[fieldmarshaldj]

I would've been surprised had Bush gone with neighboring Governor Keating, of whom would've brought no added regional appeal to the ticket (much like why Reagan dismissed the excellent Paul Laxalt, largely because he believed 2 westerners from neighbor states was not a good idea -- then, of course, the supposed curse of having 2 people on the ticket from the same region was destroyed by Clinton-Gore).

Dubya's original choice was to have been pro-abort Catholic PA Gov. Tom Ridge, but his position doomed him. It's unfortunate about the gift-giving with regard to Keating. Even if legal and cleared, it's how it looks that is the problem.

[Torie]

It not only looks wrong, it IS wrong. Taking gifts of that magnitude just doesn't cut it. He got them, because of his position. The guy lacks character, and I would not vote for him.

A good litmus test for anything politicians do, is if it is disclosed to the media, would I be embarrassed? Far to many ignore that test, and those who do, should be defeated when caught - all of them, always.

On this one, I am an Old Testament hard ass, and I don't forgive or forget.