I think not -- McCain will likely pick a Southern Conservative to appease his base. If he wanted to get real funky, he would pick J.C. Watts -- that would really ignite some debate!
Huckabee would hurt McCain a lot with the libertarian wing of the party, which is already grumpy over McCain-Feingold. Huckabee would also hurt McCain's crossover appeal. I know two confirmed liberals who are leaning towards supporting McCain over Hillary, and both of them despise Huckabee and would probably be terrified by the prospect of him a septigenarian heartbeat away from the Presidency.
Guiliani shores up McCain with economic conservatives and could go either way with swing voters (experience and moderation on social issues a positive, character and civil liberties a negative), but would hurt McCain a lot with social conservatives.
Fred would probably be the best choice for VP. He's acceptable to all wings of the Republican base and has a core of intense supporters comparable to Huckabee's, and he's not too scary for the crossover voters.
I for one would love to see a McCain/Giuliani ticket, but I think he will end up taking a younger and more conservative member of government as his running mate.
But if Hillary gets the vote, he may not have to. I doubt Southern Conservatives will sit out the election if it means another Clinton in office for the next 4 years.
Hmmmmmm.....
J.C. Watts? I hadn't thought of that one. That is interesting. I like Fred Thompson, but I think Mr. Watts would add much more in the way of energy and "youth" to the ticket.
I thing someone like Mark Sanford, the governor of S. Carolina, is a lot more likely than anyone mentioned in these comments. On the other hand, I thought Rudy was going to be the next President--so what do I know.
mark, whats your reasoning? i think fred is the single most likely veep for big mac.
I pointed this out before.
1] They're both too old, so it aggravates the death fears and looks bad when faced against, say, Obama. Fred has battled off cancer once already to boot.
2] If the VP is viewed in the traditional way - as a launching pad to the Presidency - he's [again] too old by the time he gets it. If viewed in the Cheney sense [not going to run, but a trusted adviser] Fred doesn't suit McCain.
3] Its a matter of influence. Fred can gain more influence within the Republican party by adopting the 'voice in the wilderness' role than by accepting a toothless VP slot in a neoLib Presidency. Plus, he can get back to acting.
4] We're the ones who dragged him into it. He didn't start out saying he wanted to run and then building a base. Why should he take 2nd banana for a job he didn't seek to begin with?
Fred is 65 -- only two years older than Rudy. If McCain serves two full terms, Fred will be the same age McCain is now, which is pushing the limit but not necessarily over it. There's also a non-negligiable chance that McCain dies in office or leaves early for health reasons -- historically, more VPs have ascended to the presidency through this route through election.
I'm not sure Fred doesn't suit McCain as a trusted adviser. The supposedly worked very well together when they were both in the Senate. There's also the VP's other constitutional role (President of the Senate), which is currently a very minor role, but it doesn't have to be. I could see Fred getting into running the Senate on a regular basis and taking an active role in debates.
I like the suggestion of J.C. Watts. A very able person. A good suggestion if Hillary is the nominee.
Among the commonly mentioned: I always thought Guiliani was the only person who could beat Clinton. They are both ruthless fighters and who knows what would happen in that dogfight. Also Guiliani had some chance to take NY, I figured no other Republican had any chance.
But a Guiliani nominated for VP isn't going to bring in NY or much else.
Romney is the best VP nominee. He brings solid skills to the ticket. McCain is old and (privately to Romney) should promise to serve one term.
I'm telling already since 15th of January '08 about a McCain/Giuliani ticket (5 days before "surprising" South Carolina Rep. primary) and without using a questionmark at all - way to go...
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
So good luck with your McCain/Guiliani ticket.
HankB
Mike Huckabee is a Southern Conservative and a vote winner.
How do you leave him out, Hank ?
Guiliani shores up McCain with economic conservatives and could go either way with swing voters (experience and moderation on social issues a positive, character and civil liberties a negative), but would hurt McCain a lot with social conservatives.
Fred would probably be the best choice for VP. He's acceptable to all wings of the Republican base and has a core of intense supporters comparable to Huckabee's, and he's not too scary for the crossover voters.
His choice of Veep will probably determine if I vote on him in the general. Why?
Because moreso then any Presidential Candidate in the past, we might likely be voting for a mid-term replacement if McCain bites the big one.
I hope that isn't lost on anybody,
But if Hillary gets the vote, he may not have to. I doubt Southern Conservatives will sit out the election if it means another Clinton in office for the next 4 years.
J.C. Watts? I hadn't thought of that one. That is interesting. I like Fred Thompson, but I think Mr. Watts would add much more in the way of energy and "youth" to the ticket.
Won't happen.
McCain-Giuliani? Social Cons will stay home - so nope.
FoxNews mentioned McCain-Romney this morning. Strong military, good business... Makes sense...
And the word for the day:
perspicacity:
Etymology: Latin perspicac-, perspicax, from perspicere
Date: 1640
: of acute mental vision or discernment
I pointed this out before.
1] They're both too old, so it aggravates the death fears and looks bad when faced against, say, Obama. Fred has battled off cancer once already to boot.
2] If the VP is viewed in the traditional way - as a launching pad to the Presidency - he's [again] too old by the time he gets it. If viewed in the Cheney sense [not going to run, but a trusted adviser] Fred doesn't suit McCain.
3] Its a matter of influence. Fred can gain more influence within the Republican party by adopting the 'voice in the wilderness' role than by accepting a toothless VP slot in a neoLib Presidency. Plus, he can get back to acting.
4] We're the ones who dragged him into it. He didn't start out saying he wanted to run and then building a base. Why should he take 2nd banana for a job he didn't seek to begin with?
HankB
I'm not sure Fred doesn't suit McCain as a trusted adviser. The supposedly worked very well together when they were both in the Senate. There's also the VP's other constitutional role (President of the Senate), which is currently a very minor role, but it doesn't have to be. I could see Fred getting into running the Senate on a regular basis and taking an active role in debates.
Among the commonly mentioned: I always thought Guiliani was the only person who could beat Clinton. They are both ruthless fighters and who knows what would happen in that dogfight. Also Guiliani had some chance to take NY, I figured no other Republican had any chance.
But a Guiliani nominated for VP isn't going to bring in NY or much else.
Romney is the best VP nominee. He brings solid skills to the ticket. McCain is old and (privately to Romney) should promise to serve one term.
My prediction online
Good luck to all!
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.