VP selection

[Ret10Echo]

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...

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/...t_dc&printer=1

[Guy]

If he could "persuade" Colin Powell to run as VP, the Democrats would not have a chance at winning!

Stay safe.

[rubberneck]

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]

Originally Posted by Guy

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]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

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

[Shar]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

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]

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

[Guy]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

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.

TR

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.

They will NOT vote for a "latino" candidate PERIOD! If McCain chooses a "latino" running mate; the Democrats will exploit that...

Stay safe.

[That Guy v2.0]

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]

Originally Posted by Guy

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.

Originally Posted by Guy

They will NOT vote for a "latino" candidate PERIOD! If McCain chooses a "latino" running mate; the Democrats will exploit that...

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

[Pete]

Originally Posted by That Guy v2.0

.... 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.

[Dad]

Charlie Crist is a good man but I think the Christian right would end up having a heart attack

[rubberneck]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

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.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

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]

Originally Posted by Pete

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.