McCain, Obama and the future vice president
It's been a political eon since John McCain and Barack Obama became their parties' presumptive nominees, but a vice-presidential frontrunner has yet to emerge from either camp. Top of the Ticket suspects that Mitt Romney has been sweetening his VP potential, and the Christian Science Monitor gives up some of the latest veep gossip:
Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota and a strong backer of Republican John McCain from the start of the campaign, has cut off his little "mullet" in favor of a more conventional hair style. There's a clear sign he really wants on the GOP ticket. Ditto Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who is getting married – thus dampening some of the concern about his lack of a wedding band. Former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn (D), who is regularly mentioned as someone who could add national security gravitas to Barack Obama's Democratic candidacy, is now backing away from his opposition to gays in the military.
The beauty of all the talk is there no way to disprove any of the theories, at least until the actual selections are announced.
And in that spirit of wild speculation, Jonah Goldberg today has a handy chart detailing the good/bad/ugly of his 16 finalists for McCain. In case you're wondering, his picks include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Hewlett-Packard head Carly Fiorina, Sen. Joe Lieberman and ... wait for it ... former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Kid you not. Check it out and join the discussion — and take a peek the Obama veepstakes chart while you're at it. And since it's anybody's guess right now:
Post your thoughts and veepstakes nominations below.
Gov. Huckabee is nearly McCain's only chance. Gov. Huckabee would mobilize a large base.
Posted by: Anti Obama | July 21, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Huckabee is the only choice. Romney tanks the ticket. Listen to what this McCain insider says:
"Mitt tanks the ticket. We lose fiscal conservatives. We lose social conservatives. We lose Catholics. We lose evangelicals. All the groups we're spending time and money on bringing into the camp would be lost. He just doesn't help us enough to do something like this, as much as Mitt might think we should. He doesn't even win us Massachusetts."
Posted by: Jake Benson | July 21, 2008 at 06:10 PM
Governor Huckabee is the ONLY chance to unify, excite and motivate this party to get folks to the polls in November. I read on Romney's site they are organizing efforts to manipulate these polls, but the McCain camp has taken their own accurrate polls and they know, I am sure, that Huckabee has tremendous support and he will ignite the party, rally the troops and inspire us. McCain /Huckabee are the best possible team, even better than alone because we have TWO men with the same character, integrity and principled convictions but they complete each other's package. McCain/Huckabee.08...priceless!!!
Posted by: Linda | July 21, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Mike Huckabee won all the independent survey usa election polls in swing states when pitted with McCain vs. Romney, Pawlenty or Lieberman. He even beat Romney in MA!! (Pawlenty DID win in his own state, thought they still were far below Obama there so he didn't get a win). It is clear that Huckabee will help more than any other. I attended the NC convention to hear Governor Huckabee speak and it was one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever heard. The atmosphere in that room was electric!! He was powerful, witty, humorous, motivating and inspiring! He is CLEARLY the best speaker the Republican Party has, ditto in the debates! He will be a powerful asset to Senator McCAin. The mutual admiration is there, the chemistry is dynamite. (body language experts gave them 97.7, almost perfect) and Huck can put some FUN in Senator McCain's life!!!!
Posted by: Huck4Life | July 21, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Gov. Sanford, S.C., Gov. Jindal, Louisiana, or Colin Powell. I think Romney and McCain fought to much during the primaries Huckabee is a kook. I don't think I could vote for a McCain/Huckabee ticket. Sorry, Huck4life, but Romney is way more influential, intelligent and well spoken than Huckabee. Didn't Huckabee's son hang a dog when he was a boyscout leader and didn't he and his wife misappropriate so much state money for personal use when he was governor. That'll all come out and McCain will have to answer for it.
Posted by: nobama | July 21, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Nobama, I am curious as to what in particular makes you think Governor Huckabee is a kook? I find this very puzzling since he was a fantastic governor for over a decade, was voted one of the best in the US, was voted the Chairman of the Natn'l Govs. Assoc by his peers, was re-elected TWICE as governor til his terms ended and had approvals as high as 77%, still 65%. I just couldn't possibly see how anyone could say he was a kook! That sounds like some kind of religious bigotry, which I certainly hope is not true! That is just as bad as racial or sexist bigotry! If you have some legitimate reason for you comment I would love to hear it!
