordon Smith (OR), and Susan Collins (ME). All are running for re-election and are in close races. (Collins may have the easiest race, but she's never been a close ally of McCain.)

Three other GOP senators who are retiring this year have also said they'll skip the St. Paul festivities -- Larry Craig (ID), Chuck Hagel (NE) and Wayne Allard (CO).

And the list could grow. Two more GOP senators locked in tough re-election races -- John Sununu (NH) and Roger Wicker (MS) are still undecided about attending.

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Comments

matt (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:23 PM)

Sinking ship...must desert...

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:23 PM)

What if they held a Republican Convention and nobody showed up?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:26 PM)

Huh. It's almost like these politicians don't want to be seen as Republicans this election cycle...

Demosthenes112358 (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:27 PM)

They're like rats running from a sinking ship, the wiser Republicans don't want to be seen going down with it!

Nick, Portland, OR (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:27 PM)

Whereas The Great Obama demands that all of his minions be at his coronation. How else can they kneel before Him and kiss the ring of The Great One.

Lottsa Luk (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:27 PM)

Which came first?

Lack of Republican enthusiasm for McCain or
Republican Senators running from McCain?

Has any party ever nominated a candidate that so many people don't want to be seen with?

Dan, McFarland, WI (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:30 PM)

They can run but they can not hide.
American, are you Better Off than you were 8 years ago? Certainly Worse Off.
Sen. McCain are we better Off?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFDc4M_PMNk&feature=related

McCain : No Change From Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GPzIrxZ0QA&feature=user

banko (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:33 PM)

Wow. It looks like they may think not only Bush, but McCain, too, has the Loser's Touch O' Death. McCain sure couldn't fill an Invesco Field...unless it was full of defecting Republicans!

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:34 PM)

Real conservative voters have got to understand or at least sense the problems within the GOP and with their presumed nominee McBlinky. The hateful, divisive politics are being rejected by some of the best in the party. This is no longer the party of Eisenhower or Reagan. I'm a former republican and would have registered independent but in Oklahoma that's a nullifying act so I'm now a democrat and will be voting for Senator Obama.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:34 PM)

According to Sean Hannity of the "fair and balanced" Fox News Channel the majestic John Mccain should be allowed "a pass" on his extramarital affairs because of his mental instability caused by being shot down and imprisoned in Vietnam, maybe if the underachieving Mr. Mccain would have paid attention in the Naval Academy he would not have been picked off so easily by the enemy, and would not have finished dead last in his class. If it were not for the string pulling of his father and grandfather (both 3 star admirals in the Navy) he would not have been allowed to become a pilot because of his abysmal performance. So I guess that's why the media gives Mr. Mccain a free pass on his lying, flip flopping and general problems dealing with reality, because he's nut's, I must say with a tear in my eye how proud I am of the media for their compassionate treatment of the mentally challenged old dude, way to go guys.

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

No one ever chooses to attend a funeral.

JessicaElaine (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

What if they held a Republican Convention and nobody showed up?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:26 PM)

What if the Democrats had majorities in both houses of Congress, and couldn't pass a bill to save their sorry lives?

Oh wait, we already have that.

(Except the war funding bills - they seem to pass those just like Bush tells them to).

Drill Baby Drill (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

Good ol' Larry Craig. He's done the Democratic...er, um... Republican party a 'great service' during his years as a GOP senator.

<cough>

Matt, Idaho (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

The truth hurts (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

What if they held a Republican Convention and nobody showed up?
Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:26 PM)
---------------------------------------------------
Fat chance, lobbyists will always show up if there is a candidate that can be bought present.

GP Chicago (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

Blog reading guide. Never read posts that begin with "Wow", "OMG" or "At the end of the day". It saves time, and filters out most of the liberals rants.

OMG, Texas (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

Jump! This ship is sinking!

ha.

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

Something tells me they are not going to be at Senator Obama's Inauguration either! :)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"John McCain puts windmills in his ads, and doesn't bother to show up to vote on the bill to support it. . .

Senator McCain did not show up for the crucial vote on July 30, and the renewable energy bill was defeated for the eighth time. In fact, John McCain has a perfect record on this renewable energy legislation. He has missed all eight votes over the last year which effectively counts as a no vote each time. Once, he was even in the Senate and wouldnt leave his office to vote."

- Thomas Friedman

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/opinion/13friedman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

Has any party ever nominated a candidate that so many people don't want to be seen with?

Dan, McFarland, WI (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:30 PM)

And yet, McCain will win this fall. The Republicans don't even have to try to win the presidency anymore. Any knuckle-headed Republican can beat the current self-proclaimed Democratic super-star every time.

