Which candidate should be the Republican nominee?

[SWTXBelle]

- I have never understood why a vice presidential pick might be the deciding factor for a voter. Well, I could understand calling into question a candidate's decision making ability if they chose an undesirable v.p. (cough - McCain - cough) but to decide yes, I'll vote for a candidate I don't really like because I like his/her v.p. pick? Are you hoping the presidential candidate will join the choir invisible shortly after being sworn in? So often it seems like obvious pandering, which I find insulting.

[MysticCat]

It is pandering I think. I think the theory is that if the "iffy" candidate picks someone who appeals to whatever group, people in that group will say "Well, iffy nominee can't be that bad if candidate we like is willing to support him and work with him."

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

- I have never understood why a vice presidential pick might be the deciding factor for a voter. Well, I could understand calling into question a candidate's decision making ability if they chose an undesirable v.p. (cough - McCain - cough) but to decide yes, I'll vote for a candidate I don't really like because I like his/her v.p. pick? Are you hoping the presidential candidate will join the choir invisible shortly after being sworn in? So often it seems like obvious pandering, which I find insulting.

I think that identity politics can be a big win, here. If you think "I don't like either guy, I'm staying home", you maybe would make it out to the polls for the chance to put the first Latino/woman/Jew/queer/whatever into the VP spot. It is one way of being part of history.