The Veepstakes [Fred Barnes]

Weekly Standard ^ | 3/17/08 | Fred Barnes

[Albion Wilde]

Giuliani was a hero of 9/11 as mayor of New York, and Ridge, a former Pennsylvania governor, was President Bush's first homeland security chief. But both are pro-choice on abortion

That's such a shame. When I met Ridge a thousand years ago in Philadelphia, he was running for governor of Pa, and was a strongly pro-life Catholic. How the mighty have fallen.

[unspun]

More propping up of Romney, by the establishment “conservative” Republicans, who seem to see the world first in terms of money and the preservation of an aristocratic elite.

[unspun]

aristocratic elite

Oops -- a tautological term.

[Rudder]

Damn, guess my favs, Voinovich and Christy Whitman, are out.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Draft Condi :)

Draft Condi :)

[ozaukeemom]

My mom, a staunch conservative actually brought up Condi Rice as a possibility. My mom is pro-life, but considered the weight of Condi on the ticket would be worth it. I have alot of issues with her, but could see her point. She is 67 and petrified of either Obama or Hillary winning and is willing to consider all options.

[ARE SOLE]

Draft Condi :)

You gave got to be kidding. To each his own, but I would never vote for that Hamas and Hezbolla loving dolt.

[The_Republican]

TOM RIDGE

From what I recall, for some completely psychotic reason he came out and announced he was pro-choice, when he had COMFORTABLY won the PA Governorship for the second time and has ALWAYS been considered a top notch VP Candidate. That has always been one of the most curious, perplexing and retarded move ever made by any politician.

He has pretty solid personality too and ONCE he was on Jay Leno and manage to get GENUINE laughs.

HE CAN WIN PA FOR US.

His credentials as FIRST Head of DHS are solid and NO ONE can take us back to the time where we were at after 9/11 and where we are now. He can HAMMER Dems on Security issue. With him and Mac on the ticket, SECURITY ISSUE can NOT be buried by media. By his very role, discussion would have to be about Security.

Winning PA can take away the PAIN of losing OHIO and NEW MEXICO, and perhaps even IOWA. There are over a million Vets in PA. Mac+Ridge can bring it back to Conservative column.

TIME TO FLIP FLOP AND GO BACK TO PRO LIFE STANCE.

CRITERIA:

From Battle Ground State, Young, Good Looking and Dynamic, Ran a Huge State as Governor, First Head of DHS, so MOST QUALIFIED TO STEP IN AS PRESIDENT.

[Matchett-PI]

bttt

[Young Scholar]

Tom Ridge... solid personality... Young, Good Looking and Dynamic...

Are you serious?

[The_Republican]

Yes. He is a GREAT candidate. John Wayne type stature. Will crack in jokes that would leave opponets bloodied. Even campaigning for W, he had the best lines.

Best Experience. Best Credential on Security. Executive of a Huge State. Successful Governor.

He is the Man!!!

[skinkinthegrass]

He has the right idea in mind. McCain thinks three vice presidential picks from the recent past were wise:...Al Gore in 1992....from Fred Barnes...Heaven help us.

Damn, guess my favs, Voinovich and Christy Whitman, are out....Arnoooold, is "pumpin'-up" on the Left coast. *snicker* /s :D

[Albion Wilde]

Young, Good Looking and Dynamic,

Tom Ridge is 63. It's an improvement over McCain, but it's a stretch to say "young."

[The_Republican]

Hillary is 60. He is YOUNG 63. He could kick lots of 53 year old’s butt.

[Mogollon]

Fred is right about Mitt being the smartest pick. Even Ann Coulter said she would vote for a McCain/Romney ticket.

[jonrick46]

I saw Sen. McCain not long ago in Seattle. When McCain spoke to the crowd about Mitt Romney there was some body language happening from him. Words of sincere respect were coming from him. This was just after Romney dropped out of the race. McCain had a talk with him earlier that day. Someone in the audience yelled, “Romney for VEEP!” McCain’s eyes lit up. He said that Romney had given him his total support. I perceived in that instant that Romney was the pick for Vice President.

I am hoping that my perceptions were correct.

[swimdad387]

Absolutely, I've said since CPAC he would be the number one choice, makes all the sense in the world. My guess it was already a done deal when Romney dropped out....perfect choice.

[Roy Tucker]

That’s a good anecdote. I liked Mitt as a candidate and think he is too talented a guy for government to turn its back on, but I think he is the wrong person to be McCain’s running mate.

McCain’s weakness is on the right of the Republican Party (and he deserves every bit of it). I think he needs to pick a conservative to firm up his support. I suggest Fred or Newt Gingrich.

[Herakles]

Tom Ridge; the republican's answer to the “Al Gore” robot and the inventor of the wonderful color coded homeland security threat levels that no one can understand.

Don't get me wrong; a pick could be worst (like a former HP female executive I've heard a rumor about - you know, the one who single handedly torpedoed HP) but Tom is about as exciting as a fly swatting contest.