OPEN THREAD - McCain VP Possibilities
Posted on February 7, 2008 by Riley
If things continue along the present course and John McCain wins the GOP nod, who should he select as his VP running mate? A conservative? A moderate? Another Senator? A Governor? A Southerner? An Easterner? State your case right here!
UPDATE: Be sure to vote in our poll on this that appears at the top left of every page!
UPDATE 2: We’re closing this thread and poll now that Mike Dukakabee’s people (calling themselves “Huck’s Army”) are trying to run up his numbers in an organized effort.
Filed under: 2008 Elections, John McCain
Sarah Palin - Gov. of Alaska.
She’s a good conservative and has gone after corruption in our own party up there. She would add diversity to the ticket as well..
Good Question-I was talking about this to my GOP wife the other night, and suggested that McCain would likely go with Huckabee.
Fire began to flare from her eyes, smoke from her ears, and she said McCain HAD to nominate a minority candidate, and that it should be a woman.
The first names that came to mind were from the US Senate, but the Maine senators are quite moderate and Hutchison from Texas might be too big hair laquered to make a good impression.
Palin does bring conservatism and in going after corruption offers the kind of record that is above party label…but I don’t know how the geographical implications play…
Mac could do much worse than Huckabee or Palin. Palin is interesting, I haven’t heard her mentioned before but my understanding is she’s the AK GOP’s only hope- maybe better to stay there for now?
What about Allen?
Michael Steele is my personal fav darkhorse. He’s one of the most likeable, intelligent people I’ve ever seen and would really shore him up.
[...] Virginia Virtucon has an interesting thread up asking you who McCain’s VP selection should be, should he get the nomination. Already some very good comments. Check it out. [...]
I hope it is not Huckabee, but at this point with his surprise Southern Support, nothing is impossible. I was thinking Pawlenty from Minnesota, but he shot himself in the foot with a victory for Mittens. Hopefully, Romney will get out soon.
Probably a southern governor, maybe MS Gov. Haley Barbour.
Good ‘n’ Pawlenty would be a fine choice for Veep- and don’t forget the conv is in Minnesota this year.
Steele and Palin would be a look forward to the next generation of the GOP. Or maybe the Sen from SD…. Thune. He’s good too.
Condi
2nd Condi
Pawlenty ,
J.C Watts
We have to learn from the lesson of 2000. We needed a VP on the ticket that would bring along a swing state (not a safe Red State we’d get anyway). Then we would not have had the mess we ended with in Florida. For instance, Tom Ridge could have brought along Pennsylvania and given Bush the steady, competent VP choice he needed.
So, in 2008 we need a non-US Senator that brings us a swing state. Unfortunately in a 50-50 electoral map it becomes a game of numbers. Those states would be Ohio (nobody there), Michigan (nobody there), Missouri (Gov. Blunt looks younger than Dan Quayle), Minnesota (Tim Pawlenty was mentioned above…good choice), Florida (can’t have a Bush and can’t have Gov. Crist because of all the whispers of him being gay), and then there are a host of other states that will be in play that would never have been before. There are a few Midwestern states that may find themselves in play including Indiana and Kansas.
I don’t have an answer to the VP question. I DO know that McCain is the 1st GOP Presidential nominee to have to cover so many bases with his running mate. His choice needs to satisfy conservatives, be a non US Senator type, is semi-youthful, is likable and energetic, and most importantly brings along a state into the win column that the GOP would not normally win.
I hope for the sake of the GOP and this country that this person exists!
I have been wanting former governor Pete Wilson, CA to be VP since 2000. However, you never hear anything about him anymore. As mentioned above, we need a VP from a purple or blue state.
Is Pete Wilson still alive? - like you said you never hear anything about him anymore
Why not just trot out former CA Gov. George Deukmejian? He’s only 79 and was born in NY, too.
it seems like pawlenty would be good geographically, and mccain likes him…but how conservative is he?? and palin needs to stay in AK for now…we can use her later
J.C. Watts, Michael Steele, or Haley Barbour. All three conservatives with unquestionable credentials.
JC is smart but Steele would be ideal. He’s experienced (not in Congress), smart, conservative, and might put MD in play if Hillarious is the nominee. He and Mac would be the “Say whatever you want” ticket.
