McCain/Giuliani?
Dave Price
That's the speculation now, as McCain takes Florida and Rudy finishes third.
I wonder how long that partnership's been in the works. I seem to recall the two being pretty friendly as far back as the first debate. Maybe they've always had a gentleman's agreement that the loser would throw the victor his support in exchange for the Veep slot.
I think the two make a very strong general election ticket, maybe the strongest the GOP could field, in a year they'll badly need that strength. The question is whether their base will revolt, and they might have to hope a Hillary candidacy keeps their conservative faction motivated to turn out in Novemnber.
Speaking of Hillary, my guess is that despite the rancor, the pressure will be huge for a Clinton/Obama ticket if Hillary wins (as seems likely now) — and Hillary is nothing if not pragmatic.
McCain seems very likely to take the nomination now, based on his polling in the Feb 5th states, and perhaps deservedly so. Above all else, Republicans respect military service and military perspicacity, and McCain can legitimately claim both in spades, whatever his other sins.
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.