With Romney out, McCain is the presumptive nominee, and attention will naturally begin to focus on potential running mates. All such discussions focus on what someone else could bring in terms of "balancing" the ticket, usually with a focus on broadening the candidate's appeal nationally, or nailing down a big state. in this case, McCain already has broad nation-wide appeal, and strong appeal to independents, so he'll likely look to strengthen the his ties to the conservative base. I have trouble believing Huckabee truly helps him much, and probably opens him up to attacks from those that loathe the christian right. Fred Thompson helps him just as much, and many feel he was campaigning for veep all along. this year however, the symbolism of two eldery white men, however hot their wives, might be too much. Condi would be my choice, she's certainly qualified, but is probably damaged goods politically, and she's never held elective office. J.C. Watts or Michael Steele might make interesting choices, and perhaps then we'd see whether democrats truly are capable of judging men based on the content of their character.
The VP is actually an interesting selection under McCain. It is conceivable that McCain's VP would have to assume the duties of the President under his term. Oh, and any one of Bush's gang would end his candidacy.
You think democrats, who may very well be on their way to nominating a black man for president, would have a problem with Watts or Steele because of the color of their skin?
I think it will probably be a sitting governor. Someone who could help McCain where he's weak. Someone from the South or the Northeast, perhaps. Any likely candidates out there? Excepting Huckabee and Romney? I'm assuming that Arnold can't be VP, either, or I'd throw his name out there and the rest be damned. Too bad. He'd be perfect. Impeach Bush.
There are a lot of factors at play here. 1. justtxyank makes a good point: if the possibility of McCain dying in office becomes a big campaign issue, then a non-divisive figure is most helpful. That's, for example, a strike against Huckabee. 2. Who the Dem nominee is matters. If it's Clinton, the GOP base will be out in force. Then you open the door for someone like a Crist, who can lock up Florida and take it out of play. I don't know if there's a strong Ohio pol, but if he could win you OH, that's an even better deal because Florida already leans GOP. It also might not be a bad idea to find someone with economic credibility since McCain's aren't exactly reassuring during a weak economy. 3. If Obama is the Dem nominee, McCain is going to need someone who can excite the base - particularly the socially conservative base. This is where a Huckabee-type could play a role. Maybe Fred, but I don't see him really exciting anyone.
Your are correct that Arnold cannot be Vice President. A VP must fulfill all the requirements of the President as well.
If it's Obama/McCain, we should go back to how it was originally done back in the 1700's and early 1800's where there are no VP candidates and the loser becomes VP.
I certainly appreciate certain things about McCain, but I am baffled by people who could support either him or Obama. Their positions on every single thing excepting immigration and torture could not be more opposite. This is particularly true of foreign policy where Obama seeks to end the Iraq war and negotiate a peace with Iran and McCain seeks to extend the war and "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran." Is there a bigger issue than this? Maybe for some. But, even if there is, there are profound and polar disagreements between the candidates on virtually every other issue as well. I can only assume voters who could imagine supporting either of these men happily are voting exclusively on likeability and character with no regard at all for their policies and positions.
As for McCain's VP, he's going to be under a lot of pressure to select someone to appease social conservatives. If his age, and the idea that he could die in office, becomes an issue - which I personally believe it shouldn't - he'll be in the very difficult position of choosing someone that strongly appeals to social conservatives but is also popular with swing voters. Any ideas about someone that fits that bill? The only one that springs to mind for me is Jeb Bush, but I can't think of a more blatant yesterday/tomorrow storyline than a 72 year old hawk and a Bush versus Obama and anyone at all.
I've reached this conclusion as well, after initially suggesting I'd likely vote for McCain if Hillary got the nomination. Likeability, character and PERCEPTION. But after reading more of McCain's foreign policy positions, I agree with your post.
Flipping through the channels the last couple of nights, someone I can't remember (Kudlow?) predicted it would be Kay Bailey Hutchison.
