Posted on 06/04/2007 8:54:37 AM PDT by TheNewPundit
Now that Thompson has wrapped up the GOP nomination, the question on everyone's mind is who he will pick to be his running mate. I know we are still months away from the primaries. I am also aware that Fred hasn't actually announced his bid. But let's be honest, he is going to run and he is going to win. He is the most popular Republican in the race, despite the fact he isn't officially in the race.
The Presidential race is more about popularity than politics. Why do you think the two current front-runners are also the most liberal? Rudy and McCain are popular because of their past. The other candidates don't have the same history. Romney is doing well because he knows marketing, or someone on his team knows marketing. But the rest of the candidates, despite their conservative values, have very low poll numbers. Just don't tell the Ron Paul "truthers" that I said that. Internet polls that allow you to vote 100 times don't count, ok.
Fred is popular, mostly because of his time on the television, which interestingly enough started when he played himself. This led to some great movie rolls, and of course his current roll as a conservative prosecutor. All of this has increased his popularity amongst conservatives and has made him a favorite with conservative pundits and blogs. Some trivia for you, part of his inspiration to run was Dick Wolf, the guy who put together the many Law and Order shows.
So, again, now that he has this thing wrapped up, who will he pick as his running mate? We have seen in the past where the candidate picks a former foe from the primaries. There is some speculation that Fred will pick one of the current candidates. Steve Elliott of grassfire.org is expecting a younger governor, thinking that two senators won't play well in the fight against Barack O'Clinton. This is a very good point, especially given the recent record for senators against governors in the presidential race.
I won't speculate myself, but I will tell you what to look for. Look for polls, transformed into pairing people up with running mates. An example: Would you vote for Hillary/Obama or Thompson/Romney or Thompson/Tancredo?
Fred is running because fictional polls that included himself and Newt put the both of them well above other candidates. Fred played this so that he would know whether or not to actually run. He wanted to be certain that the people were tired of the front-running RINOs. And we are tired of them. Fred will find out who makes the best ticket, and he will start this process very soon.
I'm not sure that he can win it all right now. Republicans are very angry, mostly about amnesty, I mean "Comprehensive Immigration Reform"; I mean amnesty. I don't know if this can be saved, but with his popularity, maybe he is the guy who can do it. The pick for VP will play a very important factor here. The democrats will do the same, we could even see another Clinton/Gore ticket believe it or not. My guess is that it will be Clinton/Obama.
Don't screw it up Fred, the country can't afford it right now.
Gawd, could we, like, wait until he actually wins the nomination?
!Fred/Duncan!
Tancredo or J.C. Watts?
Disclaimer aside... there are several factors that go into this choice, and the weighting of those factors is very likely to change between now and the convention. The generic (i.e., not Thompson-specific) factors I can think of (and all should feel free to add) include, in no particular order:
Now, we're a long way away from this point yet, because we don't know which factors would be most important, but in Thompson's case, the most likely factors from the above list seem to be (again, in no particular order): geographical balance, demographic balance, capable backup, and heir apparent.
Hunter or Brownback. Thompson doesn’t need some overpowering personality that will try to dominate things. And who he chooses will reflect on who he is. He had better pick a real conservative.
Ted Nugent.
J.C. Watts
I like that idea!
We need someone who can carry a Blue State-How about Pawlenty?
I think that the bold choice that maximizes votes is Condi Rice.
Fred is so good that he doesn’t desperately need any particular state or region. But Condi would be a interesting pick for an old southern fella.
Of course, the easy choice is Mitt, because his youth, vigor, and executive experience compensate for Fred’s supposed deficiencies in these areas. (Of course, since those supposed deficiencies are actually being touted by the Mitt crowd, maybe we want to hold off a bit on that!)
If a candidate should pick a VP to compensate for perceived weaknesses (either personally or geographically) it makes sense to wait until one learns what those weaknesses might actually be before making the pick.
He will have to include either a liberal, conservative, ethnic, gender, or “moderate” on his ticket to build bridges.
Since Fred is primarily a conservative, he will have to reach out to a moderate. Any true “conservative” does not accept liberalism as a viable alternative for our nation.
Thompson/Rice would perhaps be a formidable ticket. Rice is a minority, a female, and a moderate. And she has no aspirations (yet) for the presidency. She might be interested in a powerful VP role similar to Cheney’s.
This is the first time I’ve disagreed with you!
I think it would be wise -politically- to stay away from the previous administration - for the general election in particular the country is not going to want reminders.
Zell would be awesome
Somebody young!!! Fred is a great guy but he is getting up there and it would be nice to have a Vice President who has youth on his/her side.
I'm with you on that! :o)
Fred n’ Ted ‘08.
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