Posted on 08/28/2008 2:36:35 PM PDT by Fred
As John McCain prepares to announce his running mate on Friday in Dayton, Ohio, speculation is centering on candidates ranging from a former head of the Winter Olympics to an independent senator as the Arizona lawmaker's choice to help him take on Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the historic fall election.
With the Democrats' convention winding down in Denver, the focus is shifting to the Republicans, who are scheduled begin their nominating convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday. There's a chance the convention could be postponed, however, if Tropical Storm Gustav turns into a hurricane and strikes the Gulf Coast. See full story.
Pawlenty from Minnesota
One name in the mix is Tim Pawlenty, 48, who began his second term as governor of Minnesota in 2006. Pawlenty, who narrowly won reelection, is known as a budget balancer and has supported the increased use of ethanol. Pawlenty was an early supporter of McCain's candidacy but he wouldn't bring extensive experience.
Minnesota has gone Democratic in recent elections, but Pawlenty's close win there throws into question whether he'd have enough home-state support to put the state in the Republican column.
Although Pawlenty pledged in his run for governor to balance the state's budget without raising taxes, his plan included not only reducing funding increases for many state services but raising fees, including in-state college tuition and -- most controversial -- a fee on cigarette sales, which critics charged was just a tax in disguise.
Pawlenty's humble upbringing could help offset McCain's more privileged background. Born in St. Paul, he was one of five children and the first in his family to go to college. His father was a milk truck driver
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
Keeping my fingers crossed for Mitt.
*Yawn*
I thought it would be Romney, but Pawlentey has cancelled all of his appointments.
Either would do for me.
Number one rule for VP choice: political gravitas
I have a feeling that its not going to be any of those three.
At this point I don’t much care who it is although Lieberman or Ridge would be beyond the pale.
I’ll be voting against Obama rather than for McCain, I think.
“.....former head of the Winter Olympics?”
Doesn’t the author realize that being the Governor of Massachusetts is a higher position than running the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics?
I hope and pray that the hurricane doesn’t strike the Gulf Coast. The Democrats will make political hay out of it if it does. If it does, they should postpone the convention. Imagine the reactions among the Dems. if the Republicans are partying while New Orleans drowns. You can all imagine the kinds of things that will be said if that happens.
Please don’t pick Pawlenty.
And I’m saying that as a resident of Minnesota too!
“Keeping my fingers crossed for Mitt.”
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t be that slick talking snake. He ran as pro-gay, anti-gun, and pro-abortion in Mass in order to win over a liberal voting block and flipped on those and other issues to try to win a more conservative race. He is a talker with some nice hair but I don’t believe a single word that comes out of his mouth.
Somebody shoot the elephant if its Joe Lieberman. The GOP will no longer be a long term political party, just a political stunt.
Except Lieberman. He'd be the kiss of death.
Who do you like?
There would be a battle on the convention floor if he tried to put up either Ridge or Lieberman. Nothing “pro-choice”, the MSM would have a field day with that one. He’d fail to get it through, but that alienate at least half of McCain’s base.
This pick is a big deal because this will probably be a future president.
That’s the problem, don’t know a thing about Pawlenty.
As a MN resident would you say he is conservative ?
I hope and pray that the hurricane doesn’t strike the Gulf Coast.
Same here.
The Democrats will make political hay out of it if it does.
They will anyway, especially with it coming so close to the anniversary of Katrina.
If it does, they should postpone the convention.
How would that work? The venues are booked and many are probably re-booked for the next week. You've got to figure that a lot of delegates have non-refundable airplane tickets, as well.
Imagine the reactions among the Dems. if the Republicans are partying while New Orleans drowns. You can all imagine the kinds of things that will be said if that happens.
Put out the word that you're canceling the parties. Then do it. I don't see any other option.
My order of preference:
1. Sarah Palin - A great conservative, saavy politician, and an appeal to women’s votes.
2. Bobby Jindal - A great conservative, youthful, very smart, ethnic minority. A negative is that he is needed in Louisiana.
3. Kasich - Genuine conservative, young, personable and may help in Ohio, which is essential for a republican win.
4. Cantor - Like Kasich, but from VA. The pubs need VA less than OH.
5. Tim Pawlenty - Basically colorless, he neither adds nor detracts.
6. Mitt Romney - Good executive experience, successful businessman, has questionable conservative credentials. That, combined with some evangelicals who oppose him because of his Mormon religion, means he will cause McCain to lose votes.
7. Crist - Questionable conservative credentials, some executive experience, may cause some conservatives to not vote.
8. Tom Ridge - Pro-abort Politician, may help in PA, but will lose oodles of votes due to abortion view.
9. Joe Lieberman - Extremely liberal, except for the war on terror. May gain some independents and Democrats, but will lose so many conservatives that it won’t matter.
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