Hey, I'm with you re: not nominating candidates from ultra-GOP states (unless they have the ability to carry neighboring swing states). I think our optimal presidential ticket for 2008 is Pawlenty-Santorum; Pawlenty can carry MN and probably WI and IA, while Santorum will run strong in PA, OH, WV and could help in NJ. Another good ticket would be Pawlenty-Jeb Bush (if Jeb's brother wasn't the President, Jeb would be our best bet for the Presidency), since Jeb can win us FL's 27 EVs and will help in other states as well. Both Santorum and Jeb are Catholic, too, which could help us with another important swing constituency. (Pawlenty is from a Catholic family but converted to Protestantism, while Jeb is from a Protestant family but converted to Catholicism, so that should keep all our bases covered.)
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER BUSH PRESIDENT.