McCain Veepstakes

Just to be irritating, here's a list of potential vice presidents for John McCain. Some of the names are based on informed speculation about who McCain likes and what he wants to see in a ticket-mate; others are just guesses.

Are they in any particular order? Maybe...

1. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
2. Gov. John Huntsman (R-UT)
3. Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
4. Ex-Sen. Fred Thompson
5. Ex-Sen. George Allen
6. Gov. Bobby Jindall (R-LA)
7. Mike Huckabee
8. Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL)
9. Mitt Romney

Who else?

Comments

Mark Sanford

Posted by Mike | February 8, 2008 11:02 AM

newt Gingrich

Posted by pt | February 8, 2008 11:03 AM

If Obama's the nominee, and given the demonstrated trouble he's had getting Hispanic votes, I wonder if Mel Martinez would be in contention. Doesn't hurt that he's also from Florida and was a pre-primary McCain backer.

Another savvy political possibility, against either Obama or Clinton, might be Condi Rice.

And over at TNR, Marty Peretz is pushing the possibility of a McCain-Lieberman ticket.

Posted by John Z. | February 8, 2008 11:04 AM

Joe Lieberman

Posted by DS | February 8, 2008 11:05 AM

No way Pawlenty is getting it after he couldn't carry Minnesota for McCain. He hates Romney. And I'm not sure the electoral votes of Utah or South Dakota are much at play. Allen's been tainted by the Macaca scandal. Thompson's too old. That leaves three on your list--Jindall, Huckabee and Crist. I think there are other potentials not on your list--but I'd argue the Veep will be an youngish economic wiz with conservative bona fides from a state that's relatively up for grabs. I'd have to put Crist as the overwhelming favorite though.

Posted by anon | February 8, 2008 11:06 AM

Assuming the Republicans need Florida, why wouldn't Crist be the strongest VP candidate? From my limited exposure, he appears popular, moderate, executive experience.

I'm genuinely interested what weaknesses he has, because --as an Obama supporter who hopes Florida will be in play whichever Democrat gets the nomination -- Crist is the only one on the list that worries me.

Posted by Ryan S | February 8, 2008 11:08 AM

Why isn't Lindsay Graham on that list?

Also, there are rumors that Crist is gay.

Posted by KathyF | February 8, 2008 11:12 AM

John Z, Martinez is born in Cuba and is thus not eligible for the Vice Presidency. Anyway, if Obama's the Dem nominee, I think Florida actually becomes solidly red.

I think Tom Coburn and Lindsay Graham have to be on the list, and potentially Giuliani as well.

Posted by right | February 8, 2008 11:12 AM

Fred Thompson? Are they running for President and Vice President of Boca Bay Retirement Community?

Posted by Joe Hartzell | February 8, 2008 11:13 AM

Linda Lingle, Republican Governor of Hawaii.

Posted by Chris R. | February 8, 2008 11:15 AM

Sarah Palin, AK Gov.
Sen. Jim Demint, SC
Bob Portman, Ohio

If McCain continues his seeming never-ending appetite for political risk, look for Sen. Susan Collins, Maine.

Anon, MN was a caucus state, with a very small turnout. Romney showed a lot of strength last Tuesday in the caucus states, and got spanked in the primary. MN has been trending from bright blue to purple over the last several cycles, and Pawlenty on the ticket could tip the balance.

Posted by Adam | February 8, 2008 11:17 AM

George Allen? Is that a joke?

Posted by evie | February 8, 2008 11:26 AM

If we dems are dumb enough to nominate Hillary and Obama does the right thing and doesn't accept VP, the smartest thing for McCain to do would be to pick Condi Rice as his VP. Given how upset black voters would be if Hillary uses superdelegates to screw Obama, Mccain could ensure that these voters don't turn out for dems like they need to to win states like PA and OH by picking Condi as his runningmate.

That ticket would be vulnerable on the Iraq issue against an Obama, but since Hillary has been on all sides of the issue and the war is out of the headlines, it might not really matter.

