If McCain is going to go with a female Vice President he’s much more likely to go with one of his top advisers, pro-choice Meg Whitman or pro-life Carly Fiorina.

I prefer Fiorina mainly because I think her narrative about the Compaq merger works perfectly with McCain’s support of the surge in Iraq.

1. Palin. No. Is currently at the beginning of a nasty investigation regarding firing an exbrother-in-law (or some-such). Will be very distracting. FWIW, my guess is she will end up fine from the investigation, but there’s no conclusion yet. Achance would no more about this one.

2. KBH. No. She’s a zip as a US Senator, and if she wasn’t a woman wouldn’t be considered for dog catcher.

3. Miller. No. No name recognition, total unknown on the national stage. See GHWB’s VP nominee for a comparison.

4. Rice. When Hell freezes over. Pro-choice. Absolutely lousy job at State, arguably worse than Powell. Never been elected to anything. She should be Commissioner of the NFL.

While we’re at it…

Fioria. Absolutely not. Spectacular failure at HP, would get eaten for a light lunch in DC.

Capito and Emerson. See Miller.

Bottom line, none competent or ready for prime time. Plus, not a one will sway a single Hillary voter. They’ll be voting against BO, not “for” any form of Republican.

You are right I forgot both but I really prefer McCain choose someone who has a open record on many of key issues that are happening right now and someone who has been tried and tested in a campaign race.

Neither one of those mentioned have records on many issues that are happening today and they may be labeled part of CEO wing which may turn many blue collar union workers in MidWest off

I like all of the names you suggested, and I think picking a woman would be a smart move. However, your suggestions do not take into account the changing demographics in this country. The percentage of women is not changing. The ethnic makeup of this country is changing. It is my opinion that this is the time for John McCain to make a bold move that will reward the Republican Party for years to come. I was worried that Obama would beat us to the punch. Since he didn’t, it opens the door for McCain to take the ball and run with it. And, Linda Chavez was born in the U.S. (I checked)

…because it seems you’re thinking like Dick Morris. And as much as I don’t like so-called “identity politics,” I also don’t like the thought of losing this election to arguably the most dangerous man ever to be nominated by a major party. And I likewise think a female GOP veep nominee could play to the alienation of a great many Hillary supporters, with happy results for “the good guys,” if you’ll pardon the expression.

I have heard many good things about Gov Palin, but recently there has been some dust-up involving the firing of her sister’s ex that makes me nervous, given the biases of the MSM. I would welcome any help on this matter.

Sec Rice has proven to be an incompetent Secretary of State, so “no, thanks” to the idea of her moving up to Vice-President.

Rep Miller is a good suggestion. Could I add Rep Blackburn of Tennessee? I could live with Sen Hutchison if I had to do so, because her pro-choice-ness is very limited. I think she actually has a good score from the NRLC.

Linda Chavez could not be confirmed by US Senate cause she was too controversial. That would be bad choice; plus all her writing over years could be field day for Dems

Congresswoman Wilson of NM would of been a fabulous pick but her recent loss, her being from NM (right next door to AZ) and her dust up in firing of US Attorney General could be real negative

Congresswoman McMorris of Washingon State probably same as Emerson and Capito plus I do not see Washington state going for McCain

I hope that Governor Palin gets the VP nod because I believe that the only way that she would accept is if McCain switched his position on ANWR.

Her gender is relevant but secondary to her association with the energy issue which is a big winner for Republicans. She is also solidly conservative.

I admit that I am ignorant of any scandal involving a relative. I would appreciate more information.

Somehow I believe that Governor Palin could make this campaign more fresh and exciting.

What experience does Pallin have? She is in her first term as Governor and she has zero foreign policy experience and she does not add any zip to campaign. Plus, she reminds me off a librarian.

I can so see Obaam aligning her with Ted Stevens and many of recent scandals in Alaska no matter ho wrong

I do not get love for her here?

It doesn’t have to be Romney but he should pick someone with some cred.

McCain is going to have to pick someone who voters feel could step into shoes of President. They do need some economy expertise but they need to have a grasp of foreign policy.

…and picking her would be the worst kind of identity politics. She needs some time to learn what she is doing.

The only woman who is qualified is Rice and it seems that she would upset a lot of conservatives.

Though I must confess that my ideal ticket would have been Mitt Romney/Peter Pace – satisfying both the Economy and National Security at the same time.

The added advantage is that Pace would have shored up Romney’s social conservative bona fides.

It doesn’t have to be Romney but he should pick someone with some cred.

Palin is a bright reformer who gave up a plum political appointment to protest the corruption that was occuring in the governmant,

in regards to the scandal, she fired the Commisioner of Public Safety (he had prepared a report that was intended for public release that undermined some of her policy initiatives – I don’t know how they do things in Alaska, but down here if you want to do that to your boss publically, you better staple your letter of resignation to the cover). After he was dismissed, he claimed that he was fired because he refused to fire her ex-brother in law, and that he had been recieving pressure from her staff and the “First Dude”.

