Yes.

Romney by a mile. Pawlenty isn't even popular in Minnesota and would be a bad choice.

Remember. He spent millions in the primary and we know the results. He also has a bit of a flip-flop problem on abortion. It's OK to flip-flop once, but he did it twice. And like it or not, the Mormon thing is STILL a problem. The Democrats are not shy about slimming McCain's war record, divorce and Mrs. McCain's tragic encounter with a Dr who got her on prescription drugs. The visciousness that dominates the DailyKos and Huffington Post and then spreads throughout the internet will have no problem whatsoever making Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and the FLDS the issue. In the year of Reverend Wright, it is a guaranteed problem. And I'm not so certain Romney could deliver Michigan--the Republican Primary is not that great of an inidcator of the General there.

Whether or not Romney helps in Michigan, he is going to repel Democrats and independents in general as well as alienating Huckabee supporters - so he would do more overall harm that good. Pawlenty would probably deliver his home state and would be acceptable to Democrats and moderates - possibly solidifying a lot of votes.

That said, I still like Huckabee. He appeals to Democrats because integrity conviction and positive campaigning have universal appeal- he's got great name ID, a very positive National image and obviously an enthusiastic base of supporters that would work wholeheartedly to elect McCain.

It will be Rice. McCain is visiting the contenders personally to tell them they are not his choice. That is the way it is supposed to be done. He has not visited Condi and she is below the radar. The economy issue can be handled by a simple appointment by McCain.

JMO

In my opinion McCain can go to sleep right now and remain asleep until election day and still win by a landslide. Obama is not getting enough of the Hillary supporters. To win the election he needs to keep 99% of Hillary supporters who are the real Democrats. The people do not like him.
Cindy McCain--I really have a favorable opinion of her and I am a Democrat. I have done some reading about her work with kids overseas. I know the stupid DNC better not try to compare the two women because if they do its not Cindy who has a problem. Cindy is also getting good press on Pro Hillary sites.
I don't care who he picks as VP I hope its someone who will help him with his base.

Anyone but Sarah Palin. I just spent 2 hours with people who do not even live in Alaska and are trying to tell me how wonderful she is. Investigation pending for "Abuse of Power" week of 7/28/08
Go to http://palininvestigated.blogspot.com/ listen to the show with news clip.

It would be nice to take a few Blue states but it is absolutely mandatory to keep every Red state. If McCain takes every Red state taken in 2004 McCain wins. My pick for doing this is solid as a rock SC Gov. Mark Sanford. Gov. Sanford knocks the heck out of age bias because he is the same age as Obama, Sanford is more accomplished than Obama, Sanford was born in Florida and Florida is a must win state, Sanford is very conservative and will nullify the Bob Barr problem, and Gov. Sanford has what rural and the main stream voters expect in a president, character and honesty.

I and 80% of Americans do not believe 911 happened the way the 911 Commission said it happened. 80% of the American people feel GWBush has the country going in the wrong direction. Many Americans do not feel GWBush kept his Oath of Office the Protect and Defend the US Constitution. Many Americans feel when GWBush wiggles his lips he lies.
For McCain to pick Tom Ridge his VP would gather the hollers around the world as McSame, and I am not saying one bad word against Tom Ridge.
Not to imply Tom Ridge is not, but the number one reason rich, poor, military, doctor, lawyer, indian chief vote for their president and vice president is character, honesty, integrity. John McCain has said he wants people to believe him. People figure the Pres. and VP can surround himself with the brains to made good decisions, but it takes an honest person who has the people first to take that knowledge and put it to good use.
I am a native Texan and I hate to say it but GWBush did not do that. Even tough the bad guys might like or demand it, I doubt McCain would win following in GWBush's footsteps. Age bias is a horrible and unfair problem, because we are at least 10 years younger than people once were. In my opinion if McCain does not pick a VP in the age range of Obama his chances of winning are slim. If McCain takes a few Blue states but does not keep every Red state he loses. 48 yr old SC Gov. Mark Sanford is my choice until someone comes up with a better 48 year old name. Gov. Sanford is from Florida, a must win state, very conservative, an Eagle Scout, a winner, and put him up against Evan Bayh or the best of the best and he holds his own. When the going gets tough, my bet is Gov. Sanford gets tough.
Hopefully this does not start a hissy fit.

Name recognition means quite a bit. He has already been vetted hard in the media and with Americans. We already know how he has presented his positions. He also has issues, but, he also has economic understanding, he is competent, he is ethically sound and experienced. Which is everything Sarah does not have to offer.
Palin Warning:I heard Palin was named as a vp hopeful on FOX today, how could they not know that Sarah is being investigated for "Abuse of Power". That's a Big Deal! Anyone But Palin......

Not Romney. As far as the comment made that Huckabee appeals to Democrats, that statement could not be less true. I'm a PUMA voting for McCain, and Huckabee and his religious zealousness makes me cringe. Not to mention his hardcore stances on abortion, even more to the right than McCain. He would alienate many democrats who would otherwise vote for McCain. I would still vote for McCain if Huckabee were to be on the ticket, but I would hate it. This goes for Romney as well. He's flip-flopped too much, and his religion is a big problem. If he picks anyone associated with the Bush admin., given the way the majority of the U.S. feels about Bush, forget it.

I agree with another poster that the VP should be in about same age range as Obama. But I'm not sure whether it would be better for McCain to pick someone very conservative, to please the conservatives, or a moderate to please everyone else. What I do know is that it should be someone who can balance McCain's weakness on the economy.

would really help McCain. Romney, the elite, establishment candidate, could not convince voters of his authenticity, and he represents the status quo. Even with the millions he spent in the primaries, he could not connect with Middle America; he is still very unpopular with voters, having had the overall highest DISAPPROVAL ratings of any candidate in the Republican primary. He cannot be trusted on social issues and his joint venture capitalists transactions mean more of the same for our economy. Pawlenty does not appear to have a firm command of the issues when he appears in the media and could not add MN to the map for McCain. That said, Pawlenty would be infinitely better than Romney.
Who could help? Huckabee would be a shot in the arm for McCain. He currently polls better in virtually every state than any other VP contender according to USA Survey. In a recent Raumussen poll, he had the highest positive rating of any possible VP choice. He relates with the working class (the key to this election) in every part of the country, would add excitement to the campaign, and pick up young voters and some hispanic and black voters. He won the second highest number of delegates and is an excellent communicator. Huckabee would electrify the base!

I'm doing a series on possible VP picks for McCain I've already done Jindal, who apparently is out now that he's going to be the Keynote speaker, and Palin. Portman and Pawlenty will be the next two. I think Palin would be an excellent pick. Especially if Obama doesn't choose a woman to run with him.
http://thenewconservatives.blogspot.com/