McCain To Name Veep Czar Soon

Soon, perhaps as early as next week, Sen. McCain will name a senior figure to coordinate his search for a vice presidential candidate, according to two Republican officials.

Mum's the word from the McCain campaign. "We'll let everyone know when we have an announcement to make," says communications director Jill Hazelbaker.

Now, on this blog you will only find informed speculation, and two new names floated by Quin Hillyer qualify: ex-Rep/SEC chair: Chris Cox and ex-Rep. John Kasich.

Also today: the RNC will announce the addition of a quartet of McCain loyalists, including ex-Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who will chair the Victory committee, Lew Eisenberg, the Victory Finance chair, Frank Donatelli, who will be McCain's political eyes, ears and hands and have the title as deputy chair, and Mike DuHaime, who will be a consultant to the RNC on strategy and vote-getting-out.

Comments

It would be nuts for McCain to not pick Crist. Battleground state instantly off the table, plus executive experience.

Posted by justinb | March 7, 2008 12:15 PM

It would be nuts for McCain to not pick Crist.

serious question: aren't there rumors that Crist is closeted? I don't care either way (though it would be a shame if he has to deny who he is), but seems like it could be a problem for a GOP ticket with mccain at the top.

Posted by karl | March 7, 2008 12:19 PM

Didn't DuHaime work for Rudy? He knows how to pick winners.

Posted by Joe Klein's conscience | March 7, 2008 12:26 PM

Hillary continues to offer high praise of John McCain's foreign policy experience, claiming they both have crossed a similar "Command-in-Chief" threshold and would prefer to see McCain as president over Obama. Since she obviously feels more aligned and friendly to McCain, she should offer herself as his VP running mate. With her endorsement of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, this would put McCain back in the good graces of the Conservative fold and it solves the Democratic primary situation.

Posted by desNotes | March 7, 2008 12:26 PM

desNotes,

You beat me to it!

And the advantage of McCain picking Hillary is that "everybody knows" she's been tested and vetted.

Ha!

Posted by RKA | March 7, 2008 12:46 PM

I haven't heard much about Marc Racicot in awhile. What's he up to?

Posted by Ray Eckhart | March 7, 2008 12:50 PM

May I hmbly suggest Dick Cheney? He did excellent, impartial work when he had this role for President Bush in 2000.

Posted by MrPeabody | March 7, 2008 1:10 PM

I hadn't heard that, but of course that'd remove him from contention. The fundie base already doesn't like McCain much, and they'd rather stay home than put a gay in as VP

Posted by justinb | March 7, 2008 2:34 PM

The other reason that Crist wouldn't be picked is that he's only held a major political office for 2 years (unless you count state attorney general to be a "major office"). Why would McCain handicap his own "experience" argument against Obama by picking a running mate who is himself a relative newbie to major elected office?

Posted by Chris S. | March 7, 2008 2:42 PM

Slightly off topic, but do you think if Barack Obama named Jim Webb as his VP that Webb and McCain would eventually get into a fistfight? Just wondering.

Posted by Jeremy | March 7, 2008 5:42 PM

Wait, isnt' Dick Cheney particularly good at naming VPs?

Posted by Mark | March 7, 2008 10:14 PM

Kasich's the man (or should be). This would be a ticket with superb balance--McCain and his expertise in defense/foreign affairs and Kasich with his deep understanding of economic/budgetary issues. Kasich is also a superb campaigner and would likely deliver many iffy states in the midwest (e.g., Pennsylvania and Ohio). Further, he would become the heir apparent to run in either '12 or '16 for president. He was considered by Dole in '96 and passed over; he was considered by Bush in '00 and passed over--whose going to pull the trigger with this guy ?!

Posted by IllinoisKasichSupporter | March 8, 2008 4:51 PM

"He was considered by Dole in '96 and passed over; he was considered by Bush in '00 and passed over--whose going to pull the trigger with this guy ?!"

Perhaps there is a reason he was passed over twice. I like him, but can you really imagine him Commander in Chief? I think Cox is a great pick...I hope McCain looks at him.

Posted by Joe D. | March 9, 2008 10:52 PM

Kasich is by far the best choice. Balances McCain where McCain is weak -- age, economy, conservative credentials. But also has a nice synergy with McCain in abhoring wasteful spending and being a bit of a maverick willing to work across party lines. Kasich would provide a much needed infusion of youthful energy, yet cannot be painted as inexperienced (certainly has more experience than Obama). The guy is a great campaigner and would help in Ohio and Penn.

I would be fired up about a McCain-Kasich ticket.

Posted by KERNAL | March 10, 2008 10:12 AM

Kasich is by far the best choice. Balances McCain where McCain is weak -- age, economy, conservative credentials. But also has a nice synergy with McCain in abhoring wasteful spending and being a bit of a maverick willing to work across party lines. Kasich would provide a much needed infusion of youthful energy, yet cannot be painted as inexperienced (certainly has more experience than Obama). The guy is a great campaigner and would help in Ohio and Penn.

I would be fired up about a McCain-Kasich ticket.

Posted by KERNAL | March 10, 2008 10:13 AM

Kasich is by far the best choice. Balances McCain where McCain is weak -- age, economy, conservative credentials. But also has a nice synergy with McCain in abhoring wasteful spending and being a bit of a maverick willing to work across party lines. Kasich would provide a much needed infusion of youthful energy, yet cannot be painted as inexperienced (certainly has more experience than Obama). The guy is a great campaigner and would help in Ohio and Penn.

I would be fired up about a McCain-Kasich ticket.

Posted by KERNAL | March 10, 2008 10:13 AM

Christopher Cox is an absolute best choice.

Posted by Tom | March 10, 2008 1:25 PM

I'm a big fan of John Kasich. I worked on Capitol Hill for several years in the 1990's. Kasich was well respected and had a great reputation. I Sat next to Kasich on a flight from DC to Columbus once. We talked sports the entire flight without ever mentioning politics. He is the genuine article. An idea man, a doer, would be a fantastic president.

Only fear is the dark shadow that may hide some undisclosed past.

As a Floridian, and someone who knows Charlie Crist, he is a lightweight. Nice guy, good campaigner, but not built for the big show.

Posted by Robert in Ocala | March 10, 2008 4:13 PM

The race will come down to
Ohio,Florida,Missouri and Pennsylvania.
No Republican has ever won without Ohio.
Ohio,Ohio,Ohio is clearly the key,
denying the Democrats Ohio is critical,
he would be wise to pick John Kasich or
Rob Portman,if he truly wants to win.
John Kasich is better known,
is a true fighter for the underdog
(something Clinton is trying to
convince voters she is),
expert on the Budget as past
House Budget Chair(John McCain needs
someone who knows the Economy is balance
him),has Pennsylvania roots,etc....

Posted by Martin | March 12, 2008 2:22 PM

John Kasich. No question about it.

Posted by Karen Funk Sellars | June 10, 2008 8:12 AM

Christopher Cox is the best male choice.
If the circumstance is such that a female
chioce is needed to "wow" I am not sure there is a
GOP gal out there.

Posted by Duncan | June 13, 2008 12:44 AM

John Kasich is my pick. Youth (56), experience in Congress, "compassionate conservative", there's no one else that can complement Senator McCain like the man from Westerville, Ohio and he can deliver that state.

If any of McCain's people read this - tell the boss - it's a winning ticket!

Posted by Vox Populi | June 21, 2008 4:06 PM