McCain's running mate -- which of these will it be?
By SanDiego92108 Posted in Archived — Comments (78) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Here are my thoughts on John McCain's choice of a VPOTUS, should he win the nomination, which seems likely the case. These are in no particular order:
1) Sen. Mel Martinez of FL. The pro's are that he'd help greatly with the Hispanic vote (key in NM, NV, CO, and all-important Florida).
The con's are that Martinez would be suspect to the conservative base, that McCain already would do well with Hispanics anyway because of his support of "comprehensive" immigration reform, and that the Republican nominee should not use the 'silver buller' of his running mate on Florida, a state they should win anyhow.
2) Gov. Tim Pawlenty, MN. My money is on him; he was an early supporter of McCain. He is young and comes from a state the GOP would love to pick off (while also providing coattails for Sen. Norm Coleman). If the GOP write off Ohio as a lost cause this year, the counter-strategy is to pick off MN and WI. That would be the principal logic behind choosing Pawlenty.
The con's are that he's an unknown, and he's won two squeaker elections for governor. He's never received 50% of the vote, which makes his ability to carry MN, let alone WI, suspect.
3) Sen. Joe Lieberman, CT. He is probably McCain's #1 choice privately, but it's never happening. He needs someone to placate the conservative base.
4) Gov. Jodi Rell, CT. She'd put CT into play, and appeal to women across the country, esp. if Hillary is the nominee of the Dems. She's a popular Republican in a blue state.
The con's are that conservatives would look askance upon her centrist record. I don't see it happening, though she may make the short list. McCain is apt to pull a surprise.
5) Rep. Steve King, Iowa. McCain won't like him becaus eof the immigration issue, but he may be the best possible choice. He'd deliver Iowa, and with him balancing the ticket, absolutely no conservative would stay home or vote third-party. Many of us wish he'd run for POTUS in the first place.
6) Ex-Rep. Rob Portman, Ohio. Young and with an impressive resume, the sole reason for choosing him would be to target Ohio.
7) Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, TX. Sole reason for picking her: gender. Important only if Hillary wins the Dem. nomination. Unfortunately, she doesn't add any electoral votes, and she, like McCain, is suspect to conservatives.
8) Rep. Duncan Hunter, CA. Would be a great VPOTUS, with solid foreign policy credentials, but McCain doesn't need that. And he brings nothing to the table electorally.
9) Tommy Franks, FL. See #8. He'd probably ensure FL, but we need to go beyond that.
10) Gov. Charlie Crist, FL. This was probably the reason he endorsed McCain, even against the wishes of many of the FL GOP establishment. Again, ensures FL, but our silver bullet needs to be used elsewhere.
11) Romney. This would be purely to unify the GOP. But it ain't ever gonna happen.
12) FDT. They are friends, and would bring the conservatives along. But another older white guy isn't exactly a ticket balancer.
12) Huckabee. I'd also place money on this one. This mollifies the social conservatives, and Huck's sense of humor is a good balance to Mac's terse irritability. I wonder if they've already struck a private deal... They never criticize each other, and Huck is staying in the race for the sole purpose of draining socially conservative votes away from Romney. He doesn't add much electorally, but he could hold the so-cons that are still skeptical of Mac.
13) Gov. Mark Sanford, SC. He's be great, but being from the reddest of states, it ain't happening.
14) Sen. John Thune, SD. Tall, handsome, articulate. Remember what Rush said about the aphrodesiac effect back when Bill Clinton was running? May work here. And he's please the conservatives. If only he wasn't also from a deep red state.
15) Rep. Candace Miller, MI. Mac could do worse than choosing a woman from a state that, should the GOP carry it, would make Ohio irrelevant.
Ok, what does everyone think? Obviously, if Romney wins the nomination, the priorities would be different. But let's play the hypothetical game (the odds favor this) and assume McCain is the GOP nominee.
is an "edit" button. Click on that to edit or update your diary. Unfortunately you can't do the same with posts.
