Ok, let's pick McCain's veep for him.

[saltpoint]

Poll question: Ok, let's pick McCain's veep for him.

Here are 9 specific choices, plus an OTHER choice.

I ran out of slots on the poll software, but other names might be considered in addition to these nine, such as (but not limited to) Tom Ridge, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, Jeb Bush, Jim Talent, George Allen, Rudy Giuliani, Tommy Franks, Fred Thompson, Tommy Thompson, Haley Barbour, Bobby Jindal, etc. -- hence the OTHER option.

Of the possible nominees who would help McCain, there's the variable of their not wanting anything to do with him. Thune or Portman would be more of a help, IMO than Huckabee or Pawlenty, but would Thune and Portman really want to board a ship that's rapidly taking water and about to go under in the gurgling brine?

Some have said they aren't interested already.

And all of the others seem to carry at least one, sometimes more, significant negatives for a national campaign.

I think it's great that McCain is in such a weakened position that not even a carefully considered vice presidential choice helps him very much. If he chooses a nominee more appealing to independents, his fundie nutbag totals go down. If he picks a fundie nutbag-approved nominee, he loses even more independents than he's already lost as it is. McCain's no-win hinge strengthens Obama and whoever he chooses by default PLUS whatever positives Obama's choice brings to the longer coattails we need for down-ballot races.

While McCain is busy pouting over Obama's world tour, who's your call for his vice presidential nominee?

[NewJeffCT]

1. I think it will be Romney

but, I could be wrong.

[chimpymustgo]

4. I think it will be Romney unless Obama doesn't name Hillary, or gives her short shrift at the

convention. Then, McCain might well name a woman.

[saltpoint]

5. Hi, NewJeffCT. It could be Willard. McCain can see Willard wants the job.

Romney is sloberring eager to say yes, in fact.

But it's got to be a real red flag for McCain that a lot of other people aren't nearly as interested!

[terrya]

8. I agree. I think it will be Romney.

But hell, what do I know? What do any of us here know? Unless we're in the inner circle of the McCain campaign...in which case we shouldn't be here....

[TexasObserver]

59. Romney is the only guy that makes any sense at all.

1. his Mormon mafia
2. his Mormon money backers
3. his money
4. his family history in Michigan
5. the business Republicans like him
6. he's got Jeb Bush as a backer

McCain-Romney is going to lose, but it won't lose as badly as some other matchup.

[Muttocracy]

2. what is it with Graham, Graham, and Gramm, Tommy, Thompson, and Thompson? nt

[saltpoint]

11. Well. They aren't of much appeal to you and me very likely, but

in Bushworld, they are instantaneously viable owing to their lack of an ethical center, their disregard for the factual argument of multiple issues, and their general willingness to pimp for the Bush administration's disastrous policies.

So they have to be considered as "viable" -- from McCain's point of view, I mean -- in the veep sweepstakes.

I argue that Franklin Graham is McCain's best hope to mobilize the one salvageable demographic in the GOP base -- fundie nutbags.

Franklin Graham is an abominable human being, IMO, but again, McCain is facing an electoral landslide. He needs a Dobson-approvable veep nom. Franklin Graham is that candidate, IMO.

Little Lindsey has been pro-McCain since 2000 but of course could not deliver South Carolina against Rovian subversion in that state's 2000 primary. I think there may be other base-disturbing issues with a Graham choice.

The Thompsons are harmless picks. Whether either would take the assignment is another question. Obama will carry Wisconsin; Tommy could make it a light bit closer, but not much, IMO. Fred Thompson is a safe pick. Reasonably acceptable to many fundies and no Senate seat or governor's chair is at stake.

[Muttocracy]

13. I meant the lack of name diversity, not picking on your choices at all!

:hi:

I wonder how many Americans know them apart.

[saltpoint]

17. Joe, hi. We're cool. I was just blathering on about McCain's

no-win position -- which is great for our team! He really is in a bad spot for a presidential candidate.

I guess he could dig up Giuliani again and run terra terra terra ads from now until November. It's just that the voters no longer support the war the Pukes are warning us about. It's not a dead issue, but McCain isn't handling it very well.

Or he could choose someone from the House -- Chris Shays, for instance -- because the GOP is going to lose House seats anyway. But as silly as Shays often is, I can't see him wanting to run with McCain. He's I think the lone Republican in the CT delegation (?) and his constituents are going to be voting for Barack Obama, I think. Likely in large numbers.

