Whom Should McCain Pick for VP?

AOL News is running an interesting poll today on whom John McCain should pick to be his running mate. According to the survey 71% of respondents think the VP pick is "very" important to them. Cynics say only the top of the ticket really counts, but this shows otherwise. And with talk of an Obama-Clinton ticket or a Clinton-Obama ticket, the VP interest is at an all-time high.

But the AOL survey was interesting because it offered a choice between four white men for McCain to chose from. My instincts tell me otherwise, that there will be tremendous pressure on the GOP nominee to do something more unusual to try to match or counter the Democrat's ticket.

Even so, the AOL poll opens the discussion. The four choices it listed are former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA); former Gov, Mike Huckabee (R-AR); former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN); and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY). All are intriguing, but some are more plausible than others. I will evaluate each:

ROMNEY: Assets: Brings big business and economic experience that McCain does not have; was a state chief executive; Olympic experience is impressive; and he's young. Drawbacks: he bombed in the primaries; can he win his own state of Massachusetts?; What other states can he help win for McCain? (My Rating: B+)

HUCKABEE: Assets: He can help solidify the "solid South" since he won most primaries there; he has chief executive experience; he's much younger than McCain; he has an inspiring story to match Obama. Drawbacks: Critics don't like that he was a Baptist minister; he has no foreign policy experience; does he help anywhere outside the South? (My Rating: C+)

THOMPSON: Assets: Telegenic, most people love him as an actor; solid conservative, who can carry the "solid South"; strong background as a Senate lawyer and a Senator; Drawbacks: weak, lifeless campaigner. His primary run was awful; Most people only know him as an actor; can "two old White guys" run on the same ticket? (My Rating D)

GIULIANI: Assets: Still America's Mayor, the man can lead under pressure; tough prosecutor, so he helps the GOP "tough on crime" message; he potentially carries NY state; Drawbacks: His campaign was a disaster. Can he get better?; He and McCain are moderates. Will the "right wing" support them? Can he overcome his personal "baggage". Even his son backed another candidate. (My Rating: C)

So no one here blows people away. There is no talk of a GOP "dream ticket" like the Democrats are discussing. Maybe a good, solid, straight forward "McCain-Romney" ticket can beat back the "star talk." Maybe not.

I still doubt the Obama-Clinton pairing, but nonetheless it does put pressure on the GOP to think differently. Here are some other options:

SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON - (R-TX): Tough, smart, savvy Texas pol who has already announced she is retiring in 2010. But Texas should go GOP with or without her.

SEN. ELIZABETH DOLE - (R-NC): Could help secure the "solid South." She has deep DC experience having held two Cabinet posts and presidency of the Red Cross. Probably the most qualified woman in America to be President. But many in GOP blame her for loss of control in the Senate when she ran the campaign committee 2 years ago. She's also the same age as John McCain. Still, her name is not being floated much. Expect that to change with heavy pressure from her husband.

SEC. OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE: She's as smart as they come, Ph.D. and all. But many blame her as much as Bush and Cheney for Iraq, so will voters hold that against her? She's also single, which shouldn't matter. But voters like to see a family standing on stage. Fair or not, that's a reality in American politics.

So what do you think? Does McCain stay with tradition and pick the best man out there. Or does he do something different, such as picking a woman?

Tell me your opinion. Just click on the "comments" box on any post at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com