Will Independents vote for McCain with Huckabee on the ticket?

[dansolo]

I believe that this is going to be the most likely GOP ticket. McCain has got the nomination almost locked up. In order to shore up the conservative voters, he will need to put a conservative on the ticket, and Huckabee is the obvious choice.

So the big question that Democrats need to ask is whether Independents who may be tempted to vote for McCain will disregard having someone like Huckabee in the ticket. This is why national polls pitting McCain against either Clinton or Obama are meaningless at this time.

[saltpoint]

1. If they do, they become a lot less independent real quick.

[Windy]

2. I think what is driving the independents is the war. I don't think they will vote for McCain.

especially if Obama is the dem nom.

[Demeter]

3. The War and the Economy

Not strong points for either Huckabee or McCain.

Thing is, not Obama's strong suit, either. And as for Hillary, she's screwed herself on the war, healthcare, and the economy is doubtful.

[Olney Blue]

4. No, and that is why McCain won't choose him.

I think McCain probably still has a profound dislike for the fundies that tried to destroy him in 2000.

[dansolo]

5. But in the end, he sucks up to them

He is so desperate to be President, that he can easily be convinced that it would be in his best interest to pick a conservative as his running mate. Didn't that photograph of McCain hugging Bush tell you anything? If 2000 taught him anything, it was that he was going to be stabbed in the back, and yet he is still slobbering after Bush. He is not as much of a maverick as he is portrayed to be.

[Olney Blue]

7. His "maverickness" can be debated, but I think we all agree:

McCain means more war.

[JerseygirlCT]

6. I think we have to make DAMNED sure they see that part of it

actually.

Huckabee certainly wouldn't be a draw. If McCain can keep people believing he's a moderate, and hide that man behind the curtain when dealing with independents, he might pull it off.

Which is why I want to see us run Obama against him. He does well with the same independents, and offered a choice like that, I think they'd skip on the McCain + Huckabee package.