McCain/Hutchison

[riceowl]

Who beats them?
If nominated, should McCain pick a conservative governor (like Allen or Romney) instead?

Is this an unstoppable ticket?

[WalterMitty]

that is actually a pretty horrible ticket.

[Moooooo]

Sounds ok I guess.  I think he needs someone more conservative than Senator Hutchison though.

[Lincoln Republican]

I wouldn't call them unstoppable, although they would be very formidable.

It may be time for a female VP, and if there is to be a female VP, then why not Senator Hutchison? She fits the bill just fine.

On the other hand, two Senators haven't been too successful of late.

In that sense, perhaps McCain/Allen  or McCain/Romney would be the right way to go.  I realize Allen is a Senator, but at least he is a former Governor as well.

Another ticket I like with McCain would be John McCain/MarkSanford.

 

[riceowl]

Agree with what winfield says....as much as I love Hutchison, the base will need someone more conservative on a McCain ticket - especially considering his age, and her pro-choiceness.  And the two senators, and their votes, would be very difficult to combat.

Conservative governors, like Romney, Sanford, PAWLENTY, Gregg...
Ooh! Huckabee! BARBOUR.

Too bad Jodi Rell's as moderate as she is.

that is actually a pretty horrible ticket.

'splain.

[Politico]

The only way McCain could prevent the Religious Right from revolting is if he chose Gingrich for the bottom of the ticket...

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The only way McCain could prevent the Religious Right from revolting is if he chose Gingrich for the bottom of the ticket...

I can't see that happening.

[Politico]

The only way McCain could prevent the Religious Right from revolting is if he chose Gingrich for the bottom of the ticket...

I can't see that happening.

Neither can I. Then again, I don't think McCain will win the nomination. Too many hardcore Republicans loathe him.

[Ben.]

As I’ve said before, McCain would probably have to pick someone like Huckabee or Allen both southern, conservative populists who would be young enough and experienced enough to be plausible successors.

I don’t know where one of you got the idea McCain wasn’t pro-life, he’s got a pretty robust stance on abortion and is firmly pro-life, he certainly errs to the side of moderation but he’s firmly within the republican mainstream on the issue along with other social issues… more interestingly he’s way to the right of his predecessor in his senate seat Barry Goldwater on abortion    

I’ll never understand some republicans reluctance to back McCain, he win against any potential democrat, added to which he really is solidly within the party’s mainstream… as an example McCain is closer in his views to his party’s activist base than either Bayh or Warner are to the Democrats'.   

[riceowl]

I never had the idea that he wasn't pro-life; he's one of the strictest.

But a pro-choic(er) VP wouldn't be great, right?

Though I guess Cheney wasn't a fan of the Marriage Protection Amendment.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Who beats them?
Is this an unstoppable ticket?

Adding Hutchinson's name to a McCain ticket does nothing to increase McCain's chances, IMO.

[Politico]

Another thing about McCain: If he somehow turns out to be the Republicans' nominee, the Democrats have a lot of ammo at their disposal:

A) Photos/videos from last year of Bush and McCain embracing one another (I can see the ads already)
B) The fact that he's over 70 years old
C) His ugly image (The man's age is showing)
D) The torture stories/Vietnam rumors that spread during the 2000 primaries

[riceowl]

Who beats them?
Is this an unstoppable ticket?

Adding Hutchinson's name to a McCain ticket does nothing to increase McCain's chances, IMO.

But how much increasing do they need?
If the Dems have a female candidate, having Hutch on there can be a bonus.

[George W. Hobbes]

I'm a fan of an Allen-Rice ticket myself...

[Galactic Overlord]

I’ll never understand some republicans reluctance to back McCain, he win against any potential democrat, added to which he really is solidly within the party’s mainstream… as an example McCain is closer in his views to his party’s activist base than either Bayh or Warner are to the Democrats'.   

I don't think it's because they think he can't win, it's because they don't like some of his positions, like the McCain-Feingold bill, or his reluctance to back tax cuts.  I think it would be analogous to the Democrats nominating John Breaux.

[Reaganfan]

Another thing about McCain: If he somehow turns out to be the Republicans' nominee, the Democrats have a lot of ammo at their disposal:

A) Photos/videos from last year of Bush and McCain embracing one another (I can see the ads already)
B) The fact that he's over 70 years old
C) His ugly image (The man's age is showing)
D) The torture stories/Vietnam rumors that spread during the 2000 primaries

A. That could help him grab some conservative support
B. Reagan did it, so could McCain
C. Like Clinton didn't look inbred, and Kerry wasn't fugly
D. He won't make Kerry's mistake

[Politico]

A. That could help him grab some conservative support

Unless Bush's 37% approval rating somehow turns into a 60%+ approval rating by 2008, photos/videos of the Republican candidate embracing George W. Bush are going to do far more harm than good to the aformentioned candidate.

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Reagan was 69, not 72 like McCain will be in November 2008, when he was first elected. Once you get over the 70 mark, age can be a big issue as was proven during the '96 Dole campaign and even early on in the '84 Reagan campaign.

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Many women were attracted to Bubba. I agree that Kerry isn't the most handsome candidate on the planet (He was run-down by the end of the '04 campaign too), but have you seen pictures of McCain lately? His age is really showing. I can only imagine what he'll look like three more years from now.

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Rightly or wrongly, people are going to use the torture stories to question whether or not he is mentally fit for the office of presidency. Look at what Bush/Rove did to him in early 2000.

[riceowl]

On the age/appearance things - McCain was on the Daily Show the other day, and he looked fine to me.  And spry.  Very energetic and youthful.  I don't think age would be a problem to many people, and it may actually be a boon to his campaign if he picks a conservative VP.  The far-right would know that it's (not likely, but) possible for him not to finish the term, and they'd get a conservative in the White House.

[riceowl]

sorry for bumping this, but i laughed.  look how cute i was! i even made a graphic and was serious!  ah, the naivete of being 20.

but yeah.  this ticket seems pretty great right now, despite the fact that i prolly wouldn't vote for it.

also, I'm watching MTP and she just said absoultely not, making this bump even more worthless.

[Verily]

Romney might have chosen Hutchison. McCain, probably not (and her denial makes it less likely).

It will be interesting to see how McCain and Obama respond to each other's choices. For example, if Obama chooses Sebelius, does McCain have to respond with a governor of a solidly Democratic state in order to appear equally conciliatory? (Jim Douglas?)

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What about George Allen?

[Torie]

Awful choice.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

What about George Allen?

McCain won't select George Allen, George Allen will select John McCain as his running mate in 2008. He'll easily be re-elected over Jim Webb in November

[The Hack Hater]

What about George Allen?

I think no way in hell after how his 2006 Senate campaign went.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Not going to happen; Kay Bailey Hutchison is tired of living in DC and is going to run for Governor in 2010.