Quick VP Predictions (Updates)
As of 6:20 PM, EDT August 19th (remember the blog time is GMT, now 10:20) I predict the two candidates will pick the men they are most comfortable with.
Obama-Daschle
McCain-Lieberman
UPDATE: as of 4:27 EDT, August 20th, the smart money seems to be on Obama-Bayh due to rumors about schedules. Meanwhile, McCain-Ridge is gaining buzz, and McCain-Romney may be a ‘default.’
UPDATE as of 10:15 EDT, August 21st, Hillary Clinton is also getting more buzz, due to the fact Obama’s lead over McCain is narrow and some Democrats are worried (though paying too much attention to summer polls is a mistake, the real campaign is yet to begin). The most bizarre rumor: that Obama would do like Bush and choose his VP search Chair. That would be Caroline Kennedy. Obama-Kennedy 08?
UPDATE as of 3:02 PM EDT, August 22, CNN just reported that Tom Daschle has been told he did not get the VP position. So, therefore though we don’t know who Obama chose yet, we know my prediction was wrong. I suspect I’ll be 2 for 2…wrong. RG and Jeff can probably rest easy! I think his best choice would be Colin Powell (if he wants it) or Wesley Clark.
8:15 PM, Wow, what a show! Obama is a master of suspense if anything, and the campaign is sure disciplined, I can’t believe they haven’t leaked it yet, and built up this level of suspense!
August 19, 2008 at 11:29 pm
As a McCain supporter, I pray he wont pick Lieberman as his VP. Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Lieberman, he stood up on his principles and defined his party, but other then on national security, he is politically liberal. Frankly I think choosing Lieberman as his VP would be disastrous. Lieberman would make a great Secretary of State, but not VP. Frankly after looking over the list of potential McCain VPs, Lieberman is the worst, and the only one I wouldn’t support.
August 20, 2008 at 12:40 am
I suspect I’m wrong on both, so you probably don’t have to worry Jeff. I’ve been wrong on most of my predictions this election cycle.
August 21, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Picking Ridge would be political suicide.
Lieberman would be an itneresting pick, but not one I could support as a lifelong Republican. It would certainly be more of a concession to unity than we have seen from Obama.
Romney is okay, but he is too “establishment” for my taste.
Bayh would be an excellent pick for Obama, as would Daschle or Biden. Of course, it would be hypocritical for Obama not to pick a woman, I think. Where’s the diversity or the “change” in picking a white, male Washington insider?
August 21, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Well, a white male Washington insider WOULD diversify the Democratic ticket, wouldn’t it?
Do you have a favorite for the Republicans, RG? I think Pawlenty would be a very good pick, and would put Minnesota in play. Lieberman is a gamble; it would make McCain very competitive in some states that now look like they are leaning Democratic, and in the states where this will hurt him, the GOP is pretty dominant so it may not lose him a lot of states. However, you mess with your base and the ramifications can be huge. So while I think his heart says Ridge or Lieberman, he’ll probably go for someone else.
August 24, 2008 at 5:06 am
Scott, true, a white man would diversify the ticket, but so would an hispanic woman. Anyway, as I write this, it’s too late. It’s Biden.
I think McCain should pick Hucakbee. He would win back the support of many pro-lifers, particularly in the South. I’m guessing Pawlenty.
August 24, 2008 at 11:06 am
Huckabee is a very likeable candidate, but he has a tendency to say wild things. Hmmm, who among the Democrats has a similar reputation…oh yeah, Joe Biden! Back in 2007 when everyone was saying Hillary vs. Guiliani I predicted Huckabee vs. either Obama or Edwards, thinking people were underestimating the desire for change in the country. Huckabee would certainly make it a very interesting race!