Anyone have a CLUE who the VPs will be?

[Gino]

Ive been following the election and I seriously have no clue who either candidate will pick for their running mate.

Is it safe to say that Hillary is out? Ive heard a dozen different possible candidates for McCain, but none seem to stand out.

Any guesses?

[Trainwreck2100]

colonel mustard?

[Mr. Peabody]

Ive been following the election and I seriously have no clue who either candidate will pick for their running mate.

Is it safe to say that Hillary is out? Ive heard a dozen different possible candidates for McCain, but none seem to stand out.

Any guesses?

I think Romney would be a good choice for McCain. He's well-known and was the favorite of the talk-radio crowd during the primaries. He would be a definite asset to the ticket.

Obama needs someone like Joe Biden, but it somewhat undercuts his message of a change in Washington to bring in a DC veteran like Biden. Maybe a DC outsider like Wesley Clark. I think Edwards' chances evaporated during the fifteen minutes he's alleged to have hid out in the men's room at the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel this past Monday.

[boutons_]

McKeating appears to be announcing his veep soon, desperate to counter HUSSEIN's juggernaut and foreign trip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/24/AR2008072403773.html?hpid=topnews

[Anti.Hero]

I've seen Pawlenty and Jindal talk a couple times and liked them. Don't know shit about them.

[boutons_]

Didn't Jindal say in the last week or so did not want to be veep?

[herzlman]

I agree with Colonel Mustard. He'd be a good match for McCain.

[01.20.09]

Obama veep team floats GOP name (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/12059.html)


Obama's vice presidential search team has floated the name of a former member of President Bush's first-term cabinet, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, as Obama's running mate.

Barack Obama's vice presidential search team has floated the name of a member of President Bush's first-term Cabinet, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, as Obama's running mate.

The search committee, now led by Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder, raised Veneman's name — among others — in discussions with members of Congress, two Democrats familiar with the conversations said.

The mention of Veneman's name surprised Democratic lawmakers. The low-profile Republican was close to food and agriculture industries but clashed with farm-state Democrats and environmentalists during her tenure, which lasted from 2001 to 2004.

But Veneman, 59, has a biography that could be suited to Obama's unifying message. A Republican raised on a California peach farm, she rose to become the nation’s first female agriculture secretary. In 2002 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was treated successfully. Today she serves as executive director of the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF.

The selection of a Republican could bolster Obama's unifying message, a Capitol Hill Democrat familiar with the discussion said.

"You select a strong independent woman who appeals to Republicans and independents, and so that's hard to beat," the Hill source said, explaining the logic of the possible choice. "Choosing someone like [Veneman] doesn't hurt you with the Democrats. It just doesn't hurt you. But it helps you with Independents and Republicans."


Hillary is still his best shot at winning it all.

[jochhejaam]

Cut into the superficial vote;
Romney for McCain. He'll get some cross-over vote from the 30% of women voters that support Obama over McCain because, more importantly than electing someone qualified to lead our Country, they're selecting Movie Star physical attributes over Troll physical attributes.


http://synkronyzer.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/mitt-romney.jpg

Go get 'em girls.



Romney heads McCain's VP short list;
Pawlenty, Ridge also in the mixPhoenix Business Journal -
by Mike Sunnucks
Print Email Reprints RSS Feeds Add to Del.icio.us Digg This Comments (2)John McCain's short list for vice president is fast becoming a very short list headed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge also in the mix.

The three have been meeting with McCain, according to sources familiar with the vice presidential search. McCain's campaign, however, is not commenting on its VP search.

Romney has private-sector experience that could help McCain appeal to voters troubled by high gas prices and other economic issues. He also appeals to conservatives on social issues and immigration, sources say.

"Neither campaign so far has given the public confidence that they have a plan to right the economy," said Jordan Rose, a managing partner of Scottsdale-based Rose Law Group PC, who is active in Republican politics.

"Once again it appears to be the 'economy stupid' and Romney is more qualified than nearly anyone in the country to be the CFO of the USA," Rose said.

Romney's resume includes investment banking and serving as chief executive of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

"Pawlenty represents a state that could change the outcome of the election and he has a media presence in Wisconsin because of its proximity to Minnesota," said Nathan Sproul, a principal with Lincoln Strategy Group, a political and public affairs firm in Tempe. "He doesn't anger the base. He is young, articulate and will make a great impression with voters."

Ridge, a McCain friend and former Pennsylvania governor, heads a consulting firm with his biggest drawback in Republican circles being his support for abortion rights. He also is from a key battleground state and like McCain, a decorated veteran. Ridge will be featured at a July 31 fundraiser for McCain in Washington. One source with knowledge of McCain's VP selection process said the Arizona senator would like to pick a woman for his VP if he could find a perfect fit.

Possibilities tossed about include U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

But a consultant, familiar with McCain's VP search who asked to not be identified, said none of those women fill the bill.

The source points to Rice's ties to President Bush and the 44-year-old Palin's experience level. Pawlenty is close to McCain and has sought to appeal to middle class, suburban, Republicans in his term as governor.

Other McCain VP possibilities include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/07/21/daily49.html



Should've been Mitt looking for a veep right now.

The Dems stumbled with Gore and Kerry, the Reps may stumble with McCain.

[Gino]

If McCain selects Romney, it will be purely for the Mormon vote.

Of course, how smart is it for the exceedingly old guy to tell the U.S. that if he dies, the Mormon will take over?

[jochhejaam]

If McCain selects Romney, it will be purely for the Mormon vote.

Of course, how smart is it for the exceedingly old guy to tell the U.S. that if he dies, the Mormon will take over?

Nah, Romney's support for McCain guarantees McCain the Mormon vote, not that they would have voted for Obama.

I don't see anyone out there giving Mac much of a push. McCain/Romney could turn into the same sort of fiasco that Dukakis found himself in; after his running mate Bentsen clobbered Mr. Potatoe in a debate, he came across as being more presidential than Dukakis, and there were tongue-in-cheek calls for a Bentsen/Dukakis ticket.

IMO, Romney's the better man, more articulate, business savvy, intelligent <not that Mac isn't> "looks" more presidential <yes, that gets votes>, he could probably pass as McCain's grandson.
Ditto, facetious and serious calls for a Romney/McCain ticket. I don't know how much help it would be to McCain if his running mate outshines him.

[Mr. Peabody]

Nah, Romney's support for McCain guarantees McCain the Mormon vote, not that they would have voted for Obama.

I don't see anyone out there giving Mac much of a push. McCain/Romney could turn into the same sort of fiasco that Dukakis found himself in; after his running mate Bentsen clobbered Mr. Potatoe in a debate, he came across as being more presidential than Dukakis, and there were tongue-in-cheek calls for a Bentsen/Dukakis ticket.

IMO, Romney's the better man, more articulate, business savvy, intelligent <not that Mac isn't> "looks" more presidential <yes, that gets votes>, he could probably pass as McCain's grandson.
Ditto, facetious and serious calls for a Romney/McCain ticket. I don't know how much help it would be to McCain if his running mate outshines him.

Along the same line, someone asked me whether Rudy would be McCain's running mate. I know his name has not been put out there and I never felt it was likely to be. Putting aside any policy differences between the two, there is the possibility that Rudy would outshine McCain and McCain cannot take such a risk.

Obama faces the same scenario with Hillary as a VP. Again, putting her baggage aside, Obama would have a running mate that many in the party feel should be the one leading the ticket. It's not an ideal position to find yourself in as a candidate.

[ChumpDumper]

Not John Edwards.

[GaryJohnston]

Obama/Clooney '08

[JoeChalupa]

Joe Biden

[jochhejaam]

McCain's looking into possibly selecting a female VP, the right choice could easily cut into Obama's big lead among women voters, enough so to put him into the Big House.


McCain veep talk turns to female candidates
Joseph Curl (Contact)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sen. John McCain's growing popularity among women is fueling speculation about the possibility that he will select a female running mate, ripening talk about conservative favorite Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, one of his top economic advisers.

