View Full Version : VP selection
Ret10Echo
03-05-2008, 11:12
Now that McCain is locked in and the RNC approaches, seems it's time to start weighing in on the potential VP candidates.
Who would you choose...:munchin
McCain now has to pick a vice presidential nominee By Steve Holland
Wed Mar 5, 5:17 AM ET
Now that he is the Republican presidential nominee, John McCain has a big decision ahead of him -- who to choose as his vice presidential running mate.
A top priority for him is to pick a running mate whose presence on the ticket would reassure Americans concerned about McCain's age.
McCain is 71 years old and would be the oldest person ever elected to a first presidential term. He has survived a bout with melanoma and suffered harsh treatment as a Vietnam prisoner of war.
Voters do not typically base their vote on the vice presidential choice but they do want to be assured that the running mate would be able to take over if the president were to die or become incapacitated.
When questions arose about Ronald Reagan's age (69) during the 1980 election, Reagan picked one of the men he had vanquished for the Republican presidential nomination, George H.W. Bush, and Bush's reassuring presence largely silenced questions about Reagan.
It is a scenario not lost on the McCain team, which is waiting to seal the Republican presidential nomination before launching a search for the No. 2.
"For Reagan in 1980, age was a big question, was a bigger issue than it is for McCain," said McCain adviser Charlie Black. "The day Reagan picked George Bush, it went away. People looked at it and said, 'Oh, we know this guy, we know he can handle it."'
By contrast, Americans were so disenchanted with Bush's vice president, Dan Quayle, that the Bush team considered but decided against dumping Quayle from the ticket in the elder Bush's 1992 re-election bid, which he lost.
McCain aides made clear McCain is a long way from picking someone, saying the campaign had not yet even begun to set up process by which to evaluate potential vice presidential nominees.
"Obviously there'll have to be decisions on who would be in charge, and how the vetting process would work," said one.
Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian, said McCain has a compelling history as a former Navy fighter pilot and long-time Arizona senator.
"But at 71 years old and afflicted with cancer and a life that has brutalized his body in many ways, I think who he picks is going to be very, very important," Brinkley said. "You're really looking at somebody who over an eight-year period could be president."
NOT NECESSARILY A BALANCING ACT
It does not necessarily mean McCain must pick someone far younger.
"I don't think you're going to balance the ticket on age," said Republican strategist Scott Reed. "Pick someone who is going to help you win and who can step in and serve as president if there is a crisis."
Brinkley said the most reassuring person McCain could pick in the Republican Party would be retired Gen. Colin Powell, a former secretary of state and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking military position in the Defense Department.
Powell, 70, has said he does not want the job but Brinkley said Republican Party elders might be able to persuade him.
"Powell is someone everyone could imagine as president," Brinkley said.
Two possibilities include Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, 51, who could help McCain win the battleground state of Florida in the November election, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 47, who could do the same in Minnesota.
There are plenty of other names: Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who says she does not want it; South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham or South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford; Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and former White House budget director Rob Portman, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.
Republican pollster Whit Ayres said McCain's choice may well depend on whether Democrat Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton wins the nomination.
"A vice presidential nominee against one might not be the best choice if you're running against the other," Ayres said. "If it's Clinton, it might place a higher premium on a woman. If it's Obama, it might place a higher premium on an African-American."
(Editing by David Wiessler)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080305/pl_nm/usa_politics_mccain_vicepresident_dc&printer=1
If he could "persuade" Colin Powell to run as VP, the Democrats would not have a chance at winning!
Stay safe.
rubberneck
03-05-2008, 11:47
McCain has a 0% chance of winning if he can't carry Florida. That alone makes Charlie Crist an attractive alternative. I'm with Guy, running with Colin or better yet Condi negates two of the most attractive draws that the Democrat candidates are offering. Condi negates both with one fell swoop.
Peregrino
03-05-2008, 11:56
If he could "persuade" Colin Powell to run as VP, the Democrats would not have a chance at winning!
Stay safe.
Maybe true. Question is - how would Republican conservatives differentiate between the candidates? McCain is a RINO, Powell's conservative credentials are at least as bad. Once again it's voting for the least of the available evils.
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 11:56
McCain has a 0% chance of winning if he can't carry Florida. That alone makes Charlie Crist an attractive alternative. I'm with Guy, running with Colin or better yet Condi negates two of the most attractive draws that the Democrat candidates are offering. Condi negates both with one fell swoop.