Don't Laugh With Them, Laugh At Them (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:41 PM)

I think the GOP needs to change its symbol from that of an elephant.

I'll get things started by offering up:

1) Cheetah (Fastest land animal on earth)
2) Ostrich (sticks its head in sand for protection)
3) Chameleon (changes colors to match environment)

Anyone else have a few suggestions?

TexasLou, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:41 PM)

Stay away if you like Liz Dole but we know you have voted with bush even more than Mcidiot has...

Speaking of carpetbaggers...Dole lives in DC for 34 years, shows up to get elected senator and then vamooses for another 6 years...sheeesh at least we could elect someone who wants to live in north carolina

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:44 PM)

Mark Foley has said that he will attend, but only if Congressional Pages are invited.

Scooter (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:44 PM)

John McCain can’t get support even from some of the Bush followers.

This man doesn't have the support Barack Obama has and Barack is even getting GOP's to support him.

Lottsa Luk - ignorance sure do run well in the GOP gene.

WE love you Barack Obama our next President and we will gladly support you at your convention.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:44 PM)

The non-partisan group Campaign Money Watch has come up with another startling figure for those who follow the presidential money chase.

According to an analysis performed by the group, McCain's top fundraisers and aides have collected nearly $1 billion in fees from U.S. companies in the past decade -- specifically, $930,949,819. Using numbers provided by the Center for Responsive Politics, the group also found that officials of those very same companies have given nearly $12 million to McCain's presidential campaign, so far.

"The McCain campaign relies on big money lobbyists, and they'll rely on him," said David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch. "In the 'you-scratch-my-back, I'll-scratch-yours' world of Washington, $931 million gets the special interests the best government money can buy. But just think of the payday these lobbyists might expect in a McCain Administration."

Donnelly's group previously launched a website called McCainsLobbyists.com, in which users can track the special interests represented by 40 of John McCain's top fundraisers and advisers.

Mc LAME (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:45 PM)

Perhaps those fleeing senators could grow some backbones and go fight in the war they voted for. Nah, thought not, they're really republicans and they don't serve

Rojer Ramjet, American Hero (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:46 PM)

Bush is the hemlock that the repub party has drank for the last few years. I guess it's starting to affect some people in the party adversely.
AWWWWWWW, poor repubs feeling kinda shy, and ashamed.
Too bad they havn't felt as bad as working americans have been feeling for the last few economic cycles.
We got your number boys and girls, don't try to hide now, you hear!

John Alexander,PA (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:49 PM)

Maybe the list would shorter if you told us just WHO is actually attending this thing!!! Seems to me nobody wants to be seen! Not good to have an (R) behind your name this year, folks! Hahahahaha! Couldn't happen to a nicer group of old, white, wrinkled, out-of-touch guys! Trying to sell the same old brand of dog food since 1950!!!! Obama, '08!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:49 PM)

Lottsa Luk- why'ncha see if you can score a couple of tickets to this shindig for you and Jerry Corpus Christi, TX ? You boys might have Lottsa Fun!

Buzz (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:55 PM)

the senators do not want to be asociated with the failed bush administration or the empty suit inarticulate army brat-if he didnt have the nasty speech writers working for him he couldnt state or pronounce world leaders names-bush is easily the worst president in american history-can you name any others with such horrendous domestic and foreign policy screw-ups i.e., new orleans, atty-general,original supreme court picks the war,gas prices,etc.,etc.,

richard,conn (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:56 PM)

The master of deceit McCain has the flock running scared. Would you believe all those not attending voting for Obama. The party of Lincoln has a smile on their faces. Act republican but vote democrat. What a "smash" and a heck of a democratic "party" come November.

The south will rise again but democratically.

Jes S.C. (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:56 PM)

Hagel is going to the Democratic Convention as Obama's VP!

Obama/Hagel 08 Real Unity

Marcel,Las Vegas,NV (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:58 PM)

No matter how close McCain has come or how hard he runs there has always been someone or something gripping the back of his shirt and holding him back in this race against Obama. Some of those holding on to Mccain's shirt are:

..Mccain himself with his gaffes and constant attack Ads.
..Lack of support from the republican base.
..Lack of enthusiasm from other republicans running for office some of whom won't even appear at the convention.
..Joe Liebermann at his side making stupid and close to racists comments making both look like idiots.
..Having Bush tied around his neck (with whom he supported with votes 95% of the time).
..Dick Cheney tied around his neck. Enough said..Cheney is nuts, crazy, dangerous and speaking (can you believe it) at the convention.
..McCain's $500 shoes must weigh heavy so they hold him back.
..An apparent slowing down of mental capacity due to (age)which does not bode well with many voters.
..The spirit of payback by the spirit of fidelity remembering how Mccain treated his first wife.
Etc.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:00 PM)

Why? What are these Senators afraid of? I guess this means they want everyone to willingly suspend their disbelief until the election s over. What a joke.

