When it comes to the Republicans, speculation about the Veepstakes has been much more toned down than it has when the media ponders who Barack Obama will pick to run by his side, but it’s hardly any less wildly speculative.
Condoleezza Rice
Secretary Rice is perhaps the best fantasy running mate for McCain in the eyes of many Republicans. For starters, she’s African American, and might siphon off votes that would otherwise be cast for Barack Obama, but that is unlikely.
She is obviously also a woman, and can probably do an effective job at bringing women crossover votes to the GOP ticket, especially the large numbers of disgruntled Clinton voters who have sworn to not support Obama.
There’s also a perception by the advocates of Condoleezza’s candidacy that she has somehow weathered the Bush administration unscathed from the unproved war in Iraq, and untarnished by the plurality of scandals that have driven her Commander in Chief’s approval ratings to historic lows.
The thing is, though she hasn’t escaped it, and she’s marked by it. Her supports only think so because they’re Republicans, and are counted among a vast minority of Americans who still think that Bush is doing a good job.
Should McCain choose elevate Rice, then expect the DNC, every liberal-leaning 527 group in America, and even the Obama campaign to be running ads on every TV station from CNN to Cartoon Network with the words “mushroom cloud” rolling off of the Secretary of State’s not-so-innocent lips.
Bobby Jindal
“Bobby who?” He’s the current Republican Governor of Louisiana, who achieved office thanks to, in no small part, the exodus of poorer residents following Hurricane Katrina.
Jundal took office only one week after the 2008 New Hampshire primary. With extreme youth and charisma, not to mention his Indian heritage, he is figure who many in his party view as the embodiment of a new and diverse future.
While that may well be true, Jundal has yet to serve one year in a major political office. He has at hand the task of rebuilding his state, and he’s taking it more seriously than any Republican, including John McCain, who has twice voted against the establishment of a commission to inspect the tragedy.
The last thing needed for Republicans in this election is a constant reminder of the Bush administration’s failed response to the country’s worst disaster since September 11th.
Mitt Romney, Rudy, Huckabee, Colin Powell
“But he should’ve been the real Republican nominee,” supporters of the four above mentioned men state with ferocity. But, what happened was that Mitt Romney imploded after he first took a firm stance on every issue, followed by a reversal it during televised debates.
Rudolph “Noun, Verb, 9/11” Giuliani realized that fear alone didn’t work in 2008 the same way that it did for George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign. It also turns out that for the Republican Party, true compassionate conservatism isn’t really what their values are, which is why Mike Huckabee was never able to raise enough money or party support to compete.
As for Colin Powell, it seems apparent that his departure from his cabinet post was also his departure from politics. That might be the reason why he didn’t even consider running for the nomination. Does anyone even know if he’s still a Republican?
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