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The Republican VP Contenders: The Governors
Apr 2nd 2008 10:00AM
Filed Under:eRepublicans, John McCain, 2008 President, Veepstakes
Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has been getting some attention as a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. As the popular governor of what will be a key battleground state in the general election, it is only natural that his name would make a list of potential Vice Presidential picks. But Crist vaulted his name onto the short list with his late, but well timed endorsement of McCain two days before the Florida primary. McCain's victory there over former Govs. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee propelled him into the Super Tuesday primaries as the clear front runner for the Republican nomination. Furthermore, the victory by McCain knocked former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani out of the race. Giuliani endorsed McCain the following day and it has been no looking back for the Arizona Senator.Crist, 51, has served as a state Senator, Attorney General, and now Governor of Florida. He carries very high approval ratings, over 70 percent in some polls, and considers education, crime, elder affairs, the environment, and ethics as issues he has championed. The latter two he shares with McCain, who has sponsored anti-global warming legislation in the United States Senate and has been a strong voice against waste of resources and abuse of power in Washington.
Crist's selection as a running mate seems unlikely. Crist is viewed as more of a moderate Republican, and has no signature issue that identifies him to conservatives and party activists, a constituency McCain will seek to mollify with his VP selection. McCain figures to win Florida in November, with or without Crist on the ticket, and especially with the controversy over the Democratic Party primary in the state possibly depressing Democrat turnout.
Gov. Mark Sanford (S.C.)
Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina has been on conservatives' short list of potential running mates for McCain, even if he has not been on McCain's list. Sanford is a former Member of Congress in the House and is considered a stalwart conservative. Sanford is a budget hawk, an area of agreement with McCain. He is a tax cutter, earning high marks from the National Taxpayers' Union and a number one ranking from the fiscal watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste during his time in Congress. As Governor, Sanford has cut taxes while focusing on government reform, economic growth and job creation, and quality of life issues in South Carolina.Sanford, 47, is often mentioned in conservative circles as a future presidential candidate. He would be seen a shoring up a perceived McCain weakness on the economy and economic theory. He also would bring critical executive experience to the ticket. Sanford was reelected to his second term in 2006 with 55% of the vote, in a bad year nationally for Republicans.
Sanford did not endorse any candidate before the crucial South Carolina primary, although he was heavily lobbied by all the campaigns. His endorsement almost certainly would have swung the state to whomever he favored. McCain won the primary in a close contest over Mike Huckabee, which set him up for his momentum establishing victory in Florida. McCain is expected to win South Carolina in the general election, so a Sanford selection would be most useful in other conservative Southern states.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is another young conservative governor who is highly regarded by conservatives. Pawlenty was first elected in 2002 and set about balancing the state's budget without raising taxes. He boasts having balanced the budget in both the 2005 and 2007 budget years while at the same time increasing state spending on education. He counts education, government efficiency improvements, welfare reform, and an increase in the use of renewable fuels as his signature achievements. All of those are areas of agreement with Sen. McCain. Pawlenty was reelected in a close race in 2006, winning by a margin of just one percent. Pawlenty received national attention in 2007 when an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River suddenly collapsed, killing 13 people. Pawlenty received criticism for several vetoes and veto threats he had issued on transportation bills in previous years. He had also steadfastly resisted an increase in the state gasoline tax to fund infrastructure repairs. In 2008, Pawlenty vetoed another transportation bill.
Pawlenty, 47, has served as a City Councilman and in the Minnesota House of Representatives, reaching the rank of Majority Leader. He has been a strong supporter of Sen. McCain's campaign and is serving as one of three national co-chairmen of the the campaign. But his greatest asset may that he is the governor of a swing state. Minnesota has been trending Republican in presidential elections. Democrats still win the state, but by smaller and smaller margins. A favorite son on the ticket could tip that balance in McCain's favor in the general election. Pawlenty hails from St. Paul, site of the Republican National Convention.
For profiles of additional contenders see The Rivals, and The Conservatives.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 3)Vera From Sedona11:08AMApr 2nd 2008
Greetings from Arizona:
I am a 60-year-old white, Catholic woman from Arizona; I am also a registered Republican.
