Serious question: What would Republicans do if McCain had health problems before the election?

[SlipperySlope]

I'm not wishing the man any ill health, but I look at him and think "he's no spring chicken at 72".

If his health did take a serious downturn between now and the Republican convention in September, and he was physically unable to campaign, does anybody have any idea what the process would be for that party to pick a different candidate?

I'm curious if it would be absolute chaos, or if there is some well defined method? It isn't like they can rerun all the primary elections over.

[leftofthedial]

1. they'd kill him and possess his corpse with a giant cockroach

like in Men In Black.

No one would notice a difference.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Jeb.

[BigDaddy44]

3. "Weekend at Bernie's" III

Bernie runs for President

[az chela]

8. What an excellent idea since he already looks half dead

The man is mentally ill and he looks very unhealthy physically

[But....]

16. ....

:wow: :rofl:

[Warpy]

22. Close to the truth

They'd patch him up the best they could, run his old commercials, paste together recordings of his old speeches into new speeches, and basically do what they did with Reagan for seven years after he started losing it.

[Mz Pip]

4. Mitwit?

He never really dropped out. He just suspended his campaign.

[SlipperySlope]

11. That was a technicality

That lets him keep control of his delegates at the convention.

[DrDan]

5. Romney

No way would they go with another bush right now - not with junior's disapprovals.

[IcyPeas]

6. "Serious question"

the answers are all just lots of snarky sarcastic replies. you are all so witty and predictable.

yawn

[SlipperySlope]

10. I don't think I should have posted in GD

Probably should have used one of the sub-boards to be taken more seriously.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. Please check downthread

this was a serious question and one deserving of serious discussion.

[Mz Pip]

15. I was being serious.

I think Romney would make a move to push for the nomination.

[LSparkle]

7. Bomb Bomb should pick his VP ASAP ...

In light of his age and health concerns, there should be some other candidate
who would be able to take up his mantle. (As their presumptive nominee, I
think his choice for VP would have an "inside track" toward taking over
that responsibility.)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

9. Cheney would get first dibbs on his heart

and any other vital organs that remain in functioning order.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. It would, more than likely, go to the convention floor

for public display, but there would be a lot of back room dealing. In fact, I believe this is going on right now. The GOP realize that McCain may have health issues that make him drop out of the rest, and I wouldn't put it past them to be grooming someone like Huckabee to come in at the last moment. The wild card will be the Ron Paul supporters, who will be furious if their man is passed over.

[SlipperySlope]

14. It would just be up to the delegates then?

So all these delegates currently loyal to McCain would be asked to debate and discuss and select among the remaining candidates, or would different "at large" delegates be sent?

[nels25]

21. All of McCains delegates would be released

I believe, and then let the free for all begin.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

24. Same delegates would decide, I believe

but, as I attempted to stress, I believe the power brokers will have decided, and the delegates will simply rubber stamp their decision.

[bean fidhleir]

17. They'd hide them, of course. Same as they've done with Bush.

We have no right to know whether our rulers are fit, as far as they're concerned.

[But....]

18. Honestly?

The dirtiness convention fight in generations.:hide:

[nels25]

19. If I recall my rules correctly

the party would have to open up for nomination at the convention and see what/live with what develops.

There would be a ungodly amount of politicking before then by the rivals who would immediately come out of the wood work and announce that they would accept should they be called.

I may be naive but I do not believe that the GOP would able in this day and age to engender a back door deal out of the sunlight.

Those days are long gone even for the GOP.

Would make for absolutely riveting political theater though, and imagine if that happened combined with Hillary taking her fight to our convention.

I want the pop-corn concession.:popcorn:

[lonestarnot]

20. Diagnosed as sleeping via video from the pig part of the House.

[hugo_from_TN]

23. Hillary would jump at the chance

[malaise]

25. I expect him to

then they'll name Jeb :puke:

[JoePhilly]

26. Clone Reagan?

[Faux pas]

27. Not so serious answer: Send in the clone earlier than planned.