"Veepstakes"
 

Speculation continues on both sides of the aisle who will be named by the party candidates.

I enjoyed this guy's write-up on the "short" list for McCain, I LOLed more than once: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...1560.htmlstory

Joe Lieberman was freaking me out on Fox News yesterday because he looked like John Adams or one of the Founding Fathers. You really shouldn't look like you're wearing a powdered wig when you're not.

Oh, and that article is wrong - I don't think Tom Ridge can carry PA. The only reason he ran for Gov was to try to get into national affairs, he never gave a crap about this state.

Nittanyalum, I agree that the commentary is a riot. I think my favorite was the "me personally" under people who Huckabee alienates.

A lot of people on that list are Do Not Want for me. And I'm likely to vote Republican. Is there anyone who doesn't fall under the description for people for Jeb Bush alienates?

(Not that there's too much wrong with Jeb really by Republican standards, except for that.)

And here's the version for the Dems: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...9917.htmlstory

As a Floridian, I am sad for the two men in that article that represent my state. One has shown that he is throughly incompetent and not kept most of his campaign promises, and seems eager to screw the State of Florida and move on the national politics.

The other was an amazing Governor, who actually followed through with his promises even when they weren't popular, and made the people of Florida realize that "Bush" could mean someone different than the idiot in the White House! I am sadden to think that W's ridiculous presidency will ruin Jeb's chances!

I agree with you there, I was never a Ridge fan.

That and the "one-legged man at a butt-kicking contest stands a better chance" for Haley Barbour. :p

Also hilarious, thanks for the link. Although I physically cringed when I read he thinks Biden is the "odds-on favorite." Oh dear god, please, no.

I am loving the commentary on those. It's almost Onion-level good.

They forgot to note that Huckabee (and his fatty-size family) potentially alienates health nuts.

Well, except that he personally IS kind of a health nut, right?

The whole Arkansas weight loss thing? From Wikipedia, "On April 11, 2003 Huckabee signed a law which mandates annual body mass index (BMI) measurements for all public school children. The results are reported to parents with information about how to combat obesity. The law also sets up advisory committees to promote exercise and good nutrition for schools.[92][93][94][95]"

I remembered there being some statewide anti-obesity campaign, pretty much like every state in the south has had at one time or another, too, but I can't find a particularly good link or quote.

Good stuff - beyond the fact those were pretty funny, they're also one of the first times I've seen a comprehensive list of all of the VP candidates.

Others are probably more in the know than myself on the Dem side, but is Biden really the frontrunner? I guess I've been paying a lot more attention to the Republican side and missed that.

It's weird to me that although McCain needs to bring more to his ticket with his choice to attract voters, Obama seems more likely to lose voters who are currently leaning toward him if he chooses "wrong."

Right now, if someone were to buy in to Obama's move to the center, but then Obama picked a solid and traditional liberal Democrat (which actually makes sense for him to do; someone with a lot of experience), wouldn't than kind of push a centrist back toward McCain?

Or on the other hand, if he picks someone less traditionally liberal, might that not make some hardcore leftist look to vote for a third party candidate?

I guess it's the downside of having a lead before VPs are picked.

I don't know if I'd necessarily agree with that. I think, on the Republican side, McCain has a lot to lose depending on who he picks for VP. There are still those in the party who have their doubts about McCain, so his decision on a VP could be important in attracting the doubters. That said, I'm not sure where the doubters would go; I can't see the more conservative factions of the party going to the Obama camp, unless they're very liberal on economics, or just aren't paying attention to the issues.

Maybe I'm pessimistic about my own party, but I don't see how Obama's VP pick could make that much of a difference when it comes to the moderates. I think there's such an anti-Bush backlash that the moderates are more likely to go Democrat anyway (despite the fact that Bush's spending has been decidedly un-Republican).

Yeah, especially because Obama is such a charismatic candidate.

I guess the truth is that what were really talking about is will each guy's choices alienate enough among the typically party voters that they sit this one out, sort of a cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face kind of move intending to show the party how important they are to its success. Or will both groups hold their noses and vote for their more likely candidate with an eye on judicial appointments?

Maybe it was my own disposition that made me think of McCain's choice reflecting a which of these can add the most vs. Obama's reflecting a which of these will subtract the least. I already see Obama basically having almost everyone he could expect to already supporting him. With McCain, I see and feel a lot of indifference. I also don't see a likely VP who will really damage or help him. Jindal seemed interesting except that some of the right wing blogs are concerned about his level of religious nuttiness. I like Palin, but I don't really think she brings in too much support in the form of votes or money.

Not that I've heard.

I like Biden but NOT as a VP candidate. The only talk I've heard about him recently has been regarding possible cabinet positions.

I loved the article on possibles. I just can't for the life of me figure out why there were so many Republicans listed as possible VP candidates for Obama. I think the writer was stoned.

A moderate Republican could fly, but only if he/she was socially moderate or liberal. I don't see the Democratic party ever supporting an anti- pro-choice candidate, for instance. But Democrats don't tend to vote primarily on economic issues, so a fiscally conservative Republican might be acceptable.

I have seen Biden mentioned frequently as a VP candidate, especially by people who think Hillary has a snowball's chance. MSNBC.com has been doing Veepstakes for several weeks now - bracket style - and I think it's down to Hillary vs. Biden now.