I would love to vote for John McCain but because of his stance on Bush’s war of revenge I just can’t bring myself to support him.
I have donated to Obama’s campaign twice and I will again.
I would never vote for Hillary Clinton because what I most remember about the Clinton years is the shame they brought to this nation with all their scandals.
What do I remember most about the Clinton Administration?
I remember:
Whitewater,
Cattlegate,
Travelgate,
Billing-gate,
Castle Grande,
Filegate,
Paula Jones,
Gennifer Flowers,
Monica Lewinski,
Their refusal to release their Joint tax returns until the day before the PA primary.
What new scandals do these records hold?
It’s time for a new direction for this nation.
McCain 0811:09AMApr 2nd 2008
I am supporting John McCain,
because he supports a guest worker program, after the boarders are closed.
It is said that there are 15 million illegal people in this country? WOW!
Romney (The economy expert) wants to take these people to the boarder and kick them out.
Just what would happen to the US economy if we have 15,000,000 less workers.
Most of these people work in low-end jobs.
Will we then have to encourage our children to not go to college and become:
Dishwashers,
field workers,
work construction,
hotel room cleaners, etc.?
Living in Arizona I started thinking about what would happen if these people were taken to the boarder and sent home.
In the summer when the heat is 110 how many Americans would be willing to get on a roof of a new house and lay tile?
How many Americans will be willing for minimum wage to go into the fields and pick vegetables, cotton and fruit? How much will I have to pay for produce when all the Mexican workers are again living in Mexico?
How much will a bottle of California wine cost if we had to hire American workers to pick grapes?
I once spoke to the Mexican Man that worked on my lawn and asked him why he came to the US. He said to feed his family – what would you do if your children were hungry?
XOXOXOX11:13AMApr 2nd 2008
I’m ready on day one because of all of my experience.
I dodged bullets in Bosnia.
I never had sex with that woman!
More Clinton lies.
She says trust me.
Bush & McCain kept looking in our eyes and saying trust me - there are weapons of mass destruction.
Over 4,000 precious lives and no weapons of mass destruction.
Should we trust another lying politician?
Not me!
My vote is for Barack Obama.
Red Mountains + Blue Sky11:16AMApr 2nd 2008
AND JOHN MCCAIN IS READY?
PLEASE! Age does not give you wisdom.
The man admitted that he does not understand the economy.
I'm not saying that John McCain is not a nice man.
He and Cindy are beautiful people – great neighbors but I don’t want him in charge of my pocketbook.
We have had 8 years with a moron at the helm it's time to get some new blood in the white house.
And this is from a white, 60 year old Republican, woman!
And I an supporting Barack Hussein Obama
And I say that with respect)
Peggy12:39PMApr 2nd 2008
I'm going to watch this list very carefully. I participated in the Nevada caucus in January. It was the biggest mess I've ever seen. So many people were disenfranchised because of the timing. It was clearly slanted in favor of Obama. After the culinary union (the biggest labor organization in the state) endorsed Obama, special arrangements were made to hold caucuses in hotels so culinary members could attend. No arrangements were made to help other employees like those that worked in day care centers, hospitals, retail outlets and other businesses vote. I immediately stopped financially supporting the DNC after this charade. Now, Howard Dean and others are making arrangements for a "compromise" to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates. If these delegates are not seated and allowed to participate according to the original vote and Obama is the nominee, I will have to give up my presidential vote this year or support McCain. I wouldn't feel this way if the Obama campaign had not blocked every effort to revote in these states but they did. Since I am concerned that Obama will ultimately "steal" the nomination, I will cast my vote for McCain in November if his VP is a reasonable choice. If not, I will simply not vote in the presidential race.
Jim Manning1:06PMApr 2nd 2008
McCain should choose anyone but Romney, a robotic, self-serving, ambitious man who created nothing but problems for Massachusetts when he was absentee governor. Do not mistake his apparent charm, which is carefully calculated for effect. He changes with the wind, is loyal to nothing but the church in Utah. His wife and family, however, are great.
