Possible McCain VP Strategy
U.S. News & World Report suggested today that John McCain may be pressured into picking a female Vice President in order to straddle the gender gap, regardless of who is at the top of the Democrat ticket. US News:“Party strategists and even a few of his own outside advisers want the 71-year-old to consider a woman because it would soften his edge and help cut the gender gap that could favor the Democrats this year with either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama at the top of the ticket. Among the names some are offering up are two fellow senators, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and Texas's Kay Bailey Hutchison. “
Selecting a VP based on gender, race, age, conservative credentials, or constituency, has been floated for some time, but what makes this article different is that it suggests McCain may be looking beyond the political sphere for a female VP. That’s right. They’re thinking about going corporate—a lady Mitt Romney --sans political career-- perhaps?
The process is still very early, but you can be sure McCain is weighing his options and thinking carefully. McCain, John, Republican, president, Vice, Nominee
I actually really like the corporate option for McCain... Condoleeza, Dole and Hutchison aren't very exciting. Anyone know any high-perfoming CEOs? Gives him some economic/domestic credibility.
McCain picks former Reagan official to head VP search,
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/mccain-selects-former-reagan-official-to-head-vp-search-2008-05-23.html
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While there are plenty of issues facing the McCain campaign, one near and dear to my heart is the selection of running mate. Unlike most years, the number two slot could play a pivotal role in this election. For Obama, the right choice could help him overcome his significant lack of experience, and for McCain, it could help alleviate concerns that he would be Bush the Third. To help avoid that albratross, McCain must choose a running mate who can attract Republican-weary voters. There are few Republicans today who can attract the middle. One of them is McCain. Other notables are Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is not eligible), Colin Powell, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani. Of this list, only Powell and Giuliani could give McCain the “WOW factor” (to borrow from Dick Morris).
Powell would be a great choice, but his fence-riding actions of late indicate he’s not interested in reentering politics, at least not on behalf of McCain. Without more interest, Powell cannot be a serious consideration.
Giuliani, on the other hand, might be a fantastic choice. While most have already discounted him - either because of the poor strategy of his campaign or because he was too much like McCain - I believe Giuliani is now the right choice, for several reasons:
1. He’s got serious name recognition;
2. He’s youthful enough;
3. He put’s New York in play;
4. He is pro-national defense;
5. He carries little baggage of the Bush adminstration, but most of all;
6. He’s popular with moderate voters across the country.
With these important factors, McCain would be a fool to ignore Rudy.
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