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FELTS: McCain’s most important decision — VP
By TOMMY FELTS, Voices From The News
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Who’s it going to be?
A dull, yet safe, pick from a potential battleground state? The favorite of Republican Party insiders? Or someone chosen by the candidate himself to reflect his independent spirit and spice up a desperate campaign?
All eyes have been on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s vice-presidential search, but maybe we’re watching the wrong White House hopeful. Sure, Obama’s choice will be an important one — the first real example of his executive decision-making abilities — but Republican John McCain’s pick holds equal weight, maybe even more.
For McCain, who he chooses will tell voters a lot. The decision will be a lesson in how he’ll lead as president and who will be calling the shots in the Oval Office — the maverick senator from the “Straight Talk Express” or a cabal of GOP puppeteers with its own agenda (see George W. Bush’s presidency).
It’s likely the most important decision McCain will make during his whole campaign.
So ... who’s it going to be?
Some folks hope the Arizona senator will pick a solid, inoffensive — and boring — conservative who might help win a swing state, but, more importantly, won’t ruffle any feathers during the last months before the election. Toward that end, names such as Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.; Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C.; and Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., have been kicked around for months.
But one troubling suggestion that keeps rearing its made-for-TV head is Mitt Romney, McCain’s former enemy during the primary season.
Romney remains a darling of the Republican establishment ... despite being blown out of the water by McCain a few months ago. Back then, McCain accurately labeled Romney a con man — a flip flopper with questionable conservative credentials who’d say anything to get into office. The former Massachusetts governor had “presidential good looks,” a wad of cash and a willingness to have his strings pulled in exchange for a fancy title — exactly what GOP insiders nervous about McCain’s independent ways were hoping for.
Now the veep spot is their best chance at controlling the White House. If they can’t have Romney, their willing puppet, as president, they at least want him to be a heartbeat away.
McCain needs to regain the credibility he recently lost with (largely successful) negative campaigning and his hard turn to the political right (a disappointing imitation of Romney). He must make a bold statement by ignoring the safe bets, as well as Romney. He must show he’s his own man, with his own mind.
Enter the worthy longshots:
• Joe Lieberman — Bringing the Democrat-turned-Independent Connecticut senator on board would add a strong, well-known political ally and friend to the ticket. It would be a historic, bipartisan run for the White House unlike any we’ve ever seen. The downside? Lieberman, of course, leans reliably to the left on most issues (those not dealing with national security). And we wouldn’t want a presidential administration that worked and communicated openly and civilly with ideological opponents, right?
• Mike Huckabee — The bass-playing former Baptist preacher, Arkansas governor and presidential candidate bested McCain in several primary contests, including Kansas (by a wide margin). Congenial with his opponents, Huckabee forged a friendship with McCain on the campaign trail and offers the Republican nominee a huge following of evangelicals, right-leaning moderates and young people. The downside? His centrist (some say liberal) economic views worry some in the GOP and his staunch opposition to gay marriage and abortion scares those on the left. Deserved or not, Huckabee also has lost some credibility recently by joining the team at FOX News.
• Bobby Jindal — A virtual unknown outside his home state until late last year, the 36-year-old Louisiana governor is an undeniably unique face within the Republican Party. He’s young, Indian, Catholic (though he was born Hindu) and a strong, new conservative voice in the South. Jindal offers the GOP much of what Obama brings to Democrats — youth, diversity and a solid grasp of the party’s core ideals. The downside? He shares key problems with Obama, too — inexperience, a “different” background and questions about his ability to lead.
McCain’s choice undoubtedly will be difficult. Picking the right running mate could excite the electorate and bring redemption in the eyes of his longtime moderate supporters. Choosing wrong could add short-term support from the hard-right conservative base (people who, regardless of McCain’s pick, will likely vote against Obama), but prove fatal for his campaign thanks to the disapproval of crucial centrists in both parties, as well as independents.
So ... who’s it going to be?
•••
Casualty update: At least 4,145 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 507 have died as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department.
•••
Tommy Felts is design editor for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail him at tfelts@ottawaherald.com.
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