US News> Source: Huckabee Tops McCain's Veep List

[sabra]

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2008/5/12/source-huckabee-tops-mccains-veep-list.html#read_more

Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and defeated contender for the GOP presidential nomination, is currently at the top of John McCain's short list for a running mate. At least that's the word from a top McCain fundraiser and longtime Republican moneyman who has spoken to McCain's inner circle. The fundraiser is less than thrilled with the idea of Huckabee as the vice presidential nominee, and many economic conservatives—turned off by the populist tone of Huckabee's campaign and his tax record as governor—are likely to share that marked lack of enthusiasm. But here is the logic of picking Huckabee:

1) He is a great campaigner and communicator who could both shore up support in the South among social conservatives (Huckabee is a former Baptist minister) and appeal to working-class voters in the critical "Big 10" states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

2) As any pollster knows, voters search for candidates who "care about people like me," and Huckabee would probably score a lot higher on that quality than millionaire investor Mitt Romney. Plus, given all the turmoil on Wall Street, 2008 would seem to be a bad year to pick a former investment banker for veep.

3) Economic conservatives and supply-siders may balk, but the threat of four years of Obamanomics and higher investment, income, and corporate taxes might be enough to keep them on board.

:rofl:

[book_worm]

1. I'm no political pundit (but I'm as good as some of them) and I posted last week I felt Huck would

be McLame's choice. Why? because he continues to do well in the primaries even after dropping out. McLame also continues to need help with evangelical voters especially with Barr getting into the race.

[Cresent City Kid]

13. Is there a Vegas line on this?

I said the same thing a month ago. Just a gut feeling, but I was sure it would be the Huckster.

If they win, one more little thing will continue unchanged from this administration: the President and Vice-president will disagree on the age of the universe with a discrepancy of 13 billion years, roughly.

[gateley]

2. I'm curious as to who else is on his short list... nt

[MattNC]

3. Man I hope so

That will really hurt McCain with independents and some "McCainocrats".

[gratuitous]

4. Oh yeah

Gee, two small state old white guys trying to out-crazy each other. There's no reason this November's blow-out has to be dull. Call it the "Hey you kids, get off my lawn" ticket.

[MonkeyFunk]

5. I believe he will be the choice

and it's a good choice for McCain.

I wouldn't underestimate Huckabee's appeal with the general populace. The powers that be in the GOP didn't like him, but he's funny, self-deprecating and comes across as a "nice guy".

[Frustratedlady]

7. I agree. He will draw back the evangelistic factor (which was leaving)

AND he has a sense of humor beyond, "Bomb-bomb-bomb Iran."

Trust me, those people won't be voting for McCain...they'll be pulling for Huck and there will be many. That bothers me.

[DU9598]

6. Will we then get copies/videotape of his sermons?

We know he is a far-right preacher. The text of his sermons were basically ignored by the MSM in the primary cycle.

[NNN0LHI]

8. I hope their internal polls show Romney is the best choice and the GOP forces him onto the ticket

That would be a real hoot. McCain hates Romney more than he hates Dems.

Don

[cloudythescribbler]

9. Huckabee or a similar figure w/evangelical appeal might be a VERY savvy choice for McCain, while ...

for the UMPTEENTH TIME, I think Obama would be savviest to pick a female candidate NOT Hillary. There's Boxer, (who I like most), Sebelius, Napolitano, Stabenow, etc. A strongly united and enthusiastic Democratic Party should be able to beat McCain in November, God and the MSM willing (not necessarily in that order).

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

10. You mean he's not going to pick Cheney?

I'm soooo glad he can run only two term limits!

[jaxx]

11. Huckabee,

isn't he the one who wants to trash the Constitution and use the bible instead? Oh yeah, he'll draw in a bunch of independents.....not.

[asjr]

12. OMG! The captain of the

Titanic at the helm with the VP preacher leading the orchestra on the way down.

[liberal N proud]

14. The old and crazy ticket

McCain needs a preacher to get the fundies vote

[NewJeffCT]

15. We'd get a bump among the women's vote then

McCain has already sworn to appoint judges that will overturn Roe v Wade, while Huckabee signed on to the Southern Baptist policy of women graciously submitting to their husband's leadership - in a full page USA Today advertisement.