Political pundits, election strategists and even some Democrats say putting a dynamic woman on the Republican ballot would tip independents, especially the "security moms" who helped President Bush win re-election in 2004.

"If McCain picked a woman, it would certainly get the attention and perhaps votes of some Democrats and a number of independents who supported Hillary Clinton," said Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh.

What's more, with Mr. McCain not exactly a favorite of social and fiscal conservatives, prominent leaders of the party's right flank say choosing a bona fide member of their class could re-energize the GOP base.

"Sarah Palin is a great choice," said Grover Norquist, a Republican activist best known for his economic conservatism.

"She's got it all, and is a remarkable leader who brings a number of good qualities to the table," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.

Although Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are still considered the frontrunners for the veep slot (with a growing hum about former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman), there is a new buzz that Mr. McCain will make a "transformative" pick outside the mainstream, perhaps even cross party lines to choose former Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman.

While most insiders find that option unlikely, Newt Gingrich warns Mr. McCain not to pick "one more relatively boring normal mainstream Republican white guy." <good advice>

"This fall, there's going to be a lot of energy surrounding the Obama campaign and we need to find ways to generate a substantial amount of energy around the McCain campaign, and an effective, dynamic different kind of vice presidential nominee, I think, would make a difference," the former House speaker said.

Mrs. Palin is "a mother of five, is a genuine Alaskan, is a hunter, is a dogsledder, is very much for drilling for oil, has a great reform reputation, took on big oil on behalf of the people of Alaska," Mr. Gingrich said. "I think she would bring a level of excitement and uniqueness that people would have to stop and say, 'Boy, this is kind of intriguing.' "

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama has been wowing audiences worldwide, and during the primaries his soaring rhetoric prompted reports of women swooning at his rallys. Mr. Obama enjoys massive support from women under 40, leading the Republican candidate by 13 points, according to the latest Fox News survey.

But Mr. McCain leads among women in their 40s by four points and among women 50 and older by three points. While the Arizona senator's margins are slim, Democratic presidential candidates have traditionally led in those categories by 15 points or more, said former Clinton adviser Dick Morris.

"Long regarded as a maverick Republican, he attracts these swing voters and is ideally positioned to exploit the estrangement between older women and Barack Obama," Mr. Morris wrote in a column on Wednesday. There are also 18 million women across the country who supported Sen. Hillary Clinton, and shortly before she dropped out of the race in June, nearly 30 percent of her supporters said they would shift to Mr. McCain before they would vote for the first-term Illinois senator.

Women made up 54 percent of the electorate in 2004, when "security moms" turned out in droves to support Mr. Bush. Both Barack and Michelle Obama know the importance of the woman vote this November and both are making efforts to shore up their support.

Despite their hefty weight this election, some Republicans are skeptical about the possibility of Mr. McCain's naming a woman if it was going to be seen as having been motivated purely by poll numbers. They wonder if voters would see such a vice presidential decision as act of shallow opportunism, whether or not the woman chosen managed to satisfy the sometimes mutually exclusive interests of interest groups -- economic, religious and national defense that Mr. McCain needs to win. These Republicans pointed out that the reason women apparently lean toward Mr. McCain has nothing to do with the sex of his as-yet unnamed running mate.

"Yes, the gap for Obama among women over 40 is real," said Randy Brinson, a Montgomery, Ala. physician, evangelical leader and founder of the national Redeem the Vote movement. "Obama validates all the security concerns of women by his radical agenda, his inexperience, his redistribution-of-wealth ideas and the view that America is subservient in status in regard to Europe, which Obama embraces."

Nevertheless, there is growing buzz about Mrs. Palin, the first female governor of Alaska and youngest ever at 44. In April had her fifth child, Trig, who has been diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. Her other colorfully named children are Bristol, Willow, Piper and Track, who at age 18 joined the Army last Sept. 11.

