Regardless of which Dem candidate receives the nomination, we should be watching this. Whichever McCain picks--it will certainly have an impact on which states he--and we--can carry.
Here is a list of names often mentioned by the GOP, with the pros and cons of each:
Haley Barbour, 60, Mississippi governor Pro: Popular former national party chairman helped Republicans win Congress in 1994 and got good reviews for his leadership after Hurricane Katrina. Conservatives like his push for spending cuts.
Con: A long record as a Washington lobbyist that could clash with McCain's reform message.
Charlie Crist, 51, Florida governorPro: He's a popular governor whose endorsement helped McCain win the critical Florida primary. He'd probably help put this big swing state solidly in the Republican column.
Con: His refusal to back an anti-gay marriage initiative and appointment of Democrats to head state agencies tar him as suspect to the party base.
Mike Huckabee, 52, former Arkansas governorPro: He's shown his ability to win in the South and has support among evangelical Christians.
Con: He raised taxes as governor and supported equal benefits for the Arkansas children of illegal immigrants.
Kay Bailey Hutchison, 64, Texas senatorPro: Offers a gender balance to the ticket and wins handily in mega-state.
Con: Support for financing embryonic stem-cell research worries social conservatives.
Joe Lieberman, 65, Connecticut senatorPro: The hawkish former Democrat-turned-independent endorsed McCain and campaigned with him. Also, as Democratic running mate in 2000, he's been there.
Con: He's still left of center on almost everything but the Iraq war.
Tim Pawlenty, 47, Minnesota governorPro: Elected twice in a swing state. Solved budget crisis with spending cuts and no tax increases.
Con: Couldn't deliver state caucuses for McCain; they went for Romney.
Condoleezza Rice, 53, secretary of statePro: First black woman on the ticket provides racial and gender balance against a Democratic ticket sure to have either a black or a woman.
Con: Nobody knows what she thinks about hot-button issues from abortion to taxes.
Mitt Romney, 60, former governor of MassachusettsPro: Had some support from conservatives.
Con: Not enough support from conservatives to win. Plus, McCain and Romney clashed bitterly in the primaries.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080218/NEWS/802180327&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL