McCain's VP options-Post Biden

[David]

OK. Let's speculate what the choice of Biden by Obama means to McCain's choice for Veep.

The opportunity to choose last is a true advantage. Obama didn't do anything extraordinary in the pick of Biden. Played it safe. Does this mean McCain swings for the fences or plays it safe?

I think a lot depends on the polls in the next week. McCain won't be able to see the bounce numbers from the Dem convention. He will choose his Veep this Friday after the Messiah's acceptance speech at Invesco Field.

If the polls remain relatively close, it's looking more and more like Mitt Romney. Makes good contrast to Biden. Can give as good as he gets. Safe choice. Pro life.

Dick Morris says this opens a huge door to McCain. Choose a woman. Morris says Kay Bailey Hutchison. NO WAY. Pro choice. Sarah Pallin just way too inexperienced to take on Biden. NO WAY. Who does that leave? Meg Whitman? (CEO E-Bay) ZERO foreign policy experience. Bench is short.

Knowing McCain, I think he's revisiting picking his pals. Lieberman and Tom Ridge. Ridge gains McCain more in Pennsylvania than Biden brings to Obama.

It all comes back to Romney.

[David]

Choice of Bobby Jindal makes some sense. Pro Life Catholic debating pro-abort Catholic. Can Jindal give it right back to Biden? I'm unsure.

[David]

I think this finishes Pawlenty. Too bland and understated to take on Biden. No foreign policy bona fides.

Still screams Romney. More economic bona fides than Biden. Can attack and keep up with Biden. Too photogenic???

Can't McCain find a strong pro life woman? Condi? Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn? No one knows her.SOURCE

[David]

Perfect McCain Veep
Female, Pro Life. Catholic. Good on foreign policy. Good debater.

[David]

KC Star

Solving the McCain VP Conundrum

In less than one week, the electorate will know their respective candidate's choice for vice presidential running mate. Both parties offer an outstanding pool of potential candidates. John McCain must choose a running mate that will not only unite the Republican Party, but will also garner the electoral votes in the swing states as well.

The social conservatives have spoken against the choice of a candidate that is pro-choice. Although Tom Ridge, with his experience in national security, and Joseph Lieberman, with his foreign policy expertise, would be great additions to the ticket, their support of a woman's right to choose would alienate the religious right in the Republican Party. Tom Pawlenty would be a very viable candidate and would add some relative youth and vigor to the ticket. However, Pawlenty is still somewhat unknown on a national level, and his ability to draw support from critical swing states is questionable.

The best choice for John McCain's running mate is former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney. The former presidential candidate and runner-up to McCain would bring some superior economic experience to the ticket. A recent Forbes study showed that the top five of America's fastest dying cities are in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. Three of the top five are in Ohio (Canton, Youngstown, and Dayton). Romney would be an attractive choice for such voters and his familial roots in Michigan would bring the Wolverine State into play for the GOP.

John McCain needs a running mate that would unify the Republican Party and attract the highly coveted independent voters. Some social conservatives may not be very fond of Romney's past views on a number of social issues, but they are likely to remain in the fold as both he and McCain have committed to pro-life values. America needs a Vice-President that could effectively implement a staunch economic policy and would be ready to lead should circumstance warrant it. Mitt Romney is the best candidate with both the professional perspicacity and business acumen to turn around the struggling U.S. economy. America needs Mitt Romney....and so does John McCain.

SOURCE

[pbrauer]

Originally Posted by David

The best choice for John McCain's running mate is former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney.

A Jeopardy Daily Double - the flip-flop twins. Not the best of friends either. Lots of campaign video available of Romney putting McCain in his place.

Pete

[luknikfan]

The GOP VP bench is as short as the GOP Pres bench was short.

[luknikfan]

Originally Posted by pbrauer

A Jeopardy Daily Double - the flip-flop twins. Not the best of friends either. Lots of campaign video available of Romney putting McCain in his place.

Pete

I think Romney is actually a weak choice. A turn off to the middle class blue collar workers and even to growing numbers of mid-level white collar workers who have been hit by outsourcing and off-shoring. Visually Romney is not the image you want to have up there this year. Plus like McCain he is not to be trusted. Will say what is needed when it is needed depending on the situation.

[luknikfan]

Big mistake Obhama not picking Hillary IMO. But doubt McCain and his team will have the foresight to take advantage of it.

