McCain’s Memorial Day BBQ: Potential VP’s on the Menu?
Nathan Greene
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The chattering class is all a buzz about McCain inviting Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to his Arizona home for a BBQ. While McCain claims this is just a social function, we all know that is hogwash.
However, I’ll bet the house that neither Crist, Jindal, nor Romney will be on the ticket with McCain this fall. Some will rejoice in that, others will be sad. That said I believe all three will play important roles in the fall campaign. Let’s examine each.
Governor Crist: Florida has played a crucial role in the past two presidential contests and will once again be a key state for McCain if he’s going to win. McCain is smart to court Crist, but in all honesty Crist is probably more valuable to McCain as a surrogate than a running mate.
Governor Jindal: Jindal is the only good election story for Republicans in the Post-2006 political environment. Like Crist he’s probably more valuable as surrogate (i.e. Prime Time National Convention Speaker) than a running mate/
Former Governor Mitt Romney: Simply put, Romney probably wants to be asked but doesn’t want it. That’s not an indictment against McCain; it’s just a political move by Romney. In politics actions speak louder than words. Romney recently created a new Federal PAC that will allow him to support federal candidates and keep his campaign team in place as he seems increasingly committed to running if McCain is defeated. The untold story out there is how quickly Mitt Romeny will be able to reassemble his team after the 08 elections. If Obama wins Romney will immediately begin running again with most of his team in place.
So if it’s not those three who?
I think its anyone guess. With the current division in the Democrat Party he very well could look to a woman to be his running mate. Christie Todd Whitman gives me heartburn, but Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin might fit the bill. However Alaska doesn’t deliver much in terms of electoral votes, but neither did Wyoming when Bush tabbed Cheney.
Two names that would be included on my short list would be:
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford – Conservative and from the south. Hey Iowans look at this quote from Sanford “Cigarette Tax Shouldn't Be Used to Grow Government.” Why don’t we have elected officials that can take a stand like this in Iowa? Our elected officials cave so easily, and don’t even mount a conservative argument in opposition. (Sorry for the Rant)
Texas Governor Rick Perry – I know another Texan? I thought the same thing but this guy is impressive. Great on the stump and again from the south.
McCain could also turn to the business world and tab someone like Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay, but I think that while the base wants someone new, they also want to know exactly what they are getting so I think the eventual VP nominee will have some elected experience.
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