McCain's Vice President

I said as early as right after the Florida primary that Governor Crist of Florida is likely to be McCain's Vice Presidential choce.  I have not changed my mind (assuming he wants the sometimes thankless job). 

It is often said, correctly, that a choice of Vice Presidential candidate rarely wins the elction, but can lose it.  That means no Spiro Agnew (even though Nixon won) or Tom Eagleton (McGonvern's first choice).  Dan Quayle did little for Bush 41, and Dick Cheney was merely acceptable for Bush 43 (adding really nothing politically, although a good working Vice President for President Bush).  A Vice Presidential candidate should ideally bring a state or two with him, and fill in some POLITICAL gap which the Presidential nominee appears to have.  Of course, the person should be perceived as someone able to take over as President--solid, in other words.  Here are some possible choices, and their pluses and minuses:

1.  Mitt Romney:   He brings an economic expertise that McCain does not have.  He could help with MICHIGAN, which is a state which Repuboicans cold win because of teh democrats disenfranchising the voters (see multiple entries over the past week).  Downside:   I regard the Mormon thing as a bigoted item that would not matter in the end.  However, McCain appears to detest Romney.  It is just hard to see it, and Romney has not shown a great ability to connect to voters.  Unlikely.

2.  Goivernor of Minnesotal.  Who has heard of him?  Might deliver Minnesota, but little chance.

3.  New Governor of Louisiana.  Up and coming conservative.  May be a STAR.  But who has heard of him?  Delivers no state.  No chance.

4.  Joe Lieberman.  One of those bold moves that could LOSE the election.  Too risky.  No chance.

5.  Mel Martinez, Hispanic Senator from Florida.  an Hispanic would be ideal (although all "Hispanics" are not the same--Mexian-Americans not being the same as Cubans).  A possibility, but doubtful.  He is a Senator, as is McCain, and McCain needs someone with executuve experience.  Not likely, athough an Hispaic really would be an attractive choice for McCain--if a good one could be found.

6.  Michael Steele.   My own favorite longshot/bold choice.  But, again, is way too risky.  Steele was unable to win the Senate race in Maryland, even though I regarded him as the most attractive candidate of either party in 2006.  He is African-American,  It would be a bold choice.  But Steele wold not deliver any state, and is really unlikely.

7.  Mik Huckabee. He would only help in Arakansas, and other "Bible Belt" states McCain is likely to win anyway.  He is a good campaigner, but adds little to the economic expertise of the McCain team.  He would help induce evangelicals to be enthusiastic for McCain, when they might otherwise sit it out.  Not out of the question ,but negative image of an evangelical in the second spot might outweigh the positive (yes, the mainstream media is as bigoted on evangelicals as they are with Mormons--of the conservative kind).

That leaves Governor Crist (ignoring the pregnant governor of Alaska and some other longshots).  He WOULD deliver Florida.  McCain MIGHT win Florida anyway, but nailing it down would be a good thing for McCain.  He might end up not having to devote mcuh resources to Florida.  Little risk with Crist, if he wants the job and has no big skeletons waiting to be discovered.  I think he is, by far, the safest choice. Not my favorite, because you get another McCain moderate who does not favor enforcement of tthe immigration laws.

As I have said before, I regard Rick Perry of Texas as a BAD mistake.  Take my word for it.  I lieve here.  There are many other names that may come up.   Newt Gingrich, for example, brings too much baggage.   Governor Crist is just so much the obviously safe choice that it will probably be someone else.