Posted by: Linda | July 21, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Sanford is my governor and he would not be good for the ticket. For starter, SC is McCain's anyway. He made a terrible impression on Wolf Blitzer's show when he drew a blank for a full 30 seconds, then made an incorrect statement! Jindal would REALLY offend Huckabee supporters as he and Huckabee are fairly alike on issues, even both criticized by CFG. Difference is 10 years of experience that Huckabee has over Jindal, plus national name recognition, campaign experience, best speaker the Republican Party has, period. To pick Jinda, who is so much less qualified over Huckabee would REALLY alienate alot of evangelicals because it would appear that was why Huckabee was overlooked. IT might even get people to just not vote!!! Powell has said over and over, not intersted. When it comes down to it, McCain's camp has done polls and they KNOW that Huckabee is their bet bet. Will they do the RIGHT thing? Will they pick Huckabee?? Time will tell.....
Posted by: Kay | July 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
It depends if you want him to win or lose.
Posted by: Jaap den Haan | July 22, 2008 at 09:09 AM
If you take this the recent Zogby poll for face value, then I think it is good news for Mike. Mike and Mitt are a statical tie for the perferred VP, but Mike connects with the rural people more than Romney. I think the problem with Romney is that his voters came from geographically and demographically similar areas as McCain's (mostly urban counties). Conversely, Huckabee brings the rural "common folks" which Romney is not able to connect with. Just look at CNN's election page and study counties won in primaries up to to Feb. 5th primaries. McCain and Romney competed for the urban vote while Huckabee won the rural counties. The general exception to this was around mililtary bases which McCain won those counties. Ultimately, I think it comes down to likeability and Romney doesn't have it where McCain needs it most.
So lets hope McCain makes the right choice.
McCain/Huckabee.
Posted by: FiscalConservative | July 22, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Have you heard about the "massive conservative cover-up" and "journalistic malpractice"? Watch "Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories" on The Values Voter's Blog.
Read Gregg's latest article,"Obama Considering Romney As V-P Choice: No, McCain Considering Romney As V-P Choice: The Former A Better Fit by Gregg Jackson and John Haskins" at greggjackson.com
Posted by: Conservative Christian | July 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I agree with many of the wise comments from the other posters. Huckabee is by far the best choice. He's a great speaker, won all the debates, and would mobilize so many people to vote for McCain. Please, Mr. McCain, use excellent judgment and pick Huckabee. You won't be sorry.
Posted by: Sam | July 23, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Huckabee would be a very good pick for McCain. Pawlenty would be a good pick as well. Romney would be a terrible selection for VP, he just alienates to many people and has no credibilty as a conservative, since he only became one to run for President.
Posted by: uberbear | July 24, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Huckabee is the only one that will help McCain win .
If he picks someone that is not trusted by the conservative christians.... He will not get their votes, and without them he has not got a chance....
Posted by: Loretta Neal | July 27, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Mike Huckabee is the best complement to McCain. His executive experience is stronger than any of the other VP candidates mentioned--not only ten extremely successful years as Governor of Arkansas, but success as a Republican in the stronghold of the Clinton Democrat machine. Clearly, he can work with those "across the aisle" people and get things done. His campaign charisma and laid-back style complement McCain's more brash maverick demeanor. McCain-Huckabee can beat Obama-Whoever.
Posted by: Polly Glot | July 31, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Mike Huckabee is the best pick because he can excite the base, inspire the working class nationwide, and hold his own in a VP debate.
Posted by: hsmith | August 17, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Mitt Romney is the choice of the Decade. He has everything a Presidential Candidate needed, the country was just not ready for the quality and integrity that he lends to such an evil country. However to have him as your sidekick would boost the moral of your campaign in the West, East, North and South. Integrity and Character now there are two qualities you cannot buy and Mitt has them both. You would be a fool to let him slip through your administration, the country needs a good level headed VP that knows how to communicate and understands delegation.
Posted by: Karri Deschine | August 18, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I'm so disappointed in McCain's pick, I think he has made
a bad mistake, hope I'm wrong. Not sure anyone knows much about this woman or is ready fo a woman VP.
Posted by: Judy | August 29, 2008 at 08:05 AM