[freespirited]

You should be aware though that McCain will probably pick someone like Huckabee as his running mate to shore up the values base. Notice how John and Mike as saying nice things about each other; it has to be more than having a common enemy in Romney.

I dont think McCain would pick Huckabee as a running mate. It doesnt buy him anything strategically. He will pick someone who would get him a blue state he would otherwise have no chance of winning. Top prospect I think would be Gov Pawlenty of Minnesota.

[tj21807]

McCain picking Huckabee as his VP would be disgusting.

I’d rather have Ron Paul as second in command than Huckabee.

Besides that I don’t see what Huckabee provides in a general election. McCain already has the support of independents so appealing to them with a VP pick would be pointless.

What about a McCain-Fred ticket?

[AZObserver]

Completely agree about Pawlenty (R-MN). Huck nets McCain zero — and would even open his ticket up to a lot of the criticism that Huck is now rightfully absorbing (spendthrift, winning the U.S. for Christ, etc.). Pawlenty could put MN in play on a McCain/Pawlenty ticket, which would be potent. Imagine Hill spending money trying to just HOLD MN, MI, WI and NH. . .

[Kuksool]

Pawlenty scored below 50% in his Governor victories. It is questionable if he can flip MN. A stronger Veep for McCain would be Gov Mark Sanford of South Carolina - fiscal conservative with military experience.

[Sola Veritas]

“I dont think McCain would pick Huckabee as a running mate. It doesnt buy him anything strategically.”

First of all, I said “like” Huckabee, not necessarily Huckabee. Also, McCain needs to make peace with the values base of the GOP. Huckabee, or someone like him, would be the way to do so. That would be both a tactically and strategically wise move. How Iowa comes out will be a big indicator.