Election News and Features
McCain Weighs Running Mate Options
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Age and a reputation as a moderate mean that John McCain may have to think very carefully about his choice for vice presidential nominee.
30-Second Summary
McCain has faced criticism from within his own party throughout the primaries.
But now that his nomination is practically guaranteed, pundits from across the country are advising him to select a running mate who will counter his two most commonly perceived shortcomings—his moderate conservatism and his age.
If elected, McCain will be 72 years old on inauguration day, making him the oldest president to win his first term in office. Ronald Reagan was 73 at his second inauguration in 1985.
In addition, Republican stalwarts such as Rush Limbaugh and James Dobson have attacked McCain’s conservative credentials, criticizing his economic and social records.
Although discussion of McCain’s running mate has been going on for months, speculation began in earnest after Mitt Romney dropped out of the race and the Wall Street Journal published an editorial examining the senator’s options.
Potential candidates include sitting governors from across the south, including Florida’s Charlie Crist and South Carolina’s Mark Sanford, as well as former and current nomination rivals Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee has said repeatedly that he would not consider the vice presidency, although there have been suggestions that by running with McCain he would help win over the conservative base that has so far shunned the senator.
That is probably the only way Huckabee will make it to the general election. Following a decisive victory in Wisconsin, McCain is only around 200 delegates shy of the 1,191 needed to confirm his nomination at the GOP’s national convention in September.
But now that his nomination is practically guaranteed, pundits from across the country are advising him to select a running mate who will counter his two most commonly perceived shortcomings—his moderate conservatism and his age.
If elected, McCain will be 72 years old on inauguration day, making him the oldest president to win his first term in office. Ronald Reagan was 73 at his second inauguration in 1985.
In addition, Republican stalwarts such as Rush Limbaugh and James Dobson have attacked McCain’s conservative credentials, criticizing his economic and social records.
Although discussion of McCain’s running mate has been going on for months, speculation began in earnest after Mitt Romney dropped out of the race and the Wall Street Journal published an editorial examining the senator’s options.
Potential candidates include sitting governors from across the south, including Florida’s Charlie Crist and South Carolina’s Mark Sanford, as well as former and current nomination rivals Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee has said repeatedly that he would not consider the vice presidency, although there have been suggestions that by running with McCain he would help win over the conservative base that has so far shunned the senator.
That is probably the only way Huckabee will make it to the general election. Following a decisive victory in Wisconsin, McCain is only around 200 delegates shy of the 1,191 needed to confirm his nomination at the GOP’s national convention in September.
Headline Links: Vice president possibilities
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page examines what John McCain needs to consider when selecting a running mate, where he needs the most help when it comes to uniting the Republican Party and how he could win the general election.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
The Weekly Standard looks at the running mate options open to McCain. Noting that in years past the selection of a vice president was relatively insignificant, author Matthew Continetti says that McCain’s age and the way Dick Cheney has redefined the role of the office are cause for special consideration.
Source: The Weekly Standard
The Scripps Howard News Service also offers an overview of McCain’s potential vice presidents shortly after the suspension of Mitt Romney’s campaign. The news service notes that it is necessary for the senator to choose a running mate who could provide a “ying for his yang.”
Source: Scripps Howard News Service
Background: Republicans find McCain lacking
Faced with criticism from the Republican Party’s conservative base, John McCain appealed for unity after Focus on the Family founder James Dobson and radio personality Rush Limbaugh suggested that many voters might skip out on the general election if he captured the nomination.
Source: Examiner
During a radio interview in January, James Dobson stated that he could not support the candidacy of John McCain due to his social views and his participation in campaign finance reform.
Source: World Net Daily
Despite a number of losses and far fewer delegates than GOP front-runner John McCain, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee told MSNBC he had no intention of stopping his campaign or accepting a place as vice president.
Source: MSNBC
Early favorite Mitt Romney used the annual gathering of the American Conservative Union to announce the suspension of his presidential campaign. When McCain then addressed the union, a number of attendees showed their displeasure by jeering him before and during his speech.
Source: CNN blog Political Ticker
Related Topics: Bush senior and Romney endorse McCain
Following on the heels of his son, George H.W. Bush endorsed John McCain for the Republican nomination, downplaying criticism from within the Republican Party.
Source: Reuters
Just a week after suspending his campaign for the Republican nomination, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain, raising the possibility that he might be interested in running alongside the Arizona senator.
Source: The New York Times
Reference: Counting delegates until the GOP convention
The New York Times Delegate Count offers a comprehensive analysis of the entire primary season, including delegate counts and results of individual state contests.
Source: The New York Times
Over a year of Republican campaigning and debate will come to an end at the 2008 Republican National Convention, to be held this September in Minneapolis Saint Paul, Minn.
Source: The Republican National Convention Web site
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