Bob Novak ranks VP contenders:#1 Romney for McCain
Ranking Vice Presidential Contenders
by Robert Novak and Timothy P. Carney
07/09/2008
Presidential
Running Mates: A look at the vice presidential prospects in both parties in a rough order of how their chances rank:
Democratic:
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine: The logical choice is a moderate Southern governor, and Kaine is the only one who fits that description. His negatives are multiple: only been governor for two and one-half years, with few accomplishments; an absolutely zero profile nationally with low charisma to match; hard to imagine him as President of the United States. But he's popular in Virginia, which hasn't been carried by a Democrat for president since '64, but would be possible with Kaine on the ballot.
Sen. Joseph Biden (Del.): He is qualified to be President, and gives foreign policy expertise to Obama. He adds experience and age to the ticket, is a Catholic and was impressive as an unsuccessful presidential candidate (much better than in his disastrous '88 run). The downside is that he talks too much, but who listens to vice presidential candidates anyway?
Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.): He adds moderation and is presentable as a future President. But a fellow senator from the neighboring state of Indiana doesn't add much balance. If he could really bring Indiana into the Democratic fold, it would be worth putting him on the ticket. But that's a stretch.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell: He is very able and very experienced, a ticket-balancer: age 64, Jewish, Clinton supporter and pins down a state that Democrats must win to elect a president. The problem is that he just doesn't look or sound much like a president.
Al Gore: Back again! We don't think he would do it, but it's possible. The question: Does he drive off more independents and Republicans than he attracts?
Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.): He's only 48 years old and elected to the Senate just in 2006, so it doesn't make much sense to have two young first-term Senators on the ticket. Also, he would be an insult to his blood enemy, Rendell. But otherwise he's a ticket-balancer: Catholic, pro-life, pro-gun. He endeared himself to Obama campaigning against the Rendell organization in Pennsylvania.
Sam Nunn: The former senator hasn't run office since '92, so it's doubtful how much he would help in the probably unwinnable state of Georgia, and he would be 71 years old when elected. He is still anathema to the gay community for his opposition to "don't say, don't tell". Nevertheless, his national security experience makes him attractive to some party insiders.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y): Immensely improbable if only because it brings Bill Clinton back into the picture.
Republican:
Mitt Romney: He's on top of the picture with backing from Bush White House, many conservatives and money-raisers. The negatives are that he still is not first on McCain's dance card and never has polled well nationally.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: McCain likes him, and he is one of the few eligible GOP governors. But it's hard to see what he brings to the table. He's not considered very conservative, and he can't carry Minnesota for the ticket.
Rob Portman: He looked much stronger a month ago. But now his background as a Bush Cabinet official is hurting him. Also, polls show his background as congressman from Cincinnati does not help him much in the rest of Ohio. Still, he is an extremely able, attractive conservative.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist: He might seem the most improbable president since Chester Arthur. But McCain likes him, and he owes him big for his endorsement that may have decided the Florida primary—and the nomination. He erased one question mark last week when he announced he was getting married.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal: The 36-year-old first-year governor always was a long shot, but the steam went out of his balloon when he promised state legislators he would sign their pay raise (Mistake No. 1) and then vetoed the bill (Mistake No. 2). Still a favorite of many conservatives.
Sen. John Thune (S.D.): A late starter, who is still revered in party circles as the man who defeated Tom Daschle in 2004. But he is an earmarker, and running with anti-earmark McCain would be difficult.
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Mr. Novak is a syndicated columnist and editor of the Evans-Novak Political Report, a political newsletter he founded in 1967 with Rowland Evans. Click here to get a free subscription.
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Mr. Carney, a contributing editor to HUMAN EVENTS |
