<p>Heard there was some chatter about Florida governor Charlie Crist being considered for McCain’s VP…</p>
<p>^ Article about Charlie Crist in today’s NY Times.
<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/us/politics/17crist.html?ref=politics[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/us/politics/17crist.html?ref=politics</a></p>
<p>I think one of the most obvious choices for Clinton is Ted Strickland (Gov. of Ohio). But Edwards and Richardson are a good possibility too (Edwards can bring in White man and Richardson can open up New Mexico and the West to the Democrats - Remember Dean stated that the West was the key for the Democrats future).</p>
<p>Obama - Edwards (complements Obama better and brings in blue collar workers) and Richardson (brings in Hispanics).</p>
<p>McCain - Mark Sanford (Gov. of South Carolina) would balance McCain’s National Security credentials with his economic credentials. Crist (Gov. of Florida) - Could help McCain win Florida. But Crist was the Attorney General during the Terry Schiavo episode, so that could deter the pro-life camp a bit. Romney has been suggested (and he could help add Michigan to the Republican column, help McCain fundraise better) but his flip flops and religion will probably be an issue.</p>
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<p>According to some, his heart wants to back Obama but his mind supports Clinton (another way of saying I like Obama but I don’t know if he’s ready).</p>
<p>This election has been one of much disappointment. No one re-running for office. All 3 of the finalists are senators which normally have a difficult time impressing voters because they don’t normally have the accomplishments or experience of a governor. Plus; I think because of Bush’s low approval rating, the RNC pretty much gave up on this race. Figured they’d let the Dems have it and fight again in 4 years. I don’t think anyone knew the decent that Obama and Clinton are causing and that now the Reps actually have a chance to win the election. As such, it will be interesting to see who McCain chooses. </p>
<p>People list Crist is probably not going to happen if they really want to win. This election, you really need name recognition. Everyone already knew who Hillary and Obama were. Females and Black candidate really stick out in the public eye. McCain wasn’t even known by a lot of people when the primaries first started. </p>
<p>If McCain wants a chance at all of winning, he better pick someone with a name.</p>
<p>There has been chatter about several different Southern governors - Barbour and Riley among them. Cheney - that’s a joke. McCain needs the conservatives to step up and vote, because of the recent developments in Obamaland, conservatives are beginning to look at McCain a little more fondly, how much is still to be seen.</p>
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<p>One thing McCain is not is a smooth politician who thinks through everything that comes from his mouth from a political angle. This is what gave rise to his praised “Straight Talk Express”. However, at times this “shoot from the lip” methodology comes back and bites him, like this quote about his economic expertise and the “100 year war”. Each, when taken in context is not a serious negative but certainly provides political fodder for those who want to play the conventional game of political gotchas. Obama claims that he doesn’t want to do this, but he has already stooped to it on several occasions - even to the point of embellishing the 100 year war quote so much that he has evolved it into a lie - saying that McCain WANTS a 100 year war.</p>
<p>In the case of the economy, McCain has been involved with economic issues far more than Clinton and Obama combined. However, relative to his foreign policy expertise, his knowledge of economics, while superior to Clinton/Obama, does take second place.</p>
<p>^ fundingfather, let’s not forget his straight talk in Michigan (as opposed to Romney’s “I’ll bring jobs back”)</p>