Posted by RKA | February 8, 2008 11:29 AM

This shows the disconnect. As a Democrat I would think Pawlenty would be a strong running mate. But the Republican CW seems to be not so much. Crist just got into office and I can't see him leaving. I at least see rationales for Huntsman or Thune. I understand he needs to shore up his conservative base but Demint and Coburn are a little out there. And really 2 Senators on a ticket makes little sense to me. I see Huckabee more as a fallback.

Posted by Ben | February 8, 2008 11:32 AM

4. Ex-Sen. Fred Thompson

Too old.

5. Ex-Sen. George Allen

Too racist.

6. Gov. Bobby Jindall (R-LA)

Not racist enough.

8. Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL)

Yeah, right.

Picking Allen for VP would be fantastic news.

Posted by Gabriel | February 8, 2008 11:32 AM

Haley Barbour

Posted by jsh | February 8, 2008 11:38 AM

McCain's VP will be: Dr. Condi Rice

Posted by ali | February 8, 2008 11:40 AM

A McCain-Allen ticket would be fabulous.
IhatetheGooks-Macaca for President !

Posted by Benjamin | February 8, 2008 11:40 AM

McCain's VP will be: Dr. Condi Rice

A brilliant move. He can win over the Republican base by naming a black woman, and win over independents by ensuring continuity with the foreign policy decisions of the Bush administration. It can't fail!

Posted by Gabriel | February 8, 2008 11:43 AM

Lingle would be inspiring if McCain wants a pro-choice, pro-defense popular 2-term Gov, who is Jewish. To go at the independent vote. Of course, many of Pastor Huckleberry's friends would be infuriated with such a candidate. Think they detested a Mormon?

Other choices:

1. Michael Bloomberg.
2. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
3. Sen. Susan Collins.
4. Reaching across the aisle to get a moderate Centrist Democrat to risk their career and run as his VP. Ken Salazar, Harold Ford Jr come to mind.
5. Finding a smooth, politically slick, and appealing Hispanic general or admiral to run.
6. Going for broke and running the best Republican out there, with solid Hispanic ties and true crisis leadership abilities - whose own chances of becoming President in his own right were destroyed by his inept brother. Who is ready to be President if McCain's age and health risks take him out in his term.
Jeb Bush.
7. Play it safe and go with Terry Sanford, who comes from a "lock" state.

Posted by chris ford | February 8, 2008 11:43 AM

Joe Lieberman, Bill Weld, Richard Lugar?

Posted by Sanjay | February 8, 2008 11:43 AM

Rob Portman?

Seems like they'd have to consider somebody from Ohio, right?

Posted by Woo | February 8, 2008 11:45 AM

The problem with Jim DeMint (mentioned above) is that while running for the Senate in '04, he said single mothers shouldn't be teachers no more than gays should be teachers. Don't think that's going to work well in swing states.

The problem with Haley Barbour is that while running for election, he often linked his opponent, Ronnie Musgrove with the African-American Lt. Governor candidate Barbara Blackmun. He'd basically say "You can vote for me and Amy Tuck, or Ronnie and Barbara BLLAAACKKKKmun." We won't even get into George Allen.

I think Crist, Pallin, Jindal, or Lingle would be his best bets. A McCain/Thompson vs. Obama/Webb or Hillary/Richardson... Matlock vs. American Idol.

Posted by Chris R. | February 8, 2008 11:46 AM

Chris, I don't think Jeb would ever accept VP, and his tacit support for Romney in the Florida primary probably killed any chance that McCain would offer it to him.

Posted by right | February 8, 2008 11:47 AM

Hello, Marc, commenters-

My two cents on Marc's list (as he lists them). I'll note that there are standard ticket-balancing principles involved. McCain is old, from the Southwest, and has been in the Senate (and before that, the House) for a quarter of a century. Accordingly, it would be desirable to find a VP who offset some of those factors.

1. Tim Pawlenty

- endorsed McCain early.
- young, from a potential swing state (Minnesota will be in play w/ McCain as the nominee, even though no Republican has carried it since 1972).
- a governor w/ no DC experience.

2. Huntsman

- Although Huntsman is a governor, he's not only from the West but from the most Republican state in the country. Can't imagine why he'd be on it.