Most importantly, it would but Steele in a spot to run in a few years- and he’d be an awesome national leader.
i doubt steele puts md into play…he lost for senate in 06…watts and steele dont even hold office right now…barbour is smart and conservative
Barbour is good in MS but someone has to run for Trent’s office.
He’s also VERY much a DC insider- used to be RNC head.
The country is not ready for DC insiders right now. He needs someone- def a Governor, tho. Hispanic, A-A or woman would be especially good, conservative also very good.
Steele presents himself very well. He’d be perfect- and wouldn’t rob a gov’s office of a GOP.
Guinn of Nevada? Carcieri of RI? Ridge? Perry?
Palin wouldn’t be so bad, the more I think of it the more I like it.
Condaleeza. Election over, cased closed, gets tons of women AND black voters. Or Colin Powell.
He would help on the economic front, and appeal to the conservative base. McCain needs someone younger, and bright., as it is obvious he isn’t a spring chicken anymore.
condi = continuation of george bush, no elective office, no geographical advantage
It’s gonna be Hucka-boo-boo. Deal has already been cut to avoid a brokered convention. Romney still holds his delegates. Huckleberry will pull just enough in the remaining primaries to force the brokering.
How about Elizabeth Dole just to keep the GOP Nixon-Bush-Dole streak alive?
Seriously though, I like the idea of a midwestern or southern conservative Governor. Mitch Daniels of Indiana and Mark Sanford of SC fit the bill there. Pawlenty seems a natural choice, but remember Romney won the MN caucus on Tuesday.
JIM RILEY
Thanks but no thanks!
George Allen.
Giuliani
Make it two liberals. Let McCain think he can compete with Hillary in New York. Might as well have two losers on the ticket. I’m resigned to a Democrat President , so really who cares who McCain’s VP is?
I am originally from Minnesota and I believe it will be Tim Pawlenty… Pawlenty was really one of the few Republicans that survived in 2006… Pawlenty is a moderate and may help McCain get the swing state of Minnesota.
Plus, Pawlenty is on McCain’s national team I think.
Kay Bailey Hutchison? Southern, and McCain needs some help there. Not that conservative, though. I also vote for Haley Barbour.
KBH is planning to run for Gov. of TX in 2010.
Aside from wanting either Romney or Condi, my next choices are the following: Jim Talent, John Thune, Steele. Aside from Condi, we really don’t have any prominent female Republicans who could if need be step in to be President. The suggestion of KBH is laughable, almost more than Dole. I work in DC and these two are not well respected…especially since Dole chaired the NRSC into the ground last cycle.
I hate to see McCain pick a woman or an African American for the sake of doing so. However, his pick needs to convey the image of youth, competence…and def. be someone who wants to be President after McCain…..What a better pick than Romney.
Charlie Crisp, governor of Florida…
Crist was only elected in 2006. Granted, Obama was only elected in 2004, so he isn’t exactly well-seasoned himself.
Obama
If McCain is going to beat Hillary, he is going to need to rally his base. I know, I changed my vote. But if we want a liberal Republican to win at any cost, I think this is the only way.
Charlie Christ has no chance of making the ticket or anything after his Governorship. There are too many rumors out there that he is gay.
Please….not Huckabee, It will add nothing to the ticket..may even hurt it.
Two Words:
Governor.
Barbour.
A Southern Governor, such as Crist or Huckabee.
No way. No how. NO DUKAKABEE!!!
I think McCain should pick fmr. Governor Bob Ehrlich of Maryland as VP. Even though he olny served one term his approval ratings are in the 60’s. He’s a conservative with a lot of support in a very blue state. He could be a big help to McCain.
Yeah, I know he’s from a a red state, but my pick is Mark Sanford of South Carolina. He’s young, conservative, and has a bright future.
Of course, my conscience really wants Bobby Jindal. As the joke on National Review online went, “McCain-Jindal — the average age is not that bad!”
J. C. WATTS, JR.
Read his autobiography, “What Color is a Conservative?”…excellent read. He appeals to all factions of the party, is a rock-solid conservative, is on the board of the Boy Scouts, runs several successful businesses, is a former youth minister, is relatively young (50), and is a good friend of Sen. McCain.
All depends on who the Dem cand. is. Obama - McCain picks JC Watts. Clinton - MCCain picks Kay Bailey
Janice Rogers Brown meets all the criteria for a excellent McCain VP.
How about SEN Mel Martinez, FLA. Conservitive, Hispanic, FMR Sec of HUD. and popular in Florida!