I want the GOP generally and McCain especially to eat crow after years of pandering to the far-right religious nutcases. The Republicans let these wretched creatures into the castle walls, and now the infestation is threatening to dissolve their party.

Which is a great outcome!

[Muttocracy]

3. "McCain's no-win hinge" nice :)

[NYC_SKP]

6. Bolton--the only one who isn't more likeable.

Anyone else makes John look even more feeble than he does all by himself.

[saltpoint]

14. Yes. A basement door would make McCain look feeble.

I think there's a possibility that McCain will go for broke and pick either a non-sitting former office holder (Talent, Allen, either Thompson, etc.) or shove it down the fundies' throats and choose Lieberman or Ridge.

He loses votes in a major base demographic either way.

Franklin Graham would repel a lot of independents (and properly so!) but he would re-ignite the fundie nutbags to show up to the polls.

[bklyncowgirl]

7. Mittens for sure

G.I. John teamed up with Ken. Priceless.

[chimpymustgo]

9. Funny.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

10. LOL! n/t

[saltpoint]

12. LOL!

[terrya]

18. This is definitely DUzy worthy.

LOL. :-)

[cyclezealot]

15. Not that Mccain will have the sense to pick Pawlentry

But he should . The race will be fought in the Mid west. Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin. Someone perceived to be a moderate such as Pawlentry might also help in states such as Colorado, New Mexico, and New Hampshire.

[saltpoint]

19. Very possible. If the race gets closer, Pawlenty might help in

those states without upstaging McCain.

Plus, Pawlenty is more or less hosting the convention in the Twin Cities. It could provide the backdrop for a national "introduction" for Pawlenty.

[cyclezealot]

50. And it will feed the myth

mccain can sometimes act as a moderate.

[saltpoint]

54. And it might be deadly accurate, too. In yet another excellent post,

babylonsister gives us this consideration:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6547078&mesg_id=6547078

Pawlenty feels as if he's back in the mix to me.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

16. Romney. One nice this is that Obama knows this too and can plan accordingly.

[rndmprsn]

20. he should choose GEORGE W BUSH*

as they are both already huggy and kissy with each other...and are each others ideological soulmates.

[Wetzelbill]

21. I am so hardcore I couldn't even bring myself to vote for a Republican

Even in a DU poll. :) In my world, you're all trolls.

[saltpoint]

22. I don't blame you one bit.

Happily for our side, the nominees McCain might choose who could actually help him likely don't want the job.

Which leaves the usual pack of macabre thugs and fixers who want the job too much!

[Muttocracy]

52. you win! :-D

[Wetzelbill]

58. I am grizzled, I know

:)

[deadmessengers]

23. No Crist?

I mean, he's got his brand new beard and everything!

[saltpoint]

27. Does Charlie Crist remind you of the original Grecian Formula guy in those

ads? He does me.

What is going ON with that guy, anyway?

Crist is bad news. I not sure if McCain is going to pick someone who's a sitting governor, but I bet Crist would take the offer without hesitation. He's is one ambitious Republican.

[TheCowsCameHome]

24. Joe "Puppy" LIEberman

He's invested a lot of time stuck to John's ass.

[rurallib]

25. I really think it will be Joementum.

[sellitman]

48. LIEberman is my choice too.

Oh please, please pick him!

[undeterred]

26. I want to see a fight between McCain and Bolton

That would be fun. :evilgrin:

[saltpoint]

28. Maybe even a food fight.

Spaghetti. Innumerable meatballs. A torrent of spicey sauce.

undeterred, I'll pay for both our tickets!

[undeterred]

35. Foodfight between cranky old white guys!

Can you imagine the language they'll use?! I may need to bring earplugs! :hi:

[saltpoint]

38. Earplugs! LOL! Agree -- we'll have to bring earplugs and perhaps

undertake coarseness counseling afterward.

[Radical Activist]

29. The best choice for Democrats would be Mitt Romney.

Putting a Mormon on the ticket would be the final insult to the religious right evangelicals who make up the Republican base. McCain will have to fight for the South. It would probably put two or three Southern states in the Democratic column.

[saltpoint]

33. Yes. The fundies want someone akin to their own limitations.

Romney's extremely wealthy. He's from well north of the Mason-Dixon Line. He was governor of the ost liberal state in the nation. He has ideological inconsistencies that will raise a lot of eyebrows at the Church of the Final Hours, etc.

And he's Mormon, as you say. Not one of "them."