You may want to look at #13 (He's be great).
McCain's not going to try to placate anyone. That is not his style. Never has been, never will be.
As for picking a strong conservative to bring some people on board, McCain would lose votes if were to be seen as pandering to please the Rush Limbaugh's and Sean Hannity's. Those people have given the McCain the finger.
The hard-core right wingers who aren't voting for McCain (Coulter, Rush, Levin, etc.) don't care who the VP nominee is. They have already written McCain off.
McCain is who he is. And Lindsey Graham will be his choice for VP.
I am wondering who John McCain will select as a running mate. Getting away from all of those Southern and midwestern state governors (including Huckabee-who I feel was being unrealistic when he suggested doing away with the IRS completely) , I am wondering if McCain will ask Colin Powell to join him on the Republican ticket. While former Secretary of State (and former general) Powell resigned his position in the Bush cabinet, distancing himself from Rumsfeld, Cheney, and other republicans under scrutiny, I am wondering if Powell would be willing to associate himself with the likes of McCain. Since Colin Powell is a respected public figure who embodies the ideals of integrity, character, and common decency, it would certainly be a test of whether the new Republican party under McCain could offer America something worth embracing. If such an offer were extended to Colin Powell and he actually accepted, that would lend alot of credence to McCain's bid for the presidency and show that the Republican party still has something worthwhile to offer ordinary people in this country.
Rep. Steve King is as diametrically opposed to McCain on illegal immigration as it gets. That would be akin to Hillary Clinton chosing Bob Dornan as her VP, Barack Obama chosing Alan Keyes or Mike Huckabee chosing Christopher Hitchens.
______________________________________
Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
Land of the free,
Rep. King did endorse McCain's friend, Fred Thompson, for president. It all depends on how pragmatic McCain now wants to be.
But their positions on immigration are nowhere close. Steve King is also good friends with Tom Trancredo, but endorsed Fred. Romney was King's second choice.
McCain was not even in the team photo.
If McCain is the nominee...I'm voting Barrack!
I subscribe to the "stop McCrazy at all costs" line of thinking.
A Democrat victory in 2008 means that Ginsburg and Stevens are definitely replaced with equally horrible activist judges, thus eliminating the chance to create a genuine and lasting pro-Constitution, conservative majority.
A Democrat victory in 2008 and 2012 means we lose the Court permanently as a Dem will likely replace Scalia and Kennedy as well, resulting in at least 6 activist leftwingers on the High Court, leaving Thomas, Roberts, and Alito to nothing more writing one brilliant dissent after another.
Of course, even if a Republican wins this year the chances of getting a good judge confirmed are not good with the Dems likely increasing their majority in the Senate. Furthermore, if McCain wins, the chances are even lower since he probably doesn't really care about this issue all that much, and probably doesn't want to risk McCain-Feingold being overturned.
But a small chance is better than no chance, and that is the choice between McCain and Obama, or McCain and Hillary.
Better than lose the heart and sole of the Republican party. But that doesn't mean the SC is lost for all time or if any SC justices will retire in the next 4 years.
You are now saying it is better to lose the Supreme Court than McCain get elected... you are off your rocker.
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it. In peace, because I have felt it. In forgiveness, because I needed it."
-George W. Bush
Ginsburg and Stevens will definitely retire if a Democrat wins this year, and they will probably retire if a Republican wins. The difference is that with the former, they would do so happily, while with the latter it would be driven by age.
In the worst case scenario of Dem victory this year and again in 2012, most likely result is a six member, leftwing activist majority on the Sup Court that will last for many years. Roe will be upheld once again. Gay marriage/civil unions will be imposed on the entire nation. The Second Amendment will be gutted. Enemy combatants will be given citizen-like status before the law. All state and local attempts to crack down on illegal immigration will be struck down. Private property rights will be trampled upon even more. More insane Establishment Clause rulings will come down.