I disagree.
IMHO, research indicates both Powell and Rice are considered politically radioactive and too white for the general black populace to vote for in significant numbers.
They MIGHT draw a small percentage of middle or upper class black Americans who are open minded and inclined to at least consider the Republican ticket as an alternative.
Rice could possibly help to assuage conservatives, though her position on domestic issues is largely unknown.
A good Latino candidate would be a better pick, if a conservative one could be found with a good record.
McCain has to pick someone to shore up his conservative support without scaring off the Independent voters who can get him elected, and try to get someone who can deliver a significant state, if not a region. At the same time, without thinking too far ahead, he needs a good long term pick to follow him in a run for the White House, unlike the Bush screw-ups picks of Quayle and Cheney, both unelectable.
Just my .02, YMMV.
TR
A good Latino candidate would be a better pick, if a conservative one could be found with a good record.
McCain has to pick someone to shore up his conservative support without scaring off the Independent voters who can get him elected, and try to get someone who can deliver a significant state, if not a region. At the same time, without thinking too far ahead, he needs a good long term pick to follow him in a run for the White House, unlike the Bush screw-ups picks of Quayle and Cheney, both unelectable.
I totally agree with this. Plus, Condi has repeatedly said she won't run for elected office - so, it's sort of moot. If we're looking at a female, I'd look at someone like a Kay Bailey Hutchinson first.
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 12:29
Here are some good places to look for a VP, especially if you have turn a Red state Blue, or hold a close one.
CA 55 EV Blue
TX 34 EV Red
NY 31 EV Blue
FL 27 EV Reddish
PA 21 EV Blueish
IL 21 EV Blue
OH 20 EV Reddish
MI 17 EV Blue
NC 15 EV Red
NJ 15 EV Blue
GA 15 EV Red
A conservative minority (preferably Latino, and also female) who was from FL, PA, or OH with good debating and oratory skills could do the trick.
One who could bring CA into the Republican fold would be too much to hope for. The Republicans can win without CA, but the Dems cannot.
A junior kid from Indiana, or a senior one from Wyoming does minimal good.
TR
IMHO, research indicates both Powell and Rice are considered politically radioactive and too white for the general black populace to vote for in significant numbers.
They MIGHT draw a small percentage of middle or upper class black Americans who are open minded and inclined to at least consider the Republican ticket as an alternative.
TRBlacks will vote for a "black" candidate no matter what he/she stands for; take a look at Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, etc.
They will NOT vote for a "latino" candidate PERIOD! If McCain chooses a "latino" running mate; the Democrats will exploit that...:munchin
Stay safe.
That Guy v2.0
03-05-2008, 13:29
I think Condi is too associated with the perceived/real mistakes of the current administration and would cause more trouble than she would be worth. McCain needs to separate himself as much as possible from Bush. This will be the primary way the Dems will go after him in the Fall.
I like Colin Powell and he seems to be universally well regarded by most people. He's strong on Foreign Policy however he might be a weak link for the reason stated above. Despite the UN speech in the run up to Iraq I think people still like him.
Another McCain weakness is domestic/economic policy and this will be used against him. Bloomberg would balance this very well not mention the large amount of personal cash that could be used by the campaign. This might be needed if the public financing card gets played by the Dems that would hurt McCain. Although I don't know a lot about this end. Bloomberg though would surely piss of the ultra right even more.
So far he's in a great position. I was hoping Hillary would win Texas and Ohio and she did. This has the definite potential to go down to the wire at the convention and get very nasty. Which hopefully will burnout/alienate some of the Dems and have a positive impact for McCain. If he is smart he'll use this time now to bury them while they fight each other.
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 13:34
Blacks will vote for a "black" candidate no matter what he/she stands for; take a look at Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, etc.
True, but not for either of the ones we are discussing over Obama. I see no black Republican VP candidate who will bring in more votes for the Republicans than Obama will for the Dems.
They will NOT vote for a "latino" candidate PERIOD! If McCain chooses a "latino" running mate; the Democrats will exploit that...:munchin
Again, true, but how many black voters will not consider a Republican candidate for their vote, while the Latinos are less wedded to party affiliation, and are now the larger minority group with more votes. The Democratic candidate will normally get 80% of the black vote, and the Hispanics are much closer to splitting evenly. Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 were won by a very few votes.
Powell is a RINO, alienates conservatives, and does nothing to bring in votes that McCain does not already have.
