Who is our worst nightmare as John McCain's running mate?

[DemVet]

As we decide our own Nominee (which WON'T be decided until the Convention - neither candidate will have enough votes), either Obama or Clinton will have to go up against John McCain.

Contrary to the opinion of some, I don't think this election is a lock for the eventual Democratic Nominee.

Who do you feel poses the biggest threat to Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as the GOP VP choice?


BTW - I really don't want this thread to be another Obama/Clinton slugfest, but I realize it will probably turn out that way.

[rurallib]

1. Dick Cheney

[0007]

2. Joe LIeberman has to rate pretty high on the list along with

that wank Linsey Graham.

[connecticut yankee]

10. I don't think so

I think Holy Joe is going for Sec. of State. It would give him much more power, and he could do everything he wishes for Israel, which is more important to him than anything (including the US).

[olkaz]

12. I agree, Lieberman is the nightmare scenario

If elected, well, I'm not sure he'll have our interests in mind in the middle east.

[OzarkDem]

43. Maybe Obama will choose his mentor

to keep McCain from doing so. Watch that ticket sink like a rock.

[dkf]

3. Bloomberg.

Then we have no $ advantage and maybe are at a disadvantage.

[Perky]

22. Bloomberg would never accept

And It wouold piss the fundies off even more than they already are.

[tularetom]

4. Don't know about a threat - the worst pub to let anywhere near the WH

would be boosh's Baby Huey of a brother jeb. Particulalry with McCain's health as frail as it appears to be;

as bad as it would be to have another clintoon in the presidency it would be ten times worse to have another bush.

[elehhhhna]

71. They could give it to Cheney, again.

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Hillary...

I kid, I kid!;):hi:

Seriously, I'm not worried about McCain AT ALL.:thumbsdown:

[phrigndumass]

14. That would be a nightmare scenario, if you allow yourself to imagine it

If Hillary Clinton were the VP choice on the GOP ticket, that would be the only way, imho, the GOP could win another term.

Besides that, they got nuthin'.

:dem:

[Perky]

26. TThat would only be a nightmare for the GOP. THIS WOULD NEVER EVER EVER HAPPEN

The fundies would revolt and vote for Obama.....Unless he rallies that base to his side....He is going to lose. That would be suicidal for him. Nothing short ot it

[leftofcool]

6. McCain has several choices

Huckabee is one because that will assure the Christian Coalition vote and they will sweep the south, most of the midwest, and the Dakotas.

Crist is another one. That guarantees Florida which McCain really has in the bag now anyway.

Romney, is a smart money man and Mccain needs a good money man as his sidekick. This will also assure a CC vote and the south because the CC has already said, Romney is a good boy who believes in our values.

All are threats!

[Just-plain-Kathy]

11. Romney would continue to sell off America bit by bit. ...n/t

[terrell9584]

45. As someone actually from the South

I can say that Romney, major problems

http://www.uselectionatlas.org/

Just look at the Alabama results in the GOP Primary and you see why. There were two counties that Romney even did respectably in, those being the two counties on the coast, and these counties were won by McCain.

In the rest of the state, it was a Huckabee/McCain race and Romney played no role whatsoever. He wasn't even looked at and his religion is why. The reason he did well on the coast is because Huckabee was a Southern Baptist minister and it had been a known fact that he had attacked both Brownback and Romney on religious grounds, Brownback mattering more than Romney due to the Catholic population.

Point I'm trying to make is, in most of the state, Romney's religion worked against him. Romney would end up being one of the better opponents to have as VP nominee. McCain's best running mate choice will probably be to pick a popular politician from a Midwestern or border state. He quite honestly, might be better served by picking a semi-unknown quantity, like a Congressman.

Romney is a geographical trade off. For every bit of help he provides to McCain, he provides the same detraction to him in the South, and that would count in some of the closer states such as Arkansas. I don't think it would happen, I'd like it to, because it would help us down ticket in the South, but it probably won't

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Appeals to the conservative base and eliminates a lot of the "historic" aspects of an Obama or Clinton campaign.

