Pin the VP on the Elephant: McCain’s Short List
Figuring out who John McCain is going to select as a vice president this early in the game is very difficult — not just because Johnny Mac really is a maverick who could make an unpredictable choice, but because there are so many different directions he can go. Will he choose a vice president who can help him patch things up with conservatives or will he go the other way and choose someone who would broaden his appeal to independents? Will McCain pick a veep who will add strength to the ticket as a whole or will he narrow his focus and take someone who can help in a particular state or demographic group?
It’s hard to say, which is why McCain’s “short list” may still almost be in double digits and would likely include:
Charlie Crist: Crist is a popular Florida governor who would likely assure that the vitally important Sunshine State stayed red. However, his appeal beyond Florida would be minimal and he would need to be heavily vetted. Additionally, given that this looks to be shaping up as another close election at the presidential level and that the field will be heavily tilted towards the Democrats, selecting a veep who would merely make sure that Florida stays in the Republican column doesn’t seem to be an ambitious enough goal.
Lindsey Graham: Graham is a frightening character because he is widely disliked by conservatives (with good reason), yet he has played Robin to McCain’s Batman so many times that it would be very easy to imagine McCain selecting him as VP.
On the upside, Graham has served in the military and if he were to run for the vice presidency, conservatives would be happy because it means that they will get him out of the Senate where he has generally been a hindrance. On the downside, he would add absolutely nothing else to the ticket.
Mike Huckabee: Recent reports put Mike Huckabee at the top of John McCain’s VP short list.
This is a bit puzzling because McCain and Huckabee would seem to be a very poor match. McCain doesn’t need Huck’s strength in the South and, unfortunately, most of the same conservatives who don’t like McCain, also don’t like Huckabee. Additionally, Huckabee has proven to be distressingly gaffe-prone.
That being said, Huckabee is extremely charismatic, understands how to connect with middle-class and poor voters in a way many Republicans don’t, and has done well with social conservatives. Still, those pluses don’t seem to make up for the weaknesses he would bring to the #2 slot.
Joe Lieberman: Every election there’s always some sort of “fusion” ticket suggested by pundits. In fact, back in 2000, John McCain was suggested as part of a fusion ticket himself, when he discussed the veep slot with his friend John Kerry.
However, this year it’s conceivable that it could actually happen. Lieberman has a rock solid reputation on national security issues, he strongly appeals to independents, and he would probably pull in a large slice of the Jewish vote, which is small but vitally important in a few key states.
On the other hand, outside of his national security views, Lieberman is a fairly conventional liberal and adding him onto the ticket would further aggravate conservatives who are already terribly demoralized.
Tim Pawlenty: Pawlenty, the conservative, 47 year-old Minnesota governor, would be an intriguing choice for the veep slot because he would likely put Minnesota in play and could possibly help turn Wisconsin red as well. Whether McCain will select Pawlenty or not is of cours unknown, but you can be sure that he will get serious consideration for the position.
Rob Portman: Portman is a former Ohio congressman and director of the Office of Management and Budget under George W. Bush. His appeal would be his credibility on economics and the boost he could conceivably give McCain in Ohio. However, his ties to the Bush Administration wouldn’t be helpful. Moreover, does Portman really have enough sway to guarantee that Ohio stays red? That seems like a dubious proposition at best, so you can be sure the McCain campaign would do enough polling to be sure before they asked Portman to join the ticket.
Condi Rice: Condi would be intriguing choice because she has foreign policy experience, is well known, and could conceivably appeal to women and black Americans.
However, Condi has never run for office before, hasn’t distinguished herself as secretary of state, is closely associated with the wildly unpopular Bush administration, and would be portrayed either as weird or a lesbian by the media because she’s in her fifties and is unmarried.
Tom Ridge: Ridge is a longtime friend of McCain who spent a decade in the House, was governor of Pennsylvania, and the first homeland security secretary. On the other hand, he doesn’t have a reputation as a staunch conservative, he’s closely connected with the Bush administration, and whether he could carry Pennsylvania is unknown. If Ridge could turn Pennsylvania red, despite his other flaws, McCain would almost have to seriously consider him.
Mitt Romney: The former governor of Massachusetts didn’t look as if he brought much to the table a few months ago, but changing circumstances have made him a more attractive option.