I don't know who else to call the frontrunner among McCain's possible choices, but I think every single one of your points is exactly correct.

[PCIntern]

30. How about Dick Nixon? Yes I know he's dead but

1. He's even older than McCain

2. He won't have to risk a debate

3. He was very intelligent and well-read

4. He has 100% name recognition - no need to 'introduce'

5. He 'ended' an unpopular war

6. He only used profanity in private - McCain can learn some lessons there

7. He has traveled the world, most notably South America and China

8. He has already had an Oliver Stone film made about him

9. He is from California, a state rich in Electoral votes

10. He is fondly remembered by many, including liberals, even here at DU - to wit:

"I never thought I'd wish for the days of Nixon..."

Therefore, I nominate Nixon...

[Democrats_win]

55. And, Nixon had the good sense to make Elvis a Narcotics agent.

You know, it just feels right to replace Cheney with Nixon.

[Radical Activist]

31. I'm sticking with my Haley Barbour prediction.

He brings in the party establishment and the evangelical base, which allows McCain to spend the rest of the election appealing to independents.

[Coexist]

32. can I vote for Larry Craig?!

[saltpoint]

36. Why not.

McCain's short list is likely down to Franklin Graham, Larry Craig, and the waiter who brought him his brat & sausage at the German restaurant in Columbus this past week.

[Coexist]

40. LOl!

:hi:

[Radical Activist]

41. He's playing footsie with the idea

Hilarious choice.

[mvd]

34. How about Bolton?

It would be a team of Loony and Loonier.

[saltpoint]

37. Agree. Bolton makes McCain's most objectionalbe feature even more

exaggerated.

Two crazy guys thirsting for power.

[Faygo Kid]

45. John McCain/John Bolton: The two crankiest men in America. Perfect.

Well, OK, there's always that Cheney guy.

But McCain and Bolton have to be in the top three.

[TwilightGardener]

39. Mittens or the Minnesota Mullet.

[saltpoint]

43. Hi, wienerdoggie. Do you think Pawlenty's on the short list?

[TwilightGardener]

46. Yes--I think it will be one of those two. But since McCain's been up in the polls in MN,

Mullet might just be able to deliver the state. I understand that he's sort of like our Bayh--mostly inoffensive and careful and bland.

[saltpoint]

53. Mmm. Well, I should reconsider him, then. I had kind of written him off

these last few weeks with Romney's rise.

[rasputin1952]

42. What, no satan or cheney?

:D

[saltpoint]

44. I thought they were the same guy.

[rasputin1952]

47. LOL...How true...

:D

[H2O Man]

49. Other.

I think Bob Dole would be a wise choice for Senator McCain.

[saltpoint]

51. Dole would be stiff competition for our ticket.

[TexasObserver]

56. McCain & Dole: "Senator Obama, we knew Frederick Douglass, we worked with Frederick Douglass ...

... and you, sir, are no Frederick Douglass!"

See, they're both really, really OLD!

(I'm imagining their big debate moment.)

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

57. John E. Bush?

aka jeb. any chance of that or is the bush brand off the shelf for now?

[RedShoes]

60. condeleezza rice nt

[saltpoint]

61. It's possible. There are some inside-the-Beltway GOP heavy-hitters

who likely prefer Condi to someone like Pawlenty or Barbour.

She dresses so nicely and she's pleasant to have dinner with, etc. (Yuck!)

Anyway, McCain might balk at having someone who is far more a glamorous celebrity than he is on the ticket. I don't think it's a sexist thing, but more of a jealousy thing. Condi has the movie star vibe. McCain is an anonymous wacko from the far desert.

But I could definitely see those heavy-hitter types strog-arming McCain to pick Chevron Condi. They have a certain political and financial stake in the election outcome, and she would help guard the henhouse, so to speak.

[RedShoes]

62. even though I think she's a cook...

there are so many out there who think she speaks five languages fluently, is a concert pianist (Oh that is such bullshit if ever I heard bullshit) and Florence Nightengale all rolled up in one. I can't get the image of "I believe the title was Bin Laden determined to attack inside the United States" out of my head, but somehow....

[salguine]

I say Mr. Potter from "It's A Wonderful Life".

[salguine]

63. I say Mr. Potter from "It's A Wonderful Life".

[SidneyCarton]

64. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

Ok, probably not a citizen, but at least he could be Torture Czar, they need someone with experience.

[Overseas]

65. Hulk Hogan !! Family values !! /eom

[AlinPA]

66. Elizabeth Dole.