The Republican VP Nomination...

Have you noticed that nobody really gives a crap? For all of the breathless guessing about who Obama will tap for Vice President (and it's happening at more places then just DU), there doesn't seem to be any interest at all as to who McCain will pick. One suspects its because people realize that it really won't make any difference one way or another.

But it will be interesting, nonetheless. It's going to take an extraordinary (or extraordinarily foolish) Republican to agree to latch on to the boat anchor that is the McCain Campaign. Remember Jack Kemp? You're not alone. Kemp saw his political career come to an ignominious end when he agreed to be the "brains" behind the candidacy of an elderly war hero who chief claim to the nomination was that it was his turn.

Stop me if this sounds at all familiar.

Kemp didn't even get a courtesy appointment by the Bush Administration -- thanks for your help in 1996, Jackaroo, now get to the back of the line. Given that history, can you think of a single Republican with an ounce of political capital who would put himself in that position -- and I don't use the "himself/herself" tag here because I think we all know that's not going to happen.

One potential candidate mentioned has been Rob Portman of Ohio, which goes to show how either a) desperate or b) colossally stupid the Republicans are. Oooo...let's nominate that guy who was most recently the Director or the Office of Management and Budget. What, the Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture is too busy? Portman is a former congressman in a swing state, but his popularity barely registers outside his old district, and Ohio is a state that has gone decisively blue in the past two years. Bill Clinton won Ohio, and the only way Bush won in 2004 was by rigging the votes.

Note to Team McCain: The new Secretary of State in Ohio is a Democrat, so don't count on any favors there. Ohio is a lost cause so tapping a former congressman-turned-bean counter is not your best choice.

The problem for McCain, of course, is that there are no good choices. Eighty percent of the American people think the country is on the wrong track, and most blame the Republicans for putting us there. And any Republican who appears even remotely above the fray (has Colin Powell entered the Witness Protection Program) won't touch this disaster with a ten foot pole.

So Good Luck, Sen. McCain! And just in case things get really bad for you, just remember that Dan Quayle is tanned, rested, and ready.

Mittens and Huckabee

Jindal doesn't want to waste his shot at the future in the party by going on the ticket. In 8 years he thinks he'll be a succesful 2 term Govenor.

Other than Jindal there really isn't that much "talent" in the GOP back benches right now. The person they had groomed for it went down in 06 so McCain became the sacrificial lamb.

The two other people being mentioned are Kay Hutchinson and Sara Palin. Sara just gave birth a year ago so I think she might not be in for a cross country tour away from family and Hutchison is comfortable in the Senate.

Bush has done nothing to build the leadership in his party.

The right-wing evangelicals like him even less than they like McCain.

Huckabee? After being Governor of Arkansas, you don't have very far to go to hit the bottom of the political food chain. Bill Clinton notwithstanding, seriously, what's left? Lt. Governor of South Dakota? Secretary of State in Idaho?

as much of an asshat as he is he's got that likeability factor that Romney doesn't have.

The only problem is that Huck might outshine McCain on the trail and speaking.

I think Huckabee ran just to keep Romney from winning. I think McCain has to pick Huckabee to get the fundies to come out in numbers.

Let's face it, when the new, larger Democratic majority is seated in the Senate, Holy Joe is going to get thrown out of the caucus -- and he might get thrown out before then. Given his turncoat status, there's no way in God's Green Acre he's going to get re-elected in 2012 (people in Connecticutt can't possibly be that stupid twice, can they?). So political oblivion is in his future, come hell or high water. Might was well get a book deal out of it.

unless of course Obama chooses Hagel or some other semi-sane republican....

because they aren't in charge of anything. It's run by the same guys that have been running that party since Nixon.

Dan Quayle, what an idiot that guy was.

Mike wants to be Senator, but he'd make a really good vice presidential candidate for McAintGonnaBePrez.

McCain's economic adviser, Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard is a leading contender.

The "wives be subject unto your husbands" wing of the Party would turn on him like a pack of wolves.

the Fundie Wackos.

He HATES Mittens, but might like the Mormon Money.

Crist is out - but still "in" the closet, so a bit of a problem.

Jindahl is a bit too young -- though he is brilliant even though a winger. He worked at McKensie (sp?) Consulting with my nephew before each seeking their destinies elsewhere.

He is winger enough for a McCain pick, but is a bit too young (and dark) for the traditional Rethug preferences.

Therefor - Huckleberry or possibly Pawlenty -- outside chance for a NE conservative like Sununu.

Even though they can't stand one another. I don't know if Romney would go for it, but I do think McCain/Romney is the best they can do. Romney at least balances out the age factor.