Given the nation's pro-Democrat demographic trends, I don't think we could reasonably expect to ever have a future Court which would undo these things.
You make the big assumption he is the nominee. I think the odds of him being the nominee is at best 55/45. Still a long ways to go.
Because they have it at 88% McCain, 8% Romney.
______________________________________
Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
Barack Obama would save us millions in wasteful spending on the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, Romney has a lot to like to. He's pro-legal immigration, good on judges, good on spending, and a tax cutter.
There's a LOT to like about Romney...there is NOTHING to like about McCrazy.
Really, seems the people of Main disagree with you. McCain will die the death of a thousand cuts. While he may take more liberal areas like NY and NJ, Conservative states are going to reject him.
Indeed. I hate McCain more than I hate Edward Kennedy.
AND I MEAN THAT!
Whoever stands across from McCrazy is who I back....Ralph Nader or otherwise!
Theres going to be a lot of egg of everyone faces who actually think McCain is the nominee.
There have been no polls in hardly any of the super tuesday states.
McCain is going to be the nominee. He's even scheduled a campaign stop in Massachusetts which was thought to be unwinnable just a week ago. Momentum and the national polls have swung strongly in his favor.
I voted early in the Florida primary. Find out who and why.
Wasn't he born in Cuba? Lieberman, Rell, KBH, and Crist are too liberal. He doesn't need military in Tommy Franks. With Hunter and Huckabee, the free trade supply siders would have a fit. He hates Romney, and probably hates Steve King, and he's too stubborn to pick one of them. I don't think he'll pick FDT because they're friends and he didn't endorse so that's like a stab in the back.
I like Thune, Pawlenty, Sanford, and Portman. Among people you didn't list, I like Brownback (who endorsed when McCain was in 4th place!), Governor Carcieri of Rhode Island (Washington Post's The Fix wrote about him the other day and he's very impressive), and J.C. Watts.
I asked McCain about what he was looking for in a VP. He has said before he would like someone with a strength in economics. To me, he mentioned that it was not about winning EVs but rather a person who could serve as President.
I think that leads to a shortlist of Jeb, Sanford, Pawlenty and Phil Gramm.
______________________________________
Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
he chooses one of those four. He would also have my vote with a choice of Thompson, Romney or Hunter.
He will likely lose my vote (I'll skip voting for President) if he chooses Lindsay (called me a racist) Graham or Mike (conniving weasel) Huckabee.
The smartest choice would be Romney because he picks up a lot of voters who McCain loses and he is currently running second, but McCain's vindictive nature probably makes that a moot point.
I think Romney would be a bad choice for a lot of reasons, but I'll avoid those because it's easier to just say that he won't choose someone he does not like and trust.
I cannot see him choosing Graham.
Huckabee, however, is a possibility. He adds more than Romney does to the McCain coalition. I'm not a Huck fan, but his strength among evangelicals could be very helpful to McCain. He wouldn't be my choice, but he probably is on any long short list.
______________________________________
Donate to the Rs in Close Senate Races through Slatecard
If McCain chooses Huckabee or Lindsay Graham I think he puts a lot of currently red western states into play for the Democrats. I think you underestimate the disdain we have for Huckabee. McCain will carry the evangelical vote without Huckabee. He will lose the general election with him. It would be the final straw for too many voters.
Romney has exerience in the business and in government. He raised fees rather than taxes. He has no bones in his closet. He has been able to improve every venture with which he has been associated. He has put his own money into his campaign, something no other candidate is willing to do this time.
Huckabee has experience in government. He raised taxes. He preaches populism and the two Americas of John Edwards. He has major bones in his closet for the Democrats to exploit. He took the governor's mansion furniture with him when he completed his terms in office. He registered for wedding gifts so people could send their thanks when he finished as governor. He pardoned and commuted the sentences of so many criminals that it would make Bill Clinton blush. He tried his best to make religion a political issue when all the other candidates were trying their best to keep it a separate issue.
