Sunday, July 13, 2008

Republican Veep Derby

St. John McCain needs to pick a Vice-President. It may be a useless exercise but its tradition. His choice needs to be competent enough that people won't develop cold sweats whenever they remember that McCain is an actuarial nightmare. Conversely, he can't choose someone who will be a constant reminder that McCain himself is an incompetent old fart.

Carly Fiorina

I rank Carly as the favorite right now. She the unconventional choice, which would appeal to McCain.
Upside: A smart, articulate, attractive (by Republican standards) woman. If McCain thinks the Hillary vote is in play Carly is the choice.
Downside: In her last job as CEO of Hewlett-Packard she nearly destroyed the company. She was fired from that job and has been unemployed since. No political experience and a tendency to contradict McCain's position. Her political philosophies such as being pro-immigration are decidedly liberal by Republican standards.

Charlie Crist
The conventional choice. The fact he is getting married is proof Crist is on the short list.
Upside: Governor of Florida, a large, marginal state. They are friends and he would be a loyal lapdog.
Downside: He's gay.

The second tier choices are:

Mitt Romney
Had a better chance in April than he does now.
Upside: A better campaigner than McCain (not saying much).
Downside: Still comes off as a robot. Still a Mormon. Doesn't help in any states. Neither Utah nor Massachusetts is in play.

Bobby Jindal
Upside: One of the few Republicans of color. Young.
Downside: Too young, only 37. A complete unknown. Too inexperienced, just three years political experience. Jindal is the Dan Quayle choice.

Lindsey Graham
Upside: McCain's doppelganger. His bestest best friend.
Downside: Anybody who hates McCain also hates Graham. He's also gay.

There is a new posting, Christian Cannibalism, over at Where God Went Wrong.

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