As the countdown to Nov. 4, 2008 is inching by in the neck to neck Democratic race, it seems to be just around the corner for Republicans and Arizona Senator John McCain.
Now that Sen. McCain has officially clinched the GOP presidential nomination, his focus will shift from proving himself as the strongest Republican candidate to finding a running mate that will help unify the party and energize the conservative voting base.
With support from conservatives lacking in many regions, McCain will likely look to his vice-presidential candidate to reassure the voting base without alienating independents who favor McCain's ability to step outside of party boundaries.
Time will tell what direction Sen. McCain wants to go with his campaign, but he should keep in mind that his running mate will be the deciding factor for many conservative voters.
If the Republicans want four more years in control of the White House, McCain should take the time to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each potential candidate heavily before making his decision.
The following would be my recommendations to the Arizona senator:
Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives
Flickr/m.j.b.
Newt Gingrich would fit perfectly on a Republican ticket with McCain if the Arizona senator is trying to draw support from the conservative voting base. While Gingrich is supporeted strongly by conservatives, he has an ability to work with Democrats to find solutions. Gingrich's role in the Contract With America was a key factor in the Republican's regaining control of Congress in 1994.
Newt recently drafted a similar proposal called the 21st Century Contract With America that could prove just as influential as the original. His ideas and solutions could take the eventual Democratic nominee head on with issues such as education, healthcare and the future of the tax system.
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Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana
Flickr/Marc V. Genre
Bobby Jindal has been called everything from "the future of the conservative party" by members of congress to "the purest conservative politician in America" by religious leaders. With McCain's questionable support from conservatives, Jindal would help energize the voting base while swaying independents in favor of McCain. As his parents were Indian immigrants, Jindal could also be great on the international front as a diplomat. Another factor that would make him ideal to McCain and to voters is his age. At only 36 years old, he could easily take over in 2012 if the 71 year old McCain chose to leave after one term.
While Jindal is young, his credentials and accomplishments are much greater than most older candidates. During his tenure as secretary of Louisiana's department of health and hospitals, Louisiana's Medicaid program went from bankruptcy with a $400 million deficit into three years of surpluses totaling $220 million. He has also served as congressman of the first district in Louisiana and is currently governor of the Bayou state. According to Rasmussen polls, he is one of the most popular governors in the country.
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Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State
Flickr/Lance Cameron
The Democrats want to make history by placing either a black or a female in the White House for the first time ever. It would be a shrewd decision for the Republicans to pull for the same type of historical move, except with both coming in one candidate. Like the aforementioned possible nominees, Condoleezza Rice is a highly respected member of the Republican party and could be a deciding factor for conservative voters in November.
Her international experience and broad perspective with few exceptions is unmatched by any other member of the Republican party. She has served as Secretary of State since Colin Powell stepped down in 2005 and previously U.N. National Security Advisor. She also gained respect for her work as Provost of Stanford University.
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Michael Bloomberg, New York City Mayor
While it is often said that a candidate can not win an election without the support of their true voting base, McCain-Bloomberg would be the ideal ticket for many independent voters. The fact that Bloomberg has the financial security to contribute billions to a campaign doesn't hurt his case either.
The only problem with Mayor Bloomberg is that he could further alienate the conservative voting base, and jeopardize McCain's credibility with far right Republicans. That being said, Bloomberg would be a great leader and would be willing to work across the table with Democrats and independent voters like himself.
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Key Upcoming Dates
March 8, Wyoming Democratic Caucuses
March 11, Mississippi Primaries
March 14-16, Former President Bill Clinton hosts the Clinton Global Initiative University at Tulane Univesity in New Orleans
March 15, Alaska Democratic presidential caucuses
April 22, Pennsylvania Primaries
Comments
weston commented, on March 6, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.:
how about JC Watts...
jkb commented, on March 6, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.:
Yes, absolutely J.C. Watts would be a great choice too.
Austin Baird commented, on March 6, 2008 at 5:19 p.m.:
JC Watts is great leader and he'll get his shot at the White House eventually, if not now. If he's not given the VP nomination, I would be shocked if he were not included in a McCain cabinet.
The key for McCain right now is to take the time to weigh strengths and weaknesses of everyone being considered before jumping to a decision. He wouldn't gain much if anything by naming a running mate in the next few months because the Dems could drag all the way to the convention before their ticket is set.
America commented, on March 6, 2008 at 11:29 p.m.:
RON PAUL '08!
kat commented, on March 7, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.:
Bobby Jindal is a fantastic choice. It doesn't seem right for him to be 2nd to McCain though. McCain is okay but Jindal outshines him on every level. Gingrich and Rice would also outshine him each in their own way. Gingrich is brilliant at out of the box thinking and coming up with solutions. Rice has so much experience and world politics knowledge. Any of the three would bring a different strength, like the article says. But I think McCain would be threatened by them and not smart enough to pick them. I think he'll go towards Bloomberg because that's more what he is moderate/liberal(and the billions don't hurt). If he does he will turn away the entire conservative base. You cannot win an election without your base. This is especially true this year with a lot of independents leaning toward Obama. He might also go for a popular gov. like Crist in FL. Many people credit Crist's endorsement as turning the election for McCain & finishing off Romney.
michael commented, on March 10, 2008 at 2:56 p.m.:
You don't think someone like Mike Huckabee would be like a dream team for the republicans, I am a republican but have been leaning toward the democrats here lately but for sure if mike huckabee was running with john then do doubt would have my vote
K-Lo commented, on March 18, 2008 at 9:33 p.m.:
I am frustrated that Gov. Crist has been in office for 2 years and is mentioned daily as a leading VP candidate, while Gov. Palin (Gov. for 2 years as well) is dismissed for not being experienced enough. Is it sexism or ignorance?
Gov. Sarah Palin is respected by social and fiscal Conservatives, reformers and indy's. The battle ground is shifting to the mid-west and Gov. Palin has the profile and geography to appeal to those voters. Palin has more executive experience than both Clinton and Obama, and Palin practices straight-talk, which will fit well with McCain. Her two years in the Governors office brings a long list of reforms in government and a 180 degree change in how politics is practiced in Alaska.
www.PalinforVP.com