Once a beauty queen in her home town of Wasilla, Alaska, she has earned a reputation as a tough broad, eating moose burgers (she's a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and her website shows her holding the antlers of a downed moose), riding snowmobiles and fishing. A former point-guard for her high school basketball team, she is a regular churchgoer, staunchly pro-life and, like Mr. McCain, believes that climate change poses a threat.

She is the focus of a Web site (palinforvp.blogspot.com) and elicits oohs and ahhs from leading evangelicals, who are cool on Mr. Romney.

"Palin is an easy sell, particularly because of the recent birth," David Barton, named by Time magazine as one of America's most influential evangelicals, told The Washington Times.

Another potential running mate for Mr. McCain is Mrs. Fiorina, which Forbes magazine was dubbed the most powerful woman in business but who was forced out of HP in 2005 after a nasty power struggle with the corporation's board and amid rampant dissatisfaction among shareholders. At 53, she has no experience in political office, but that didn't stop Mr. McCain from making her one of his top surrogates, naming her to the post of chairman of fundraising for get-out-the-vote efforts.

She's already had a major misstep, suggesting that insureres are sexually biased because they cover Viagra and not birth control pills (making for an awkward moment when Mr. McCain was asked if he believes the same thing).

But she stood her ground and was recently dispatched to woo supporters of Mrs. Clinton to vote for Mr. McCain. Democrats are worried that she may persuade disgruntled Clinton backers to support the Republican candidate, and some have quietly pushed stories highlighting her $42 million severance package when she left HP and her move to cut 18,000 jobs as she moved work overseas.

Mrs. Marsh said picking Mrs. Fiorina would spotlight her high salary as an executive and her defense of sending jobs overseas.

"That is why if McCain picked a woman, it would be potentially more advantageous to select an elected official like Palin who understands politics, campaigns, government and has a public record rather than having to defend the business record of Fiorina," Mrs. Marsh said.

Other female candidates have fallen by the wayside: Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who has repeatedly said she does not want the vice presidential job, is too closely tied to the Bush administration, which Mr. McCain is trying to distance himself from. Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, mentioned often several months ago, would put two senators on the Republican ticket, which many pundits say is certain death.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/31/mccain-veep-talk-turns-female-candidates/



http://www.errikk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/miss-wasilla-1984.jpg

http://www.errikk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/miss-wasilla-1984.jpg

[jochhejaam]

There are also 18 million women across the country who supported Sen. Hillary Clinton, and shortly before she dropped out of the race in June, nearly 30 percent of her supporters said they would shift to Mr. McCain before they would vote for the first-term Illinois senator

Wow, 18 million disgruntled women voters who were supporting a Dem, McCain/Palin makes sense.

[herzlman]

Those 18 million hate Obama because he beat their candidate. It makes no sense whatsoever, but I think a lot of them will end up voting for McCain despite the fact that they disagree with him on just about everything.

[jack sommerset]

Obama would pick Clinton. She would say no.Obama will lose the election without her 4sure and she can run again in 4 years.Obama is an idiot.

[smeagol]

Ron Paul, to get the V crowd excited again . . .

[JoeChalupa]

meh

[Wild Cobra]

If McCain selects Romney, it will be purely for the Mormon vote.

Of course, how smart is it for the exceedingly old guy to tell the U.S. that if he dies, the Mormon will take over?
Well, the disgruntlred conservatives like myself who will have no reason to vote, or vote 3rd party will probably vote for McCain if Romney is his VP. I know I will. I will simply vote for Bob Barr unless McCain picks a conservative I respect.

[Wild Cobra]

I know who the Obamunist's best VP pick will be for the looney left....

Hanoi Jane!

http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/hanoi-jane-low-cut.jpg

http://patriotpost.us/news/images/hanoijane.jpg (http://patriotpost.us/news/hanoijane.asp)

http://astro4.ast.vill.edu/66/52621111.jpg (http://astro4.ast.vill.edu/66/ks.htm)

http://libertyyes.homestead.com/files/FU_HanoiJane.jpg (http://libertyyes.homestead.com/Hanoi_Jane.html)