It’s certainly looking like governors dominate the “short list”. I do have to say, though, that I’m skeptical that this meeting is necessarily what the reporter characterizes it as.
I rather doubt Jindal is being seriously considered. Crist and Romney are more likely candidates, but I wouldn’t necessarily put either near the top of the list. Crist doesn’t bring as much to the ticket as many think, and Romney’s personal problems with McCain probably stand in the way of that match. Pawlenty probably is near the top, but he isn’t even going to the meeting.
As for your four, the only one who I think is getting any consideration is Palin. Thompson and Steele aren’t going to happen, and from what I’ve heard, Sanford is no longer being considered. Palin’s problem, of course, is that she’s from Alaska.
As for Huckabee, as much as I’d like to read something into his exclusion from this meeting, I wouldn’t write him off yet. There are some sources close to McCain saying that he’s actually at the top of the list. I certainly hope not, though, since that would be a disaster.
I have a feeling the ticket balancing isn't going to be geographical this time. The Obama/Hillary wars opened up a major rift in the Dems - a lot of women thought there would finally be female nominee this year. Looks like there will not be - and although Obama will be the first minority nominee, women are a majority. Palin on the ticket could well attract a lot of blue dog types. She also bucked the GOP establishment in Alaska (which needed such), so she will appeal to McCain's self-perceived maverick streak.
Throw in the fact that she is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-spending cuts and young enough to counterbalance McCain's age, and I think it has potential.
“Palin’s problem, of course, is that she’s from Alaska”
And a couple of others, as well:
First, she has virtually NO experience, LESS THAN Obama. What does she have to show - other than being female - that would qualify her through judgement and experience to be one heartbeat away from the presidency? Especially with a president McCain’s age?
Secondly (and I realize I may open myself to opprobrium here), she has four children to attend to, including a newborn who is handicapped. How is a mother in this position supposed to still BE a mother, and have the time and energy resources to be president as well? After all, isn’t this a conservative forum, where again and again and again and again I have read about the evils of feminism? And how it is all but impossible for a woman to “have it all?” If that’s the case, how can we expect Ms. Palin to “accomplish it all” as president and young mother at one time?
- John