It is my personal opinion that Mitt Romney should be the next VP. Here is why:
1.He won the second largest delegate count.
2. Governor of a Blue State
3. Well known and supported in the West
4. Has the support of the conservative media
5. Has the support of CPAC even after he withdrew his candidacy.
6. Is well known for his optimism in the face of adversity
7.Has won every GOP presidential debate
8. Has had the strongest political team during his run for the presidency
9. He knows about the economy and how it works
10. He is young and “looks presidential”
11. Has the best understanding of the issues and the right plan in assisting McCain to form best administration policies
12. He has the strength and support of most Southern states where he took “the silver.”
13. He took a close second in California
14. He has shown a team effort in recommending his delegates to support McCain for President.
15. He still has the strongest showing in the polls even though he has been out of the race for weeks
16. He has proven himself in front of the national media as someone who can take big hits and keep going
Need I go on and on…
I am dismayed to see so many suggestions for more RINO’s. We already have McCain in that slot. Now we need an actual conservative to get out the conservative vote, or soooo many GOP stalwarts - the real base - will stay home.
Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno would be my first choice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_T._Odierno
I’d accept Lieutenant Gen Ricardo Sanchez too
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Sanchez
I think Gov. Pawlenty (MN) would be a good choice for McCain. Keep in mind, McCain is in his early 70s. This is a good thing considering he has more experience than any candidate running, but he also needs someone younger to get young people to vote. I don’t think Huckabee would be a good choice, because although he had a positive impact on the South, he might drive away some undecided voters who think he might come off strong. Personally, I think Gov. Pawlenty would be an excellent choice and could even pick up Minnesota (which has notoriously been a Democratic state)
Bobby Jindal is the most intriguing choice. Young, experienced, southern governor which could help swing asian voters in California, which will be key in this election.
I think senator Mccain should choose the least liked candidate so the democrats have a better chance of winning, and so we dont have to go through four more years of a Bush ticket with Mccains name on it.
I think Newt Gingrich should be VP, but then we would have two old timers, and this election has Obama-drama in it.
McCain needs a VP to shut the mouths of “oh..the GOP is all about white men only.”
McCain …whoever you pick, I’ll support. I just can’t bear to see Obama win this election….and it goes beyond the fact he’s a young mulatto.
Does it really matter who is the VP? McCain will be wiped out by whoever the Dems put up. This election will be a landslide for the Demos.
Huckabee would be the best choice. He is energetic, well-spoken, and well-liked; he won the southern states (a must win for Republicans) and can also win cross-overs with his compassionate conservatism. He has strong grassroots support and his supporters would bolt into action at a local level if he were named VP. According to polls, he has the strongest positive rating of any former Republican candidate except McCain.His name recognition would also be a plus, and his fiscal responsibility is clear if one views his campaign. I also like Newt, and J.C. Watts, but Huckabee would be the best!
Anybody but Romney as McCain’s daughter said, Romney lost because he “couldn’t keep it real”.
I would prefer a more conservative choice that would have a positive influence on the party and the electoral college.
Huckabee would make an awesome VP. He’s the only candidate that can bring the GOP party together. Rasmussen agrees according to the numbers. Romney is last according to the number and would cause the Republicans to lose the election. I for one will not vote for McCain if Romney is on the ticket, but I definitely will if Huckabee is on the ticket.
Romney lies. He flip flops for votes. Check out this website. http://evercor.com/trueromney Be sure to watch the video on Rom’s stance on abortion. He lied to please his audience because he wanted their votes.
Mike Huckabee is the only logical choice. He won all the southern red states. He has a huge grassroots support team who will work hard for a McCain/Huckabee ticket. He is a true conservative and nationally recognized and already has huge support. He is the only one who can bring votes to the table for McCain. (youth,black,conservatives,evangelcials, even crossover democrats)
Mike Huckabee has proven himself to be appealing to all races, denominations, and political affiliations. He reaches everyone and relates to everyone.
He is a man of faith, integrity, and character, and can be TRUSTED. John McCain will need a man like this with unwaivering stabiity that he can count on at all times. Like he titled one of his books, “Character: It Makes a Difference.”
Mike Huckabee has proven during this presidential race and as Governor of Arkansas, that he knows how to be an effective leader. He did not use dirty politics, but relied on principle and his own record to stand on. He knows how to use our money wisely, staying in the race longer than any of his last competitors who spent 40 times more money!