This is still obhama's to lose - however, a shrewd VP choice by McCain might make him overnight the odds on favorite to win. A female running mate is a bold and dramatic way to go. But McCain is neither - bold or dramatic - so I won't hold my breath.

[mphare]

I like Sarah Palin

I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman. I am opposed to any expansion of gambling in Alaska.

[David]

I do too Mike.
But, will she be up to a debate with Biden? No foreign policy experience. I don't know how agile she is on her feet. It's not going to happen.

As far as Romney goes agile mind, his flip flops and disagreements with mcCain will make for campaign noise. But, not nearly as damning as Biden's statements on Obama not being ready. The first Bush called supply side economics "voodoo economics" during the primaries. Didn't stop that ticket.

I like Eric Cantor. But, McCain will be OK in Virginia, despite the hype.

McCain has a free ride in the South with this pick. Remember, no Dem has won in recent history, without a southerner on the ticket. Means Barry must win in all the battleground states. Biden may help,marginally, in Pennsylvania. However, Romney gives McCain a significant boost in Michigan. McCain wins Michigan it could be lights out for the messiah.

[David]

Biden, check. Palin, checkmate.

Sarah Palin would be an even better VP pick than Mitt Romney

SOURCE
I understand the sentiment. Reality dictates Sarah Palin would be dwarfed by Biden.

[David]

This is interesting. McCain will introduce the ticket in SW Pa. Tom Ridge will due the introducing. Means he's out.

How will Mitt Romney play in Johnstown?

Ridge will introduce McCain
Posted August 23, 2008 5 :03 PM

DENVER -- While all eyes are on Sen. Barack Obama and his freshly minted running mate Sen. Joe Biden -- one week from today (the day after Sen. John McCain announces his running mate), Gov. Tom Ridge will introduce McCain along with unsaid running mate on a southwestern Pennsylvania stage.

According to a Republican official, Ridge will be introducing McCain in Washington County next Saturday, which probably means Ridge is out, Mitt Romney remains the favorite, and Team McCain is planning to fight it out with Obama-Biden in the Keystone State.

Many analysts and strategists are keeping a keen eye on Allegheny, Westmoreland and Washington counties as where the national campaign may be decided.

SOURCE

[David]

This is spot on. National Journal
SOURCE

Does Biden As VP Pick Raise Romney's Chances?


DENVER -- By picking DE Sen. Joe Biden, Barack Obama has decided that he'd rather protect his weak flank (national security and experience) than try to promote his strengths (time for change, new direction). Does this mean that John McCain will have to play defense too?

If so, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney would seem to be that defensive choice. While some conservatives see Romney as an unacceptable choice, he would argubably cause less strain with the social conservatives than a pro-choice pick like ex-Gov and ex-Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge or Sen. Joe Lieberman.

That McCain's been closing the gap in national polling seems to mitigate against the need for him to make a "risky" choice like a Lieberman.

Where Romney would help McCain most, of course, is to help fill in the gaps for McCain on the economy. Who better to understand the details of the national economy than a successful businessman? In the wake of McCain's recent stumble over how many homes he actually owns, there's been some rumblings that Romney's wealth will be a drawback. Minutes after McCain's comments were published Democrats pounced on them in statements and, in Obama's case, with a TV ad. They'd have a field day profiling the two as the "elitist" ticket.

This would argue for Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty who comes from humbler roots ( he was the first in his family to graduate from college, for example) and can talk about his executive experience handling Minnesota's budget.

But who'd match up best against Biden, especially in a debate? Romney proved to be a solid debater during the primaries and is an accomplished attack dog. Pawlenty, meanwhile, has been on the national stage only as a peripheral player. His debut at a recent National Press Club outing got middling reviews.

[David]

What I find here is the Pawlenty audition. That's gotta be humiliating. What if he fails to inspire and he gets the "don't call us we'll call you" memo.

GOP Veep Sheet: McCain's turn
By: Alexander Burns
August 23, 2008 08:42 PM EST

The day after the rumor mill buzzed that John McCain had settled on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as his running mate, Obama took center stage with reports that he’d selected Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.

While the Democratic convention should be the big political story of the coming week, McCain now has the chance to steal a few column inches back by drawing out his vice presidential deliberations.

The weekend’s biggest GOP veep audition looks to be Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s campaign swing through Pennsylvania. The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports Pawlenty will visit the towns of Dallas, Factoryville, Tamaqua, Bethlehem, Allentown and the quaint hamlet of Philadelphia during his trip.