Romney seemed to be skilled fund raiser, while McCain has struggled in that area. Michigan, where Romney’s father was a popular Governor, seems to be turning into a swing state that will be in play for the election. Moreover, as the economy has soured, Romney’s business success has begun to look like more of an asset.
On the other hand, although conservatives seemed to warm up to Romney late in the game, he is still intensely disliked in some quarters and how much of a minus his religion would be if he held the veep slot isn’t known, although you can be certain the McCain campaign would do plenty of polling to find out before they gave Mitt the nod.
Mark Sanford: South Carolina probably isn’t going to be in play in 2008, but its governor, Mark Sanford, is a strong McCain supporter with a ferociously conservative reputation. Sanford is in his forties, would help secure McCain’s right flank, and would help him in the South. Is that enough to merit a selection as McCain’s VP? That remains to be seen.
Bobby Jindal: Jindal is an intriguing, yet unlikely choice. He’s intriguing because he’s eloquent, conservative, well liked on the Right, and the son of Indian immigrants. However, he would seem to be an unlikely choice because he was just elected as governor of Louisiana in 2007 and is only 36-years-old.
In a campaign where Barack Obama’s inexperience is going to be a much discussed campaign issue, it is hard to imagine McCain selecting a running mate as green as Jindal. However, he has been invited to spend Memorial Day weekend with John McCain at his home, so apparently he is being seriously considered for the VP slot.
What about:
Sarah Palin: The most popular politician in high office in the country, Palin is young (44), conservative and has gained a reputation for fighting corruption, which could appeal to the Republican grassroots disillusioned with their Congressional representatives. Most importantly, if Hillary isn’t brought on to the ticket by Obama, Palin could be just what McCain needs to appeal to women voters.
Pick Crist, we have been trying to get rid of him ever since we elected this RINO. Crist, another drive-by media success story.
Joe Lieberman would be the best choice. American voters need to be reminded that the war on terror should be the number one issue on their minds. The Connecticut U.S. senator also should attract a large percentage of middle-of-the-road people. Picking either Mike Huckabee or Lindsey Graham will likely prove disastrous. These guys are perceived to be too squishy by hard core GOP supporters.
You forgot the best VP prospect. Congressman Eric Cantor. Articulate, Southern, conservative, young……..
How about a woman VP candidate to pick up disaffected Hillary supporters? Instead of a politician, how about a proven entrepreneur like Meg Whitman (eBay) or Carly Fiorina (Hewlett-Packard)? They would bring business and economic acumen to the ticket. Both are already associated with the campaign.
No one votes for VP…how about Sen. Hutchenson from Texas?
Mike Pence deserves consideration.
No talk of Fred Thompson? I know he said he doesn’t want the job but he shores up McCain with true conservatives and solidifies the south.
Please not Carly Fiorina. She was a TERRIBLE business leader.
As a Republican way on
the right not the middle like McCain.I would prefer Huckabee
If McCain survives the
next 4 yrs I would prefer Huckabee as the
President to follow him.We need some accountability badly
the average American is
not all that concerned
about Morals but should be. What if we had a disaster like China and others have. It will be the Christian right picking up the the shattered, not the Atheists and whoremongers
I hope that Mitt Romney and Bobby Jindal have the sense not to take the bait.
McCain is a sure loser come the election and the stink of that won’t wear off in four years.
Bobby Jindal would be a viable candidate in 2012 or 2016 if he bides his time and doesn’t get sucker punched by throwing his lot in with John (insert epithet) McCain.
Here’s my take on the situation.
DEFINITELY NOT! — I really hope McCain has the brains and guts to just pass these folks by. If he picks one, it will be crass pandering* and/or total abandonment of principle IMO, plus a few of them are idiots not worth their reputation.
Joe Lieberman
Mike Huckabee
Ron Paul
Haley Barbour
Carly Fiorina
Tom Coburn
Charlie Crist
Liddy Dole
Rudy Guliani
Lindsay Graham
Tom Ridge
Christie Todd Whitman
Tom Tancredo
* and the pandering probably would not have the desired effect — it just wouldn’t work anyway!
WOW BUT WON’T HAPPEN — interesting folks but probably can’t happen this year, for a variety of reasons.
