McCain Meeting With Potential Running Mates

CLEVELAND — The Memorial Day weekend guest list at Sen. John McCain's Arizona retreat runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates, but a top aide said Wednesday that vetting possible veeps is not on the agenda.

"It's purely social," said Mark Salter, a senior adviser to McCain.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival in the primary, were invited to a weekend gathering at the senator's place in Sedona.

They were among the estimated two dozen people _ including some 10 couples _ invited. McCain often hosts friends and political acquaintances at his compound.

The Republican nominee-in-waiting said more than a month ago that he was in the "embryonic stages" of selecting a running mate for the fall campaign, but neither he nor aides have disclosed additional information in the weeks since.

It will be the first visit to Sedona, Ariz., for all three.

Romney dropped out of the race in February after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed McCain a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.

Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he'd accept a vice presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he's looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012.

Crist, 51, provided a major boost to McCain before Florida's Jan. 29 primary with a well-timed endorsement.

Elected governor in 2006, he has been seen as a moderate Republican. He has championed efforts to curb climate change, and former President Clinton praised him for his efforts to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. Crist also pushed for a law that requires a paper trail in state elections.

Jindal, 36, son of Indian immigrants, was elected governor of Louisiana in October 2007, three years after being elected to the House, where he was credited with playing an important role as his state recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Previously, he was secretary of Louisiana's health department, and an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Jindal's spokeswoman, Melissa Sellers, downplayed the visit and did not mention the vice presidential search. She said the governor and his wife were going to Arizona to "spend time" with McCain and his wife, Cindy, and noted that that two lawmakers have met several times before.

Among other guests expected were Sens. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., close confidantes of McCain.

Comments

[GoBecky]

I don't know about the other two, but Crist will not be the VP candidate. The St. Petersburg Times reported that he basically sold his endorsement for a guarantee of being on the shortlist (apparently Giuliani balked at that, which is why Crist didn't endorse him back on October as expected). This is all a charade. It's raising Crist's national visibility, and McCain is keeping his shortlist promise. But it won't amount to anything, because Crist would sink the ticket, and they both know that. It's rather an open secret in local & state politics that Crist is gay. He managed to ride Jeb's coattails to Tally, but rumors dogged him the whole way. (The fact that the Dem. candidate, Jim Davis, was completely unappealing in every way didn't hurt.) I doubt the Dems would make an issue of his sexuality, not wanting to alienate the rest of us LGBT folks, but there's no question that McCain's enemies on the right (and friends - Rev. Hagee, anyone?) would have a hayday with it. As much as I'd love to see a local boy, and a queer one at that, in the national spotlight, it's just not gonna happen.

(Also, the fallout of Crist's beloved Ammendment 1, which made homestead taxes portable, therefore draining the coffers of many municipalities, would not do too much to help McCain win the state.)

[Superbus]

No time for idle speculation. When all the facts are in, it will be obvious.

Mitt Romney.

[lewes17266]

Mitt Romney, who spoke at a Regent graduation???

Are you serious? If you are serious, I suggest that you watch the Pat Robertson pay-for-pray tv show and be sure to touch your tv screen for a miracle.

[MourningDude]

Dunno, could be Lieberman...

Wouldn't that be a twist?

[Schnitzel]

The irony there would be for McCain to assume that the same people who so bitterly voted AGAINST Lieberman would suddenly turn around and vote FOR him in 2008.
I can just here the conversation Cletus is going to be having with Zebulon down at the Dew Drop Inn out in rural Georgia or Alabama:

CLETUS: "We gotta choose between a n***er or a New York Jew? Hell, I ain't gonna vote for either of 'em."

ZEBULON: "McCain would actually be the Presidunt an' Lieberman's from Connecticut"

CLETUS: "New York, Connecticut - it's all the same. McCain's too damn old an' he's just gonna drop dead and we'll get stuck with Jew-boy"

As offensive as these caricatures might be, it illustrates that wIthout the "good ol' boy" vote McCain's chances don't look too good - especially if he picks an elitist like Romney or Lieberman.

[Doofus]

There used to be a joke going around, when Bush Sr was President, that
should anything untoward happen to the President, the Secret Service had
standing orders to 'take out' VP Dan Quayle. This could work for (against?)
VP Joe Lieberman also. An odious VP provides an extra measure of security.

Since the days of John Adams & Tom Jefferson, P & VP have always been
of the same party. The exception being Lincoln & Andrew Johnson. You
could of course insist that Lieberman, as an 'Independent' is different.
Problem is, though, that the VP is always hugely influential in party politics.
In this case, which party would that be?

[HollywoodBill]

McCain needs to put as much space as possible between himself and the religious whackos who are running today's GOP. No Mitt--the Agents of Intolerance have already proven that they won't vote for any Mormon. A cult in their book. Bobby Jindal reprepresents the Revival Tent Republicans and actually would harm McCain's chances with Independents, Moderates and Western libertarian Republicans.

Crist is a maybe and a good choice. Minnesota's Pawlenty puts Minnesota into play and could happen. An interesting choice would be Carly Fiorina who is heading the VeeP selection committee. She could appeal to the disenfranchised Clinton voters.

[lewes17266]

Romney spoke at a Regent commencement...Pat Robertson's Regent. Pat Robertson, who tells us he is a holy prophet of God, a descendent of royalty, a patriot, a gifted businessman, and also says he has the power to heal and speak words of knowledge on his tv show. Pat Robertson tells his viewers to touch the tv screen for a miracle. Pat Robertson tells us who God is smiting and who God should "take out." Pat Robertson tells us who God is angry with and how Katrina was God's discipline to sinful sinners.

