Looking at the electoral map, John McCain has to break into the northeast liberal establishment to become competitive in November against either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.
I believe that the Vice Presidential running mate that will most turn out evangelicals and conservatives on behalf of McCain is Mike Huckabee — as I have suggested previously.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist is still flirting with McCain for the spot — but he won’t get it. Joe Lieberman is hopeful too, but he no longer pulls in the Northeast the way “someone else” might.
But some folks near McCain and others near Michael Bloomberg are floating (already) the idea of the New York Mayor joining the McCain ticket. I have no idea how sound this would be — but at first glance, it’s an interesting pairing.
The thinking on McCain’s staff is that even if a lot of evangelicals are uninspired by McCain and threaten to stay home, the “change” ticket of either Obama or the “back again” ticket of Hillary Clinton will animate the conservative base enough that the South remains largely impenetrable to the Dems.
McCain began running to the left tonight in his acceptance speech — and he may run to the left in his VP slot. . .and the most intriguing, surprising choice in those circumstances would be Michael Bloomberg.
Bloomberg could give McCain some much needed sizzle on the GOP ticket. Of course, Bloomberg would have to rejoin the Republican Party.
These are mostly rumors in pretty serious political circles — but still, something to chew on.
— Steve Clemons
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