3. Thune - same as 2), but w/ the added negative of also being from the Senate.

4. Fred - has been friends w/ McCain for a long time, and was his national co-chair in 2000. As he is a favorite of the conservative establishment, is personable, and could shore up Southern support, he'd be on the short list. The real question would be whether his decision to run against McCain might have doomed him.

5. Crist

Crist is governor of the most important swing state, Florida. His support of McCain the weekend prior to the primary may have vaulted him over Mitt. However, it might look too much like a smoke-filled room deal to put him on the ticket.

6. Jindal

Would be a daring choice, and would balance the ticket well. But it's a tough row to hoe, pitching that Jindal is sufficiently old and experienced to serve as VP.

7) Huck

The smart money says it's Huck - I'm not sure I agree, but he would not only balance the ticket but probably bring along his base. Plus, in a race against HRC, he might hold Arkansas.

Candidates with an absolute zero chance of being on the ticket (at least to me):

Mitt, George Allen.

Posted by ElectionNightHQ.com (McCain site) Publisher | February 8, 2008 11:47 AM

let's think outside the box

Fred Smith, founder and CEO of FedEX

he's a war hero, a southerner, founder of one of the most recognizable and
successful companies in the world, and a McCain national co-chair

He could bring economic credibility to the ticket and set the tone for an
administration that would bring the most talented people in America and
Washington outsiders into public service

Posted by bobby | February 8, 2008 11:47 AM

Bob Dole? He was jerry ford's veep in 1976 & is from the mccain-ford-dole wing of the party...

Posted by Voice Of Humour | February 8, 2008 11:51 AM

I LOVE the Bob Dole argument. That would just be comic gold.

I think he'll need to shore up his weakness on the economy. He'll need someone who can clearly be identified as good for the economy. Which means that he can't use any Republicans in Washington from 2001-2007.

Hmmmm...

Posted by Chris | February 8, 2008 12:01 PM

FWIW - the post on my site on the speculation:

http://blog.electionnighthq.com/2008/02/08/the-atlantics-ambinder-mccain-veepstakes/

Posted by ElectionNightHQ.com (McCain site) Publisher | February 8, 2008 12:02 PM

How 'bout Keyes??? Alan Keyes would be a bold & dynamic choice!

Posted by Chauncey Gardener | February 8, 2008 12:11 PM

The man constantly at McCain's side in recent weeks: Lindsay Graham. He's a true conservative, acceptable to the religious right, speaks with a reasoned voice, is from a southern state, and is young (which serves as a nice balance to an aging McCain).

Posted by Andy | February 8, 2008 12:14 PM

Here's who would be on my short list if I were Senator McCain: (in no particular order)

-Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
-Secretary Condoleeza Rice
-Governor Charlie Crist
-Governor Mike Huckabee
-Governor Haley Barbour
-Governor Jeb Bush

and, just for fun,

Governor Sara Palin.

If I had to draw up a *really* short list, it would probably be Barbour, Huckabee and Hutchinson.

Posted by Atlanta Dem | February 8, 2008 12:17 PM

We Democrats tend to think the VP slot needs to balance the ticket demographically and geographically. That would be why Rice or Martinez make sense to us. But if you look at the GOP in the past few cycles, the VP slot on their side is to provide a political, ideological and cultural emissary to the far right (Quayle, Kemp, even Bush needed to show his nutwing bona fides in picking Cheney).

Point being, its gonna be Huckabee.

Posted by gus | February 8, 2008 12:23 PM

Picking Huckabee as VP would send independents from McCain to the democrats in a NY minute.

My pick: Colin Powell; if he would take it!

Posted by KJS | February 8, 2008 12:25 PM

Everyone who mentions Sen. Mel Martinez should remember that, since he was born in Cuba, he is ineligible to serve as Vice President.

Posted by CG4ET | February 8, 2008 12:28 PM

Rudy Giuliani should be on the list

Posted by DD | February 8, 2008 12:51 PM

Rudy Giuliani should be on the list

Posted by DD | February 8, 2008 12:52 PM

KJS- Colin Powell would be unacceptable to the Republican base because of his moderate stance on a number of social issues, including reproductive freedom and gay rights. He'd be a much smarter veep choice for the dems.

