McCain's VP Short List

Born: March 12, 1947 (age 61); Detroit, Mich.
Spouse: Ann Romney
Current Residence: Belmont, Mass.
Religion: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)
College: Brigham Young; Harvard
Credentials: Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007; Ran a close campaign for senate against Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy. (He lost, but Kennedy always wins)

The Good

• Popular with faith-based voters
• His fiscal credentials prove McCain is serious about the economy
• Perfect SAT score
• Got on the McCain band wagon early by endorsing him Feb. 14, 2008, just one week after withdrawing from the Republican primaries

The Bad

• Repeatedly shot himself in the foot during the primaries by saying the wrong things
• Seen as the ultimate rich white male politician
• Some people suspicious of his Mormon background
• Though Romney now says he is pro-life, he claimed to support Roe v. Wade in 1994 while running a campaign to take Ted Kennedy's seat in the senate. This has left some suspicious of his faithfulness to the party line.

If the McCain camp puts Mitt on the ticket, it's because they're betting that people will vote with their wallets.

Like him or not, Mitt is a sharp businessman with a perfect SAT score and a history of turning around ailing businesses. NO ONE else has the pedigree Romney has for dealing with money. Choosing Romney would send a clear message that McCain is putting the economy first and people will have to get comfortable with a Mormon being a heart attack away from the Oval Office.


Born: Nov. 27, 1960 (age 47); St. Paul, Minn.
Spouse: Mary Pawlenty
Current Residence: Eagan, Minn.
Religion: Baptist
College: University of Minnesota
Credentials: Minnesota House of Representatives 1992-2002, named House Majority Leader 1998; Governor of Minnesota 2002-present

The Good

• Proven record of fiscal responsibility with his tax cuts and budget balancing in the Minnesota House of Representatives during the tenure of Independent governor Jesse Ventura
• Seen as a working class hero with a love for rock music and both his undergraduate and law degrees coming from a state university.
• Garners support from both traditional and fiscal Republicans.

The Bad

• Not as well known as Mitt Romney
• Blamed by some for the 2007 I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse in which 13 people died because his tight budget constraints may not have allowed for proper upkeep on state maintained roads and bridges. His office was also seen as neglectful in its handlings of foreboding bridge inspection reports.

In Tim Pawlenty, the McCain campaign would find a politican popular for his man-of-the-people perception and history of pushing through budgets and legislation.

Pawlenty has proven his electability with four successful reelection campaigns in the Minnesota House of Representatives and one successful reelection campaign as Governor. Look for democrats to attack his aggresively conservative tax policies to the point of calling them neglectful.


Born: Aug. 26, 1945 (age 62)
Spouse: Michele Ridge
Current Residence: Washington, D.C.
Religion: Roman Catholic
College: Harvard; Dickinson School of Law
Credentials: Assistant District Attorney for Erie County, Pennsylvania 1980-1982; U.S. House of Representatives from Penn. 21st district 1983-1995; Governor of Pennsylvania 1995-2001; Head of Homeland Security 2001-2005

The Good

• Seen as tough on security
• Has never lost an election for public office
• Proven record of leadership on state and national levels

The Bad

• Tainted by his association with the Bush administration
• Ulta-conservative security stances will not appeal to centrist voters
• Seen as Washington insider in an election about change

Though Tom Ridge has repeatedly shown up on McCain's shortlist, it's hard to imagine him choosing Ridge for VP.

As Secretary of Homeland Security, Ridge brings with him an image of toughness that appeals to voters frightened by the prospect of more Sept. 11-like terrorist attacks. Unfortunately for Ridge, those voters are likely to vote for McCain no matter who he chooses.

Ridge's strong associations with the Bush administration make him vulnerable to Barack Obama's arguments that electing John McCain would be like reelecting Bush.

To his benefit, Ridge is a tough campaigner with an impressive track record in public office. He would make the perfect attack dog for McCain, able to tear down Barack Obama while McCain keeps his hands clean.


Born: June 10, 1971 (age 37); Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Spouse: Supriya Jolly Jindal
Current Residence: Kenner, Louisiana
Religion: Roman Catholic
College: Brown University; Oxford University
Credentials: U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st District 2005-2008; Governor of Louisiana Jan. 2008-present

The Good

• Garnered bipartisan support when appointed Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation
• Brings racial diversity to a party characterized as rich and white
• As a young minority politician seen as a rising star in the Republican party, Jindal can be seen as the party's answer to Obama.

The Bad

• At age 37, his age and lack of experience make him an easy target
• Has said on more than one occasion that he is definitely not going to be the VP candidate
• Some views controversial, including belief that intelligent design should be taught in public schools

Bobby Jindal has a place waiting for him in the annals of United States politics. It just isn't with John McCain.

Young, tireless and a rare minority figure within the Republican party, Jindal might really be his party's answer to Barack Obama. But give him a chance to show his colors first.

Jindal has aggressively assimilated to help him get where he is today. Though his real name is Piyush, he began going by Bobby after watching The Brady Bunch as a child. In high school, he converted from Hinduism to Roman Catholicism and began giving testimonials to Catholics, Baptists and Pentecostals.

Jindal is certainly the most interesting possiblity for a Vice Presidential choice, but with his latest denials and his young age, his chances are slim to none.


Born: July 24, 1956 (age 52); Altoona, Penn.
Fiancee: Carole Rome
Current Residence: Tallahassee, Florida
Religion: Methodist
College: Wake Forest University; Florida State University; Cumberland School of Law
Credentials: Florida State Senate 1992-1998; Education Commissioner of Florida 2000-2003; Attorney General - Florida 2003-2007; Governor of Florida 2007-present

The Good

• Nicknamed "Chaingang Charlie" for his support of prison labor, he is seen as tough on crime
• Successfully distanced himself from unpopular Bush administration
• Progressive stances on environmental issues while still garnering support from Republican base

The Bad

• Controversial contributions have damaged his reputation (most notably from Lou Pealman)
• Reputation further damaged by association with Rev. O'Neal Dozier, who called Islam a cult

Charlie Crist is the George Hamilton of politics.

With his year-round tan, shock-white hair and debonair suits he looks more like a movie star than a governor. He's certainly the only 52-year-old politician who can avoid looking ridiculous with someone as young and hot as his fiancee Carole Rome. (OK, so she's only 14 years his junior, but wow.)

On the one hand, this slick, progressive style might win him points when McCain tries to appeal to centrist voters. But by the same token, that slickness is interpreted by many (even in his own state) as dishonesty.

While Crist has a reputation for being tough on crime and has successfully distanced himself from the Bush administration, it's hard to see him fitting in with John McCain. Then again, McCain could do worse.

• Kay Bailey Hutchison
• Carly Fiorina
• Sarah Palin
• Condoleeza Rice
• Joseph Lieberman