Most of the recent talk about McCain runningmates has been that he will make a conventional pick - Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Tim Pawlenty. These are safe choices, and each comes with their own unique strengths. But what candidates are there who would be more than that? Choices that could really transform the race, and alter the conversation. Here are five candidates that I think could be “game changing” picks for McCain.

1. Colin Powell - The former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is one of the most respected men in America. The Obama campaign has heavily courted his endorsement, but has thus far failed to get it. Choosing him is not without its problems - Powell is pro-choice - but his jumping on the McCain ticket would add tremendous heft, and remind voters just how little real experience Obama has.

2. John Breaux - Senator Joe Lieberman is most often mentioned as a potential Democrat to add. But Breaux would be a better choice. A true moderate Democrat, Breaux had a strong pro-life voting record in the Senate and like McCain, was well known for his willingness to tackle tough issues and reach across party lines. Breaux is conservative enough not to cause the base to riot, but will be a steady reminder that while Obama merely talks about bipartisanship, McCain really does it.

3. Mike Pence - The conservative Indiana congressman is probably the best public speaker in the Republican party. He would bring the house down at the convention, and fire up the base in a way that would make up the ‘excitement’ gap that we keep hearing about. He would remind voters that the Republican ticket this year is not more Bush, as Pence has been on the front lines fighting big government Republicanism over the last eight years. And, he would annihilate Joe Biden in the debate.

4. John Ashcroft - “The rehabilitation of John Ashcroft has been a wonder to behold.” Those were the first words of a Washington Post article last month, a headline that most never thought they would see. But Ashcroft’s public image has been transformed in the time since he left the Bush administration, as the truth about his record on protecting civil liberties has become public. The 2004 visit by Alberto Gonzales and Andy Card to his hospital bedside to try and pressure him to fold on FISA has become a DC legend. Ashcroft would excite conservatives and bring tremendous star power to the ticket.

5. Peter Fitzgerald - This is the ultimate dark horse choice - a name that I haven’t heard anyone mention. Obama’s predecessor as Senator from Illinois, Fitzgerald was the kind of serious reformer that Obama claims to be but isn’t. Choosing him as running mate would draw attention to Obama’s real background in corrupt Illinois politics. It would totally reshape the race by giving Republicans a candidate with the credibility to tell Americans the truth about Obama’s political upbringing. Fitzgerald is a steadfast conservative, but with the same maverick inclinations as McCain, enough to win in a blue state like Illinois. He would be a serious game changer.

Well, at least that was his attitude when questioned by a reporter in 1987. He claimed to have a “much higher IQ” and then rattled off a bunch of made-up crap about his academic record.

You stay classy, Democrats.

Also Red State Update takes apart Biden in their typical comedic fashion.