Five Game-Changing McCain VP picks
Written by Jack Burden on August 25th, 2008Most 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.
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I’d be surprised if Colin doesn’t eventually make his endorsement of Obama official. He’s been hinting at it forever, and advising Obama on policy for almost two years.
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Ahem. NO GOV. SARAH PALIN?!??
Let’s see…. Reformer. Young. Pro-2nd Amendment. Mother of 5. Oldest son just joined the army (joined 9/11). Pro-life. Youngest son just born with Down’s syndrome. Told Young/Stevens she would no longer accept their pork. Killed the Bridge to Nowhere. Supports Drill, Drill, Drill (just got Alaska to pass her 30 Billion pipeline project). Hunts moose and then eats mooseburgers. The ultimate maverick. Viciously hacks out pork from her state budget. Husband is a commercial fisherman. Husband has won the IronDog (think Iditarod on snowmobiles) 4 times. Most popular governor in all of America–approval rating at 80%. Is taking out one corrupt politician after another. Has been in Vogue. Soon to be featured in People magazine. From a state that is now in play this election (Alaska). And Female. (Did the Hillary supporters hear that last one?).
So how would Breaux, Ashcroft, or Fitzgerald “shake up the race” while Palin wouldn’t??? And Palin is just as likely, if not more likely, to be chosen than Breaux or Fitzgerald.
GOV. SARAH PALIN should be Number 1 on this list–not Powell, who honestly, has all but endorsed Obama anyway.
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This country will be better off when the Kennedy’s are out of politics.
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Quixoticneophyte, Perhaps the point is not to rank the most likely or the best VP picks, but to list a few that are not currently being mentioned much. Palin is mentioned all the time.
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Interesting list of darkhorses. Breaux would be a real game changer to say the least.
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Thanks, Quixoticneophyte. You are correct — Gov. Palin would be the best pick to change the story of the race.
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It is a shame that Fitzgerald did retire or else he would probably be one of the more frequently mentioned names for VP. I hope that someone can convince him to return to politics at some point.
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I don’t think Palin would help McCain much.
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I’m with Quixoticneophyte. I think Sarah Palin is the best choice and it would certainly be the first time GOP would do something outside the box. Unfortunately, that’s why I think McCain WON’T select her because the GOP still goes stale when it comes to things like this.
She would be an excellent addition to the ticket and would help McCain in that I think she would attract some of the disaffected female Hillary supporters.
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She wouldn’t attract the disaffected females supporters. She’s too young, too cute, and too pro-life. Plus she’s not Hillary. Strategically, as far as November is concerned, Palin just doesn’t bring anything to the table.
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I hope it’s Breaux…he would cover so many bases and be fantastic in states with moderate Dems.
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Did you notice what John McCain couldn’t keep his eyes off of during Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech. Her butt. It was so obvious. He should be more careful when he knows he is being taped.