[frogcycle]

9. good point

ecccch, it makes my flesh crawl just to think fleetingly of a muckain administration

[leftofcool]

13. She also assures a southern state sweep as well as the midwest

[Perky]

25. Too Old and I don't think she puts anything in play

He has to appeal to Blue Collar voters and that would make NAFTA an evern bigger issue

[terrell9584]

47. The religious right would have a fit

She has well, a problem with abortion, as far as they are concerned. She's always been thought of as less than orthodox on the issue and for single issue pro-life groups....well, it's what kept Ridge off of Bush's ticket even though Ridge would have been a geographically stronger candidate (and would have prevented Cheney from being co-President)

If you put her on the ticket, it would be real good for us, because it would drive down a lot of the single issue pro-life turnout. That is the kind of thing that could honestly lead to a third party challenge from the right, therefore I don't think it will happen. Also, the simple fact that she thinks she may be the Governor of Texas, don't know why she'd give up what could be a sure thing for the risk of the Vice-Presidency.

[napi21]

8. I'm inclined to say Romney. He has a demonstrable history of

economic success in his personal life and some people would see that as transferrable to the US economic problems. It looks to me like McBush has to get a running mate who is strong on the economy because he sure doesn't know ANYTHING about it!

[FSogol]

15. No one McCain picks will be a problem.

The GOP will lose big time this election. McCain's vp will make no difference. See Dole/Kemp.

That said, I think he'll pick a laughable choice, say Rick Santorum or Condi Rice.

[CBGLuthier]

16. Condi Rice

Black Woman. That way the bigots and misogynists who vote for McCain can act like they aren't bigots or misogynists.

Of course the fact she is a hell of a lot smarter than McCain will probably exclude her from his choices.

[Cooley Hurd]

18. Condi smarter than McCain? That's debatable...

;)

[dysfunctional press]

21. i agree. mccain/rice would be the most formidable ticket for us to face.

nt

[cali]

17. Put down your cheap little crystal ball

you certainly don't know when the nominee will be decided. And McCain has little choice but to pick a very conservative puke governor, as I see it.

[DemVet]

24. Quit following me around.

You're just like a little puppy following it's master.

Yes, I do know when the Nominee will be decided. Nothing is official, and therefore the determination of the Nominee, until the votes are cast at the Convention. That's a fact.

[TheDoorbellRang]

19. Jeb Bush n/t

[Kolesar]

30. He was great on Li'l Bush last night

www.comedycentral.com

[Perky]

20. Well first of all youhave to realize that McCain has to shore up the base

He's a fisca conservative and pro-military....but probably should not be considered a NeoCon. His big problem is the fundamentalist vote. He has to rally them.

If the nominee is Hillary. He will not need to pick someone who appeals to that part of the base because they will rally themselves.

If is Obama. He has to build that part up alot becasue if the religious right is not enthusiastic, He will have nothing to counter African American support in the Southern States. THe GOP can not win unless they sweep the South.


So if it is Obama, I think he has to pick a young southerner, probably a governor, who will appeal to the religious right. That might mean Rick Perry. It is almost laughable, but were it not for the last name Jeb would not be a bad choice. At the same time McCain has to appeal to Blue Collar types and Catholics in the Midwest if he is facing off against Obama. So someone like Pawlenty might be his best option even though support in the south is not as entusiastic.

If the nominee is Hillary. I suspect it would be Charlie Crist. Because Florida is more in play than with Obama.

The only way Obama puts Florida in play is if he puts Bob Graham on the ticket.

[Not the Only One]

29. No, McCain was able to win the hard part without the support of guys like Hannity and Rush

McCain is playing with house money. He may pick a guy like Sanford, but it won't really be because McCain is trying to appease conservative activists and talk radio hosts. McCain is convinced that he can go after independent voters/angry Democrats (at Hillary if she wins or Obama if he wins) and that those voters will make up for any conservatives that won't vote for him. It will be more about the fact that Sanford is from the South (geographical balance) and much younger (age balance) and he isn't another senator from D.C. (an outsider to balance McCain's insider-ness).

McCain won't pick someone truly outside the box like Bloomberg, but if he goes with someone like Snowe, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised because he will use his nomination victory as ample evidence that he doesn't need those other people to succeed (meaning it's not just a hypothesis of his-- he himself is the proof).

[susankh4]

23. Condi Rice

No more race baiting from Camp Obama. No more gender issues with Camp Clinton. Condi will be able to take Obama or Clinton down when it comes to identity politics.