Posted by Atlanta Dem | February 8, 2008 12:57 PM

Except for the age problem, Colin powell would be amazing, especially against Obama.

he is so well respected across the middle...they would be a powerful team!

Posted by Brett S | February 8, 2008 12:59 PM

Chauncey Gardener: LOL...yes it would be!

Posted by Joko | February 8, 2008 1:04 PM

Mike Pence. Appeases conservatives and grooms him for the future...plus he's the best speaker in the Republican Party

Posted by RD | February 8, 2008 1:16 PM

I think whoever it is has to seem presidential in his or her own right. He's old and the electorate will be looking at the VP as a possible midterm replacement. Just ask Chuck Norris. By that measure, Thompson is too old, Giuliani too crazy, Huckabee too much of a lightweight and a lot of the others too obscure. Any woman would have to be a bad-ass or the move will smack too much as me-too-ism. Condi? Please. She's damaged goods. Do you really want the press to go digging into just how lousy she was in the Bush administration? It should be a governor. If McCain's smart, it'll be a reasonably moderate one. If he's too worried about the base, he could hurt himself by going with a Huckabee, who appeals only to the base. Pick Huckabee!

Posted by NHCt | February 8, 2008 1:20 PM

JC Watts

Posted by Joel | February 8, 2008 1:27 PM

My god, people here are clueless. Crist is gay. Not going to happen. Too bad...an FL gov would be great.

Huntsman and Thune are good, I could also see Frank Keating as a fine choice.

Of course, there isn't a Republican in the country that could compensate for a HRC/Obama or Obama/___ ticket.

Posted by Jack Boot | February 8, 2008 1:30 PM

Crist? Give me a break.

Just imagine McCain picks Crist and someone outs him. Repubs will have a liberal and a single guy with questionable sexuality on the same ticket??

Allen is too "Macaca".

Huck is not liked by the base either.

Posted by Tim | February 8, 2008 1:35 PM

Gen. Petraeus.

Posted by John Shreffler | February 8, 2008 1:37 PM

I think it will be Pawlenty, despite the fact that he's barely won in his two races. He's young, a governor, and from a state that has been more and more up for grabs this decade.

Posted by Paleo | February 8, 2008 1:41 PM

Huckabee: Bring on the Rapture 2012!!

Posted by James Dobson | February 8, 2008 1:42 PM

Mel Martinez? Would be a wise choice only in Obama is the nominee, as Obama's already weak with Latino voters. And Martinez can get Florida.

Posted by John | February 8, 2008 1:45 PM

Odds are good that it'll be a governor:

Top tier
Gov. Mark Sanford (SC)
Gov. Haley Barbour (MS)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (MN)
Gov. Charlie Crist (FL)

Long shots
Gov. John Huntsman (UT)
Mike Huckabee
George Allen

Posted by Matt | February 8, 2008 1:45 PM

Carly Fiorina. She has as good a business background as anyone can have, she is young enough to run in 2016, she has the tough-as-nails Thatcher approach that conservatives seem to like in a lady, she has been fully behind McCain since 2006 and, while some may see it as a negative that she has no political experience, many more may see her as untainted by politics.

Also, if Obama is the nominee it strikes me as wise to offer millions of dejected women voters, denied their first real shot at nominating a woman, a not-so-subtle plan B.

-Ben

Posted by Ben | February 8, 2008 1:46 PM

Mark Sanford
John Kasich

Posted by Chris S. | February 8, 2008 1:46 PM

Both Crist and Lindsey Graham are closeted homosexuals -- facts well known in their respective states. I hope McCain picks one of them! It will blow the conservatives little brains.

Posted by Teresa | February 8, 2008 1:56 PM

I'm leaning towards Mark Sanford or Tim Pawlenty.

Tom Coburn would be a good choice but don't know that another Senator would be a good idea.

I would love to see him consider J.C. Watts or Michael Steele. When do you think he'll announce his choice?

Posted by Caroline | February 8, 2008 1:58 PM

I'm leaning towards Mark Sanford or Tim Pawlenty.

