Posted on 07/12/2008 8:03:50 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Many handicappers believe that former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge could help McCain rev up Republicans in that key state. But the party's conservative base is not likely to stand for a pro-abortion rights Republican lounging a heart-beat away from the Presidency.
That reality keeps Mitt Romney in the hunt. A related problem hampers another former McCain opponent, Mike Huckabee. Huckabee passes the Right's social values test, but is viewed as too "compassionate" by fiscal conservatives.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is perhaps the prospective Veep who best fits the characteristics McCain needs. Tim who? Former Minnesota Rep. Vin Weber pointed out Pawlenty "has been a conservative Governor in a fairly liberal state." Pawlenty is young, yet a veteran of two terms in the Governor' office, mediagenic, cool with both social and fiscal conservatives and he stems from "blue-collar roots." But the problem is Pawlenty is little-known. Virtual anonymity hinders another touted V.P. candidate, former Ohio Congressman and Bush OMB Director, Rob Portman.
More problematic for Portman may be his tenure in the Bush Administration. As Newsweek put it, "Portman's strong ties to the deeply unpopular policies of the Bush years would do little to deflect the "McSame" attacks that have plagued McCain since he clinched the Republican nomination in March."
(Excerpt) Read more at knbc.com ...
Romney is the best all around, or perhaps Sarah Palin.
If McCain needs a pro-life Pennslyvanian he should consider Rick Santorum.
There are some possiblities here, and no doubt other Freepers have suggestions of their own.
Since you’re from Ohio, what’s the take on Rob Portman?
But the party’s conservative base is not likely to stand for a pro-abortion rights Republican lounging a heart-beat away from the Presidency.
That reality keeps Mitt Romney in the hunt.
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And even though Romney is pro-abortion, he is still salivating over the VPOTUS spot
And kissing up to McCain..
The author of this piece is a Dem. The diss she put on Sarah Palin is interesting. “Search the tundra” for a Veep, indeed. What a putdown on Alaska. Could be the Dems are most worried if McCain goes with Palin.
Mitt is too, whenever the political need arises.
Pawlenty just doesn't seem like presidential material...
I like Portman and Kasiak from Ohio. Or John Thune
Pawlenty was on C-SPAN the other day making a speech. He sounded very good, very articulate. I know that some FReepers from Minnesota have been decidedly unenthusiastic about him as a VP choice. Since he barely won office, it's not clear if he could help the ticket much in Minnesota and the neighboring states.
ROFL at author’s middle name
McCain has to pick a Governor to balance the ticket.
Instead of typical FR litmus tests on candidates that don’t swing states or even votes, perhaps counting to 270 is a better idea and how to get there.
Problem is, it’s not about the veep, but the nominee.
me too
Rick Santorum couldn’t hold his Senate seat against an empty suit like Casey. Plus a lot of Conservatives still dislike him for endorsing Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in ‘04. That’s one reason he lost in ‘06; Conservatives can be very, very vindictive.
Rob Portman is a Bush Administration insider.
good point. Palin could be a clincher. What we’d better get a grip on is winning, and defeating a deadly threat to this country. so, debating about who would be the most palatable, conservative vp choice to US is not as important as who and what will gain the most broad base of votes to win the white house and defeat b. hussein obama. simple. do you think disgruntled dems for hillary won’t back BHO in the end? they will - the dems unite more than ever this year. we’d better also.
okay, just shoot me now.
What’s your take on Sarah Palin?
Sarah Palin is the best choice for McCain out of all of the GOP Governors, IMHO. Mike Pence is my choice out of everybody.
I just don’t know enough about her to have an opinion.
She just had a baby. I just don’t see her being that interested in the job.
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