Possible John McCain Vice President Choices

John McCain, the GOP's likely candidate for 2008 is now in the spot where he can pick his running mate. Political pundits of all stripes are weighing in on who he should pick. Names such as Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin to counter the Hillary female factor, Minnesota's Governor Tim Pawlenty to help McCain pull in the upper Midwest vote to Louisiana's Indian- American Governor Bobby Jindal to negate Obama's diversity factor.

Here is a short list of possible Vice-Presidential candidates ranked in order of the most likely down.

An article by Susan Davis in today's Wall Street Journal [February 8, 2008] and posted on line at The Huffington Post. Talks about a grassroots campaign to push Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as the logical choice for McCain's running mate. The push has been started by Crystal Dueker of Fargo N.D. and Rich Holt of Proctorville, Ohio. Dueker stated to the Wall Street Journal "She's black and she's female and that's a huge change."

It is hoped that Rice will negate both the Hillary factor and the Obama factor. Condi Rice would bring to the ticket solid foreign affairs experience. She served as National Security Advisor during Bush's first term and Secretary of State during Bush's second term. Not only will she be able to draw in black and female voters who would not normally vote Republican, she would also be able to bring into the fold the conservatives of the party who are disenchanted by McCain.

Another strong candidate is Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin. Described in some circles as Alaska's "hottie" Governor, she would bring a down to earth, real person style to the ticket. Her youth, 44 years old, would appeal to the young soccer mom crowd. She is known for her dedication to her family and frontier, maverick style of governing. She would also help bring in the conservative gun lobby, being a life long member of the NRA. According to Governor Palin's own website, she states she is a firm believer in free market capitalism, pro-life and believes marriage should only be between a man and a woman. The biggest mark against her is that she has no national or international experience.

A third choice would be longtime GOP stalwart Elizabeth Dole, Republican Senator from North Carolina. Dole brings years of government experience to the ticket. But along with that experience is what a lot of people would consider baggage. She started out her political life as a Democrat, working in the Johnson Whitehouse. She stayed on when Richard Nixon became President holding various White House positions. She was appointed to the Federal Trade Commission in 1973 by Nixon.

In 1975, she switched political parties becoming a Republican. She served in the Regan administration as Secretary of Transportation and the George H.W. Bush Administration as Secretary of Labor. She brings a long resume of Executive Branch policy making experience to the ticket. She also brings Legislative Branch experience as North Carolina's Senator since 2002. Even though she is a female Senator from a southern state, she has a problem with her conservative credentials. Party conservatives won't forget her 1999 interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer when she skated around the hot button issue of abortion. She stated to Blitzer at the time that "It's an important issue. There are many other important issues. But I do feel that's for another day." In her favor, she has taken a strong stand on free trade, traditional marriage, a Constitutional ban on flag desecration and school choice. All issues important to the Republican core.