Tom Coburn would be a good choice but don't know that another Senator would be a good idea.

I would love to see him consider J.C. Watts or Michael Steele. When do you think he'll announce his choice?

Posted by Caroline | February 8, 2008 1:58 PM

I wouldn't mind being the creamy center in a Crist Graham sandwich! Woooooo!

Posted by Urbane Republican | February 8, 2008 1:59 PM

Frank Keating was a good suggestion. Seconded.

Posted by right | February 8, 2008 2:04 PM

Here's a list that I've cobbled together from this thread and the Calpundit thread. I have removed some unlikely names, like Thompson, Crist, Bush, and Allen per the comments in this thread.

Obama-Clark
-Webb
-Richardson
-Biden
-Dodd
-Warner
-Bayh
-Sebelius
-Graham
-Hart
-Edwards
-Buffett
-Bloomberg
-Hagel

Clinton-Obama
-Richardson
-Clark
-Bayh
-Strickland
-Edwards
-Warner

McCain-Petraeus
-Liebermann
-Hagel
-Watts
-Coburn
-Graham
-Jindall
-Hutchinson
-Huntsman
-Thune
-Sanford
-Huckabee
-Fred Smith
-Kasich
-Rice

Posted by goethean | February 8, 2008 2:10 PM

Nice Choices, I would throw out Tom Ridge too. I think it will be Crist or Palwently too. My guess he will wait to after March 4 to really start getting down to the choice. If Hillary wins Ohio and Texas and looks like she will inch her way to the Nom then I can see it being Crist. If you take FL out of Play hillary could get gun shy about Obama since Ill is not a state in Play and pick someone from Ohio?

Posted by Paul8148 | February 8, 2008 2:20 PM

Ok, if its not Huckabee, it'll be Jeb Bush. After all, if its Clinton, he's got 35 years of experience and would be ready on day one. Or if its Obama, he's an outsider to the "ways of Washington".

What would the Democrats say, "no you're not really experienced" or "no you're not really an outsider"?

Posted by Gus | February 8, 2008 2:22 PM

Cindy McCain

Why?

Because screw you, that's why.

Posted by Carolina | February 8, 2008 2:30 PM

Frank Keating was a good suggestion. Seconded.
Posted by right | February 8, 2008 2:04 PM

Maybe he could also name three of his cabinet picks and they could call themselves "The Keating Five."

Posted by goethean | February 8, 2008 2:36 PM

Gov. Crist seems the only one of the elected officials you listed who's likely to help McCain win a state he wouldn't likely win otherwise. And, since Florida's such a big state, maybe Crist isn't too bad a choice.

And Allen, altough a proven doofus, is well-liked by the base, so he may be a good choice as well provided they can stanch the macaca eruptions.

Mitt's out. Seems a non-starter all the way.

Huckabee could help him with base (i.e., evangelical) voters, especially in the South.

Fred might do so as well, but McCain's old and Fred's old, too. And we've seen how vigorously Fred campaigns. Probably best to balance the ticket with someone younger who has some energy.

Most of the rest are a bunch of minor senators/reps who probably won't do much to help McCain.

The sleeper: Joe Lieberman. Sure, it would be a play for independents and centrist voters, and it may piss of the base, but strategically it could be interesting.

Someone mentioned Chuck Hagel. Hagel has been critical of Iraq, which McCain strongly supports, so I doubt Hagel will play with McCain.

I also like the suggestion above of Frank Keating.

Posted by Jim | February 8, 2008 2:48 PM

CONDI RICE, of course!

Posted by Howard B. | February 8, 2008 3:48 PM

If McCain has an actual list somewhere, I'm guessing that Mitt comes in somewhere around #135,045,721 -- right behind the Maytag Repairman in Akron, Ohio and a golden retriever named Ralph.

Realistically, I expect him to try to unify the party by picking a cultural conservative who, unlike Huckabee, isn't on the Club for Growth's enemy list. Mark Sanford would seem to fit the bill. If he opts for naked geographic calculation, he'll probably pick Crist or Pawlenty.

