"Dark Horse" VP picks

[Mr. Morden]

For Obama, Bob Graham (though highly doubtful because of his age) and Blanche Lincoln.

For McCain, John Sununu, Don Nickles, and Marsha Blackburn.  Cox, Kasich, and Huntsman are also occasionally mentioned here, but very rarely mentioned in the media at large.

[Mr. Morden]

I think Sununu would be a good pick for McCain's running mate, unfortunately he's got that whole being defeated for re-election thing coming up. He was my top pick for awhile.

True, it would be unusual (that's why he's a dark horse).  But really, why not?  He's going to lose that race anyway, so why not drop out and run for veep?  If being popular in your home state is a prerequisite for being a running mate, then why is Romney being considered?  He would surely lose any statewide election in MA.  (Heck, Romney went a step further by running for *president* while being unpopular in his home state.)

[Mr. Morden]

too late for dark horses.  Cantor might be it

In 1996, I don't think Kemp was on any of the short lists leaked to the media until about two days before the selection was announced.  Then again, it might be harder to keep such things under wraps nowadays.

[Mr. Morden]

Kit Bond?  If McCain thinks he needs to shore up the midwest...

No one in the midwest outside of Missouri cares about Bond in any remote way.

Also, Bond is 69 years old.  One would think that McCain might want someone younger.

[Mr. Morden]

I think Sununu would be a good pick for McCain's running mate, unfortunately he's got that whole being defeated for re-election thing coming up. He was my top pick for awhile.

True, it would be unusual (that's why he's a dark horse).  But really, why not?  He's going to lose that race anyway, so why not drop out and run for veep?  If being popular in your home state is a prerequisite for being a running mate, then why is Romney being considered?  He would surely lose any statewide election in MA.  (Heck, Romney went a step further by running for *president* while being unpopular in his home state.)

Oh sure but I think Sununu's committal to his senate race ultimately rules him out, even as a dark horse.

He should have declined to run for re-election and just hoped to be McCain's pick.

One can't really count on being picked as a VP candidate.  And, IMHO, almost any politician will take the chance at higher office if the right opportunity comes along.  So even though Sununu may now seem committed to his senate race, that doesn't mean he wouldn't accept the offer if McCain actually offered him the veep slot.  I think he would take it.  The only problem is that Sununu wouldn't want it to leak out that he's being considered until he actually had the offer in hand, because the rumors might complicate his reelection race, should McCain opt to give the nod to someone else.

Of course, this is probably a silly hypothetical, since Sununu is most likely not being considered anyway.