Bloomberg is worse than RINO, his social policies are hardcore liberal and would lose even more conservative voters.
Just my .02.
TR
.... Bloomberg would balance this very well not mention the large amount of personal cash that could be used by the campaign......
Bloomburg is a gun grabbing lib. You think Mac has problems with conservatives now just add Bloomburg to the ticket and you will just hand the election to whoever the Ds put up.
Charlie Crist is a good man but I think the Christian right would end up having a heart attack
rubberneck
03-05-2008, 13:52
I disagree.
IMHO, research indicates both Powell and Rice are considered politically radioactive and too white for the general black populace to vote for in significant numbers.
They MIGHT draw a small percentage of middle or upper class black Americans who are open minded and inclined to at least consider the Republican ticket as an alternative.
My comments weren't in reference to getting the black vote. If the Republican party could somehow clone Martin Luther King and run him against Hillary he probably wouldn't get more than 30% of the black vote.
My comments had more to do with moderate/slightly liberal white voters and college aged kids who seemed to be enthralled with the idea of a black or female candidate at the top of the ticket. Black voters aren't enough to swing a state like Florida as they vote solidly democrat anyways, but the soccer moms and motivated young voters are enough to sink McCain in a must win state. Having Powell or Rice on the ticket could negate that effect but it also might drive away conservatives who are wary of McCain to being with. Interesting political calculus either way.
True, but not for either of the ones we are discussing over Obama. I see no black Republican VP candidate who will bring in more votes for the Republicans than Obama will for the Dems. JC Watts would be an ideal candidate to offset the Dems hold on the black vote...
Again, true, but how many black voters will not consider a Republican candidate for their vote, while the Latinos are less wedded to party affiliation, and are now the larger minority group with more votes. The Democratic candidate will normally get 80% of the black vote, and the Hispanics are much closer to splitting evenly. Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 were won by a very few votes.Even though the Hispanics are a larger minority; they lack the "political" power that the blacks have....
Stay safe.
That Guy v2.0
03-05-2008, 14:00
Bloomburg is a gun grabbing lib. You think Mac has problems with conservatives now just add Bloomburg to the ticket and you will just hand the election to whoever the Ds put up.
I agree with what you say.
The main reason I like this guy is his financial/economic background. We have a few problems as a country looming on the horizon with this. McCain himself has said he doesn't know much about the economy. It's a glaring weakness that needs to be addressed.
My perception of Dem strategy in the fall will be that they tie McCain to Bush on Foreign Policy to negate his strength and pound him on the economy.
My comments had more to do with moderate/slightly liberal white voters and college aged kids who seemed to be enthralled with the idea of a black or female candidate at the top of the ticket. Black voters aren't enough to swing a state like Florida as they vote solidly democrat anyways, but the soccer moms and motivated young voters are enough to sink McCain in a must win state. Having Powell or Rice on the ticket could negate that effect but it also might drive away conservatives who are wary of McCain to being with. Interesting political calculus either way.Stay safe.
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 14:04
JC Watts would be an ideal candidate to offset the Dems hold on the black vote....
Guy, I like JC and would vote for him over McCain in a flash. Minority and strong conservative, albeit from a small state. However, how many additional votes do you think he would bring? Look at Obama's run against Alan Keyes. How many votes did Keyes get?
I wish JC would run for Senate, and then look to bigger things.
Even though the Hispanics are a larger minority; they lack the "political" power that the blacks have....
I hear you, but I would take the extra percent of Hispanics that could be persuaded to vote Republican over the very few blacks who would, even with their political clout. As you well know, the black vote is largely pledged to the Dems, who IMHO, are not looking after the interests of many black Americans.
TR
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 14:08
I agree with what you say.
The main reason I like this guy is his financial/economic background. We have a few problems as a country looming on the horizon with this. McCain himself has said he doesn't know much about the economy. It's a glaring weakness that needs to be addressed.
My perception of Dem strategy in the fall will be that they tie McCain to Bush on Foreign Policy to negate his strength and pound him on the economy.
How much effect do you think the VP has on economic policy?
What does Bloomberg bring as VP that he would not get as Sec Treasury, Fed Chair, or just a trusted advisor?
BTW, the economy was running along just fine till the Dem Congress took over. Last time I checked, they appropriated the money. About as much cause and effect there as President Bush has had.
TR
As you well know, the black vote is largely pledged to the Dems, who IMHO, are not looking after the interests of many black Americans.
