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."

[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.

[remco82]

Obama-Edwards would take the prize!

[wdrussell1]

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

[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.

[realpatriot1]

VA2008,

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

Get over it.

[abbe91]

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

[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. =)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

[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!)

[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.