If he really wants to flip the bird at movement conservatives and shoot the moon, he'll pick Lieberman. But that is highly unlikely.

Posted by LaFollette Progressive | February 8, 2008 4:00 PM

John Kerry. I mean, what's he been up to?

Posted by Thomas | February 8, 2008 4:11 PM

Carly Fiorina, whose greatest achievement was driving Hewlett-Packard to near-ruin? Unlikely at best.

I hope it's Huckleberry. It'll seem like a smart pick too, given McCain's difficulties with the wingnut, er, wing of the party: but it'll lose him the independents, who he needs more than the wingers (because the independents will otherwise vote for the Democrat and the wingers won't).

Posted by Chip O | February 8, 2008 4:16 PM

It won't be Condi Rice, not in a million years. She won't run, her personal life won't stand close examination, and as SecState she's been... well, a disaster, really.

I like the idea of her as VP, but uh-uh.

Posted by John | February 8, 2008 4:47 PM

Arnold Vinick. He was very strong in the primary against Santos, and would be very good with the base. I'd suggest that Alan Alda actually use the name "Arnold Vinick" to not confuse the base.
Like Thompson and other successful Republicans who have come from TV shows, FOX News, Talk Radio and films, Vinick has a magnetic personality and a large following of committed fantasists. McCain/Vinick. That's the ticket.

Posted by fougasseu | February 8, 2008 6:12 PM

Arnold Vinick. He was very strong in the primary against Santos, and would be very good with the base. I'd suggest that Alan Alda actually use the name "Arnold Vinick" to not confuse the base.
Like Thompson and other successful Republicans who have come from TV shows, FOX News, Talk Radio and films, Vinick has a magnetic personality and a large following of committed fantasists. McCain/Vinick. That's the ticket.

Posted by fougasseu | February 8, 2008 6:13 PM

Bobby Jindal will be able to run for President in his own right once he turns Louisiana around. Doesn't make sense for him to jump the gun by accepting the VP spot in 2008. Not to mention the fact that it wouldn't look good to abandon the governorship so soon after capturing it.

Posted by Adam J. Schmidt | February 8, 2008 6:30 PM

Jindal was just sworn in as governor of Louisiana barely three weeks ago. Isn't it incredibly inconvenient to pick a VP who just got into office like that?

Posted by Quietus | February 8, 2008 6:43 PM

Liberal Jew Independent Bloomberg won't do much for the Republican base...but he does have $5 billion.

Posted by Oberon | February 8, 2008 6:56 PM

It's useless to speculate, because the VP slot has already been offered. The only question is which of 3 men it's been offered to, each plausible:
1) Mike Huckabee
2) Charlie Crist
3) Rudy Giuliani

To which, I would add Schwarzenegger, but it would be unconstitutional. It's clear, however, that each of the above 3 have been promised plenty...it's the only way to make sense of the McCain campaign to date. I suppose Lieberman is also a possibility.

Posted by Dave | February 8, 2008 7:38 PM

Dr. Tom Coburn - a medical doctor , fiscal and social conservative - the Lincoln of our time - will be McCAIN'S VP- Dr. Coburn will fix US Healthcare with his Senate Bill S1019 and heal our eceonomy and deficit while McCAIN DEALS

Posted by CanDoc | February 8, 2008 9:56 PM

McCAIN - COBURN '08 - BEST REPUBLICAN TICKET TO SECURE NATIONAL SECURITY and fix our Economy and defeat Dem's Govt' run socialized unaffordable Healthcare, with Dr. Tom Coburn's Healthcare Plan Senate Bill S1019 - BEST IN AMERICA- I know...REALLY KNOW-..i PRACTICED MEDICINE FOR 10 YEARS IN CANADA..cancer patients on waiting lists-dying unless thry crossed border to get Chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - highest QUALITY of Healthcare in the World...Dr. Tom Coburn - is not a politician - he term limited himself as a congressman and went back to prctice medicine and the won in a Democratic district to win Senate seat and wants the same safe future for his grandchildren that you want for yours and I believe that he is the Lincoln of our time

Posted by CanDoc | February 8, 2008 10:13 PM

I think he'd be smart to pick another person seen as strong on national defense. Colin Powell would be great because of his broad appeal, but I think he'd be a long shot to accept. Condi Rice has some appeal, but I think McCain will try and make the argument that he represents a more competent version of Bush's foreign policy, and Rice may hurt taht argument. So who else is there?
Dick Lugar? Grumpiest Old Men

Someone mentioned Chuck Hagel- it might not be a good idea to have your veep oppose the bedrock of your campaign

Tom Ridge
Gen. Petraeus

In a different direction, Rob Portman may help him offset some of the concerns about his strength on Economic matters.

