Starked DC

VEEPSTAKES!

by J-Michael Cabosky on May 13th, 2008

As we’re quickly approaching the official end of the primary season, we have no more than 2-3 months before John McCain and Barack Obama announce their VP choices.  So, who’s it going to be?

Well, we’ll start with their top ten, and narrow it down until we come up with a decision.  Of course, your opinions will be necessary to do so. 

Let’s begin:

John McCain’s Options:                      Barack Obama’s Options:

1. Bobby Jindal - Gov. of Louisiana   1. Kathleen Sebelius - Gov. of Kansas

2. Charlie Crist - Gov. of Florida       2. Michael Bloomberg (I) - Mayor, NYC

3. Haley Barbour - Gov. of Miss.       3. Wesley Clark - Fmr. Military General

4. Mitt Romney - Fmr. Gov. of Mass  4. Tim Kaine - Gov. of Virginia

5. Tim Pawlenty - Gov. of Minn.       5. Bill Richardson - Gov. of New Mexico

6. Condeleeza Rice - Sec. of State   6. Brad Henry - Gov. of Oklahoma

7. Rob Portman - Rep. from OH        7. Chuck Hagel (R) - Sen. from Nebraska

8. Joe Lieberman (I) - Sen. from CT  8. Sam Nunn - Fmr. Senator from Georgia

9. Marsha Blackburn - Rep. from TN  9. Ed Rendell - Gov. of Pennsylvania

10. Jim DeMint - Sen. from SC         10. Evan Bayh - Sen. from Indiana

Here’s a rundown:

MCCAIN’S:

BOBBY JINDAL: As the youngest governor out there, it’s a nice contrast to McCain.  Additionally, he’s staunchly far to the right and is the only Indian-American Governor, an added diversity to the ticket.

CHARLIE CRIST: Florida, Florida, Florida.  Crist would take Florida off the map as an electoral option for Obama.  He is also more youthful and well spoken, a nice compliment. 

HALEY BARBOUR: A popular Southern governor who received credit for his actions after Katrina.  He’s got the Southern street-cred, and he’s well regarded within conservative circles. 

MITT ROMNEY: Oh Mitt Romney.  He’s popular with some party insiders, but he’s also unpopular with some conservatives and those who still didn’t warm to his Mormon faith.  Still, Romney could certainly help bring in some money, is considered stronger on the economy, and could help win states like CO and NV, states with a large Mormon vote. 

TIM PAWLENTY: A young appealing governor from Minnesota, he could certainly help in winning over IA, MN, and WI.  The RNC convention is being held there after all.  (There is an odd report though coming from the Huffington Post where Pawlenty awkwardly joked that his wife won’t have sex with him.  Will that cost him the slot?)

CONDELEEZA RICE: As an African-American woman, she certainly seems to help in those two demographics.  She also remains quite popular even with her connections to Bush and Iraq.  Still, she has just that, connections to Bush and Iraq.  Not good.

ROB PORTMAN: The only legitimate option from OH, Portman is a good friend of McCain’s and a relatively solid conservative. 

JOE LIEBERMAN: McCain’s biggest backer, and he’s a former VP candidate for the Democrats!  Would be interesting for McCain to add a former Dem and now Independent candidate to his ticket.  Still, what could be more boring then the elder McCain complimented by the monotone elder Lieberman?

MARSHA BLACKBURN: A conservative Southerner, picking a woman may be a great idea for McCain.  Additionally, she’s young and attractive, serving as a nice contrast. 

JIM DEMINT: A popular and more youthful Senator, he could certainly help sure up Southern conservative support.  Still, he’s noted for some strong anti-homosexual and single mother comments.

OBAMA’S:

KATHLEEN SEBELIUS: Perhaps the top choice.  An avid Obama backer, they share the Kansas connection.  She also helps bring in the female vote as well as playing well in the Midwest as she is a moderate Democrat.  A great speaker, she’s tough to beat.  The only thing that is lacking is her foreign policy experience.

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: Like Sebelius, it seems he really likes Barack, and Barack likes him.  An economic expert, it’d be a great addition in such a bad economy.  Additionally, as an independent, he’d certainly help Obama in a unity sense.  He also helps wrap up the Jewish vote in PA and FL.

WESLEY CLARK: A big-time Clinton Guy, Clark would bring some party unity.  Additionally, he’s from the South and has a lot of foreign policy experience.  A popular option.

TIM KAINE: While Jim Webb’s name is abound, I doubt they’ll take him out of the Senate.  Tim Kaine is a catholic that could help carry VA, PA, and OH. 

BILL RICHARDSON: He really is a perfect compliment.  He’s a governor with plenty of foreign policy experience.  He’s also pro-gun and could help win the Southwest and maybe even put Texas in play.  Still, could it be too much diversity on the ticket for blue collar voters in OH and PA?  Sadly, prejudice is still high.

BRAD HENRY: You don’t hear his name much in the VP picks so far, but Henry is very popular in the most red of states.  He’s well spoken and a moderate Dem.  Watch out for him.

CHUCK HAGEL: An interesting pick.  Chuck Hagel is a disenfranchised Republican Senator with plenty of foreign policy experience.  Could seal the nomination if there was such a daring pick.

SAM NUNN: As an old conservative Southern Dem, Nunn could give Obama appeal in the Midwest and South.  He also has plenty of foreign policy experience to balance Obama.  Could he even put Georgia and NC in play?

ED RENDELL: An avid Clinton guy, he has a great operation in PA.  He’d likely help lock up PA and NJ while also helping in OH and MI.

EVAN BAYH: An avid Clinton supporter and more moderate, pro-life Dem, he could help in IN, OH, PA, and MI.

Your turn…who am I missing?  Who do you think should be at the top of the list?

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