MILO1:07PMApr 2nd 2008
John McCain = True American
Barrack Obama = (Not sure where his alliance lies- Kenya - inner cities - White America?)
Hilliary clinton = Self Indulged
MILO1:29PMApr 2nd 2008
Red Mountains & Blue Sky : you're kidding me right. Age does not give you wisdom. so you are a 60 year old woman and have gained no wisdom for say the past 30 years. Wow, that is really a shame.
You would vote for Barrack Hussain Obama, whom his friends are those of the likes of Resko, Pastor Wright, Farakahn. I guess you have not gained any wisdom with all do respect.
MILO1:44PMApr 2nd 2008
On the bus; that's just it, this nation and our young generation is colored blind, thank god I may add. However, they are not listening to the Politician himself and the half truths he comes out with when confronted. His choice of friends and Pastor for 20 years certainly brings his Judgement and Character in question. Not sure who's side he's on here and this Country and its future is not the time to test the waters. Hilliary I agree, self indulged. Which is a shame because she is a very intelligent woman and could bring a woman's perspective to this great Country, just not sure she is the woman.
Dave 11:54PMApr 2nd 2008
Some thought Roosevelt was too old. He even had Polio, but that didn't stop him from being one of the best Presidents we ever had. If Obama is the Democratic candidate, McCain will be the next President.
WE ARE IN TROUBLE1:58PMApr 2nd 2008
Somehow the media seems to ignore themany questions regarding Obama!
by Jim Kouri, CPP
Exclusive: Obama Connection to Terrorists Revealed by Talk Show Host
March 22, 2008 02:27 PM EST
There is a far-reaching scandal brewing for presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, thanks to a radio talk show host based in Oregon. Syndicated talk host Laurie Roth's revelations make the news story about Obama's relationship with a racist, anti-American pastor look like child's play.
A top official at the Pentagon during former-President George H. W. Bush's Administration and a former CIA intelligence officer maintain that Barack Obama and former Weather Underground honcho William Ayers funneled money to Professor Rashid Khalidi, a known terrorist sympathizer.
Khalidi serves on the faculty of Columbia University in New York and is best known as the professor who invited Iranian President Ahmedinejad to visit Columbia University after he finished his speech at the United Nations. According to confidential sources, Khalidi has direct ties to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), a group on the US State Department's list of known terrorist groups.
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/31408.html
Dave 11:58PMApr 2nd 2008
Vera From Sedona, Check this..
http://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=bho101
Dave 12:03PMApr 2nd 2008
How would Barack explain to his press groupies why he sat silent in a pew for 20 years as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright delivered racist rants against white America for our maligning of Fidel and Gadhafi, and inventing AIDS to infect and kill black people?
How would he justify not walking out as Wright spewed his venom about "the U.S. of K.K.K. America," and howled, "God damn America!"
But we must understand the man in full and the black experience out of which the Rev. Wright came: 350 years of slavery and segregation.
Barack then listed black grievances and informed us what white America must do to close the racial divide and heal the country.
The "white community," said Barack, must start "acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination -- and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past -- are real and must be addressed. Not just with words, but with deeds ..."
And what deeds must we perform to heal ourselves and our country?
The "white community" must invest more money in black schools and communities, enforce civil rights laws, ensure fairness in the criminal justice system and provide this generation of blacks with "ladders of opportunity" that were "unavailable" to Barack's and the Rev. Wright's generations.
Governments, businesses and co lleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks -- with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas -- to advance black applicants over white applicants.
We don't need this racist America hater in the White House.
Dave 12:06PMApr 2nd 2008
XOXOXOX11:13AMApr 2nd 2008
I’m ready on day one because of all of my experience.
I dodged bullets in Bosnia.
I never had sex with that woman!
More Clinton lies.
She says trust me.
Bush & McCain kept looking in our eyes and saying trust me - there are weapons of mass destruction.
Over 4,000 precious lives and no weapons of mass destruction.
Should we trust another lying politician?
Not me!
