Speculation Over Veep Picks Intensifies

Ohio Politicians Among Those Seen As Potential Running Mates For Nominees

(AP)  Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and former GOP congressman Rob Portman could square off in the 2010 election. But what about this year?

The two often make news media and blogger lists of potential 2008 running mates for their parties. Ohio, which narrowly put President Bush over the top in 2004, again figures to be crucial with 20 electoral votes at stake, adding to speculation that the state nicknamed "the Mother of Presidents" could birth a vice presidential candidate this time.

"In the context of a national campaign in which Ohio is a key state, both those names make a lot of sense," said Herb Asher, an Ohio State University political analyst. "They're not exactly national household names, but if the question is, is there a running mate that could help deliver a key state, both could be able to do that."

Portman, overwhelmingly re-elected six times to Congress in southern Ohio, has been projected as a possible challenger to Strickland's 2010 re-election since returning to Ohio last year after leaving his job as President Bush's budget chief. He endorsed Arizona Sen. John McCain on Tuesday, drawing more mentions as a possible running mate.

"I like being home with my family," Portman, who also served as U.S. trade representative, said in an interview. "I'm not looking to go back to Washington right now."

Portman, also considered a potential Senate candidate, said he doesn't see himself on this year's ticket and that there are plenty of other strong VP candidates. He said he does plan to campaign hard to help McCain win Ohio, a state no Republican has won the presidency without.

Strickland, meanwhile, was an early supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign and the statewide vote-getting ability of the former congressman's 2006 landslide lands him on Democratic lists.

"That talk comes from the importance of Ohio in a general election," Strickland said in an interview. "It says more about the importance of Ohio than it does about Ted Strickland as an individual."

Strickland said he's committed to leading Ohio as governor and would politely but firmly decline if an offer did come. "But I will try to do my part to get a Democrat elected from Ohio," he said.

Merle Black, a political scientist at Emory University in Atlanta, said Portman, 52, has little national name recognition. Black agrees that McCain needs a younger conservative to offset concerns about his age - 71 - and about his appeal to the party's staunch right-wingers, but he thinks someone with a governor's statewide experience is more likely.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, still chasing McCain for the nomination, is generally considered a possible running mate. Other Southerners mentioned include Govs. Charlie Crist of Florida, Mississippi's Haley Barbour and South Carolina's Mark Sanford.

But Black said if McCain has to worry a lot about winning in the South, he probably would lose the election anyway. Black thinks someone from the Midwest could have appeal.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is among Midwesterners whose names are bandied about for McCain's ticket. If not for the age issue, Sen. George Voinovich, former Ohio governor but also age 71, would likely be high on GOP candidate lists.

On the Democratic side, those getting mentions include former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who's been campaigning in Ohio for Clinton, and one with Ohio roots - Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a Cincinnati native and daughter of former Gov. John Gilligan. Sebelius, who endorsed Sen. Barack Obama before he won her state's party caucuses Feb. 5, said after a recent rally here that she's focused on her current job and just trying to help Obama where she can.

"I think it's way too early," she said of running mate talk.

Ohio seems overdue after sending eight men to the presidency, a run that ended with the 1923 death in office of Warren Harding.

"We used to say 'the Mother of Presidents' is on the pill now," said a chuckling Gilligan, himself part of national speculation until his 1974 re-election loss. "I don't know what happened. We've had some pretty outstanding political leaders in this state, but they've never risen to the right level."

[davidlar2]

I think McCain needs a fiscal conservative as his running mate- someone who understands economics and will convince the electorate that we will move away from Bush deficit spending and get things under control. If McCain takes a business as usual Republican, I will vote Libertarian.

[excoachken]

If McCain picks the Huckster as his veep running mate, he might as well have a target on his chest, because the wacked-out righty''s want their man (Gomer Huckabee) one way or the other. To them, the end justifies the means.

