Republican close to campaign says McCain vetting Va. Rep. Eric Cantor as possible running mate

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune ^ | August 2, 2008 | Bob Lewis

[2ndDivisionVet]

RICHMOND, Va. - U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia has been asked for "personal documents" by John McCain's campaign, a Republican knowledgeable with the discussions said Saturday.

Cantor, 45, the chief deputy minority whip in the House, has been mentioned among several Republicans as a possible running mate for McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

The Republican familiar with the conversations between Cantor and the McCain campaign said Cantor has been asked to turn over documents, but did not know specifically what records were sought.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I agree.

[MeanWestTexan]

“I believe he is conservative and put on different stripes to succeed in Massachusetts”

Ah, yes, the “Mitt’s not a liberal; he was just lying.”

Not exactly a winner, either.

[concretebob]

Hell yes, 2Div. He's my Congressman.
Good man, very conservative, signed on to the GasPriceProtest.
Supports drilling, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, very articulate, very dedicated to the citizens of our Commonwealth, the 7th District, and America.
I couldn't think of a better choice.
I met him at the 7th District Round-Up last year.
I spoke to him for about 5 minutes about legislation concerning veterans benefits.
He listened, agreed to contact KY Rep. Geoff Davis who sponsored the legislation to sign on as a supporter.

[Eroteme]

If you want someone from the House, Pence, Cox, or Portman would be better.

In addition to being solid conservatives, both Pence and Cox are extremely good communicators--something McCain and the party need badly. The party has really suffered for lack of articulate spokespeople in positions of power for the conservative message.

Both young and good looking, and not polarizing; the dems would be hard pressed to demonize them. I'd prefer not to have a team with only legislative experience, though. Cox has executive experience now as head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. And the economic savvy would be a big plus. But either one as VP would energize the base without giving the dems too much of a target. (Not that they won't just make up stuff....)

[Doohickey]

I’m not thrilled by this. Probably because I detest McCain. I’d rather he run for Webb’s senate seat.

[pctech]

Here we go again. Mitt is not the ideal candidate because of his Mormon faith. Too many evangelicals won’t vote for him, including me.

[pctech]

Here we go again. Mitt is not the ideal candidate because of his Mormon faith. Too many evangelicals won’t vote for him, including me.

[tuckrdout]

AND...that wouldn’t be Mitt!

Mitt who signed their healthcare bill into law; and which is now causing the state to be in financial ruin. Mitt who said that he was more friendly to gays than Ted Kennedy. Mitt who use to be for abortion, before he was against it.

No Mitt.

[Lady GOP]

I will donate to RNC and/or McCain immediately if Mitt is chosen.

[tuckrdout]

Well, any other year, I might say ‘okay’...but McCain has got to have a woman, or a person of color-—or he will lose. It is that simple. America is so hungry for a little diversity in the Executive branch of our government, that they are willing to give the whole thing to an inexperienced dark skinned man, who has a questionable background.

Republicans have got to realize this. America wants a black president! America really, really wants a black person in the White House. Why is it so hard for Republicans to give America what they want?

The fact is, that America is mostly conservative. Conservative wins if the ground is level. If Republicans had a good candidate-who was a woman, or a person of color-- in the VP slot...they can win. Running 2 white guys is gonna fail.

I think Condi would be the best person, but then he has to fight the ‘bush third term’ slogan. I like Heather Wilson or Jennifer Carroll from Florida. Also, someone brought up Katherine Jenerette.

The perfect person would be J.C. Watts. All conservatives love him. But, I had heard this wasn't a possibility. But, who knows, maybe the problems could be overcome? Of Course Colin Powell would also be perfect. But, last I heard, he doesn't want to run, and he was advising Obama. See, even Powell wants a Black President. Get it in your heads that America wants a black President! I think America might vote for a history making black Vice President as well. But, to ignore this heartfelt yearning of the people, is a death nell. LISTEN McCain!

[tuckrdout]

Yeah, like Pawlenty. Milquetoast.... Sorry, I am sure he is very nice, but he isn't going to help McCain.

[tuckrdout]

Hey! We NEED AMTRAK in Montana. We need it along our highline. Our little towns depend on it for commerce and travel. I suppose there are a lot of midwestern towns who are the same.

[tuckrdout]

I absolutely LOVE Michael Steele! But, he has no experience. He needs to get a cabinet post. Gain some experience and be groomed for the Presidency. I think he would be wonderful.

[tuckrdout]

You know, you are right! They look exactly alike! LOL

[Blogger]

Uh, I don’t give a rats rear about Amtrak. His voting for infrastructure improvements doesn’t change my vote in the least. It appears he is solid where it is important.

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[tuckrdout]

LOL! I knew he looked like someone....when someone mentioned Sarah Palin, I thought that was it.

But you nailed it!

[tuckrdout]

I’m praying for Mitt too. But, not as the VP pick.

First of all, don’t care for his same sex marriage deal, or his state healthcare plan. Also, don’t care for his flip/flop on abortion.

McCain is already a RINO, we would like a real conservative.

[tuckrdout]

I’m with you on waiting. I think it is important. Whoever McCain picks, Obama will try to counter them. Obama has the first convention, he will have to pick first.

What we all need to realise, is that whoever Obama picks for VP, remember he has a whole cabinet to pick if he wins.

You can bet that John F. Kerry will be in that cabinet somewhere!

We HAVE to win! McCain has to pick a person of color, and or a woman. HAS TO, or he loses.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Cantor is married to Diana Fine and they maintain a kosher home.[3] On June 8, 2005, Cantor defeated Jim Nachman, the Democratic nominee and Independent candidate Dr. Brad Blanton. Cantor received 64% of the votes.

Cantor is a supporter of strong US-Israel, cosponsoring legislation that would cut off all U.S. taxpayer aid to the Palestinian Authority and another bill calling for an end to taxpayer aid to the Palestinians until they stop unauthorized excavations on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.[4] Responding to a claim by the State Department that the United States provides no "direct" aid to the Palestinian Authority, Cantor stated that United States sends about $75 million in aid annually to the Palestinian Authority, which is administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Cantor also stated that Congress approved a three-year package of $400 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority in 2000.[5] Cantor's cousin, Daniel Cantor Wultz, died as the result of a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv which was carried out by Islamic Jihad on April 17, 2006.

He's the Republican Lieberman.

I'M IN. This guy is HOT.