Who will win the Veepstakes?
Who will John McCain pick to be his Vice Presidential running mate? Everyone has their own picks. Not to be left out, we have compiled what we think might be the Top 4, in no particular order. Who will win the Veepstakes?
Tom Ridge, Fmr. Governor of PA, Secretary of Homeland Security. Ridge is well liked among his peers, he is considered by many, to be a good man with much integrity. He is a moderately conservative Catholic which could help McCain in states with independent voters. What might be doubtful is his delivering PA, his successor Gov. Ed Rendell is extremely popular and it is likely he will easily swing the vote to Obama. The biggest deal breaker with a McCain/Ridge ticket might be the difference in views on the heated abortion issue. Ridge is Pro-abortion while McCain is Anti-abortion. His views on abortion would probably not conflict with his ability to be a valuable VP however, with many other candidates to choose from McCain may decide that he is going to stick to someone who has the same beliefs as he.
Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State- "Condi" as she is called is immensely popular amongst the Republicans. For that matter she is popular to many in this country. She has shown that she can hold herself up under intense questioning before a hostile House or Senate committee. She is known to be tough, fast on her feet and her confidence exudes itself. She will easily carry her own state of Alabama and to many it is believed with Rice on the ticket there will be enthusiasm plus! In a recent interview, in the Washington Times, she claimed to have no interest in running as Vice President. (Seems we have heard that before??) The one downfall? It is a biggie! People look at Bush and Rice and think failed Iraq policy. She is too closely related to Bush where it relates to one of the hottest topics this election and this might very well be more harm than good to McCain.
Mitt Romney- Governor of Mass.- With his presidential looks, his strong ability to campaign and stay on message, Romney is considered a top pick by many. He is known for his economic expertise and comes with a sterling resume. McCain has admitted publicly that he lacks knowledge in this area so the addition of Romney to the ticket, would help firm up McCain's economic credibility. He is fully vetted and it is believed that his family's Michigan roots would help McCain close in on that crucial battleground state after the Dems took it in 2004. However, there is lingering bad blood left over from the primary, as well as the concern that his Mormon faith might hurt McCain's chances in some of the southern states.
Haley Barbour- Known to be doing a fine job as Mississippi Governor, he sits on the same side of the fence as McCain on the abortion issues, he has a proven record of pro-education, he is known for one of the toughest anti fraud plans in the history of Mississippi Medicaid system. He brought Mississippi out of a huge deficit to a substantial surplus without any increase in taxes. For his leadership after Katrina, Governor Barbour was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award, which is presented by the bipartisan American Legislative Exchange Council to a nationally recognized public sector leader who has an extraordinary record of successfully advancing Jeffersonian principles.
The one true weakness in a McCain/Barbour ticket, is that he is known as a powerful lobbyist to the tobacco and casino industries. This will bring about much fire from the Dems and McCain will have to think twice about whether the good Barbour will bring to his ticket, will be enough to squash the negative.
What do you think America? Who will win the Veepstakes?
Speak Now America, we want to hear from you!
Tom Ridge, Fmr. Governor of PA, Secretary of Homeland Security. Ridge is well liked among his peers, he is considered by many, to be a good man with much integrity. He is a moderately conservative Catholic which could help McCain in states with independent voters. What might be doubtful is his delivering PA, his successor Gov. Ed Rendell is extremely popular and it is likely he will easily swing the vote to Obama. The biggest deal breaker with a McCain/Ridge ticket might be the difference in views on the heated abortion issue. Ridge is Pro-abortion while McCain is Anti-abortion. His views on abortion would probably not conflict with his ability to be a valuable VP however, with many other candidates to choose from McCain may decide that he is going to stick to someone who has the same beliefs as he.
Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State- "Condi" as she is called is immensely popular amongst the Republicans. For that matter she is popular to many in this country. She has shown that she can hold herself up under intense questioning before a hostile House or Senate committee. She is known to be tough, fast on her feet and her confidence exudes itself. She will easily carry her own state of Alabama and to many it is believed with Rice on the ticket there will be enthusiasm plus! In a recent interview, in the Washington Times, she claimed to have no interest in running as Vice President. (Seems we have heard that before??) The one downfall? It is a biggie! People look at Bush and Rice and think failed Iraq policy. She is too closely related to Bush where it relates to one of the hottest topics this election and this might very well be more harm than good to McCain.
Mitt Romney- Governor of Mass.- With his presidential looks, his strong ability to campaign and stay on message, Romney is considered a top pick by many. He is known for his economic expertise and comes with a sterling resume. McCain has admitted publicly that he lacks knowledge in this area so the addition of Romney to the ticket, would help firm up McCain's economic credibility. He is fully vetted and it is believed that his family's Michigan roots would help McCain close in on that crucial battleground state after the Dems took it in 2004. However, there is lingering bad blood left over from the primary, as well as the concern that his Mormon faith might hurt McCain's chances in some of the southern states.
Haley Barbour- Known to be doing a fine job as Mississippi Governor, he sits on the same side of the fence as McCain on the abortion issues, he has a proven record of pro-education, he is known for one of the toughest anti fraud plans in the history of Mississippi Medicaid system. He brought Mississippi out of a huge deficit to a substantial surplus without any increase in taxes. For his leadership after Katrina, Governor Barbour was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award, which is presented by the bipartisan American Legislative Exchange Council to a nationally recognized public sector leader who has an extraordinary record of successfully advancing Jeffersonian principles.
The one true weakness in a McCain/Barbour ticket, is that he is known as a powerful lobbyist to the tobacco and casino industries. This will bring about much fire from the Dems and McCain will have to think twice about whether the good Barbour will bring to his ticket, will be enough to squash the negative.
What do you think America? Who will win the Veepstakes?
Speak Now America, we want to hear from you!
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