[realpatriot1]

Wow, Bush''s budget chief and Hillary''s 1st term cheerleader.

If these guys were from Delaware they would never
be mentioned.

[denn034]

I think McCain should choose someone that''ll shore up his conservative base and appeal to moderates. The more I think about it, the more Fred Thompson stands out.

[denn034]

More than likely, Obama will get the nomination and choose slick Hilly as his VP to shore up his liberal base and appeal to moderates.

[gwagener]

McCain needs someone who can bring in the evangelical right as well as conservatives and someone who is at least a decade younger. That way McCain brings in the independants and moderates and the real Republicnas will vote for the VP to become president wihe McCain dies in office.

[forthepeopl1]

IF JOHN EDWARDS IS NOT V.P. OBOMA LOSES, SO LETS HOPE

[gwagener]

Clinton and Obama will negociate over the VP spot when one of them clinches the nomination. The person in the VP spot will ask for *** Cheney''s level of power. The person in the President spot will offer Dan Quayle powerlessness. If they can work out a deal somewhere in betwee, then it will be Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama.

[tibu987]

I plan on voting for Obama but I will NOT vote for him should he select Hillary or Edwards for his VP running mate. Ditto for Hillary should she win, I will then vote for the Green Party candidate as my personal form of protest.

[tibu987]

I do not feel that McCain has a chance of winning.

I will always remember McCains most asinine statement of this campaign:
"I don''t think Americans care if we are in Iraq for 10 years, 100 years, or 10 thousand years."

DUH! I care and I want this civil/cultural/religious war to end, now. If the Iraqi''s want to kill each other, that is their choice.
But no more young Americans should die there.

[denn034]

"I do not feel that McCain has a chance of winning."
Posted by tibu987

Get real! Ralph Nader in the race makes it impossible for either slick Hilly or Obama to win so, the only logical thing to say is that McCain will win. It''s delusional to say otherwise. Period!

[j00121]

It''s pretty clear that neither Barak Obama wants Hillary Clintonas a running mate nor does Hillary want Barak Obama as a running mate. Now that appears fairly certain that Obama will indeed be the Nominee (fingers crossed), he should look to someone who can shore up his National Security credentials. Someone like a Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, or even the Govenor of Kansas. He needs a strong, no-non-sense running mate to help him look good against John McCain in the Fall.

[glossypan]

"I do not feel that McCain has a chance of winning."
Posted by tibu987

Get real! Ralph Nader in the race makes it impossible for either slick Hilly or Obama to win so, the only logical thing to say is that McCain will win. It''''s delusional to say otherwise. Period!
Posted by denn034 at 04:37 PM : Feb 27, 2008
=================================

Total votes in primaries so far:

John McCain - 5,702,271
Barack Obama - 10,753,842
Hillary Clinton - 10,452,349
source: George Mason University Elections Project
** ** **
Republicans are sooooooo excited about McCain''s candidacy.
That''s the reason it is delusional to think he will not win. Period. Right?

[Razzl]

To talk about regionalism ahead of race, religion, or gender is to misunderstand politics in the era of the internet and television. By choosing a female running mate, Obama maximizes his ethnographic potential to the fullest and pretty much guarantees a win. This is problematic for the Democrats because their only female superstar, Hillary, is totally unsuitable for this role, but they must do it, regardless of how unseasoned the woman may be. Likewise, McCain must choose a woman or a black or latino person to blunt some of that edge; obsessing about how conservative the person is misses the point. The new era has its own requirements, and state lines are not even part of that picture any more. For those who refuse to believe in the death of localism, consider how badly most candidates in the primaries and the elections have done in their own home states over the last 5 years...

[skeezix06]

I know this is going to sound really odd to you all, but shouldn''t we pick a nominee for President first?

Here''s an unusual idea... Let''s let the primary race take its course till a winner in chosen By The People rather than the press, the party elite, whoever and whatever... and then we can look around for a VP.

