Dallas Morning News' Leubsdorf writes that picking Condoleezza Rice or Wesley Clark as VP would be "a gamble" because they have "little experience in elective politics" (4/17).
Everyone's Got An Opinion These Days
Mike Huckabee was on "Election Center" last night, where he discussed what type of running mate John McCain needs. Huckabee: "Well, it depends on what he believes he has to do to win. If his strategy is to go after maybe voters who are more either in the center or a little bit to the left, then maybe not. If he believes he's got to have the traditional base of the party, the evangelicals, the Catholics, the sort of foot soldiers out there knocking doors, then, yes, I think he does have to make sure that whoever his pick is, is going to be somebody that the conservative base of the party can rally around and give their heart to. But again, it all comes down to what the strategy is, and that will determine what the tactics will be" ("Election Center," CNN, 4/16). Financial Times' Freeland, on McCain saying he will not run with a pro-choice GOPer like ex-PA Gov. Tom Ridge (R): "I think that that really speaks to one of the issues that McCain and his team are worried about going into the general election. ... One of the things we have been seeing is him making a lot of effort to say to those people and evangelicals that he is with them. I think if he were to choose a pro-choice Republican as a running mate, that could exacerbate the problems he has with that group of voters" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/16).
Not That He'd Mind Talking About It
FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), asked if there has been any more talk with McCain about the VP slot: "No, there's not. I'm trying to help him win and trying to fight for Florida" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 4/16).
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Join the Discussion