Game-changers...which possible VP could best help McCain win?

[Justin]

Just throwing some names out there:

Colin Powell
Bobby Jindal
Sarah Palin
Joe Lieberman

Any others that you think could be real "game-changers"?

Colin Powell
Positives: Powell is widely respected by moderates and a large number of Republicans. His more less hawkish views on foreign policy would comfort moderates and might swing quite a few over to the Republican side.

Negatives: His views on abortion and affirmative action don't sit well with a good number of Republicans, especially Evangelicals...and those who still support Bush are likely not going to like the thought of somebody who "turned on" Bush on the Republican ticket.

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Bobby Jindal
Positives: Jindal is the perfect complement to McCain. Where McCain's emphasis is on foreign policy, Jindal is an expert on social issues, primarily healthcare. His minority status would likely help him among moderates, and conservatives LOVE his very conservative social record. He is also very, very well spoken.

Negatives: Jindal would likely be destroyed in the Vice Presidential debate, and many would criticize McCain for picking somebody so young...somebody without the experience they believe necessary to step in if McCain were to die in office (there would be an emphasis on this because of McCain's age).
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Sarah Palin
Positive: Palin is extermely popular in Alaska (something like 85% approval rating I think). She's been heralded as somebody who refuses to put up with corruption. She is socially conservative, which will appeal to a very nervous faction of Republicans who aren't too sure about McCain's views on social issues. The fact that she would be the only woman on either ticket would be a huge plus, imho. Right or not, there are a large number of woman voters who will go to the ticket that has a woman on it, regardless of her political views.

Negatives: Similar to Jindal, Palin is young, and many Republicans might not like the fact that she doesn't have more experience on national issues. She would probably get beat up by Biden in the VP debate.
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Joe Lieberman
Positives: A McCain/Lieberman ticket would get moderate votes in boatloads. Many would call McCain the "true bipartisan", and the positive media attention it would recieve would be huge.

Negatives: Bringing Lieberman on would likely get some criticism from those looking for a more diverse white house. People are ready for a ticket that isn't just two old white men. Conservatives would see this pick as proof that McCain does not intend to govern as a social conservative. I think there would be a record number of Republicans voting 3rd party or staying home alltogether.




Anything or anyone else y'all can think of to add? Thoughts?

[Tom Joad]

We'll know as soon as Karl Rove tells McCain who it is, and when to make the announcement. It will be timed at a point in the Dems convention when Karl has determined it will spray the maximum amount of piss on the Dems parade.

[clownboy]

An addendum, Palin I believe is out of the running, she's currently under investigation. She's so popular up there, it's nothing that will cause her the governorship, but it will keep her out of the VP slot.

[Justin]

I hadn't heard that. Thanks for the info.

[clownboy]

Here's the link

Alaska Senate leaders want an investigation of whether Gov. Sarah Palin pressured and then fired the public safety commissioner because he wouldn't get rid of a state trooper who had gone through a bitter divorce with Palin's sister.

"I'm fairly confident at this point that what we're going to see is the appointment of an independent investigator," said Anchorage Democratic Sen. Hollis French, chairman of the judiciary committee.

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by Justin

Just throwing some names out there:

Colin Powell
Bobby Jindal
Sarah Palin
Joe Lieberman

Any others that you think could be real "game-changers"?

Powell is almost as old as McCain; has virtually turned down the VP slot and hasn't even endorsed anyone yet.

Jindal is a smart guy, young, but when it opens his mouth, all that comes out is the BS of the religious right and that could cost McCain big time with women (expecially former Hillary supporters).

Palin, for the reasons noted above.

Lieberman is a liberal, pro-choice, Yankee Jew who is still in the Dem caucus. I don't think he'd bring anything to the table, but instead, take away an awful lot of votes from the religious right that might still go to McCain.

And the one name you didn't mention - Mitt Romney - is the one the pundits seem to favor, primarily for his perceived ability to perhaps tilt Michigan into the 'R' column. However, he is younger, taller, better looking and looks more presidential than McCain and that only serves to remind people of McCain's age. On stage together, they look like son and dad. That can't be a good thing.

Got any more?

[Black Lance]

Nonetheless, it will probably be Romney. McCain would be a fool to count Clinton supporters among his voter base, and McCain needs a recognizable name to build enthusiasm for his campaign.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by Black Lance

Nonetheless, it will probably be Romney.

That's my guess. The right wing wackos want Romney, and in the end I'm betting that they own McCain's ass.

[mammalicious]

Pawlenty of Minnesota, has been batted around as a possibility as well.

McCain will probably go with Romney for some economic cred...but the 'George Hamilton-ness' of Romney will only emphasize McCains' age IMO.

[suedanim]

Romney is a good choice, though the evangelicals might not like his Mormon affiliations and he and McCain don't like each other very much. The other negative about him is I can't imagine how he will survive in a neocon administration. A McCain admin is going to be every bit as run by Bill Kristol and the neocon gang as Bush-Cheney's.

Powell...? I think he's not a McCain team player in the first place. I guess we'll find out. But, VP... don't think so.

AIPAC Lieberman? He'll help McCain lose a lot of evangelicals. He will put the executive branch on lock for the AIPAC/PNAC agenda. Look for WWIII quick, fast, in a hurry.

Ridge... also a pro-choice candidate. He'll lose the evangelicals with him too... Plus, he's not exactly Mr. Personality.

He SHOULD go with Romney, but I'm deeply suspicious he'll go with Lieberman in hopes of picking up disgruntled PUMA's, even if it means losing a few evangelicals and to insure the Bushco agenda.

What does he have to lose? He goes in.. serves one term, if that, gets us involved in a major conflict with Iran, possibly Russia... his job is done. President Lieberman takes over. Why does he care ... he'll be 77 yo...

I've also heard Lindsey Graham's name being floated about...

[Justin]

Good post Sue.

I agree with you regarding Colin Powell. McCain is going to be looking for a yes-man, imho...and that isn't Colin Powell. They disagree on too many issues...primarily Foreign policy.

I, too, think it'll end up being Romney. Not the best pic, imho.

There is a chance that he could pick Kay Bailey Hutchison...Republican Senator from Texas. She would be a smart pick, imho.

[potter]

Originally Posted by clownboy

An addendum, Palin I believe is out of the running, she's currently under investigation. She's so popular up there, it's nothing that will cause her the governorship, but it will keep her out of the VP slot.

Suspicion is mounting that the GOP is making a effort to lose this election.....there is a certain amount of writing on the wall that the next presidency may have already been set up for a catastrophic failure, what with the economy, debt, and wars.