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:03 PM)

Grassley also is at least not a delegate (or wasn't) and he CERTAINLY has no taste for McCain

iowan (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:03 PM)

Hey subgruvet - here's another Republican Okie for Obama - I'm a 65 year old white female who has never voter other than Republican so this will be a first for me but I cannot bring myself to vote for John McCain - He reminds me of those "traveling knomes" in the commercials.

Janice - Tulsa (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:07 PM)

I wouldn't want to go even if I was John McCain. It's going to be a joke and an embarassement, they will never live up to the democratic convention.

Jim (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:08 PM)

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:08 PM)

I guess McCain's call for war with Russia isn't so popular among his party's elected office holders.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:10 PM)

Short bio. First GOP candidate for President, Richard Nixon 1972, next Gerald Ford, next Reagan, next George H.W. Bush, next Bob Dole, last George W. Bush, 2004 Kerry, 2008 Obama (would have supported Clinton, too). I'm a transplanted Hoosier living in VT. Normally vote GOP at the state level, but national party has lost me. Turned into a regional party that is "against" everything and "for" nothing. No fiscal restraint, no clear foreign policy, no longer supports the small businessman and free enterprise. Loves big corporations. Intolerent, too old and too hawkish. The GOP had better be worried as I'm 58.

Bottom line is until and unless the GOP returns to its roots, it will continue to lose not only members, but elections. If I have to pay slightly higher taxes to get us out of this mess fine, so long as they are fair and universal. Now, let me find a $520 pair of Ferragamo shoes, on sale! Sorry "Admiral", but the "boats taking on water" big time!

Joe, VT (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:18 PM)

This is all about not being seen in the same building as Bush, Cheney, GOP Congressional leaders, etc. That potential face time with them has become too risky in tight races. Amazing...

http://www.political-buzz.com/
matt (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:23 PM)

Man that is not what it is about. You guys always try to analyze something. You just cant comment without saying something negative about Bush. Bush has raised more money for these idiots tah nthey could possibly do on their own. These people are running for re-election and no one has the time to fart around with a convention.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:18 PM)

Bush have joined the McCain or it is realy the other way around but people are tired of this type of politics, dirty tricks and lies, somehow this has to end. There has been times when I had considered going republican but with these guys no way.

Kirt Kansas City Mo (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:19 PM)

If the Republicans hold a convention and nobody goes to see it, does it still make the sound fo a 72 year old man snoring in his armchair because he didn't get his 12 hours of sleep?

Michael, Warwick, RI (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:23 PM)

Looks like Collins, Dole, and Roberts all want to keep their Senate seats.

Looks like they want to avoid appearing with GWB and McCain. It could make bad ad copy.

But if Dems are going to get to 60 Senate seats, the road leads right through these candidates.

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Julia Kelly, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:27 PM)

“In the Senate, Barack Obama has voted in lockstep with President George W. Bush nearly half the time, including the Bush-Cheney Energy bill which gave close to 3 billion dollars in new giveaways to Big Oil -- a terrible policy that John McCain opposed. The truth is Barack Obama’s plan is a job killing machine that ignores the struggling economy and raises taxes on family savings, social security and small businesses.”

All that needs to be said

------------------------------------------------------

But as you know (and I'm sure you do) this bill had a net increase on taxes of over 300,000,000.00. So, your argument is invalid. Not to mention that while supporting this bill, Obama was also supporting the largest investment in alternative energy in the history of mankind.

Ted, Mid Michigan (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:31 PM)

Larry Craig won't be attending, not b/c he's retiring, but b/c Minneapolis is the scene of the crime for him...

that's where his pants came down and everyone found out he was living a hypocritical life

CowboyJack (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:34 PM)

Wicker's got a problem on his hands. He can break away from Musgrove in reliably red Mississippi.

Think about this. If Wicker loses, and it looks increasingly like that is a real possibility, 3 of 4 Mississippi Congressmen will be Democrats and half their Senators.

If the tide can turn like this in Mississippi, it can turn anywhere.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:35 PM)

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, tolerant of the weak and strong because someday in life you will have been all three". George Washington Carver

Hope all you BHO supporters who are so full of hate and feel the need to denigrate groups of people and call them names will ponder on this a while.

FON (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:36 PM)

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