[gkc99]

"Get real! Ralph Nader in the race makes it impossible for either slick Hilly or Obama to win so, the only logical thing to say is that McCain will win. It''''s delusional to say otherwise. Period"--Posted by denn034



Only in your (wet) dreams, bubba. Although I''m sure the neocon-scum slime boaters will be pouring beaucoup money into Nader.

But the American people are on to your little game. Nader will get even less in this election than in the last one; he''s irrelevant.

And Ron Paul may make that a 4 party election, you never know!

[gwagener]

It is a pretty safe bet that Ron Paul will run in the general election. He has raised around $33 million and still has around $6 million. He should end up with enough money to get on the ballot. He will likely be more of a factor than Nader.

[bobgee_1999]

Right, Obama would choose a female VP. Be serious. For a black man to have even a remote chance of winning in this country is bizarre enough. Why throw away even that remote possibility by choosing a woman running mate, which would destroy his candidacy with 100% certainty?

[jkbowman-2009]

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas has my support.

Obama 08!

[davidlar2]

A couple comments to some of the other comments:

We want a vice-president who is picked for qualifications (ie understanding economics) and because they would make an excellent president if something happened, not someone because they are from Ohio, black, latino, or female.

McCain cannot simultaneously appeal to evangelicals and to moderates/fiscal conservatives. He has to choose and I hope he chooses a fiscal conservative. I do not think he can win the election if he chooses an evangelical or someone like Thompson.

We need a candidate team who understand that the Bush deficits are a disaster that need to be brought under control (a problem for Republicans) and a team who understand that you can''t stop trading with the rest of the world and maintain long term economic growth (a problem for Democrats).

[glossypan]

Ralph Nader should get Ron Paul as his VP running mate.
I''ve a lot of CBS posters wanting a third choice.
Here''s your chance.
Nader/Ron Paul 2008
Posted by mocaIeo at 05:23 PM : Feb 27, 2008
=========================
I''m not trying to be adversarial and I have some respect for both men, but I have to say that the chances of either accepting a ballot spot with the other is zero. Their political, social and economic beliefs are diametrically opposed. Ron Pauls political thinking is more akin to the old Dixiecrat states-righters (George Wallace, John Stennis, Strom Thurmond) than anything else. Nader has fought against their agenda his entire career. Both are rigid and uncompromising.
My belief (for what its worth) - Ron Paul will not run for the presidency on a third party ticket. He is a fervent believer in his vision for America. I think he will use his campaign loot to start a think-tank to spread his ideals. I am almost certain the FEC allows leftovers to be used for this purpose.

[kissamaarse]

McCain likely dooms himself if he doesn''t pick a governor or an ex-governor, and one from a Southern state.

[hungry1968]

"Portman, overwhelmingly re-elected six times to Congress in southern Ohio, has been projected as a possible challenger to Strickland''s 2010 re-election since returning to Ohio last year after leaving his job as President Bush''s budget chief."





He was Bush''s budget chief, AND HE''S STILL BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE VP NOD?!?!?!

He should be bull whipped - not rewarded!!!

[dmgenet]

Yep, I want to know as well. I also want to know who the other people on the teams will be. Or at least be considered. You can''t judge a team simply by the manager or captain. Just think GW Bushs team and you will understand.

[sjc_1]

It is not just the VP, but the cabinet and advisers that are so important. You do not always get an idea of who those would be, but you can look at who they have in their campaign. I am much more comfortable with the people in the Clinton campaign than the Obama group.

[kansas1946]

Right, Obama would choose a female VP. Be serious. For a black man to have even a remote chance of winning in this country is bizarre enough. Why throw away even that remote possibility by choosing a woman running mate, which would destroy his candidacy with 100% certainty?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by bobgee_1999 at 05:52 PM : Feb 27, 2008
************************************

You aren''t giving American''s much credit. Anyone who supports Obama will support him with a woman VP and that is a LOT of Americans. I personally like Jim Webb for VP, but I think I saw him on a short list also. It will be interesting at any rate. I am really proud of Americans, and least independents and Democrats, for fully supporting both a black American and a woman.
It is Republicans that seem to be a little behind the curve. They need to move into the 20th century, (I know it is the 21st century, but we can''t expect miracles!)

