John McCain's Running Mate
One Way to Appease Conservatives
Without conservative support, McCain will not win the general election. There are already rumblings about how many conservatives will stay home in November or even become "suicide voters" and actually pull the lever for the Democrat candidate.
There are ways for Senator McCain to alleviate the concerns of conservatives. One would involve choosing a respected conservative as his running mate.
This choice of a running mate is of prime importance, especially for McCain. McCain is an older man who will be seventy two upon being sworn in as President. One would certainly wish Senator McCain a long, active life. But there also exists the possibility that because of his age McCain will be a one term President.
The Vice President automatically becomes the front runner for the nomination in 2012 (or 2016 should McCain run for and win a second term.) Even if McCain loses, his running mate would still be the front runner for the next election.
So who to choose?
Not Mike Huckabee, though considering his strength in the South it would be a temptation. Conservatives don't like or trust Huckabee either. Nor any other moderate or liberal.
Mitt Romney? He is likely to be the second place finisher, barring some last minute development. He also complements McCain's main foreign policy and national security strength with his financial acumen. The downside is that McCain and Romney detest one another. It's not unprecedented (remember JFK and Lyndon Johnson) but something that bears consideration.
What about a southern governor or senator? Governor Charlie Crist of Florida is a possibility. His endorsement likely helped McCain win that state. Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi is another possibility. His adroit handling of the Hurricane Katrina crises is still remembered. Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana is also an intriguing choice, especially if the opponent is Obama. Jindal is young, dynamic, and-unlike Obama-has substance and ideas. McCain's old friend Phil Gramm, former Senator from Texas, is yet another possibility.
Newt Gingrich is another choice. He is well respected in conservative circles and is by far the smartest, most imaginative person in public life in the United States. The downside is that he is still hated by the Democrats for the 1994 Revolution that took over the Congress for the GOP. He would attract negative voting therefore. In any case, Gingrich would be a better choice for a real policy making office, say Secretary of Health and Human Services.
In any event, Senator McCain had best choose wisely. The rest of his political career and the future of the Republic depend on it.
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
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33 Comments
Post a Commenti think Obama would make a GREAT president.... and come on. EVERY one knows WHY McCain chose Palin... i mean she is a GIRL and since Clinton dropped out... they are ALL going to go for McCain. Thats his plan and it STUPID.. America needs change and Republicans dont LIKE change. i think a democratic president is what America REALLY needs. NOT McCain
"He's sneaky, underhanded and basically a crook. How can anyone vote for this guy? Just based on Obama's VP should cause people to run the other way! Far the other way! "
This sounds like an adequate description of every Republican that has run for office in my life time.
What did they call Richard Nixon? "Tricky Dick?"
Have you seen the news lately?
Sounds like your girl Sarah bought a lot of secrets to the Republican table.
What are you thoughts on the recent non-vetting of McCains running mate?
You gotta give McCain credit, he's got nerves of steel in making his choice of Palin. It shows courage. If he were to choose Ms. Rice it would strengthen Obama's claim of "Same old politics" "Too Much Like Bush" claims. Palin is a breath of fresh air. Heck if she can raise five kids she can handle the country
In closing, Obama's running mate is the most untrustworthy person I've ever met. He's sneaky, underhanded and basically a crook. How can anyone vote for this guy? Just based on Obama's VP should cause people to run the other way! Far the other way!
Well first of all if you're talking about THE God, it's capitalized. I have difficulty in the comments attacking her because of her gender. Gender has nothing to do with it. It's morales and her beliefs. If you are a conservative christian voter then what she stands for is most closely aligned with the bible. If it's because of her gender then you need to head back to the bible. Women were used to run the nation of Israel if God saw women fit to run his people then you're already off track and you're discriminating. Choosing not to vote because she's a women is ridiculous. Choosing not to vote for them because they do not stand for what you believe is mature. You are politically correct in one area though, name calling and mud slinging. Although I do agree with you with regards to Obama. He's an illusion and if he is elected the real snake will rise up out of the islamic vessel.
Just when I felt confident in chosing McCain as my candidate to vote for, he goes and does a silly, backwards, offensive, unintelligent and wrongful and moronically politically correct thing like select a female as his VP running mate. This nation is falling apart because morales are discarded for popular opinion. Men are expected to be more "feminine" and women want to act like men. No one knows what their "sexual preference" is and god has turned into a parade of laughable and emotionally immature and naive goddess worship and so-called ancient Wiccan/neo-pagan rituals. Obama obviously is the epitome of such deplorable lifestyles and encourages that disgust...but McCain should be ashmed...I am ashamed to say I supported him. I guess my only support is for god now. Tsk tsk tsk on our idiotic and misled culture...tsk tsk on all of you who can't see through it.
I AGREE. I REALLY LIKE HILLARY AND THINK SHES A SMART WOMAN REGARDLESS OF THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF HER AND BILL.
I AM A DEMOCRAT AND IT REALLY BOTHERS ME BUT I IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CANNOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT BOTHERS ME AND ITS NOT BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. I AM NOT CRAZY ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN EITHER BUT IN MY MIND HE IS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS. IF HE CHOSE A FEMALE RUNNING MATE I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH VOTING FOR HIM, I DONT THINK.
Mormons believe that Jesus and satan are brothers. In the temple when they are wed, there are women placing oils on the womens private parts and men put oils on the mens private parts.
They also believe that your earthly husband gives you a secret name and he is the only one that can call you to heaven. The Bible says God will call you home.
Read about their religions. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. Before you vote, please be smart enough to investigate the truth. The media will trick you.
I personally think that John McCain would win the election if he would choose Hilary Clinton. I think that it would be good for once to have one from both parties come together and represent the United States. At least then maybe the American people will have someone in office they could count on and not just one party ruling it.
I agree that MIKE HUCKABEE would be the Republican party's best chance for a victory in November. He has continued to impress me with his knowledge, morals, and strength, definite traits of John McCain. How could we lose with a dynamic team like this!!!