Joe Leiberman is the clear choice for Sec'y of State. Seals the Pro-Israel vote.

Mitt will be able to step in as the resident financial guru in John's cabinet.

[bowens43]

27. HIllary

[JI7]

28. Chuck Hagel and Joe Lieberman

lucky for us Hagel still isn't supporting McCain and McCain will never pick him for vp.

Lieberman will probably hurt us the most just because it might make some older Dems more comfortable voting for McCain.

[TwilightGardener]

37. I don't think Lieberman would hurt us. Hagel would, but he refuses to

endorse McCain and they can't reconcile their war views, so that love affair is pretty much over--good for us.

[Efilroft Sul]

31. Here's my wild card pick: Alaska's young governor, Sarah Palin

http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.php

She doesn't have the baggage Rice, Hutchison, and Lieberman have. And she has a lot going for her, both politically and personally:
1. She's a governor, and of the largest state to boot. Gubernatorial experience almost always trumps senatorial experience.
2. She was chair of Alaska's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She'd play up that conservation part to appeal to Democrats, you betcha.
3. She has mayoral and council experience, and she was president of Alaska's Council of Mayors. The Republicans would play up her age/experience vs. Obama's.
4. She's very active with her kids. Had you not known of her political experience, you might think she's a typical soccer mom. She'd appeal to those women, too.
5. She has a husband of native descent, so that might be of some appeal to minorities. And, ladies, FWIW, he's easy on your eyes.
6. She was able to cut taxes, bring in business, and increase certain services as mayor of Wasilla. That plays up to not only fiscal conservatives but liberals, too.
7. She's smart and practical.
8. She hunts and fishes, which will appeal to the sportsman/conservation types who have been joining the Democratic Party throughout the Rocky Mountain states.
9. She's young enough to become the poster girl for a new generation of Republicans.
10. And she looks great, too. Never underestimate the power of being photogenic.

Yeah, Alaska isn't one of those huge delegate states. But I think it's worth going against conventional wisdom sometimes, and I don't think McCain could go wrong in considering Palin as a VP choice.

Sarah Palin: You heard her name here first.

[TwilightGardener]

36. She's pregnant with her fifth kid. I don't think so.

[Efilroft Sul]

38. We'll just have to wait and see.

Ambition is a powerful thing. And she has a lot going for her.

[TwilightGardener]

40. No--if people complain that Obama is inexperienced, she's even worse--

Alaska is a shallow little talent pool. Gravel and Stevens, for God's sake! And since McCain is likely to keel over in office, they aren't going to turn the reins over to a woman who is untested on national issues and has toddlers to distract her.

[Efilroft Sul]

50. Nobody should underestimate this woman.

Believe me, if Obama gets the Democratic nod (and in the interests of full disclosure, I was an Edwards supporter who is now undecided), the Republicans would love to compare Palin's experience vs. his. They would definitely play up her years of political experience over Obama's, of which she has more.

Republicans would love to demonstrate Palin's strength of her convictions vs. Obama's. They would cite over and over again how Palin resigned from her position on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission because of the lack of ethics by her fellow Republicans, whereas Obama voted "present" or wasn't in attendance for certain crucial votes. I'm not slamming Obama, mind you; I'm just telling you how it would go down when comparisons and contrasts are made.

I have to disagree with you about calling this state or that state a "shallow little talent pool." Good talent can come from anywhere, not just from states with major urban areas. Political talent can even come from states known for corrupt or inept officials. Alaska is no different.

Regarding Palin being untested on national issues, it's a non-starter. Bush wasn't tested on national issues as governor of Texas, yet there he is, occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Clinton, Reagan, and Carter weren't tested on national issues as governors, but they were elected president, too. This "being tested on national issues" argument is the argument of senators running for president, and senators don't exactly have a good track record against governors in the presidential race.

Your last point about Palin being distracted by little children won't go far with soccer moms. They'll empathize with her balancing of home and work and admire her for her achievements. It's not a negative thing for Palin to have young children. Furthermore, her eldest son is in the Army; he joined on 9/11 of last year. So she and McCain both have their children serving this country. The military service of the McCain and Palin children totally blunts criticism from the antiwar left that constantly barks about where Jenna and Barbara are while their peers are getting their asses shot off in the sandbox.