TRI've been trying to get the word out! They will NOT listen too me.:o
Stay safe.
rubberneck
03-05-2008, 14:10
Guy, I like JC and would vote for him over McCain in a flash. Minority and strong conservative, albeit from a small state. However, how many additional votes do you think he would bring? Look at Obama's run against Alan Keyes. How many votes did Keyes get?
TR
I think the better example would be Lt Governor Michael Steele. He was as impressive as any candidate for Senate in 2006. While Steele was a much more impressive candidate than Keyes he was also had the advantage of running against a white democrat. Despite those advantages he only managed to pull in 25% of the black vote in Maryland.
Keyes was an outsider who was a last second replacement for a candidate mired in a sex scandal. He was going to get it handed to him one way or another regardless of his race.
If considerations are given to a female VP, Id have to agree with SharIf we're looking at a female, I'd look at someone like a Kay Bailey Hutchinson first.
I would also not discount Alaska governor Sarah Palin. JMHO
That Guy v2.0
03-05-2008, 14:40
How much effect do you think the VP has on economic policy?
What does Bloomberg bring as VP that he would not get as Sec Treasury, Fed Chair, or just a trusted advisor?
BTW, the economy was running along just fine till the Dem Congress took over. Last time I checked, they appropriated the money. About as much cause and effect there as President Bush has had.
TR
I think that after Cheney being VP people will pay more attention to this choice so It could be more important than in elections of the past.
As a voice in the room with those kind of decisions get made I like him. He would have more impact on those decisions there than as Sec Tres or Fed Chair.
The one thing I don't like in general with politics in the present is selecting a candidate because he'll bring in a certain block of voters. That's great in the short run to get our guy in office but where are the credentials and experience to back it up. That's why I'm so confused as to the appeal of Obama. IMHO experience counts for a lot.
As far as the other names being thrown around. I haven't heard of most of them and they may be great guys but I'd like to think a candiate is bringing more to the table than getting behind core party policies that were decided a long time ago.
This thread reminds me of a book I want to read but haven't yet. Maybe someone else will like it.
The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies
http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Rational-Voter-Democracies-Policies/dp/0691129428
That Guy v2.0
03-05-2008, 14:43
If considerations are given to a female VP, Id have to agree with Shar I would also not discount Alaska governor Sarah Palin. JMHO
Senator Hutchison was in the Dallas Morning News the other day saying she is not interested.
I also saw Palin's name but can't recall what was said.
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 15:00
I think that after Cheney being VP people will pay more attention to this choice so It could be more important than in elections of the past.
As a voice in the room with those kind of decisions get made I like him. He would have more impact on those decisions there than as Sec Tres or Fed Chair.
The one thing I don't like in general with politics in the present is selecting a candidate because he'll bring in a certain block of voters. That's great in the short run to get our guy in office but where are the credentials and experience to back it up. That's why I'm so confused as to the appeal of Obama. IMHO experience counts for a lot.
As far as the other names being thrown around. I haven't heard of most of them and they may be great guys but I'd like to think a candiate is bringing more to the table than getting behind core party policies that were decided a long time ago.
Oh to be young and to know everything without having experienced it...:rolleyes:
Millions of Republican conservatives would stay home with a McCain-Bloomberg ticket. I know I would.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson is good, but Texas will go Republican regardless of who the VP is.
Palin is unknown nationally, and Alaska has too few voters to bring anything to the table.
I hope they find the right person to give conservatives a reason to vote without running off too many independents.
TR
I like the idea of JC Watts, he's young and energetic... and black. But he hasn't been in politics since 2002. That's eons ago.
The GOP needs a younger, conservative rock star to balance McCain. The problem is - we don't have a rock star. The biggest failing of the GOP over the last 8 years is that it has been stagnating and not grooming it's Obama.
Just checked In-Trade and they have Pawlenty by a mile. Rice, Giuiani, Huckabee, Romney, Thompson, Hutchinson, Steele are also mentioned but are in single digits. (If you buy into In-Trade at all.)
The Reaper
03-05-2008, 15:20
I like the idea of JC Watts, he's young and energetic... and black. But he hasn't been in politics since 2002. That's eons ago.
The GOP needs a younger, conservative rock star to balance McCain. The problem is - we don't have a rock star. The biggest failing of the GOP over the last 8 years is that it has been stagnating and not grooming it's Obama.
Exactly.
