A Preview of the Vice Presidential Sweepstakes; Part 2 of 2
Friends, as promised, here is Part 2 of 2 in previewing the 2008 Vice Presidential selection field. Today, I’ll tackle the Republican possibilities. Once again, I’ll give a brief summary of their resume, a few of my own comments, followed by the Lemon Lyman Rating of VP Appeal. As with Part 1, this is just a list of the top-tier candidates and if you feel there is any others don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments.
Charlie Crist: Governor of Florida
Crist has been Governor since the beginning of 2007 when he succeeded Jeb Bush. Crist endorsed McCain in the Florida primary and has joined him at numerous campaign events. While his white hair may say otherwise, Crist is only 51 years old. Crist on the ticket puts Florida solidly in the red column and its 27 electoral votes in the McCain total. Crist has been called the first Black Florida Governor based on his relationship with the NAACP and many black Democratic Florida legislators. He was one of three possible VP candidates to be invited to McCain’s home for Memorial Day. There has been concern from conservatives regarding the divorced, never re-married Crist. Crist is the unofficial pre of Lemon Lyman to be McCain’s running mate.
Lemon Lyman Rating-9.0 (out of 10)
Bobby Jindal: Governor of Louisiana
Jindal is youngest Governor in the history of the United States at 36 years old, the first Indian American ever to be elected Governor and the second Asian American to be elected Governor in the continental United States. He is a former Congressman and former Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services. He is regarded as one of the future leaders of the conservative faction of the Republican Party. While a conservative, Jindal has previously been endorsed by New Orleans Democratic mayor. He was one of three possible VP candidates to be invited to McCain’s home for Memorial Day. Jindal is touted as a possible second coming of Ronald Reagan.
Lemon Lyman Rating-8.0
Mike Huckabee: Governor (former) of Arkansas
The former Governor and Baptist minister was one of the last of the 2008 GOP presidential candidates to withdraw from the race. Huckabee vowed to stay in the race until McCain reached the necessary number of delegates. He is a favorite of the Evangelical branch of the party and as seen as an olive branch to the conservatives so that they do not stay home on election. He has a tendency to not think before he speaks, often times using his sense of humor to speak his mind and sometimes insult people. Huckabee is seen as a Washington outsider.
Lemon Lyman Rating-6.0
Mitt Romney: Governor (former) of Massachusetts
As the former Governor of a quite liberal state, Romney presents McCain with an interesting scenario. As one of his most vocal and bitter rivals during the primary season, Romney has jumped in full support of McCain for President and has already stated that he would accept the VP if offered. In West Virginia however, McCain was encouraging conservative’s voters, not voting for him, to vote for Huckabee rather than Romney. As a Mormon, Romney would face some amount of ire. As a millionaire, Romney was able to finance his own campaign and his widely regarded as a political outsider who is especially gift in areas of the economy. While Romney is a former Governor of Massachusetts, he would not put it back in play for McCain. He was one of three possible VP candidates to be invited to McCain’s home for Memorial Day.
Lemon Lyman Rating-5.0
Joe Lieberman: Senator from Connecticut
Lieberman, a former Democrat and present Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, would be an interesting choice by McCain. McCain and Lieberman are old friends who have been colleagues in the Senate for years. Lieberman is the most prominent Democrat to endorse McCain. He was Al Gore’s Vice Presidential nominee in the 2000 election and ran for President in 2004 but withdrew on after Super Tuesday. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, he would add to an already sizeable reputation McCain has regarding security issues. Lieberman would be no help putting Connecticut back into play. He has stumped for McCain dozens of times and often appears on 24 hour news channel touting McCain.
Lemon Lyman Rating-7.0
Colin Powell: former Secretary of State
Colin Powell is one of the few Americans, who never served as POTUS, who can be called an “American Institution.” He is a former National Security Advisor, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Secretary of State. As a General, Powell was the youngest and first African American to ever be named Chair of the JCS. While a Republican, he is as a moderate and has immense popularity, more so than either candidate in the race. Powell fought for President Bush’s Iraq War Doctrine while at the State Department but later stated that intelligence the Administration used for the invasion was “wrong.” However, McCain may find a harder task than getting Powell on the ticket will be to stop him from endorsing Obama.
Lemon Lyman Rating-10.0 *in a perfect world*
2 Responses to “A Preview of the Vice Presidential Sweepstakes; Part 2 of 2”
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I like Mitt Romney, I think Huckabee split the conservative vote and cost him the nomination.
I like Jindal as a future star but he is too young. Obama will be able to say you have a guy a heartbeat away and he is younger and less experienced than me.
Forget about Colin Powell, Just yesterday he said he is not sure who he would vote for.
Lemon Lyman,
Here’s a name you didn’t mention. America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. Senator McCain and the Republicans may decide the votes to win are in the middle. Rudy would put the North East into play.