McCain Sidesteps Possible VP Questions

Senator Campaigns With Florida's Governor, But Says He Hasn't Begun Looking At Potential Running Mates

(AP)  Republican John McCain praised Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a potential running mate, as they campaigned together Thursday, although he sidestepped questions about a vice presidential choice.

During his first campaign appearance since clinching the GOP presidential nomination, McCain said he has not even begun looking at vice presidential candidates.

“You know, obviously, we have just begun that process, and we, in fact, have not even outlined how we're going to go about this,” McCain said at a news conference after he and Crist shook hands with people at a local diner. “We're looking at how the process was conducted by other candidates and nominees of their party.

“But I know one thing about Governor Crist,” he added. “And that is that he is a great governor. He does a great job. And I think that... there are many ways for him to serve the country.”

As soon as McCain wrapped up the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday with victories in Texas and Ohio, attention turned to his running mate. McCain, who is 71, has said his foremost concern is finding someone capable of serving in his place.

He talked with President Bush about making that choice over hotdogs when they lunched Wednesday at the White House.

As he told reporters later, Bush joked, “You know, you want to be careful who you select to run it.” That's because Vice President Cheney headed up the running-mate search for Bush, who ultimately chose Cheney.

McCain, who plans to mix campaign appearances with fundraising over the next week, also told reporters he wants to talk with people who have been involved with such a process before. Specifically, he mentioned A.B. Culvahouse, who served as counsel to President Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1989, as someone he wanted to speak with.

Crist, 51, is among more than a half-dozen politicians mentioned as a potential running mate. His last-minute endorsement of McCain is credited with helping McCain win the pivotal Florida primary election on Jan. 29. He won election last year to serve as governor of Florida, a state that will be a battleground in the November general election.

“The process is really open,” McCain said of his search. “But I know that Governor Crist will continue to serve this country in many respects in the future. He's still a very young man.”

Also being talked about as possible running mates for McCain are Govs. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Sarah Palin of Alaska, Jon Huntsman Jr. of Utah, Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.

Also Thursday, McCain defended the country of Colombia, which is in the midst of the worst diplomatic standoff in years with Venezuela. Venezuela and Ecuador have each sent thousands of soldiers to their borders with Colombia.

The Bush administration is seeking a diplomatic solution. McCain said the U.S. would come to the aid of Colombia if it were invaded but quickly said he didn't see that ever happening.

“Obviously, the United States of America supports the government of Colombia and would assist if it were invaded, but very frankly, I don't see that transpiring,” McCain said. “I think it's not going to happen.”

[jncc1701]

I''m curious, John McCain plans to go to the aid of Columbia if it is attacked - with what troops?

Regan was suffering with Alzheimer''s before his second term but I think McCain is already there, he has fogotten about our wars in Afganistan and Iraq.

[watcher269-2009]

Watch McSame/McShame talk about the war

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/03/08/the-daily-show-flashback-john-mccain-and-jon-stewarts-heated-debate-over-iraq-and-patriotism/

[candide777]

Republican Party to Americans in 2008:

"Honey, I swear, I won''t ever hit you again! I know I lied to you the last two times, but I promise, if you let me back in the house, I won''t abuse you again, please, you have to believe me. It''ll be different this time, I swear, I''m gonna CHANGE!"

[homespunlady]

Hey this is the guy that OPENLY ADMITS he DOESN''T know anything about the ECONOMY and apparently from his SILENCE on the matter other than "STAY THE COURSE" DOESN''T CARE!!!!

McBush Lite otherwise known as McSame is the IDEAL candidate to takeover GEORGE''S drive to run this nation over the economic cliff. Heck, he''s already loaded up the BUS with LOBBYISTS for his beloved CRONIES!

Running mates? With that latest cozy Whitehouse photo op it''s obvious it''s gonna be either KKKarl Rove or Jeb Bush. Gotta keep the control in the "family" now don''t we.

Can all you gloating fools that still have W stickers on your bumper sing "Brother Can You Spare A Dime"?

Oh, I forgot the New updated DEVALUED DOLLAR has changed that to "Brother Can You Spare A Ten-Spot?"

[jackfrost99]

McCain will be wise not to pick a running mate until the rep. convention or until he knows whom he''ll be running against on the dem side.

He needs someone that is younger (duh) and seen as a true conservative. Plus it wouldn''t be bad if they represented a large red state - remember Super Tuesday when McCain primarily won the blue states.

[cattlekate]

Well why not Jeb Bush since the policies outlined on McCain''s official web site are exactly the same as this current administration''s.

[abbe91]

The best running mate for McBush would be Bill Frist, the magic video footage diagnostic physician ...

[abbe91]

"Commander Warns Of Homeland Terror Threat" (no comment section).
"In July, U.S. intelligence analysts, in a threat assessment, concluded that al Qaeda had rebuilt its operating capability to a level not seen since just before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The report said the terror network had regrouped along the Afghan-Pakistan border, but it also noted that officials knew of no specific credible threat of an attack on U.S. soil. "

Regrouped along the Afghan-Pakistan border ???
I cannot believe it. McCain told us that AL-Quaeda was in Iraq !

[watcher269-2009]

And Imagine that - MORE terrorist threat warnings coming from the White House! Expect more "failures" in "Homeland security" to beef up Republican electability.