Bobby Jindal
Condi Rice
Jeb Bush
J.C. Watts
Marsha Blackburn
Paul Ryan
Fred Thompson
Colin Powell
Any qualified Hispanic
SERIOUS CHOICES — my version of the possible short list.
Mitt Romney
Rob Portman
Tim Pawlenty
Newt Gingrich (?)
Mark Sanford
Sarah Palin
Chris Cox
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Jon Huntsman
… and quite a few others, I’m sure. But why aren’t there more female candidates?
It will be Lindsey Graham. McCain loves this guy. If Lindsey were a woman, they would be married! The Republican Party has chosen death and November will bring them their wish.
McCain better pick Fred Thompson as VP or else there is no chance of me voting for McCain. If Thompson isn’t the VP candidate, I’ll write in Thompson’s name for President on my ballot.
Bobby Jindal would be an excellent choice, if he were only a bit older – at 36, he’s only 1 year older than the Constitutional minimum for President.
But please don’t compare him to Sen. Obama in terms of experience. Gov Jindal has a long list of substantial positions and accomplishments dating back to his early 20′s. He has more real experience than either Sen. Clinton or Sen Obama.
Jindal also has charisma – he reminds me of an Indian Bobby Kennedy – same wirey body type and same energy and earnestness
After viewing the various players along with their pros and cons, here’s my Top Ten Veep List:
http://exurbanleague.com/2008/05/22/mccains-top-ten-vp-choices-again.aspx
It would be more fairer if you’re gonna raise hypothetical sapphism as an issue for Condi that you also point out that Lindsey Graham is quite a fruity little pebble too I think. Just to be fair and all.
Contrary to conventional wisdom I think Obama is a weak candidate who will implode in the general election and carry 15 states at most, so it doesn’t matter who McCain picks. If I am wrong and he does need help from a VP choice then he should go with a darkmare like Palin who would create lots of Buzz.
Joe Lieberman. Right. Except for the war, you couldn’t fit a piece of paper between the politics of Lieberman and Ted Kennedy or Barbara Boxer.
I live in Cincinnati, in Portman’s old district. He’s a good man, but the areas already solidly GOP. Portman wouldn’t help throughout the state, he’s not known outside of the area. He’d have no effect on other regions. Ohio’s going to be tough this time. The Tafts (yes, the old GOP Tafts, like the Bushs only maybe worse, maybe) and their machine were finally thrown out this last cycle.
As a Mormon, I was sad to see the level of hatred there was for Mitt. I had no idea it was there to anything like that degree, and I don’t think Mitt knew either before the campaign.
Exurban John
Pls correct your website which supports the Dem talking points that McCain “would be the oldest President”, Reagan was about 2 weeks shy of 74 when elected for his second term. (and he crushed the much younger Mondale like a bug).
My two cents:
Let Jindal show us his stuff in Louisiana the next few years. He’s everything Obama would love to be. Except marvelously conservative.
Put Fred on the ticket and if they lose, so be it. If they win, Fred most likely won’t run in 2012, (assuming McCain won’t either), and we’re ready for Jindal to run. Hopefully, Fred will tame that liberal streak in the meantime.
If McCain grosses us out with his liberalism, all the more reason to show everyone what conservatives can do: Jindal with success in LA under his belt.
Uh, that’s McCain’s liberal streak…
Heather Wilson
Thanks Ben. I revised that sentence.
What about Zell Miller. Like Liebermann he would appeal to dissafected Hillary supporters (in fact, he would probably appeal to a greater number), unlike Lieberman he has executive experience (8 years as Governor), he is a former Marine and would be a good counterweight to Jim Webb (who a lot of people are pushing for Obama to pick). Also, while Miller would hardly energize conservatives, he would probably antagonize the Republican base a lot less than picking Liebermann would since he is closer to the Republican party on cultural and social issues.
Re Huckabee. Definitely.
McCain needs a deeply religious socialist to balance the ticket.
McCain doesn’t have to pick until after the Ds do. Then he can counter punch.
Give us Zell, John!
If you want to win, it’s Pawlenty.
Pawlenty gives the GOP a slim chance to snag an electoral win.
Anyone else, and we’re playing for steak knives.
If McCain insists on re-running Bob Dole’s ’96 campaign, I can’t think of any self-respecting Republican who would agree to be his Jack Kemp. Still, that leaves all the discredited Republicans, from which, unfortunately, there are plenty to choose.
