Ex-Rep. Rob Portman endorses him today....
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» Endgame? from The Plank Comments (15)
A former member of the House? That would be the weakest vice presidential nomination since Rep. William Miller in 1964. And if the reason is that his budget expertise balances McCain's self-described lack of familiarity with financial issues, that's a net negative, because it simply reinforces the lack at the top of the ticket. Then again, Republicans have a history of nightmarish vice presidential picks -- such as Agnew, Quayle, and, shudder, Cheney. 
I am guessing that it will be Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania, and Secretary of Homeland Security. Take it to the bank.
Awww...and I was hoping McCain would choose Mike Huckabee. Mike Huckabee - Bring on the Rapture 2012!!
I still like Ross's suggestion of Alaska governor Sarah Palin. An current NRA member, former Miss Alaska contestent, she'd steal some media from Obama. And would become first woman Prez if old man McCain died in office.
O' come on it's gonna be Pawlenty, Powell, Thune or Palin
Palin? She took office in January 2007. Having her as his #2 would undercut McCain's argument that Obama is too inexperienced for the presidency. Pawlenty makes sense. Probably wouldn't deliver Minnesoata though.
Not only has Palin only been governor of a small, remote state for a single year, she's attractive and almost 30 years younger than McCain. Do you really think he'd pick a running mate that makes him look like grim death when he's pictured with her? Thune would present a similar problem. As long as the Right wouldn't go crazy, Ridge would make a lot of sense. Pawlenty, Sanford, Hunstman, Crist and Graham would too (as to the last two - again, as long as the Right wouldn't go crazy). But Portman would be a decent pick. He's a solid conservative who's very well liked in DC, in both the Congress and among much of the Bush team, and he should perform well on tv and in the debate. And every spare vote in Ohio helps.
How can McCain run against Bush's overspending if he's on a ticket with Bush's former budget director?
Sarah Palin does not have the proper experience to be vice president. However, I find myself having that same sort of irrational feeling that overwhelms Obama supporters. She's just so great that I wouldn't care about any experience issues. Sarah Palin now please. (Anyways, do you really want to be two white guys running against the black man? How OLD politics versus NEW politics would that be.)
Hello, Marc, commenters- The folks over at Race42008.com had an interesting rumor that it might be Ridge: http://race42008.com/2008/02/26/vice-president-ridge/ My two cents on Portman- He wouldn't bring a lot to the table beyond what he used to represent in Ohio, and while Ohio is the most critical swing state due to Obama's potential weakness in Florida and the experience of 2004- I don't think he'd add enough to justify the inclusion. BTW - if he was hoping to vault onto the short list, I think he's WAY late. The train-is-leaving-the-station endorsements (as Jonathan Martin over at the Politico called them so memorably) started, after McCain won in Florida back on Jan. 29 - nearly a month ago. Endorsing the obvious winner - THREE weeks after his nomination-clinching victories - does not get someone to the table. In contrast, Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota - he not only endorsed McCain early, he stayed with him through the dark days of the summer and fall.
"Who is this guy? Where is he from? Why is he important? What makes this endorsement more important than McCain's other endorsements? And most importantly, how old is he?" Despite only having a political career in the southwest part of Ohio, Portman is a popular figure in his district and well-known throughout the state, and if not selected and then elected veep, he is widely expected to run for governor in 2010... ...which would be substantially easier if he were facing Lee Fisher instead of, say, Vice President Ted Strickland. (My money would still be on Fisher). Portman is a young, intelligent, and charismatic politician. He's probably the future of the Republican Party in Ohio, which has us Democrats cringing -- although right now being a Republican in Ohio is masochistic.
It seems to me Kunich makes more Sense than Portman is Kunich was the bugdet chairmen durning the Balance Bugdet years. But Ridge is also a possible strong choice and quick frankly could swing to McCain if Obama goes overboard witht he Age Card as it a older state as well. Kay Bay makes the most since as a Female running mate but see really wants to be Governor. I think Crist is not need to win FL at this point through it might end the needed to buy ads there and use money elsewhere? Doubling up in the Southwest is also not the worst Idea if Bill Owens did not blow up at the end of his last term (through if he did not he could very well be the Nom.)
Paul, I think you mean John Kasich of Ohio. I also think he would make a strong Veep for McCain, but don't know how close they are personally. Ridge and McCain appear to be buddies. I don't know who would be the stronger vote-getter.
Portman for VP is insane. Look at question 13 of the recent Quinnipiac poll: He does not even help McCain in SW Ohio let alone the entire State.
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Who is this guy? Where is he from? Why is he important? What makes this endorsement more important than McCain's other endorsements? And most importantly, how old is he?
These are probably easy questions for people who collect Congresscritter trading cards, but sadly, my mom threw my set away. So for those of us who aren't so enlightened ... context?
Posted by Jeff Larson | February 26, 2008 11:09 AM