[frb01]

Bill Richardson should be given serious consideration for VP, his experience would be an asset to either of the choices for the Dem nomination. McCain needs to find someone younger than he is, he may end up choosing a woman simply to counter Obama''s base.

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Dr. William James
The father of modern psychology
%u201CThere is nothing so absurd but that if you repeat it often enough people will believe it.%u201D

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Did ya know?
The Delaware Constitution 1776
As well as Vermont & Pennsylvania%u2019s in similarity!

%u201CEvery person appointed to public office shall say I do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the old and new testament to be given by divine inspiration.%u2019 %u201C
An acknowledgement of Christian belief was a requirement for holding public office during the years of the founding fathers.
You had to understand God%u2019s principles!

[ontheleft]

''You obviously don''''t know the history of this country well as it was the Republicans that were most supporti ve of civil rights in this country . . . not the democrats.

Posted by joule3 at 11:53 PM''

You might want to brush up on history yourself. Many moons ago, the Republican party was the party of the North. No longer. The Republican party is not the same party it was back when Abraham Lincoln was president. It was the Democratic party in the 1960s who pushed for civil rights, not the Republicans. It was that fact that drove a lot of southern Democrats into the Republican party.

[jowand]

It was the Democratic party in the 1960s who pushed for civil rights, not the Republicans. It was that fact that drove a lot of southern Democrats into the Republican party.

Posted by ontheleft at 12:02 AM : Feb 28, 2008

Republicans votes for LBJs Civil Rights Act not the Democrats

[juwboy]

ontheleft is right. The states of the Confederacy were solidly Democrat until the 1968 election, the first after the passage of Civil Rights laws.

On election night, I clearly remember Walter Cronkite and Eric Sevareid, in their pre-results forecasts, predicting that, as always, the South could be written off by the Republicans as it was sure to vote Democrat.

They were only partly right. In 1968, some, but not all, Southern states defected to the Republican party for the first time.

[jjp735i]

"McCain needs a younger conservative to offset concerns about his age - 71 - and about his appeal to the party''s staunch right-wingers"

Lord help us if McCain picks someone as a running mate to suck up to the right. They would be the ones that pray McCain drops over dead early so their man would take his place as soon as possible. That is the only reason the far right would vote for McCain.

If McCain wins we are going to suffer even more under the morals police. It will be like living in Saudi Arabia for crying out loud. You think your watched now, just wait and see.

[antoniof123]

You obviously don''''t know the history of this country well as it was the Republicans that were most supporti ve of civil rights in this country . . . not the democrats.

Posted by joule3 at 11:53 PM : Feb 27, 2008

Joule3 you need to check your histroy LINCOLN was a liberatarian not a conservative. Now look at what has happen to the group in the Republican party. And yes up until the 60''s the South voted Democrat then they left to vote for Republicans.

But the Republican party will never be the same because the neo cons religious wing nuts took it over.

[va2008]

um- just a quick fact check: Virginia has always been considered the mother of presidents with 8. Although you can say Ohio has elected 8 as well- when you count the original "W"- Harding as one of your son''s, I think Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, et all.. settles that score. =)

[abbe91]

http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/store/add.php?iid=21914

[realpatriot1]

VA2008,

Both states have produced 8 Presidents and both states are referred to by hisorians as the "mother of Presidents."

Get over it.

