Posted by
Playful Walrus on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 3:49:02 PM
Okay, so assuming that Senator John McCain secures the GOP nomination for President, his pick for Vice President will be crucial. Well, it will be crucial anyway, but if he wants to unite Republicans, certain criteria need to be met. First, it would be nice for him to actually beat the Dem nominee, and then it would be nice if he had someone who could be the President down the line, so that we don’t end up with another messy and divisive primary season. Love Cheney or hate him, i don't think a lot of people ever thought he was going to run after Bush served 8 years.
McCain's choice for VP nominee should be complimentary, as is someone who brings things to the table that he doesn’t (for example: enthusiastic support from talk radio conservatives).
What should the other considerations be?Huckabee won those southern states, so McCain is vulnerable there.
Obama is getting a lot of his support because he is “black” and comes across as young and energetic. And because he’s not George W. Bush or Dick Cheney.
Clinton is getting some of her support because she has two X chromosomes. And because she’s not George W. Bush or Dick Cheney.
They are both actively courting “Latinos”, as if ethnicity determines what people care about.
McCain lacks private business experience and executive experience.
Some people think McCain is too old.
So, ideally, to garner the votes of the Republican faithful who are tempted to sit on their hands, and to sway some of the “independents” and others who would consider voting for a Republican, but are supporting Obama because of his color and charisma or supporting Hillary because she’s a woman,
McCain should pick a charismatic, young, conservative, southern “black” or Latino (or better yet: both!) woman who has private sector and executive experience.Who are the women that fit this category? They need not have been state governors. Business CEOs would be good.
Are any of these women politically conservative, willing to serve, and clean in their personal lives?
All cynicism aside, I think someone with the
conservative, private sector, and executive experience factors would help round out the ticket nicely.
Meg Whitman of eBay fame has two X chromosomes, has been politically active, and has reportedly been considering running for California Governor. Not sure if she is conservative, though, and her connection to Romney might exclude her.
Sure, the Dems will try to portray anyone coming straight from the business world as a greedy, anti-labor fact-cat who cares only about enriching their old business pals, but we can counter by pointing out that it is a GOOD thing to have someone who climbed the ladder and knows the issues facing business from the inside.
And, such a person would be Washington "outsider".