If I recall correctly, Palin's baby is due in May. If she were given the #2 slot by McCain, Palin would have plenty of time to rest up before Labor Day, when the real race begins. Watch out for Sarah Palin, seriously.

[TwilightGardener]

57. Well, you can certainly vote for her. Good luck with that.

[Efilroft Sul]

59. Who said that I would vote for her?

The OP asked who McCain's nightmare VP choice would be for Democrats. I gave my answer and backed it up as objectively as I could without being a partisan ass.

[TwilightGardener]

61. "Strength of her convictions"? Who the fuck cares about an Oil and

Gas commission? And any schmuck can be mayor. You sound like you have a little crush, 'cause she's pretty. Good luck.

[Efilroft Sul]

65. No crush here. My wife's far too hot for me to wander.

The "strength of her convictions" thing will be how the Republicans portray her, should she get the VP nod.

I'd be careful about slamming those in any position of public service, mayoral or otherwise. Clinton supporters could very well argue that any schmuck can be an Illinois legislator.

So who's your nightmare Republican VP pick, wienerdoggie? Care to put your argument up to scrutiny?

[TwilightGardener]

70. VP is important for McCain, 'cause he's so damn old.

(That's why they won't pick your pick--really old guy/woman younger than Obama with a brand-new baby--that's a no-go). Powell and Hagel would be the two most "threatening" in terms of grabbing people from the middle, because they both have some appeal to Indies/Dems, Powell is famous (Hagel is somewhat familiar), both vets, both smart/experienced/accomplished, both against the war to varying degrees (gives McCain a "compromise" centrist position on Iraq if it gets worse), good reputations (Powell is not as tarnished to the rest of America as he is on DU), could step in right away if McCain croaks. But, neither of them seem to want to have anything to do with their old buddy. Other than that, I suppose Snowe--she's a moderate, and competent, but about as exciting as drying paint, and she's not married, which sometimes gives people the willies. Or Rice--but she'd be kind of a cynical "token" choice, and she's pretty much a failure in the Chimp administration--and not married either. Plus, she's a recycle when people want a change.

[Efilroft Sul]

74. Fact: Colin Powell is one year younger than McCain.

Hagel and Snowe are about 10 years younger, if McCain's age is an issue.

You disqualified four nightmare VP choices, including the most important one -- Rice -- for the right reason, change. So while we'll disagree on Palin, does anyone else representing change or youth in the Republican Party qualify as the OP's nightmare selection?

[TwilightGardener]

76. Well, they love Bobby Jindal, but he just started as Gov.--too soon for both

him and Palin, at this point. McCain might go with his beloved Holy Joe, just to stick conservatives in the eye, or he will end up with Snowe or Rice for the "historic" angle, or go with Portman, Pawlenty or Sanford (safe choices but largely unknowns). Crist is rumored to be gay, so he's out.

[Efilroft Sul]

77. Here's a nightmare formula then.

Experience - fossilization + minority status x conservative cred = Michael S. Steele.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Steele

I see him as a strong possibility if Hillary wins the Democratic nod and doesn't pick Obama as her VP choice.

[2rth2pwr]

69. That would be an asset.

[GodlessBiker]

32. Delete

[karynnj]

33. Olymphia Snowe, because she is a very creditable person, moderate

and very likable. I love watching the Small Business hearing. They are genuinely bi-partisan and she was as respectful to Kerry when she was the chair as he is to her now that he is chair.

If McCain feels that his base will take him AND a moderate, the combination could look very good and would be tough to beat. (It also puts 2 people on the ticket that have some credibility on global warming - even if interest groups scores don't show it.)

[marshall]

52. I agree, Snowe would make the ticket somewhat stronger

She is moderate enough to siphon off that ever sought after undecided vote.

[karynnj]

80. And if HRC is the candidate - she really did avoid sniper fire in Bosnia

A fact that would be gleefully noted. I don't think HRC will be the nominee.

[AngryOldDem]

34. Mike Huckabee.

To get the Rabid Fundie vote.