That’s a pretty extensive trail run for a politician believed to be near the top of McCain’s short list.

Meanwhile, Romney’s hometown Boston Herald — a publication that hasn’t always been friendly to the former Bay State governor — deems a possible McCain-Romney ticket a “latter-day Oscar and Felix.”

“But,” the piece quotes Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, saying, “their former frosty relationship doesn’t mean the pair can’t share a ballot now.”

In Michigan, however, a state that a McCain-Romney ticket would likely target in November, The Detroit Free Press throws some cold water on rumors of Romney’s selection:

“Take it with a grain of salt, considering the time-tested truism about the complex and highly secretive business of selecting vice presidents: Those who know aren’t talking, and those who talk don’t know.”

InternetNews.com takes a look at former eBay CEO and onetime Romney backer Meg Whitman and asks the key question:

“How much would her lack of political experience matter against her deserved reputation as a skilled operator who for a decade was one of the leading lights in an industry famously short on top-level female executives?”

More: “Whitman has the notable advantage of a squeaky clean track record and a departure that was entirely on her own terms,” unlike fellow McCain supporter and former Hewlett-Packard CEO and chairman of the board Carly Fiorina.

In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal instituted tougher guidelines for the use of state resources, reports The Associated Press, in a move sure to cheer fiscal conservatives.

AP also reports on a potential conflict-of-interest story for Jindal:

“A juvenile justice adviser for Gov. Bobby JIndal’s transition team has won a $3.1 million state funding increase for the nonprofit group he owns that operates homes for teenagers convicted of crimes …
See Also



“In an e-mail response to queries about the … contract, [Jindal chief of staff Tommy] Teepell said the governor’s office played no role.”

An awkward episode, perhaps, but hardly the stuff of tabloid headlines.

Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska who’s drawn plaudits as one of her party’s promising younger leaders, made waves locally by opposing a ballot initiative strengthening water use and mining regulations.

Palin said the state had “very stringent regulations already in place.”

Finally, Denise Ross, a columnist at South Dakota’s Daily Republic, re-floated Sen. John Thune as a running mate for McCain as Thune announced he’d be bringing home a substantial federal grant for a health program in his home state.

Not a bad day’s work, but very senatorial stuff.

SOURCE

[mphare]

I think Biden will lead to Romney. And it's a great choice.

Palin may be week on International, but then McCain isn't so who cares. Palin would thrash Biden on the economy, taxes, ANWR, energy in general. She also helps with women.

Romney also thrashes Biden on those same issues, so take your pick.

[David]

I like the Sarah Palin choice. It's just not going to happen. They just don't know how a woman,who has been Governor of Alaska for a year and a half, would fare in a debate with a guy who has been in the Senate for thirty-six years. McCain would be ripped for choosing someone with so little experience being a heartbeat away.

Problem with Romney is he's got six houses. Dems trying to portray themselves as a middle class team running a middle class campaign will be all over Romney.

Tim Pawlenty truly is a middle class guy. Father drove a milk truck. But, I don't know if he's got enough charisma.

I will tell you who would be super. Former GOP Congressman John Kasich. Former chairman of US House Budget Committee. Middle class background. Smart. Media savvy (FOX News show) and debater.

[mphare]

THis is really the problem with party politics. The party defines which candidates should run, not we the people. I think this is why I like Bab Barr this time around.

Now Kasich is an interesting choice. How many houses does he have?

Maybe Romney can take it as VP this time. I think either BO or McCain are 1 term presidents. Romney can take Pres in 4 and by then Palin may be ready for VP.

[rachel]

Big mistake Obhama not picking Hillary IMO.

And have Billary upstaging and undermining him all the time? No way. I don't think she'd have taken it if he offered. She doesn't want to have to wait at least 8 years to get another shot at the Presidency. If she can't have the Presidency, she wants him to lose so she can run again in 4 years.

Besides, I don't think the Secret Service provides food tasters.

McCain would be ripped for choosing someone with so little experience being a heartbeat away.

Yeah, seeing as Bobama has so much experience.

[rachel]

By the by, I don't think the number of houses a candidate has matters to anyone but partisan hacks. All of the candidates are vastly more wealthy than the "middle class" working guy, and he knows it. For the demmies to pretend otherwise just insults people. Michelle running around telling everyone how hard it is to make ends meet only resonates to those who are already drinking the Bobama Kool Aid anyway. Bobama trying to portray himself as a poor, disadvantaged kid when he attended Punahau is just as silly.