I think Lindsay Graham is more of a possibility than you. He would be a nightmare choice.
If McCain is our nominee I want him to win. A good VP choice could make the difference. A poor choice could doom us.
The VPOTUS selection should be a uniter. I know that McCain will consider him, but I hope he realizes what I have about him.
C'mon, you want to give me nightmares?
========
Considering where the good doctor's head was, when practicing medicine, is it any wonder that the man has issues?
if Huckabee is not on the ticket. I WILL NOT vote for Huckabee. No way, no how.
FredHead for Mitt Romney!
oh wait! I would have to murder someone to get a pardon, wouldn't I?
========
Considering where the good doctor's head was, when practicing medicine, is it any wonder that the man has issues?
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
But if I were you, I'd be very careful with any statement like that. You'll find yourself having a long talk with some Secret Service folks.
OK, here is how it works. Lord Vegas says he needs to murder some one to get a huckabuck pardon. OK, so McCain picks the huckster to be VP obviously trying to assuage both the So-con and Ex-con communities. So if Lord Vegas murders McCain, the huckster gets to be Pres and can grant a pardon. See, like all humor, it isn't very funny when it has to be explained to the funnybone challenged.
So, I don't think the SS needs to worry about me. Father Time, on the otherhand, is probably a real threat to the McCodger.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Adds nothing other than one liners to the ticket. We're going to win the South. McCain is pro-life. He needs someone that Wall Street likes. My choices were Brownback, Carcieri, and Watts. Supply siders would love those guys. Also, Adam C picked Jeb, Sanford, Pawlenty, and Gramm. Wall Street would approve of those guys as well.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
and particularly if McCain broke the Harrison record.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Is either Pawlenty or Sanford.
I think Fred or Romney would be smart for several reasons but I don't see it.
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
he was not born a US citizen, so like Ahh-nuld, he cannot be VP or P.
I think the list is this (in order): Pawlenty, Tom Ridge, Sanford, Huckabee.
___________________________________
Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
I'm kind of hoping for Eric Cantor, especially if Obama is the Dem pick - he's jewish and I'd really rather not see two WASPs on the ticket. He'll satisfy conservatives and should give jewish voters who are uncomfortable with Obama a reason to cross over.
I also would be happy with Linda Lingle - not that the 4 EV's of Hawaii are worth much or even guaranteed, but I think she'd be a good pick though perhaps too moderate for some.
My guess is Pawlenty, though. McCain values loyalty, he may will bring in a couple of Midwestern states and the convention is in his state.
McCain needs to pick a young, vibrant, conservative, and it won't hurt if they can bring a state to McCain.
I really would love Pawlenty to be chosen! I really like the fact he has been tried and tested, comes from blue state (although I doubt Minn at the end would vote for McCain) and comes off very well on TV
Is Pawlenty Catholic? He looks like he has some Italian in him? Anyone know?
For any potential VP spot. I think he would be a fantastic pick. On every "coservative o'meter" I have ever taken, I come up about as conservative as they get. On every "08 candidate o'meter" despite my supporting Thompson, he almost always came out #2 behind Duncan Hunter.
If you want to placate to conservatives, Duncan Hunter is a great choice.
Martinez is not eligible, but might be worth looking for another Hispanic who is American born, maybe Alberto Gonzalez? Just kidding...
I think Huckabee is a likely pick. Thoughout my time supporting Fred, I always said I would support the nominee, evern if I didn't love him. Huckabee would be fine for now. With social conservative issues being a big part of Supreme Court focus, Huckabee would solidify good SC picks.
Is Guiliani not a possibility?
Would love Thompson, but agree, McCain is too old to pick another old-timer. Only positive is appeal to conservatives and southerners.
Also, please get off your pity pots "McCain haters." The idea that saving the party is more important than protecting the SC is nuts. America and the party will survive a McCain Presidency, it will not survived the appointment of 2 or 3 young liberal SC judges.