Posted by Justin | February 9, 2008 2:10 AM

I think he'd be smart to pick another person seen as strong on national defense. Colin Powell would be great because of his broad appeal, but I think he'd be a long shot to accept. Condi Rice has some appeal, but I think McCain will try and make the argument that he represents a more competent version of Bush's foreign policy, and Rice may hurt taht argument. So who else is there?
Dick Lugar? Grumpiest Old Men

Someone mentioned Chuck Hagel- it might not be a good idea to have your veep oppose the bedrock of your campaign

Tom Ridge
Gen. Petraeus

In a different direction, Rob Portman may help him offset some of the concerns about his strength on Economic matters.

Posted by Justin | February 9, 2008 2:10 AM

I think he'd be smart to pick another person seen as strong on national defense. Colin Powell would be great because of his broad appeal, but I think he'd be a long shot to accept. Condi Rice has some appeal, but I think McCain will try and make the argument that he represents a more competent version of Bush's foreign policy, and Rice may hurt taht argument. So who else is there?
Dick Lugar? Grumpiest Old Men

Someone mentioned Chuck Hagel- it might not be a good idea to have your veep oppose the bedrock of your campaign

Tom Ridge
Gen. Petraeus

In a different direction, Rob Portman may help him offset some of the concerns about his strength on Economic matters.

Posted by Justin | February 9, 2008 2:10 AM

Sorry about that.

Posted by Justin | February 9, 2008 2:11 AM

Condi?
She's pro-choice. With socons already concerned about McCain's liberal take on stem cell issues, asking a pro-choice woman to be the Veep, regardless of how qualified she is, would be a terrible move.

Crist?
Personal life questions... fuggetaboudit.

Pawlenty?
He couldn't deliver his homestate in the primaries-- why would McCain choose him for the generals?

Good money's on Huck.
- young
- enthusiastic
- takes away the competition
- decidedly socially conservative
- able to deliver messages well-- GREAT for McCain, who is decidedly WEAK in his speaking abilities.
- able to deliver the Southern base and AR-- a swing state in recent elections

He'd be smart to snatch him up soon.

Posted by Jess @ Making Home | February 9, 2008 12:52 PM

1.23.08: The Wall St. Journal - Watch former congressman John Kasich as a possible GOP VP choice

..."If an Ohio favorite son is a must-have on the Republican ticket, another choice might be John Kasich, the foremer congressman and budge committee chairman from Columbus. Mr. Kasich was on Fox News this past Sunday singing the praises of Mr. McCain, vouching that he is 'conservative enough for Republican voters.' Mr. Kasich is an anti-Big Government crusader who called for the elimination of some 300 federal programs as part of the GOP's Contract with America. He was also one of the first prominent Republicans to take his colleagues in Congress to task for 'not being serious about cutting the budget.'

Mr. Kasich is also a dangling live-wire of snap, crackle and pop energy. He is a Type A personality, bordering on ADD -- and a nonstop crusader for tax and spending reform in Washington. He recently told me: 'I hate that town. I don't miss it a bit.' RNC sources say Mr. Kasich would be a Veep candidate who could neutralize the attacks that liberal Democrates are already launching at John McCain for being too old and tired to serve as president and for being a candidate who can't reach the generation X and Y voters. As one GOP source tells me, Mr. Kasich is, in a lot of ways, a 'Republican version of Barack Obama.'" --1/23/2008 Stephen Moore, The Wall Street Journal

Posted by jrvgop4me | February 9, 2008 12:56 PM

Given McCain's advanced age and documented past ill-health, his choice of a running mate is unusually fraught with risk: the pick must one that the average voter will accept as a real alternative President, not just a theoretical one.