[Zynx]

41. I'm worried that Huckabee would help to create that Sea of Red on election night we are so used to.

I don't want to be shut out in rural areas again like we were before.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

35. Condi

[gasperc]

39. Godzilla

oh, it has to be a person, and a Republican with a heart and a pulse, (chirp, chirp)

[saltpoint]

42. With McCain heading their ticket, it would be pretty hard to find someone

worse for the veep slot, not that the GOP couldn't succeed at that undertaking.

Portman makes Ohio a dogfight. Same for Jim Talent in Missouri.

Romney is a fool -- the sort of unstable personality you get when you cross a game show host with a department store mannequin -- so I'm less concerned about him.

Jeb Bush would make the mix volatile but would be formidable, even in the wake of his older brother's collosal failures.

Condi Rice is in way over her head already, let alone as the heart-beat-away vice presidential candidate, but since when did shallow, incompetnt, liars ever repel GOP voters? If anything, they thrive on that sort of candidate.

Guiliani, Tancredo, Pataki, Allen, Hunter, Brownback, Huckabee, -- that bunch -- I think are off the list.

I think McCain may go with Tim Pawlenty. Anyone further to the right would be an outright pander to the fundie nutbags and would lose him whatever "maverick" appeal he might still have among indies.

Pawlenty, Portman, or Talent.

[Hard_Work]

44. Colin Powell, of course

Yeah, he lost a lot of credibility - with Dems. Goppers still love him. Independents do too.

[TwilightGardener]

46. He won't endorse McCain either. I think he's leaning Obama.

[GoldieAZ49]

48. Charlie Crist he will bring Florida to the repubs and is only 52

Texas is already in the bag for repubs

[terrell9584]

49. Jeff Sessions

I know on it's face it would sound idiotic, but think about it. Sessions would provide the kind of bonafides with the more conservative element that McCain has a problem with. They love Sessions.

Also, as of right now, we have no real candidates running against him, and if Figures does get our nom, that will be a Republican hold, hate to say it. You could beat him, but she just can't, this is Alabama after all. Also, it would be a move that is gutsy as hell. It honestly makes no political sense to pick Sessions whatsoever, other than to try and placate Southerners. In other words, it is a move of guts and that would re-enhance the whole image that McCain is going to try and run on, that "he will put America before politics"

The reason that Riley will never even be on the shortlist is because should he actually win, that would give Folsom the advantage of incumbency for 2 years, and two sessions in which he could cement his advantage with the Democratic legislature.

McCain will pick someone that will defy all logic, just as his survival in this thing has defied all logic.

[CK_John]

51. McCain is just a place holder, They will run a ringer like CJ J Roberts or Lynne Cheney. n/t

[marshall]

53. What about Linda Lingle?

Current governor of Hawaii.

[against all enemies]

54. A Republican from Fla or Ohio that is popular at home.

[DrFunkenstein]

55. The Girl From Little Miss Sunshine

First of all, that would have us beat with voters who consider "cuteness" the major factor in their decision. Secondly, they would have the entire range of American demographics covered from small children to the elderly. How could we compete with that?

[WilliamPitt]

56. Condoleezza Rice.

[susankh4]

58. Bingo!

She's da one.

[rox63]

60. Mittens or Huckabee

:scared:

[Catherina]

62. McCain/Powell Patriotism and experience "you can trust" n/t

[Swamp Rat]

63. I bet I know who will be McCain's runing mate ---->

:D

[L0oniX]

64. Britney Spears

[Marie26]

66. Huckabee

He'd bring in the fundies who hate McCain, balance the ticket, get the Southern vote & add warmth & likeability to McCain's testy & abrasive personality.

[Bigleaf]

67. The person pictured below would definitely be our worst-case scenario as McCain VP. We'd be done.

[ecstatic]

68. Colin Powell against Clinton/(Someone other than Obama)

Clinton would be crushed.

[DefenseLawyer]

72. Jesus H. Christ

Although he does have limited foreign policy experience.

[TacticalPeek]

73. Oprah.

:)

[LynneSin]

75. I would have to say Lieberman because technically he was a democrat

and still appeals to the moderates of the party. Lieberman would give McCain a direct bridge into some of our voters and that kinda scares me.

[peoli]

78. Gumby

[Crunchy Frog]

79. Jeb Bush, hands down.

I don't know if the ticket would be the greatest threat, but if it got elected, I would have to kill myself.

[workinclasszero]

81. Hillary Rodham Clinton (nt)