Facts:

1) Palin’s sister went through a meesy divorce.
2) The divorce included allegations of violence.
3) The Family Court concluded that Palin’s brother in law used a taser on his 11 year old step son.
3) There were allegations that Palin’s brother in law threatened the Governors family.
4) The Governors Security Chief was concerned enough to advise/instruct the First Gentleman to discuss threats with the Commisioner of Public Safety.
5) Other staff members discussed threats with Commisioner of Public Safety, including why former brother in law was still employed as Trooper.
6) While not illeagal, some of those staff members may have been speaking outside their portfolio.

Palin is an extremely quick study, has phenomenal people skills, and woudl be invaluable in a debate about energy. Readers of the Calculated Risk blog will know about the global discussion in regards to de coupling (the idea that the US economy can go down while others continue to go up, which increases markets for US goods), that appears less and less likely. One of the main culprits: high energy costs.

Also, we need to make the connection between high energy costs, and other high costs (ie milk is over $4.00 per gallon). Who better to make that arguement than a mother?

Her opponents underestimate her at their peril.

One other plus – poll after poll shows that the undecideds are women between 35 and 50. They have some college education, and they have dependents, or are worried about dependents (parents/relatives who are aging). While Palin does not give McCain an electoral presence (change a blue state to red), she does have the ability to speak to that group.

The one drawback: the questions of inpropriety in the above mentioned investigation – which will end in her favor, but probably not until after election day.

Palin is a bright reformer who gave up a plum political appointment to protest the corruption that was occuring in the governmant,

in regards to the scandal, she fired the Commisioner of Public Safety (he had prepared a report that was intended for public release that undermined some of her policy initiatives – I don’t know how they do things in Alaska, but down here if you want to do that to your boss publically, you better staple your letter of resignation to the cover). After he was dismissed, he claimed that he was fired because he refused to fire her ex-brother in law, and that he had been recieving pressure from her staff and the “First Dude”.

Facts:

1) Palin’s sister went through a meesy divorce.
2) The divorce included allegations of violence.
3) The Family Court concluded that Palin’s brother in law used a taser on his 11 year old step son.
3) There were allegations that Palin’s brother in law threatened the Governors family.
4) The Governors Security Chief was concerned enough to advise/instruct the First Gentleman to discuss threats with the Commisioner of Public Safety.
5) Other staff members discussed threats with Commisioner of Public Safety, including why former brother in law was still employed as Trooper.
6) While not illeagal, some of those staff members may have been speaking outside their portfolio.

Palin is an extremely quick study, has phenomenal people skills, and woudl be invaluable in a debate about energy. Readers of the Calculated Risk blog will know about the global discussion in regards to de coupling (the idea that the US economy can go down while others continue to go up, which increases markets for US goods), that appears less and less likely. One of the main culprits: high energy costs.

Also, we need to make the connection between high energy costs, and other high costs (ie milk is over $4.00 per gallon). Who better to make that arguement than a mother?

Her opponents underestimate her at their peril.

One other plus – poll after poll shows that the undecideds are women between 35 and 50. They have some college education, and they have dependents, or are worried about dependents (parents/relatives who are aging). While Palin does not give McCain an electoral presence (change a blue state to red), she does have the ability to speak to that group.

The one drawback: the questions of inpropriety in the above mentioned investigation – which will end in her favor, but probably not until after election day.

Thanks for that fantastic post, choc full of useful information. It really makes it clear that Governor Palin is the best choice for VP.

I was just watching Speaker Pelosi earlier tonight on a replay of Meet the Press, and she was saying how all the drilling that McCain wants to do would only lower the cost of gas by ‘two cents’, I mean her comments were just comicly stupid, but it reminds us that energy and drilling are going to be a HUGE issue this fall, at leas they’d BETTER be if McCain wants to win. And there isnt anybody in America who can carry the ball better on that issue for McCain than the Governor of Alaska, her first-hand knowledge of ANWR and the whole drilling issue will be of immense value in this campaign. Also once he picks her he will have the cover he needs to change his position on ANWR, something he definitely needs to do.

One other relatively minor consideration, not as important as the other points, but about a week or so ago there was a poll showing Obama ahead by 5 points in Alaska. Granted all the older polls show McCain with the lead so maybe it was just an outlier, but that Ted Stevens scandal no doubt hurt the overall Republican brand even further than its already been. Palin’s presence on the ticket should ensure that Alaska’s electoral votes, the few that there are, remain in McCain’s column.

1. Marsha Blackburn
2. Sarah Palin
3. Michelle Bachmann
4. Carly Fiorina

1. Marsha Blackburn
2. Janice Rogers Brown
3. Michelle Bachmann
4. Sarah Palin
5. Carly Fiorina

1) Kay Bailey Hutchinson

2) Palin – I fear she just isn’t ready for primtime

3) Every other woman is too liberal or too unknown. Period.