I’m not good at the political maneuvering part of electoral politics, but purely on ability to be helpful and wise both NH senators would be a good choice. Gregg was a good governor earlier, has a long conservationist history that all but the extremest of environmentalists have been comfortable with, and has a voting record to the right of McCain. Sununu has an even better ACU rating and is one of the few people in the Senate that actually understands scientific issues.
Not that it’s going to happen…
Sean P. Zell Miller is 76 years old. If he was 20 year younger perhaps he’d be a good choice. I really like Bobby Jindal but think he might be on the young side for 2008. I think he’ll be great candidate for President 2016 or 2020. In 2020 he’ll be 48 years old.
Sam Bowman Sarah Palin just had a baby last month. So I doubt she take it.
I think Tim Pawlenty might be his best pick for the VP slot.
Here’s an important piece of advice: If it looks like it’s going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a “no brainer” for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There’s currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows — even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick — selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin’s own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there’s absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!
There’s no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real ‘change’ (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.
In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain’s age and health, Palin is more than perfect — now.
(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
Given moribund mac, Gov. Palin looks real good for VP. Not a senator, executive experience, conservative, pro life, pro domestic oil and gas exploration/production, pro competition, wears dresses, doesn’t hate me because I’m a typical white male … on and on. Just observations sure.
But, I’ve only recently become familiar with her. Wow. The zest, youth, family with baby she brings makes her seem like an obvious choice.
Ethics look good.
Is she at mac’s memorial day bbq?
McCain should not make this decision till after the Dem convention. If Obama stiffs Hillary, then McCain will have to strongly consider picking a woman to lure disaffected Hillary voters. Christie Whitman, among others, seems like a plausible choice. Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Carly Fiorina. If he’s way behind in the polls at that point, he might consider a real fusion candidate: Hillary herself. Supposedly, McCain and Hillary are big buddies.
Lindsey Graham: He was kinda-sorta in the military, but not really. He was an Army lawyer. Mostly, the current ones act as al-Q’s fifth column, and Lindsey would be a perfect fit. Whether he’s light in the loafers — well, “don’t ask, don’t tell, and most definitely don’t pursue.” He’s no good on the GWOT which DQ’s him not only for higher office but even for the one he currently occupies.
Huckabee: All y’all Huck supporters are kidding, right? He’s got about a fifth grade education, which shows, and his leading goal seems to be to force-feed the nation his particular religion. Reminds me of Monty Python’s Holy Grail: “Thanks, but we already got one.” Huck on McCain’s ticket would be a multivalent buzzkill: alienating whatever economic conservatives haven’t already leaped from their Wall Street windows, driving the national security conservatives to drink, and bringing McCain some of the Taliban conservatives who’d otherwise sit home and sulk in tongues, at the price of driving away every single crossover and independent vote. Hey, McCain and Huck won’t need those votes, they can just win on the 10% of voters who think the office is Preacher-in-Chief. They’ll just need a miracle of loaves and fishes! (Of course, Huck preaches the Gospel of Jesus: unlike Obama, he doesn’t pretend to be Him. So the loaves-n-fishes thing most likely can’t be counted on).
Romney: Now here’s a case. The guy would be ideal, but the combined hate-on that the MSM and the Huckabee crowd have for Romney’s rare religion makes McCain-Romney a tough hill to climb. Interesting thing is that, while the particulars of Romney’s faith sound much stranger than Huckabee’s, Romney keeps it in the faith sphere and doesn’t try to demean others.
Lieberman: Somehow I doubt he’d accept. If he did, and by some miracle the McCain-Leiberman ticket wins, all this does is kick the problem down the road four years, or maybe (assuming McCain’s health remains good) eight. Lieberman won’t get a Repub nomination on his own, even if he’s a first-rate VP.
Fred: I believe him when he says he doesn’t want it.
Palin: might be an excellent choice. I don’t know enough about her.
Pawlenty: Brings something useful to the ticket, regional popularity and appeal. That’s definitely worth something.
