Armchair Politickin’ Pt 2 - The VP Nod

http://www.nolanchart.com ^ | Sunday, February 10, 2008 | by J Monroe (Libertarian)

[Maelstorm]

Since even Ron has conceded that there will be no brokered convention for the GOP (boo!), we can now move on to discussing who McCain will pick as his running mate. The pundits have been batting around both Thompson and Huckabee as contenders; I think both choices have their pros and cons. Let's discuss them, shall we?

[Maelstorm]

Interesting analysis. I think if McCain chooses someone like Huckabee then he is dead. I'd prefer someone like Tom Coburn but I think Coburn needs to stay in the Senate. I'd be happy with Fred on the Ticket. I think he is probably the best at articulating the differences between Democrats and Republicans and he would shine in debates against them. His and McCain's downside is age. So McCain may want to go with someone younger. McCain has a choice with his VP pick and that is to use it to unite the base behind him.

[GOP Poet]

Fred—definitely or some other solid and predictable true conservative with a long record showing this commitment.

[gbunch]

If McAmnesty picks Fred, or another rock-solid conservative, he MAY have a shot at winning the general. The unspoken hope would then be that McCain either resigns or expires due to health (harsh words but true) giving us the POTUS we desperately need. Maybe then our republic can be saved.

[pallis]

I don’t have a clue who McCain will pick, but if he wants to remain true to his political ideologies he will choose Hillary. He and she share common ground on a number of issues like healthcare reform, amnesty and open borders, environmental reform and elimination of oil exploration by and in the US. Hillary can bring in some of the female voters, independents, moderate Democrats and liberal Republicans while McCain gathers in moderate Republicans, middle leaning independents and a few conservatives. It would be a bold step for McCain, one that exemplifies the direction he wants to take the Republican Party.

[Judges Gone Wild]

You’re too funny. I would hope McCain would pick Duncan Hunter. He’s younger than Thompson, a veteran, and a tough on immigration conservative.

[vharlow]

Fred is only 64, that’s 6 years younger than McCain. His face looks older because he’s tall and lanky. His face has a bulldog strength to it that says “no nonsense” when he’s talking about government, and people tend to listen then. I suspect he would be the best running mate for McCain. Because he is thoughtful and reserved, he might even be a moderating influence on the hothead we now have as the Republican front runner. Who knows....this is all going to be history in just a very short period. I won’t pretend to know what’s best.

[dark_lord]

Kay Bailey is the senior United States Senator from Texas. She would ensure carrying Texas (3rd most electoral vote state.) And she would help in the South.

[dark_lord]

That’s Kay Bailey Hutchison.

[NittanyLion]

From the standpoint of someone who's already thumbed his nose at conservatives, McCain should be trying desperately to convince Colin Powell to become his VP. Tim Pawlenty would be another politically sound choice.

Disclaimer: As a conservative I'm not saying I'd pick either one, but if I shared McCain's views I certainly would.

[America-The-Great-1967]

The dems are a decade away from putting Texas in the blue column.

[Marie2]

He needs:

1. a rock solid conservative

2. that he works well with

3. that will ensure he’ll carry an iffy state

and I think if might help if he gets someone

4. that might help steal some of the dem ticket’s thunder (a black person or hispanic if Hil’s the nominee)

I don’t know who that person is, but that’s how I see it. Like him or not, he’s a smart guy, and I can’t wait to see who he picks.

[Verginius Rufus]

Colin Powell was being interviewed this morning and wouldn’t say who was his preferred candidate. It isn’t clear if he will vote for the Republican nominee. Heck, who knows if he voted for the Republican nominee in 2000 or 2004?

[mirkwood]

[krb]

Texas (3rd most electoral vote state.)

Texas is the 2nd largest electoral vote state. NY is the 3rd.

[Sybeck1]

That’s bad when the GOP needs help carrying Texas.

[Sybeck1]

I would love to see Marsha Blackburn.

[bioprof]

Michael Steele ( Maryland ) or John Boehner ( Ohio ).....

[WillRain]

Who he NEEDS to pick:

if vs. Hillary - JC Watts

if vs. Obama - Mark Sanford, or a similarly young conservative face. a governor would be best but Jess Sessions would also be excellent. Marsha Blackburn would be an intruging choice.

(Watts would be seen as tokenism if Obama were the opponent)

Who would make a good VP but a poor choice for the campaign, either because of elect ability, his past, or his relationship with McCain:

Thompson - “grumpy old men” ticket is too easy for media
Romney - Mormon baggage, personal animosity
Bill Bennett - maybe not best campaigner
Newt - personal baggage
Jack Kemp - recycled, age a factor
Bill Frist - similar senate bagge to McCain (but a possible dark horse)
Rick Santorum - they apparently don’t much like each other :)
Jeb Bush - will make press use the word “dynasty”
George Allen - the whole “macaca” BS is still out there.

Who he WILL pick?

My money is on Pawaltny.