Nice list Jayson.

I can absolutely see McCain rewarding Lindsey Graham for his loyalty. In addition this would be another stick in the eye of conservatives.

Mark Sanford has some serious financial issues that will eventually remove him from any list. I don't know how damning they are, if they are intentional or incompetent. He talks a good game but is extremely incompetent. He was the last GOP leader in SC to endorse McCain, waiting until everything was over to do so.

Lindsey did an interview with one of the local SC political columnists the other day, and basically said anyone from SC is not in the running. Lindsey would be my choice. His personality is not creepy, your prejudice is showing. He is a single-minded pit-pull when it comes to something. His work is his life, with the exception of golf.

I suggest following Sanford's woes over on The Palmetto Scoop.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo

Jayson,

Does Kay Bailey Hutchinson really have no executive experience while Rob Portman does? Yes Portman is at OMB, but you're forgetting Hutchinson was TX state treasurer(Same job Ann Richards held) before becoming Senator.

I think that qualifies if Portman does. Hutchinson had more time in the job too.

Bill

PS- Hutchinson isn't going to be picked in any case.

K.B.Hutchinson has an unpleasant surprise
waiting for her if she decides that the
Texas governor is her next political stop.
Big signs with the word FENCE when she does
run. She'll know why.
She personally gutted the financing for a
security fence along the borders. Another
politico in it for the power and money, not
as a representative for the people who elected
her to office as their voice

Maggie,

When talk of the border fence(which is virtual in places. Can't interfere with those golfers) comes up, I'm reminded of a famous quote of General Patton-

'Fixed fortifications are a monument to man's stupidity.'

Prof. Taylor at Poliblog concurs when he states a fence without a patrol behind it isn't going to work.

Bill

Huckabee's not from a battleground state? It has a Democratic Governor, 2 Democratic Senators, and 4 Democratic Congressmen and polls show Hillary leading in a Clinton-McCain race.

There is no "scandal" around Sanford; his problem is he has been at war with the state Republican leadership in the legislature over their lavish wasteful spending. He's about the last "fiscal conservative" left in the state.

Palmetto Scoop is a good blog, but their rap on Sanford is for not endorsing McCain early (BEFORE SC primary) and getting on the VP short list. As SC is as close to a locked-down safe state the GOP has in national elections, all that would have been worth was a little extra publicity, anyway. This also eliminates Graham, who McCain wouldn't pick anyway because the VP candidate travels separately, and then who would shine McCain's shoes and clean the spittoons?

Romney is a serious contender for one reason: his fundraising network and personal wealth (which could be spent on a McCain-Romney ticket). He would be a hedge against a Democratic money advantage in the fall, since Obama lied when he promised to accept public financing.

Fortunately, Hillary and Obama are showing they waste campaign money nearly as fast as they would waste tax money if elected, so the edge may not be fatal to McCain's hopes.

Pawlenty is left. Young, conservative enough to make the right happy, endorsed McCain early, administrative experience, battleground state.

When it comes down to it, it will be either Pawlenty or Romney. Anyone else would be a huge shock.

SJ -- Lindsey Graham called a large portion of the electorate "bigots" over the immigration issue.

A McCain/Graham ticket would all-but guarantee the pro-enforcement conservatives sit out the presidential vote. That's almost the only scenario I can reasonably envision causing me to vote third party.

After the huge groundswell we caused over the amnesty bill, I think it's clear we're a big enough set of people who actually vote and take interest in politics. McCain would be insane to stick his thumb in our eye at this point.

Jim writes-

As SC is as close to a locked-down safe state the GOP has in national elections,

Funny the writers of The West Wing had SC going democratic for Santo. I always thought that was nutty.

Then a show that has the Press Secretary or WH communications dept handling about half the show's episodes, is out of touch with reality.

Being a Catholic is a problem? A religion that has not threatened to behead the entire world, like the Islamic terrorists, but Islam is accepted? People spread the 'Catholic/Jewish bad' myth all the time, why? I've known a lot of both and never met one worse than some Baptist I've met. Fact is Israel would never fire a shot at the idiots across the border if they didn't fire first trying to kill women and children, well anyone they can kill. Maybe Hussein O and the Revrund Wright's religion of racism can come up with a pill to kill only Islamist. Hey, it fits his rants and image.

Bill

I don't think I posted about the
fences physical description, or how
it should be implemented or operated.
As to that, I think the Israelis have
the right idea.
My post is about Hutchinsons disregard,
and arrogance in assuming she's going to
get a pass for her dishonesty to those
whom she "represents".

AK Gov. Sarah Palin

Cons: Doesn't hail from a battleground state. Remoteness of Alaska undercuts legitimacy

Former MD Lt. Gov. Michael Steele

Cons: ... Probably would not affect the black vote in Nov.

If Hillary or some compromise, non-black third-choice gets the nomination, I think having Steele on the GOP ticket could make inroads.

The question then would be significance of those inroads, which is anyone's guess.

J.C. Watts.

this shows you how bad the Republican party has become. No one of the list has demonstrate any leadership, any ability, or any original thinking. It is a list of second rate hacks.

"this shows you how bad the Republican party has become. No one of the list has demonstrate any leadership, any ability, or any original thinking. It is a list of second rate hacks."

Tad harsh aren't we?

Jayson, are you suggesting this is basically a battle to flip Minnesota and Pawlenty's the guy?

I like Romney despite the Mormonism because he neutralizes the "McCain doesn't know economics" meme. Powerfully complements McCain on expertise.

Maybe the evangelicals could live with a Mormon VP?

Superdestroyer, you show profound ignorance if you think being elected twice in a liberal state and holding to a no new taxes pledge while fighting against a Dem-dominated legislature somehow equals no leadership or ability (Pawlenty). Projection on your part does not equal reality in real life. Enjoy getting steamrolled in November.

KobeClan,

While I love the idea of JC Watts running, he won't. He left political life to be with his family.

Forget Perry (TX).

Any remote suggestion of him as VP and one word is going to come to the minds of too many Texans: Gardisil.

Forget Perry (TX).

Any remote suggestion of him as VP and one word is going to come to the minds of too many Texans: Gardisil.
------------------------------------
Sounds silly. Maybe liberals thinks economic and population growth is bad.

Four fastest growing metropolitans in Texas

Pawlenty is the kind of hack Republicans who wants big government while trying to hide the costs. He does not want taxes increases but supports public funded stadiums pork barrel education programs, and other goodies. If a bioresearch center is important, then cut out other portions of the government.

Pawlenty is the kind of inept republicans who spends most of his time running around with his tail between his legs after being spanked by the Republicans.

A good rule of thumb is that any Republicans who was in the House or Senate from 2001 to 2006 is unqualified to be VP. Adding trillions to the national debt should be an automatic exclusion criteria.

A good rule of thumb is that any Republicans who was in the House or Senate from 2001 to 2006 is unqualified to be VP.

Anyone else form MI willing to give Rogers an F?????

He'd make Spiro Agnew a saint. The man, seen talking live, is a master of backhanded compliments trying to look tolerant.