Where would we be now if Cheney had stepped down for health reasons in 2004 and JC Watts been on the ticket?
Or Condi?
Or any one of a number of conservative young Republicans.
We might be looking at McCain as a possible VP nominee.
Where are Pawlenty's conservative creds, what quals does he bring to the table, and why would we want him as VP?
TR
March 2, 2008, 11:16PM
How Tim Pawlenty lost his spot on the McCain ticket
By ROBERT D. NOVAK
Minnesota's Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty carefully prepared his plan for controlling greenhouse gas emissions to present it at the annual Washington winter meeting of governors.
That effort coincided with Pawlenty's fast-rising prospects to become Sen. John McCain's choice for vice president. But behind closed doors, his fellow governors from energy-producing states complained so vigorously that the scheme was buried.
Pawlenty's position as chairman of the National Governors Association may prove his undoing. While party insiders sing his praises as ideal to be McCain's running mate, leading conservative Republican governors have been less than pleased with him. Pawlenty has collaborated with the NGA vice chairman, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, in a fat economic stimulus package, as well as the energy proposal.
Hours after Pawlenty's energy plan was derailed, McCain himself was urged in private by GOP governors not to appear to be anti-coal or anti-oil. The upshot of a busy recent Saturday at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington was that Pawlenty came over as somebody considerably different from what McCain needs to calm conservatives. He left the nation's capital as a less attractive vice presidential possibility than he was when he arrived.
The 47-year-old Pawlenty long has been talked about as a good fit for the 71-year-old McCain. He is the most conservative Minnesota governor since Theodore "Tightwad Ted" Christianson in 1925. Elected for two terms (albeit narrowly) in a slightly blue state, Pawlenty is seen by supporters as a plus for McCain in the Democratic upper Midwest if added to the ticket.
>>>>
For the rest of the article:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5586397.html
>>>>
So maybe not??
rubberneck
03-05-2008, 15:37
The GOP needs a younger, conservative rock star to balance McCain. The problem is - we don't have a rock star. The biggest failing of the GOP over the last 8 years is that it has been stagnating and not grooming it's Obama.
There are no "rock star" conservatives largely due to the fact that they are manufactured by the mainstream media. Take Obama for instance. He is clearly inexperienced for the job with only three years as the junior Senator from Illinois on his resume, yet he can do no wrong. Matt Blunt on the other hand was elected as Governor of Missouri in 2004 at the age of 33. Have you heard a single word mentioned about him in the National media? If he ran for the White House he would have been dismissed as too inexperienced for the job.
When you get into these pop culture wars conservatives always lose because the producers of pop culture in this country are by in large liberal.
That Guy v2.0
03-05-2008, 15:56
Oh to be young and to know everything without having experienced it...:rolleyes:
Millions of Republican conservatives would stay home with a McCain-Bloomberg ticket. I know I would.
Kay Bailey Hutchinson is good, but Texas will go Republican regardless of who the VP is.
Palin is unknown nationally, and Alaska has too few voters to bring anything to the table.
I hope they find the right person to give conservatives a reason to vote without running off too many independents.
TR
Never said I knew everything. Just expressing an opinion.
And I agree wholeheartedly with your last sentence. The only reason I threw Bloomberg's name out there was his financial background and his cash. He's far from perfect.
The GOP needs a younger, conservative rock star to balance McCain. The problem is - we don't have a rock star. The biggest failing of the GOP over the last 8 years is that it has been stagnating and not grooming it's Obama.He may not be your "ultimate" choice for a conservative however; he moves and speaks "rock" star!:D
Many of agents have been removed for looking in, rather than looking out when providing his protection.:cool:
Stay safe.
He may not be your "ultimate" choice for a conservative however; he moves and speaks "rock" star!:D
Many of agents have been removed for looking in, rather than looking out when providing his protection.:cool:
Stay safe.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be thrilled if he'd do it. He's as close to rock star as the GOP can get these days. I just don't think either Colin Powell or Condi Rice will run. But I'd LOVE to stand corrected.
And Rubberneck makes a good point - that "rock star" status is largely a media created monster. However, the GOP hasn't done anything to promote it's new up and comers either. As you've pointed out, who in the world is Matt Blunt nationally? The GOP could have done something to change that on a national basis despite the lack of media attention. It's their lack (and the President's lack) of foresight.
And Rubberneck makes a good point - that "rock star" status is largely a media created monster.We're not going to beat the media and it's a shame.