This will be the first real decision of McCain’s that the public focuses on. I’m reminded of George HW Bush saying (paraphrased), “Watch my Vice Presidential choice. That will tell all!” Then 41 picked an obscure young Senator with mostly foreign policy credentials, which was not something any of us saw coming. The press used the Senator’s youth as a peg to hang insults on. (Their treatment of Obama is an interesting comparison to their treatment of Quayle, whose gaffes were relatively minor in comparison. But then, no one — but them — ever said they were objective).
I marked Palin as Presidential raw material before she was mentioned nationally. Jindal’s potential is obvious.
The fact remains that Palin has been governor for less than two years and Jindal was just sworn in this year.
******************
I will probably hold my nose and grudgingly vote for McCain–but almost certainly not if he puts Huckabee or Rice on the ticket.
The thought of Mike Huckabee just one infarction away from the Oval Office is the only thing that could get me to vote Dem this election.
If I might drop in on this, I like Bloomberg. Before they got McCain to shut up about it, McCain was saying he didn’t know enough about economics. That you can’t say about Bloomberg. It’s not like he seems to have pursued one great idea like Gates; so he’s had to have consistent analytic and operational ability. An article in the NY Times when Obama came to NY 2 months ago had Bloomberg embracing him ‘stifly’ and Bloomberg’s chief of staff saying he just wanted ‘to be in a position to make a contribution.’ Though Bloombeg is known to have considered an independent run, he also has run as a Republican for mayor of NY. I think the impression of partisan flip flop is less an electoral issue that the issues flip-flop of Romney. Besides running the same old Republican white bread is not a scintillating marketing idea this year. But running Jindal or Condi seems just a cute me too!
Not Bloomberg. No way. Lots of people talk about RINOs, but Bloomberg is the real deal: he became Republican purely to avoid a crowded Dem primary, and the NY Republican party is so dismal that they went with it. Terry McAuliffe publicly described Bloomberg as a “win” that year. With conservatives shaky enough on McCain already, picking Bloomberg would kill him.
Zell Miller is a non-starter too. He has a lot of “racially insensitive” comments in his past that magically only became relevant to the media when he started leaning towards the Republican side of things (imagine that).
Also, for the record, Sen. Lindsey Graham is STILL in the military, last I heard. He deployed to Iraq as a reservist in 2007.
How about Michael Steele?
Palin just upped her creds for the VP slot. She announced that Alaska is suing the feds for listing polar bears as threatened.
The lady’s got guts and sense. And she has said that her child would not rule out her taking the VP slot (unlike Fred, who has said several times that he will not take it under any circumstances).
Bloomberg’s a new york democrat who ran as a republican because he didn’t want to go through a highly contested democratic primary. He’s not going to be McCain’s veep, if only because he’d turn off most of the rest of the country and McCain knows it.
What passes for ‘normal’ in new england is decidedly to the left of the rest of the country.
McCain is more popular than his party. To keep the Republican brand from dragging him down he needs to re-brand the party by picking a VP candidate who’s relatively unknown and has a “wow” factor- a new future face of the party that will make people who have written off the R’s give them a second look. That makes taking a chance with a Jindal or Palin or some unknown with charisma, convictions and ideas.
Rudy Giuliani is the most qualified to take over and govern immediately in an emergency. Of all mentioned, he would add the most credibility and stature to the ticket. In the VP slot the mild layer of tabloid sleaze against him would slide off. He brings gravity on homeland security, economics & taxation, the law, and proven governing ability. A great smile, too, and brilliant when speaking extemporaneously. Needs to stop replaying the “when I was Mayor” tape.
Mitt Romney proved himself a telegenic presence and fine debater in the campaign. Vetted and found almost too perfect, his handsome normalcy would contrast well against Hillary. The failure of his awful health care compromise in Massachusetts could work against the ticket. But in a year when American Idol voters may decide to exercise their presidential franchise, his extraordinary good looks would certainly help the ticket.
Chris Cox is very smart and well spoken, telegenic, and exceptionally well versed on foreign policy, the law, and of course economics/taxation. Well-liked by religious conservatives but not off-putting to educated swing voters. Highly educated, impossible for the opposition to position as “another religious hick”. Great smile, looks young, and a new enough face to most voters to suggest the party is at long last ready to “turn the page.”
Mitt Romney’s HillaryCare didn’t fail. It gave him a hook for him to go national, and it gave the People’s Republic Hacks and government socialist yet more power, money and control. So, it was a win win. As to improving the already massively government screwed up care industry, well, please, we are all adults here aren’t we?
