"Veepstakes"

[UGAalum94]

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.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

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).

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

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.