"Now is not time for the philosophical flexibility of our principles." Fred Dalton Thompson
Jason in NorCal
McCain should go with Condi.
Takes the "First Woman" card away from the Democrats, takes the "First person of color" away too.
Condi is used to working with big egos, is a master of the Washington insider battle ground, and would like US foreign policy to the current Administration.
Before someone points out that McCain nominating Condi will annoy social conservaties, fine they don't support him anyway, might as well really blow up that bridge.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
well, technically my human master has been singing -- but you get my meaning.
========
Considering where the good doctor's head was, when practicing medicine, is it any wonder that the man has issues?
picks the right judges.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
game
You know better, why the pretense?
The subtext in about 90 percent of the "I won't vote for McCain", the remaining 10 percent being RomenyBots, is that those posting this sort of screed know McCain will not veto things like the HLA or any number of other uber social conservative agenda items, but he's not going to go out of his way to work for them. McCain will return to the ways of Reagan, supporting the cause but not leading the charge.
You won't see a President McCain coming back from a vacation in Phoenix to sign some dubious piece of legislation to put the Federal government in the middle of a family affair in Florida. You won't see a President McCain only finding his veto pen when a bill on stem cell research cross his desk, and I'm not sure he would veto similar legislation in the future.
McCain represents a return to not legislating morality at the Federal level, and "my friend" that alone annoys the uber social conservatives to no end.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
of the So Baptists. See the exit polls of late. Little secret: Huck's people would go more for McCain that Mitt!
McCain will sweep the South. He needs help with fi-cons much more that with so-cons given his global warming conversion.
The "uber" so-cons are miniscule and shrink to invisibility as Hill or Obama come into focus.
Its the courts man.
I would say Pawlenty helps McCain most. Or Watts or Rice in that order.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
game
You make a good point about the SBC support coming to McCain, but I suspect that's a much unease on their part with the LDS faith as anything else.
But the uber social conservatives in the same way the uber Tancredo folks are not about compromise or realizing that a partial victory is better than a sharp stick in the eye. Sadly many uber believers on any of these issues are not interested in moving incrementally towards their goals, they want what they want and they want it NOW. McCain will not please them one dot.
On your point about the courts, it's not about qualified judges who will as Justice Roberts put it, be neutral umpires, it's about nominating Judges who will legislate from the bench, just in a rightward direction as counter to the Leftward direction.
I remember reading on this very site many criticisms of Justice Roberts when he was nominated, not being a staunch enough conservative etc. etc., so just goes to show how silly people can be when they are less concerned about justice and more about outcome of the judicial process.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
What does religion have to do with picking a President or VP?
Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
to McCain.
What do you have to do with this discussion?
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
game
Land is showing if nothing else a grasp of the reality of being for someone instead of just sitting on the sidelines.
After all, McCain just might win the Presidency and where would the good Dr. Land be? Smart...very smart even if he does not agree 100 percent with McCain, and never forget the power of missionary work with the already partially converted.
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
I've been kind of out of the commission. Picking another strong security person as VP is hardly a bad move, and like you said, really no SoCon issue for McCain. He did win SC after all.
"Now is not time for the philosophical flexibility of our principles." Fred Dalton Thompson
Jason in NorCal
Remember the Shays-Meehan House version of McCain-Feingold? Shays and McCain are perfect for each other.
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.
: rolls eyes :
Do you actually expect someone to buy an argument this stupid?
Because if you do, you really should get your head examined.
John Bolton for President
"FEAR THE 'STACH!!!"
Pawlenty worries me a little because of the swing state he's from and the fact that he seems nice and doesn't come off as conservative as he is. I'm rooting for McCain to pick Haley Barbour.
Let me guess: "lobbyist?"
HTML Help for Red Staters
"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
What about Sarah Palin??
I think he will and should pick her as his vp.
Arrgghh, I wish there was an 'edit' feature. When I mentioned Huck, I meant 'so-cons'.