I agree that McCain is more popular than the GOP, something my fellow conservatives can’t wrap their heads around.
I don’t see McCain doing anything but picking who ever he darn well want’s to pick, and it’s not going to be some Harvard Boston Financialist that never looked for a fight he could avoid. So, it’s not Mitt.
The guy will have had to have military service, and especially combat arms. Not a lawyer. Republican’s don’t elect lawyers due to the obvious brain damage a law education imparts, often unrepairable.
It’s going to be personal, not political with McCain.
How about Kathleen Harris? Let’s take this farce of an election year to new heights.
While I am passionate about the prospects of Bobby Jindal and would love to see him on the ticket, I also realize that he needs grooming and patience will bring him great things. He should pass on any outside chance of an offer and focus his attentions on cleaning up the mess left behind in Louisiana by his Democrat predecessor, Kathleen “Oh my it’s wet” Blanco.
How about Michael Steele? He takes away the Dems being able to say Obama is the only African American candidate, and he helps shore up the conservatives with McCain
Well then, Paul, how about Duncan Hunter? He was probably my favorite starting out.
Sorry, Paul, just remembered the border issue separates them too much. It was Hunter’s strength to me, and will be McCain’s nagging weakness in my eyes.
My choice is Lindsey Graham. She’s close to McCain, and selecting a woman would be a perfect counterpoint to Hillary Clinton being on the ticket.
Er, wait, Lindsey is a woman’s name, isn’t it? Must be. Lindsey Graham for VP. Bring on the pantsuits.
Mccain / Lieberman ticket is the logical choice. He solidifies Maccain’s status as a moderate conservative. With him as VP Just enough undecided voters, independents, centrists and moderate democrats will cross over and make a difference for Mccain. Let’s not forget that Lieberman beat his ultra liberal democrat challenger while running as an independent. His opponent (Lamont I belive) lost despite trying his darnest to portray Lieberman as George Bush II in his attack ads. Right out of Obama’s playbook.
Romney and Huckabee are also good choices, but aside from earning the conservative / evangelist vote they won’t put Mccain on top.
McCain and his VP issue reminds me of an old junk car running and coughing its way down the highway sporting a bumper sticker that reads: my other car is a Rolls Royce.
Should we really give a damn which of these three junk cars wins? No one can tell for sure which one will do the most damage to the passengers. The one thing I know is that anything made by the “Maverick corporation” wont get my vote -I’ll walk first!
There’s no way McCain can put another white guy with gray hair on the ticket (sorry Joe, Newt, Charlie). He can’t run with another Senator. He can’t run with Mitt (women don’t like him and the whole Texas Mormon trial will be going nuts all fall). Heather MacDonald would be great but she’s another westerner. With Duncan Hunter McCain would have a big (well-deserved) “kick me” sign on his rear end. Ditto Jeff Sessoms. JC Watts won’t do it. Michael Steele is a great choice but will be asked each and every day whether he thinks he’s on the ticket because Obama is black, and I am not sure he has an answer that will play in Peoria (much less the AP). I am surprised Sen. Conryn hasn’t been at least mentioned — he’s got it all but fails the geographic/white hair test.
McCain’s a lousy candidate so he has bad choices. He’s got to go with Jindal — “ethnic” but not dark, articulate, way too young and unseasoned, but how is Obama going to attack that? It fits McCain’s “maverick” persona, women voters will want to cuddle the “kid” from La., it’ll blunt BHO’s “change” message, and the choice will say “I’m not dying any time soon.”
BTW: Obama is going to pick Gov. Napolitano.
Errata: The word “dark” in the enxt to last paragraph is a typo. It was supposed to be “black.” As mentioned in the case of Michael Steele, selecting an African American would subject the Veep nominee to a constant barrage of hostile questions along the lines of “were you picked because of your race?”
Ross Reeves: Not all women hate Romney! He is easy on the eyes, has a lovely wife, who won’t be telling anyone that she isn’t proud of her country. And he’s intelligent.
I like Michael Steele and I also like the gov of Alaska.
Dear Roar: My mistake. As a woman told me, “Mitt Romney reminds me of the guy I’m glad I didn’t marry.” On reflection, that’s probably not a very scientific sampling. But admit you want to cuddle Jindal so he doesn’t get nervous at his first recital.
