VP Picks: McCain/?

With all the focus on Obama and his selection for VP, people seem to be forgetting that John McCain, who's been the presumptive Republican nominee for months, has yet to make his choice. Here's the short version of the long list:

Fmr. Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR): Why? McCain needs the religious right and you don't get much more religious than the former baptist minister. Huckabee's down home charm connects with voters. Why Not? Huckabee connects with voters because he doesn't talk like a politician. However, there are reasons politicians talk like politicians. Huckabee has had the occasional case of foot-in-mouth disease. Arkansas became a lot less of an issue when Hillary lost the nomination.

Fmr. Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA): Why? He's religious and rich. He also looks the part if there is a look to this part. He might be able to deliver Michigan where his father was governor. Why Not? Mormons don't play well with evangelicals. Romney can't deliver Mass. and McCain doesn't need any more votes in Utah.

Fmr. Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY): Why? America's mayor made the worst tactical decisions of the primary contest, but wouldn't be driving the straight-talk express so that shouldn't be a problem. If you want 9/11 mentioned obsessively at every campaign stop, Rudy's your man. Why Not? Two divorcees on the same ticket? The religious right is spinning in its newly dug grave.

Fmr. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN): Why? He supposedly has an appeal to the evangelical base. Why Not? Fred doesn't campaign well because, well, he doesn't like it. Also old meet elderly, elderly meet old.

Secy of State Condoleeza Rice (R-TX): Why? A black woman on the ticket might serve to undermine some of Obama's historical significance. Why Not? McCain is now trying to run as fast as possible away from the Bush administration, Condi doesn't help with that. Condi also has never campaigned in her life. Who votes for Condi that wouldn't vote for McCain already? She probably doesn't want the job anyway.

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL): Why? Florida is a swing-state, Crist can probably deliver it on a silver platter. He has some resonance with The Base. Why Not? Crist is relatively new on the job (elected 06). How much does he resonate outside of the sunshine state?

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS): Why? Popular governor with appeals to the Base. Did well after Hurricane Katrina. In other words, he's ready in a crisis like say if old man McCain kicks the bucket. Why Not? If John McCain can't win Mississippi without Barbour he should just concede now.

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA): Why? Popular new governor of hurricane battered Louisiana. He's younger than Barack Obama. Another history maker if he were to be elected. Why Not? The guy turns 37 tomorrow. The minimum age requirement is 35. McCain is almost 71. The age difference may just make McCain look older than he really is. He's also a little wet behind the ears politically.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX): Why? Meet the Republican answer to Hillary Clinton. Hutchison is a senate veteran with loads of experience with appeal to the base and straying Hillary democrats. Why Not? McCain needs help in Texas? He's in trouble. She also might rather be governor of Texas than VP.

Sen Joe Lieberman (I-CT): Why? Appeal to independent voters and the religious right (the only people more fervently pro-Israel than American Jews are American Evangelicals). Can you say Florida? Why Not? Lieberman's been on a losing ticket once before. He caucuses with the democrats which will offend traditional Conservatives to no end. Especially because if he caucused with the Republicans they would be the majority party in the senate. Anyone feeling the Joe-mentum these days?

Fmr. Sen Rick Santorum (R-PA): Why? Appeals to the religious right and might help in Pennsylvania. Why Not? Hard sell to independents and actually might hurt in home state where he was just defeated.

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX): Why? If I didn't mention the libertarian his internet minions may hunt me down. He appeals to old-fashioned Republicans. Why Not? McCain (and most Americans) have no interest in abolishing half the government. Paul does. The Republican establishment is pissed off at Paul (see attempts to unseat him in his congressional primary).