ProConPundit Endorsements/Predictions

for McCain Running Mate

John McCain should pick whoever he wants as his running mate. That the likelihood of his being elected our 44th president has increased significantly in the last month means that he probably won’t give in to making a selection he’d feel forced into like Mitt Romney. Likewise, I think selections like Pawlenty of Minnesota and Portman of Ohio are cosmetic selections–picking someone younger, etc.

John McCain’s instincts would be to pick the person he most feels comfortable with to take over should he die in office and to have his back while he is in office. An added factor, given his age, is to choose a Vice-President with an eye toward that person assuming the presidency or running in four years presuming McCain retires after one term.

I believe the following are McCain's favorites. The first three are my picks.

1. Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina. He has been joined at the hip with McCain every step of the way of the campaign. Many conservatives would be well pleased with him while others are off put by his support of the gang of 14 and immigration reform. His name does not come up in the media as a running mate and I tend to support surprise picks. Given McCain’s reliance on Graham, I think he may be tapping him for White House Chief of Staff or Attorney General.

2. Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania Governor and first Secretary of Homeland Security. Ridge would be a superb choice, stellar debater and would probably win Pennsylvania for McCain, which could be the ball game. Kerry narrowly carried Pennsylvania four years ago. Ridge would be a huge boost to McCain in the election, a loyal and excellent Vice-President and McCain’s heir apparent. He is pro-choice which is a deal breaker to a lot of conservatives but I think his strengths out weigh this.

3. Sen. Joe Lieberman, exiled Democrat and all around American patriot. He would be a fine, fine, Vice-President. He would bring a lot of Jewish votes to the GOP and he is the BEST, bar none, debater against Obama’s running mate! (Two Democrats debating!) That said, for all the right wing hoopla that McCain is not really a Republican, I can’t see him naming a Democrat as his running mate. McCain has reached across the aisle a lot, but this would be a real stretch.

4. Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin. This would be a good pick for McCain to shore up conservatives, on the one hand. On the other hand, McCain would make history by the GOP delivering the first woman VP. I don’t favor symbolism over substance. She is not prepared to assume the presidency.