[drafthaley]

Draft Haley Barbour for Vice President, an Atlanta-based committee, believes Governor Haley Barbour is that southern conservative and they are seeking to gather 50,000 signatures to convince the republican nominee of the same thing.
As part of their grassroots campaign, the committee will begin airing television ads on Sunday in Phoenix, Az. and Jackson, Miss.%u2014the home cities of Senator John McCain and Governor Haley Barbour, respectively.
%u201CSenator McCain%u2019s chances at victory in November will be enhanced by picking a running mate that will unite the Republican ticket,%u201D said Joshua W. Jones, Chairman of the Draft Haley for Vice President committee. %u201CGovernor Barbour%u2019s vision and his ability to lead give conservatives a voice on the ticket.%u201D
Since assuming office, Governor Barbour has been credited with puling Mississippi out of a $720 million budget deficit, decreasing Medicaid rolls to less than 600,000 and creating more than 38,000 jobs%u2014all without raising taxes.
To sign the petition or to learn more about the Draft Haley movement, visit www.DraftBarbour.com.

[drafthaley]

Draft Haley Barbour for Vice President, an Atlanta-based committee, believes Governor Haley Barbour is that southern conservative and they are seeking to gather 50,000 signatures to convince the republican nominee of the same thing.
As part of their grassroots campaign, the committee will begin airing television ads on Sunday in Phoenix, Az. and Jackson, Miss.%u2014the home cities of Senator John McCain and Governor Haley Barbour, respectively.
%u201CSenator McCain%u2019s chances at victory in November will be enhanced by picking a running mate that will unite the Republican ticket,%u201D said Joshua W. Jones, Chairman of the Draft Haley for Vice President committee. %u201CGovernor Barbour%u2019s vision and his ability to lead give conservatives a voice on the ticket.%u201D
Since assuming office, Governor Barbour has been credited with puling Mississippi out of a $720 million budget deficit, decreasing Medicaid rolls to less than 600,000 and creating more than 38,000 jobs%u2014all without raising taxes.
To sign the petition or to learn more about the Draft Haley movement, visit www.DraftBarbour.com.

[drafthaley]

Draft Haley Barbour for Vice President, an Atlanta-based committee, believes Governor Haley Barbour is that southern conservative and they are seeking to gather 50,000 signatures to convince the republican nominee of the same thing.
As part of their grassroots campaign, the committee will begin airing television ads on Sunday in Phoenix, Az. and Jackson, Miss.%u2014the home cities of Senator John McCain and Governor Haley Barbour, respectively.
%u201CSenator McCain%u2019s chances at victory in November will be enhanced by picking a running mate that will unite the Republican ticket,%u201D said Joshua W. Jones, Chairman of the Draft Haley for Vice President committee. %u201CGovernor Barbour%u2019s vision and his ability to lead give conservatives a voice on the ticket.%u201D
Since assuming office, Governor Barbour has been credited with puling Mississippi out of a $720 million budget deficit, decreasing Medicaid rolls to less than 600,000 and creating more than 38,000 jobs%u2014all without raising taxes.
To sign the petition or to learn more about the Draft Haley movement, visit www.DraftBarbour.com.

[wdrussell1]

John needs to pick Fred Phelps.
That would cement the lunatic vote.

[remco82]

Obama-Edwards would take the prize!

[croft777]

For all you Hillary Clinton Supporters.

There is a company who is selling Anti- Hillary t-shirts and clothing. These t-shirts are disgraceful, and sexist. I have boycotted this company, and I would believe you would want to also.They are bashing a very respected woman. The number is 1-877-809-1659. This company is making lots of money advertising and selling these products. It only takes a call to tell them you are boycotting them. This will serve them a lesson.

[croft777]

For all you Hillary Clinton Supporters.

There is a company who is selling Anti- Hillary t-shirts and clothing. These t-shirts are disgraceful, and sexist. I have boycotted this company, and I would believe you would want to also.They are bashing a very respected woman. The number is 1-877-809-1659. This company is making lots of money advertising and selling these products. It only takes a call to tell them you are boycotting them. This will serve them a lesson.