It is a testament to the decline in health of the GOP that few names spring to mind with even determined reflection. Fred Thompson. Perhaps Lamar Alexander, or Colin Powell.

Few persons would be more disastrous than Huckabee. The top reasons are:
A. He is unqualified in the minds of most Republican voters, let alone swing voters. The man has demonstrated again and again he knows less than nothing about any military or foreign issues.
B. He cannot help carry a single state that any Republican candidate wouldn't carry automatically.
C. He was actually drive away hosts of swing voters that McCain might otherwise win over. (Imagine the endless media profile pieces focusing on evolution or jaw-dropping quotes from decades of Huckabee sermons.)
D. To the economically challenged McCain, Huckabee is one of the few Republicans demonstrably ignorant of matters of economics, finance, and taxation (witness his Scientologist developed "Fair Tax" or his irreconcilable love of Wal-Mart voters with his determined disdain of the country - China - that supplies everything sold at Wal-Mart).

Posted by Jim | February 9, 2008 8:24 PM

Bill Owens, Fmr. CO Gov.

Posted by shua nedy | February 9, 2008 11:01 PM

What about Former Congressman J.C. Watts? He's black, young, conservative, former quarterback--very appealing especially if it's Obama for the Dems.

Posted by T | February 9, 2008 11:08 PM

I answered this question in by article at posterspost.

http://posterspost.com/?p=8

Posted by Ken | February 10, 2008 7:19 PM

Christine Whitman - Moderate female Republican. Former governor of New Jersey, a state possibly up for grabs. Former head of EPA, who broke with Bush administration; would appeal to independents.

Posted by Ekim | February 11, 2008 4:35 AM

Gabriel said: "A brilliant move. He can win over the Republican base by naming a black woman, and win over independents by ensuring continuity with the foreign policy decisions of the Bush administration. It can't fail!"

100 trillion points! Hillarious.

Posted by nbpolitico | February 20, 2008 1:50 PM

Whoever thinks Portman is a good pick is insane. Look at question 13 of this Qunnipiac poll:
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1146

He does not even help McCain in SW OH let alone the rest of the state. No one knows or cares who he is.

Posted by BJ | March 3, 2008 8:39 PM

Carly Fiorina? Steve Forbes?

Must be someone with economics experience, real business experience, and has never voted in elected office.

Posted by david | March 5, 2008 8:19 PM

He should definetely pick Rudy Giuliani. It's honestly his best choice. 2 American Heroes on the GOP Ticket? The Democrats would have no chance of winning.

Posted by Tothian | April 3, 2008 5:34 AM

NO Rice and NO Lieberman. Either of the two would prevent me from even considering McCain.
I'm a democrat, one who backs Hillary and plans to vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination. However, if he picks either of those two, I guess I'll just vote for Ralph Nader or something.

Posted by lisa | April 13, 2008 10:05 PM

NO Rice and NO Lieberman. Either of the two would prevent me from even considering McCain.
I'm a democrat, one who backs Hillary and plans to vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination. However, if he picks either of those two, I guess I'll just vote for Ralph Nader or something.

Posted by lisa | April 13, 2008 10:05 PM

NO Rice and NO Lieberman. Either of the two would prevent me from even considering McCain.
I'm a democrat, one who backs Hillary and plans to vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination. However, if he picks either of those two, I guess I'll just vote for Ralph Nader or something.

Posted by lisa | April 13, 2008 10:05 PM

NO Rice and NO Lieberman. Either of the two would prevent me from even considering McCain.
I'm a democrat, one who backs Hillary and plans to vote for McCain if Obama gets the nomination. However, if he picks either of those two, I guess I'll just vote for Ralph Nader or something.

Posted by lisa | April 13, 2008 10:05 PM

Crist and Lindsay Graham are both gay. It's often spoken about here in Washington DC that Graham has a boyfriend and Crist was outed by the owner of a gay bar who he knows who said that Crist is gay.

Posted by vamick | June 3, 2008 8:55 PM