Posted on 08/28/2008 2:36:35 PM PDT by Fred
As John McCain prepares to announce his running mate on Friday in Dayton, Ohio, speculation is centering on candidates ranging from a former head of the Winter Olympics to an independent senator as the Arizona lawmaker's choice to help him take on Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the historic fall election.
With the Democrats' convention winding down in Denver, the focus is shifting to the Republicans, who are scheduled begin their nominating convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday. There's a chance the convention could be postponed, however, if Tropical Storm Gustav turns into a hurricane and strikes the Gulf Coast. See full story.
Pawlenty from Minnesota
One name in the mix is Tim Pawlenty, 48, who began his second term as governor of Minnesota in 2006. Pawlenty, who narrowly won reelection, is known as a budget balancer and has supported the increased use of ethanol. Pawlenty was an early supporter of McCain's candidacy but he wouldn't bring extensive experience.
Minnesota has gone Democratic in recent elections, but Pawlenty's close win there throws into question whether he'd have enough home-state support to put the state in the Republican column.
Although Pawlenty pledged in his run for governor to balance the state's budget without raising taxes, his plan included not only reducing funding increases for many state services but raising fees, including in-state college tuition and -- most controversial -- a fee on cigarette sales, which critics charged was just a tax in disguise.
Pawlenty's humble upbringing could help offset McCain's more privileged background. Born in St. Paul, he was one of five children and the first in his family to go to college. His father was a milk truck driver
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
Of these three ... please be Mitt!!!
I have resolved myself to voting for McCain no matter what but if it is Mitt I will stuff envelopes, make phone calls, send money, print up more Mitt is More Man T-Shirts.....whatever it takes to win.
Pawlenty is not RINO material - but he’s no conservative either.
He tried to pass himself as a conservative when he won the GOP endorsement in ‘02 by vowing a “No New Taxes” pledge - which he ended up breaking in many ways. He’s also into the ethanol and “green” crap. He gave a speech a few months back where he told a bunch of GOP activists that we essentially need to “grow up” and change our line of thinking.
In short, I find him to be a smug disingenuous ass.
I truly believe that if Pawlenty runs for Governor in 2 years (pending that he doesn’t end up as VP), he won’t get the GOP endorsement. A lot of activists and delegates are really peeved at him.
Thank you for sharing your preferences without smearing those you feel less enthusiastic toward. I think you make a clear case for each contender. Everyone has an up and down side and in an election all flaws will be revealed. I would rather make the opposition research do their own work against who ever McCain selects as his VP.
Lieberman would be a disastrous choice. Its no so much that he is a liberal or even a moderate, when what we really need is balance on the ticket. It is because he could of given the Republicans back the Senate at any time, and end Harry Reeds control of it with the utterance of these simple words, “I'm changing parties to Republican”. But he has not done so and said he would not do it.
“Of these three ... please be Mitt!!!”
A quick question — if it is Romney, can he use his own money in the campaign without any limitations, even if McCain accepts federal funding?
Given the fact that B.O. has broken his word (for what that’s worth) to go outside the federal system, and has drawn big bucks, Romney’s deep pockets could prove useful - IF he can spend those dollars.
Thanks for the assessment of Pawlenty,I have to agree with it!
I think the best and strongest VP choice would be Palin.
My vote is for Palin, in 4 years she would have the experience to take over as President!
Per Fox this morning it is not Pawlenty, not Romney, and not Huckabee.
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