My vote is for Barack Obama.
A vote is a terrible thing to waste.
Dave 12:10PMApr 2nd 2008
Obama has lied many times also, like he slept in Church for twenty years. No Big Oil support. This whole thing is laughable.
Fred de la Cerra2:26PMApr 2nd 2008
We need new ideas younger people that undersatand todays world. We do not need politcs as usual. I will go with Obama, this comes from a 63 year old white (mexican) republican.
tomtrifik3:37PMApr 2nd 2008
Please consider this: We don't need haters, we need Hillary!
We must all care what she, thinks and does. It is very important to the whole World that she wins! She Hillary Denise Rodham Clinton will end all suffering and hate. No one, (on the accepted list), will cry or be sick. Hillary will specifically include this in her Democratic Social Welfare, Health & Happiness Program for Correct Thinking Americans. We MUST make those RICH Fat Cat's who drive big SUV's & foreign cars and smoke cigars pay for these good helpful programs by taxing the hell out of their big money paychecks and their evil corporations which exploit us all for our meager money! VOTE DEMOCRATIC!
D. L. GRAHAM3:44PMApr 2nd 2008
6th MAY INDEPENDANT MIDDLE FINGER DAY!
We Independent must really look to the 6th of May as in fact the Independent Day, the day to make that decision as to which way we go.
"Five times to my face (Richardson) said he would never do that," a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted. (The Former IMPEACHED President, (CEO) Snowman Slick Willie William "Bubba" Jefferson Clinton)
We have had that finger of Bill's in our face before, and what was it, I want to make it perfectly clear, I never had sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky, Liar, Liar, and Pants on fire.
(D-N.M) Governor Bill Richardson, a former ambassador to The United Nations, Former Secretary of Energy, loyal Clinton supporter, now a "Judas"? Since, when does working for an administration, being assigned a job, putting your blood, sweat, and tears into the job, making your boss look good and building your own street creds, all of a sudden make you there indentured servant or slave? Richardson should do just a Bill ask or demands just because Bill feels Richardson's owe's him?
We Independent’s know we don't owe anyone, so why should Richardson. Richardson made a decision that Richardson felt was not only in his best interest, but decided to be a TEAM PLAYER of the Democratic Party, for the good of his home state and the United States, and that makes Richardson a "Judas"?
We Independent’s need to look at the other guy, after 6th May. (R-AZ) US/Senator John McCain. And, yes I know it means STAY THE COURSE, but the Clinton's are not TEAM PLAYERS, and we would once again be wondering what the meaning of "IS", Is. And, Barrack is being bled "CHARMIN WRIGHT" as in the poor Mulatto (D-IL) US/Senator Barrack "Barry" Hussein Obama is going to end up bled "White as a Ghost or Charmin"), from a thousand cuts due to "Knee Capping" over “Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
With (R-AZ) US/Senator John McCain, we will know what the meaning of "IS" is, no finger in the face, and his natural skin pigment color is white, not bled white from the Clintons. And, we Independent will know for a fact were things stand, this guy doesn’t need to prove his street creds.
Dr. Max Chartrand3:52PMApr 2nd 2008
If McCain chooses Romney as his running mate, I would predict that we will have the best presidency in the history of the U.S. Two smart, courageous fellows, good men, and the ones we need to pull the economy out of the dungeon. Let's push for a McCain/Romney ticket. -- Dr. Max Chartrand
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On The Bus11:02AMApr 2nd 2008
Do you ever wonder why so many people are getting on the Barack Hussein Obama bus?
Could it be that this nation is becoming colorblind and does not care if a good person is black, white, red or tan.
Could it be that the American people don’t care if a person worships as a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jew?
Could it be that people remember that Hillary will release her tax returns for scrutiny ASAP?
Could it be that people remember the scandals of the Clinton years, and are wondering what the secret white house visitors records contain?
Could it be that the American people have noticed that the people that know the Clinton’s best are working on the Obama Campaign?
Could it be that the American people have noticed how mean spirited the Clinton’s have become – and will no longer tolerate their type of campaigning.