His appeal with faith voters are drawn to him for his stand on issues that are vital to their beliefs, such as Life and Traditional Marriage. His place on the ticket with McCain will give them a reason to vote and have their voices heard. McCain can’t do this without Mike Huckabee.
There are many good names on the list, however, in light of Gov. Huckabee’s strong showing in the southern states, I believe he would be the best choice.
There is one candidate who will alienate many McCain voters…Mitt Romney. In my opinion he should never be considered for the VP spot on the ticket.
Mike Huckabee ran very strong in many states across the South. These are must win states for the GOP and where McCain is particularly weak, especially against the Obama “tide”. Mike Huckabee is by far the strongest VP choice and would add a certain element of youth to the ticket. There are a few other candidates that would be acceptable as well: Gov. Palin, Michael Steele. It’s a little too early for Bobby Jindal, but he would be great some day.
I know several people who definitely do not like Mitt Romney. After the primary campaigns, I can’t imaging the McCain group would pick him anyways .
Huckabee would be a great VP! The more I learn about Romney’s Bain Capital and its efforts to merge 3Com and Chinese Huawei (defense contractor), the more concerned I am about him as a VP. Apparently U.S. intelligence agencies have expressed their concerns that this merger would be a threat to our national security. Huawei according to the Miami Independent Media Center has close ties to the Communist military and has helped the Taliban. In addition, it is suspicious that the conservative talking heads have pushed Romney and Bain has purchased the Clear Channel from which they talk. More under-the-table deals for personal profit. This is not what America needs. Huck is the man for the VP job!!!
I work at a major cellphone carrier with a retired master chief who flew in McCain’s squadron. I don’t care if u believe me but I been busting to break the news that Colin POwell is on McCain’s short list. The military connection is obvious enough, taking the wind out of the Democrat’s attempt to win by inviting the voters to make history is icing on the cake, but there’s more… philosophically, they agree that the needs of the many outweigh the few. Witness how McCain, offered release from prison, from a sense of duty he refused and denied his captors a huge propaganda victory. Powell was also called upon to fall on his sword for his commander in chief, by lying to congress about those damn aluminum tubes and essentially becoming a co-author of “the big lie” that got us into this iraq mess. Well, loyalty is rewarded and a VP slot would be fitting.
Although I don’t know what I would do confronted by either situation… 6 years in hell or lying to the american public for the sake of doing my duty, but somehow I have to respect the decisions they made. Service to something beyond yourself is honorable even when your actions in performance of that service are not.
Huckabee is a kook. He became noteworthy as the only conservative late in a republican primary race, not by anything he’s ever said or done.
Furthermore, the “bible belt” has the highest rates of divorce, alcoholism, domestic violence, and unwed mothers, not to mention people apparently too stupid to move from a hurricane zone or a city built below sea level… why on earth would the rest of us care who they want to be VP?
I just moved back to the north and I’m here to tell ya it’s a MESS down there. Racially it’s like 1955. I’m probably average intelligence up here but down there I was comparativey brilliant… that was fun for a while but essentially I left because the homophobia and bigotry were too much for ME to bear and I’m a straight white guy. McCain should not pick Condi, either… She’s already been honored by Chevron, who named a 129,000 ton supertanker the SS Condoleeza Rice in 1993. For some odd reason it was later renamed….
SEAMUS…
Are you an idiot or just stupid?
Go become a Democrat where thinking like that is toleratred.
McCain will not win, so the VP pick is not important.
Get ready for “Free” fast food medicine & taxes, taxes, taxes!!! Huck’s done more in a week than you will have ever done in a lifetime.
rummy a no brainer.
seamus a no brainer
i cannot believe the dem party had to resort to a thieving witch who is losing to a muslim africa american. great job howard screamer and john hanoi with 3 hrts and unccathed. but hillary does have more war stories than mccain. how many was it she offed in bosnia? and got 3 silver stars after al gore discovered the internet. so al gained 75 lbs. billary has finally ruined democrat party.
Seamus, Huckabee won all the southern states BEFORE Romney quit. That is WHY Romney quit, because he knew conservatives had picked our man and that man is Huckabee!! You obviously didn’t follow the race closely nor have you done any research on Governor Huckabee. He is a brilliant man, voted one of 5 best Govs. in US, named Chairman of Nat’l. Govs. Assoc. Did great things for Ark. and was re-elected TWICE even in a democratic state, so he must have been doing plenty right!!!