Ross Reeves – Jindal doesn’t get nervous, I’ll bet.
I think he’s a man who knows who he is and what he believes. And there’s a great deal of comfort in that – both for the man himself and those he would lead.
I’ve said he’s everything Obama thinks – or wishes – he were: a man of character and judgment. And he’ll soon be a man of far more accomplishment.
Jindal, I’ll bet, has that inner peace that won’t have him seeking an office beyond his ability or for his own aggrandizement.
McCain picks former Reagan official to head VP search,
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-selects-former-reagan-official-to-head-vp-search-2008-05-23.html
Wonderful choices! People who believe God is a flesh and blood person living on a planet called Kolob; or that God saves all who trust HIm, irrevocably, even if they rape old ladies and rob banks.
People who believe homosexual sin is good and love to butcher unborn babies in the wombs of the vicious bitches carrying them.
The VP is a heartbeat away from becoming the most powerful person in the universe.
This collection of hockey pucks couldn’t handle a smalltown dogcatcher job.
I’m going to have to vote for Alan Keyes again.
Mccain’s best VP choice is Jindal. This is a no brainer for me.
The above list is terrible. McCain needs to appeal to the true core of the Republican Party the “free minds, free markets” base, and choose Paul or Barr. Even though both of them “support getting out of Iraq” they are still VP not the Prez. They both have existing grassroot structures-Paul with his successful fundraising, and Barr with the current nod from the Libertarian Party either one would communicate smaller government benefits to the masses and various policy makers and beuracracy etc.
I am not a pollster but my gut feeling is either one would add a Perot size voting bloc to McCains’ existing voters.
IDEA lets grow and then pair down TimB’s list
Lets try and only choose people who actually understand what liberty, capitalism is i.e. Bob Barr or Ron Paul
Thats who I add. my comments as follows.
TimB’s SERIOUS CHOICES list
Mitt Romney-…no, can we just get away from the religion thing and focus more on liberty?
Rob Portman-dont know about him
Tim Pawlenty-dont know
Newt Gingrich-BEST CHOICE I LIKE THIS GUY. HE IS SMART AND UNDERSTANDS FREE MARKETS AS WELL AS LARGE SYSTEMS
Mark Sanford-oK choice from what i have read
Sarah Palin- dont know
Chris Cox-?
Kay Bailey Hutchison-?
Jon Huntsman-?
NEXT VOLUNTEER TO REFINE THE LIST?
MICHAEL STEELE does have some appeal in at least getting McCain elected but is he just another big government Rep. or…where does he fit in the political spectrum??? give me the truth now…
TIM PAWLENTY- the article states he is conservative, does that mean FREE MARKETS, FREE MINDS, or MORE REGULATION OF MARKETS AND PRAISE THE LORD HALLALUJA…if the latter then he is a NO.
remember McCain has the Religious vote (they aint voting for no Obama)… DEAR JOHN McCAIN: Do Not select a VP based on his or her appeal to the Religous bretheren and sisteren of the Republic Party..YOU WILL LOSE!
SARAH PALIN (Alaska Gov) is the best pick all around. She brings women and young people – and she’s good looking. A STAR!
Why didn’t the Republicans discover Palin a year ago? McCain has waited too long. He should have named her as running mate within a week of his win. This woman’s integrity contrasts greatly with Obama’s deceitfulness. Plus, Shania Twain’s song “She’s Not Just a Pretty Face” is a virtual homage to Sarah Palin.
PALIN FOR VEEP. Now THAT’s CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN. Do, it John McCain – then you might actually win. Otherwise, you’ll just be another Bob Dole in the history books.
i think hillary cliton should go back to being rebublican abd wood bring rlection win to john mccain
Well looking back at this election I do not believe Palin was the best pick. Granted I when Palin was proposed I thought she was a good pick. Overall these would of being the better picks for VP.
Mitt Romney: Wouldn’t of had such a divided ticket and would of won Mass and maybe they would of won PA, but there wouldn’t of being much youth on the ticket.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson: Experienced and they would of gotten the women vote.
Linda Lingle: Women, in her fifties, pretty experienced, and Jewish so they would win florida and Hawaii.
And that’s pretty much it overall.