Uninspiring
Cicero at Political Insider proposes a rather lackluster list of potential GOP running mates for 2008. Take a look at the entire list.
The only ones on that list that hold any interest for me as legitimate potential nominees are Palin, Sanford, and Franks. I certainly see a potential for a 2008 running mate to come from the obscure corners of Congress to meet some sort of demographic profile. Look at what happened in 1988 when George Bush launched Dan Quayle from obscurity to Number One Observatory Circle.
We could also see the potential for pre-convention selections for multiple candidates if my thoughts about a brokered convention come to fruition. And there is some real danger to making those selections. Going into the 1976 GOP Convention, Ronald Reagan was looking for an edge to get over the hump and past President Ford for the nomination. So Regan announced early in the convention his choice for running mate: liberal Pennsylvania Senator Richard Schweiker. The move wound up costing Reagan the 1976 nomination, as some members of his conservative base got angry and few of the moderate Ford supporters switched sides.
All interesting things to think about once we get past February 5th...
The only ones on that list that hold any interest for me as legitimate potential nominees are Palin, Sanford, and Franks. I certainly see a potential for a 2008 running mate to come from the obscure corners of Congress to meet some sort of demographic profile. Look at what happened in 1988 when George Bush launched Dan Quayle from obscurity to Number One Observatory Circle.
We could also see the potential for pre-convention selections for multiple candidates if my thoughts about a brokered convention come to fruition. And there is some real danger to making those selections. Going into the 1976 GOP Convention, Ronald Reagan was looking for an edge to get over the hump and past President Ford for the nomination. So Regan announced early in the convention his choice for running mate: liberal Pennsylvania Senator Richard Schweiker. The move wound up costing Reagan the 1976 nomination, as some members of his conservative base got angry and few of the moderate Ford supporters switched sides.
All interesting things to think about once we get past February 5th...
Labels: 2008 Presidential Election
posted by Brian Griffiths at 6:33 PM
2 Comments:
Crist or Pawlenty don't hold any interest?
The popular Republican Governor of Florida (a critical swing state) or Minnesota (a potential swing state) would be a huge addition to the ticket. Crist especially.
Hardly lackluster.
I'm not sure I trust Crist's political compass right now. I'm just not sure. Ask me in six months and that answer may be different.
Pawlenty has shown my the overall package. Yes he did balance the budget without raising taxes, but I don't trust his position on immigration with his past dealing with Mexico, and I don't like him flip-flopping on drug re importation. Plus, politically speaking, I am not sure how he would play after the bridge collapse.
What I look for in a President is somebody who could serve as President. Crist and Pawlenty are great for politics, but I am not certain about their ability to serve in the big job. Plus, I think that Fred Thompson will need somebody with better foreign policy and military bona fides to strengthen his background in those areas.
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