Anyways...I've always been intrigued by the types like Warren Buffet.:cool:
Stay safe.
Heard on the news earlier that Sen. McCain is making a trip down here to visit our Governor Charlie Crist...
He seems like a good guy. He got all miffed at the Democrats for pulling our delegates and he's not afraid to make decisions that are not popular.
Should be interesting...
rubberneck
03-05-2008, 18:29
Heard on the news earlier that Sen. McCain is making a trip down here to visit our Governor Charlie Crist...
He seems like a good guy. He got all miffed at the Democrats for pulling our delegates and he's not afraid to make decisions that are not popular.
Should be interesting...
On some levels it makes a lot of sense but Charlie Crist is a relative unknown nationally. I'd like to know more about the guy.
Ret10Echo
03-08-2008, 21:01
Latest on the topic from the BBC.
It has been a prime topic on the local talk radio...professors from universities and former politicos.
Who will be on McCain's ticket?
By Max Deveson
BBC News
With the gruelling task of winning his party's presidential nomination now behind him, Senator John McCain - and political pundits throughout the US - can begin to ask the next key question.
Who will he choose as his running-mate?
"We have just begun that process," said Mr McCain on Wednesday, the day after he had officially clinched the nomination.
The person Mr McCain chooses will appear on the ballot in November alongside him, and will become his vice-president if the pair win the election.
Generally speaking, candidates tend to pick running-mates who fulfil one of two criteria.
Most often, they are chosen because they possess qualities which the candidate himself lacks, or because they represent political or geographical constituencies which the candidate finds it difficult to appeal to.
This is known as "balancing the ticket".
Healing the wounds
So the young and relatively inexperienced north-easterner John F Kennedy opted for Lyndon Johnson, a Texan, who had served for 23 years in the US Congress.
And the seasoned politician George H W Bush selected Dan Quayle, the junior senator from Indiana.
Balancing the ticket can be a useful way to heal any wounds caused by a divisive primary campaign.
Occasionally, however, a presidential candidate picks a running-mate who reinforces his perceived strengths.
Thus, Bill Clinton in 1992 chose Al Gore, who - like Mr Clinton - was a youthful centrist from a southern state.
If Mr McCain wishes to pursue the first strategy, and pick a running-mate who offers voters things that he himself cannot, then he has a number of options:
The most obvious limitation that Mr McCain may want to address is his age: if he wins, he would be the oldest president ever elected to a first term, so he may want to appoint a more youthful running-mate
For some in the party, Mr McCain is just not conservative enough, so if he wishes to reassure his party's base he may decide to pick a more right-wing running-mate
Since Mr McCain will be facing either an African-American or a woman in the general election, he may opt to run with a black or female colleague on his ticket
In order to broaden his geographical appeal, the Arizona senator may wish to go for a running-mate from the south or the mid-west
When making his decision, he may also consider picking someone who could help to deliver him a key swing-state in November
Swing state
So does any one candidate meet all of these requirements?
Not quite - but a number of possible running-mates do tick a lot of the right boxes.
Popular Florida Governor Charlie Crist may well have tipped the balance for Mr McCain when he endorsed him ahead of his state's crucial primary earlier this year.
He would be young enough - and conservative enough - to complement Mr McCain, and he could help to ensure that the swing state of Florida stays in the Republicans' column in November.
Other young, popular, southern governors who could fulfil a similar function for Mr McCain would be Haley Barbour of Mississippi or Mark Sanford of South Carolina, although both states are very safe territory for the Republicans, so choosing Mr Barbour or Mr Sanford would not add a new state to the Republicans' tally in the general election.
Minnesota, however, could be a key battleground, and the state's well-liked governor, Tim Pawlenty , has been talked about as a possible running-mate for Mr McCain ever since Mr Pawlenty endorsed the Arizona senator back in 2006.
Like Governors Crist, Sanford and Barbour, Mr Pawlenty is more conservative than Mr McCain, and at only 47, he also has youth on his side.
If Mr McCain wishes to match the potentially historic nature of the Democrats' candidate this year, then choosing a young, experienced African-American woman like US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might help.
But if Ms Rice proved to be too moderate for Republican party activists, then another potential female running-mate could be Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison , although she would be less likely than the moderate Ms Rice to deliver any new states for Mr McCain in November.
Military man
So there are a number of candidates for a McCain running-mate who balance out his perceived negative attributes.
What of the candidates who could reinforce Mr McCain's political qualities?
