How Hard Right Will McCain Go...

[JSojourner]

...in selecting a running mate?

Will he go for a mainstream conservative like Rob Portman or Mark Sanford?
 
Or do you see him tapping someone farther to the right like Thune or Chambliss or DeMint?

[Reaganfan]

I hope he doesn't. I hope he picks a decent conservative like Pawlenty or Huckabee, but this "Tom Coburn" or "Mark Sanford" talk seems too far right to appeal.

[True Democrat]

If he goes hard right, I may stop supporting him.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Probably go with a mainstream rightist, Southern most likely.

[True Democrat]

If only Lieberman. . .

I'd also be happy with Rice.

[King]

He needs likable youth in his running-mate.  Even if it's Huckabee, when you are a VP selection the only thing an opponent can really attack is competency (see Dan Quayle, Spiro Agnew and Thomas Eagleton) and Huckabee is competent and likable even though he's got these far-right stances.

I would like to see Pawlenty, but I'm afraid these "conservatives" wouldn't accept him because he isn't from the god-fearing South.

[หมูเด้ง]

We all know that it will probably Sanford. It's my understanding that he is your basic George W. Bush clone.

[True Democrat]

We all know that it will probably Sanford. It's my understanding that he is your basic George W. Bush clone.

I think he cares a bit more about deficits than Bush, which is a good thing.

[agcatter]

He won't go hard right.

[Reaganfan]

If only Lieberman. . .

I'd also be happy with Rice.

I'm with you man. McCain/Lieberman would be a perfect "solutions for America" type of ticket.

[Lief 🗽]

If only Lieberman. . .

I'd also be happy with Rice.

I'm with you man. McCain/Lieberman would be a perfect "solutions for America" type of ticket.

"More wars, less jobs" is not a solution for anything.

[perdedor]

If only Lieberman. . .

I'd also be happy with Rice.

I'm with you man. McCain/Lieberman would be a perfect "solutions for America" type of ticket.

"More wars, less jobs" is not a solution for anything.

Well said.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

There is no reason for McCain to go hard right when choosing a running mate.

He'll choose a solid, pro-life, social conservative, but you generally run towards the middle in a general election, not to the right.  The primary is over, and the GOP dissatisfaction with McCain is, for the most part, media fiction.

[Lincoln Republican]

Without a doubt, McCain will go with a mainline conservative, one who is appealing to conservatives, while at the same time would not be frightening to moderates and independents.

As McCain himself has said, the one overriding factor in his pick for Vice President will be to choose someone who will be capable of becoming President should that be necessary.

When asked about specific names, McCain said he would consider "any great American."

McCain will not go hard right.  He will stay, intelligently, with a mainline conservative.

My personal favorites, and have been for some time

McCain, Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina
Obama, Governor Mike Easley of North Carolina

Interesting, both Governors of the Carolinas.

[Erc]

I hope he doesn't. I hope he picks a decent conservative like Pawlenty or Huckabee, but this "Tom Coburn" or "Mark Sanford" talk seems too far right to appeal.

Mark Sanford is far right?

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

Or do you see him tapping someone farther to the right like Thune or Chambliss or DeMint?

None of those will happen, but not for being too far right. See my upcoming post.

[memphis]

There is no reason for McCain to go hard right when choosing a running mate.

He'll choose a solid, pro-life, social conservative, but you generally run towards the middle in a general election, not to the right.  The primary is over, and the GOP dissatisfaction with McCain is, for the most part, media fiction.

Then why does Huckabee, after McCain has long since been the obvious nominee, continue to get 30%+ in primaries. I think they'll eventually come around and hold their noses, but the right isn't pleased.

[opebo]

There is no reason for McCain to go hard right when choosing a running mate.

He'll choose a solid, pro-life, social conservative...

You just described a member of the hard right.

[TomC]

Not hard enopugh for the Rush**tes. (or is it Rushians?)

[MODU]

He'll pick up someone that is an intellectual with a decent conservative base.  The far-right will fall in line with McCain come election day, so there isn't a need to pander to them.  Besides, if he loses some of the fringe on the right, he'll pick up the difference with the moderates and independents.

[opebo]

...someone that is an intellectual with a decent conservative base. 

Hahaha.

[Duke 🇺🇸]

I'd love to see Sanford run, but I'd bet against it. Burr is a name ive heard, or he could chose someone we'd never expect like Giuliani.

[TheGlobalizer]

FWIW, I don't think McCain could win with Jesus Christ himself as his running mate.

[Sam Spade]

Pawlenty

[reformer]

FWIW, I don't think McCain could win with Jesus Christ himself as his running mate.

That would be a popular tiket though. Jesus would shore up the evangelical vote and make some headway into the Catholic vote. Also, the Sermon on the Mount beats even the yes we can speech.