McCain has a list of 20 people. Here’s my shorter list.
Rice. Young, intelligent, female, black, experienced, conservative. Sounds like an option worth considering.
Romney. The votes speak for themselves, and this would be a nice way to cement his stance as a moderate candidate.
Huckabee. McCain is on the ropes with the far right, and Huckabee could appeal to them enough to get the vote. Conservatives would flock to McCain to oppose Clinton/Obama.
Paul. No one’s thrown out this name but the fact remains that he holds the record for the most money raised in a single day….that’s the record for all political donations, ever, period. He’s also the only candidate still left in the race besides McCain. Paul won’t be chosen, but it’s nice to imagine….
Other potential VPs are Jeb Bush, Hutchinson and Powell but Jeb would be suicide, Hutchinson would bring nothing to the table as Texas is already a Red State, and Powell is almost as old as McCain. I’d love to see McCain’s list of 20.
The no brainer for Rep. VP is Arnie …..very well liked ,conservative ,might even win Calafoorna for the Reps ………Reps need an all white ticket, they will shouvel the Muslem,Weatherman,pascafist,Jermay Right,Slumloard,(racist, anti white , anti rural,anti religious,anti 2nd amendment comments by Obama) plus the other dirt yet to come out on Obama ,his drug use hasn’t been explored as yet ….Hillary is making the case that he is not tough enough or ready to be Pres. Obama is facing seven months of public exposure of his many flaws and reasons why he is not a suitable person to hold the most powerful job in the world ….
Except Arnie cannot serve as VP since he cannot serve as President, not being a natural born U.S. citizen. If you cannot serve as President, then you are also disqualified from serving as VP since constitutionally the main function of the VP is to serve as a back-up. The language for this is not explicit, but that is the intent. The Founders never meant to have the VP slot used as a backdoor for someone ineligible to be elected President to become President via succession. Even if the VP were to remain in place and be skipped over to the next eligible person, do you think McCain would risk having Pelosi become President should anything befall him by virtue of having Arnie as VP?
Hi Riley ;; I am Canadian but i don’t see the problem here , i had heard of this technically in the past but was of the impression that it was fixed due to the fact that Obama was born on a Pacific island that the founding fathers probably never heard of and McCain was born in Central America . Anyway having served as Gov of Ca should override the technically . Anyway i doubt the fathers had intended that a woman or black could serve as President as i don’t think either were even permitted to vote .
Obama was born after Hawaii had become a state and McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone which was a U.S. territory at the time, so both qualify as natural born citizens. Serving as CA Gov. has no impact on eligibility.
Hey Riley,
The backdoor loophole was plugged by the 12th Amendment to the Constitution which states that: “[N]o person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”
The Naturalization Act of 1795 stated that the children of citizens of the United States who are born outside the limits of the country “shall be considered as citizens of the United States.”
Left field choice but he could deliver Wisconsin, adds youth and a smart economic mind…..the VP choice should be WI Congressman Paul Ryan.
Thanks, Poc. I hadn’t had a chance to search for that provision. I thought that it was in there somewhere, but I didn’t have the opportunity to check the Amendments. I do recall that had come up with the whole nutty thing that people were proposing to have Bill Clinton as someone’s VP.
Badger, now you’re making me feel OLD! Paul and I used to sit across a cubicle from one another about 14 yrs. ago and now you’re plugging him for VP?
Huckabee.
If McCain chooses Huckabee as his VP, they would demolish anything Clinton could come up with, and give Obama a run for his money (possibly even defeat him). McCain & Huckabee are different enough to attract a wide range of voters, and yet similar enough to make a solid team. Besides, McCain should really pick a young VP, just in case…
i believe that REPS will wait for DEMS to declare their choice for their VP and at that point they will get serious in picking the best counterforce choice…..Who Obama picks is going to be critical for him as he is anti military and his base of support is only the black block ……if he picks a white general he will have his weakness covered but military types are terrable politicians (they are elitist,and say dumb things)……heck McCain is proof but he has a lot of practice at politicking…..OK if Arnie is disqualified who is closest clone to him ?
definitely not condi. She’s not pro-life but is pro-Bush, the worst possible. And what about Sen. Jim DeMint or Gov. Bobby Jindal. Also, Rep. Mike Pence would be good.