Romney actually stood next to Pat Robertson and spoke at his college. This Romney is now on a short-list of VP running mates. This Romney could be our country's VP.

[vmonter]

Thanks for the reminder on how retarded and ignorant America is.

[lewes17266]

America could be better informed if the media were responsible and gave a damn about truth.

[lewes17266]

Oh! I forget to mention that Patty tells us that he is also a strongman also, capable of leg pressing 2,000 pounds!

[cloudy]

I wouldn't be so over-confident about Obama in November. Having supported him, including with donations, since Before Winfrey (BW), I know that he has proven himself a remarkable politician, winning against odds that I at first thought would never be surmounted against Hillary Clinton. But the PRESS just LOVES McCain, they palm him off as a moderate at every opportunity, which he is somewhat on certain highly visible issues -- but look at him on the issue v practice of lobbyists. McCain will be sold and oversold and defended by Swiftboaters of every variety this year, and I don't think Obama will win by double digits (though it would be nice!).

My guesstimate is that, even if McCain loses, which is hardly an even near-sure probability, he will lose by less than 7%. I don't know how to guess the electoral college. If Obama wins by 7% or more, look for a Senate that has a near veto-proof Democratic majority (upper fifties, possibly actually even making it to 60, though that's doubtful). Don't forget the power of the image of 'patriotism' and the impact that white chauvinism will have on many otherwise swing voters.

All in all, however, I have long thought that when compared specifically to John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama will do better than they would, though not winning by double digits

[MourningDude]

Not a "veto-proof" majority. But a filibuster-proof one.

Considering how Democrats complain they can't pass anything in the House, even with a majority there, even 60 in the Senate may not be enough.

By putting up all these moderate, pro-military Dems, they may have usurped power, but they also undermined their own agenda.

[javaman]

pretty accurate depiction of the mcsames running potential running mates; big red bubble heads.

[Doofus]

Prediction: in the end, it will be Huckabee. The guys 'under consideration'
this early are long-shots. McCain has to favor the Evangelicals, who aren't
too sure about him as it is. Romney (Rmoney?) is Corporate America's
choice, but they'll support McCain anyway. Anyone from any minority
you can think of will be 'considered', strictly out of political correctness,
and told 'Your resume is on file & thanks for your interest'. Hucky is The Man.

[MourningDude]

Actually, there have been several news stories about how McCain ISN'T getting the Corporate support that Bush did. Nowhere near as much.

If having Romney on the ticket can boost it back up, that may be crucial in offsetting Obama's hundreds of millions.

[Doofus]

If Romney's connection with Pat Robertson can get him on the
ticket, and the Repo men get elected, that will be Very Cool for
Pat and his people.

On the other hand, how many votes does Corporate America
actually have, and how many would go to Obama over McCain?

Money they've got, but money ain't everything. Ask Romney.

[realpolitic]

Rev. Hagee for vice-president! Condi Rice for public executioner!

[mithra666]

Fred Thompson would make the perfect VP nominee for McSame. That would be the perfect "dream" team.

We could also have a blast comparing blond trophy wives and trying to spot McBush cameo's in "Law and Order: Iraq". The comedic possibilities are endless.

McCain/Thompson: take a nap for freedom.

[RichieTheK]

"McCain/Thompson: take a nap for freedom"

Best... Slogan... Ever!

I'm surprised Huckabee was not invited to this little picnic. As for Jindal, forget about it. After grousing about Obama's level of experience for the past year, the GOP could never defend this pick, especially as a running mate for McCain.

[Kundera]

Ever?

[ReasonableBill]

Charlie Crist has absolutely no International, budget or major government experience. He is a local Florida lawyer who was the Florida Attorney General, waits until the popular opinion is known and than goes in that direction. "Nice Guy Charlie", our Governor, in the Bush tradition is unable to raise the education scores, Florida and Texas still at the bottom of the list in high school graduates, in the Bush tradition.
Romney, the arrogant, self righteous conservative? :My way or the highway"? Watch the debates and see who just had to interrupt, have his way and all with that smile of get out of my way, I am a self righteous person. I ran the Winter Olympics. Well Mitt, you left a major amount of debt in your ONE time as a State office holder - Governor. Another mess in the making in the Bush tradition. If anything would happen to McCain - these 2 arrogant and inexperienced numbnuts could be president. McCain, what are you thinking? Give them lunch and tell them to hit the highway.

[Manx]

I think Pat Buchanan is all wet, as usual. Romney would be a detriment to McCain among the Christian fundamentalists, who don't like Mormons. And in national polls, 40 per cent of Americans said they wouldn't vote for a Mormon.

[richmc]

How pathetic. Grandpa and Herman Munster. How utterly lacking in vision and imagination.

They'll probably win, too. "No one ever went broker understimating the stupidity of the American people."

[Kundera]

Namecalling, how becoming of lefties.

[GrandpaMcCain]

That is one ugly man.

[Mirri]

Anyone notice that McCain has picked three GUYS. I am so tired of having to vote for boy-boy tickets. I simply will not do it anymore. Obama gets my vote if he runs with Hillary. If he runs with some other dude, nope.

[GrandpaMcCain]

Ok, great. Thanks for playing. The Reich-wing appreciates your superficiality.

[DennyCrane]

Voters like you are why this country got stuck with Bush. You vote on things like gender instead of the issues that really matter. So if McCain picked Condi Rice as his running mate, you would vote for him? Do you realize that McCain would appoint a conservative to The Supreme Court and that Roe v. Wade would be overturned? But hey, at least you'll have something other than a boy-boy ticket to vote for.

[jmols1031]

You're an idiot.

[PatCroft]

Dan Quayle is still looking for a job!

[Kundera]

Atleast he knew how many states there are.