If Mr McCain wanted to stress his national security credentials and his support for the "surge" in Iraq, then he might pick someone like Gen David Petraeus , who has been in charge of US forces in Iraq since the surge began.
Little about Gen Petraeus's views on non-military matters is known, however, so Mr McCain may shy away from appointing him to such a high-profile position.
And whether Gen Petraeus would even accept an offer from Mr McCain is not clear.
Another left-field choice might be Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman , who was Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore's running-mate in 2000, but later became an independent.
In December he endorsed Mr McCain ahead of all of the Democratic presidential candidates.
Although he is respected by Republicans for his conspicuous support of the Iraq War, his views on certain social and economic issues would probably be too liberal for many party activists to stomach.
Primary rivals
Despite media speculation, Mr McCain is unlikely to add his primary opponent Mike Huckabee to his ticket.
Although Mr Huckabee could broaden Mr McCain's appeal among evangelical voters, he would be as unpopular as Mr McCain himself is with influential conservative commentators, who are critical of Mr Huckabee's populist stance on government spending.
Mr McCain's other main primary rival - Mitt Romney - would be popular with fiscal conservatives and social conservatives, but Mr McCain is thought to have developed a dislike for the former Massachusetts governor during the campaign.
Whoever Mr McCain picks to be his running-mate, the eventual choice is likely to have two crucial attributes.
Mr McCain will want to have a personal rapport with his chosen candidate.
And he or she must possess - in the eyes of the voters and the media - the ability to appear "presidential".
Because if Mr McCain wins, his running-mate may be called upon at a moment's notice to fulfil the most important function of any vice-president: to take over the top job in the event of a tragedy.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7284133.stm
Here's a highly improbable but terrifying Pres/VP pairing...Clinton AND Obama. :eek:
Ret10Echo
03-09-2008, 17:02
Here's a highly improbable but terrifying Pres/VP pairing...Clinton AND Obama. :eek:
O'bummer has publicly stated that he would not accept an offer from Klinton for the VP position.
Billary has not said she would NOT, but O'bummer would have to go against his "change" campaign to do that and I doubt that will happen.
Maybe O' will give Lewie Farakan the nod :eek:
Ret10Echo
03-27-2008, 10:41
:munchin
McCain, Romney to campaign together
By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 37 minutes ago
John McCain was getting some help Thursday from former Republican rival Mitt Romney, a pairing that two months ago seemed improbable as the two fought bitterly for the party's presidential nomination.
In their first campaign swing as allies, Romney planned to meet McCain at the airport in Salt Lake City and appear with the likely Republican nominee at a fundraiser. The two then were traveling to Denver for a second fundraiser.
McCain, who has struggled to raise campaign money, is on a weeklong western fundraising swing. Romney is popular in Utah and Colorado, states with large numbers of residents who are members of Romney's Mormon faith.
The former Massachusetts governor dropped out of the race last month after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. A week later, he endorsed the Arizona senator and pledged to do whatever he could to help McCain win the nomination.
Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he'd accept the No. 2 spot on the ticket, though some Republicans privately speculate that he's looking ahead to 2012 and a possible repeat run.
Neither man appeared especially fond of the other during the campaign. Romney cast McCain as outside of the GOP's conservative mainstream and a Washington insider who contributed to the problems plaguing a broken system. McCain, in turn, argued that Romney's equivocations and reversals on several issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.
Is the GOP deliberately trying to piss me off, now? :mad:
Ret10Echo
03-28-2008, 04:35
Is the GOP deliberately trying to piss me off, now? :mad:
Well, the other guy McCain has been hanging out with is Joe Lieberman....
jsteiner
03-28-2008, 06:05
In 1996 I co-chaired an effort to draft Colin Powell into the NH Presidential Primary. Here were the statistics I would share then with the media:
He has not announced he is even a Republican;
He has not spent a nickel on any campaign effort;
He has not spoken on the issues.
Yet, simply based on the respect people have for him, he has a double digit lead with NH voters over his closest Republican rival!
The only downside to a McCain/Powell ticket is the age as to both, unless "age" is translated effectively with the voters to mean "experience."
I believed in him in 1996, and would love to see him as VP!
Gen. Petraeus appears a "younger" alternative, but without the broader experience Gen. Powell had as Chair - JCS, National Sec. Cncl, early White House Fellowship, etc., and of course his latest position as Sec. State.
Jim Steiner
Concord, NH