Rumors

That Palin will step aside, or that McCain will dump her.

Thing is, he could then pick someone like Romney or Ridge or Lieberman. He's already seen that shoring up the base alone likely won't get him where he needs to be. So why not throw another Hail Mary and trade Palin for someone who would appeal to the moderates, indies, some conservative Dems, and the portion of the base that would rather be found dead in a ditch than vote Dem and that don't want to sit out the election.

He would lose the hardcore values conservatives for whom choice is a make or break issue. But they wouldn't vote for Obama either. Would Barr then be their man, and could he take enough votes away from McCain to assure an Obama victory?

I have no flippin' clue.

Rumors

That Palin will step aside, or that McCain will dump her.

Thing is, he could then pick someone like Romney or Ridge or Lieberman. He's already seen that shoring up the base alone likely won't get him where he needs to be. So why not throw another Hail Mary and trade Palin for someone who would appeal to the moderates, indies, some conservative Dems, and the portion of the base that would rather be found dead in a ditch than vote Dem and that don't want to sit out the election.

He would lose the hardcore values conservatives for whom choice is a make or break issue. But they wouldn't vote for Obama either. Would Barr then be their man, and could he take enough votes away from McCain to assure an Obama victory?

I have no flippin' clue.